Thursday, 18 October 2012
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Knuffle Bunny too: a case of mistaken identity
Author: Mo Willems
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Publication Date: 2007
Reading Level: 3-6 Year Olds
Pages: 48
This humorous story, spun by Willems, is about preschool girls, Trixie and Sonja, having similar bunny toys. Due to mistaken identity, their bunnies are wrongly swapped. The story ends with two friends cheerfully playing with their own bunnies and becoming very intimate. The artwork is eyed-catching with two characters fully and lovely displayed on black and white photo backdrops. Willems's excellent cartoon-style art and easy-read text makes this exhilarating illustration greatly amused by young readers.
Library Lion
Author: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 2006
Reading Level: 4-7 Year Olds
Pages: 48
Knudsen brings young readers an exhilarating story about a lion who is allowed to stay in the library as long as he obeys the rules therein. Being amiable the friendly, the lion loves to help others and befriends with everyone. One day, he breaks the rules by calling loudly for help in order give immediate care and attention to his friend (the Head Librarian) who breaks her arm. As a result, the lion is not allowed to stay in the library any more. The story amazingly ends with all his friends at the library cheerfully and warmly welcoming him back. The characters are richly and endearingly expressed by Hawkes's excellent acrylic-and-pencil paintings with attractive text. This fantastic illustration makes young readers feel great of having true friends and understand that under some exceptional circumstances, breaking rules is necessary in order to save lives.
Award Winners
- Blue Hen Book Award (Delaware): Picture Book
- Parents' Choice Awards - Picture Books: 2006
- School Library Journal Best Books: 2006
- Treasure State Award (Montana)
Best Best friends
Author: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Publisher: Harcourt
Publication: 2006
Reading Level: 3-6 Year Olds
Pages: 40
This wonderful story describes two preschool best friends, Mary and Clare who always hug, hold hands and sit together. One day, their friendship is nearly broken mainly because of Clare's jealousy of Mary having special treatment and attention on her birthday. The story ends with two little girls becoming best friends again through mutual understanding. The artwork is excellent with the two characters beautifully displayed in a warm sunny garden backdrop. Chodos-Irvine employs printmaking techniques to create this great tale. Young readers should enjoy reading this warm story of true and lasting friendship, which gives us an insight into children's emotions.
Award Winners
- ALA Notable Books for Children
The pigeon finds a hot dog
Author: Mo Willems
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Publication Date: 2004
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 40
This is the second book of Pigeon series, which is about a droll pigeon who finds a hot dog that attracts a curious duckling to ask a series of innocent questions with an attempt to share the hot dog. Two great characters are perfectly sketched with iconic crayon lines and spare, funny dialogue to amazingly express characters' true feelings. The story ends by leaving young readers deeply comprehend that sharing is happiness.
Award Winners
- Golden Archer Awards (Wisconsin): Primary
Morris the artist
Author: Lore Segal
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Publication Date: 2003
Reading Level: 4-8 Year Olds
Pages: 32
Morris loves painting and therefore chooses a set of paints as a present to Benjamin for his birthday. At the party, he is reluctant to give it to the host and firmly holds it. Finally, Morris has to share the gift with friends because the present magically gets bigger and heavier, making Morris unable to hold it any longer. The story ends with Morris painting joyfully together with all the participants. This fantastic story features the colorful artist-protagonist and children dressed in old-fashioned and brown colored which make them look like puppets. The perfect combination of Segal's active text and Kulikov's impressive painting brings young readers a wonderful and pleasant illustration to enjoy, which gives them an insight into sharing, friendship and generosity.
Award Winners
- New York Times Notable Books - Children's Books: 2003
- Parents' Choice Award - Picture Books: 2003
- School Library Journal Best Books: 2003
A splendid friend, indeed
Author: Suzanne Bloom
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Publication Date: 2005
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
Bloom brings a very sweet and warm story about a furry bear and rubber-bodied goose. Polar bear gradually get sick of Goose's interruption by asking questions during reading, writing or thinking. The story ends with Bear hugging Goose after reading Goose's note written " You are my splendid friend". Two characters are vividly expressed against deep blue backgrounds. Bloom perfects the story with humorous and friendly dialogue and creates a wonderful pastel illustration for young readers to learn befriending with each other.
Award Winners
- ALA Notable Children's Books - Younger Readers Category: 2006
The gift of nothing
Author: Patrick McDonnell
Publisher: Little, Brown
Publication Date: 2005
Reading Level: 3-12 Year Olds
Pages: 59
This charming is about a cat, Mooch, thoughtfully choosing a perfect gift for his dog friend, Earl who has already got everything. Finally, Mooch prepares a big empty gift box. The story ends by leaving the reader knowing that the greatest gift is no match with true friendship. The artwork features two characters' endearing displayed against a plain background. The work is expressed in limited palette and small cartoon drawings. McDonnell's minimal witty dialogue and space are also impressive. The combination of their efforts has helped convey a valuable and touching story of friendship for young readers.
