Today we’re leaning into silliness and razzle-dazzle, rambunctiousness and wagging tails, books that’ll spread a ray of sunshine in your little reading circle!
Our Car, written J.M. Brum, illustrated by Jan Bajtlik
published in 2018, a Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press
Bursts of juicy color zing and flaunt their way through this flamboyant portrait of one family’s car.
Brum and Bajtlik capture the curious appeal of this little red roadster as it gambols through seasons and tears down roadways. Original, festive, absorbing for ages 2 and up!
Crash, Splash, or Moo! written and illustrated by Bob Shea
published in 2018 by Little, Brown and Company
Join in a cockamamie contest, emceed by Mr. McMonkey, and see how many bananas you can win!
Action Clam and Cow undertake feats of derring-do, then we readers take our best guess as to what the smashing results will be. A boisterous, bonkers book for revved up storytime silliness! Ages 3 and up.
Little Bear’s House, written and illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
published in 2018 by Chronicle Books
In past episodes, we’ve followed Little Bear on wild escapades around town and under the ocean. Now he’s feeling fidgety in the forest, itching for adventure.
When he comes upon a tantalizing house in a secret clearing, Little Bear happily explores every nook and cranny. But then something goes BUMP! and soon there are monsters on his heels! Gobs of details to pore over in Chaud’s jazzy illustrations, and a funny comedy of errors make this a lark for ages 5 and up.
Bark Park! written by Trudy Krisher, illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
published in 2018 by Beach Lane Books
Dogs of every shape, size, and demeanor head to the park with their humans in this cheery catalogue of canines.
A pleasantly rhyming text and sunny illustration work immerse us in the sheer wonderfulness of dogs. A delight for ages 2 and up.
Mouse House, written and illustrated by John Burningham
published in Great Britain in 2017; first U.S. edition 2018 by Candlewick Press
I mourned the loss of John Burningham in a post just last week. He was a true master of childish naiveté and intelligence. His homey line and plainspoken narrations reach right into a child’s mind and heart, winning them over to the wonder of his many tales.
This one is about a substantial family of mice living in one family’s house, and of how they are SEEN — egads! — and of how the children rescue them from Dire Ends at the hands of the mouse catcher, and of What Happens Next. Guileless, tenderhearted, imaginative storytelling for ages 3 and up.
orange marmalade 