I know it’s only February, but I thought I’d begin looking at books suitable for the “Dream Big READ” summer reading theme. Today, I will highlight thematic picture books. These books are appropriate for your “Read to me” crowd: toddlers and preschoolers. Perhaps you can include these in summer storytimes.
And If the Moon Could Talk by Kate Banks and illustrated by Georg Hallensleben–This book describes a young child getting ready to go to bed. The author lists the small details of the child’s world and then offers the moon’s perspective, which allows the reader to see what is happening in the outside world both far and wide. The pictures are Van Gogh-like in their vivid colors and softly-defined shapes. The book celebrates nocturnal diversity as it provides a good night message.
It’s Time to Sleep, My Love by Eric Metaxas and illustrated by Nancy Tillman (artist of On the Night You Were Born)–Another “good night” book, this title evokes the natural world as well as the theme of dreams. It’s written like a lullaby with rhyming text. Tillman’s illustrations are stunning. One lovely two-page spread depicts a moose in a golden pond with a fox curled into a nearby den and a great blue heron perched in a nest–all under a starry sky (a real NH landscape!)
So Sleepy Story by Uri Shulevitz–This book reminds me a little of The Napping House in its rhythms and plot. It describes a sleepy house and its inhabitants all asleep until music drifts into the house and awakens all. A few wordless pages depict dancing and swaying chairs and plates and tables (ala Beauty and the Beast?) After a time, the music stops and all return to their slumber.
Whoo Goes There? by Jennifer Ericsson and illustrated by Bert Kitchen–This book was written by a NH children’s librarian! It describes a hungry owl and his quest for something to eat for dinner. He surveys the landscape and discovers many animals, none of whom are suitable for his dinner. Finally, he spots a mouse, but he is interrupted in his hunt by another nocturnal animal–a human. The book’s text employs rich active verbs and the repetition of animal sounds that will delight a young listener. The illustrations compliment the text with beautifully realistic paintings. The focus on animals of the night makes this a perfect book for this year’s summer reading theme.