Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem

Barnett, M. (2009). Billy Twitters and his blue whale problem.  New York:  Disney-Hyperion Books.

What happens when you don't listen to your mother?  She makes you take care of a blue whale!  Just ask Billy Twitters; he can tell you how horrible it is.  Max Barnett writes a very clever and interesting story about Billy Twitters and his pet blue whale.  Billy's mother constantly threatens buying her son a blue whale as punishment for disobeying the rules.  Billy doesn't believe his mother's outrageous alternative.  But one things for sure:  Billy's mother follows through.  And then hilarity ensues.

In the Night Kitchen

Sendak, M. (1970). In the night kitchen.  New York:  Harper

Since Brody LOVES Where the Wild Things Are, I thought we would try another book by Sendak, In the Night Kitchen.  I'm not sure that he feels the same about the two books.  In the Night Kitchen has been historically a very controversial book.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Dewdney, A. (2005). Llama Llama red pajama. New York:  Viking.

Lately I have seen Llama Llama everywhere!  So I had to see what the appeal is.  I'm still guessing at what attracts to young children to Dewdney's tales of Llama Llama.  Brody loves the picture book though.

The plot is simple.  Little Llama is going to bed and suddenly is terrified of being alone in the dark without his mother.  In the end, Llama's mother explains to him that even when she is not in the room, she will always be near to him.  It's a heartwarming bedtime story.

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are.  New York:  Harper and Row.

Where the Wild Things Are is considered one of the most powerful children's books.  It has been voted multiple years as the number one book for children and received the prestigious Caldecott Medal.   I must agree with the hype.  The story and illustrations by Sendak truly are inspiring for children, both boys and girls alike.  Sendak's picture book is one that I shared with my brother when we were children; it is one that I have recently shared with my own son.  Even at fifteen-months, he is able to sit and listen to Sendak's powerful language.  Fifty years after its first publication, Where the Wild Things Are still speaks strongly to its audience.

One of a Kind

Winter, A. (2012). One of a kind. New York:  Aladdin.

With an opening sentence like "Lysander Singleton was the only only child at Twin Oaks Elementary," how could anyone pass up this book?  One of a Kind is definitely a one of a kind read.  Ariel Winter tells the story of Lysander, who is the only child at his school who is not a twin.  Lysander fells very left out, because everyone knows that twins are best friends.  Annually, the school host an event known as Twindividuation, a program meant to foster individuality among the sets of twins.  Since Lysander is the odd man out, literally, he has to participate for both teams.  A surprise turn of events, makes Lysander the most popular boy in school.

Once Upon MacDonald's Farm

Gammell, S. (1981). Once Upon MacDonald's Farm. New York:  Simon & Schuster.

Everyone knows the story of Old MacDonald's Farm with the cows and the chickens. But what about MacDonald before his farm had cows and chickens? He had an elephant, lion and baboon; believe it or not.

The Book at Eats People

Perry, J. (2009). The book that eats people. Berkeley:  Tricycle Press.

I have seen these kind of books before, the books that tell a story about the book itself. This particular book is very cute in a strange sort of way. The Book that Eats People shares the story of the book and how it has a ravenous appetite for its readers. People have tried to retain it in libraries, prison, and even a zoo. But somehow the book keeps fulfilling its desire for flesh and succumbs to such tactics as disguising itself in order to be checked out the library.

Ivan the Terrier

Catalanotto, P. (2007). Ivan the Terrier. New York:  Atheneum Books.

Peter Catalanotto's picture book, Ivan the Terrier is a play on the viking by the similar name "Ivan the Terrible."  However, Catalanotto's Ivan is not a viking; he is a small dog.  Yet, like his namesake, Ivan likes to cause trouble and wreak havoc.

Mister Seahorse

Carle, E. (2004). Mister Seahorse. New York:  Philomel Books.

Eric Carle's beautiful book art has done it again.  This time Carle takes his readers under the sea to explore the world of marine fathers.  Most know that the father seahorse cares for the eggs before they hatch. Carle educates his audience on other sea animals that are similar to the seahorse in that respect, such as the tilapia, pipefish, bullhead catfish, etc.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Carle, E. (1969) The very hungry caterpillar. New York:  Scholastic.

