I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!
By Karen Beaumont. Illustrated by David Catrow. Harcourt, 2005. Ages 4–6.
Written to the tune of Wendell Hall’s 1923 song “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No Mo!” this raucous tale speaks to parents as well as kids. “Ya ain’t a-gonna paint no more!” declares Mama, who confiscates her son’s supplies and plops him in the tub. Unfortunately, that’s not sufficient to stem the little guy’s creative drive. After liberating his paints, he proceeds to “take some red / and I paint my…/ HEAD!” following up by painting other parts of his body until he’s a human rainbow. Just when it seems he’s painted everything there is he finds one last thing: “I’m such a nut, / gonna paint my— / WHAT?!” Whether the words are read aloud or sung, kids will catch on to the repetition and rhyme very quickly and enjoy completing the verses themselves.
Jazzmatazz!
By Stephanie Calmenson. Illustrated by Bruce Degen. HarperCollins, 2008. Ages 4–6.
To escape the cold of a wintry day, Mouse slips into a house, spots a piano, and starts tippy-tapping a jazzy tune on the keys. Dog grabs his bone; cat grabs a spoon, and the bird adds a warble or two. Soon Baby joins in, dancing to the beat; dad starts to whistle; Mom begins to clap; and pretty soon even the neighbors are swinging to the music. Everyone’s dancing, singing, and having a terrific time. Looking for books on other types of music? Try Rock ’n’ Roll Mole by Carolyn Crimi, Little Pig Joins the Band by David Hyde Costello, or Lloyd Moss’s award-winning Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin.
Let’s Do Nothing!
By Tony Fucile. Illustrated by the author. Candlewick, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Eyeing the games, puzzles, toys, balls, and books strewn around the bedroom, a red-haired cartoon kid named Sal and his bespectacled little buddy, Frankie, decide they’ve pretty much done everything there is to do. In a moment of sheer genius Sal decides they should sit absolutely still: be statues. Unfortunately, Frankie fares poorly at this do-nothing business (pigeons and dogs are involved), but his experience eventually pushes Sal toward another bright idea: find something else to do.
Madlenka Soccer Star
By Peter Sís. Illustrated by the author. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010. Ages 5–7.
Imaginative Madelenka spreads her enthusiasm for soccer throughout her neighborhood and throughout the world. Her search for a playmate begins on her street. What about a dog, some cats, or a parking meter with legs? In her fantasy, she journeys far away, encountering other children who love the sport as much as she does. In the end, she returns home, where her best friend and other children from her neighborhood gather to play. A historical note about the game appears on the last page, along with a look at the word soccer as it is written in more than forty different languages. Build in lots of time to look at Sís’s pictures; they are chockablock with meticulously drafted details that enrich the story. Look for other books about the imaginative little girl: Madelenka, in which Madelenka advertises to the world that her tooth is loose, and Madelenka’s Dog, costarring Madelenka’s canine pal.
Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and Other Things Not to Do)
By Judi Barrett. Illustrated by John Nickle. Atheneum, 2008. Ages 4–6.
In a delightfully droll bit of nonsense, the author of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs turns from pasta, potatoes, and pancakes to pelicans, pigeons, porcupines, and others from the animal kingdom. Don’t sit next to a porcupine; don’t take a giraffe to the movies, and “never take a shark to the dentist!” are among Barrett’s bits of sage advice, all accompanied by pictures that demonstrate the consequences of not paying attention. It won’t be long before adults and kids will be inventing their own crazy scenarios—skunks and pigs will surely come to mind.
Nothing to Do
By Douglas Wood. Illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin. Dutton 2006. Ages 5–7.
Wood offers a more serene vision of downtime than Fucile does in his tongue-in-cheek Let’s Do Nothing (above), although he agrees with Fucile in his underlying theme: there’s never nothing to do. Computer games and the like aren’t mentioned. Instead, Wood references quieter pursuits—making models, sipping lemonade, hiking, and spending quiet moments daydreaming—as the best opportunities to have fun and escape the hectic pace of modern life. It’s all about slowing down and learning to appreciate the world in a new way.
