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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Storytime: New & Notable Picture Books (21)


This week's Storytime features a hurricane on the bayou, troublesome apes with the best intentions, a boy who trades in stories, a dragon with a big appetite, and two siblings who struggle to pick the perfect pet.

Over in the Wetlands
Written by Caroline Starr Rose; Illustrated by Bob Dunlavey
Ages 4-8



Buy It 
Goodreads
Publishing in time for the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, here is a beautiful read-aloud about animal families preparing for an impending storm in their bayou habitat.

Journey to the Louisiana wetlands and watch as all the animals of the bayou experience one of nature’s most dramatic and awe-inspiring events: a hurricane. The animals prepare—swimming for safer seas, finding cover in dens, and nestling their young close to protect them. During the height of the storm, even the trees react, cracking and moaning in the wind. At last, the hurricane yawns and rests, and animals come out to explore their world anew.
This book is absolutely gorgeous. It's an engaging introduction to hurricanes and their effect on wildlife. This one would make a great addition to classroom and library collections.

Apes A-Go-Go
Written by Roman Milisic; Illustrated by A. Richard Allen
Ages 3-7



 Buy It
Goodreads
When the mayor of a very tidy town notices a single flower out of place, Fussy Great Ape helpfully offers to fix it...but he demolishes the rest of the flowerbed in the process. He doesn't want the mayor to worry. He sounds off the ape call to action--"Bogo! Pogo! Apes-A-Go-Go!"—and Mucky Great Ape turns up to replant the flowers. Now the flowers look lovely…but now the entire town is covered in dirt!

Well, it’s clear what this problem calls for. More apes!

These eager apes have the best intentions, but they’re heaping disaster upon disaster. Can they work together to return this town to its formerly tidy glory?

Kids are going to love the energy and silliness of these apes and their bellows of "Bogo! Pogo! Apes-A-G0-Go!" Plus this happy and unexpected ending is sure to strike a chord.
 
Rufus the Writer
Written by Elizabeth Bram; Chuck Groenink
Ages 4-8




Buy It

Goodreads
Want to encourage a child to write creatively? Introduce him to Rufus! The joy of writing (and reading) fills every page of this charming picture book.

Why have a lemonade stand when you can have a story stand? That’s what Rufus, a boy with a big imagination, decides. And once he’s in business, he starts creating little gems for his friends and family. Millie and Walter trade a shell for his story called “Why Orange Is the Best Color.” Rufus writes little sister Annie a story for her birthday about a girl who shrinks to the size of a teacup. Sara trades flowers for a story about a family of buttons. And then they all sit down and read the wonderful stories together.
This picture book featuring young writer Rufus is also a great pick for the classroom. It'd be a perfect fit to explore creative writing and writing for a specific audience.

There Was An Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight
Written by Penny Parker Klostermann; Illustrated by Ben Mantle
Ages 4-8




Buy It
Goodreads
We all know that “there was an old lady” who swallowed lots of things. Now meet the old dragon who swallows pretty much an entire kingdom! Will he ever learn a little moderation?! This rollicking rhyme is full to bursting with sight gags, silly characters, and plenty of burps! Parents and kids alike will delight in Ben Mantle’s precisely funny illustrations and in Penny Parker Klostermann’s wacky rhymes.

I'm a fan of cumulative stories and this one from Klostermann and Mantle has quickly become one of my favorites. It's wonderfully silly, fun to read aloud, and the illustrations are absolutely charming.

What Pet Should I Get?
Written & Illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Ages3-7




Buy It
Goodreads
This never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one’s mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one! The tale captures a classic childhood moment — choosing a pet — and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: that it is hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it!

Told in Dr. Seuss’s signature rhyming style, this is a must-have for Seuss fans and book collectors, and a perfect choice for the holidays, birthdays, and happy occasions of all kinds.
I went into this one a bit hesitantly... Would it live up to classic Seuss? Yep, it sure does! Don't shy away from this one; its a must to complete your Seuss collection.
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Love any of the books featured this week? Let me know in the comments!

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