childrensbooksguide

http://childrensbooksguide.com/best-of-2011

Sea Frog City Frog

Written by Dorothy O. Van Woerkom
Illustrated by Jose Argueo and Ariane Dewey

1975

Adapted from A Japanese folk tale

Poppleton - bk 1

Rylant, Cynthia

Neighbors
The Library
The Pill

Poppleton Everyday - book 3

Rylant, Cynthia

The Sky
The New Bed
The Sailboat

Poppleton Has Fun - book 7

 Rylant, Cynthia

The Movie
The Quilt
The Soak

Poppleton in Spring

 Rylant, Cynthia.

Spring Cleaning
TheBicycle
The Tent

Poppleton in Winter

Rylant, Cynthia

Icicles
The Bust
The Sleigh Ride

Aggie Gets lost

Written by Lori Ries
Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer

2011

I don't like this.

"Aggie is a good dog"
"Aggie is a smart dog"
"Good girl"

"What if Aggie is not lost?
What if she ran away?
What if Aggie was not happy?
Did I give her enough treats?
Did I pet her enough?
Did I tell Aggie she was a good dog?
I cannot sleep. I am too sad to sleep.
It is an awful night."

http://www.amazon.com/Aggie-Gets-Lost-Ben/dp/1570916330/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335905446&sr=1-1

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Mo Willems 

2003

Caldecott Honor Book. I really like this book. I most certainly would buy it if it was cheaper on Amazon. I like that it is an interactive book.

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Pigeon-Drive-Bus/dp/078681988X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335905065&sr=1-1

Blue Chicken

Deborah Freedman

2011

I don't think this book is that great. It does have wonderful illustrations though. Lucinda loves it. I would not buy it, but would borrow it from the library again (in fact we have borrowed it a few times already).

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=blue+chicken+by+deborah+freedman&sprefix=Blue+Chicken%2Cstripbooks%2C459

Meet the Meerkat

Written by Darrin Lunde

Illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne

2007

I like this book for information about meerkats, but I don't think it is great enough to buy. I would not buy it myself unless it was from a thrift store (cheap). I would also borrow it from the library again. Lucinda likes meerkats :P)

http://www.amazon.com/Meet-Meerkat-Darrin-Lunde/dp/B006CDOX5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335904018&sr=1-1

The Curious Garden

Peter Brown

2009

I really like this book. I have added it to our Amazon cart....just waiting until it comes in paperback :)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Curious-Garden-Peter-Brown/dp/0316015474/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335903707&sr=1-1

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything

Written by Elise Broach

Illustrated by David Small

2007

Not good, I would not even want to borrow it again.

http://www.amazon.com/Dinosaurs-Everything-Junior-Library-Selection/dp/0689869223/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335903463&sr=1-1

What's Your Sound Hound the Hound?

Mo Willems

2010

I don't think this is that great. No story line. It may be good as an early reader, but that is about it (in which case I would just borrow it from the library).

http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Sound-Hound-Cat/dp/0061728446/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335903163&sr=8-1

Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly!

Willems, Mo

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Say-Friends-Who-Fly/dp/006172842X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331637139&sr=1-1

3 Stars

Nothing special about this book in terms of a story. Might be good for early readers.
I would not buy this book.

Brownie & Pearl Grab a Bite

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Brownie-Pearl-Grab-Bite/dp/1416986340/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331636614&sr=1-1

3 Stars

For me, this is the best book in the series so far. It is not too "girly". Brownie gets to pick food straight from the refrigerator, which of course I would not like to encourage this of Lucinda. I also don't really like how Pearl plays with her food. Another passage "Now for something salty. Saltines of course". I don't like the fact that this is encouraging kids to eat salty foods and that it is straight out product placement. Couldn't it have said "crackers"? I do like the P is for Pearl part and the milk part too.

Poppleton everyday

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Poppleton-Everyday-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590848534/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331635879&sr=1-1

Bear dreams

Cooper, Elisha

http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Dreams-Elisha-Cooper/dp/0060874287/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331635583&sr=1-1

2 Stars

Bear is stubborn and goes outside to play when he should be hibernating. He plays with other animals and even flies and wants to keep playing but by then everyone else wants to sleep. He falls asleep outside and his parents bring him inside. I think it must be a dream since I don't see why his parents would have woken up. I think the book is a little to weird. I would not buy it.

