Let's Play!

 This week, we're sharing picture book stories about playing.  Here's a few of our favorites . . . .

Corduroy by Don Freeman

Corduroy has been on the department store shelf for a long time. Yet as soon as Lisa sees him, she knows that he's the bear she's always wanted. Her mother, though, thinks he's a little shopworn -- he's even missing a button! Still, Corduroy knows that with a bit of work he can tidy himself up and be just the bear for Lisa. And where better to start than with a quick search through the department store for a new button!

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Something always seems to go wrong when Rabbit is around, but Mouse lets him play with his toy plane anyway because he is his good friend.

Invasion of the Unicorns by David Biedrzycki

Secret agent Bubble07 has an undercover mission: to infiltrate the home of an Earthling Family and decide whether an army of alien unicorns should invade planet Earth. Danger follows in the form of dog slobber, tea parties, and show-and-tell. Will Bubble07 be forced to give up and call for backup? Or will this fluffy alien's heart be won over by story time and snuggles.

Where Is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley

A little boy and his best friend, an actual bear, go on a search for a teddy bear before bedtime.

Found by Salina Yoon

Upon finding a toy rabbit in the forest, Bear tries his very best to return it to its home but by the time its owner appears, Bear has become attached to Bunny.

More Books --

The Boy Who Wouldn't Share by Mike Reiss

Crybaby by Karen Beaumont

Dino-Grow by Matt Myers

Doll-E 1.0 by Shanda McCloskey

Don't Lose Mr. Cuddles! by Dav Petty

Eat Pete! by Michael Rex

The Epic Adventures of Huggie and Stick by Drew Daywalt

A Fire Engine for Ruthie by Leslea Newman

I Love You, Blue Kangaroo by Emma Chichester Clark

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Little Whistle's Dinner Party by Cynthia Rylant

Louis by Tom Lichtenheld

Miss Mouse's Day by Jan Ormerod

Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett

Puppy Truck by Brian Pinkney

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti

Toys Galore by Peter Stein

Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins

Traction Man by Mini Grey

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night by Refe & Amy Tuma

Silly Stories for Young Readers

We love books that make us laugh!  They tend to be some of our favorite books.  Check out these silly picture books . . . .

Cowlick! by Christin Ditchfield

A fanciful account of how two boys get cowlicks in their hair as they sleep. She comes in the middle of the night, when everyone is sleeping. When she sees a smooth little head on a pillow, she can't resist giving it a cow kiss--sluuurrrp! Cowlick!

Hello Hot Dog! by Lily Murray

Hot Dog is having a good day until he realizes it is time for lunch.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here's how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . . BLORK. Or BLUURF. Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.

My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee

A rhinoceros does only two things: pop balloons and poke holes in kites. But rhinoceroses can really do more--so much more--than that!

More Silly Books --

Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black

The Cows Are Going to Paris by David Kirby

Dandy by Ame Dyckman

Did You Take the B From My _ook? by Beck Stanton

Don't Feed the Coos by Jonathan Stutzman

Dragons Eat Noodles on Tuesdays by Jon Stahl

Ducks Don't Wear Socks by John Nedwidek

Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley

Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox

Frog on a Log by Kes Gray 

I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbitt

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas

Mail Harry to the Moon! by Robie H. Harris

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

Norman, the Slug With a Silly Shell by Sue Hendra

People Don't Bite People by Lisa Wheeler

Silly Tilly by Eileen Spinelli

Squids Will Be Squids by Jon Scieszka

What Does an Anteater Eat? by Ross Collins

What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night? by Amy and Refe Tuma

Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio

The Perfect Pet

This week, we're sharing some of our favorite pet stories for younger children.  Here are a few of our favorite pet picture books . . . .

A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan

One morning, a boy wakes up with a rabbit on his head and, although his mother is skeptical, he soon discovers that he can be fed, ride a bobsled, and even look cool with a rabbit on his head.

Dogs by Emily Gravett

Various types of dogs illustrate the concept of opposites, with such examples as dogs that are big and small, tough and soft, hairy and bald, and slow and fast.

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown

When Lucy, a young bear, discovers a boy lost in the woods, she asks her mother if she can have him as a pet, only to find him impossible to train.

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

A mother dog tries to teach her pup how to bark, and is surprised at why he wasn't learning.

