Category: Preschool Reads

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

It’s time to get spooky with new Halloween books!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! When the weather gets just a bit crisp and the leaves start to fall, it’s time to get spooky. Luckily, Halloween books start hitting stores now, giving me a little taste to get through the last weeks of Summer. Here are a couple of new books to consider adding to your shelves for your little goblins and ghouls.

A Costume for Charly, by C.K. Malone/Illustrated by Alejandra Barajas, (Sept. 2022, Beaming Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9781506484051

Ages 4-10

Halloween is coming, and bigender Charly wants to find a costume that “showed they were both a boy and a girl”. After trying on multiple outfits that either hid them or swallowed their masculine or feminine identity, Charly gets to work and makes their own costume that makes them feel as fabulous, frightening, and fantastic! Cartoon art meshes with realistic artwork to give readers a brown-skinned bigender child aware of themselves and unwilling to settle for anything less than perfect. Charly’s confidence and creativity are uplifting; their friends’ supportive reactions are important for readers to see. Details throughout Charly’s room encourage both halves of their identity. A note on nonbinary and bigender identities and resources for further reading make up the back matter. A good first purchase for collections.

Visit CK Malone’s author webpage for more resources.

 

Construction Site Gets a Fright!, by Sherri Duskey Rinker/Illustrated by AG Ford, (Aug. 2022, Chronicle Books), $12.99, ISBN: 9781797204321

Ages 1-4

I love the Construction Site books by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford, and my library kids do, too! The adorable trucks and the soothing rhyme make for such good readalouds and bedtime stories. In the latest board book, Construction Site Gets a Fright!, the trucks are all dressed for Halloween, but when it’s time to power down for the evening, we see that even big trucks can be afraid sometimes. Each of the trucks thinks they see something spooky, but on closer examination – and a quick lift of a sturdy flap on the reader’s part – we discover that there’s nothing to be afraid of after all, and that sharing laughs with friends is the best way to chase the “boos” away. AG Ford’s artwork is instantly recognizable; little readers will delight in seeing familiar friends, like Crane Truck and Bulldozer. The artwork has purple and green tones to add to the ghostly atmosphere, with bold blacks popping off the background. Verse is playful, making for a fun Halloween read. An instant purchase for your board books collections.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

A love letter to special moments: ALL THAT IS YOU

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

All That is You, by Alyssa Satin Capucilli/Illustrated Devon Holzwarth, (Aug. 2022, Henry Holt & Co), $18.99, ISBN: 9781627797023

Ages 2-6

The bestselling author of the Biscuit Easy Reader series has a gorgeous picture book that’s all about love and joy. All That You Are features diverse groups of people across generations sharing wonderful moments, from splashing in puddles to sharing meals; from sailing across magical seas to soaring through skies. Blending the everyday with the magical everyday, artist Devon Holzwarth uses vibrant colors and mixed media to bring Capuccilli’s verses to life. Verse reads like an ode to joy at the wonder of connection: “You’re my ‘Gather ’round the table’, / the ‘Make room for one more’, / the share in my together, / the warm hug at the door”; “You’re the wide in my world, / the home in my soon, / the star that found my dream, / the glow of my moon”.

An essential first purchase. This will become a storytime standard. Download an activity kit to share at storytime here.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Blog Tour ANNI DREAMS OF BIRYANI

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

A little girl living in her neighborhood’s “Little India” loves her neighborhood cafe’s biryani, made by the curmudgeonly chef everyone calls “Uncle”. Anni’s family has biryani as a special treat on Fridays, but Anni wishes she could make delicious biryani like Uncle’s; then she could make it every day! Determined to learn how Uncle makes his biryani, Anni sits at Uncle’s cafe with a notepad and a bunch of questions, determined to learn his process and hopefully, his secret recipe.

