Staff Picks -- Picture Books!

photo by N-region on Pixabay
Do you have a young person in your life with whom to share picture books? We hope you do! For all the young and young at heart, here are a few of our latest favorite picture books of note:
McKinzie recommends . . .
Moldilocks and the Three Scares by Lynne Marie; David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Illustrator)
"Since fall is around the corner this book is the big hit in our house right now with both the 2 ½ year old and the 5 year old. The kids have told me they like it is because it's very colorful and silly. They also like that the little girl finds a happy home in the end."
Forget Goldilocks and the three bears--MOLDILOCKS and the THREE SCARES are here, in a delightful new version of the popular story. Papa Scare (a monster), Mama Scare (a mummy), and Baby Scare (a vampire) live in a haunted house where they eat finger sandwiches and alpha-bat soup. One night, they go out to walk their dog (a bloodhound, of course) to let their soup cool down. While they're away, in walks the zombie Moldilocks, looking for food, a chair, and a bed that's just right. Kids will love this hauntingly funny story with its surprise ending!
Moldilocks and the Three Scares is not currently available in library catalog, but you can enjoy a recorded reading Here
Ten Little Pirates by Mike Brownlow; Simon Rickerty (Illustrator)
"Every time we read it the kids giggle at the new things they spot in the pictures, and they love the rhyming aspect of the story. This book is their very favorite!"
Ten little pirates set out to sea in search of adventure. But soon they encounter a bit more adventure than they expected. What will happen when they meet a hurricane ... and a hungry shark ... and a GIANT SQUID? This fun-filled rhyming story, which incorporates counting backwards from ten to one, is great to share with young children who are learning about numbers. The colorful, humorous illustrations feature objects to spot and count on every page. With a bouncy, rhythmic text and lots of great sound words, this book is perfect for sharing again and again.
Ten Little Pirates is not currently available in library catalog, but you can enjoy a recorded reading Here
Holly recommends . . .
Cinderella--With Dogs! by Linda Bailey; Freya Hartas (Illustrator)
"This is a hilarious re-telling of Cinderella featuring a dog-loving kingdom and the most fabulous, far-out fairy DOG-mother ever! Great illustrations. Recommended for 3 -7 year olds."
Here is a Cinderella story like no other. When Cinderella wishes for a fairy godmother, she's not expecting one that barks! And this fairy dogmother has a different agenda. Yes, Cinderella will have a new dress, but made of a cozy dog blanket. Yes, they will go to the ball, but they will run there and chase squirrels along the way. There's nothing like a canine companion to get a girl out of the house and her mind off her troubles! Yes, indeed, dogs do make everything better-and are a reminder that you don't need "happily ever after" when you have the joy of now. Readers will get a kick out of this retelling with its lovable cast of characters and refreshing ending.
Find Cinderella--with DOGS! in the library catalog Here
Maddy recommends . . .
The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons (Author/Illustrator)
"I love all the books by Gail Gibbons--and there are sooo many! This author is so great, I think she picks a topic she wants to write about and boom! What a great life she must have!"
In this cheerfully-illustrated, simply-presented book, children can learn about the growth cycle and many varieties of pumpkins, and even how to plant their own. Award-winning author Gail Gibbons also relates the special role pumpkins played in the first Thanksgiving, the history behind carving pumpkins into jack'o'lanterns, and how pumpkins are still part of our celebrations today. The book features bold, clearly-labeled illustrations, directions for drying seeds, and even how to carve funny or scary faces into your pumpkin (with an adult's help), along with a fascinating section on pumpkin facts and lore. Perfect for aspiring farmers and kids who can't wait for Halloween!
Find all the Gail Gibbons books in descending chronological order in the library catalog Here
April recommends . . .
The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit (Author/Illustrator)
Hens and their chicks love their warm, snug home. Life is simple and comfortable in the chicken coop, where everyone knows their place and worries are far away. Until one day, when the capybaras appear. To the hens, the capybaras are too big, too wet, and too hairy. They don't even follow the rules! But it's hunting season, and the capybaras need somewhere safe to hide. Can the hens learn to get along with their unexpected guests? This delightful story shares the importance of opening our hearts to each other, no matter our differences, and the marvelous surprises that can happen along the way.
Find The Capybaras in the library catalog Here
Finding Fire by Logan S. Kline (Author/Illustrator)
"A pre-history picture book about a young cave boy sent out by himself to find fire and his adventures along the way."
After a hard rain douses the family fire, a brave young boy sets out to search for more fire to bring home before the cold season sets in. Along the way, he'll face many challenges, from perilous mountains to fearsome predators to raging rivers, and find something wholly unexpected: a friend.
Find Finding Fire in the library catalog Here
Beth recommends . . .
A Thousand Glass Flowers by Evan Turk (Author/Illustrator)
"This book is recommended for 4-8 year olds, but even as an adult, I think it is an amazing book. The dynamic illustrations, the history lesson on Venetian glass, the protagonist's real life success story, and the wonder of creating something really beautiful—you just need to read it!"
Marietta and her family lived on the island of Murano, near Venice, as all glassmakers did in the early Renaissance. Her father, Angelo Barovier, was a true maestro, a master of glass. Marietta longed to create gorgeous glass too, but glass was men's work. One day her father showed her how to shape the scalding-hot material into a work of art, and Marietta was mesmerized. Her skills grew and grew. Marietta worked until she created her own unique glass bead: the rosetta. Small but precious, the beautiful beads grew popular around the world and became as valuable as gold. The young girl who was once told she could not create art was now the woman who would leave her mark on glasswork for centuries to come.
Find A Thousand Glass Flowers in the library catalog Here
Learn more about the author/illustrator Here
Stillwater and Koo Save the World by Jon J. Muth (Author/Illustrator)
"Another book in the Stillwater and Friends series! I read them all."
Today feels full of opportunities! "What would you like to do?" Stillwater asks Koo. "Something important! Fix all the things that are wrong! Let us save the world," says Koo (who always speaks in haiku). But this is a very big idea for a little panda. During the course of the day, Koo discovers that it's the little acts of kindness that all add up to help make the world a better place. In a story brimming with love and light, Jon J. Muth shows how we can all heal the world a little bit at a time -- just the right message for now, and for always!
Find Stillwater and Koo Save the World in the library catalog Here
We hope you'll enjoy some of our suggestions and share them with a special young person in your life. Also, don't be afraid to tell us about your favorite books. We're always looking for a good read!
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