Picture Book Party | Mid-Columbia Libraries

Brontorina

Howe, James, 1946-

From the Publisher

Despite her size and not having the proper footwear, a determined dinosaur pursues her dream of becoming a ballerina.

My Thoughts

Everyone has a dream, and Brontorina's dream is to be a ballerina. But, can a dinosaur do a plié?

Dewey Bob

Schachner, Judith Byron, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

Dewey Bob Crockett is a young raccoon who loves to collect shiny things, but he discovers that it is a lot harder for a raccoon to collect--and keep--a friend.

My Thoughts

Dewey Bob is a collector of many things, like buttons and special memories. One day he collects something extra special, a friend who is special in a different way.

If you give a mouse a cookie

Numeroff, Laura Joffe.

From the Publisher

Relating the cycle of requests a mouse is likely to make after you give him a cookie takes the reader through a young child's day.

My Thoughts

What really happens when you give a mouse a cookie? A never-ending cycle of that little mouse asking for more, more, more. But, can you turn down such a cute little critter in tiny overalls? (Probably not.)

Tacky the penguin

Lester, Helen.

From the Publisher

Tacky the penguin does not fit in with his sleek and graceful companions, but his odd behavior comes in handy when hunters come with maps and traps.

My Thoughts

Tacky isn't your regular penguin. He's boisterous and wild where his friends are... not. In the end, his being different saves the day.

The Berenstain Bears and the messy room

Berenstain, Stan, 1923-2005.

From the Publisher

The entire Bear family becomes involved in an attempt to clean and organize the cubs' messy room.

My Thoughts

While I enjoyed these when I was growing up, this one is still a favorite. After all, most kids are messy in one way or another. In the end though, that organized closet pleases the adult me greatly.

Not quite narwhal

Sima, Jessie, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

Born deep in the ocean, Kelp is not like the other narwhals and one day, when he spies a creature on land that looks like him, he learns why.

My Thoughts

Kelp doesn't quite fit in with his family of narwhals but they love him anyway. One day he finds himself at the surface and spies a land narwhal!

Little bear

Minarik, Else Holmelund.

From the Publisher

Little Bear's four adventures include taking a trip to the moon and having a birthday party.

My Thoughts

Who doesn't love Little Bear?

The Cat in the Hat Dr. Seuss

Dr Seuss

From the Publisher

Join the Cat in the Hat as he makes learning to read a joy! It's a rainy day and Dick and Sally can't find anything to do . . . until the Cat in the Hat unexpectedly appears and turns their dreary afternoon into a fun-filled extravaganza! This beloved Beginner Book by Dr. Seuss, which also features timeless Dr. Seuss characters such as Fish and Thing 1 and Thing 2, is fun to read aloud and easy to read alone. Written using 236 different words that any first or second grader can read, it's a...

My Thoughts

These days, I don't know if I would trust a really big cat in a hat, but that would have been one of the greatest days. (You can't have a picture book list without a Dr. Seuss classic on it. You just can't.)

Neck & neck

Parsley, Elise, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"A giraffe's self-esteem is tested when he competes with a balloon for a young boy's attention"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

Leopold the giraffe is used to being the king of the zoo, until one day he sees a weird little floaty head that looks like him! A balloon. An enemy. It must be destroyed! But, then Leopold feels bad because he popped a kid's balloon out of jealousy and has to make it up to the kid. It just proves we all get jealous, even giraffes.

Escargot

Slater, Dashka, author.

From the Publisher

Escargot is a beautiful French snail who only wants to be your favorite animal and get to the delicious salad at the end of the book, even if he has to try a carrot, which he hates.

My Thoughts

He might seem a bit full of himself at first, but inside Escargot's slimy shell is a big heart. One of the scariest things for Escargot is not being your favorite French snail, and also... carrots! Will Escargot become your favorite animal? Will he ever give carrots a chance?

Secret pizza party

Rubin, Adam, 1983-

From the Publisher

While Raccoon is eating pizza at his secret pizza party, he sees a masquerade party going on in the house next door to him and joins the fun.

My Thoughts

I like raccoons. I like pizza. So naturally I like a good secret pizza party. Especially if it's a pizza party involving a raccoon in a trench coat and hat.

Mummy Cat

Ewert, Marcus, author.

From the Publisher

"Mummy Cat prowls his pyramid home, longing for his beloved owner. As he roams the tomb, lavish murals above his head display scenes of the cat with his young Egyptian queen. Hidden hieroglyphs deepen the tale and are explained in an informative author's note"-- Provided by publisher.

Dude!

Reynolds, Aaron, 1970- author.

From the Publisher

Dude! You have to read this book. It's totally about this platypus and this beaver who are friends. They want to go surfing but dude, there's this shark who's in the ocean, too. But don't worry. This shark approaches and you'll never guess what happens.

My Thoughts

Dude! Dude? DUDE!

Dragon's extraordinary egg

Gliori, Debi.

From the Publisher

A dragon finds an abandoned egg and lovingly raises the hatchling as her own, although Little One is very different from the baby dragons, and when disaster strikes it is the small, feathered hatchling that saves the day.

My Thoughts

You can never go wrong with dragons and penguins. A lonely dragon finds a penguin's egg and becomes it's mommy and loves her penguin very much. But, one day, all the parents are gone and dangers looms, and the only one that can save the dragons is Little One. But who will save Little One when all the other dragons fly away?

Chilly da Vinci

Rutland, Jarrett, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

When one of Chilly da Vinci's inventions separates a chunk of ice from his home iceberg, he must invent something quickly to get himself and the other penguins back home.

My Thoughts

Not only is Chilly Da Vinci an inventive thinker, but the artwork is amazing. Only Chilly's inventing will get them back to their home island before Mr. Plumpy Fin gets to bite them. Yes, it was his fault that their little iceberg broke off, but that is beside the point.

Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, book burglar

MacKenzie, Emily, author.

From the Publisher

Ralfy the rabbit wants to read books all the time even if it means he has to steal them, and soon his obsession sends him spiraling into a life of crime.

My Thoughts

Is it really a life of crime if it involves books? (They're telling me I have to say yes. Fine, be that way.) A bunny that loves books starts thieving them and leaving half eaten carrots behind. What will they do to Ralfy when they catch him?

A Library Book for Bear Bonny Becker

Becker, Bonny

From the Publisher

Bear does not want to go to the library. He is quite sure he already has all the books he will ever need. Yet the relentlessly cheery Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed, thinks different. When Bear reluctantly agrees to go with his friend to the big library, neither rocket ships nor wooden canoes are enough for Bear's picky tastes. How will Mouse ever find the perfect book for Bear? Children will giggle themselves silly as Bear's arguments give way to his inevitable curiosity, leading up to...

My Thoughts

Having a prickly friend like Bear must be hard on Mouse, but he keeps trying to find him a book to read, until Bear gets upset and gets shushed by the librarian. What will Bear do then?

Chicks rule!

Bardhan-Quallen, Sudipta, author.

From the Publisher

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text follow chicks of all ilks as they work together to puzzle out how to respond to a sign forbidding chicks from attending the Rocket Club meeting.

My Thoughts

A really cute way of showing girls we can do anything we want to, no matter what.

Everyone loves Bacon

DiPucchio, Kelly, author.

From the Publisher

"Everyone loves Bacon, but letting his fame go to his head may prove more dangerous than he thought"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

I'm supposed to be saying something, but right now, all I can think of is bacon.

Everyone loves Cupcake

DiPucchio, Kelly, author.

From the Publisher

Cupcake discovers the perils of trying too hard to please everyone, including Donut, Brownie, and Muffin.

My Thoughts

It's tough being a cupcake. What do you do when everyone gets tired of your seemingly perfect cupcakey self? Show them that you too have secrets like the real color of your frosting.

Hermelin the detective mouse

Grey, Mini.

From the Publisher

A mouse with typewriting skills secretly helps the people of Offley Street find lost items, and eventually saves the day.

My Thoughts

Hermelin is a sweet little finder of a mouse, and when people discover just who it is helping them find their lost things, they're not very nice. But, one of them is different and they become a team. I'm really hoping there might be a sequel out to this one eventually.

Me too!

Mayer, Mercer, 1943-

From the Publisher

Sharing with one's little sister can be an awful bother, but it has its rewards too.

My Thoughts

I was the little sister who followed my brother around. I guess it just proves that Little Critter and my brother are good guys, because they both put up with it.

Lost in the library : a story of Patience & Fortitude

Funk, Josh, author.

From the Publisher

Patience, one of the New York Public Library lions, is missing and Fortitude, the other lion, searches the building from top to bottom seeking him.

My Thoughts

It's just a cute story about the two statues who live outside the New York library who come to life at night, and one of them is missing and must be found before anyone notices.

Night night, Groot

Deneen, Brendan,

From the Publisher

Before Groot can go to bed, Rocket requires his help saving the galaxy.