Pig Kahuna
By Jennifer Sattler. Illustrated by the author. Bloomsbury, 2011. Ages 4–6.
Pigs are popping up everywhere in picture books these days. They even go to the beach. Fegus the piglet hates water but loves beachcombing. He and his little brother, Dink, have collected a quite a few exciting things. One day, the best thing ever washes ashore: an abandoned surfboard. The board, which the boys name Dave, becomes the centerpiece of their collection. When Dink feels sorry for keeping the board in captivity and sets it free, Fegus must overcome his fear of the ocean to recover it. To his great surprise, he discovers that riding the waves can be exciting and fun.
Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler
A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea
By Michael Ian Black. Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Simon & Schuster, 2010. Ages 4–7.
Everyone loves a parade, so what’s wrong with a having a pig parade? Ask the pigs. They’ll tell you. While some pictures show cartoony porcines in colorful band uniforms marching and tooting away on trumpets, others show pigs in their natural element, chomping away on whatever catches their attention. Listeners will get an earful. It will be hard not to think of pigs the next time a parade passes by.
Pirate Boy
By Eve Bunting. Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Holiday House, 2011. Ages 4–6.
After reading a picture book called Pirate Boy together, Danny and his mom create their own pirate adventure. As confident and enthusiastic as he is about heading off on the high seas, Danny is still very glad to have Mom on hand when he encounters some unfriendly pirates and a couple of threatening sea monsters. Given the popularity of pirates these days, children might also like Pirates Don’t Take Baths by John Segal, How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, and Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke.
Players in Pigtails
By Shana Corey. Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon. Scholastic, 2003. Ages 5–7.
Katie, growing up during the 1940s, is not like other girls she knows. She doesn’t enjoy cooking or needlework, and she can’t dance. She loves baseball; pitching, catching, fielding, and batting are all she thinks about. She isn’t allowed to play with the boys on the school team, but she perseveres and earns a cherished spot on a team in the newly organized All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Katie is fictional, but the league really existed, and enthusiastic sports fans packed the games. This tribute to the league and to the resolute women who played for it brings baseball history within reach of today’s young sports fans.
Pretend
By Jennifer Plecas. Illustrated by the author. Philomel, 2011. Ages 4–6.
Like Eve Bunting’s Pirate Boy (above), this book is about a parent and a child engaged in creative play. Familiar objects in their cozy house provide the springboard for a father and son to devise an adventure. The sofa becomes a boat, the stairs become a mountain, and the family dog becomes the trusted sidekick as the pair slips out of reality and ventures forth to explore an island far, far from home. Those who already know the magical properties of pillow forts and blanket caves will feel right at home.
Rattletrap Car
By Phyllis Root. Illustrated by Jill Barton. Candlewick, 2001. Ages 4–6.
Everybody is hot, even the baby, so Papa suggests a trip to the lake. The family gathers its sand and sun gear—including a surfboard, a beach ball, and a bucket full of sticky fudge—and gets into its old jalopy. They don’t get far before a tire goes flat. Clever little Junie puts things right (using the beach ball and some fudge), and the family continues on its way. After several equally goofy roadside emergencies, they reach the pond— but how in the world will their rattletrap car
get home again?
Ready, Set, Skip!
By Jane O’Connor. Illustrated by Ann James. Viking, 2007. Ages 4–6.
A child watches her classmates skipping. She wants to skip, too, but she doesn’t know how. She can do many other things, like twirl and jump and even roller skate, all of which she demonstrates to her devoted dog. Dog is no help, though, when it comes to figuring out how to skip—but her mother is. Rhyming verses keep the text moving briskly along while never making light of the child’s many feelings. This will be especially encouraging to the child whose motor skills haven’t quite caught up to those of the rest of the pack.
Roller Coaster
By Marla Frazee. Illustrated by the author. Harcourt, 2003. Ages 5–7.
