Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems

Trixie is back in the second installment of Knuffle Bunny by the fantastic Mo Willems. This time we see Trixie, who has now learned to talk, heading off to school with her very favorite Knuffle Bunny. She cannot wait to show all her friends. That is, until she realizes that another girl in her class has the same (almost identical) Knuffle Bunny. The girls are upset that their bunny isn't unique and end up getting in trouble by the teacher and having them taken away. By accident each girl is given the wrong Knuffle Bunny back at the end of the day, but it isn't discovered until the middle of the night. You'll have to read the story to find out what happens when Trixie realizes she has the wrong Knuffle Bunny.
Willems, once again stuns, with hand drawn characters set against black and white photography. This is a must read for Willems fans!

the OK book By Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Did you know if you take OK and turn it sideways it is a stick figure? Try it! We did, and then we (Hilton and Spencer 1st graders) made our own OK books! The author and illustrator of this book show us that it is OK to just be "OK" at doing things. They show us it is "OK" to be an OK kite flyer - with the kite stuck in the tree; an OK marshmallow toaster - with burnt marshmallows; an OK pancake flipper - with the pancake flopped on top of his head and much more. The illustrations are great and the students loved making their own OK Book, after listening to this story. Pick up a copy today, and remember it is OK to just be "OK" - you do not have to be perfect at everything! ENJOY...we sure did.

Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman

A week after I wrote this blog, I realized that it had already been reviewed. Like a good friend, every good book deserves extra attention. When two of us like the same book, maybe that means it could be up for an award. Perhaps the Caldecott medal winner this year. :-)

Here's another treasure from one of my new favorite author illustrators, Barbara Lehman. If you are already familiar with The Red Book written by Lehman, you will recognize her artistic style in her newest, Rainstorm. This is another wordless picture book - there are no words to tell the story. If you pay close attention to each illustration, you will soon know the story. In Rainstorm, we follow a young boy living in a mansion - alone and bored. He wanders around the mansion looking for something to do when he discovers a key. He tries the key in several locks and he has a smile on his face when the key unlocks a large treasure chest. It's a treasure chest not full of gold and jewels but a single ladder that leads to his adventure. Now, should I tell you what happens or should I leave it to you to open the book and find out? I'll give you a hint - his days are no longer boring and there is a hint of what is to come when you take a close look at the title page.

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

Nine year old David misses his mom so much that he lashes out at his grandmother who now takes care of David while his father works out of state. He is determined not to make friends in his new town. David follows every rule ever written - except when it comes from his grandmother. David’s mother slipped on a wet floor and fell down some stairs. Sadly her freak accident lead to her death. David has convinced himself that if he follows the rules his mother will come back to him. Then David meets thirteen year old Primrose. Primrose lives in an abandoned mini van across the street from her home. Her mother is a fortune teller, who Primrose thinks is a fake. Primrose is embarrassed to live in the same house as her mother. David and Primrose bicker and argue like siblings, however they find comfort in their odd friendship. Primrose’s neighbor, Refrigerator John, helps the kids and gives them a safe place to hang out. Join David and Primrose on their adventures which include following the railroad tracks to the big city, trash picking at night - or “shopping” as Primrose calls it - to find things to sell at the flee market and hunting for night crawlers.