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From Story Time: The Letter "O"

Read in Book Babies

Written by Jennifer Adams
Illustrated by Ron Stucki
Gibbs Smith, Inc., 2014.  Picture Book.

Edgar the Raven is being a pill.  He won't finish his vegetables, he won't be nice to his sister, and he won't clean his room.  Every time Mom asks him to do something, he exclaims "Nevermore!"  But when he finally settles down for a bedtime story, she promises to love him "evermore."  A humorous nod to Poe's "The Raven," grownups will enjoy this installment of the BabyLit series just as much (if not more) than little ones!




Read in Toddler Time

By Kevin Sherry
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2007.  Picture Book.

Giant Squid is so proud that he's the biggest thing in the ocean!  He's bigger than all of the other sea creatures he sees.  He's bigger than clams, jellyfish, and sharks.  Then he encounters a whale that's even bigger than he is...and ends up being a tasty snack!  But never fear, being geared toward preschoolers, a happy (enough) ending is in store as he discovers all of his tinier friends in the whale's belly too.

Sherry's bold and cheerful illustrations are created from watercolor, cut paper, and ink, done in layers and separated by Plexiglass.  A fun addition is the author's note claiming the glass was "pried from the windows of shipwrecked pirate ships" and that the ink is "100% fresh squid ink."  Now that's authentic!




Read in Preschool Time

By Keith Baker
Beach Lane Books, 2013.  Picture Book.

Octopus has eight arms that can do just about anything.  They can wave goodbye, clean up a mess, pull on socks, and more.  But most importantly, they can give hugs!  Rhyming text and digital illustrations add to the underwater fun.




Read in Preschool Time

Written by Lucille Colandro
Illustrated by Jared Lee
Cartwheel Books, 2015.  Picture Book.

Well this time it's a frog instead of a fly, and OH MY!  The old lady swallows some dirt to hide the frog, and then adds some rain, seeds, sunlight, gloves, and a rake.  But after that rake, she's not feeling so well, and out comes...an entire garden!  Yet another variation on the "There Was an Old Lady" theme, but for many kids, it never gets old.





Read in Friday Cuentos

By Petr HorĆ”Äek 
Editoria Juventud, 2007.  Picture Book.

La Oca Boba querĆ­a nadar como una foca, patinar como un pingĆ¼ino y botar como un canguro. Pero cuando intentĆ³ rugir como un leĆ³n, consiguiĆ³ hacer mĆ”s cosas de las que nunca hubiera imaginado. (Publisher)

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