Good night, Gorilla

Rathmann, Peggy

1994

http://www.amazon.com/Good-Night-Gorilla-Peggy-Rathmann/dp/0698116496/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331635476&sr=1-1

3 Stars

I'm not a huge fan of this book, however Lucinda loves it, so if I find it secondhand I will buy it.

Poppleton has fun

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Poppleton-Has-Fun-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590848399/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1331635356&sr=1-1

Feeding the sheep

Schubert, Leda

2010

http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Sheep-Leda-Schubert/dp/0374322961/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331635162&sr=1-1

4 Stars

I love this book. It takes us through the journey of sheep to jumper and comes back to the sheep. I have added it to our Amazon cart, however will not buy it until it comes down in price. At the moment it is new and $15.

Poppleton

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Poppleton-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/059084783X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331635042&sr=1-1

Poppleton in Spring

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Scholastic-Reader-Level-Poppleton-Spring/dp/0545078679/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331634657&sr=8-1

Elephant and Piggie Books

• 1 Today I Will Fly! (Mar 2007) - like
• 2 My Friend is Sad (Mar 2007) - like
• 3 There is a Bird on Your Head! (Jul 2007) - like
• 4 I Am Invited to a Party! (Jul 2007) - dislike
• 5 I Love My New Toy! (Jun 2008) - like
• 6 I Will Surprise My Friend! (Jun 2008) - like
• 7 Are You Ready To Play Outside? (Oct 2008) - like
• 8 Watch Me Throw The Ball! (Mar 2009) - dislike
• 9 Elephants Cannot Dance! (Jun 2009) - dislike
• 10 Pigs Make Me Sneeze! (Oct 2009) - like
• 11 I am Going! (Jan 2010) - dislike
• 12 Can I Play Too? (Jun 2010) - like
• 13 We Are In A Book! (Sept 2010) - dislike
• 14 I Broke My Trunk! (Feb 2011) - okay
• 15 Should I Share My Ice Cream? (June 2011) - like
• 16 Happy Pig Day! (Oct 2011) - like
• 17 Listen To My Trumpet (Feb 2012) - dislike

Mo Willems

Hello, baby beluga

Lunde, Darrin P

I really quite like this book for information

3.5 Stars - I think I would buy it if it was cheap or second hand

http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Baby-Beluga-Darrin-Lunde/dp/157091740X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331168939&sr=8-1

Brownie & Pearl Get Dolled Up

Cynthia Rylant

http://www.amazon.com/Brownie-Pearl-Get-Dolled-Up/dp/1416986316/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331138298&sr=8-3

2 Stars

This is an awful book about feathers, powder, lipstick, glitter, necklaces, hairspray, and even perfume for Brownie and Pearl. Not something I would ever want to encourage.

I would not want to go near this book.

Houndsley and Catina

Howe, James

http://www.amazon.com/Houndsley-Catina-PB/dp/0756981417/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070899&sr=1-1

3.5 Stars

This book comes from a series and it is written and illustrated quite beautifully. I have read them to Lucinda, however they are a bit beyond her. They require more years in her, to understand them properly as they are serious thinking books. I have only given them 3.5 stars, because I do not really like how feminine and superficial Catina ("I will be famous", etc). Once again it is a wonderful book about friendship.

I'd really like to eat a child

Donnio, Sylviane

Lucinda seems to like this book a lot. I don't think I'd buy it, but I'd certainly borrow it again.

http://www.amazon.com/Id-Really-Like-Eat-Child/dp/0307930084/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070824&sr=1-1

I swapped my dog

Written by Harriet Ziefert

Illustrated by Emily Bolam

1998

This book is okay. I would not buy it, but I would borrow it from the library again if Lucinda requested it (not that she loved it though).

http://www.amazon.com/Swapped-My-Dog-Harriet-Ziefert/dp/0618086056/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070768&sr=1-1

Hey, Al

Yorinks, Arthur

http://www.amazon.com/Hey-Al-Arthur-Yorinks/dp/0374429855/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070690&sr=1-1

I would not buy this.

2.5 Stars.

This book got the Caldecott medal in 1987. I have no idea why...the story is really weird.

Poppleton in winter

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Scholastic-Reader-Level-Poppleton-Winter/dp/0545068231/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070636&sr=1-1

One Ted falls out of bed

Donaldson, Julia

http://www.amazon.com/One-Ted-Falls-out-Bed/dp/0805077871/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070568&sr=1-1

3 Stars

There is nothing wrong with this book, but it is nothing special either. I would not buy it.

