A Hat for Minerva Louise, Janet Morgan Stoeke | 24 pages

When a barnyard chicken wants to go explore in the snow, she has to search for a just-right hat to keep her warm. Silly mistakes lead her to exactly what she needs.

My kids can't get enough of Minerva Louise, even though they are big now. The other day when it was 100* we got out all our "cold" books to feel better. Minerva Louise was top of the stack!

Arlene Sardine by Chris Raschka

Arlene Sardine by Chris Raschka - 32 pages

Arlene is a fish who wants to become a sardine.  This is the story of her accomplishing her dream.

I read this picture book years ago when it was first published and ordered for our collection.  I found it absolutely hilarious and it has always stuck in my mind.  I mentioned it several months ago to the Teen Book Club and the teens became obsessed with the description of the book and wanted me to try to find a copy.  It took a while but I finally got a copy through Evergreen and I shared it with the teens at last night's meeting.  They absolutely loved the book and couldn't stop laughing throughout it.

I definitely recommend this book.  It works as an informational book about sardines, an animal story, a story about accomplishing your dreams, and so much more.

You're the Hugs to My Kisses by Barbara Herndon

 32 pages

"With whimsical, read-aloud rhymes, this delightful picture book will appeal to readers of all ages and remind them that life is sweeter when you have someone to share it with.

"You’re the Hugs to My Kisses is a perfect gift for: the special child in your life, a best friend, couples celebrating engagements, weddings, and anniversaries, or that certain someone who makes your life better just by being in it." --from the publisher

Very cute! I'll be buying several copies for family and friends. I give it four out of five stars.

Outside In by LeUyen Pham

 Outside In by LeUyen Pham - 32 pages

One day all the people outside . . . went inside.
What were they doing?
Why did they go inside?

This book explains in a simple manner the effects of covid-19 and quarantine to young children.  The words are simple -- highlighting  the ways people coped and felt.  The illustrations offer more depth to the words.  I would highly recommend this book.

Frog and Toad Audio Collection by Arnold Lobel

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel - 64 pages
Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel - 64 pages
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel - 64 pages
Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel - 64 pages

Frog and Toad are best friends who share many everyday adventures including eating too many cookies, telling ghost stories, searching for a lost button, and more.

This was one of my favorite series of picture books as a young child.  I loved these books.  I really enjoyed this audio version of the stories as narrated by the author Arnold Lobel.  I would highly recommend this beginning reader series in both the print and audio formats.

 

In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

40 pages

"Llewellyn, a little rabbit, is a collector. He gathers things in jars--ordinary things like buttercups, feathers, and heart-shaped stones. Then he meets another rabbit, Evelyn, and together they begin to collect extraordinary things--like rainbows, the sound of the ocean, and the wind just before snow falls. And, best of all, when they hold the jars and peer inside, they remember all the wonderful things they've seen and done. But one day, Evelyn has sad news: Her family is moving away. How can the two friends continue their magical collection--and their special friendship--from afar?"  --from the publisher

Wonderful little story about making memories and sharing experiences with friends. And what to do when a friend moves away. Very sweet. I give it four out of five stars.
 

Miriam at the River by Jane Yolen, Khoe Le (contributor)

 32 pages

"Giving her baby brother a kiss, brave little Miriam places Moses's basket into the river. With one quick push, she sends him into the water, hoping her wish will come true and her brother will be saved from Pharaoh's orders. But will Pharaoh's daughter arrive in time to rescue him?"  --from the publisher

A beautifully illustrated picture book based on the biblical story of Moses rescued and adopted into Pharoah's household. There's a bit of poetic license as compared to the story in Exodus. I give the story three out of five stars, and the illustrations five out of five stars.

Cozy by Jan Brett

32 pages

"Cozy is the softest musk ox in Alaska, with the warmest fur you ever did feel. When a storm hits while he's separated from his family, he starts to feel lonely--but not for long. As the snow piles up, animals start to notice just how warm and cozy Cozy really is! One mama lemming has a bright idea . . . maybe the best place to spend the winter is under Cozy's fur!

"As more and more animals burrow in, Cozy adds to the house rules: quiet voices, gentle thumping, claws to yourself, no biting, and no pouncing. That seems easy enough . . . until the lemmings, snowshoe hare, snowy owl, arctic fox, and wolverine begin to bicker. Luckily, signs of spring soon appear, and that means Cozy can find his herd and his new friends can head to their summer homes. But not before promising to get cozy with Cozy next year!"          --from the publisher

Loved it! Another excellent story with outstanding artwork. Happy sigh. I give it five out of five stars.

