MotherReader

Over the last year or two, I've backed off from receiving review copies. Between working at the library and attending events like Book Expo America, I have books galore. But I do still get some books, and like to pass them at the holiday season to a family shelter. Here are some books that are finding a new home this December:

999 Frogs Wake Up
by Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami
North South, 2013
A whole lot of frogs wake up in the springtime and set out to wake up all sleepyheads, including one who should be left alone!

How Far do You Love Me?
by Lulu Delacre
Lee & Low Books, 2013
A mother expresses her great love against the terrains of the world, from tops of mountains to depths of caves, from desert sands to blue glaciers.

I Can See Just Fine
by Eric Barclay
Abrams, 2013
Even though she insists she can see just fine, a little girl gets glasses that make things much clearer.

I Scream, Ice Cream!
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Serge Bloch
Chronicle Books, 2013
Interesting wordplay as similar sounding words and phrases are illustrated with humor.

Ol’ Mama Squirrel
by David Ezra Stein
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2013
Ol’ Mama Squirrel takes care of her babies, no matter what it takes!

Peace, Baby!
by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Chronicle Books, 2013
Lessons in letting go of little conflicts and bad times with an attitude of peace.

Rainbow Stew
by Cathryn Falwell
Lee & Low Books, 2013
A family of color works together at grandpa’s house to make a vegetable stew.

Someone’s Sleepy
by Deborah Lee Rose, illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Abrams, 2013
A little girl gets ready for bed in all her sleepy sleepiness.

Steam Train, Dream Train
by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Chronicle Books, 2013
In the nighttime, a train is loaded up by a busy animal crew.


There’s No One I Love Like You
by Jutta Langreuter, illustrated by Stefanie Dahle
North South, 2013
A little rabbit, annoyed at home and mom, gives another homes a try. But of course, home is where the heart is.

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.

At this time of year, a local organization here sets up a Christmas shop for their needy clients to find presents for their children. For the past couple of years I've brought them books from the ones I received as a reviewer and Cybils panelist.

I am very picky in my selection, knowing that this might be the only book that the child receives this holiday. Maybe even this year. Assuming that the parent won't be looking through for the exact right title for their child, I look for broad appeal and happy topics.

I am sharing the books in two parts, with today's selection being mainly 2011 titles. It always makes me feel bad that I can't review so many of the books that I have received, but I am grateful to the publishers who have sent me books over the years and allowed me to pass them on to others. Thank you, and know that your books went to a child in need.

The Big Snuggle-up
by Brian Patten, illustrated by Nicola Bayley; Kane Miller
Everyone comes in to get warm, together.

Bug and Bear: A Story of True Friendship
by Ann Bonwill, illustrated by Layn Marlow; Amazon Children’s Publishing
Bear needs alone time, but Bug is persistent. Sometimes friendship is compromise.

Buglette the Messy Sleeper
by Bethanie Murguia; Tricycle Press
Buglette's messy sleeping saves the day!

Charlie the Ranch Dog
by Rec Drummond, illustrated by Diane deGroat; Harper Collins
Charlie does all the work around that ranch. Wink.

Chicken, Chicken, Duck
by Nadia Krilanovich; Tricycle Press
Lots of farm animals, beautifully illustrated.

A Dog is a Dog
by Stephen Shaskan; Chronicle Books
Bouncing rhymes take a dog through a series of surprises for the reader.

Edwin Speaks Up
by April Stevens, illustrated by Sophie Blackall; Schwartz & Wade
Busy family can't quite hear their littlest member, but he keeps it together.

Every Little Thing
by Bob Marley and Cedelia Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton; Chronicle Books
Bob Marley lyrics in a joyful, beautiful book.

Falcon
by Tim Jessell; Random House
A falcon's journey, a boy's imagination.

Farmyard Beat
by Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown; Knopf Books
Dancing rhythms down on the farm

I Like You the Best
by Carol Thompson; Holiday House
Friends can fight, make up, and still be best friends.

Is Everyone Ready for Fun?
by Jan Thomas; Beach Lane Books
Jumping on the couch has never looked so good.

Jam and Honey
by Melita Morales, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant; Tricycle Press
Girl afraid of bee, bee afraid of girl, but both get what they need.

Job Site
by Nathan Clement; Boyds Mills Press
Construction and trucks on the job.

The Lighthouse Santa
by Sara Hoagland Hunter, illustrated by Julia Miner; Flying Dog
True story of a Santa who visited remote locations.

Light Up the Night
by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine; Hyperion Books
The universe in the colorful, imaginary travels of a young boy.

Moo, Moo, Brown Cow
by Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Giselle Potter; Random House
All the farm animals contribute, not just the black sheep.

Mrs Noah’s Vegetable Ark
by Elena Pasquali, illustrated by Steve Larvis; Lion UK
Noah brought the animals, but his wife remembered the food.

Olive and Snowflake
by Tammie Lyon; Amazon Children’s Publishing
A puppy needs obedience training, along with his owner.

Ollie the Purple Elephant
by Jarrett Krosoczka; Knopf Books
A purple elephant joins a family and then the circus.

Pussycat, Pussycat
by Dan Bar-el, illustrated by Rae Mate; Simply Read Books
The pussycat visited the queen and a whole lot more.

Shoes for Me
by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Mike Laughead; Amazon Children’s Publishing
Picking just the right shoes can be a challenge, but a fun one.

The Snow Blew Inn
by Dian Curtis Regan, illustrated by Doug Cushman; Holiday House
When a snow storm strike, this little inn is ready for company.

Tom’s Tweet
by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Dan Santat; Knopf Books
Simple breakfast plans get complicated.

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot
by Margaret McNamare, illustrated by Mark Fearing; Schwartz & Wade
A space-age fairy tale.