The holidays are upon us, and what
better gift to give a child than a wonderful story. Here are a few of my
favorite picture books from 2014 that would make curling up with your little
ones on cold, wintery nights for storytime extra-special.
First off is The Pout-Pout Fish
Goes to School by Deborah Diesen. In the original Pout-Pout Fish
book, our hero learns that it’s better to spread cheer than dreariness in a
repetitive, fun to read aloud rhyming verse. In the latest installment,
we take a look back to when the Pout-Pout Fish was a little guy just starting
school and was full of fear and doubt about his abilities. He soon learns
that everyone has the potential to learn and grow if they start small and have
confidence in themselves. This would be a great addition to the library
of a child just starting school or undertaking a new hobby.
Next I’d like to recommend Mix It Up! or any other title by Hervé
Tullet. Tullet made a splash a couple of years ago with his best-selling,
interactive picture book Press Here. My own children and I have
spent many an evening reading and re-reading Press Here which
encourages children to press the dot, shake the book, clap, and many other
actions before turning the page to see what happens. Mix It Up!
brings back the interactive storyline in order to teach kids about mixing
colors. My family also owns another by this author called The Scribble
Book which actually encourages kids to scribble on the pages in order to
create beautiful art…perfect for my own little scribbler.
Finally I would like to tell you about Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by
Bob Shea. This book is HILARIOUS! 7-year-old Sheriff Ryan rides
into town (slowly…on a tortoise) and uses his uncanny knowledge of dinosaurs to
apprehend the theiven’, hootin’ & hollerin’, cattle-smoochin’ Toad
Brothers. Brush up on your cowboy voice for this one and share it with a
cowboy fan in early elementary grades. Another great title from this same
author is Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great.
These were just a few of my favorites this year. If you’d like a few more
recommendations, stop in and ask and be sure to pick up enough books to keep
you and your families warm and entertained during these long, cold
nights. Happy holidays everyone!