The public library in my county gives a new book to children on their birthday.  Brody received The Very Hungry Caterpillar for his first birthday.  Honestly, I'm not sure if I ever read this book before.  I know it is very popular for early elementary classrooms.  In fact, the caterpillar is EVERYWHERE!

The Monsters' Monster

McDonnell, P. (2012). The monsters' monster.  New York:  Little Brown Books.

Partrick McDonnell has received a Caldecott Honor for his work with the picture book Me...Jane.  McDonnell should receive the Caldecott for his work on The Monster's Monster.  His artwork is beautiful and simple to accompany such a simple, yet heartwarming story.

Romeo and Juliet

Coville, B. (1999). William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. New York:  Dial Books.

I am a huge Shakespeare fan.  I even wanted to name my son William (my husband said no).  My love affair with Billy goes back to my freshman year of high school.  I was in a rather small English I class with students who should have been in an English II class.  I felt really out of place.  That teacher will always be an important person in my life, because she introduced me to Shakespeare.  We read both Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night's Dream.  I got to read for Juliet and Helena.  My teacher told me that I was a talented reader and truly understood Shakespeare; I'm not sure if she really meant it, but she gave me a lot of confidence.

The Runaway Bunny

Wise Brown, M. (1942) The runaway bunny. New York:  Harper.

I have posted on the relationship between father and son with Guess How Much I Love You, The Runaway Bunny is about the relationship between mother and son.  It is a conversation that a first makes the reader nervous--the young bunny wants to runaway.  But in the end, the bunny realizes that no matter where he goes, his mother will be with him.

The Other Dog

L'Engle, M. (2006). The other dog.  San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Madeleine L'Engle is not known for this hilarious picture book.  L'Engle was awarded fame for A Wrinkle in Time.  However, The Other Dog is a far better read; at least it was for me.  And the basis for the story is great.

Goodnight Little One

Wise Brown, M. (2012). Goodnight little one. Bath, UK:  Parragon.

Margaret Wise Brown is a well-known children's author with her most noted work, Goodnight Moon.  I have read a few of Brown's books with (or rather to) my son.  I have to say that Goodnight Little One is probably my favorite.  It is a wonderful book to read at bedtime.

Guess How Much I Love You

McBrantey, S. (1995). Guess how much I love you. New York:  Candlewick P.

I received this book as a shower gift from a former college professor.  I had heard of the book and knew that it has been on several lists for best children books.  After reading it, I completely understand why.

The Boss Baby

Frazee, M. (2010). The boss baby. New York: Simon & Schuster.

The Boss Baby is an excellent book! I bought for my son because it was just a few dollars and had colorful artwork. I had no idea what the story was. Frazee creates a larger metaphor for new parents by comparing an infant to a CEO of a company.

Love You Forever

Munsh, R. (1987).  Love you forever.  Toronto:  Firefly.

I received this book at a baby shower for Brody.  I honestly had never heard of the book.  But now I can't read this book without tears coming to my eyes.  The book tells the story of the relationship between a mother and son beginning with his life and ending with hers.  I love some of the descriptions of the boy as he grows:  "He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music."  Something I can definitely relate to with teaching high school.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

Hest, A. (1997). When Jessie came across the sea. Cambridge, MA:  Candlewick Press.

What would you do if you were told that you were leaving your home to live with a woman you had never met in a country you had never seen?  That's what happens to a young thirteen year-old girl, named Jessie, in When Jessie Came Across the Sea.

Jessie lives with her grandmother in a poor Jewish village.  The rabbi in the village is given a ticket to America and decides that Jessie will travel to New York City and live with his sister-in-law.  Jessie travels on a boat to Ellis Island and meets a young boy named Lou.  Not long after Jessie arrives in New York, she learns English and becomes a success in a dress shop.  One day Jessie receives a letter from her grandmother.  What happens to Jessie's grandmother?  What happens to Lou?  Find out in Amy Hest's wonderful picture book, When Jessie Came Across the Sea.

The Boy Who Loved Words

Schotter, R. (2006). The boy who loved words.  New York:  Scwartz & Wade Books.

The Boy Who Loved Words is a very challenging picture book that won the 2006 Parent's Choice Award.  Schotter tells the story of Selig, a boy who has a very large vocabulary and is often an outcast due to his love of words.  However, Selig meets a poet and later the love of his life, who is a collector of music, to serve his purpose in life.