Anni Dreams of Biryani, by Namita Moolani Mehra/Illustrated by Ghaaya Prabhat,
(Sept. 2022, Two Lions), $17.99, ISBN: 9781542030410

Ages 4-7

Author Namita Moolani Mehra and illustrator Chaaya Prabhat bring the sights and scents of a neighborhood to life with this delicious story of perseverance. Digital artwork and bright colors show a bustling, diverse neighborhood. Anni, her family and Uncle, are brown-skinned; neighbors wear outfits ranging from contemporary shorts and tees to saris to hijab and flowing tunics. The food takes the main stage, with mouth-watering descriptions like “Fluffy and fragrant. Spicy and succulent. Absolutely addictive”; colorful details in the artwork showcase robust cardamom pods, bright saffron threads, and verdant chiles. Anni is cheerfully determined to make her biryani like Uncle’s and surrounds herself with notes and storyboards, envisioning her way to the perfect dish. The story’s positive resolution will encourage readers to keep trying and envisioning success, whether it’s in the kitchen or elsewhere. Back matter includes a note on the biryani dish and a link to a version kids can make (with grown-up help, please!). An absolute feast for the senses!

Namita Moolani Mehra is a children’s book author, cookbook author, and a food and parenting writer. She wrote the children’s cookbooks The Magic Spicebox and Superfoods for Superheroes. Anni Dreams of Biryani is her first picture book. Namita also runs a social-impact business called Indian Spicebox that helps fund hot meals for underprivileged children in India. Namita was born in a remote village in Nigeria, grew up in the UK and India, studied in Chicago, and worked in New York for over a decade. She currently lives in Singapore with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.namitamehra.com, and follow her on Twitter @namstwit.

Instagram: @indianspicebox

Chaaya Prabhat is an illustrator based in Chennai, India. She holds an MA in graphic design from Savannah College of Art and Design. She has illustrated several picture books, including Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers, written by Rajani LaRocca. In addition to her books, Chaaya has created illustrations for numerous clients, such as Google, Facebook, Snapchat, the Obama Foundation, the Times of India, and more. Learn more at www.chaayaprabhat.com, and follow her on Instagram @chaaya23.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Small/Indie Spotlight!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

It’s been a while since we had a Small Press/Indie author spotlight, so let’s dig in.

Just Like Magic, by Victor D.O. Santos/Illustrated by Iryana Kazakova, (Jan. 2022, Linguacious LLC), $13.99, ISBN: 9781649621184

Ages 4-7

Nico is a young platypus who gets bullied by the other animals in Animalandia, until he meets a Genie who offers to help him be brave, but as Nico finds his voice and learns to stand up for himself, we wonder: what is the genie’s real gift?

A gentle story about tapping into one’s inner strength for kids, with colorful cartoon art illustration.

 

Treasure Hunt (Grandma’s Closet #4), by Lois Wickstrom/Illustrated by Francie Mion, (March 2021, Look Under Rocks), $12.99, ISBN: 9781954519022

Ages 4-7

Carrie is back and she’s still discovering things in Grandma’s closet in the fourth installment of Lois Wickstrom’s Grandma’s Closet series. This time, Carrie finds a box of dowsing rods, which she uses to find something valuable. The rods tell her where to go, with the promise of finding helpful things, including a sewer line leak that could pose a big problem if it were discovered later on! The dowsing rods lead Carrie to the best find of all – but you’ll have to read it to find out for yourself. A fun story in a cute series, The Treasure is an additional purchase suggestion. Visit Lois Wickstrom’s website for more about her series.