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
A visitor for bear
Author: Bonny Becker
Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 2008
Reading Level: 3-8 Year Olds
Pages: 56
This is a boisterous comedy story featured by two lovely animals, a bear and a sociable mouse. The former enjoys being alone and dislikes visitor while the latter likes to appear frequently without being invited. As the time goes by, Bear gradually becomes used to Mouse's frequent presence and enjoys having him around. The story has a happy ending with the establishment of an intimate friendship between these two lovely animals. The two impressive characters created by Becker in this humorous text are well received by both young and older readers. Moreover, Becker's soft water-color artwork is also excellent and enchanting, which has greatly enhanced the readability of this story book.
Award Winners
- ALA Notable Children's Books - Younger Readers Category: 2009
- Golden Kite Award: Picture Book Text
- Oprah's Kids' Reading Lists - New Releases: 3-to-5 Years
Big Wolf and little wolf
Author: Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Translator: Claudia Bedrick
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Publication Date: 2009
Reading Level: 4-8 Year Olds
Pages: 32
This popular French story about two wolves, one big in black color and one little in blue. In one autumn day, the little wolf enters into big wolf's lonely life. They share happiness and friendship together. However, the subsequent disappearance of the little wolf makes the big wolf feel lonely and sad again. The story ends with delights and joy after the returning of the little wolf. These two different characters are emotionally and spiritually linked together in light-colored against sketchy painting. Tallec's extraordinary colorful illustration and sincere translation bring a sweet and warm story of friendship to children.
Award Winners
- Golden Archer Awards (Wisconsin): Primary
Yo!Yes?
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication Date: 1993
Reading Level: 4-8 Year Olds
Pages: 32
This fascinating and warm story features two boys, one black and one white. They get to know each other on the street via succinct and rhythmic dialogues, which eventually turns these two bored, shy and lonely souls into cheerful and amazing friends tentatively. Two bright images are richly and emotionally expressed in soft and wild washed background. The perfect combination of hand-lettered text, watercolor and charcoal pencil by Raschka has brought about a wonderful illustration of a story of friendship for young readers.
Award Winners
- ALA Notable Children's Books: 1994
Anthony and the girls
Author: Ole Konnecke
Translator: Nancy Seitz
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: 2006
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
This story is about friendship between different genders. Konnecke brings us a humorous story about a cool and resourceful boy Anthony who wants to attract the other two girls to play with him by doing a series of his best but fruitless tricks. This book ends by leaving the readers to know that friendship is not built on appearances or possessions but on pure heart. The artwork is beautifully featured with characters funnily and endearingly displayed against the spare and white backdrops. With Konnecke's stylized cartoon drawings and dramatic text, this illustration delivers both pleasure and excitement to young readers.
The new girl... and me
Author:Jacqui Robbins
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Publication date: 2006
Reading Level: 4-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
This interesting story is about an interracial friendship between a little African American girl Shakeeta and her shy classmate Mia. Their bumpy path to friendship starts with a conversation on a pet iguana. As such, their friendship was gradually development. The tale has a happy ending with the establishment of an intimate friendship due mainly to their efforts, courage and hospitality in the process of their interaction. The artwork is attractive with the two protagonists brightly and emotionally displayed on various school backgrounds. The perfect combination of Phelan's soft cartoon-style watercolors and Robbin's pitch-perfect text, has successfully drawn young readers' attention to this pure interracial friendship.
Lost and found
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: 2005
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages:32
This gently humorous story is about a little boy who finds a sad and lost penguin in front of his door. In an attempt to assist his new friend to go to South Pole and return home, they subsequently board a rowboat. The story ends with two friends having a cheerful reunion as the lonely penguin was actually trying to look for a friend. The artwork is excellent with the two characters remarkably displayed in the colorful background of an ocean and in a white backdrop. Jeffers uses fantastic watercolor painting with succinct text to present this charming and exhilarating tale of a rekindling friendship.
Award Winners
- Nestle Children's Book Prize - Five and under: Gold Award Winners
Cherry and Olive
Author: Benjamin Lacombe
Publisher: Walker
Publication Date: 2007
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
This French story is about a little shy girl Cherry who longs for a friend. One day, she meets a lovely wrinkly dog, Oliver at an animal refuge center where her father works. Cherry enjoys taking it out for a walk every day and wishes its owner will never show up. However, the owner finally appears. Amazingly, he is Angelo. The story ends with these two cheerful new friends, Cherry and Angelo, having great fun together with Olive. Lacombe's stylized painting and his excellent skill to express the characters' emotional changes by using dark to lighter color are impressive. This is an inspiring story for children to learn how to care for each other with true love.