More Pet Stories --

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt

Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear by Matthew J. Baek

The Blue House Dog by Deborah Blumenthal

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Dog in Charge by K.L. Going

The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest

Flat Cat by Tara Lazar

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet by Kelly DiPucchio

Goldfish on Vacation by Sam Lloyd-Jones

The Great Dog Wash by Shellie Braeuner

How Mr. Silver Stole the Show by Kate Klise

I Got a New Friend by Karl Newson Edwards

I Hate My Cats: A Love Story by Cali Davide

I Want a Dog by Jon Agee

I'm Not Missing by Kashelle Gourley

Mogie: The Heart of the House by Kathi Appelt

Move Over, Rover by Karen Beaumont

Mr. Putney's Quacking Dog by Jon Agee

No Dogs Allowed! by Sonia Manzano

Painter and Ugly by Robert J. Blake

The Perfect Pet for You by Estelle Laure

The Pet Potato by Josh Lacey

Pirate's Perfect Pet by Beth Ferry

Some Cat! by Mary Casanova

Take Your Pet to School Day by Linda Ashman

This Is Gus by Chris Chatterton

Trouper by Meg Kearney

Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby

Celebrating Schools & Teachers

 This week, we are sharing picture books stories about schools and teachers.  Here's a few of our favorites . . . .

School's First Day of School by Adam Rex

It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself.

Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea

Fearless Dinosaur takes on new challenges as he starts preschool, from meeting new friends to pasting glitter and googly eyes, but one task requires assistance from everyone.

Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard

The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a vile substitute.

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo

It was the first day of school. But even the kindergarteners of room 2B could tell something was seriously wrong . . . Where was the teacher? Who left this sandwich on the desk? The only clue, written neatly on the chalkboard, was the name: Mr. S.

Moses Goes to School by Isaac Millman

Moses and his friends enjoy the first day of school at their special school for the deaf and hard of hearing, where they use sign language to talk to each other.

More Books --

Author Day for Room 3T by Robin Pulver

Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich

Bear's School Day by Stella Blackstone

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnoutka

Field Trip to the Moon by John Hare

First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John

I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? by Bill Martin

Little Rabbit Goes to School by Harry Horse

Miss Fox's Class Gets It Wrong by Eileen Spinelli

Mission: Back to School: Top Secret Info by Morag Hood

Monsters Love School by Mike Austen

My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not) by Peter Brown

Ninja Boy Goes to School by Nathan D. Wilson

Once Upon an Ordinary School Day by Colin McNaughton

Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George

Picture Day Perfection by Deborah Diesen

The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems

School Is Wherever I Am by Ellie Peterson

Stanley's School by William Bee

Superhero vs. School by Ethan Long

Take Your Octopus to School Day by Audrey Vernick

The Teachers from the Black Lagoon and Other Stories by Mike Thaler

This Is a School by John Schu

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

Don't BUG Me! I'm Reading!

 This week, we're sharing picture books about insects and spiders.  Here's a few of our favorites . . . .

The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani

The itsy-bitsy spider encounters a fan, a mouse, a cat, and a rocking chair as she makes her way to the top of a tree to spin her web.

Twig by Aura Parker

Heidi, a tall, twig-like stick insect, does everything she can to make friends on her first day at Bug School, but even her teacher, Miss Orb, fails to notice her.

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox

This book invites the reader to search for Ladybug, who loves to hide.

Hank's Big Day: The Story of a Bug by Evan Kuhlman

Hank is a pill bug whose daily routine involves nibbling a dead leaf, climbing up a long stick, avoiding a skateboarder, and playing pretend with his best friend, a human girl named Amelia.

Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert

Illustrates the life cycle of four common butterflies by featuring butterfly and flower facts, butterfly identification tips, and a guide to creating a butterfly garden.

More Books --

A Beetle Is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston

Bug in a Vacuum by Melanie Watt

Bugs Galore by Peter Stein

Bugs in My Hair by David Shannon

Bye-Bye Big Bad Bullybug by Ed Emberley

Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

Caterpillar Dreams by Clive McFarland

The Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin

Dreamweaver by Jonathan London

Fly! by Karl Edwards

Goodnight Butterfly by Ross Burach

How to Ride a Dragonfly by Kitty Donohoe

I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

Kaia and the Bees by Maribeth Boelts

Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten by Michelle Knudsen

Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk

Old Cricket by Lisa Wheeler

One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes

The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini 

Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle

Swarm of Bees by Lemony Snicket

Sylvie by Jean Reidy

Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin 

The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle

Award Winning Picture Books

We are often asked for award-winning books when patrons don't have a specific topic they want to read.  It is a common enough request that we label the winners of three picture book awards -- Caldecott Medal (best picture book awarded by ALA), Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award (favorite picture book chosen by children awarded by MLA), and Show Me Readers Award (favorite picture book chosen by children awarded by MASL).  Here are some of our favorites of these award-winning picture books . . . .

