I Need My Own Country!

I Need My Own Country! by Rick Walton

Summary: Instructs the reader in how to form one's own country when the time comes, from finding a location, a name, and a flag, to handling the inevitable civil unrest and invasions.

My Thoughts: This is a fun little instruction manual that children who have younger siblings will be able to relate to.  Annoying little brothers are referenced many times!  It can also be used a way to teach writing an instruction manual or how to piece.  The characters are drawn with very expresive faces that add to the humor of the story, with lots of details added too! 

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Bear in the Book

The Bear in the Book by Kate Banks

Summary: At the end fo the day a little boy falls asleep as his mama reads about a bear hibernating.

My Thoughts: Such a sweet and unique story about bedtime reading with a little boy and his mama!  The bedtime routine will be familiar to young children, as the little boy and his mama settle in to read a book about a bear that is getting ready to hibernate for the winter.  The focus is the interaction between the readers and the book and even the bear.  Beautiful paintings bring the story to life!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Christmastime

Christmastime by Alison Jay

Summary: Illustrations and single words present different aspects of Christmas, and the pictures hide links to Christmas songs and carols.

My Thoughts: I am a fan of Alison Jay's work.  The illustrations have an old fashioned feel to them and are distinctive with a crackle finish.  Each page has one or two Christmas related words on it and a detailed painting for the ilustration. Look carefully at each picture and you will see clues as to what the next picture will be and you will see the subject of the previous painting too!  This adds a bit of "I-spy" to the book.  A fun and very visual book to share with a young one!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Birds of Bethlehem

The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola

Summary: On the morning of the first Christmas, the colorful birds of Bethlehem gather to talk about the exciting events they have witnessed, from the long line of people approaching the town to the stable where a newborn baby lies.

My Thoughts: This is a short Christmas story that shows the events of the Christmas story from the point of view of the birds that live in and around Bethlehem.  They each have witnessed a part of the Christmas story and relate it to each other to tell the reader the whole story.  It was different and interesting to see this traditional tale from a unique point of view. 

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Santa from Cincinnati

Santa from Cincinnati by Judi Barrett

Summary: A baby in Cincinnati whose first words are "ho ho ho" grows up to become Santa Claus.

My Thoughts:  I loved this Christmas title and can't wait to share it with my little guy at home!  This is the story of the little boy who grew up to become Santa Claus.  We see him first in the nursery at the hospital with a jolly smile all swaddled in red and white!  The pictures have little clues and annotations to explain how all of the traits and characteristics of the Santa we knew came to be.  A fun title to share with children young or old during the holiday season!

*Summary take from CIP data.

Let's Go for a Drive!

Let's Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems

Summary: Elephant Gerald and Piggie want to go for a drive, but as Gerald thinks of one thing after another that they will have to take along, they come to realize that they lack the most important thing of all.

My Thoughts: This is another winner in the Piggie and Elephant series by Mo Willems!  This will be especially appreciate by lovers of cars and making plans!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Squish Super Amoeba

Squish: Super Amoeba by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Summary - Squish, a meek amoeba who loves the comic book exploits of his favorite hero, "Super Amoeba," tries to emulate him when his best friend is threatened by a bully.

My Thoughts - The Squish series is another winner from the brother/sister author pair that brought us Babymouse! There are lots of great scientific facts about amoeba's thrown into Squish's story. At the end there is a little 'how to' lesson for those interested in drawing Squish on their own! The next book in the series is called "Squish: Brave New Pond".

*Summary taken from CIP data.