King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats by Dori Hillestad Butler

King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats
by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrations by Nancy Meyers
(King & Kayla #1) - 48 pages

"Kayla made peanut butter treats for Jillian's new puppy, Thor. But now the treats are missing.

"What does Kayla know? There are three treats missing. King was in the kitchen. King's breath doesn't smell like peanut butter.

"What does King know? There's an intruder in the house.

"How will they solve the mystery?"      --from the publisher

Beginning readers are difficult to write, and the stories can be pretty dull.  Butler does a terrific job engaging the reader by telling the tale from King's perspective, and the illustrations go perfectly with the text.  My great-niece and -nephews are going to enjoy this series.

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder - 36 pages
Theodor Geisel Medal - 2018

Charlie and Mouse are two brothers looking forward to a neighborhood party, wishing they had some money, and going through their bedtime routine.

This easy reader was just selected as the 2018 Theodor Geisel winner.  I think this would be a great book for kids just starting the beginning reader chapter books.  The text, and especially the illustrations, make it clear that this is a very inclusive neighborhood.  In fact, the illustrations are a huge part of the success of book.  (Make sure to look closely in the background of some of the illustrations for extra humor for adults.) 

MSCHMITT--Happy Birthday Princess Jennifer Weinberg 32

 MSCHMITT--Happy Birthday Princess Jennifer Weinberg 32

The Disney princesses are having birthday celebrations! Cinderella has bows, Rapunzel has a purple gown, and Tiana has glowing lights!

MSCHMITT--The Smurfs and the Magic Egg by Peyo 32

  MSCHMITT--The Smurfs and the Magic Egg by Peyo 32
A magic egg has appeared in the smurf village and suddenly everyone is making wishes with the magic egg and all the wishes are causing chaos in the smurf village. When the egg is finally removed after returning the village to normal, the smurfs find that the magic egg is no longer because it has hatched into a rooster!

MSCHMITT--Dizzy Izzy Jon Scieszka 22

 MSCHMITT--Dizzy Izzy Jon Scieszka 22
Izzy likes to get dizzy but right now Izzy is not dizzy! Izzy drives around town in a tizzy getting fizzy at the carwash! 

MSCHMITT--Kat's Mystery Gift Jon Scieszka 22

 MSCHMITT--Kat's Mystery Gift Jon Scieszka 22
Kat has a mystery gift and everyone is guessing what it could be. While everyone anxiously awaits Kat's gift…Kat decides that she in fact likes the mystery of an unopened gift and drives off leaving everyone in Trucktown to wonder what exactly that mystery gift is!

MSCHMITT--Thank you Day Farrah McDoogle 24

 MSCHMITT--Thank you Day Farrah McDoogle 24
It is Thank You day in Daniel Tiger's neighborhood, everyone has got there Thank you cards on the tree except for Daniel, he cannot figure out who to write his to. When all of the thank you notes are blown from the tree Mr. McFeely saves the day by collecting them all, it is then that Daniel knows just who is thank you note should go to.

MSCHMITT--Uh-oh, Max Jon Scieszka 22

 MSCHMITT--Uh-oh, Max Jon Scieszka 22

Max zooms, jumps and flies and every time Max gets himself into trouble one of the other Trucktown trucks comes to his rescue!

MSCHMITT--Melvin's Valentine Jon Scieszka 22

 MSCHMITT--Melvin's Valentine Jon Scieszka 22

Melvin drives all over town trying to find out who gave him a Valentine. Melvin pays no attention as Rita follows him around town beeping at the chance! After asking everyone Melvin finally finds out that is was Rita who gave him that very special valentine.

MSCHMITT--Pizza Pat by Rita Gelman 29

 MSCHMITT--Pizza Pat by Rita Gelman 29

Pizza Pat is busy baking a pizza! Gooey and gloppy chewey and gloppy he is throwing dough and getting ready to bake that pizza when in come all the mice of the neighborhood. The sneaky mice were not just coming to smell the yummy pizza they were there to steal it! In the end poor pizza pat is left with an empty tray and a long face.

MSCHMITT--- Finding Nemo Best Dad in the Sea Amy Tyler 32

 MSCHMITT--- Finding Nemo Best Dad in the Sea Amy Tyler 32

Little Fish Nemo thinks that he and his father are nothing alike, and while his dad is always trying to keep him safe, one day Nemo ventures too far off in the ocean and is captured. With Nemo gone his father feels lost and decides that he must be brave and head out in the unknown to save him. After a successful rescue Nemo realizes that he and his father are not so different after all.

I'm a Frog!, by Mo Willems

 I'm a Frog!, by Mo Willems, 57 pages

Piggie is now a frog! What if Gerald becomes a frog?! Don't worry- it's all just pretend, and everyone can do it!

There is a Bird on Your Head, by Mo Willems

 There is a Bird on Your Head, by Mo Willems, 57 pages
Aw, this is cute.  It all starts with one bird landing on Gerald's head... lesson learned: it never hurts to say something when you are bothered, and talk to others!

Can I Play Too?, by Mo Willems

  Can I Play Too?, by Mo Willems, 57 pages

I did not think this was the best of the Elephant & Piggie books, but it's always cute to see a new character appear.  It also emphasizes being creative and brainstorming, so that's... something.

We are in a Book!, by Mo Willems

 We are in a Book!, by Mo Willems, 57 pages
Where were these books when I was growing up?? In this installment of Elephant and Piggie, things get super meta when Gerald notices the reader.  This is a really cute one- probably my favorite.

I am Invited to a Party!, by Mo Willems

   I am Invited to a Party!, by Mo Willems, 57 pages
Piggie is excited to be invited to a party- lucky that Gerald is around to help figure out what to wear.  This one is especially cute.  These books are meant to be acted out, more than just read.

A Big Guy Took My Ball, by Mo Willems

A Big Guy Took My Ball, by Mo Willems, 57 pages

Oh no, a "big guy" took the "big ball" that Piggie found.  Everything is relative in this chapter of the Elephant & Piggie series. 

Happy Pig Day!, Mo Willems

   Happy Pig Day!, Mo Willems, 57 pages

These books are so cute- Piggie is excited that it's Pig Day, but Gerald feels left out.

MSCHMITT--- Little Bear Else Holmelund Minarik 36

MSCHMITT--- Little Bear Else Holmelund Minarik 36

A classic collection of three stories, "What will little Bear Wear?" "Birthday Soup" and "Little Bear Goes to the Moon." The three stories consist of the adventures of little bear, his friends and family.

MSCHMITT--- The Diggiest Dog, by Al Perkins 63

MSCHMITT--- The Diggiest Dog, by Al Perkins  63

Sammy Brown saves the day when he buys Duke the dog from the pet shop. Duke is thrilled to no longer be living on a hard stone floor but when Duke discovers digging he takes it a bit too far and digs up the entire town. When Sammy threatens to take him back to the store Duke realizes he must dig back everything that he dug down.