The Adventures of Beekle: An Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable--he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world. (2015 Caldecott Award)

Bunnies!!! by Kevan Atteberry

A monster searches everywhere to find the things he loves: bunnies!!! (2016 Building Block Award)

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

A little fish thinks he can get away with stealing a hat. (2013 Caldecott Medal)

Strongheart: The World's First Movie Star Dog by Emily Arnold McCully

When silent movie director Larry Trimble decides to put Strongheart, a police dog, into his movies as the lead actor, he must first train him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog, but Strongheart becomes a sensation until his military training leads to trouble, and possibly the end of his career. (2017 Show Me Readers Award)

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont

In the rhythm of a familiar folk song, a child cannot resist adding one more dab of paint in surprising places. (2006 Building Block Award)

More Award-Winning Picture Books --

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

The Blue House Dog by Debrorah Blumenthal

Dandy by Ame Dyckman

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Last Stop of Market Street by Matt de la Pena

The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Pug Meets Pig by Sue Gallion

Scaredy Snacks by Terry Border

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Some Dog by Mary Casanova

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Wolfboy by Andy Harkness

Tails & Tales: Reading Safari

 This week, I'm sharing picture books featuring animals you might find on a safari.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Lion Lessons by Jon Agee
Learning to be a lion takes some serious lessons, but luckily, this kid has a teacher who is a real pro.

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

Elephant wakes up in a grumpy mood, but a present on his doorstep--a hat--cheers him and he sets out to greet his neighbors who all, it seems, need hats of their own!

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett
The reader is invited to count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages.

Hippos Are Huge! by Jonathan London

Presents an introduction to the hippopotamus that describes its less well-known characteristics, including its strength, speed, and deadly nature.

Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen

With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.

More Books --

Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis

Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys by H.A. Rey

Elmer by David McKee

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

The Good Ship Crocodile by J. Patrick Lewis

Hello, Hippo! Goodbye, Bird! by Kristyn Crow

It's a Tiger! by David LaRochelle

Mouse & Lion by Rand Burkert

Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora

On Safari by Emma Lynch

One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bergstrom

One Gorilla: A Counting Book by Anthony Browne

The President of the Jungle by Andre Rodrigues
Rhino Romp by Jean Craighead George

Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera

The Short Giraffe by Neil Flory

Sloth Went by Adam Lehrhaupt

Snappsy the Alligator Did NOT Ask to Be in This Book! by Julie Falatko

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones by Claire Freeman

Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham

Tiptoe Tapirs by Han-Min Kim
The Travels of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

Verdi by Janell Cannon

Wally Wants to Hug by Barbara M. Joosse

What Does an Anteater Eat? by Ross Collins

Check these and more safari animal books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 27, 2021.

Outside In by LeUyen Pham

Outside In by LeUyen Pham

One day all the people outside . . . went inside.
What were they doing?
Why did they go inside?

This book explains in a simple manner the effects of covid-19 and quarantine to young children.  The words are simple -- highlighting  the ways people coped and felt.  The illustrations offer more depth to the words.  This is a great book to share with children who might be upset and confused as to the events of the past year.

I Want a Pet!

 This week, I am sharing picture books about pets.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Memoirs of a Tortoise by Devin Scillian
Oliver the tortoise looks back on his happy life as he wonders why his pet human, Ike, who he has had for eighty years, has stopped visiting the garden.

Me Want Pet by Tammi Sauer

When Cave Boy wants a pet, he tries a woolly mammoth, a saber-toothed tiger, and a dodo bird, but none seems suitable.

My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee

A rhinoceros does only two things: pop balloons and poke holes in kites. But rhinoceroses can really do more--so much more--than that!

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

George finds it hard to be a good dog when there are cats to chase, flowers to dig up, and a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table.

Cats are Cats by Valeri Gorbachev

Miss Bell loves her cat Tiger, despite his tendency to act like a tiger.


