From Story Time: The Letter "B"

Preschool Time

By Kim Smith

Boston; New York: Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. Picture Book.

Meg goes to Maker School to hone her talent for building with boxes, but when Simone, another boxitect, arrives they become so competitive they nearly fail in the annual Maker Match. --Editor

Preschool Time

A Lot Like Batman

By Keith Negley

New York: Random House, 2023. Picture Book.

A very young Batman faces his greatest challenge ever -- going to school! Keith Negley (author and illustrator of Tough Guys Have Feelings Too and My Dad Used to Be So Cool) brings young readers his vision of a shy Caped Crusader who prefers to stick to the shadows and play alone. Even though he initially doesn't fit in with the colorful and more outgoing kids around him, he soon learns that he has plenty to offer on his own terms. Keith Negley's art and story are filled with humor and emotion that will help even the shyest child find their inner super hero while making this jacketed picture book a delight to read at bedtime and any time! --Editor

Toddler Time

Books Aren't for Eating

Written by Carlie Sorosiak

Illustrated by Manu Montoya

Somerville, MA: Walker Books, 2022. Picture Book.

Leopold the goat owns a delightful bookstore, and he has a talent for matching his customers with the ideal book--an adventure story for the girl in the rain boots, a novel about gnomes for the man who loves to laugh, and a book of birds for the woman in the feathered hat. But one day, another goat arrives and proceeds to eat every book Leopold offers. Can Leopold find just the right one to tempt this reluctant reader? --Editor

Book Babies

Sway Like an Octopus

By Nicole LaRue

Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2022. Board Book.

This adorable board book encourages toddlers to mimic the actions of animals both familiar and exotic. Little ones are encouraged to sway like an octopus, kick like a donkey, hop like a kangaroo, and much more. These simple, engaging prompts help children focus on the movement of their own bodies, helping to relieve stress and develop a mind-body connection. --Publisher

Cuentos

Leila, la brujita perfecta

By Flavia Z. Drago

Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2022. Libro Illustrado.

Leila es una brujita. Una muy decidida. Más que nada, ella quiere aprender a hornear. -- Editor

Other Letter B Books

Comments

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog