Books That I Like..

The Night I Followed the Dog
Written & illustrated by Nina Laden

10 x 9.625 | 32 pages | Ages 4-10 | Chronicle Books | Published in 1994 | ISBN 9780811806473

I have a dog. Nothing exotic or special, just an ordinary dog. In fact, I always thought he was a boring dog. What I mean is, he can fetch, roll over, and shake hands, but mostly he sleeps and eats. Or so the little boy in this story thinks, until one morning when he opens the door a little early and sees his dog jump out of a limousine. That night he decides to follow his dog, and that's when the fun starts. Before he knows it, he has entered the little known world of doggy glamour. His dog, distinctly reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart, treats him to a nighttime adventure where he learns where dogs go to relax and sees what they do while their masters are fast asleep. A terrific read aloud, Nina Laden's story will have everyone captivated by the coolest dog around.





Romeow and Drooliet
Written & illustrated by Nina Laden

10 x 9.625 | 44 pages | Ages 8 and up | Chronicle Books | Published in 2005 | ISBN 9780811839730

Adults familiar with the classic love story will delight in the many references to the original play, all of which make this a rarity: a children's book they want to read again and again. And young children who know nothing of the Bard will be riveted by this funny yet touching tale about Romeow the cat and Drooliet the dog, two star-crossed lovers who meet by chance, marry in secret, and are kept apart by a snarling rottweiler, appalled owners, and the animal control warden. The clever details throughout the book belie the careful research behind this homage to true love won and lost - and in the case of this book won again - proving once and for all that dogs and cats can be friends.



Books I Like Also..

Books I Like Also..

Earth to Audrey
Written by Susan Hughes | Illustrated by Stéphane Poulin

10 x 10 | 32 pages | Ages 5-8 | Kids Can Press Ltd. | Published in 2005 | ISBN 9781554531653

Audrey comes into Ray’s life like an earthbound star. Everything about her is a bit far-out. And she’s always in her own little world. So Ray decides that this unusual girl who has dropped into his neighborhood for the summer must be an alien. As they become friends, Audrey takes Ray on a journey of discovery — one that enables him to see his own planet in a new light. Soon, Ray can’t imagine life on Earth without her. Susan Hughes’ poignant, gently humorous text and Stéphane Poulin’s evocative, heartfelt illustrations capture the long childhood summer of discovery in a small town and depict a friendship that changed the lives of two lonely dreamers.



Song for a Giraffe
Written by Kim Messinger and Michael LaLumiere | Illustrated by Ginger Nielson

8.25 x 11 | 32 pages | Ages 4-8 | Stagger Lee Books | Published in 2008 | ISBN 9780979100635

Song for a Giraffe is a simple tale of friendship and the joy that comes from understanding that each of us is special – just the way we are. As the story gently unwinds, rich language and vivid illustrations send a child's imagination soaring to new and delightful places. The story begins at the end of a day as a lone giraffe walks down to the river for a drink of water. One by one, animal friends visit and ask for her help. The giraffe carefully listens to all of them. A tired lioness fears growing old. A young hippo complains about being young. A gruff rhinoceros is lonely. The giraffe gently hugs each animal and shares with them a special message. The next morning, as the sun rises and begins to warm the African savannah, the animals come together in a colorful sea of spots, stripes, fur, feathers and horns. With one happy voice they offer a special gift to the giraffe. Anyone wanting to introduce the powerful message that we all have a place in this world will love sharing Song for a Giraffe with a child.



Mommy, I Want to Sleep in Your Bed!
Written by Harriet Ziefert | Illustrated by Elliot Kreloff

8.5 x 11 | 40 pages | Ages 9-12 | Blue Apple Books | Published in 2005 | ISBN 9781593541033

Good night, sleepy parakeet. Good night, sleepy dog. Good night, sleepy Nate. But wait! Nate doesn't want to go to sleep - not all by himself in his own bed. With the help of his patient mom, Nate works through a problem all young children face -putting their busy days to rest. Mommy, I Want to Sleep in Your Bed! will encourage other children to do the same and help them understand in a sweet and sympathetic way, that sleeping alone is an important step in growing up.





Books I Like Too..

Books I Like Too..

Rosie and Buttercup
Written by Chieri Uegaki Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

9.325 x 8 32 pages Ages 3-7 Kids Can Press Ltd. Published in 2008 ISBN 9781553379973


“I don't want a baby sister.”
Does Rosie really mean it? Her baby sister, Buttercup, has been a bit of a handful lately. She won't leave Rosie alone, she cries at opera-singer level and whistles when she sleeps.