More Pet Stories --

The Birthday Pet by Ellen Javernick

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Can I Have a Stegosaurus, Mom? Can I? Please!? by Lois G. Grambling

A Cat Is Better by Linda Joy Singleton

Cat Napped by Leeza Hernandez

C'Mere, Boy! by Sharon Jennings

Dino by Diego Vaisberg

Dogosaurus Rex by Anna Staniszewski

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet by Kelly DiPucchio

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty

If I Had a Raptor by George O'Connor

The Kindhearted Crocodile by Lucia Panzieri

Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett

Me and My Big Mouse by Ethan Long

My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World by Gilles Bachelet

My Crocodile Does Not Bite by Joe Kulka

A Pet for Miss Wright by Judy Young

Playtime? by Jeff Mack

Poor Louie by Tony Fucile

Rrralph by Lois Ehlert

Sterling, Best Dog Ever by Aidan Cassie
Take Your Pet to School Day by Linda Ashman

That's My Dog! by Rick Walton

Trouper by Meg Kearney

Who Wants a Tortoise? by David Keane
You Don't Want a Unicorn by Ame Dyckman


Check these and more pet picture books out on display at the Arnold Branch through August 6, 2021.

The Big Bad Wolf in My House by Valerie Fontaine

 

When the Big Bad Wolf came to my house, he didn't sneak in or huff and puff down the walls.  He just walked in the front door after being invited in by my mother.

It didn't take long for the Big Bad Wolf to show his true side.  He yelled.  He threw things.  And he left bruises . . . . 


This book covers the serious topic of abuse in a simple way for children to understand.  The metaphor of the Big Bad Wolf, while scary, is a little less frightening than if it was a human character.  I would highly recommend this book.

Tails & Tales: Pig Stories (Picture Books)

 This week, I'm sharing picture books featuring . . . PIGS!  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

Ten Hungry Pigs by Derek Anderson

In this rhyming, counting book, ten pigs build a very strange sandwich--until a wolf comes along and sends them running.

Wolf Won't Bite by Emily Gravett

Three little circus pigs capture a wild wolf and make him do outrageous tricks, safe in the belief that he would never bite them.

Is That Wise, Pig? by Jan Thomas

Mouse and Cow are making soup but Pig keeps trying to add strange ingredients.

Pug Meets Pig by Sue Gallion

Pug is happy at home until Pig arrives, when he must share his bowl, his yard, and even his bed, but just as Pug is packing his belongings to leave things change for the better.

Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folguiera

When a pig visits a frog pond, sits on a rock, and says only "Ribbit!", news spreads fast but only the wise old beetle has an explanation.

More Pig Stories --

All for Me and None for All by Helen Lester

Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio

Day by Day by Susan Gal

Do Not Open This Book by Michaela Muntean

Dumpy La Rue by Elizabeth Winthrop

Ginger and Petunia by Patricia Polacco

Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! by Candace Fleming

I Know a Wee Piggy by Kim Norman

If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff

Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza

A Normal Pig by K-Fai Steele

Nursery Crimes by Arthur Geisert

Olivia by Ian Falconer

One Rainy Day by Valeri Gorbachev
A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black

Pignic by Matt Phelan

Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore by David McPhail

Pigs to the Rescue by John Himmelman
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Toot & Puddle: Top of the World by Holly Hobbie

Wait! No Paint! by Bruce Whatley

Yum! by Colin McNaughton

Check these and more pig stories out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 16, 2021.

Bear Can't Wait by Karma Wilson

Bear is back in another great picture book from Karma Wilson.

This time, Bear has planned a surprise birthday party for his good friend Hare and just can't wait for it to start.

This is another solid entry in the Bear series by Karma Wilson.  It perfectly captures the excitement and impatience of waiting for an anticipated event.  

The Bookstore Cat by Cylin Busby

The bookstore cat is an adorable cat.  

The bookstore cat is a bossy (very bossy) by cuddly cat.

And so we learn about the the bookstore cat.  As we go through the alphabet, we learn about another characteristic of the bookstore cat.

This is a cute book for preschoolers wanting to learn their abc's as well as those who love cats.
 

Picture Books for Spring

 Enjoy these great picture books celebrating Spring!

Wake Up, It's Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst
Word of the arrival of spring spreads from earth to worm to seed to lady bug and on through the natural world to a sleeping family, until everyone is dancing in celebration.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes

After helping her mother weed, water, and chase the rabbits from their garden, a young girl imagines her dream garden complete with jellybean bushes, chocolate rabbits, and tomatoes the size of beach balls.

Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee
As a young girl splashes in the rain, she plays a guessing game with the reader about other living things that enjoy a cloudburst.

The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss

In the middle of winter, different forest animals awake and run sniffing through the trees, to discover a single flower growing in the snow.

Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand

It's the perfect day to make and fly a kite. But a surprise is waiting for Bear and Mole on their windy-day adventure.

