Picture Book Friday

Today is Drop Everything and Read Day—and I have just the book to help your child discover the joy of reading!

The Magic Box: A Book of Opposites by Charles Ghigna with illustrations by Jacqueline East

When Pandora Panda finds a magic box, she also discovers a variety of opposites as the box transforms to demonstrate essential concepts like high and low, young and old, near and far.

Ghigna, an award-winning author, has created an entertaining experience for even very young children with this imaginative and informative concept book. I can easily picture parents playfully engaging their children with up and down, in and out, open and close.

Equally important, The Magic Box is also a lovely option for school-age emerging readers thanks to Ghigna’s smart use of basic vocabulary. The text is structured around short sentences, many consisting of three words, which invites reading and rereading while building confidence.

Simple, uncluttered pastel illustrations with an abundance of white space maintain a clean look that allows readers to focus on the words and featured conceptual details.

The Magic Box would be a delightful baby shower or birthday gift—It’s never too soon to begin creating a child’s book collection!

Recommended for home and school libraries. 

Preorder now—available on Apr 28, 2024 

Charles Ghigna is known to his fans as Father Goose. To learn more, visit him HERE.

Picture Book Friday

Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! is today’s feature. New York Times bestselling author, Sandra Boynton, has created a wonderfully inspiring book for audiences of all ages in this new offering narrated by one of her signature chickens.

 

Are you feeling down? Is your self-confidence a bit shaky?  Maybe you’re struggling to master a new skill?  

Whatever the problem—chicken is here to cheer you on!!

So, bake that cake! Take that chance! And—if you make a mistake—don’t despair.  Remember, every experience is a new opportunity to learn.

Boynton’s flair for rhyming is front and center as she highlights the value of encouragement for others and for ourselves in this upbeat and humorous narrative. The buoyant text is beautifully balanced with bold illustrations featuring many of Boynton’s beloved animal characters. 

This lighthearted book would be a wonderful gift for a friend or family member embarking on a new experience—whether it’s trying a new hobby or confronting a challenge that feels overwhelming. Then again, maybe you’re simply looking for a fun read to share with that special child in your life!

Recommended for home and school libraries.

Picture Book Friday Celebrates Read Across America Day!

READ ACROSS AMERICA is Saturday, March 2, 2024.

JOIN THE FUN with some of my favorite picture books!

“The world is full of little hearts. Each one a sign of love. Some are found upon the ground. Some are up above.”

This opening stanza from Little Hearts by Charles Ghigna sets forth the gentle tone and thoughtful mood for the delightful story that follows four adorable animal friends in their exploration of nature. A map on the end paper at the back of the book conveniently maps their day-long trek through varied environments from Sand Bay to Clover Corner.

The Gingerbread Cowboy by Janet Squires  

He can run from the rancher's wife, he can dash past the javalinas and he can giddy-up right by the cattle grazing on the mesa.  But what happens when he meets a coyote sleeping in the sun? A lively Western version of the classic read-aloud tale. Named the Arizona Governor's 2007 First Grade Book with a special edition of 100,000 copies distributed to every first grader in the state. (Ages 4-8)

 

When Nana Dances by Jane Yolen and Maddison Stemple-Piatt 

Each Nana in this story has a wide experience in moving to music from ballet and tap to salsa and swing. She can dance to any music and with most anything. But her best dancing happens when she shares the fun with her grandchildren.

 

Ten Cuddly Pandas by Paula D. Golden 

This is an engaging countdown quest built around subtraction. Ten pandas go on a playful journey through the mountains of China where curiosity lures each into an adventure until only one remains. Written in rhyme, this story introduces young readers to simple subtraction word problems with matching numerical equations. (Ages 3-5)

 

Hot Dog by Doug Salati 

This 2023 Caldecott Medal Winner is an energetic romp with a little dog who’s had enough of city crowds, sizzling sidewalks, and blistering skies. When he decides enough is enough and refuses to take another step, his owner comes to his rescue with a fabulous trip to the beach. Vividly colored illustrations filled with and bold movement are paired with a clever narrative. (Ages 2-7)

 

 

Gracie Jane has a heart as big as the Western sky, and she's always ready to lend a helping hand. So, she doesn't think twice about rescuing Fifi La Rue and taking the lost pup home. After all, how much trouble could one little dog be on a great big ranch? It's nonstop fun and excitement when one good deed turns this cowgirl's life upside down! Here's some wild West fun from award-winning author, Janet Squires (Ages 4-8)

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. 

Bear is bored!!! Until…His woodland friends arrive one-by-one with tasty treats. But Bear’s cupboard is bare and he has nothing to share. That’s when his friends remind him that the gathering isn’t just about the food. It’s about their friendship and the delightful stories Bear can tell. Chapman's charming illustrations fill each page with warmth and movement.

 

                                                                                                                                           

I Am NOT A Scaredy-Cat by Paula D. Golden

Here is a playful look at the way in which children boldly confront common fears — darkness, creatures, or sounds — and an acknowledgement that no matter how brave we are — we each have fears to face. An Author's Note at the end provides thoughtful questions for opening conversations about fears. (Ages 4-8)

 

 

Me and Ms. Too by Laura Ruby

Young Molly can’t recall a time when family wasn’t just her and her father.  They were always together. Suddenly, that all changes when he marries Molly’s favorite librarian. A thoughtful, empathetic story that is reassuring and hopeful as it reminds us that families can come in many forms. (Ages 4-8)

 

They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel

“The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears and paws…” and so begins the cat’s journey through a series of encounters with a diverse collection of creatures – from bee to bat, fox to flea. In each instance, Wenzel treats readers to an imaginative impression of what those creatures might observe from their varied points of view: a bird in flight, the blurry distortion of a fish bowl. This 2017 Caldecott Medal Honor book would be a great introduction to a conversation about observation and perception.