My Thoughts

Will Baby Groot ever get to go to sleep? Not until he saves the world one more time. Bonus: there are hidden Ant Mans throughout the book. Can you find them all?

Not friends

Bender, Becca, author.

From the Publisher

"Giraffe and Bird are not friends. After all, they fight all the time. But when they go their separate ways and a scary storm strikes, they both realize they might be better off together--even if they are still NOT friends. Not at all." -- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

Bird and Giraffe are not friends. You can ask them, they'll tell you. But, what happens when they get fed up with each other, and then they're all alone?

The lumberjack's beard

Beedie, Duncan, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

Big Jim Hickory is a very good lumberjack but begins to worry when his tree-felling causes his woodland friends to lose their homes. So he decides to take quick action to find them a new place to live. Luckily, Jim comes up with a creative idea that will change the way they share the forest and they way they all define home.

My Thoughts

I just really like the message in this book. Jim tries to make what he did right, and in the end comes up with a great solution to help his friends and the planet.

Sophie Johnson : unicorn expert

Hood, Morag (Illustrator), author.

From the Publisher

Are you a unicorn expert? Then meet Sophie Johnson... you have a lot in common! She's a self-confessed unicorn expert (among other things) and has dressed up her toys and pets with their own unique horns. Strange then, that she doesn't seem to notice the real unicorn who has come into her house.

Me too, grandma!

Chapman, Jane, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"Grandma has a surprise for Ollie. A visit from his baby cousin, Lily! But Ollie feels jealous. Why does Lily get all the tickles and cuddles? And why won't Grandma play Ollies favorite game? Ollie used to be Grandma's special owlet. Is it possible for Grandma to have room in her heart for two?"--Provided by publisher.

Bunny's book club

Silvestro, Annie, author.

From the Publisher

Bunny loves reading so much that he begins sneaking into the library at night to borrow books, and soon his friends want to join him.

My Thoughts

What does a book loving bunny do when he's craving a good read and the library is closed? Break in through the book drop, of course. After collecting a few dozen books to take home, his friends wonder where he went, and then they want to go to the library too! (Trying to get Bear to fit through the book drop is a challenge.) But, what happens when they all have their little noses in a book? They get caught! What will the librarian do?

There was an old dragon who swallowed a knight

Klostermann, Penny Parker, author.

From the Publisher

In this variation on the traditional cumulative rhyme, a greedy, hungry dragon eventually learns moderation.

Strictly No Elephants Lisa Mantchev

Mantchev, Lisa

From the Publisher

When the local Pet Club won?t admit a boy?s tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution?one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn?t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet...

Surfer Chick

Dempsey, Kristy.

From the Publisher

The story of a little chick and her dad who take to the beach where he teaches her how to surf.

The not-so-brave penguin

Smallman, Steve, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"Posy the penguin is scared of many things--snowstorms, loud noises, the dark--but when her adventurous friend Percy is missing, Posy plucks up the courage to overcome her fears and goes on an excursion to find him. After an intrepid journey, Posy finds an injured Percy in a dark cave. She rescues him and brings him home, realising in the end just how brave she can really be"--Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

We all have fears, but deep down, we also have bravery. Sometimes it just takes a friend in need to get us there.

Duncan the story dragon

Driscoll, Amanda, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

"Duncan the Dragon loves to read--but he keeps accidentally lighting his book on fire. He wants to get to the end of his story, so he tries to find a friend to read to him."-- Provided by publisher.

The storybook knight

Docherty, Helen, author.

From the Publisher

Ordered by his parents to tame a dragon, a gentle knight who prefers reading to fighting arms himself with a book.

The Snatchabook

Docherty, Helen,

From the Publisher

Where have all the bedtime stories gone? It's bedtime in the woods of Burrow Down, and all the animals are ready for their bedtime story. But books are mysteriously disappearing. Eliza Brown decides to stay awake and catch the book thief. It turns out to be a little creature called the Snatchabook who has no one to read him a bedtime story. All turns out well when the books are returned and the animals take turns reading bedtime stories to the Snatchabook.

Bats at the library

Lies, Brian.

From the Publisher

Bored with another normal, inky evening, bats discover an open library window and fly in to enjoy the photocopier, water fountain, and especially the books and stories found there.

Wolves

Gravett, Emily.

From the Publisher

When a young rabbit checks out a library book about wolves, he learns much more about their behavior than he wanted to know.

Library lion

Knudsen, Michelle.

From the Publisher

A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to both obey the rules and help his librarian friend.

Bear's house of books

Bishop, Poppy, author.

