Picture Books for All!

Most parents love the closeness they share as they read to their children. There are those among us, however, that also read picture books for their own enjoyment--yes, I'm one of those!


In "The Boy Who Went Ape" by Richard Jesse Watson and Benjamin James Watson, it's field trip season for Alcatraz Elementary School. Benjamin has been very naughty, inadvertently releasing a chimp at the zoo who grabs his coat and hat, locks him in the cage and takes his place on the bus. You can imagine the adventures the chimp, Ms. Thunderbum the teacher, and the rest of the class has. Hint--a bank robbery is involved! Large, bright illustrations highlight the story perfectly.


"Doo-Wop Pop" by Roni Schotter is the story of five shy kids in school and the melodious Mr. Searle, a janitor who used to sing doo-wop back in the day. Mr. Searle finds just the right way to encourage his five fledglings to have confidence and believe in themselves. This is a universal issue that has a satisfying solution. A must read!






Advertised as "a petrifying parody", "Goodnight Goon" by Michael Rex is a take-0ff on the much loved classic "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown. We find a little wolfman getting ready for bed, saying goodnight to the hairy claws, set of jaws, a loud screechy bat and a black hat. For all you monster lovers out there and your kids too!





"Dimity Dumpty: The Story of Humpty's Little Sister" by Bob Graham puts a new spin on the Humpty Dumpty story. The Dumpty family works as circus performers--all but Dimity, that is. Dimity prefers to stay out of the spotlight, playing her tiny flute away from the crush of the crowds. That mischevious Humpty, while spraypainting his name on a wall, has a great fall and it's up to Dimity to find the courage to summond the help Humpty needs.






In Francesca Chessa's "Holly's Red Boots" the first snow of the season has fallen and Holly is anxious to get outside. She tries on quite a selection of items before she finds her boots. (The sombero will have you giggling!) This is a silly story, guaranteeing many laughs.