The Children's Hour - Children's Book Reviews - Preschool

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
PRESCHOOL
NOTABLE BOOKS 2006

Preschool

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FIVE LITTLE DUCKS
illus. by Ivan Bates, (Orchard Books, $12.99, ISBN 0-439-74693-0), 24p, Ages 3-5.
Based on a popular nursery rhyme and song, this beautiful adaptation tells the story of a mother duck and her five ducklings who venture out one day. The ducklings wander off in search of a present for their mother, but each day one duckling doesn't return, until mother's loud quack bring them all back with a flower, a four-leaf clover, a seashell, a juicy berry and a delicious worm.

GOODNIGHT, MY DUCKLING
written/illus. by Nancy Tafuri, (Scholastic Press, $6.99, ISBN 0-439-79660-1) 12p, Ages 2-5.
Now in board book format for little hands, this charming bedtime story surrounds an independent duckling that lags behind his family on their way home at night. A friendly turtle helps him find his way home to Mama's warm nest.

SILLY SUZY GOOSE
written/illus. by Petr Horacek, (Candlewick Press, $14.99, ISBN 0-7636-3040-3), 40p, Ages 2-5.
Silly Suzy yearns to be different from the other geese. If she could hang upside down like a bat, stretch high like a giraffe, jump like a kangaroo, squawk like a toucan, or slide like a penguin, life would be perfect. When she roars at a cranky lion, Silly Suzy realizes that being different can sometimes by dangerous and runs for cover. Back in the safety of the flock, Suzy still loves a good roar

CLICK, CLACK, SPLISH, SPLASH: A COUNTING ADVENTURE
written by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin, (Atheneum Books, $12.95, ISBN 978-0-689-87716-2), 24p, Ages 2-5.
The farmyard animals introduced in "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" are making mischief again. As the farmer naps on his couch, duck engineers a rescue of the farmer's aquarium goldfish. Numbers from ("1 farmer sleeping") to ("10 buckets lined up in a row") are used as the menagerie tiptoe, climb, and splash, each with buckets full of goldfish, to their final destination - the pond.

LITTLE QUACK'S NEW FRIEND
written by Lauren Thompson, illus. by Derek Anderson, (Simon & Schuster, $14.95, ISBN 978-689-86893-1), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Growing up in a pond can be lots of fun, especially when Little Quack meets a tiny, green frog. While the other ducklings are wary of the new intruder, Little Quack has no problem. The two pals find that they have much in common. They enjoy leaping, splashing, and dunking to their hearts content. Eventually, the others join in the fun too and, as the saying goes, the more the merrier!

HOORAY FOR HARRY
written/illus. by Kim Lewis, (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ISBN 0-7636-2962-6), 32p, Ages 3-6.
Just settling down for his nap, Harry discovers that his favorite blanket is missing. With the help of his friends, Harry goes over the day's activities, the light dawns, and he remembers where it is. Harry decides that some days the searching is as much fun as the finding. Most children and parents who can relate to the loss of a beloved blanket will enjoy this charming story.

MAISY'S BOOK TOWER
written/illus. by Lucy Cousins, (Candlewick Press, $9.99, ISBN 0-7636-3042-X), 20p, Ages 2-5.
These four small, chunky board books are perfect for little hands to carry, stack, and explore. Each one has a different theme: Maisy's Favorite Animals, Maisy's Favorite Clothes, Maisy's Favorite Things, and Maisy's Favorite Toys. All are presented in bright and vibrant colors that preschoolers will love.

EMILY'S BALLOON
written/illus. by Komako Sakai, (Chronicle Books, $14.95, ISBN 0-8118-5219-9), 44p, Ages 2-5.
A sweet and endearing friendship develops between a little girl and a yellow balloon. While she is out walking one day, Emily's mother buys her a yellow helium balloon, and by the time they arrive home, Emily and the balloon have bonded. When a breeze blows the balloon into a tree, Emily must wait until morning for Mom to retrieve it, but spends her time imagining how she and her friend will eat, play, and sleep together tomorrow. Winner of the Japanese Picture Book Prize.

BIG WHEELS
written/illus. by Anne Rockwell, (Walker & Co., $6.95, ISBN 0-8027-8903-X), 24p, Ages 3-6.
Digging, lifting, pushing, dumping, shoveling, and scraping, big wheels move the world, in this case, a pig world. Each machine's function is presented clearly and precisely for preschoolers to understand. The illustrations contain crisp colors and clear lines. Other books in Anne Rockwell's transportation series are "Boats" with bears, "Trucks" with cats, "Cars" with dogs, and "Planes" with rabbits.