How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton

 How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton

(How to Catch series)

40 pages

"If you dare to travel beyond the closet door and into the land of the monsters... you might just find the very best reward of all. But with robots, lava pie, and a smattering of traps-catching monsters is no easy business!

"Is there a monster living in your closet? Are you brave enough to catch him? Whether you're looking for Halloween kids books or a great bedtime story, parents and children alike will love sharing this fun and inventive picture book, which reminds us that things aren't always as scary as they seem."  --the publisher

I think this one is a little better than "How to Catch a Mermaid." I give it three out of five stars.

Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney 20 pages


Little nutbrown hare is trying to express to big nutbrown hare how much he loves him, but big nut brown hare always finds a way to say he loves him more.

I believe this book is where the phrase "I love you to the moon and back," comes from. It is another cute bedtime story for little ones.

Are You My Mother?

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman 64 pages

A birds mother leaves right before the baby bird is hatched. When the baby pops out of his egg he begins a search for his mother.. although, he doesn't know what his mother looks like.

Love You Forever

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch 32 pages

As a baby grows from a newborn all the way up to a grown man, each stage presents challenges for his mother, but no matter what age the boy is, mom sneaks into his room and rocks him. Eventually, she becomes to old and weak to rock him so he rocks her, and then carries on the tradition with his new baby.

Another classic tear jerker that should be in every child's personal library.

Just in Case You Ever Wonder

Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado 24 pages

This book is the sweetest! It gives words of affirmation to children about how loved they are and how thankful the parent is God chose them to look after the child. It goes through a child's life letting them know their parent will always be there. One of my all time favorite to read to my girls even though it can make me a little teary eyed.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney 40 pages

Llama Llama doesn't want to go to bed during bedtime and gets nervous when his mama isn't around. Mama gets frustrated at first that little Llama won't go to bed but she uses it as an opportunity to tell him how much she loves him even if she's not physically around.

A cute rhyme-y bedtime story for little ones. 

Little Bunny's Bedtime

Little Bunny's Bedtime by Jane Johnson 16 pages

Mama's littlest bunny is doing everything in his power to delay his bedtime. Mama bunny tries everything she can think of to get little bunny to go back to sleep. Finally, he gets so tuckered out he does sleep, but Mama's work isn't done yet..because then her second youngest bunny cries "mommy I can't sleep."

A cute bedtime story to read to a little one. I am sure all parents have been here.

Lon Po Po: A Red Riding-Hood Story From China

Lon Po Po: A Red Riding-Hood Story From China by Ed Young 32 pages

In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf sees that three young girls are left alone while their mother is off to visit their grandma (Po Po). The wolf tricks the girls into thinking he is actually Po Po to get inside. Once the eldest daughter discovers the Po Po they have let inside is actually a wolf, she comes up with a plan to get rid of the wolf and save themselves.

Both the western and Chinese version of this tale are pretty grim.

Milo and the Magical Stones

Milo and the Magical Stones by Marcus Pfister

This is an environmental stories that has two endings to choose from, a happy ending and a sad ending. Milo and his mice friends live on an island where in winter it can get dark, cold, and stormy unlike when they happily roam about the island in the summer, this forces them to live in little holes most of the winter. Milo makes a discovery of a magical stone that brings light and warmth. He tells his friends where he finds it. In the happy ending, all the mice only take one stone each, and put love into decorating a rock to put in the place of the stone as a way of thanking the island. In the sad ending, the mice run rampant with greed, taking all the stones they can find for themselves which leads to the island collapsing.

I think this is a great way to introduce children to taking care of the world they live on and be thankful and sparing of its resources.

Jack Frost Vs. The Abominable Snowman

Jack Frost Vs. The Abominable Snowman by Craig Manning 47 pages

A race between Jack Frost and "Abe" the abominable snowman. A choose your own path book, choose who you think will win and follow along!

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman by Jefferey Burton 16 pages

A short little rhyming book about a day in the life of the itsy bitsy snowman.

Not a fan of reading this book over and over again but it is still one of my daughters favorites even though she is getting too big for it.

The Little Engine That Could

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper 48 pages

A great little story about believing in yourself and perseverance. The little blue engine is an unlikely canidate to pull the train with toys and food for the children on the other side of the mountain, but she thinks she can, she thinks she can she, thinks she can, and she does.