Brownie & Pearl hit the hay

Rylant, Cynthia

http://www.amazon.com/Brownie-Pearl-Hit-Hay/dp/1416986359/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331070499&sr=1-1

2.5 Stars.

About Brownie and Pearl going to bed.  Although not over the top, still a little to "girly". They read a book about "Miss Kitty" and the kitty has a pink necklace on. I also do not like the look of Brownie's room; the bed sheets, a love heart on the wall and a little too pink.
I am kind of devastated that their snack before bed is sweet biscuits. I also wish that Brownie would brush her teeth before bed.

Fox in socks

Seuss

http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Socks-Seusss-Tongue-Tanglers/dp/0307931803/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331062360&sr=8-2

2.5 Stars

This is an early reader with lots of tongue ties. I don't really like the nonsense that comes with the book. Lucinda zones out when this is read to her, however she is still quite young. Maybe something for when she is older if I found it free or from an op shop.

I broke my trunk!

Willems, Mo

http://www.amazon.com/Broke-Trunk-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/1423133099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331062121&sr=8-1

Move over, Rover

 Beaumont, Karen

http://www.amazon.com/Move-Over-Rover-Karen-Beaumont/dp/0152019790/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331061780&sr=1-1

2.5 stars

This is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book. I don't really like the repeatedness of this book. I would not get it even if it was free.

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time

Howe, James

http://www.amazon.com/Houndsley-Catina-Quiet-Time-James/dp/0763633844/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331061699&sr=1-1

3.5 Stars.

This book comes from a series and it is written and illustrated quite beautifully. I have read them to Lucinda, however they are a bit beyond her. They require more years in her, to understand them properly as they are serious thinking books. I have only given them 3.5 stars, because I do not really like how feminine Catina is (eg, I want to buy a new dress and I want to get my whiskers curled, even though Houdsley keeps telling her that everything is fine). I think it is a wonderful book about friendship.

Planting Seeds

 Wallace, Nancy Elizabeth

http://www.amazon.com/Planting-Seeds-Buddies-Elizabeth-Wallace/dp/0761456430/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331061623&sr=8-2

4 Stars

I like this book and would buy it, however we already have a lot of good counting books. It is good how it ties in growing plants as well :)

The fish who cried wolf

Written by Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

2007

http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Who-Cried-Wolf/dp/0439928257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331061433&sr=8-1

4 Stars
I really like this book. I would buy it however it looks like it may be hard to find :(

Surprising Reasons to Love Thrift Stores

http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/dollars-sense/5-surprising-reasons-love-thrift-stores.html

Puppy Mudge loves his blanket

Puppy Mudge loves his blanket
2.5 Stars





Written by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Isidre Mones in the style of Sucie Stevenson
2004
ISBN : 0-689-83983-9
Amazon Link

Funnily enough, I do not like this book either. Just like the last one, the sentence structure is good and very appropriate for pre-readers, but I do not like the content.

Again, I would not buy this, even though in general I am a fan of Henry and Mudge. 

Puppy Mudge has a snack

Puppy Mudge has a snack
2.5 Stars


Written by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Isidre Mones in the style of Sucie Stevenson
2003
ISBN : 0-689-83981-2
Amazon Link

Funnily enough, I do not like this book. The sentence structure is good and very appropriate for pre-readers, but I do not like the content. Henry has a snack and Mudge wants it and does inappropriate things to get it. Then Mudge starts being cute and the story goes on and on about Mudge being cute and because of this Henry gets him a snack. I don't like the fact that one can be "cute" to get whatever they want. It is just like she battered her eyelids and could get whatever she wants type of senario.


I would not buy this, even though in general I am a fan of Henry and Mudge.

Dinosaur Numbers

Dinosaur Numbers
2.5 Stars

 

By Paul and Henrietta Stickland

2010

ISBN : 978-1-4027-6585-8

Amazon Link


I like the idea of introducing numbers within a sentence. This is much better than their colour book in that regard, but some of the sentence content I do not like.
"Eight playful dinosaurs trying to look mean".
"Nine naughty dinosaurs hiding in a tree".
I would not buy this book. There are many better number books out there.

Dinosaur Colors

Dinosaur Colors
3 Stars

By Paul and Henrietta Stickland
2009
ISBN : 978-1-4027-6480-6
Amazon Link

There is nothing wrong with this book and is great for L since she really likes Dinosaur Roar which we have. Actually L has liked Dinosaur Roar from when she was 5 mths old. L likes pointing out the dinosaurs that are dirty. I probably would not buy this, because I think there are better colour concept books to be had out there. If I saw it very cheap I would consider.