Before Buttercup came along, Rosie's life was blessed. Her schedule was filled with dance and voice lessons. Best of all, she didn't have to share her pet crickets, Eenie and Meenie, with anybody.

Things get so bad that Rosie decides to give her little sister away — to a good home, of course. But as she says goodbye to Buttercup forever, Rosie can't ignore a squeezy feeling in her chest …

From the perfectly paired creative team who brought you the bestselling Suki's Kimono comes a touching picture book about two sisters.



It's Not Fair!

Written by Anita Harper Illustrated by Mary McQuillan

10.25 x 7.75 32 pages Ages 2-5 Holiday House Published in 2007 ISBN 9780823420940

Putting up with a new baby brother is not fair! Mom and Dad do everything for him, while older sister has to manage by herself! But could it be that sometimes being older isn't so bad? A big sister begins to see the ups as well as the downs of having a new sibling.

Other Books I Like..

Books I Like..

Alphabeasts
Written & illustrated by Wallace Edwards

9 x 12 | 32 pages | Ages All | Kids Can Press Ltd. | Published in 2002 | ISBN 9781553373865

From the weird and wonderful imagination of an amazing new artist comes an alphabet book like no other. Kids will delight in discovering animals from A to Z living together in an old Victorian mansion. They’ll meet an elephant in the ballroom playing with a model train, an octopus hanging from the foyer chandelier — and even a zebra enjoying a soak in the bathtub!

Using watercolours and coloured pencils, Wallace Edwards has created a bizarre and luxurious world, rich in texture and detail. An engaging mix of art and alphabet book, Alphabeasts provides the basis for hours of animated discussion and quiet contemplation.


Un-Brella
Written & illustrated by Scott E. Franson

8.75 x 8 | 40 pages | Ages 4-8 | Roaring Brook Press | Published in 2007 | ISBN 9781596431799

A little girl opens an umbrella on a snowy day--and the sun shines out from inside and flowers spring from the frozen ground! Jump ahead to spring, where the magical un-brella provides snow for snow angels and sledding across the green grass.


Little Pea
Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal | Illustrated by Jen Corace

8 x 8 | 36 pages | Ages 3 and up | Chronicle Books | Published in 2005 | ISBN 9780811846585

If Little Pea doesn't eat all of his sweets, there will be no vegetables for dessert. Children who have trouble swallowing their veggies will love the way this picture book serves up a playful story they can relate to.


Kitty's Cuddles
Written & illustrated by Jane Cabrera

8.5 x 10.25 | 32 pages | Ages 2-5 | Holiday House | Published in 2007 | ISBN 9780823420667

Cat tries out hugs from different animals but finds he likes the hug from his baby brother best of all.


Suki's Kimono
Written by Chieri Uegaki | Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

8 x 10.875 | 32 pages | Ages 4-8 | Kids Can Press Ltd. | Published in 2003 | ISBN 9781553370840

Suki’s favorite possession is her blue cotton kimono. A gift from her oba-chan, it holds special memories of her grandmother’s visit last summer. And Suki is going to wear it on her first day back to school — no matter what anyone says.

When it’s Suki’s turn to share with her classmates what she did during the summer, she tells them about the street festival she attended with her oba-chan and the circle dance that they took part in. In fact, she gets so carried away reminiscing that she’s soon humming the music and dancing away, much to the delight of her entire class!

Filled with gentle enthusiasm and a touch of whimsy, Suki’s Kimono is the joyful story of a little girl whose spirit leads her to march — and dance — to her own drumbeat.


Posey Prefers Pink
Written by Harriet Ziefert | Illustrated by Yukiko Kido

7.5 x 8 | 32 pages | Ages 4-8 | Blue Apple Books | Published in 2008 | ISBN 9781934706046

Meet Posey. She wears pink clothes, has a pink room, rides a pink bike, and prefers pink desserts. Everything in her pink world is just the way she likes it . . . but what if another color catches her eye? With adorable anime-like illustrations from Yukiko Kido, this book is sure to strike a chord with opinionated little girls and their parents.

Bad Kitty

Written & illustrated by Nick Bruel

8.5 x 11 | 40 pages | Ages 9-12 | Roaring Brook Press | Published in 2007 | ISBN 781596432994

The book teaches children who are about to go to kindergarten their alphabet in a most creative and humorous way. Not only can they learn their letters but they can learn to read in a funny way. The pictures depict the words perfectly.