This and That and In Between

 By Jan Pease

 

If I were to write a book, it would probably be fairly generic.  I’d want everyone to like it, so it might be a little bit bland.  These books are exactly the opposite.  They are all very different and will each appeal to just the right child.

I would not be bold enough to publish the BabyLit series by Jane Adams.  The blurb on the cover says “BabyLit is a fashionable way to introduce your child to the world of classic literature.”  Watch for Little Master Shakespeare, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream: a Fairies Primer,” and  Little Master Homer  “The Odyssey: a Monster Primer,”  the two newest titles we have received.

Graeme Base is another author/illustrator whose books are unique and large.   His newest book,   “Birds . . . Fly” is a unique board book with heavy pages that fold out, giving room for wider, more involved illustrations.    It’s about the size of a regular board book but contains so much more. 

“Amelia Who Could Fly,” imagines Amelia Earhart as a child who loved to imagine that she could fly.  This is a lovely picture book biography that is suitable for very young children.  Young children need heroes, too!

Jane Yolen has continued her “How Do Dinosaurs” series with “How do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets?”  Dinosaur life gets more interesting with each book.  The book cover features a large triceratops carrying a tiger under his arm.  This is a very funny discussion of how to choose the perfect pet. 

 Lois Ehlert’s love poem, “Heart 2 Heart” was released just in time for Valentine’s Day.  This sweet book uses bright pictures of fruits and vegetables and lower case letters to make puns.  For example, “I’ve [bean] thinking of [u].”  The puzzles make more sense if you share this book with someone you love and read it aloud. 

Finally, I must tell you about one of my new favorites, “This & That,” which we enjoyed at story hour a week or so ago.  Written by one of my favorite authors, Mem Fox, “This & That” is one of those perfect books that have the right text with just the right pictures.  Mem Fox says, “Writing a picture book is like writing 'War and Peace' in haiku.”  

These interesting picture books are waiting for you at Litchfield Public Library.  See you there!