From the Publisher

Friends Fox, Rabbit, Hedgehog, and Mouse all love to read. One day, they find a book in the woods and set off to return it to its owner, Bear. When they arrive at Bears house, they discover shelves and shelves of books. A dream come true as they read story after story until Bear comes home! -- Amazon.com.

A big surprise for Little Card

Harper, Charise Mericle, author.

From the Publisher

"In the world of cards, each one has a special job to do. Big Card keeps important papers in order. Tiny Card can be exchanged for a prize in an arcade. Round Card hangs out in a glamorous boutique. But is any card as lucky as Little Card? He s going to school to become a birthday card in other words, to sing, play games, eat cake, and be happy all day long. "But wait! "On the day he s supposed to take his talents into the world, Long Card tells him there s been a mix-up and they need to trade...

The bear who couldn't sleep

Nastro, Caroline, author.

From the Publisher

"When Bear can't sleep, he goes on an adventure and discovers the wonders of New York City--a parade, Central Park, hot dogs, and more! But when he finally gets tired and looks for a place to rest, he learns why it's called the city that never sleeps"--Dust jacket flap.

How the crayons saved the unicorn

Sweeney, Monica, author.

From the Publisher

When a shy unicorn's colors start to fade away, a group of spunky crayons band together to help their new friend get back his colors and gain self-confidence in the process.

My Thoughts

How could anyone not want to be friends with a unicorn? It just doesn't make any sense but the unicorn looks high and low for a friend, and doesn't find anyone. And, then, the unicorn loses it's colors! Can anyone help him? Crayons can!

The book hog

Pizzoli, Greg, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

The Book Hog loves books and has a large collection, although he never learned to read.

My Thoughts

The Book Hog loves books-sniffing them, collecting them and looking at them. But The Book Hog has a secret, and his secret is that he can't read. One day his book sniffing nose leads him to the library and he finds even more books, and, more importantly, someone to teach him how to read the books he loves so very much.

Are you scared, Darth Vader?

Rex, Adam, author, illustrator.

From the Publisher

Although he professes to fear nothing, it turns out that the most-feared villain in the Star Wars universe may not be so fearless after all.

My Thoughts

Darth Vader isn't afraid! No, definitely not. Not scared of the dark, or vampires, or ghosts. Not even the ghost of Obi-Wan. Nope. So what does scare Darth Vader? You won't believe it.

Lots of cats

Taylor, E. Dee, author.

From the Publisher

When independent young witch Margaret becomes a little lonely, she uses a spell to conjure a friend that summons many lively cats instead.

My Thoughts

What does a little witch do when she's lonely? Creates a potion that will give her a friend. But, just to be safe, she made the potion extra powerful and makes lots of friends! But, while it's fun at first to have so many fuzzy buddies, she starts getting frustrated and gets out the dreaded vacuum! All her fluffy feline friends vamoose! But now... she's lonely again. Will she ever find her kitty companions?

Crab cake : turning the tide together

Tsurumi, Andrea, author.

From the Publisher

"Under the sea, a crab follows its heart and its calling, bringing everyone together in the wake of a disaster"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

What's cuter than a crab making cakes for all his fishy friends? The cute little crab working together with his fishy friends to clear a bunch of junk out of their reef. A cute message to stop polluting, complete with cake. (Sadly, no cake for us humans.)

The great indoors

Falatko, Julie, author.

From the Publisher

Woodland animals camp in a human house for a weeklong vacation while the family that lives there is away.

My Thoughts

Who doesn't love a holiday? When the humans go away for a while, the forest animals take a little holiday in their house, baking cookies, watching TV and one teenage bear that just will not leave the bathroom! But, even they get tired of vacation after a while and want to go home. (But they'll be back next year!)

How to put an octopus to bed

Rinker, Sherri Duskey, author.

From the Publisher

When mommy octopus tells little Floyd that it's time for bed, he decides that his parents want help getting their baths and putting on their pajamas (not what Mommy-O meant). Soon all three are covered with water and bubbles, and his parents are so exhausted that they fall asleep before Floyd is in bed.

My Thoughts

It's time for bed for a little octopus, but baby octopus thinks that means it's time for his parents to get ready for bed, and he's glad to help them, especially if it means bubbles. Lots of bubbles.

Paper Peek Animals

Chihiro Takeuchi

From the Publisher

With intricate cut-paper artwork and enticing die cuts, this search-and-find book highlights animals across the globe.

Do You Know What I Am?

Chad Geran

My Thoughts

Do you know what I am? A rhyming board book with cute art and fun rhymes.