 

You are You, by Cassidy Burke/Illustrated by David Gnass, (Aug. 2021, Mascot Books), $14.95, ISBN: 978-1-64543-231-9

Ages 4-7

Tackling a complex and scary issue, You Are You tackles childhood mental health and bullying. Pennelope the giraffe loves going to school and playing with her friends at recess until the morning where her “friends” make fun of her laugh. Their unkind words and actions hurt Pennelope, who goes home and stays in bed, turning their words over and over in her head. Her friend Phoenix reaches out, sending her an encouraging note that lets her know she isn’t alone. Pennelope returns to school, learning to tune out the mean kids and celebrate her support system. Back matter includes “Challenge Letters” to parents, friends, teachers, and the world at large, raising suicide awareness and encouraging readers to know that they are not alone. Colorful cartoon animals add a light to a potentially dark subject, and the story gets its point across in a way that younger readers will understand and appreciate.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

The new workplace: HELP MOM WORK FROM HOME

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Help Mom Work from Home!, by Diana Murray/Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld (Oct. 2021, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), $17.99, ISBN: 9780316273657

Ages 4-7

With more parents working from home than ever before, Help Mom Work from Home! is a fun, rhyming readaloud that speaks to the work-life balance. A mom is working from home and her little one is right next to her, modeling everything from Mom’s hot beverage of choice to taking notes and important phone calls. Mom looks a little frazzled, though: it must be time for a break! Learning how to relax and take the chaos of home life as it comes, the story then leads into a look at making time for creative play and work – little one stacks cups as Mom packs boxes; they make deliveries together, they even straighten up their workplaces together. Endpapers show Mom’s packed schedule, with a childlike drawing of a solitary kid holding a red balloon scrawled across the calendar loaded with deadlines and meetings; back endpapers show a much happier schedule, filled with playdates, game nights, and library visits, and a drawing of Mom and child together, playing soccer. Is it an easy answer to the work/parent from home question? No, but it’s a helpful addition to the ever-increasing dialogue. A recognizable and relevant story with playful rhyme, Help Mom Work from Home! is a good addition to picture book collections. Visit Diana Murray’s author webpage for free printables including a word search and DIY desk nameplate.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Art is Everywhere!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Art is Everywhere: A Book About Andy Warhol, by Jeff Mack, (Nov. 2021, Henry Holt & Co.), $19.99, ISBN: 9781250777157

Ages 4-8

Pop artist Andy Warhol gives readers his unique view on art in this fun book that is part picture book biography, part introduction to pop art. Narrated by a cartoon Warhol, Art is Everywhere starts with Warhol’s beginnings, drawing shoes for a shoe company, through his Campbell Soup Cans, Brillo boxes, and Marilyn Monroe prints, and touces on his Factory days, surrounded by artists and the expansion of his art into movies, television, and magazines. Mack touches on Warhol’s interest in celebrities and explains his take on the “famous for 15 minutes” credo: “One day, we will all be stars of our own shows, and we will all like each other over and over again. Gee… won’t that be great?” Mack also looks at the big question – What makes art? – by touching on Warhol’s detractors. Brief sentences, interspersed with questions, invite readers to think about their ideas on art and media. Back matter includes a note on Warhol and Pop Art.

TeachersPayTeachers has some fun, free Pop Art/Warhol resources, like this Art with Mrs Smith Crayon Pop Art lesson; Artsy Blevs’s Pop Art handout; and Ms BooksmART’s Andy Warhol poster. If you’re updating your art storytimes like I want to, this is a fun choice.

Art is Everywhere! has a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was a Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Book of Distinction.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Back to School Readaloud: Read Island

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Read Island, by Nicole Magistro/Illustrated by Alice Feagan (Oct. 2021, Read Island, LLC), $18.99, ISBN: 9781736523308

Ages 3-6

A magical celebration of books and stories, Read Island follows the adventures of a young girl and her animal friends who journey to “an island made of books” and spend time with all the literary animals who live there. The delightful rhyming story is filled with vibrant color and cheery rhyme; digital images use printed media, including maps and pages from classic children’s stories and songs, as part of the scenery: a sailboat’s sail; animals and trees in silhouette; the curve of the ocean. A raven has a book trapped to their back as they circle the water eaglets cheer from their nest, greeting their parent as they swoop in with a book in their talons; a grizzly emerges from a cave holding a mug and a book. Everyone gathers on the beach for a storytime, and the verse invites readers to sit and take part: “Can you join them? / Just be still. / Breathe in. / Breathe out. Listen well”. Perfect to greet new students for the beginning of a school year; perfect for a class visit storytime. Visit the Read Island website for activities including a coloring sheet and a word search.

