All about the Animals

BIG BAD SHEEP by Bettina Wegenast with illustrations by Katharina Busshoff. Eerdmans, 2012.

There seems to be an opening for a Big Bad Wolf. One sheep decides to apply. After all, a job is a job. In this send up of familiar tales, the sheep who takes on the job is changed once he slips into the costume. Can his friend save him from a total transformation? Lots of sly humor here which might escape young readers. Offer it instead as a read aloud to middle grade readers along with Scieszka's TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS and other variations on fairy tales. <655>

DUCK FOR A DAY by Meg McKinlay with illustrations by Leila Rudge. Candlewick Press 2012.

Abby has a new teacher, one who comes accompanied by a...duck? Abby is entranced by the duck who comes and sits on her feet sometimes during class. She fervently hopes that one day she will be permitted to take the duck home with her for just one night. <656>

FOLLOWING GRANDFATHER by Rosemary Wellswith illustrations by Ch. Candlewick Press 2012.

and her Grandfather are inseparable. He teaches her to button buttons, tie shoes, and also how to cook special dishes for the family restaurant. The mouse family lives contentedly in Boston behind the walls of some of the finest hotels and restaurants and shops. Pair this one with Ben and Me. <657>

MONKEY AND ELEPHANT by Carole Lesa Shafer with illustrations by Galia Bernstein. Candlewick Press 2012.

Monkey and Elephant are good friends in this first book in the series.But this one day, both of them are too grumpy to stand each other. Could this ruin their friendship? <658>

PENNY AND HER SONG by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow 2012.

Penny has a new song to share with her parents. But the babies are sleeping and Penny has to be quiet. How can she keep quiet when the song needs to be sung out loud? <659>