Family Story Time (Halloween-ish Theme), 10/20/21

Opening Song: Story Time is Starting

Book: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd 

Action Rhyme: Scarecrow, Scarecrow (based on Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around)

Book: Give Me Back My Bones by Kim Norman

Book: Web Opposites by Rob Hodgson      

Song: Five Little Skeletons Jumping on the Bed

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider 
We also sang about a great big spider and quiet and loud spiders. 

Book: Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht 

Song: Five Little Pumpkins Round
The pumpkins (from Dollar Tree) were "picked" by finger puppets of a monster, a witch, a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost.

Goodbye Song: Story Time is Over 

Picture Book Review: Mina by Matthew Forsythe (2/15/2022)

 Quick Booktalk

Mina the mouse isn't bothered by much, but when her father brings home a cat he believes to be a squirrel, she can't help but be concerned. Her dad says everything will be okay, but it sure takes a while to get there.

About the Illustrations

This book is very similar in style and color scheme to the author's previous title, Pokko and the Drum. The illustrations contrast the innocence and enthusiasm of Mina's father with the utterly unimpressed attitude  of the cat in a way that injects subtle humor into each picture. Though this book is a bit less dark than Pokko, and a lot less strange than books by Jon Klassen, it has that same understated and sardonic sense of humor, and the pictures capture that nicely.

Story Time Possibilities

The first story time theme that came to mind for me as I read this book was "cat and mouse." It's a unique twist on that age-old rivalry, and it would be fun to build a story time around that concept. While a father and daughter are present in the story, it would feel weird to read something like this for Father's Day,  as the dad comes across as kind of clueless and bumbling. Because the book is subtle, I would consider it only for school-age audiences, or for situations (like mine) where the age range at story time is broad. (I have ages 0 to 10 at my story times and might read it to them.)

Readers Advisory

This book is a little out there. That's not a bad thing in this case; it just means it's not going to be to everyone's taste. I do think it's lighter and less disturbing than Pokko and the Drum, so if you didn't like that one, this one might still work for you. I did notice that the publisher describes this as a story about Mina choosing to trust her own instincts over her father, and I do think that's a message to watch out for. I have a real pet peeve about books (or librarians, or teachers, or anyone or anything) that purposely tries to get between parent and child. Considering the silly context here, though, I don't think there is much cause for concern. I might do a quick debriefing with my kids afterward to discuss why they can trust their own parents, but it depends on which aspects of the story they end up gravitating toward. 

Disclosure

 I received a finished copy of Mina from Paula Wiseman Books in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: Ear Worm! by Jo Knowles, illustrated by Galia Bernstein (1/11/2022)

Quick Booktalk

Little Worm has a song stuck in his head, but he doesn't know where it came from. He asks some of his friends, but they all have their own ear worms to share.

About the Illustrations

The pictures in this book are so much fun. The animals dance in ways that perfectly complement their natural postures and movements, and they have such endearing faces. Each page really just shows the animals against a white background, but that provides more than enough action to keep readers engaged.  

Story Time Possibilities

This book absolutely must be read aloud, and if possible, the audience needs to join in on each animal's refrain. Part of me wishes there were tunes provided for the animals' songs, but I don't think you need to invent your own. Just chanting them is so satisfying and will definitely give preschoolers the giggles. I actually think the toddlers at my story times will like them too because they're so rhythmic and repetitive. This book fits a bunch of themes: animals, quests, music, dance, etc. It reminds me a bit of The More the Merrier by David Martin. I'm undecided about whether the books are too similar to pair together. 

Readers Advisory

I almost didn't request the book because the publisher recommended it for media-savvy kids, and we don't do much media. I'm glad I took the chance anyway because you don't really need to be up on current music or any specific type of music to enjoy this book. It's just a fun exploration of movement and word play that I can't wait to share with my kids and their friends.

Disclosure

I received a finished copy of Ear Worm! from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

Picture Book Review: The Think-Ups by Claire Alexander (2/8/2022)

Quick Booktalk 

Stuck inside on a rainy day, Anna and Kiki use their imaginations to think up some interesting situations and make them go away when they get out of hand.

About the Illustrations

Each two-page spread in this book has a flap that, when turned, changes the scene to add a new imagined element to the girls' play. Each flap changes only the center portion of the illustration so that it feels like we are moving from one moment to the next right along with the characters. The pictures remind me a bit of some of Susie Poole's work, but with somewhat thicker lines and larger figures. The way that the visual chaos increases with each "think-up" really contributes to the humor of the story, and to the girls' feelings of increasing bewilderment. 

Story Time Possibilities

Books with flaps can be hit or miss for story time, but because the flaps here are just shortened pages, they should be perfectly manageable. The turn of each flap adds an element of anticipation and surprise to the reading experience that is ideal for a read-aloud. The text is also a decent length and has some good dialogue that keeps the story moving. This book would work for story times about rainy days, imagination, play, and friendship. 

Readers Advisory

This is a book definitely most appropriate for preschoolers. It has all the zany happenings of something like The Cat in the Hat or Jumanji, but without any danger or fear, since the characters are always in control of the situation and can stop it at any time. For kids whose imaginations have ever run away with them, Anna and Kiki will be instant kindred spirits.

Disclosure

I received a finished copy of The Think-Ups from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.