Award Winners
- USBBY Outstanding International Books - Grades K-2: 2008
Skunkdog
Author: Emily Jenkins
Illustrator: Pierre Pratt
Publisher: Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: 2008
Reading Level: 3-8 Year Olds
Pages: 32
This humorous story is about a white dog, Dumpling, who has no dog friend because he has an elongated useless nose. One day, he befriends with a stinky black skunk after moving to live in the countryside. Then Dumpling gradually becomes a skunk dog because he cannot smell anything. They are intimate friends, sharing kibbles and enjoying being together. These two vividly and funny characters are shown in wonderful Pratt's sunlit illustrations in oils. Jenkins skilfully and brilliantly creates a charming illustration for young readers to enjoy a story full of hilariousness and warm friendship.
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
A sick day for Amos Mcgee
Author: Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
Publisher: Roaring Brook
Publication Date: 2010
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
Stead and his wife create a very touching story of an elderly zookeeper Amos Mcgee who earnestly and carefully looks after animals at the zoo every day. One day, Amos catches a cold and has to stay at home. While resting at home, he was visited by friends from the zoo. They come to cheer him up and care for him. In an impressive manner, each picture shows Amos and the animals really caring for each other, always displaying a caring and friendly attitude. The artwork is eye-catching with lovable characters gently and hilariously rendered in soft color and against the white space background. Erin Stead skilfully uses refined pencils and woodblock color prints to present a very wonderful story, revealing mutual care and support among good friends, which is really appealing to young readers.
Award Winners
- ALA Notable Children's Books - Younger Readers Category: 2011
- Caldecott Medal
- New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books: 2010
Monday, 15 October 2012
Oscar: the big adventure of a little sock monkey
Author: Amy Schwartz
Leonard Marcus
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: 2006
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages:32
This impressive story is about two best friends, Oscar, a helpful sock monkey toy, and Susie, an absent-minded owner. Oscar has set out a rocky adventure to Susie's school in order to deliver the key to her in time for her presentation. The story ends by leaving readers to know that the two characters can overcome all the problems through dedication to their friendships. The artwork is wonderfully expressed with the characters vividly and richly displayed in a variety of cityscape backdrops. Schwartz perfectly creates a delightful illustration with humorous narration and numerous patterns of pictures. This remarkable story appeals to young readers, detailing what true friendship and love are about.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Jumpy Jack and Googily
Author: Meg
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Publication Date: 2008
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
Jumpy Jack is a bashful snail who has a great fear of monsters. On their way home, his friend Googily, with fang-toothed and blue skinned, is keen to check out all the places to make sure everything is safe and secure. The joke is that Googily himself is a monster. The lovable characters are amusingly displayed in creamy-colored backgrounds. This cheerful story lets young readers explore and overcome their childish fears through two humorous characters by caring and supporting each other.
Award Winners
- School Library Journal Best Books: 2008
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
My friend rabbit
Author: Amy Schwartz
Leonard S. Marcus
Illustrator: Amy Schwartz
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: 2006
Reading Level: 3-6 Year Olds
Pages: 32
Rabbit likes to be friend with Mouse despite the latter's penchant for trouble. This charming story is about Rabbit trying to get Mouse's new toy airplane down from a tree. He tries to reach the toy airplane by asking other animals to stack on top of one another as a ladder. The characters of the story are humorously and vividly expressed in a hand-colored relief printed with bold lines. The merit should go to Rohmann who wrote this wonderful short text to teach young readers to share and help each other.
Award Winners:
- ALA Notable Children's Books: 2003
- Caldecott Medal
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Dog and Bear : Two Friends, Three Stories
Author: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: 2007
Reading Level: 3-7 Year Olds
Pages: 32
Seeger brings us an attractive picture book containing three charming and sweet stories about friendship between a boisterous dachshund and a pleasant stuffed bear. Each story describes how Dog and Bear overcome their differences through love and care. The book ends by leaving the reader knowing that these two friends have a genuine and warm relationship despite their differences. The artwork is attention-grabbing with the characters brightly displayed against a white background. The work is expressed in quick, clear lines and cheerful colors. Seeger perfects these enchanting stories with minimal text and presents winning illustrations for young children that adults will also enjoy.
Award Winners
- ALA Notable Children's Books - Younger Readers Category: 2008
- Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards: Picture Book
- Oprah's Kids' Reading Lists - New Releases: 3-to-5 Years
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