Picture Book
THE HOLE STORY by Kelly Canby
I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, online retailers that support independent booksellers. If you make a purchase by clicking through the links in this post, I will receive a commission. For more information, see my “About” page.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
When a boy finds a hole in the ground he is delighted to put it in his pocket. But he soon discovers that a hole in your pocket is not as wonderful as he thought. In fact, holes don’t seem to be very useful anywhere. But there is one creature eager to get the hole back in the ground…
This adorable, punny picture book will delight parents as much (or more) than their children. Ideal for older preschool or kindergarten audiences, the story hinges on knowledge of common expressions involving “holes” and will get kids thinking about the flexibility of language. The simple, colorful illustrations with ample white space are eye-catching and easy to follow–with added bonus puns in shop names in illustrations of the town. Released in Australia in 2018, the charming book will be coming to the U.S. in August.
NIGHTSONG by Ari Berk
When the time comes for little Chiro the bat to fly out into the world in search of food on his own, he is afraid. How will he see in the dark? But his mother encourages him to “use his good sense” and sing his song. If he does this, the world will become clear to him. At first when Chiro flies out of his cave, he cannot see a thing. But once he begins singing, he can see the world as clear as day.
This is an adorable new picture book with entrancing illustrations by Loren Long. It is slightly long for a preschool storytime, although it may work, depending on the attention span of your group. It would be great for kids in grades K-2 and as a conversation starter about the five senses and/or echolocation!
SPORK by Kyo Maclear
I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, online retailers that support independent booksellers. If you make a purchase by clicking through the links in this post, I will receive a commission. For more information, see my “About” page.
Little Spork didn’t fit in with the other silverware. He was a little bit fork and a little bit spoon, but not enough of either one to feel that he truly belonged with either group. And he never got picked to be set at the table. Until the Messy Thing arrived and all of the cutlery customs went out the window. Could the spork have found his purpose at last?
As you may have gathered, this is one of those picture books that is supposed to make kids who feel “different” or who “don’t fit in” realize that they have unique talents and contributions to the world. It most directly addresses the concerns felt by children whose parents each come from a different racial or ethnic group. Also, the main character is a spork. What more could you want?
CREEPY CARROTS by Aaron Reynolds
I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, online retailers that support independent booksellers. If you make a purchase by clicking through the links in this post, I will receive a commission. For more information, see my “About” page.
Jasper loves to stop by the carrot patch on his way to school to munch on some of the delicious, delicious carrots–until the day that the carrots start to follow him. They follow him everywhere, especially when it’s dark. And no one will believe him! Finally, Jasper decides to put an end to the creepy carrots once and for all.
A great new book in time for Halloween, Creepy Carrots is just a little bit creepy with a humorous twist. Mostly brown illustrations allow the orange of the creepy carrots to pop out on each page. It’s a very fun picture book; check it out!
GOLDILOCKS AND JUST THE ONE BEAR by Leigh Hodgkinson
I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, online retailers that support independent booksellers. If you make a purchase by clicking through the links in this post, I will receive a commission. For more information, see my “About” page.
A bear is wandering through the city when he gets horribly lost. He happens upon a posh little apartment and decides to make himself at home for the night. After finding some porridge that is not too soggy or too crunchy and a chair that is not too ouchy or too noisy, he settles down into a bed that is not too frothy or too pink–it is just right. But suddenly he is awakened by the noise of three Persons coming home and finding their apartment a mess! The bear is very, very scared, until he realizes that the Mommy Person looks somewhat familiar. . .
This funny fractured fairytale would be great for a preschool storytime. You should definitely check this book out if you like other fractured fairytales, like Jon Sciezka’s Stinky Cheese Man, True Story of the Three Little Pigs, or Frog Prince Continued, Mary Pope Osborne’s Kate and the Beanstalk, or Bob Hartman’s Wolf Who Cried Boy.
IT’S A TIGER by David LaRochelle
I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and Libro.fm, online retailers that support independent booksellers. If you make a purchase by clicking through the links in this post, I will receive a commission. For more information, see my “About” page.
A boy is exploring the jungle, watching the monkeys swing from vine to vine. But one monkey looks suspiciously like . . . A TIGER! The boy tries to escape the tiger, hiding with various other jungle creatures. But everywhere he goes, the tiger seems to turn up! Does the tiger want to eat the boy? Or is he just looking for some attention?
This new picture book from David La Rochelle has great, bold illustrations and a fun story that is sure to keep kids giggling. The large illustrations and frequent repeated refrain (“It’s a tiger!”) make this a great book for story times as well.
Susan the Librarian 