More Spring Stories --
And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
Bears and Blossoms by Shirley Parenteau
Bloom by Deborah Diesen
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Early Bird by Toni Yuly
Finding Spring by Carin Berger
The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson
Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin
Miss Jaster's Garden by N.M. Bodecker
Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Pond Babies by Cathryn Falwell

Puddles!!! by Kevan Atteberry
A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman
Seven Hungry Babies by Candace Fleming
Shake a Leg, Egg! by Kurt Cyrus
Singing in the Rain by Arthur Freed
Sun Above and Blooms Below: A Springtime of Opposites by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
Telephone by Mac Barnett
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
What the Baby Hears by Laura Godwin
When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes


Check these and more spring books out on display at the Arnold Branch through April 24, 2021.

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) by Carrie Finison

Want to give someone a hug?  Just ask them.  Many people love hugs -- but not Doug!  Doug does not like hugs.  He thinks they're too squishy and smushy.  

This is a great book to remind us that not everyone wants a hug.  Sometimes it is better to say hello, shake hands, or give a high five instead.

 

Dr. Tenth by Roger Hargreaves

 

The Doctor is on vacation when the planet is attacked by Sontarans.  What will he do when he trapped with one of the invading aliens?

This is one of the Little Men series of books about Doctor Who.  There is a book for each of the Doctors.  As a fan, I found the book to be hilarious.  I would highly suggest it for all Doctor Who fans -- no matter their age.

Turtle Walk by Matt Phelan

 

Turtle family is going for a walk -- nice and slow.  Where are they going?  When will they get there?  And what's their plan once they arrive?

This was a very cute picture book.  I absolutely loved it.  The illustrations bring the story to life.  I would recommend this book to anyone!

Rot: The Bravest in the World! by Ben Clanton

 

This book is about mutant potatoes -- mutant potatos that love mud!

And Rot loves mud more than any other mutant potato.

Until, his brother Snot tells him about the Squirm that lives in the mud.  

Now Rot must become brave to face the Squirm!

This book is a lot of fun.  The illustrations are hilarious showing off how the potatoes look just a little weird and the mud is everywhere.  The story of two brothers trying to one up each other is also great.  I would definitely recommend this book.

Hello, Arnie! An Arnie the Doughnut Story by Laurie Keller

 

Arnie knows every doughnut in the bakery . . . every doughnut except one. 

He's never seen a doughnut like this one before. 
It's big!  It's giant!
It's not a long john.  It doesn't have a hole.  
It doesn't even have sprinkles!

Arnie is determined to figure out what kind of doughnut it is!



I love the Arnie the Doughnut stories.  They are some of my favorites.  This is a great addition to the series.  It's funny!  It also includes the reader in on the joke.  I would definitely recommend this book -- to those who already love Arnie and those meeting him for the first time.

Take a Trip . . . By Reading a Good Book

Many of us are not able to go on a vacation this summer.  We'll have to settle for travelling through the stories we read.  So this week, I'm sharing some of my favorite picture books about trips . . .

A Good Knight's Rest by Shelley Moore Thomas

The Good Knight's hard work has earned him a vacation, but his three little dragon friends come along and make the trip anything but relaxing.

Are We There Yet? by Dandi Daley Mackall

A brother and sister can't wait to hit the road, but they soon find themselves bored with riding in the car and try to make the trip more fun.

Duck's Vacation by Gilad Soffer

Duck is trying to enjoy a relaxing vacation, but with each turn of the page, the reader causes some calamity.

The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies

While the Petersons are away, their house decides to take a trip to the sea to watch the "Dance of the Sunlight," despite some groaning from the chimney and the basement's refusal to rise to the occasion.

Duck Tents by Lynne Berry

While on a camping trip, five little ducks pitch tents, go fishing, toast marshmallows around a campfire, and face frightening night noises.

More Books --

Astro Bunnies by Christine Loomis

Bear & Hare Go Fishing by Emily Gravett

The Big Bad Wolf Goes on Vacation by Delphine Perret

The Camping Trip That Changed America by Barba Rosenstock

City Cat by Kate Banks

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee

The Dad with 10 Children by Benedicte Guettier

How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk

The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman by Darcy Pattison

Liberty's Journey by Kelly DiPucchio

No Dogs Allowed! by Sonia Manzano

Pictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins

A Pork in New York by Catherine Stock

Strega Nona Takes a Vacation by Tomie de Paola

Tacky in Trouble by Helen Lester

Tiny Little Rocket by Richard Collingridge

Toot & Puddle: Top of the World by Holly Hobbie

Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World by Margaret Rey

Wow! City! by Robert Neubecker

Check out the display of vacation picture books at the Arnold Branch through August 28, 2020.