Snow Is My Favorite and My Best
By Lauren Child. Illustrated by the author. Dial, 2006. Ages 4–6.
Charlie’s exuberant little sister Lola is eager for the first snow of winter. She waits at the window for it to happen, and snow it does. Charlie and Lola do all the things children do in winter: throw snowballs, build a snowman, make snow angels. The next day the snow has melted, and Lola is crushed. But Charlie, the perfect big brother, softens the blow by pulling from the freezer a little snowman he’s made just for his little sister. Lola and Charlie have appeared in more than twenty-five equally charming books, including But Excuse Me That Is My Book, and Help! I Really Mean It!
Surprise Soup
By Mary Ann Rodman. Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Viking, 2009. Ages 4–6.
“Is the new baby a boy or a girl?” wonders Kevie Bear. It’s a surprise, Daddy tells him, and suggests that he, Kevie, and older brother Josh make a warming pot of soup to welcome Mom and the new addition. Kevie does his best to help, but his older brother still teases him at every turn: “You’re too little.” Although Dad tries his best to mediate, Kevie still feels hurt and unwanted. His mood improves, however, when the older bears agree to add the secret ingredient he suggests, which makes the soup a fitting surprise for the surprise baby. Sound effects (the “blumpety blurp” of the bubbling soup, the “whickety-snick” of the vegetable peeler) increase the read-aloud fun, and a comfy kitchen backdrop makes a warm counterpoint to the story’s twin themes: sibling contention and the arrival of a new baby.
Tell Me One Thing, Dad
By Tom Pow. Illustrated by Ian Andrew. Candlewick, 2004. Ages 4–6.
Like most children, Molly wants reassurance that her parents love her. While waiting for sleep to come, she asks her father questions: “What’s the most important thing you know about a polar bear?” Dad knows several important things. He also knows about crocodiles and dinosaurs, which Molly asks about in turn. But the most important thing, he tells her, is that each animal “loves its babies.” When Dad plays turnabout and asks Molly the most important thing she knows about him, Molly knows just what to say: she loves Dad and Dad loves his little girl.
That New Animal
By Emily Jenkins. Illustrated by Pierre Pratt. Frances Foster, 2005. Ages 4–6.
Jenkins’s refreshing twist on the new-baby-in-the-house theme puts the spotlight on a pair of displaced pooches. Canine buddies FudgeFudge and Marshmallow are annoyed by the intrusion of a new animal (read baby) in the house. They can’t understand what all the fuss is about: it can’t even bark. To show his annoyance, FudgeFudge pees on the carpet, followed by a string of ideas for ridding themselves of the noisy, bald-headed intruder. The cartoonlike pictures moderate the irony, keeping the tone appropriately lighthearted as the dogs come to appreciate the weird-smelling new addition to the household.
Trudy
By Henry Cole. Illustrated by the author. Greenwillow, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Esme, who lives on a farm with her grandparents, wants a pet—“not too big…not too small, and not stinky.” Her grandfather finds the perfect one at the county auction: Trudy the goat. It soon becomes apparent that Trudy is special in a peculiar way. Every time she moves into the barn, it snows. News of her talent spreads; she becomes a media celebrity. One day, however, she moves into the barn and snowflakes don’t fly. Nor does her exit from the barn herald a change in the weather. What follows Trudy from the barn is her new baby goat, which apparently has inherited a forecasting talent all its own.
The Twins’ Blanket
By Hyewon Yum. Illustrated by the author. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2011. Ages 4–6.
What’s it like to be a twin? In alternating voices twin girls talk about their likes, dislikes, and affection for each other. Having shared everything since infancy, the girls are now ready to move into twin beds. But which girl will take the beloved blanket that covers their old bed? Mom comes up with a solution: each child is given half the blanket, which Mom sews onto new coverlets—one pink and one yellow. The different colors mark the girl’s first steps toward independence; the old blanket marks their forever connection.
Two Homes
By Claire Masurel. Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Candlewick, 2001. Ages 4–6.
Alex has two homes. Sometimes he lives at his dad’s house; at other times he lives with Mommy in her apartment in the city. He also has two bedrooms, two toothbrushes. He loves both his parents equally and loves to be with them. Each picture spread shows the boy engaged in similar activities at his different homes. The ending affirms Alex is loved no matter where he is, and no matter where his parents are. Nancy Coffelt’s Fred Stays with Me!—in which a child’s bond with her dog helps her handle her parents’ divorce—delves more deeply into the emotional upheaval that sometimes comes with living in two places.
