105 Ways to Give a Book

Picture Books At Your Local Library

I know I’ve mentioned that I process all the new children’s books for our library branch. And I know I’ve also mentioned that there are times that I wish the new children’s books would just stop coming. It’s not that I’m ungrateful for the amount of books we receive here in one of the richest counties in the nation; it’s just that I feel compelled to look at all of them. It’s a little tiring.

Lately, we’ve been receiving picture books. Lots and lots of picture books. I cannot review them all. Not by a long shot. For me to write about the book, it needs to be very good or very bad. Or very stange. In other words, it has to stand out in some way. For the last few batches, I made notes about the books to see how many I really choose to look at further. Today I’ll share how one reader culls through all the stuff out there to bring reviews to you.
  • Hush Little Digger, by Ellen Olson-Brown
    “Hush Little Baby,” but with construction trucks. And boys like trucks, right? Cute, but not for me.

  • Mrs. Crump’s Cat, by Linda Smith
    A golden cat comes up to Mrs. Crump’s porch, but she has no use for a cat. Look at his sad little kitty face. She doesn’t quite close the door, and the cat slips in. She should get rid of the cat, but there are many reasons it isn’t the right day for it. I’ll take this one home for another look. (Didn’t Fuse#8 review this? It sounds familiar)

  • The Louds Move In, by Carolyn Crimi
    It’s a quiet avenue, until the Louds move in. Don’t like the illustrations. Would make a good read-aloud to four- to six-year-olds, but was the loud “Burp!” at the end really necessary? Nail in the coffin for me.

  • Clip-Clop, by Nicola Smee
    All the animals ride on Mr. Horse. For babies. Cute.

  • Pirate Bob, by Kathryn Lasky
    Story of a pirate stealing gold and wondering about friendship. Odd. Didn’t do it for me.

  • Oh No, Not Ghosts!, by Richard Michelson
    Spooky book with some spooky, creepy stuff in it — werewolves, demons, witches, skeletons — but in the end, the scariest thing is Dad, who realizes the kids aren’t sleeping. Maybe for Halloween.

  • Eat Your Peas, by Kes Gray
    A little girl won’t eat her peas as her mom promises more and more things to the girl. The girl keeps saying, “I don’t like peas.” But what happens at the end is cute, though I’m not sure about the mixed message about eating your veggies. I’m taking it home anyway.

  • Wow! It Sure Is Good To Be You!, by Cynthia Jabar
    I love, love this and will give it to my niece someday. “Somebody, somewhere, is thinking about you / Keeps your picture in their pocket / Misses your kisses.” It’s about loving from far away — maybe an aunt or grandma or family friend. It’s adorable.

  • You and Me, by Martine Kindermans
    Sweet, soft book about love between parent and child for the youngest readers. “All we need is you and me to be as happy as can be. And no matter where we go, I will always love you so.” Features two geese and lots of pinks and oranges in the pictures. Pretty, but too young for my kids.

  • Cowboy Ned and Andy, by David Ezra Stein
    Andy the horse goes to look for a birthday cake for his cowboy Ned, but can’t find one in the desert. He realizes the best gift he can give is being with his friend on his birthday.

  • Like a Hundred Drums, by Annette Griessman
    A storm comes across the farm. Soft pretty pictures.

  • Beautiful Buehla and the Zany Zoo Makeover, by Gary Hogg
    Buehla gives the animals makeovers for picture day at the zoo. Funny, I guess, but missed the mark for me.
Out of twelve books, I took home three for a closer look. Two more I liked, but probably won’t review. Two I really didn’t like, and the rest were just okay. So, how do you choose what to review?
Category: 2 comments

2 comments:

fusenumber8 said...

Yup.

Nice selection, by the way.

Greg Pincus said...

Thanks for the title/brief comments, MR!