One of the great things about preschoolers is that they are open-minded; they love all kinds of books. Classic stories, poetry, non-fiction, and tall tales are all absorbing for kids who are fascinated by their world and are trying to make sense of what it all means. Here are some creative, fun new book suggestions to set your foundation for a new collection or to round out your current collection:
1. Duck & Goose
by Tad Hills
Schwartz & Wade, 2006
A young duck and goose happen upon a large egg with yellow, red, and orange dots. From there, the ever-so-familiar argument about who saw it and touched it first leads to claims of “It’s mine!” A “flurry of fussing” leads to both the duck and goose sitting on the egg to keep it warm. To pass the time, they count the stars, share some bread, and even start to dream of what they will teach the baby. A bluebird delivers a big surprise (you’ll have to read to find out what) to the unlikely pair who have by now become friends. The expressions on their faces are priceless. The oil paintings couldn’t be more charming and fanciful. Smiles? Guaranteed!
2. Winter is the Warmest Season
by Lauren Stinger
Harcourt, 2006
Most people think that summer is the warmest season, but by the end of this charming book, you will be convinced that winter warms us by virtue of snuggly clothes, hot chocolate, thick blankets and cats who take to your lap instead of summer’s windowsills. Deeply hued winter colors contrast well with the cool colors of summer. Large and lively illustrations show how you can find contentment in a warm fire and the surprise of a first snow. It's a wonderful look at the seasons in a new and joyful way.
3. “Fire! Fire!” said Mrs. McGuire
by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
Harcourt, 2006
Mrs. McGuire, a sweet little mouse, notices fire through a keyhole, which sets off panic among the delightful cast of mice. A cut-out keyhole in the book and cover add to the fun, and there's a surprise at the end. This original take on illustrating a familiar nursery rhyme makes a familiar story feel fresh. A brand new classic!
Must-Read-Aloud Poetry
4. Flamingos on the Roof: Poems and Paintings
by Calef Brown
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
Imaginative poems paired with colorful backgrounds and wacky illustrations create a poetry experience unlike any other. Everything from a crystal bowling ball to alphabet sherbet to a soggy circus are described through fantastical rhyme. Sure to make poetry-lovers out of any child.
5. Thanks a Million
by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
Greenwillow, 2006
Deep, rich, gorgeous colorful, uplifting poems that chronicle meeting a new friend, the pricelessness of “thank you,” and even a night in a shelter. These must-have poems show rather than tell the value of gratitude - an often difficult concept to impart to young children.
Imagination-Inspiring Books About Real Life
6. CELEBRATE! Connections Among Cultures
by Jan Reynolds
Lee & Low, 2006
Fabulous photographs and fascinating facts are arranged in chapters, not by culture, but more interestingly, by how people celebrate: “We Gather Together,” “We Decorate Ourselves,” etc. This unique arrangement lends to the idea that, though people live in different ways and places, celebrations around the world have much in common. This is a marvelous book in its own right and works well in any collection as a reminder of diversity and tolerance.
7. In the Fiddle is a Song: A Lift-the-Flap Book of Hidden Potential
by Durga Bernhard
Chronicle, 2006
While one page shows simple text, “In the acorn,” on the opposite is an almost full-page flap that opens up to a lovely large illustration and the text, “is a tree, waiting to grow tall.” Each two-page spread invites readers to guess what is in the clay, the grass, the wheat, and more. This is a celebration of everyday things that often go unnoticed and the magic of what they become.
8. Move
by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
No one creates animal books quite like this Caldecott Honor winner and paper collage illustrator Steve Jenkins. Large animals seem to leap off white pages to illustrate one action, such as dive, climb, and leap. You can find more information on animal, bird, reptile or creatures from the bug and spider family at the end. The actions of the jacana, penguin and more will inspire preschoolers to get up and move!
9. Sing, Nightingale, Sing!
A Book and CD for Discovering the Birds of the World
by Françoise de Guibert, illustrated by Chiaki Miyamoto, Music by Daniel Goyone, Kane/Miller, 2006
What a bird looks like, where a bird likes to live, and what a bird likes to eat is all good and interesting information, but this goes a step beyond the usual field guide to bring us the actual songs of birds on an accompanying CD. Not only are the bird sounds fascinating to listen to, especially when matched with the illustrations and information, but the songs themselves are beautiful and calming. A grand idea, put together in a pleasing way that can be put to multipurpose use as children grows.
An Irresistible Tall Tale
10. When the Cows Got Loose
by Carol Weis, illustrated by Ard Hoyt
Simon & Schuster, 2006
When 23 cows got loose, Pa put Ida Mae in charge of rounding them up. That proved to be easier said than done and over the course of a few days, Ida Mae found her cows in all sorts of unlikely places (tiptoeing across a neighbor's clothesline and juggling another neighbor’s cabbages). Look closely to find the clues to Ida Mae’s big dream to “git famous someday.” Watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations on a good-sized page for reading aloud are detailed and show the wacky cows at play. This tall tale is a preschool-pleaser!
Shelley Butler is co-author with Deb Kratz of the award-winning book, The Field Guide to Parenting. For more about new children’s books, or to contact the author, please visit her Web site: www.fieldguidetoparenting.info
|
