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A Hatful of Seuss: Five Favorite Dr. Seuss Stories
Dr. Seuss
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. This collection of five complete, illustrated Dr. Seuss classics is a "hatful," but you'd have to have a Cat-in-the-Hat-sized chapeau to contain all the treasures in this hefty book. Within its pages you'll find Theodor Seuss Geisel's exuberant creations Bartholomew and the Oobleck (1949), If I Ran the Zoo (1950), Horton Hears a Who! (1954), The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961), and Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book (1962). This will provide a lasting edition for parents who plan on re-using the Seuss classics in a read-aloud format for kids: libraries, too, will find it more durable than the smaller throw-away board books and kids' individual hardbacks.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?
Eric Carle
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com and Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. On each page, we meet a new animal who nudges us onward to discover which creature will show up next: "Blue Horse, Blue Horse, What do you see? I see a green frog looking at me." This pattern is repeated over and over, until the pre-reader can chime in with the reader, easily predicting the next rhyme. Children on the verge of reading learn best with plenty of identifiable images and rhythmic repetition. Eric Carle's good-humored style and colorful, bold illustrations (like those in The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, and Have You Seen My Cat?) have earned him a prominent place in the children's book hall of fame. (Baby to Preschool) --
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
John Archambault
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com --Richard Farr --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. The 26 characters in this rhythmic, rhyming baby book are a lowercase alphabet with attitude. "A told b, and b told c, 'I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree'"--which probably seemed like a good idea until the other 23 members of the gang decided to follow suit. Lois Ehlert's chunky block illustrations show the luxuriant green palm standing straight and tall on the first page, but it begins to groan and bend under its alphabetical burden. First the coconuts fall off, then ("Chicka chicka... BOOM! BOOM!") all the letters also end up in a big heap underneath. A very simple board-book version stops there, but this original text goes on to introduce the helping hands of the 26 uppercase "mamas and papas and uncles and aunts."
Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type / DVD
Doreen Cronin
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter. The literacy rate in Farmer Brown's barn goes up considerably once his cows find an old typewriter and begin typing. To the harassed farmer's dismay, his communicative cows quickly become contentious: Dear Farmer Brown, The barn is very cold at night. We'd like some electric blankets. Sincerely,The Cows When he refuses to comply with their demands, the cows take action. Farmer Brown finds another note on the barn door: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." This hilarious tale will give young rebels-in-the-making a taste of the power of peaceful protest and the satisfaction of cooperative give and take. Witty watercolors by award-winning illustrator Betsy Lewin will make this a favorite for one and all.
Complete Adventures of Curious George
Ha Rey
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter. Sixty years have passed since a curious little chimp in Africa met the man with the big yellow hat and got into the first of many scrapes. Decades later, George is as curious--and naughty--as ever. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Curious George's debut, this special edition is a collection of seven classic adventures by Margret and H.A. Rey, along with an introduction by critic Leonard Marcus, a retrospective note by publisher Anita Silvey, a history of the Reys by Dee Jones, curator of the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection, and a photo album.
David Goes To School
David Shannon
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. He's b-a-a-a-c-k! And better than ever. The rascal first unleashed in No, David! returns to wreak havoc in the classroom. Whether he's goofing off at the blackboard ("Sit down, David!"), cutting in line at the cafeteria ("Wait your turn, David!") or drawing on his desktop ("That's it, Mister! You're staying after school!"), David is clearly a handful. But when his teacher gives him a chance to redeem himself by cleaning the desks at the end of the day, he rises to the occasion ("Good job, David!") and receives a gold star.
Good Night Moon
Margaret Wise Brown
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Information courtesy of Publishers Weekly via Amazon.com - Just in time for gift-giving season, the two hardcover staples for every nursery Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illus. by Clement Hurd are now available in a handsome fabric-covered shrink-wrapped cardboard sleeve as A Margaret Wise Brown Gift Set. In addition, an oversize board book edition of Goodnight Moon makes the great green room larger than ever, allowing readers to trace with ease the tiny mouse that appears in each spread. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Board book edition.