They are fat; they are thin; they are young; they are old. They are all in line, patiently waiting their turn to ride the roller coaster. The words rising, falling, coiling, following the path of the cars as they go up, “clickity, clackity / clickity, clackity,” all the way to the top. Then the roller coaster plunges downward, its passengers open-mouthed, excited, and terrified at the same time. What a thrill!
Sergio Saves the Game!
By Edel Rodriguez. Illustrated by the author. Little, Brown, 2009. Ages 4–6.
A penguin named Sergio loves soccer. In his dreams he’s a terrific player, celebrated by his teammates. In reality, he’s not so hot. In fact he’s a mess, and he’s the last player chosen for a team. Determined not to let his teammates down during the big game with the Seagulls, he practices. Day and night, with his red scarf billowing out behind him, he dribbles, and kicks, and shoots. And in the end, he scores. Big Kicks by Bob Kolar is another good soccer story for the preschool‒kindergarten audience.
Shark vs. Train
By Chris Barton. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Little, Brown, 2010. Ages 4–6.
Having each picked a formidable combatant from the toy box, two red-haired boys are primed for fun and action. One boy wields a stuffed shark with a malicious toothy grin; the other is armed with an awesome toy train. I’m going to “choo” you up, snarls the shark, while the train bellows out his own warning, which involves “fin-ishing” off his opponent. Hysterical wordplay and funny cartoon illustrations track the combat, which gets sillier and sillier as each ferocious warrior jockeys for the upper hand.
Tacky Goes to Camp
By Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Houghton Mifflin, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Ah, summer camp in snow land—Camp Whoopihah to be exact. Penguin campers Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect are prepared. Their names are neatly sewn on their camp shirts. They have their sleeping bags, their regulation tents, and other camping gear. They are ready to go. Tacky is odd penguin out. He’s brought his bunny slippers and his pillow, and his yellow-and-orange striped tent, complete with an antennae for his TV, is more appropriate for a trip to the circus. Tacky’s approach to camp activities (like synchronized swimming) is equally nontraditional, but when a bear threatens the campsite, Tacky finds a resourceful way to save the day.
To the Big Top
By Jill Esbaum. Illustrated by David Gordon. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2008. Ages 4–6.
In days gone by, two boys, Sam and Benny, witness the arrival of a traveling circus in their small town. Thrilled, they watch as the animals, tents, and other equipment are unloaded. When a workman invites them to help with the setup, they happily agree, lugging water and pitching hay. For their work each boy receives a nickel and a highly prized ticket to the show. Then a monkey makes off with Sam’s ticket, and two friends must quickly find a way to get it back. Adult readers might want to share facts about the old-fashioned big top included in an author’s note.
Too Many Toys
By David Shannon. Illustrated by the author. Blue Sky, 2008. Ages 4–6.
Is there such a thing as “too many toys”? Spencer’s mother thinks so, as she surveys Spencer’s overflowing room and follows a trail of toys through the house. Puzzles and robots, beach balls and skateboards, and puppets and games are scattered everywhere. It’s abundantly clear that some weeding is in order. Ignoring Spencer’s stubborn commitment to his collection, his exhausted mother gathers a box of giveaways—only to have Spencer gleefully announce that the box is his favorite toy of all. Shannon, the author of Oh, David! and other books about a naughty but loveable kid with long-suffering parents, invests Spencer with the same kind of irrepressible energy and mischief. Both parents and kids will probably recognize bits of themselves as they read.
Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog
By Mini Grey. Illustrated by the author. Knopf, 2008. Ages 4–6.
The ruggedly handsome, square-jawed action figure—introduced in Traction Man Is Here— returns, fresh from besting evildoers like Poisonous Dishcloth, a wicked garden spade, and other villains that lurk around the house. This time “brave little scrubbing brush,” Traction Man’s devoted sidekick, is in jeopardy. The more hygienic battery-operated Turbo Dog is primed to take his place—but not if Traction Man has anything to say about it. Fun, absolutely, but like Chris Barton’s Shark vs. Train (above), this is also an astute tale about children’s imaginations at work. For more superhero fun, try Michael Chabon’s Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man.
The Turkey Bowl
By Phil Bildner. Illustrated by C. F. Payne. Simon & Schuster, 2008. Ages 4–7.
