Grace for President

Grace for President written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham starts with the question, "Where are the girls?"  Grace asks this question when her teacher, Mrs. Barrington, rolls out a poster with all of the president's pictures on it.  Then after much thought, Grace announces she would like to be president.  And that's when the fun begins.

This is a great book on several different levels.  Not only does it demonstrate that we should all be picking our leaders based on who we think will do the best job (not just who is the most popular), but it also does a great job describing the election process.  (In the back is a description of the Electoral College.)

Favorite line: "No girl president? EVER?" Grace asked.

When I Grow Up

In When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic and illustrated by Wes Hargis, little Billy faces the dreaded question during show-and-tell, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  However, I don't think Billy dreads this question as much as his classmates in this hilarious children's book by first-time author Al Yankovic.  Instead, Billy poetically and long windedly tackles this question with some very crazy, but thoughtful answers.

Okay, I will admit, I am a "Weird All" fan and quite honestly, his book does not disappoint.  It is filled with the same off-beat humor and subtle lessons that made many of his songs famous. 

Favorite line: "Esteemed friends and colleagues and dear Mrs. Krupp, I know what I'm gonna be when I grow up..."

Sleepy Bears

Sleepy Bears by Mem Fox and illustrated by Kerry Argent is a great bedtime story.  It is filled with wonderful poems and beautiful pictures. I especially love the quilt everyone is snuggled up under.

When winter comes, bears sleep whether they are tired or not.  This family of bears is no different.  So, Mama bear tells a dreamy poem for each of her not so sleepy bears.  

Favorite line:  "Bedtime already?" cried the bears as they tumbled inside.

The Boy Who Cried Ninja

The Boy Who Cried Ninja by Alex Latimer is a funny twist on the classic tale of the boy who cried wolf.  Only in this version, Tim is telling the truth and still gets into trouble.  So, what is a boy to do when he gets into trouble for telling the truth and for telling lies?

I really liked the artwork in this book, especially the voice bubbles.  Not only does everyone get a speech bubble, but they speak with words and pictures.  I love it!

Favorite line:  Then he had an idea.

Interrupting Chicken

 

Have you heard the joke about an interrupting cow?  No?  How about an interrupting chicken?  That's okay, because David Ezra Stein has and he shares his version of this classic joke in Interrupting Chicken.  

In this wonderful tale Papa is trying to read a bedtime story to little red chicken and things are not going all that well.  Filled with beautiful illustrations and familiar bedtime stories (that are never finished) this is a book that will be enjoyed by cows, chickens, and people of all ages.

Favorite line:  "Let's try another story.  I'll be good!"

Tire Mountain

Tire Mountain by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Ken Condon is a wonderful story about a boy seeing beauty in unexpected places.  Aaron lives in the city across the street from his dad's tire shop.  Aaron loves it.  Mama wants to move.  She is tired of the noise and longs for a house in a beautiful neighborhood.  So, Aaron decides to change her mind.

Once again an author and illustrator have captured the creativity, imagination, and industriousness of a young person.  This is a beautiful story.

Favorite line:  "It's beautiful here," I whisper, watching the taillights fade in the fog.

Olivia

Olivia written and illustrated by Ian Falconer is a cute little story about a very busy little girl.  She sings, she dances, she builds sand castles and my favorite past time - she scares her little brother.  But above all else, she wears people out! 

I love the way the author capture the not just the business of a little girl, but her imagination as well.  Olivia doesn't just build a sand castle, she builds a skyscraper.  She isn't just a dancer, she is a prima ballerina.  She is strong, and beautiful, and opinionated.  She is Olivia.

Favorite line:  In the morning, after she gets up, and moves the cat, and brushes her teeth, and combs her ears, and moves the cat, Olivia gets dressed.

Lettice The Dancing Rabbit

Lettice The Dancing Rabbit by Mandy Stanley is a wonderful story about a little rabbit who wants to be a ballerina.  Filled with light and airy illustrations, Lettice is the perfect story all aspiring dancers.

I love how the story lets Lettice figure out that she can be a dancer and a bunny.  And that sometimes one must choose between the two.

Favorite line:  "Please may I join in?" asked Lettice shyly.