Friday, August 28, 2009

Duck, Duck Goose!

Something about ducks and geese make them attractive characters for countless children's stories. Perhaps it is their versatility - they swim, they fly, they walk, they migrate.  Or perhaps it's because they make wonderfully fun sounds with quacks and honks.  Or perhaps it's because 'duck' rhymes so easily with many words.  Whatever the reason, these titles have been brought together because of their thematic link to ducks and geese and if you like them, there are many more available.  You can check out other duck and goose titles here in previous posts: Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough, Ruby in Her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett, Guess Who, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest, In the Rain with Baby Duck by Amy Hest, Off to School, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest, and One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root.  So please enjoy this variety of books which discusses confidence and personal independence, simple counting, seasons, and friendship and remember to look in your library's catalog! 

10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle
This Eric Carle book tells of a box of rubber ducks that is thrown overboard from a freight ship during a storm.  The ducks make their way through the ocean to their new home and family.  The end page holds a surprise for young readers - a button to push to make a rubber duck quack, quack, quack.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Carle, Eric. 10 Little Rubber Ducks. Harper Collins, 2005.)

Gossie by Olivier Dunrea
Gossie is the first in a series of short board books about this little engaging gosling.  Intended for a very young audience, the Gossie books address age appropriate themes such as sharing and friendship through simple text and lively illustrations that express feelings with simple lines.  (Ages 1-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Dunrea, Olivier. Gossie. Houghton Mifflin, 2002.)

The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
Jack, the Cat, has built the perfect nest so as to attract a chicken to come a lay an egg and with this egg, Jack is going to prepare a delicious omelette.  What Jack does not anticipate is that the nest is so perfect that a chicken, a duck and a goose fight over it and all lay eggs.  And even more so to Jack's surprise is what happens when those three eggs all hatch.  Filled with bright and hilarious illustrations, this story is one not to miss.  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Friend, Catherine. The Perfect Nest. Candlewick Press, 2007.)

You're the Boss, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest
Baby Duck is featured in several great books and in this story, Baby Duck is feeling a little left out as a new baby has joined their family.  As in most Baby Duck stories, Granpa steps in knowing just the right things to say to Baby Duck.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Hest, Amy. You're the Boss, Baby Duck! Candlewick Press, 1997.)

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
The 1941 classic and Caldecott Medal winning Make Way for Ducklings is still a meaningful, warm, and relevant children's story for today.  Set in Boston, a family of ducks finds its way to their perfect home in the Boston Commons.  (Ages 3-7)
(Full bibliographic info: McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. Viking, 1941.)

Cold Little Duck Duck Duck by Lisa Westberg Peters
A little duck arrives back at her frozen pond a little too early before spring. Through her wishful thinking, she brings in the spring by imagining the sounds and colors. The beautiful watercolor illustrations are supported by the poetic, rhythmic words. (Ages 1-4)
(Full bibliographic info: Peters, Lisa Westberg. Cold Little Duck Duck Duck. Greenwillow Books, 2000.)

Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Is it a duck or is it a rabbit?  The bold image can be interpreted either way, so it's in the eye of the beholder.  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. Duck! Rabbit! Chronicle Books, 2009.)

Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons
Daisy is distracted by all the exciting things in the pond and becomes separated from her mother.  Just as Daisy starts to become concerned, her Mama arrives and reminds her again to "come along"!  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Simmons, Jane. Come Along, Daisy! Little Brown, 1998.)

Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
One little duckling leaves the nest to embark on an adventure.  Along with her seven remaining ducklings, the mama duck asks other pond residents if they have seen her missing duckling.  This Caldecott Honor book with simple text is carried with detailed illustrations which draw in young readers. (Ages 1-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Tafuri, Nancy. Have You Seen My Duckling? Greenwillow Books, 1984.)

Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic
Long past the time that all other ducks have flown south for the winter, Duck shows up at the door of Irene's pet-friendly and inviting home.  Initially Max the Duck is welcomed into the roost, but as time wares on, so do Max's habits.  So come spring, all the roommates felt it was time for Max to move on but little did they know how quiet their home would seem.  (Ages 3-8)
(Full bibliographic info: Urbanovic, Jackie. Duck at the Door. Harper Collins, 2007.)
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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Gearing Up for School

As the children are gearing up and getting ready to head back for the new school year (or some cases have already started the new school year), you'll find below a selection of titles about going to school, the first day of school, and the school bus.  When children are starting school, it's always new - even if it's a school that they've been to before, it's a new year and probably a new teacher.  Reading stories about the things that they will see, hear, and do can be comforting and helpful to young children.  They might not be able to express their feelings (excitement, anxiety, joy, fear, etc), but they might be able to talk about a character in a book and then you can relate that conversation to your child and make it more personal.  The list below is just a small offering of the many titles out there, so be sure to ask your librarian for more.  

Maisy Goes to School by Lucy Cousins
If you haven't been to the world of Maisy yet, then dive in because your toddler is going to love it.  Maisy's books are filled with bright, bold illustrations and very simple text.  In this lift-the-flap book, Maisy spends a day at school. (Ages 2-4)
(Full bibliographic info: Cousins, Lucy. Maisy Goes to School. Candlewick Press, 1992.)

School Bus by Donald Crews
An almost wordless classic, School Bus takes us through day of the buses - leaving the parking lot, going through the city streets, picking up the children, dropping them at school, etc.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Crews, Donald. School Bus. Greenwillow Books, 1984.)

Off to School, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest
In this Baby Duck story, Baby Duck is leaving home (not all together enthusiastically) for school, but as always, Granpa is there with wise words of comfort.  And Baby Duck meets a new friend which is always a good thing.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Hest, Amy.  Off to School, Baby Duck! Candlewick Press, 1999.)

First Day by Dandi Daley Mackall
The rhythmic, poetic text in this book takes us through a typical first day of school touching on all the main things that a child would notice - the bigger kids, sharing crayons, recess.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Mackall, Dandi Daley. First Day. Harcourt, 2003.)

The Wheels on the School Bus by Mary Alice Moore
You can sing along to this lively version of "The Wheels on the Bus".  For every verse a new school related person climbs aboard - the librarian, the coach, the lunch ladies, the nurse.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Moore, Mary Alice. The Wheels on the School Bus. Harper Collins, 2006.)

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
This story also encompasses the theme of being nervous and reluctant to go to school for the first time, but little Chester learns about the secret of the kissing hand and knows that his Mom is always with him.  (Ages 3-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Penn, Audrey. The Kissing Hand. Child Welfare League of America, 1993.)

The Little School Bus by Carol Roth
Join in as these animals all board the bus and head to school.  The repeating refrain of "and ride the bus to school, to school/and ride the bus to school" will have your little ones singing right along. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Roth, Carol. The Little School Bus. North South Books, 2002.)

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for School? by Barney Saltzburg
In this story, Cornelius P. Mud is getting ready for school in his typical, fun-loving way.  His backpack is packed with toys and his breakfast was popcorn and yet he still isn't ready for school until he gets a kiss from Mom.  If you enjoy this one, also try Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Saltzburg, Barney. Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for School? Candlewick Press, 2007.)

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
The vibrant, energetic illustrations draw children into this lively alphabet book, an A-Z adventure of animals getting ready to start kindergarten.  This is one not to miss.  (Ages 3-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Slate, Joseph. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. Dutton Children's Books, 1996.)

The Bus Stop by Janet Morgan Stoeke
The rhyming text with repeating refrain bring all the children to the bus stop in the morning.   This is a great first book about riding the bus because it always starts with getting to the bus stop.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Stoeke, Janet Morgan. The Bus Stop. Dutton Children's Books, 2007.)

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen
For the dinosaur loving child, the dinosaur "how to" books by Jane Yolen are always filled with fun and she even sneaks in tips on what not to do as well as what to do.  This one brings us through the school day with all those gigantic and lovable dinosaurs.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? Scholastic, 2007.)
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Friday, August 14, 2009

Activities Together: Non-Edible Recipes

Bubbles, play-doh, crayons discs.  Sometimes half the fun can be the time that it takes to make these supplies right at home.  Below is a listing of links to online recipes for non-edible creations for children.  Hiding inside the fun of creating together are early literacy skills: reading recipes and following an ordered list of instructions.  So roll up those sleeves and make a mess mixing up a batch of homemade play-doh and tint it just the right color or finally have something you can do to recycle all of the crayon stubs and broken bits, but most of all, enjoy your time together with your young child.

