Supertruck

Supertruck by Stephen Savage is a simple book about something that all of Massachusetts is dealing with right now: what to do with all of the excess snow! We are introduced to all the heroic trucks - the firetruck, the tow truck, etc. The book glosses over the slightly nerdy garbage truck with glasses until one night when a huge storm hits the city. All the vehicles are left wondering who the superhero truck was who plowed out the city. It couldn't possible be the nerdy garbage truck who disappears into a garage in the middle of the storm, now could it? Ivy and Atticus both adore this simple book. 

Little Elliot, Big City

Atticus really enjoyed meeting little Elliot, the spotted and tiny elephant. Elliot has trouble navigating what is clearly NYC due to his unusual size, yet he manages to make do. He can't get the ice cream from the fridge without a broom, and his breakfast can't be eaten without sitting on a stack of books. Dejected because he was not seen requesting a cupcake, the little elephant heads home. On the way he meets a mouse, in even more dire straits. The mouse teaches him some valuable lessons; you are always big to someone else, and friendship makes life lovely. 

Doing Christmas

Sarah Garland has been a recent hit with Atticus. Each page is a lovely water color packed with activity. This simple story about preparing and shopping for the holidays does not seem like it would be a hit with Atticus, but each page has something that makes him squeal - a truck, lights, a hip Grandma zooming down the street in a cool convertible. What is not to love? I like this book because the mom is real. She is balancing two kids and holiday preparations - she looks a little frazzled and it is hard not to notice the two open bottles of wine on the dining room table with only two adults! The overly hip grandmother reminds me of Atticus's GiGi, his great grandmother, whom he was never able to meet. A holiday hit!

Dinosaurs Roar!

Paul Stickland knows kids. Atticus can't stop requesting this book. He loves any animal with teeth; he goes through each page pointing out teeth and wondering which animal eats dinos and which eats plants. The illustrations are so bold that his little eyes are drawn to them. I am ordering Paul's other books from the library - Dinosaurs Galore! and Ten Terrible Dinosaurs. A sure hit for any dino-loving kid!

Tom and Pippo

What a rite of passage! Both Ivy and Atticus have loved Helen Oxenbury's Tom and Pippo series. Tom and Pippo are the best of friends - a toddler boy and his beloved stuffed monkey. The words are so simple, the thoughts a toddler might really have. Atticus likes to think he is Tom and Pippo is his stuffed dog, Coco. Each spread consists of a black and white drawing and a colored drawing, a lovely juxtaposition. I cannot believe these books are not still in print!

This First Thanksgiving Day

An Ivy classic, Atticus seems to enjoy this book as well. This catchy counting book by Laura Krauss Melmed takes the reader through the eyes of a Native American and a Pilgrim, culminating in Thanksgiving Day! The thing I like about the book is the small surprises; the number of bunnies in each picture often match the number of the rhyme. There are adorable hiding turkeys popping around corners, lively sea gulls, etc. A great read for this Thanksgiving!

Trick or Treat? With Scary Flaps

A month behind on my blog, but I cannot forget to mention Halloween. Atticus just adores Melanie Walsh's lift the flap book about Halloween. Behind each window or door of the haunted house, a little spider, batt, ghost, or skeleton is waiting for you. Bold and bright, the colors jump out at young readers. A must read for this holiday season!