A Closer Look
By Mary McCarthy
HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 2007

This book starts with a picture of one big, black dot with a red background.  “Look!” says the text.  Then, on the next page, the black dot is smaller but now you can see an added thin line. “What do you . . .” asks the words on the next page, turn it, and there is the word “see?”  The question is answered on the next page by showing a ladybug on a large green leaf with the words “A bug.”  This pattern is repeated—first with a bright-colored flower, then with a beautiful hummingbird. The end of the book includes interesting facts about the ladybug, the flower and the hummingbird.  This lovely book playfully encourages children to experience the beauty of nature—first, up close, then, from far away.

Dog
By Matthew VanFleet, photography by Brian Stanton
Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Book, 2007

Open this book and "unleash" a world of fun!  Descriptive rhyming, adorable photographs, and interactive pull-tabs and touch-and-feel textures combine to make this book a favorite.  The sturdy construction can handle being read (and pulled) over and over again.  The pictures provide a lot to talk about, including opposites like smooth dog, curly dog, and happy dog, sad dog.  The back of the book introduces each dog by name and breed, and includes a surprise ending that will satisfy cat-lovers.  This clever book is a must-read…and a doggone good time!

Every Friday
By Dan Yaccarino
Henry Holt and Co., 2007

In this story, a little boy has an adventure with his father every Friday. It’s his favorite day of the week and he can hardly wait for Friday to come. They walk through the city streets to go to the diner to have breakfast and talk.  It is a quiet celebration of a special time between a father and son. 

First the Egg
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Roaring Book Press, 2007

A good springtime read aloud! This is a compact, concept book about change. As the reader turns the pages, animals and objects are transformed. Every other page contains a cutout that leads to the next page. The book begins with the word “First” on a yellow page followed by an orange page with the words “the egg” and an egg-shaped white cutout; turn the page and the cutout becomes the yellow of a baby chick and, on the opposite page, a white chicken that was the white for the egg.  Other changes depicted include tadpole to frog, seed to flower, caterpillar to butterfly, word to story, and paint to picture with the painted picture showing first the chicken then the egg!

Fish, Swish! Splash, Dash!: Counting Round and Round
By Suse MacDonald
Little Simon, 2007

There is something fishy about this book…it is actually two books in one!  Readers will enjoy this colorful, creative, concept book that counts from one to ten, and then back again!  With each turn of the page, readers will be treated to die-cut underwater wonders that they can count.  When readers arrive at what they think is the “end” of the book (number ten), they are delightfully surprised when asked to turn the book around and count back down to where they began.  This is a great way to introduce counting to ten, and as the book says, readers can “follow the leader and do it again!”  

Grumpy Bird
By Jeremy Tankard
Scholastic Press, 2007

“When Bird woke up, he was grumpy.”  This cranky start to Bird’s day only gets worse as each of his animal friends insist on accompanying him on his morning walk (he is too grumpy to fly).  With the help of his supportive pals, Bird’s grumpiness quickly takes flight.  Tankard’s illustrations and friendly story present a cheery cure for bad mood birds.

I Don't Like Gloria !
By Kaye Umansky, illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain
Candlewick Press, 2007

Have you ever felt left out? If you have, you’ll understand how Calvin, the dog feels in this engaging story.  When Gloria, the cat comes to stay, she gets all of the attention as she eats out of Calvin’s bowl, sleeps in his basket, and takes over his yard. Calvin is outraged by the unfairness of it all. He really doesn’t like Gloria! Calvin’s huge eyes movingly mirror his emotions throughout the story.  When Jeffrey, the rabbit comes to live with them, Calvin and Gloria find something that they have in common. They really don’t like Jeffrey!

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean
By Kevin Sherry
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2007

A positive attitude prevails in this story about a giant squid who brags that he is bigger than everything else in his ocean world. He is bigger than the shrimp, the clams, a crab, a jellyfish, a shark and all of the fish he can see. He happily claims, “I’m the biggest thing in the ocean,” just as a blue whale with a mouth as big as two pages of the book opens up and swallows him. After a moment of disbelief, the squid looks around the inside of the whale and claims, “I’m the biggest thing in this whale!”

Special Note: The book has the feeling of a tall tale—it stretches our imagination! The science of ocean life is also stretched a bit since squids are never really on a whale’s menu.

Leaves
By David Ezra Stein
G.P. Putnam Juvenile, 2007

Winter, spring, summer fall…the main character in this book likes them all.  This gentle story begins with a young bear’s wonder and concern for the falling autumn leaves.  In an effort to help, he carefully picks up the leaves from the ground and tries to place them back on the branches.  Readers follow the little bear as the seasons continue to change around him, until he is finally greeted by the wonderful warmth of spring.  This heartwarming story, along with its colorful illustrations, will draw readers into this exploration of the seasons.   

Meet the Meerkat
By Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne
Charlesbridge Publishers, 2007

Learn all the fascinating facts of meerkats—including what they look like, where they live, and what they do all day, in this engaging non-fiction picture book.  Realistic illustrations and descriptive, accessible text help young readers gain a basic understanding of the habits and humor of the African mongoose.

Penguin
By Polly Dunbar
Candlewick Press, 2007

Ben has unwrapped a terrific present—a new penguin!  When Ben asks Penguin, “What shall we play?” Penguin says nothing.  Frustrated Ben tries everything he can think of to get Penguin to say something, including dancing, wearing a happy hat, and launching Penguin on a rocket to the moon.  Nothing works.  Yet when Ben is in danger, Penguin comes to his rescue, and reunited with Ben, says “everything” in his own unique picture story style. Dunbar’s art and engaging story help young readers understand that even those who cannot speak always have much to share.

Tip Tip Dig Dig
By Emma Garcia
Boxer Books, 2007

This brightly-colored book is packed with action—digger trucks dig dig dig; cement mixers mix mix mix; cranes lift lift lift etc.  Each one of these colorful pieces of moving machinery has a set of friendly-looking eyes that puts a friendly face on all of this dirty work. All of the action---bulldozing, road rolling, etc. takes place in the present tense—until near the end, when it shifts to past tense:  We dug.  We mixed.  We lifted.  We tipped.  We pushed.  The result of all of this hard work displays as a double-spread of an adventure playground with a sandbox, a see-saw, swinging tires, etc. and the friendly-eyed heavy equipment vehicles driving away in the background.  A fun, colorful, and action-filled book that children will want to read again and again!

Yo, Jo!
By Rachel Isadora
Harcourt Children's Books, 2007

This is a simple, easy read that shows a city setting with urban language.  As Jomar wanders down the street, he is warmly greeted in many ways. Jomar responds and interacts with everyone he meets. When Grandpa appears and says “How are you?” Jomar answers, “Yo, Chillin!” Grandpa says “Yo, Chillin?” and Jomar replies with “I love you Grandpa.” The story is a look into a vibrant, warm neighborhood and the tender love and understanding that can be shared between generations.

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