Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

By Mem Fox; illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

PICTURE BOOK

This book is a celebration of babies all over the world. The story is told in a simplistic, repetitive rhyme, which makes it appropriate for children learning to read. It features babies from different races and lands, but no matter where they are from, they each have "as everyone knows, ten little fingers and ten little toes." The pages feature one baby on the left and a second baby on the right, and when you turn the page, both babies are together. This continues throughout the story, connecting the poem from start to finish with the illustrations. With its rhyming text and soft, colorful illustrations, this is a great book for sharing with your little one.

Peg Leg Peke

By Brie Spangler

PICTURE BOOK

Have you ever had a boo-boo? I've had several, and they can hurt, especially those dreaded paper cuts, which can be a daily occurrence in the life of a librarian. This story is about Peke, a cute Pekingese puppy, who has a boo-boo - a broken leg! Ouch! But, this fun-loving dog doesn't let a little boo-boo come between him and adventure. With a little imagination, he transforms into a pirate with a peg leg in search of buried treasure. Ahoy matey! Will Peke find the treasure? What do you think it will be? You'll have to read this cute story to find out. The format of the book just begs to be read aloud. One page is the reader asking questions and the facing page is Peke replying. The illustrations are simple, but adorable.

Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer

By Andy Runton

GRAPHIC NOVEL (all ages)



This is the perfect novel for someone who has never read a graphic novel, but was wondering what they were all about. Owly is a kind-hearted owl who knows the meaning of friendship. This graphic novel has two stories. In the first story, Owly saves a little worm, appropriately named Wormy, from a terrible rainstorm. Wormy has lost his family in the storm, so Owly helps Wormy find his home. Owly and Wormy both find out what it means to be a friend. In the second story, Owly and Wormy have a wonderful summer when they befriend two hummingbirds. But, they are very sad when the weather gets colder and their friends have to fly south. This book is very heartwarming and Owly is drawn with such expression, that you can't help but fall in love with him and the story. This graphic novel is wordless, but the illustrations portray the character's emotions perfectly. This is a wonderful story!

What Pet to Get?

By Emma Dodd

PICTURE BOOK

Wow, Jack's mom actually said he could get a pet! Now, the big question is what pet should he get? He suggests an elephant, but that's "not practical." How about a polar bear? No, he wouldn't "like the central heating." T-Rex, giraffe, a rhino? Mom doesn't like those ideas. She suggests something less exotic. What pet will Jack get? You'll have to read this funny book to find out! The illustrations are bright and pop off the page. The text is silly and fun. Every child will want this book read to them again and again!

Me Hungry!

By Jeremy Tankard

PICTURE BOOK


Poor Edwin! He is hungry and his parents are too busy to get him a snack. What's a boy to do? Hunt! Did I mention this book takes place in prehistoric times? Sorry, I forgot! Since his parents are too busy, Edwin goes on a journey to find himself some food. He encounters several animals who are ready to show him how the animal kingdom really works! Edwin also learns about friendship on his journey. Does he finally get something to eat? You'll have to read the book to find out! This book is really funny and the illustrations are bold and bright. One page is Edwin saying "me hungry" and the following page is the animal's response. There is a lot of repetition, which makes this a wonderful story to share during a storytime with toddlers or pre-schoolers. Now, I must run because "Me Hungry!"

Jellaby

By Kean Soo

GRAPHIC NOVEL (Ages 8 and up)

Let's face it - we have all had moments in our life where we've needed a large purple monster as a friend. I sure have! Well, Portia is also having those moments. She has just moved to a new neighborhood with her mom and is having problems adjusting to life without her father. She is pretty smart, but find school boring and her classmates don't seem to want to be friends with her. That all changes one night when Portia goes exploring the woods behind her house and finds a shy, sweet-natured purple monster. She decides to name him Jellaby. Jellaby doesn't talk, but Portia discovers he is lost. Along with her school-mate Jason, they go on a journey to discover Jellaby's true home. I absolutely loved this graphic novel!! Jellaby is such an endearing monster - he has a big heart. The drawings are absolutely wonderful - Kean Soo portrays the characters with emotion and such expression. My only complaint is I have to wait until the next volume to find out what happens (fair warning...the book leaves you hanging)! You will fall in love with Jellaby!

Engelbert Sneem and his Dream Vacuum Machine

By Daniel Postgate

PICTURE BOOK

At bedtime, children worry about monsters under the bed and noises in the dark. This book doesn't have any of those scary things, but it has Engelbert Sneem! At night, he sneaks into homes and sucks the dreams right out of children's heads while they are sleeping with his dream vacuum machine. He stores the dreams in pottery flagons and seals them tight. Then he goes off on his dragon-pulled carriage to his Castle of Sneem, where all the dreams are stored in the Dungeon of Dreams. When Engelbert wants "a nice little treat," he uncorks a flagon and gets to "savour a sumptuous dream at his leisure." One night, Engelbert uncorks a nightmare - a dream about him! He gets to see himself as he truly is and he doesn't like it. Resolved to change his ways, he releases all the good dreams and now only sucks up frightening dreams so children will never have nightmares again. This book could be potentially frightening, but the illustrations have a softness to them as does the story, which is part-fantasy, part fairy-tale. Engelbert is not portrayed as scary or evil. Also, the text is in rhyme which makes for a good read-aloud. This is a great story for bedtime!