"You climb down the steps in perfect repose, into the ocean right up to your nose. No one will get so much as a peep, except for the creatures down in the deep." ~ from Gloria Whelan's Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine
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| Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve BreenThe sign on the diner reads W-A-F-F-L-E, and though Benny the woodpecker doesn't know what a waffle is, he knows that he wants whatever is making that "tummy-rumbling smell." Ducking into the diner for a plateful, however, only results in Benny getting booted (repeatedly) by a watchful waitress. The other animals hang around outside laughing at his failed schemes, but it's readers who'll be laughing at the clever ploy that finally earns Benny his sweet reward. Award-winning cartoonist Steve Breen portrays Benny's exploits with expressive flair, underscoring a slapstick story that will please fans of Adam Rubin's Secret Pizza Party.
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| City Shapes by Diana Murray; illustrated by Bryan CollierA little girl with a kaleidoscope looks out from the cover of this book, inviting you in: "The city is bursting with shapes of each kind. And if you look closely, who knows what you’ll find!" Indeed, there are circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds, and stars to seek and find among the full-page collage illustrations, which combine photorealistic detail and bright watercolors. Alongside the rhythmic text, the images create a busy, expansive sense of the girl's New York City world. More than just a concept book, City Shapes is sure bet for quiet reading or sharing out loud.
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| Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynne Rae PerkinsRed-headed Frank and his dog Lucky both have a thirst for knowledge -- particularly the kind you can't find in a classroom. Told through labels, thought bubbles, and free-wheeling illustrations, Frank and Lucky's education looks like a delight, rather than a chore. They learn about math through dog biscuit addition; discover science through their outdoor explorations; experience chemistry while trying to turn skunk-spray odor into "not-so-smelly molecules"; and work on languages after making new friends who speak Spanish and Duck, respectively. Older picture books readers who've been through some schooling of their own won't even suspect how much they're learning in this charming read. |
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| School's First Day of School by Adam Rex; illustrated by Christian RobinsonThe first day of class can be nerve-wracking, and not just for students. Frederick Douglass Elementary School is nervous about welcoming his first batch of students, even though his friend, Janitor, assures the school that the kids will like him. And sure enough, the first day starts off badly -- some kids don't even want to come to school! The students are a diverse and friendly bunch, however, and a bit of patience leads to an ending that will reassure anxious readers while tickling their funny bones. Pairing author Adam Rex's goofy humor and illustrator Christian Robinson's chunky paintings, this flipped-script take on school jitters is irresistible. |
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| The Mixed-Up Truck by Stephen SavageIt's his first day of work, and the red-striped cement mixer is eager to please. When the experienced trucks on the construction site tell him to "mix up some powdery white cement," he rushes off to collect some white powder, adds water, and…"presto! A CAKE!" Oops -- it was flour, not cement! Though readers are clued in by the pictures, it takes a few tries for the cement mixer to get it right, with each comical mistake revealed after a repeated refrain. Kids who want more of the crisp artwork and can-do spirit in The Mixed-Up Truck should be sure to check out author Stephen Savage's earlier book, Supertruck.
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| Underwater Dogs: Kids Edition by Seth CasteelEven the most elegant dogs can look pretty silly if you catch them at the right moment -- like when they leap into a pool in pursuit of a toy! Eyes goggling, tongues lolling, bubbles streaming out behind them, the swimming pooches in Underwater Dogs appear so goofy and exuberant that kids will want to keep turning pages until they've seen each and every one. Peppy rhyming captions accompany the photos in this playful, giggle-worthy collection, which reminds readers that "if you just jump in, you might have fun along the way." |
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| Water in the Park: A Book About Water & the Times of the Day by Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Stephanie GraeginYoung readers who love visual storytelling won't be able to resist this inviting book about the uses for water in a busy city park. Swimming dogs, thirsty cats, splashing toddlers, water balloon-throwing kids, and all kinds of city-dwellers visit the park throughout the day, and in the evening, a rainstorm sends everyone hustling indoors. Rhythmic, low-key text allows the rich illustrations to shine: bustling scenes of the park swarming with people and animals contrast with quieter moments of natural beauty, and kids will delight in searching for recurring characters on each page. Fans of fascinating, intricate illustrations may also enjoy picture books by Arthur Geisert and Peter Spier. |
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| Pool by JiHyeon LeeKids who are curious about what's beneath the surface of things will be captivated by this "unique and elegant wordless adventure" (School Library Journal). When adults crowd the public pool, a goggle-wearing child dives beneath them to swim. There, he meets a fellow young swimmer, and together the children discover a fantastical underwater forest populated by winged fish, polka-dotted worms, and a furry whale. The farther they explore, the more the gray-blue palette expands into vibrant color -- color that stays with both children even after they return to the gray world above the surface. For another whimsical, watery picture book, pick up Daniel Miyares' Float. |
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| Swim, Duck, Swim! by Susan Lurie; photographs by Murray HeadDespite encouragement from Mama and Papa Duck, fluffy little Duckling refuses to swim: "I told you once. I told you twice. I don't like to get wet." Crisp, full-page color photographs capture Duckling's fear, stubbornness, and eventual triumph ("Look at me! Hooray! I'm not afraid") with such vividness that children can understand the action even without the loosely rhyming text, which is geared towards beginning readers. Check out Lauren Thompson's Little Quack for another reluctant (but ultimately brave) swimmer. |
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| Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan; illustrated by Nancy CarpenterIt's not always easy being Queen. In the hot, sticky summertime, Queen Victoria longs to shed her crown and corsets and take a dip in the ocean. Alas, modesty prevents her from being seen in a bathing costume. Playful rhyming text describes the efforts of Victoria's husband and children to devise a way to deliver the Queen, unseen, into the water. Kids will be tickled by the imaginative ideas (perhaps the catapult was unwise?), and will share in the Queen's joy as the winning invention finally allows her to frolic in the waves. Though it might sound far-fetched today, this lighthearted story was inspired by real events. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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