MotherReader

Following Part I of the story, I had always intended to bring books to the Christmas shop, but after the horrible events of Friday it felt even more important to do something in the cause of joy.

When I came back from my delivery, it was perfect to find that someone had expressed this concept so perfectly as Jarrett Krosoczka calling for us to Make Magic, Preserve Wonder. What better way to describe the importance of picture books in the hands of needy children.

Berkeley’s Barn Owl Dance
by Tera Johnson, illustrated by Tania Howells; Kids Can Press
Dancing right out of the nest and into our hearts.

Chavela and the Magic Bubble
by Monica Brown, illustrated by Magaly Morales; Clarion Books
Magical bubble gum takes a girl to the Yucatan. Better than Jet Blue.

Chicken Big
by Keith Graves; Chronicle Books
Silly hens, it’s just a big chicken. Look at the title.

Daniel Boone’s Great Escape
by Michael Spradlin, illustrated by Ard Hoyt; Walker Books
Historical fiction takes an adventurous turn.

Dogs on the Bed
by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf; Candlewick
Too many dogs in a rhyming romp.

The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out
by Troy Cummings; Random House
Who cares what happens next with a great title like that.

Good Night, Chickie
by Emile Jadoul; Eerdmans Books
Chickie worries at bedtime, but Mommy has it covered.

How Do You Wokka Wokka?
by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil; Candlewick
A dance takes over a city neighborhood.

Imogene’s Antlers
by David Small; Dragonfly Books
Growing antlers overnight doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

I Must Have Bobo!
by Eileen Rosenthal, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal; Atheneum Books
A favorite lovey is essential to both boy and... cat?

Hurry Down to Derry Fair
by Dora Chaconas, illustrated by Gillian Tyler; Candlewick
Old-fashioned fair in an old-fashioned time.

Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear
by David Bruins, illustrated by Hilary Leung; Kids Can Press
A ninja, cowboy, and bear are friends with a conflict.

Lots of Dots
by Craig Frazier; Chronicle Books
A showcase of dogs in the world all around.

Metal Man
by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Paul Hoppe; Charlesbridge Publishing
Creating art out of junk and being a quiet inspiration.

Mine!
by Shutta Crum, illustrated by Patrice Barton; Knopf Books
Siblings squabble with one word – Mine!

Olu’s Dream
by Shane W. Evans; Katherine Tegan Books
Adventures begin at night.

Princess Baby, Night Night
by Karen Katz; Schwartz & Wade
Even little princesses must go to sleep.

Ron’s Big Mission
by Rose Blue and Corinne Naden, illustrated by Don Tate; Dutton Juvenile
Getting a library card. Becoming an astronaut. True story.

Six Crows
by Leo Lionni; Knopf Books
A scarecrow can’t chase these birds away, but fighting back isn’t the answer either.

Soup Day
by Melissa Iwai; Henry Holt & Co
Making soup with mom. Mmmm. Soup good.

Spoon
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Scott Magoon; Hyperion Books
It’s hard out there for a spoon.

Sunday is for God
by Michael McGowan, illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson; Schwartz & Wade
Simple beauty in a day given to worship.

Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose
by Nancy Gow, illustrated by Stephen Costanza; Sterling
Flawed princess and prince find each other, and happiness.

Ten for Me
by Barbara Mariconda, illustrated by Sherry Rogers; Sylvian Dell Publishing
Butterflies and math. Together again.

Ten on the Sled
by Kim Norman, illustrated by Liza Woodruff; Sterling
Winter fun on a sled, not a bed.