Tyrannosaurus Dad
By Liz Rosenberg. Illustrated by Matthew Myers. Roaring Brook, 2011. Ages 5–7.
Like other dads whose children go to Elmwood Elementary School, Tobias’s father mows the lawn, likes to barbecue, has a favorite chair, and goes to work each day. Unlike other children’s dads, Tobias’s pop has very sharp teeth, a long tail, and happens to be green. That nobody much notices the difference between dinosaur Dad and human son is part of the fun of a book that can double as a lesson in blended families.
Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding
By Lenore Look. Illustrated by Yumi Heo. Atheneum, 2006. Ages 4–6.
Chinese American Jenny, introduced in Henry’s First-Moon Birthday, adores Uncle Peter, who has always given her lots of attention. When his wedding rolls around, however, his attention is elsewhere. Jenny feels slighted, like “an umbrella turned inside out.” Her anger bubbles out in a silly stunt, and then fizzles as she becomes involved in the many Chinese wedding traditions. A relationship with Uncle Peter’s new wife is cemented when Stella chooses Jenny for a very special wedding task. Pair this with Kevin Henkes’s Lilly’s Big Day, about a feisty little mouse who convinces herself she’s going to be the flower girl in her teacher’s wedding.
Underground
By Shane W. Evans. Illustrated by the author. Neal Porter, 2011. Ages 5–7.
The title refers to the Underground Railroad, a way out of slavery for the family in this picture book. Words are few, perhaps four or five to a page; yet listeners still experience the gripping emotion of the escape. A courageous but frightened family leaves quietly, cloaked in darkness. They run, and then crawl. They travel by wagon, pursued by slave catchers and helped by friends. When they reach their destination, a rising sun welcomes them and helps them celebrate the birth of a new child, the first born free. Try this as a family read-aloud. Preschoolers will respond to the drama; older children will ask for more history.
What Will You Be, Sara Mee?
By Kate Aver Avraham. Illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien. Charlesbridge, 2010. Ages 4–6.
First birthday festivals are traditional in many cultures (see Henry’s First-Moon Birthday). This birthday tale is narrated by the birthday girl’s elder brother, Chong. Chong explains the Korean celebration of tol to his baby sister, telling her he’s particularly looking forward to toljabee, a game in which the birthday child chooses an object that tradition dictates will serve as a clue to her future. What will you be, Sara Mee? A glossary of the Korean words scattered through the story, along with an author’s note at the end, offer more information for parents to share.
Would I Trade My Parents?
By Laura Numeroff. Illustrated by James Bernardin. Abrams, 2009. Ages 5–7.
What kid hasn’t thought about trading in his or her parents for new ones? When an observant young boy visits the houses of his friends, the thought crosses his mind. Other parents have interesting jobs; the boy’s dad is writer, and his mother teaches French. Other parents don’t care what their kids eat and allow pets; not his. But his mother tells good jokes, his dad knows all about nature, and they both take time to r
ead him stories. That makes him think they love him, which helps him decide he’s got pretty good parents after all: “I wouldn’t trade my parents. I know they’re the best.”
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FRIENDSHIP
Do friends always agree? Can a friend make you mad? How long does friendship last? Can you have more than one best friend? Can your dog be your friend? What about somebody who isn’t real? The books below capture the wonder, the closeness, the anger, and the jealousy of friendship. Their child characters (and animal surrogates) star in stories that can spur little listeners to think about what friendship means to them.
Alex and Lulu: Two of a Kind
By Lorena Siminovich. Illustrated by the author. Candlewick, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Alex and Lulu like to run, jump, and swing on the swings. That’s part of what makes them friends. But they do have differences, the most obvious being that Alex is a dog and Lulu is a cat. Alex likes soccer; Lulu would rather paint pictures. Given their dissimilar interests, Alex begins to wonder if they really are friends after all. Lulu convinces him other-wise—after all, they both like pillow fights, and they very much like spending time together. Built into the honest friendship story is a clever mini-lesson in true opposites, such as big/small, wet/dry.