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE
written by Knister, translated by Kathryn Bishop, illus. by Eve Tharlet, (minedition, $16.99, ISBN 0-698-40040-2), 32p, Ages 2+.
After a long winter of hibernation, a young marmot awakes to discover a beautiful dandelion. Over the summer, their friendship grows. They laugh together, play together, and dance together. ". . . and when it was time to sleep Bruno looked after her." One day the dandelion asks Bruno for a promise and assures him that all will be fine. The promise is to blow as hard as he can. Bruno is heartbroken when he realizes that his friend is gone. Upon awakening the next spring, he discovers that there are now hundreds of new dandelions in the meadow. A sweet story of trust and friendship.

WHO'S ON BOARD?
written/illus. by Salina Yoon, Price Stern Sloan, $5.99, ISBN 0-8431-2016-9), 10p, Ages 3-5.
WHAT'S IN SPACE?
written/illus. by Salina Yoon, Price Stern Sloan, $5.99, ISBN 0-8431-2017-7), 10p, Ages 3-5.
Fun-shaped board books with pull-slides entertain children with counting, color, and shape concepts. Questions are given and children pull tabs to discover the answers. From "Who's on Board?" children try to guess what animals are on the train. In rhyme a hint is given, "The first stop's in the jungle./Watch the monkeys swing./"Roarrr!" says the passenger./"Here I am, the king!" Children pull the tab to reveal "1 lion." From "What's in Space", children pull the tabs to reveal bright colors of various planetary objects. From the hint, "This turns full just once a month./It's a gleaming ball of white./This night-light for the evening sky/makes a beautiful sight," children pull the tab to reveal the moon. These two informative books are clever ways to teach concepts and give information.

MRS. WISHY-WASHY'S FARM
written by Joy Cowley, illus. by Elizabeth Fuller, (Puffin Books, $5.99, ISBN 0-14-240299-0), 32p, Ages 3+.
Jolly Mrs. Wishy-Washy is back washing and scrubbing her animals. Cow, Duck, and Pig decide that enough is enough, and they run off to the big city, where they find loads of trouble, get dirty, and end up in the "animal jail." Rescued by Mrs. Wishy-Washy and back home, they are more than happy to have another bath. A great choice for story time or anytime.

HERE WE GO 'ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH
written/illus. by Iza Trapani, (Charlesbridge, $16.95 HC, ISBN 1-57091-663-2, $6.95 PB, ISBN 1-57091-699-3), 32p, Ages 2-5.
An industrious gardener tries to keep a menagerie of hungry animals out of her vegetable garden by installing wire, digging trenches, and building a fence. However, the hungry animals always manage to find a way through to the delicious vegetables. From the famous nursery rhyme and traditional song, rabbits and mice sneak past the gardener, gophers tunnel under the barrier, deer jump over the fence, and raccoons open the gate. What's a farmer to do? The last page, including sheet music and verses, reveals the worn out gardener in her rocking chair reading, "Gardens for Sharing."

OVER IN THE OCEAN: IN A CORAL REEF
written by Marianne Berkes, illus. by Jeanette Canyon, (Dawn Publications, ISBN 1-58469-082-8, $7.99 Board), 26p, Ages 3-7.
Now in board book format, sea creatures and their babies, formed from colorful polymer clay, are featured cavorting in and around a coral reef. Children will have fun counting the ten different types of marine life. End pages give information on the various animals portrayed.

EATING THE ALPHABET: FRUITS & VEGETABLES FROM A TO Z
written/illus. by Lois Ehlert, (Red Wagon Books, $10.95, ISBN 0-15-205688-2), 28p, Ages 1-3.
This lap-size alphabet board book features juicy, mouth-watering fruits and vegetables. From the well-known apples, bananas, grapes, and lettuce to the lesser-known currants, figs, eggplants, and okra, the words and letters are set in bold type and are shown in uppercase and lowercase. This beautifully rendered alphabet book will, hopefully, encourage parents and children to sample new foods as well as enjoy old favorites.

MOUSE COUNT
written/illus. by Ellen Stoll Walsh, (Red Wagon Books, $10.95, ISBN 0-15-205699-8), 30p, Ages 1-3.
Always careful to guard for snakes, ten small mice become sleepy and forget to keep watch. Counting one by one, the snake plops them into a jar and searches for more, until all ten are captured. When the greedy snake seeks more mice, the ten overturn the jar and, "ten, nine, eight . . ." climb out and flee. Now in lap-size format, this concept book was considered one of the best books of 1991.

PIGGIES
written by Audrey Wood, illus. by Don Wood, (Harcourt, Inc., $17.95, ISBN 0-15-205667-X), 32p, Ages 3-7.
On a child's hands, each digit takes on the personality of a little pig. Whimsical little fat piggies, smart piggies, long piggies, silly piggies, and wee piggies romp and cavort on a child's fingers. At bedtime, they slip down the child's tummy and dance on toes before going to sleep. Children will love the antics and personalities of each piggie, especially through the hot/cold, clean/dirty, and good pages. Even at bedtime, there is one little piggy still reading by flashlight. Originally published in 1991, this classic is now reissued with a CD containing a reading of the story along with seven songs.