Apple Cinnamon Dough (great for creating holiday ornaments)

Flickr Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kohler/2197739750/
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Monday, August 10, 2009

Shiver Me Timbers: Books of Pirates and Scallywags

Below is a small collection of delightful and imaginative tales involving pirates.  But not to worry - these stories aren't too scary for young readers.  And if you're looking for more pirate books, ask your librarian.  There are lots out there to be found.  X marks the spot!

Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi
Henry, a pirate bunny, isn't your typical pirate.  He's more into books than into pirating and he has a hard time convincing his crew mates of the value of books.  That is until the day that they are marooned on a deserted island and by use of the information from Henry's books they are able to save themselves.  (Ages 4-8)
(Full bibliographic info: Crimi, Craolyn. Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies. Candlewick Press, 2005.)

Dirty Joe, the Pirate: A True Story by Bill Harley
This book is quite funny.  Dirty Joe is a pirate leading a band who are out to pilfer dirty socks.  Truly.  And they are ruling the seas until they meet their match in Stinky Annie who is out for dirty underwear.  Yep.  Dirty underwear.  (Ages 3-8)
(Full bibliographic info: Harley, Bill. Dirty Joe, the Pirate: A True Story. Harper Collins, 2008.)

The Night Pirates by Peter Harris
A little boy joins in to accompany a band of girl pirates who have tried to steal the front of his house to disguise their ship in their dreamlike adventures.  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Harris, Peter. The Night Pirates. Scholastic Press, 2006.)

Roger, the Jolly Pirate by Brett Hellquist
Have you ever wondered where the name "The Jolly Roger" name originated?  Or the skull and cross bones on the flag?  Hellquist has invented a hilarious story about a pirate named Roger who stumbles and bumbles his jolly way into history.  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Hellquist, Brett. Roger, the Jolly Pirate. Harper Collins, 2004.)

Bubble Bath Pirates! by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Bath time is pirate time for these two boys as their mom ushers them through their nightly routine of waking the plank (getting into the tub) and raiding the treasure (getting chocolate ice-cream).  Filled with lively pirate-speak, this story plays along with bold illustrations and lots of fun.  (Ages 2-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Krosoczka, Jarrett J. Bubble Bath Pirates! Viking 2003.)

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
Jeremy is enjoying his simple day at the beach when along comes a pirate ship and a band of pirates who are looking for a digger just like him.  Figuring that his family won't miss him so long as he's back by soccer practice, Jeremy joins up on the pirate ship.  He loves the pirate life - at first, but as the night turns stormy, he decides he'd rather be back on dry land.  (Ages 3-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Long, Melinda. How I Became a Pirate. Harcourt, 2003.)

Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail
Edward borrows a pirate adventure book about a lost treasure from the library and the pirates show up wanting the book.  Edward obviously can't give it to them (it is a borrowed library book) and when he learns that the pirates aren't able to read it themselves, he reads it for them.  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: McPhail, David. Edward and the Pirates. Brown, 1997.)

Shiver Me Letters, A Pirate ABC by June Sobel
In search of more letters than just "Rrrr", this pirate crew journeys through the alphabet sea. With so many alphabet books out there, this one takes a fun twist.  (Ages 2-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Sobel, June. Shiver Me Letters. Harcourt, 2006.)

This Little Pirate by Philemon Sturges
To the rhythm of "This Little Piggie", this story tells of two bands of pirates who arrive at a treasure chest at the same time.  After an exhausting face-off, the two groups decide to team together to enjoy the treasure and throw a party.  And who doesn't love a party?  (Ages 2-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Sturges, Philemon. This Little Pirate. Dutton Children's Books, 2005.)

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas by Philip Yates
Slightly out of season right now, mark this one for the holidays.  A variation on the classic Christmas poem, this festive and bright pirate version offers a little something different for the season.  (Ages 3-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Yates, Philip. A Pirate's Night Before Christmas. Sterling Pub Co, 2008.)
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Friday, August 7, 2009

I Like Me!

It's hard being a young child trying to figure out who you are.  Below you will find a collection of books that reach out to toddlers and preschoolers that celebrate individuality and a sense of "me".  These are stories whose characters are trying to stand out from shining siblings or who march to their own marvelous drummer or who are developing in their own time and at their own pace or who are looking for (and finding) unconditional love from moms and dads.  These are books that celebrate a child being his or her own unique self as every child is.  Don't forget to check and see if you can get them at your library.  

I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
Lively illustrations take us through this story about all the things that this little girl likes about herself.  A good book for helping to develop a sense of self and positive self image.  (Ages 2-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Beaumont, Karen. I like Myself! Harcourt, 2004.)

I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson
This spunky little pig takes us through her day as she talks about all the things she can do and what she likes about herself.  Another great story for positive self image.  (Ages 2-6)
(Full bibliographic info: Carlson, Nancy. I Like Me! Viking Kestrel, 1988.)


Ruby in her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett
Ruby is a small duck who likes to make her strides in her own time.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Emmett, Jonathan. Ruby in her Own Time. Scholastic Press, 2004.)

Koala Lou by Mem Fox
Koala Lou is feeling a little unsure now that her mom has a lot of little brothers and sisters to look after, so she has decided to train and enter the Bush Olympics to make her mom proud of her.  But what she doesn't realize yet is that her mom always was and always is very proud of Koala Lou.  (Ages 3-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Fox, Mem. Koala Lou. Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1988.)

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum loves her beautiful name until the day that she starts school when the other children tease her.  Poor Chrysanthemum is miserable and begins to loath her own name until a music teacher (named Delphinium) starts a popular trend to be named for flowers.  (Ages 3-7)
Full bibliographic info: Henkes, Kevin. Chrysanthemum. Greenwillow, 1991.)

Guess Who, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest
In the sixth book of the Baby Duck series, Baby Duck has a slight cold and Grampa has arrived to help cheer her up.  They spend time exploring a photo album filled with pictures of when Baby Duck was a baby and she loves seeing the pictures of herself and how she's grown. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Hest, Amy. Guess Who, Baby Duck! Candlewick Press, 2004.

Titch by Pat Hutchins
TItch was little and his sister Mary was a little bit bigger and his brother Pete was a lot bigger.  This 1972 classic, while a little dated in illustrations, still reaches its intended young audience with simple, straightforward text and the message and you are still growing and growing and growing. (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Hutchins, Pat. Titch. Aladdin, 1993.)

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
Leo's father is getting a bit concerned because all of Leo's friends have developed faster than Leo and Leo hasn't "bloomed yet".  But not to worry, Leo blooms - in his own time.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Kraus, Robert. Leo the Late Bloomer. Windmill, 1971.)

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison
Velma Gratch is entering first grade as the last Gratch girl and she wants to find away to set herself apart from her achieving sisters.  She finds her own skills in working with butterflies.  (Ages 4-9)
(Full bibliographic info: Madison, Alan. Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly. Schwartz and Wade Books, 2007.)

Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor
Nancy has a special talent of making everything in her life a little bit more fancy.  The only trouble is that her family isn't quite so fancy until Nancy offers some free lessons.  After getting all dressed up, the family heads out for a night on the town that ends in an ice-cream disaster and Nancy in tears.  But after a shower, she learns that her family loves her no matter what.  (Ages 3-8)
(Full bibliographic info: O'Connor, Jane. Fancy Nancy. Harper Collins, 2006.)
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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Starring the Babies

Young children love seeing and hearing stories featuring babies and toddlers just like them.  Below you'll find a sampling of books starring those little ones.  For more suggestions, please see here for previous blog posts or check in with your local librarian!  Additional books: Nighty Night Sleepy Sleeps by Brian Anderson, Ten Nine Eight by Molly Bang, Baby Danced the Polka by Karen Beaumont, A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown, Where's Nicky by Cathryn Falwell, Hiding by Shirley Hughes, Titch by Pat Hutchins, Peekaboo Bedtime by Rachel Isadora, Counting Kisses by Karen Katz, Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz, Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead by Ruth Krauss, I Went Walking by Sue Williams, Let's Go Visiting by Sue Williams.