Every Thanksgiving, Ethan’s relatives come to his house to play football. This year he’s finally old enough to join them. To his great disappointment, a blizzard has closed the roads, keeping his relatives away. When he ventures outdoors, however, he finds enough neighborhood kids to start his own Turkey Bowl on the snowy outdoor field. In the end, just as he catches a winning pass, he realizes his family was able to come after all, and they are all lined up watching him play. Even though the pictures have a nostalgic feel, the tale still speaks to sports fans of today.
We All Move
By Rebecca Rissman. Illustrated with photographs. Heinemann Library, 2009. Ages 4–6.
Climbing, dancing, jumping, racing, riding, running, skiing, swimming, and walking—people are always on the move. Each page has one simple sentence accompanied by a photo of someone moving for exercise or just for fun.
8
MAKING BELIEVE
Role-playing games are an integral part of childhood. They allow preschoolers to escape from the mostly literal way they see the world and try on different hats; they tug at the imagination. Picture book stories are a little like role-playing games. They sweep listeners from their comfortable spot on the couch—or the bed, or the reading rug—to a different place. The titles in this section go a tiny step further; they feast on the impossible. Magical, mysterious, improbable, fantastic, they encourage children to delve deeply into their imaginations, think creatively, and accept that absolutely anything can happen in books.
April and Esme: Tooth Fairies
By Bob Graham. Illustrated by the author. Candlewick, 2010. Ages 4–6.
April is a tooth fairy, but her parents think she and little sister Esme are too young to do the job. When Daniel Dangerfield loses his tooth, the girls see their chance to try their wings. Their parents eventually concede defeat and send the girls off, Daniel’s coin in a string bag dangling between them. They narrowly escape being caught, but to everyone’s delight their first mission is a success. Don’t expect frilly fairies in pink tutus here. Mom and Dad are winged throwbacks to the 1960s, while Esme wears big glasses and April has a cell phone. Their house is unexpected, too: the nightstand is a thimble; teeth are strung from the ceiling. What is conventional is the underlying message about children needing space to grow up, presented by Graham in fresh, funny, whimsical fashion.
Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem
By Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Adam Rex. Hyperion, 2009. Ages 5–7.
Billy has failed to clean his room, and his parents (whose faces are never shown) demand reform. They devise a plan to make him more responsib
le. The “plan” arrives in a FedUP truck. It is an enormous blue whale, which Billy must care for and take along wherever he goes. His parents are no help—and neither is the owner’s manual. Obviously Billy Twitters is in big trouble. The pictures increase the laughs. Cats follow along as Billy drags his enormous whale burden down the street, the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The superb nonsense continues to the very last page.
Bubble Trouble
By Margaret Mahy. Illustrated by Polly Dunbar. Clarion, 2008. Ages 4–6.
Mabel blows a bubble big enough to surround her baby brother. The cherry-cheeked child floats out the window and over the town, gathering a parade of gawkers who monitor the bubble’s wibble-wobbling, bibble-bobbling progress. In the meantime, the thoroughly delighted baby, who usually appears in the upper right-hand corner of each picture spread, floats higher and higher. Reaching Baby with a human ladder doesn’t work, but a pebble loosed by an old-fashioned slingshot sure does. Tongue-twisting language and jolly rhymes work wonderfully with the amusing pictures and the imaginative take on brother-sister relationships.
By the Light of the Harvest Moon
By Harriet Ziefert. Illustrated by Mark Jones. Blue Apple, 2009. Ages 4–6.
As the light of day disappears, a fantastical autumn festival begins. Red, yellow, and orange leaves, carried by the wind, settle on the ground, only to spring back to life as leafy grown-ups and children who are poised to celebrate fall. In hats and jackets and shoes, the leaf children have races, bob for apples, and play children’s games. In the end, they eat some delicious pie, and having had fun all day, join their families for a nighttime sail in the breeze. Lois Ehlert’s Leaf Man, a more naturalistic glimpse of fall leaves, includes an identification guide.
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