MY VERY FIRST LIBRARY
written/illus. by Eric Carle, (Philomel Books, $23.99, ISBN 0-399-24666-5), 10p ea., Ages 2+.
All four of Eric Carl's concept board books are together in one slipcase for children in the process of learning colors, shapes, numbers, and words. Children can flip the top and bottom half of each page to find matching colors, shapes, and words. In "My Very First Book of Numbers", numbers on the top half of the pages match with the same number of fruit on the bottom pages. Charming, bright colored collage illustrations make this a worthy addition to a preschooler's library.

ANNIE AND THE WILD ANIMALS
written/illus. by Jan Brett, (Houghton Mifflin Co., $7.95 Board, ISBN 0-618-74786-9), 32p, Ages 2+.
A story within a story, Annie searches for her lost Taffy, a golden-haired cat. Annie tries to find a replacement, leaving newly baked corn cakes outside to attract a new friend, but none of the forest animals are friendly. The illustrations in the border indicate what prevented Taffy's return.

PETER'S CHAIR
written/illus. by Ezra Jack Keats, (Viking Children's Books, $6.99 Board, ISBN 0-670-06190-5) 32p, Ages 2+.
Life changes for young, Peter when his old baby furniture is painted a lovely shade of pink for a new baby sister. It's bad enough that his cradle, high chair, and crib are painted; but he refuses to part with his little blue chair. With his chair, cookies, dog biscuits, and Willie, the dog, Peter decides to leave. When he realizes that his chair is too small for him and mom is calling for lunch, home doesn't sound too bad after all.

HOW DO DINOSAURS PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS?

HOW DO DINOSAURS LEARN THEIR COLORS?
written by Jane Yolen, illus. by Mark Teague, (The Blue Sky Press, $6.99 Board, ISBN 0-439-85653-1), 12p, Ages 3-5.
HOW DO DINOSAURS PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS?
written by Jane Yolen, illus. by Mark Teague, (The Blue Sky Press, $6.99 Board,
ISBN 0-439-85654-X), 12p, Ages 3-5.
Dinosaur-loving children will enjoy both of these board books. From "How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors?", ten dinosaurs share and play with items containing red, purple, green, blue, pink, yellow, brown, and, "white chalk marks on an old black slate,/ and an orange, backpack–don't be late!" From "How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?", romping and stomping dinosaurs teach children how to share toys, give turns on bikes, play games, and care for each other. Names of the dinosaurs featured are hidden on each page for kids to locate.

OVER THE MOON: A COLLECTION OF FIRST BOOKS
written by Margaret Wise Brown, illus. by Clement Hurd, (HarperCollins, $19.99, ISBN 0-06-076162-8), 108p, Ages 3-6.
This beautiful anthology contains three of the most enduring and beloved children's books from Margaret Wise Brown. In "Goodnight Moon", a small rabbit settles down for the night, saying good night to animals and objects in his bedroom. "The Runaway Bunny" features a small bunny that plays hide-and-seek with his mother. Whether pretending to be a fish, a mountain climber, a sailboat, or a tightrope walker, his mother reassures him that she will always find him. In "My World", a rabbit family progresses through their day, from the viewpoint of a young bunny. The family eats breakfast, works in the garage, goes fishing, and dines on freshly caught fish.

ALL FOR PIE, PIE FOR ALL
written by David Martin, illus. by Valeri Gorbachev, (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ISBN 0-7636-2393-8), 32p, Ages 3-5.
Grandma Cat's apple pie is thoroughly enjoyed by her cat family, who then proceed to peacefully nap. The mice family then consumes the last piece before snuggling down for their naps. Finally, the ant family carries off the crumbs. When everyone is awake again, Grandma decides to make another pie, but this time they all help, even the baby ant. "And then everyone helped eat it,/until not even a crumb was left!"

ROOM FOR A LITTLE ONE: A CHRISTMAS TALE
written by Martin Waddell, illus. by Jason Cockcroft, (Margaret K. McElderry Books, $9.95, ISBN 978-1-4169-2518-7), 32p, Ages 2-6.
This beautiful Nativity story with its lovely illustrations make this a perfect choice for holiday sharing. On a cold Christmas Eve, Kind Ox shares his stable with Old Dog, Stray Cat, and Small Mouse, as well as Tired Donkey, who brings Joseph and Mary with him. With the quiet refrain, "There's always room for a little one here", all are welcomed into the stable and greet the baby Jesus when He is born.

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