Released last October, Read Island is a delightful choice for back-to-school storytime collections.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Good advice for daily living: Don’t Forget

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Don’t Forget, by Jane Godwin/Illustrated by Anna Walker, (Aug. 2022, Kane Miller), $14.99, ISBN: 9781684644360

Ages 3-7

A diverse group of children move through the day together as the overall narrative gently reminds readers of important things, both practical and esoteric, to remember in order to live a happy, fulfilling life: “Don’t forget to make your bed, / and wear socks that fit your feet”; “Don’t forget to try new things, / to smell the flowers, / watch the ocean, / and listen to the music / of the trees”. The story is a reminder of the important things in life: taking time to play; to be mindful; to reflect. Soft watercolors add to this gently profound meditation on living a meaningful life. Soothing endpapers show a nature scene. Don’t Forget will soothe readers with its upbeat look at the day-to-day. A nice additional purchase for storytime collections.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

A Penny’s Worth is just good cents (see what I did there?)

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

A Penny’s Worth, by Kimberly Wilson/Illustrated by Mark Hoffman, (April 2022, Page Street Kids), $17.99, ISBN: 9781645674689

Ages 4-8

A penny emerges hot off the minting press and ready to take on the world… until she sees other coins and bills getting all the attention, while she sits alone. Penny candy? It’s a dime these days. Arcade game? No way, that’s for quarters. Penny is determined to find her purpose, and when all hope seems lost, she finds it in this sweetly comical story about money and worth. Loaded with money puns, A Penny’s Worth is a great way to start a discussion about money, the rising cost of living, and finding your way when everyone around you says “no”. Mixed media artwork is lively and colorful; the currency all have large, expressive eyes and little limbs, making them eye-catching to young readers. Kids will feel for the poor penny as she’s rejected from a video game and sits sadly in the return slot and receives a lesson in inflation from a dime, who sports a graduate-like mortarboard and black robe, and cheer when she finds her purposes in a child’s smile. Endpapers bookend the story. Back matter includes information about pennies and a bibliography. A nice addition to collections and a fun storytime readaloud.

Pair with books like Rosemary Well’s Bunny Money and Nancy Shaw’s Sheep in a Shop for a money-themed storytime. Print out some Crayola printable money for a fun post-storytime activity.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Listen Up, Louella is all about being a good friend

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Listen Up, Louella, by Ashley Belote, (June 2022, Feiwel & Friends), $18.99, ISBN: 9781250812797

Ages 4-7

Louella is so excited about camp, but she doesn’t always listen very well. She charges into the cabin and barges her way through camp activities, never listening to her friends or noticing that they may not have the great time she’s having. But when Louella thinks she’s been left out of a group party, she learns that it’s important to take time and listen to others, and to play together so that everyone has a great time. Playful digital illustrations are loaded with fun little details that will clue sharp-eyed readers in to the very important message Louella’s missing. Animal characters are cartoony, with exaggerated expressions and body language that help deliver the point of the story; Louella, an elephant, uses her size to overpower the smaller campers and take over the show, from painting, to toilet paper forts, canoeing, and a talent show. Word bubbles add character reactions to the overall narration, and Belote uses fun animal turns-of-phrase like “tug-of-roar” and “slam trunk”. Endpapers lead into and out of the story, with Louella dragging her loaded red wagon into camp, and pulling her friends on a ride after shenanigans are done. A fun summertime story for sure, and a good reminder to remember how to be a good friend, as kids are getting ready to head back to school. A good purchase for picture book collections.