The Bear Who Shared
By Catherine Rayner. Illustrated by the author. Dial, 2011. Ages 4–6.
Norris the bear is camped out beneath a tree, waiting impatiently for its luscious fruit to drop: “It smelled of honey and sunny days.” Meanwhile Tulip and Violet (a raccoon and a mouse) are just as eager to get at the fruit. When the fruit finally falls, plopping right on Norris’s head, he recognizes there’s plenty for all and shares it, making two fast friends.
Best Best Friends
By Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Illustrated by the author. Harcourt, 2006. Ages 4–6.
Friends one day, but not the next? Preschoolers Clare and Mary do everything together; they even hold hands on the playground. Then Mary’s birthday rolls around, with cupcakes and a crown to mark the occasion. Jealous and angry at Mary for getting so much attention, Clare starts an argument, which culminates in both girls furiously declaring, “YOU ARE NOT MY FRIEND!” Later, when time apart has worked a bit of magic, Clare feels ashamed of herself. She draws Mary a birthday picture, which her friend gracefully accepts as an apology. The author gets the give-and-take of true friendship exactly right.
City Dog, Country Frog
By Mo Willems. Illustrated by Jon J. Muth. Hyperion, 2010. Ages 4–6.
It’s spring vacation for City Dog, who is delighted to have a chance to investigate new territory. While exploring, he comes upon a green frog, who tells Dog that he’s waiting for a friend: “But you’ll do.” During the spring and throughout the summer, the pair finds myriad things to do. When Dog returns in the fall, Frog is too tired to play, so he and Dog reminisce about the good times they had in the past. In winter, Frog is nowhere to be found; nor is he around when Dog comes back the following spring. One day when Dog is missing his old friend, a chipmunk comes by. “What are you doing?” she asks. Reminded of Frog, Dog tells her he’s waiting for a friend: “But you’ll do.” The march of the seasons is a reassuring backdrop to this simply written but layered story about friendship and loss.
Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Illustrated by the author. Neal Porter, 2012. Ages 4–5.
Bear is a stuffed toy, and Dog is an energetic dachshund. It’s a pretty odd friendship, but it survives quite well despite the ups and downs depicted in the three short episodes gathered together in this tidy volume. In the first story Dog helps his fearful friend down from a chair so the two can go outdoors. In the second, Bear gently explains to his pal that he would rather finish his book than play. And in the third, Bear counsels Dog about a name change. The endearing partnership is extended in two more books—Dog and Bear: Two’s Company and Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready. All three make good read-alouds, but their short story format also makes them ideal for children just stepping into chapter books.
The Dog Who Belonged to No One
By Amy Hest. Illustrated by Amy Bates. Abrams, 2008. Ages 4–6.
Children and cute dogs are partnered in many picture books. The pairing in this old-fashioned story is particularly endearing. A vagabond brown-and-white pup travels through a town in search of a friend and a home. Meanwhile, a little girl on a bike delivers food to her parents’ customers, making up stories to offset the loneliness of her ride. One stormy day the two meet. The dog dashes through the rain alongside the little girl, who pedals furiously to her house, where a warm welcome awaits them both. Before You Were Mine, by Maribeth Boelts, is another winning child-dog story. In this tale, a little boy speculates about what life might have been like for the shelter dog that has come to live with his family.
A Friend
By Anette Bley. Illustrated by the author. Kane/Miller, 2009. Ages 4–5.
Although this book was first published in Germany, the feelings and friendships it depicts are universal. There’s no story in the traditional sense. Rather, the content comprises a series of pictures about many different people in many different situations, each of which contributes in some way to a young child’s understanding of what friendship is. Could it be a little boy taking comfort from a grown-up? Or is it a child whispering secrets into a playmate’s ear? Children can imagine their own stories to fit the art and then share them with the person sitting beside them.
Half a World Away
By Libby Gleeson. Illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Scholastic, 2007. Ages 4–7.
When Amy’s family moves to a big city across the ocean, Louie misses her terribly. He knows when he’s awake, she will be sleeping, and he wonders what her new home is like. Will she still build towers and play adventure games? Does she miss him as much as he misses her? Most of all he wonders if she will hear him if he yells their special word, “Cooo-ee! Cooo-ee!” Grandma tells him anything is possible, so Louie gives it a try. When Amy wakes the next day, she has dreamt about her good friend calling “Cooo-ee” from “half a world away.” Tender, honest, and sweetly magical, this is one of the few stories about friends of different genders.
