Skip to main content

From Story Time: All Around the World!

Read in Book Babies

Written by Jeanne Willis
Illustrated by Tony Ross
Andersen Press USA, 2014.  Picture Book.

It's Boa's birthday, and he's so excited for his friends to bring him presents.  However, when Orangutan, Monkey, Jaguar, and Sloth bring their presents, he is so disappointed.  How can he play the piano without fingers?  Or wear sunglasses without a nose and ears?  And when Dung Beetle arrives with her present, Boa has had enough.  But Dung Beetle's present holds a surprise that may just make it the best gift ever!  Pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations complement this hilarious story of keeping an open mind about presents that stink.




Read in Toddler Time

By Dan Yaccarino
HarperCollins, 2016.  Picture Book.

Stories have existed since the earliest civilizations.  They were painted on the walls of caves, written on sheets of papyrus, created into tapestries, and bound into books.  They can be printed, acted out, or read.  The simple text of this feel-good book beautifully celebrates the power of story in all of its many forms and modes of transmission.




Read in Preschool Time

By Gerald McDermott
Henry Holt and Company, 1972.  Picture Book.

Anansi the Spider has six sons, each with their own special talent.  One day when Anansi is in danger, each of his sons are able to help him using their unique, special abilities.  Anansi is grateful, but doesn't know which son to reward.  In the end, this traditional African folktale gives a fun explanation of how the sun was placed in the sky.  The beautiful, bright, and bold illustrations garnered a Caldecott Honor for the book in 1973.




Read in Cuentos

Written by Cédric Ramadier
Illustrated by Vincent Bourgeau
Lóguez Ediciones, 2016.  Board Book.

Es hora de acostarse. Pero esta vez, es el libro quien quiere que le cuenten un cuento antes de dormir. Muy lentamente, sus ojos se van volviendo más y más pesados, y después se cierran cuando le damos un besito y se queda dormido...(Publisher)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

If You Like...KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...

If You Like... Folktales

Folktales have long carried the wisdom, imagination, and traditions of cultures around the world by passing stories from one generation to the next. They often weave together important life lessons with magical creatures or daring adventures. Books, like the ones on this list, bring these age-old tales to life for today’s readers. Each story is rooted in its own cultural heritage and offers a glimpse into the values of the people who first told them. They remind us that storytelling is a powerful way to connect us across time and place. The Three-Year Tumble By Dayeon Auh New York: NorthSouth Books, 2025. Picture Book. Based on a beloved Korean folktale, a superstitious grandfather and his thoughtful granddaughter turn the legend of Misfortune Mountain on its head. According to the myth, anyone who falls down the mountain has only 3 years left to live! Together, this family learns how changing your mindset can make a positive impact on your life. The Salt Princess By Anoosha Syed New Y...

Five Faves: Witchy Intermediates

Hee hee hee! Hello, my pretties! Here are five short, illustrated chapter books for the season of the witch - some sweet, some spooky, all magical.  The Knitting Witch Written by Norma Kassirer Illustrated by Mark Richardson. Oakland, California : The Collective Book Studio, 2024. Intermediate. 88 pages. Outrageously spoiled Ivy Lou meets her match when a witch appears and tries to trick her into becoming her child. Ivy Lou must unravel the witch's dark magic and save her parents. A modern classic in the register of Roald Dahl, with mischief, humor and spookiness. Witchycakes: Sweet Magic  Written by Kara LaReau Illustrated by Ariane Moreira. New York : Random House Children's Books, 2025. Intermediate. 76 pages. Witchycakes  owes a lot to  Kiki's Delivery Service : a cute newbie witch making and delivering baked goods to the residents of their dreamy seaside town. It's cozy and sweet with lots of glowy illustrations. New Girl: Diary of an Accidental Witch Written by...