Children's Book Roundup (7)

Here are the picture books we have been reading lately. There's a good mix here of new releases along with some older favorites. 

Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel - I wasn't overly impressed with this book initially, but after a few re-reads (b/c my sons loved it!), I could see why it's a popular choice as it truly highlights the many beautiful creatures, some similar and some different, that are present in our world. The last few pages identify the animal was especially helpful.

Ocean Meets Sky by The Fan Brothers  - This absolutely gorgeous picture book is one of my current favorites. The book's overall message, Finn's relationship with his grandfather, and the imaginative details all really stand out in the book.

Bear Counts by Karma Wilson - We love the Bear books in my house and this board book, which reviews numbers one to five was really fun. 

Duck, Duck, Goose by Tad Hills - We have enjoyed the Duck and Goose stories in my house, but this one felt a little more abstract and challenging to comprehend than some of the other picture books. Essentially it's about Thistle, another duck, who comes along and stirs things up for Duck and Goose and he challenges their friendship. It was a bit over my youngest's head, but I think could be appreciated by an older crowd. 

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson - I love Bear's books and this one doesn't disappoint. It's an especially cute tale if you have a little one at home who isn't feeling well.  

Night Out by Daniel Miyares - This book as received a lot of praise, but I just thought it was ok. It's about a friendless boy who lives at a boarding school and goes on an adventure one night (breaking curfew) and then makes friends the next day by telling his tale. I just didn't appreciate the book's overall message.

I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems - Can Elephant and Piggie do anything wrong? They are the perfect literary couple and this book had both of my sons laughing. We just love this series and hearing the convoluted story that Elephants shares with Piggie about his broken trunk.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car by Kate Dopirak - My son loves all things car and this fun tale is inspired by the song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."  I think the repetition in this story got a little old, but my son seemed to enjoy it. 

*How to Feed Your Cheeky Monkey by Jane Clarke - This is from that same "How To" series of Usborne Books and More. My youngest son is obsessed with monkeys, so this book seemed appropriate as toddlers can be oh-so-messy when they start to feed themselves. 

*How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc by Jane Clarke - My son loves this series from Usborne Books and More. It's a great series for toddlers who are learning about how to take care of themselves sand becoming a bit more independent. In this story it's all about how to brush your croc's teeth safely. It's helped my youngest son tremendously when it comes to learning how to brush his own teeth and not just chomp down on the toothbrush.  

On the First Day of Kindergarten by Rish Rabe - My son is starting kindergarten next year, so I was hoping this book would be a favorite, but it left me feeling a bit lukewarm. It's set to the whole "12 Days of Christmas" and it gets a bit repetitive. 

Surprising Spring by Jennifer Marino Walters - I loved this picture book! I think it perfect captures the beauty of spring, the new life and the promises that it holds. It's a great introduction to the season. 

 

Singing in the Rain by Tim Hopgood - I absolutely love this movie and song, so I was excited to see a children's picture book featuring this iconic song. The lyrics can be enjoyed by all ages and it will have you singing in no time! It's definitely a great book to share with a little one during the spring season. 

The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers - there are some picture books that are good and then there's picture books that can be appreciated by even adults. This is the case here. I absolutely adored this book and really loved the illustrations. The Fan Brothers are my new favorite children's book authors. It's about a young boy, a mysterious gardener, and a town that is impacted by the beautiful topiaries. 


I'm always on the hunt for a memorable picture book to share with my boys. Let me know if you have read any of these titles or if you have any recommendations for me. Have you read any good picture books lately? Let me know in the comments.

*Also, If you want to buy these books or learn more about these particular titles, you can buy them through Usborne Books and More. Contact me for more information!