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont
Getting into a lot of painting mischief, this little baby keeps promising to stop painting, but can't seem to help herself.  Filled with lively, colorful illustrations, the book's text can also be hummed along to the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More".  (Ages 2-7)
(Full bibliographic info: Beaumont, Karen. I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! Harcourt, 2005.)

This Is the Baby by Candace Fleming
Like This Is the House that Jack Built, this is a story about a baby who is getting dressed (unwillingly) in all of those layers and layers of clothes on a winter's day.  Young readers will smile along with the rhythm and bright illustrations of a familiar scene of getting dresses and care givers will smile along as they relate to those days of breaking a sweat while trying to get the wiggly baby dressed.  This is a fun book not to miss!  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Fleming, Candace. This Is the Baby. Melanie Kroupa Books, 2004.)

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Working with the team of Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury, you are you sure have a fantastic book.  Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes has simple text and simple illustrations and they are each perfect for each other.  Read aloud, the text bounces along in an engaging rhythm with the refrain of "And both of these babies/as everyone knows/has ten little fingers/and ten little toes" and the pictured babies from wide cultural backgrounds have the most wonderful expressions.  Enjoy!  (Ages 6 months - 3)
(Full bibliographic info: Fox, Mem. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Harcourt, 2008.)

Ten Tiny Tickles by Karen Katz
In Katz' familiar and bright style of illustrations, this book shows a family who helps the baby start her day as each family member finds a new place to tickle - her head, her belly and so on counting all the way up to ten.  (Ages 6 months - 3)
(Full bibliographic info: Katz, Karen. Ten Tiny Tickles. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2005.)

Baby Loves Visiting by Michael Lawrence
As part of a "Baby Loves" series, this story shows all the places that a busy baby might visit in a day - the park, a playgroup, lunch with grandma, picking up a big sister from school.  And at the end of the day what baby loves best is coming home again.  (Ages 1 - 4)
(Full bibliographic info: Lawrence, Michael. Baby Loves Visiting. DK Publishing, 2002.)

Such a Silly Baby! by Steffanie Lorig and Richard Lorig
This playful story tells of a baby who gets into lots of mischief.  Everywhere the baby visits with his mom such as the zoo or the circus, he ends up getting switched with an animal and left behind.  But no worries, it always works itself out in the end.  (Ages 2-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Lorig, Steffanie and Richard Lorig. Such a Silly Baby! Chronicle Books, 2008.)

The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O'Connell
"The baby goes beep/ the baby goes beep beep/ the baby goes beep beep beep" - the catchy, repetitive text invites even very young readers to read along in this story that follows a baby through all the activities of a day such as shopping, eating, and taking a bath.  (Ages 6 months - 3)
(Full bibliographic info: O'Connell, Rebecca. The Baby Goes Beep. Roaring Brook Press, 2003.)

Boo Hoo Boo-Boo by Marilyn Singer
A topic that is familiar to little ones, this story shows three toddlers who each fall and get "boo-boo's" while playing.  After the tears, the book ends with all three getting bandages and kisses and hugs so they will be "good as new".  Filled with action oriented and bright illustrations, this story with its rhyming text is sure to be a toddler favorite.  (Ages 1-3)
(Full bibliographic info: Singer,Marilyn. Boo Hoo Boo-Boo. Harper Festival, 2002.)

One Naked Baby: Counting to Ten and Back Again by Maggie Smith
As this toddler moves through her busy day that starts with a bath and moves to a snack and moves outside to the garden and back inside to the bath again, we count along up to ten and then back down to one again.  A rhyming text and inviting illustrations move this story right along.  (Ages 1-5)
(Full bibliographic info: Smith, Maggie. One Naked Baby: Counting to Ten and Back Again. AA Knopf, 2007.)

"More More More", Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams
This book contains three short stories of snuggling and caring for three babies.  Filled with Caldecott Honor warm and bright illustrations and simple, rhythmic text, this book has been a toddler favorite for almost 20 years.  (Ages 6 months-3)
(Full bibliographic info: Williams, Vera B. "More More More", Said the Baby. Greenwillow Books, 1990.)

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