Confession: I have a bit of a book crush. No, not a crush on a boy in a book. But a book crush, or an author-illustrator crush because I'm absolutely, positively IN LOVE with all of Ben Clanton's books. Today I'll share just three of them.
All in Dr.Bookworm Book Rec
Multicultural Children's Book Day 2018
Pattan's Pumpkin tells a similar story as Noah's ark, though the setting is in a valley below the Sahyadri Mountains in Southern India. Pattan and his wife live in harmony with the animals and people around them, and Pattan shares his food with everyone in his village. When great rains start, he looks out to an ever-enlarging pumpkin in his field for a solution. As a community, the animals help to hollow out the pumpkin so they can use it to survive the flood.
Pillowland
As a pediatrician, I talk about sleep habits every day. And I admit to my patient families that my girls weren't the best sleepers. Despite that, we still tried to establish a routine early on: after Mini Me started solids at six months of age, Mr. Bookworm would feed her a rice cereal snack and read her books.
One way to re-focus on bedtime is to have the last book of the night be something about bedtime. We have some all-time faves, including The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. And now, Laurie Berkner has teamed up with Camille Garoche to translate her "Pillowland" song into the picture book market.
The Best Bookworm Gift List Ever (For now)
It's the time of gift giving and somehow, even though I'm somewhat prepared, the holiday season always runs away from me. Even though I've done most of my shopping (Yay for online shopping!), I know there are some last minute consumers out there.
Here is my list of the BEST GIFT IDEAS FOR BILBIOPHILES....so far.
First Pages: Gift Ideas
Last year I posted a 12 Must-Have Picture Books for the 12 Days of Christmas. The list contains some classics and some newer ones, but they are all picture book 'must-haves' for any young bibliophile (or older ones too). My friend suggested that I make a list for older kids that other people could reference for great gifts for different age groups.
Well, I don't feel exactly qualified to do so. Why? Because while I have read thousands of picture books, I am not as well read in early chapter books, middle grade books, or YA books. So I may curate a list with some input from some other knowledgeable friends, but in the meantime, I thought I'd place all my First Lines novels in one place along with book summaries in case you might want to gift one to a friend or family member this holiday season.
Let's Cook a Treat
Every so often, Mini Me will check out a cookbook. For a very long time. We're terrible about hoarding our books and keeping them too long. This time around we've been hoarding Let's Cook a Treat: A Step by Step Guide, which is from the DK family of books.
I don't normally post our crafting or cooking processes because I don't come up with new recipes or craft ideas. I tend to do a mish-mash of craft ideas I've heard of, unless I'm problem-solving a costume. But since the holiday season is coming up, I'll tell you that this book was great for baking with a 7 year old!
Unicorns versus Goats
I'm keeping with the unicorn theme for the next few book recommendations, thus locking in my other moniker as Dr. Unicorn/the Unicorn doctor. :D This time we're talking about Bob Shea's Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great in which a unicorn takes on a goat in a fight. Sort of.
Uni the Unicorn and the Dream Come True
I had NO idea that there was going to be a sequel to Uni the Unicorn, especially as Amy Krouse Rosenthal passed away last Spring. However, I do know that the picture book publishing process is a long one and she likely finished this book several years ago. Having said that, I can't help but think that this is Rosenthal's swan song, and what a beautiful one it is.
Leo, A Ghost Story
It's the time of ghost and goblins and ghouls. And it's also the perfect time for me to recommend Leo: A Ghost Story to you all. Currently I've been fangirling (Is fanboying a saying too?) over picture books that have a very specific monochromatic color scheme. And picture books that are more than what they seem. Leo: A Ghost Story encompasses both of those things!
The Unicorn Doctor and Uni the Unicorn
One of my patients calls me 'the unicorn doctor'. It's true. And, it's oh so flattering.
In honor of my little patient, I'm going to do a review recommendation of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Uni the Unicorn
What Do You Love About You?
What Do You Love About You? by Karen Lechelt starts off with a little girl and her kitten next to a pile of stuffed animals. (And the author's dedication "To My Moon" stole my heart from the very beginning.) The girl then asks each animal friend in turn what they love about themselves. Each animal then answers, and in doing so shows us what diversity can bring into our lives, but also teaches about loving ourselves too. Such a simple yet heartfelt message that isn't too didactic or over-the-top.
Monsters, Not Incorporated
As you may know, dragons are very popular here in the Bookworm house. And, true to form, Steve Light's follow-up, Have You Seen My Monster? is just as delightful as the first book. Whereas the dragon book follows a dragon and his boy around the city, the monster edition is set at an idyllic county fair.
Triangle versus Square
At the heart of Triangle is a story about one friend playing a prank on another and having it backfire on him. But, are Triangle and Square friends?
Internet Famous
Dr. Bookworm reviews Danika Stone's Internet Famous.
The Bear Who Wasn't There AKA The Duck Who Showed Up
Dr. Bookworm talks about her love for Ducks AND Bears, especially in picture books. And even more so in interactive ones like The Bear Who Wasn't There, written and illustrated by LeUyen Pham.
xo, ox
Suffice it to say that I like palindromes. What's a palindrome? Something that reads the same forward and backward. Like xo, ox by Adam Rex and illustrated by Scott Campbell, my current favorite picture book. xo, ox is a perfect little unexpected love story that made me laugh out loud again and again.
Dear Ten-Year-Old Shannon Hale, I want to be your friend
Dr. Bookworm writes a letter to the past ten-year-old Shannon Hale in her review of Real Friends, a graphic novel written by present-day Shannon Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham.