As one of my co-workers summarized this book, "Chaos."
Little nature collectors (and their parents) will definitely connect to this small collector's As one of my co-workers summarized this book, "Chaos."
Little nature collectors (and their parents) will definitely connect to this small collector's enthusiasm. The fairly simple, but cute illustrations convey this enthusiasm (and chaos) quite well and the text captures it too. I love that the child greets and names the pinecones as they go, "Hello Uncle Pinecone! Greetings Great-Aunt Pinecone! Welcome Princess Pattycake Petunia Pinecone!" I also really like that the caregiver just kind of embraces it (once they finally notice) and then figures out ways to still have a lot of pinecones while limiting the chaos. A nice added touch is that the author gives info at the back on "How to prepare pinecones for in-home use."
This could be a great book for a preschool or lower elementary storytime to pair with a pinecone craft....more
Gorgeous illustrations and fairly simple text teach readers about woodland animals and where they live. The book is set up as a series of questions anGorgeous illustrations and fairly simple text teach readers about woodland animals and where they live. The book is set up as a series of questions and answers, such that readers can guess what animal made each home. Little readers/listeners likely won't guess the specifics (they may guess mouse vs. harvest mouse and bird vs. wren), but I think they would still enjoy guessing and then, likely, learning a more specific answer.
This book has some of my favorite illustrations of the year. I'm not totally sure what the medium is (paper collage, mixed media, and pencil?), but whatever it is, it's lovely.
There's large text that functions as a smooth narrative and, on some pages, there's also additional, smaller text that gives a little bit more information about various animals. The larger text would probably work well in a storytime for preschool up through elementary school. For elementary students, you could probably read the smaller text as an aside....more
An imaginative adventure about how waiting can be hard, but with the right mindset (and willingness to fill that waiting time with other small pleasurAn imaginative adventure about how waiting can be hard, but with the right mindset (and willingness to fill that waiting time with other small pleasures), it can also be part of what makes an experience memorable and enjoyable. As a male who loves baking myself, I love that it's the grandpa who's baking with his grandkids and I really like his "Flour Power" apron. :)
The illustrations in this are adorable and I think the length of the text would work well for a lower or upper-elementary storytime. Because of the size and details in a few of the illustrations, I think this would work best with a smaller (up to 20) group size. ...more
I'm so glad they decided to update this! The illustrations are gorgeous, so it's great that they did. There's sort of a narrative text that flows wellI'm so glad they decided to update this! The illustrations are gorgeous, so it's great that they did. There's sort of a narrative text that flows well and then additional text with more details. If you were to just read the narrative flowing text, then this could work well in a storytime for preschoolers or elementary students. This text gives basic info about birds, where they live, and how humans can help to create and/or protect those places. ...more
The text is just alright (just a few facts about each animal), but the illustrations are gorgeous, created using handmade paper "torn and shredded witThe text is just alright (just a few facts about each animal), but the illustrations are gorgeous, created using handmade paper "torn and shredded with touches of color pencil."
I think this could work in a preschool or elementary storytime....more
It's not often that you find books that are specifically about a single parent or caregiver. I especially like this one because what/who those caregivIt's not often that you find books that are specifically about a single parent or caregiver. I especially like this one because what/who those caregivers are is never specified, so it could be a single parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or adoptive parent. As well as that ambiguity, there's great racial diversity and one pair that doesn't look the same (the grandmother/older caregiver looks of Asian descent but their charge looks of European descent).
I think it you were to do a mother's day or father's day or grandparent's day storytime, this may be a good one to throw in because those who may not fit/relate to your theme may relate to this book. I think it could work well in a preschool or lower elementary school storytime....more
A touching story about an object many of us come into contact with every day, a yellow school bus. The author/illustrator's use of color is splendid iA touching story about an object many of us come into contact with every day, a yellow school bus. The author/illustrator's use of color is splendid in drawing the focus to the bus and its occupants.
I put this on my Conservation Shelf because although at first glance it may not seem like the story touches this topic, I believe it is deeply about it. A very important element of conservation is to reuse/extend an object's use for as long as possible, this often entails uses purpose beyond what it was made for. I feel like the story of this splendid bus personifies that well. It is first a school bus, then used to transport the elderly, then an unofficial shelter for the homeless, a playground for goats, and lastly a gathering place for fish. While I certainly don't think most broken-down buses should end up in a goat pasture or at the bottom of the lake, I do think there are creative uses for a lot of "trash."
I think this could be used in an elementary storytime, perhaps related to conservation, but to be fully appreciated I think it would be best enjoyed sharing with one or two observant littles who delight in noticing small details....more
A Black mermaid! I had forgotten how cute Oona and her magnificent hair are and, of course, her otter sidekick as well! Also, there's another mermaid A Black mermaid! I had forgotten how cute Oona and her magnificent hair are and, of course, her otter sidekick as well! Also, there's another mermaid that looks like maybe they are Inuit-related (the fish part looks like salmon and they have 3 tattoos on their chin). Additionally, it's just a really fun story of adventure and travel.
I think this could work well in a lower-elementary storytime....more
The author/illustrator personifies children's "spark" (imagination) as their imaginary friend, as in one equals the other. I'd never really thought ofThe author/illustrator personifies children's "spark" (imagination) as their imaginary friend, as in one equals the other. I'd never really thought of this, but it makes sense that they're inexorably linked. Also, in utilizing this idea it makes it easier for the author to convey the importance of nurturing your Spark, having it visually represented by a fun creature makes it a bit less abstract than trying to nurture the intangible nature of simply "your imagination." It is these Sparks or imaginary friends where the illustrations truly shine, the people are just okay, but these companions are beautiful (and since they are the focus of the book, that makes sense).
This book is a reminder of how grand your imagination can be, but it also cautions ways that the imagination can be dampened and made small (too many screens and shutting yourself from the wonder of the world).
I am a pretty big fan of this book, but it is very wordy. I'm not even sure it would work okay in a kindergarten class storytime, but it would probably work well for a storytime with 1st graders through upper elementary....more
Not only is this a cute book with a cute story (based on a real-life situation), it's also a great and engaging way for kids to start learning about mNot only is this a cute book with a cute story (based on a real-life situation), it's also a great and engaging way for kids to start learning about moon phases and and tides. This could be fun to use in an elementary storytime when your class is beginning to learn about the moon....more
I love that this is about noticing the little things and that it has a large splash of whimsical. Though the whimsical aspects won't happen (beetles wI love that this is about noticing the little things and that it has a large splash of whimsical. Though the whimsical aspects won't happen (beetles wearing backpacks and using walking sticks while hiking, a cricket playing the violin as a bird sings beside them, etc.), I suppose it's a reminder that, if you pay attention, the world (including your own backyard) is full of wonder. I guess, if we look at nature for long enough and close enough, we may see a bit of whimsy thrown in as well.
I think this could work well in a preschool or lower elementary storytime but, because of some of the details, it would probably work best with a fairly small group. ...more
What a lovely book! Both the story and illustrations are adorable. It's a soft reminder that friends can remind us that we're lovely, "even lovelier tWhat a lovely book! Both the story and illustrations are adorable. It's a soft reminder that friends can remind us that we're lovely, "even lovelier than flowers."
Wow, these pictures are just so cute, or I suppose, "lovely" as Olive the owl would say.
I think preschoolers and lower elementary students may have a fun time trying to guess along with two of our lead characters (and a few of them may guess correctly before our leads do)....more
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