Review: Don't Go There by Jeanne Willis and Hrefna Bragadottir

978-1-5415-5508-2

$17.99

They must not have toilets in outer space, because this baby Martian keeps going in the wrong place: a bird bath, a bin, an up-turned hat. Perhaps if he masters "The Toilet Song," he might learn where to go.

No surprise to parents or librarians, toilet training books are verrrry popular! This rhyming picture book is a fun one to read with kids, giggling over the silly mistakes the Martian makes. Little ones love feeling like they know more than someone else, and even toddlers know you don't poop in the goldfish bowl! Of course, if your kids are little smart-alecks like mine, this could backfire a bit, but most kids will get the general idea. The potty song in familiar, but I couldn't tell you what the tune to it is, and none is offered. I tried googling it and came up with a million other songs, becoming completely distracted by these on Fatherly. Do NOT listen to them at your desk at work. Or, do - some of your coworkers may need the hand washing reminder!

Back to the book...super cute illustrations of our confused little Martian, ending with toilet paper flying everywhere as he tries to teach his friends back home. The rhythm is a little bit off in places, so you might practice it before reading it out loud with your little one, but that's just in a couple places. This one already has a place on our parenting books shelf!

Review: Not Just a Book by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

9781541535695

$17.99

A book is not just a book. It can be so many things: a hat or a building block, a flower press or a fly-swatter! But books are so much more than that. They can make you feel and can take you anywhere; they can make you laugh and can teach you anything you want to know.

There are certain author/illustrator duos that are guaranteed good for some fun, and Willis and Ross are definitely one of them. 

In fun and silly rhyme, with equally fun and silly illustrations, Willis and Ross muse about the many things one can do with a physical book: make a tent for your cat, prop up your teddy, or use it as a funnel when you are milking a cow*.  Fess up, grown-ups: how many of us have actually used a book to "hide your face if you are shy"?

*do not actually use your book as a funnel.

Then we open up the book and let it make us laugh or weep, or make us really clever! This would be a brilliant book to use in a school library to start off your year (and I may start using it in field trips here!) You can cover book care*, types of books, and the fun and learning we can get from them. Heck, bring it out after Christmas break and use it to freshen enthusiasm (and maybe review some rules) when you start library times back up again!

*I repeat: do NOT use your book as a funnel.

Review: The T-Rex Who Lost His Specs by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

9781541514560

$17.99

Poor T-Rex has lost his glasses. Without them, he can't tell toast from toasted slippers or a towel from an owl. Let's hope his friends can help!

There is plenty of silliness to be had in this one. Washing your face in the toilet? Wearing your sister's undies???! The humor is sure to please any young audience, while the rhythm and rhyme make it a natural read-aloud. You may, however, need to explain to American children what kippers are (and then someone will have to explain to me why you would eat such a thing). I'm also a bit confused as to why this particular T Rex is smaller than most of his friends. And why it says he ate his specs when they are clearly behind him. But I don't think the intended audience will be bothered by such details. Any Little Princess fan will be sure to recognize the illustration style of Tony Ross, making these two again a winning combination!

***This book will be available on shelves April 1.

New Picture Books

9781467734240

One day, the earth turns upside down, and all the baby animals fall into different nests! Very little kids will be amused at the parents' confusion, but too much older and I think they will just wonder why an otter thinks a turtle is its baby. In fact, a couple parts confused me - on the camel/polar bear page, shouldn't it read, "why he had NO hump," rather than "THE hump"? And at the end, if Mom kept the gorilla baby (which is a cute twist), why does she still have her human baby on her lap? Not as good as I would expect from this duo.

9780062087089

I've been looking forward to this junior reader series, because the picture books were so much fun. With a different author and illustrator, I was afraid it would go the route of Pete the Cat. Fortunately, these are pretty good, so far. In this title, our friend Worm gets to take care of the class pet...and loses him. Generic lesson on honesty, some word play that will amuse younger readers, illustrations that could easily pass for Bliss's. We'll be ordering the rest!

9780062294968

I don't normally - okay, ever - review TV tie-ins, but that doesn't stop publishers from sending them to me. Since I don't have cable or Netflix or anything of the sort, I never know enough about the show in question to give an informed review. 

In this case, however, that worked out perfectly. We do Halloween in a big way at our library, and our theme this fall (yes, I know it's only August) will be zombies. I need to make it more kid-friendly for our room, and I was vaguely aware that Plants vs. Zombies is a 'thing', but I needed an idiot's guide of sorts. And here it is! Crazy Dave gives a general run-down of the zombie issue, the different plants you will need to defend your home (and brains), and the possible counterattacks the zombies will use. Kids who are familiar with the program will enjoy the easy read, parents who have avoided watching it will appreciate the primer, and clueless librarians will find enough material to create a display and some possible activities!

Review: Boa's Bad Birthday by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

There are certain illustrators any book enthusiast can pick out a mile away. Tony Ross is definitely one such illustrator.

 

 

9781467734509

 

Poor Boa. They say it's the thought that counts, but what do you do when the gifts you get for your birthday don't show a whole lot of thought behind them.

 

"But what he really wanted to say was, 'Why buy me mittens? Are you crazy? I have no hands!'"

 

Who would have thought that the best gift would be a ball of dung?*

 

A very cute story, with wonderful facial expressions in Ross's illustrations, and a stated but not heavy-handed message. I predict being asked to read this one over and over.

 

*For the record, I once asked for, and was very happy to receive, 300 pounds of manure as a gift. But, I'm a grown-up, and we're weird.

Two New Read-Alouds

Both of these are from Lerner, and we have been enjoying them at home. Both have a great sing-songy rhyme pattern that will make them perfect for some future read-alouds at the library, too!

 

Hippospotamus by Jeanne Willis

Illustrated by Tony Ross

978-146-770-3161

 

There's a spotamus on hippo's bottomus! Her friends try to diagnose and treat her, with increasingly hilarious results. Finally, a boy wanders by and solves the mystery with a satisfying "Ewwwwwwwwww!" moment. The rhymes are just tongue-twistery enough to make reading it aloud a fun challenge, and kids will love the made-up words. Even with only one human in the book, the colors and facial expressions of the illustrations screamed Tony Ross, which may be part of the draw for my Little Princess fan club at home.

 

Oopsy, Teacher! by Stephanie Calmenson

illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa

978-076-135-8947

 

Poor Mr. Bungles is having one of those days, and when his ill-timed sneeze gives the class hamster a chance to escape, the whole class jumps in to help. The wonderfully rhythmic rhymes put the last word on a subsequent page, allowing students the chance to guess and yell that word out. S. had a great time with that, and even L. flabbergasted me by guessing two! (Have I mentioned he is 18 months old? My children frighten me.) Yoshikawa's vibrant illustrations and fun little touches had both C. and S. leaning in to check them out.

 

The first is from Anderson Press, and the second from Carolrhoda Books, both a part of Lerner Publishing Group, so you can order them both from the same spot. Or, come check them out here at the library - as soon as I can tear them away from my kiddos!