I Love You As Much
Laura Krauss Melmed
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Information courtesy of Publishers Weekly and Amazon.com- A soothing poem extolling the comfort of a mother's love forms the heart of this gentle picture book.... A tender lullaby that may come in for wear and tear from the hugs of grateful young readers. Ages 3 mos.-up. (starred review) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Little Miss Spider
David Kirk
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com and Emilie Coulter --(Ages 3 and older). This text refers to the Hardcover editionEach book in Kirk's bestselling series, including Miss Spider's ABC and Miss Spider's New Car, explodes with brilliant, glossy color and charming personality. His shiny close-up oil paintings catch young readers like insects in a web (but with much happier results). Adopted children and those in nontraditional families may take extra pleasure in the message this flashback story proffers: your mother is the creature who loves you best--whoever that may be.
Olivia . . . and the Missing Toy
Ian Falconer
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com -- (Ages 4 to 8). Olivia, like many young pigs, experiences life very intensely. She is utterly obsessed with having her mother make her a red soccer shirt (even though the team color is green), until, of course, she discovers that her favorite toy, her very best toy, is missing, at which point she becomes utterly obsessed with finding it.
Paperbag Princess
Robert N. Munsch
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com and Karin Snelson. Elizabeth, a beautiful princess, lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. When she is about to marry Prince Ronald, a dragon smashes her castle, burns her clothes with his fiery breath, and prince-naps her dear Ronald. Undaunted, she dons a large paper bag and sets off to find the dragon and her cherished prince. Once she's tracked down the rascally reptile, she flatters him into performing all sorts of dragonly stunts that eventually exhaust him, allowing her to rescue Prince Ronald. When Prince Not-So-Charming says “You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Ronald do not live happily ever after. Author Robert Munsch celebrates feisty females everywhere with this popular favorite.
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Peek-A-Who
Nina Laden
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Information courtesy of Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library - Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal – Preschool -The exuberant illustrations in this guessing-game board book will enchant infants and toddlers. A bright left-hand page with the words "Peek a" faces a right-hand page with die-cut windows through which a visual clue can be seen. Turn the page and "Peek a MOO!" reveals a black-and-white cow; "Peek a BOO!" a green ghost; "Peek a ZOO!" a crowd of animals including an elephant, giraffe, zebra, etc.; and the final puzzle, "Peek a YOU," has a mirror insert. Vibrant colors with plenty of black outlines make this a charming visual treat for the youngest patrons.
Ten Little Lady Bugs
Melanie Gerth
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. In Ten Little Ladybugs, one by one, ten tactile bugs disappear. Where did they all go? Young ones will love finding this out as they feel their way through the sturdy, colorful pages of this innovative book. The cute critters provide a hands-on learning experience and the rhyming text reinforces the counting concept. Interactive, educational, adorable - this magical countdown book adds up to a whole lot of fun.
The Giving Tree
Shel Silversteinf
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com and Karin Snelson. A tree starts out as a leafy playground, shade provider, and apple bearer for a rambunctious little boy. Making the boy happy makes the tree happy. With time it becomes more challenging to meet the boys needs. When he asks for money, she suggests that he sell her apples. When he asks for a house, she offers her branches for lumber. When the boy is old, too old and sad to play in the tree, he asks the tree for a boat. She suggests that he cut her down to a stump so he can craft a boat out of her trunk. He unthinkingly does it. When there's nothing left of her, the boy returns again as an old man, needing a quiet place to sit and rest. The stump offers up her services, and he sits on it. "And the tree was happy." Silverstein perhaps deliberately left the book open to interpretation.
The Itsy-Bitsy Spinder
Ian Trapani
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Favorite nursery rhymes and songs with simple and clear signing instructions. Even proficient speakers will long enjoy signing to a favorite song of rhyme.
