LALA SALAMA is subtitled A TANZANIAN LULLABY (Candlewick 2011). Author Patricia MacLachlan's text and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon's color palette and glowing pictures are a perfect marriage. A mother sings to her child of the day they have spent together. From the meals they have shared, to the time spent working in the field, and now to the end of the day. Tie this to ALL THE PLACES TO LOVE also by MacLachlan for an interesting text pairing. <558>
Reeve Lindbergh gives readers a warm and humorous story in HOMER THE LIBRARY CAT (Candlewick 2011). Homer longs for peace and quiet, but when his owner leaves for work one day, a loud noise sends him out of the house and into a jangly outside. He finally finds refuge in the library where he discovers that his owner is the librarian. Illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf capture the many emotions of Homer. <559>
Mo Willems new Elephant and Piggie book is HAPPY PIG DAY (Hyperion 2011). Piggie is celebrating Pig Day, but that leaves Gerald the elephant feeling rather put out because he is left out. There is a solution, of course, in this easy to read story. Check out the end papers, too. <560>
DUCK AND COMPANY CHRISTMAS by Kathy Caple (Holiday House 2011) is a nice addition to the holiday books. As Duck and Company prepare to celebrate the holidays, all manner of things befall them. In a series of chapters, the subject of picky customers, mischievous children, and other topics are explored in a manner of a few pages. <561>
A BEDTIME KISS FOR CHESTER RACCOON by Audrey Penn with illustrations by Barbara Gibson (Tanglewood 2011) is a board book perfect for kids who have nighttime fears. Raccoon goes to bed as the sun slips over the horizon for morning. But Chester Raccoon sees shapes moving the shaft of sunlight coming into his bedroom. His mothers knows just how to comfort him. Rhyming couplets tell the story with nicely detailed illustrations reminiscent of James Stevenson adding some additional information for readers. <562>
HOMER makes me wish I could take my babies to work! I love adding books to the collection that feature a library as the setting. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the Chester Racoon books. I haven't read this one yet.
ReplyDeleteI already love Homer just by looking at him on the cover. I definitely plan to get a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteAs a mother of two, I can appreciate books like A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon. It's great to have a new book to read for a very common fear in children. Can't have too many books about comforting your child.
ReplyDeleteI can always appreciate a book with a character (Homer) who finds peace and quiet in a library. I love reading these books to my elementary kids.
ReplyDeleteMo Willems is a well loved author by the students in my school. This sounds like a good title that is easy for kids to make connections to. After all, who hasn't felt left out?
ReplyDeleteLala Salama looks like a beautiful book. I love to read books to my students about folktales from other cultures. I find that the kids naturally compare and contrast them.
Homer reminds me of a story I saw on 60 minutes....a striped cat who lived in the library.The librarian took care of him, and the patrons loved him. I'm wondering if that is what this book is based upon?
ReplyDeleteLALA SALAMA, would be a great book to read, especially if you are a mother. I can't wait to read it. It reminds me of the book, Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch.
ReplyDeleteA Bedtime Kiss reminds me of the Kissing Hand, a must have for every child!
ReplyDeleteHomer looks adorable. Chester is one of my studets' favorite characters. I read The Kissing Hand the first week of school every year. I look forward to checking out this new addtion. Everything Mo Willems touches seems to turn to gold. I look forward to spot lighting him when I am in a library one day.
ReplyDeleteChester is also one of my favorite story characters. The Kissing Hand is one of my cherished books and I would like to add A Bedtime Kiss to my favorites.
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