Step by Step

Guido Van Genechten

From the Publisher

How do you take your first steps? The cute baby animals go from holding on to the sofa to being a little bit wobbly or holding hands.

My Thoughts

..now that song is stuck in my head.

Rock a Bye, Dino

Hannah Eliot

From the Publisher

The classic lullaby, “Rock-a-Bye, Baby” gets a prehistoric twist as different dinosaurs get ready for bedtime with soft touch-and-feels on the cover.

My Thoughts

"Rock-a-bye, T. rex, in the tree top When your feet stomp, the mountains do rock You give a big yawn, that means it’s nightfall So home you come, dino—claws, teeth, and all."

Whobert Whoever, Owl Detective

Jason Gallaher

From the Publisher

What happened to Perry the Possum? Whobert Whover, owl detective, is on the case.

My Thoughts

When Whobert Whoever finds Perry the Possum prone on the forest floor, he sets out to find out who the culprit is. But so intent on his mission, he misses the biggest clue of them all.

1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting Book Board Book

Leslea Newman

From the Publisher

Count on cats as a fun way to learn numbers—in rhyming spreads with expressive appeal for animal lovers of all ages. Cat Number One has nothing to do . . . Until she makes friends with Cat Number Two. Meet cats from one to a dozen in this adorable board book introduction to counting with a feline twist. Author Lesléa Newman draws on her love for (and familiarity with) cats in a concept book for the very young, while illustrator Isabella Kung captures the animals’ movements and gestures...

My Thoughts

It's no secret I like cats, and if this had been a book when I was learning my numbers, it probably would have helped a lot, because counting cats is always fun.

The Trouble with Penguins

Rebecca Jordan-Glum

From the Publisher

On the day the penguin discovered the person, everything changed. The person was happy to see the penguin, and showed it how to roast marshmallows by the fire. When it was time for the penguin to go, she gave it her favorite roasting stick and a warm hug goodbye. Once the penguin showed its penguin friends how to roast marshmallows, they all wanted a turn. It was wonderful...until it wasn't. You see, the trouble with penguins is that they don't always know how to say they're sorry. But, with a...

My Thoughts

I started reading this one and all I could think was how a penguin would look eating a marshmallow. Not even a roasty toasty one, just a regular one. It has pretty artwork, and a cute story, and now you know why my google history wondered if penguins eat marshmallows.

I do not like books anymore!

Daisy Hirst

From the Publisher

Natalie and Alphonse REALLY like books. Picture books with Dad, scary stories with Mom, and especially stories they remember or make up themselves. So when it's time for Natalie to learn to read, she thinks it will be exciting she can have all the stories in the world now, and even read them to Alphonse. But when Natalie gets her first reading book, the letters look like squiggles and it isn't even a good story; its just about a cat that can sit. I do not like books anymore! Natalie declares....

My Thoughts

I like this one because it's a very sneaky way to get Natalie to give reading another chance.

Bloop

Tara Lazar

From the Publisher

Bloop, the little green alien, must conquer Earth, and his first step is figuring out who's in charge. The answer? Dogs!

My Thoughts

A little green alien pug (with antennae they call floofers) gets sent to earth to conquer the planet, but after learning the power dogs have and about the magic of bacon, will he in fact take over?

I just ate my friend

Heidi McKinnon

From the Publisher

Having eaten his only friend, a monster seeks a new companion but each creature he meets has a good reason not to serve as a replacement.

My Thoughts

He just ate his friend. Will you be his new friend? (My advice? Say Rrrooar!)

Itty-Bitty Kiity-Corn

Shannon Hale

From the Publisher

Kitty thinks she might be a unicorn. She feels so perfectly unicorn-y! “Neigh!” says Kitty. But when Unicorn clop clop clops over, sweeping his magnificent tail and neighing a mighty neigh, Kitty feels no bigger than a ball of lint. Can this unlikely pair embrace who they are, and truly see one another?

My Thoughts

Overall it's just a really cute book, and sometimes it takes a special friend to see who you really are.

How to Catch a Clover Thief

Elise Parsley

From the Publisher

When a wild boar with a passion for clover discovers a rare patch in the woods, he is determined to patiently stand guard until it blooms-but he is not the only clover enthusiast in the forest, and it takes reading a good book for him to figure out the mystery.

Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats

Alicia Potter

From the Publisher

Miss Hazeltine opens her home to cats who need help learning how to be brave, and their new skills are put to use when she finds herself in a bind.

My Thoughts

When a home for shy and fearful cats opens up, will Crumb the cat find a home and his bravery?