The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. Chester Raccoon doesn't want to go to school--he wants to stay home with his mother. She assures him that he'll love school--with its promise of new friends, new toys, and new books. Even better, she has a special secret that's been in the family for years--the Kissing Hand. This secret, she tells him, will make school seem as cozy as home. She takes her son's hand, spreads his tiny fingers into a fan and kisses his palm--smack dab in the middle: "Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart."
The Little Engine That Could
Watty Piper
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Wally Piper's The Little Engine That Could is one of the greatest tales of motivation and the power of positive thinking ever told. A little train carrying oodles of toys to all of the good boys and girls is confronted with a towering, seemingly impassable mountain. As nicely as they ask, the toys cannot convince the Shiny New Engine or the Big Strong Engine--r too impressed with themselves--to say anything but "I can not. I can not." It is left up to the Little Blue Engine to overcome insurmountable odds and pull the train to the other side. The Little Engine That Could is an entertaining and inspirational favorite.
The Runaway Bunny
Margaret Wise Brown
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. (Baby to preschool) --The Runaway Bunny begins with a young bunny who decides to run away: "'If you run away,' said his mother, 'I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.'" And so begins a delightful, imaginary game of chase. No matter how many forms the little bunny takes--a fish in a stream, a crocus in a hidden garden, a rock on a mountain--his steadfast, adoring, protective mother finds a way of retrieving him. The soothing rhythm of the bunny banter--along with the surreal, dream-like pictures--never fail to infuse young readers with a complete sense of security and peace. For any small child who has toyed with the idea of running away or testing the strength of Mom's love, this old favorite will comfort and reassure.
Time For Bed
Mem Fox
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Information courtesy of Joy Fleishhacker, New York Public Library - Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. Charming illustrations and comfortable rhymes characterize this appealing bedtime book. A twilight mood is set by dusky endpapers sprinkled with twinkling yellow stars. Double-page spreads feature animal pairs, each with a parent settling its offspring down for the night. Each babe is lulled by a gently rhyming couplet beginning with the phrase, "It's time for bed." Large, clearly drawn animals are placed against backgrounds of vivid hues. Working beautifully with the soothingly repetitive text, each painting conveys a warm feeling of safety and affection.
Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com and Karin Snelson. (Baby to preschool). More than 12 million copies of this book have been sold in its original, full-sized edition, and the beloved tale of science and gluttony has been translated into 20 languages. This five-by-four-inch miniature edition is truly tiny, with tiny type, but it is a nice size for small hands to hold and flip through the pictures. Despite its diminished state, the book is complete in every detail, following the ravenous caterpillar's path as he eats his way through one apple (and the pages of the book itself). No doubt you know what happens next! Kids love butterfly metamorphosis stories, and this popular favorite teaches counting and the days of the week, too. A fun gift package for caterpillar fans.
Where The Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
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Information courtesy of Amazon.com. Where the Wild Things Are is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown-up. If you disagree, then it's been too long since you've attended a wild rumpus. Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief and gets sent to bed without supper. Fortuitously, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to continue unimpaired. Sendak's color illustrations (perhaps his finest) are beautiful, and each turn of the page brings the discovery of a new wonder.
Winnie The Pooh
A.A. Milne
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Information courtesy of From Publishers Weekly and Amazon.com- Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beloved "silly old bear" with two new offerings. The Complete Tales & Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh collects A.A. Milne's classic stories (Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; When We Were Very Young; and Now We Are Six) and Ernest H. Shepard's original illustrations in one gorgeous oversize gift edition. Three Cheers for Pooh: The Best Bear in All the World by Brian Sibly provides readers with a historical reference point, starting with the story of Mrs. Milne's purchase of a stuffed bear at a London department store for their young son, Christopher Robin. Photographs, original manuscript pages and Shepard's sketches and illustrations complete the package.
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