Horace and Morris Say Cheese (Which Makes Dolores Sneeze!)
By James Howe. Illustrated by Amy Walrod. Atheneum, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Dolores the mouse is allergic to cheese, and because she can’t eat it, she can think of nothing else. Swiss cheese, cheese and crackers, cheese curls, cheese fondue—visions of cheese float around her head. To make things worse, Muenster Movie Madness is at the local theater, which is right next door to the Fromage Garage. For someone less determined, “The Everything Cheese Festival” might have been the last straw, but clever Dolores finds a way to have a cheese-free great time with her two best friends. Food allergies are tough for many kids to handle; the “cheesy” humor of Dolores’s dilemma provides a bit of fun while acknowledging a real problem.
Hurry Up and Slow Down
By Layn Marlow. Illustrated by the author. Holiday, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Marlow turns a classic tale of rivalry into a friendship story. “Hare is always in a hurry”; his pal tortoise, shown much smaller and farther away in the pictures, is not. That’s old news. But when Tortoise reads Hare a bedtime story, the impatient rabbit begs his friend to slow down! He wants to have more time to look at the pictures. The contrast between the buddies comes through not only in the pictures but also in the way the words appear on the page. Energetic Hare’s comments to his slow companion appear in a large, playful font, while descriptions of Tortoise plugging along are set down in a slow, steady rhythm. The resulting “dialogue” between the two pals will enrich the read-aloud experience.
I Repeat, Don’t Cheat!
By Margery Cuyler. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. Simon & Schuster, 2010. Ages 4–6.
Jessica’s friend Lizzie has a problem. She cheats. She copies Jessica’s work in school; she cheats at
games; she even tells outright lies. It makes Jessica angry, especially when Lizzie takes credit for something Jessica really did. Jessica’s not sure what to do. Isn’t she abetting her friend’s dishonesty by keeping quiet? Then again, the girls do everything together. Shouldn’t loyalty to her friend come first? Jessica finally does the right thing—and Lizzie does, too. The happy ending is pretty simplistic, but the book offers a terrific opportunity to begin a conversation about a situation children frequently encounter among friends and even within families.
Imagine Harry
By Kate Klise. Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise. Harcourt, 2007. Ages 4–6.
Little Rabbit has an invisible friend called Harry. They play together, and Mother Rabbit makes sure that Harry is included when she passes out snacks. Things change, though, when Little Rabbit starts school. One day while Little Rabbit is enjoying an activity, Harry goes off to take a nap. After school, when Mother politely asks after Harry, Little Rabbit surprises them both by telling her that Harry has moved away. A gentle story about the importance and transience of imaginary friends.
Moon Rabbit
By Natalie Russell. Illustrated by the author. Viking, 2009. Ages 4–6.
One evening, as a patchwork moon shines bright, pensive Little Rabbit hears lovely music coming from deep in the forest. Leaving the city behind, she follows the sound and comes upon Brown Rabbit playing his guitar. The music lightens Little Rabbit’s heart, and she begins to dance. Later the rabbits trade stories and become friends. But Little Rabbit misses the hustle and bustle of home. She knows Brown Rabbit’s life is not for her, and the two friends part with promises to meet again. The story continues in Brown Rabbit in the City. Follow up with Jan Brett’s Town Mouse, Country Mouse.
Mr. Duck Means Business
By Tammi Sauer. Illustrated by Jeff Mack. Paula Wiseman, 2011. Ages 4–6.
Mr. Duck arrives at the pond for his morning swim at precisely 8:01. He glides along, confident that his carefully painted “No Visitors Welcome” sign will keep intruders away. No such luck. One very hot day, his peace is shattered by a bevy of barnyard animals jumping joyously into the cool water. Mr. Duck is enraged. How could they disturb his peace? Quacking and flapping for all he’s worth, he chases the noisy interlopers away, only to decide that it’s now much too quiet for his liking. He picks up his paintbrush and amends his sign. Leaving himself space for quiet contemplation, he invites others to join him every day at 2:00.
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