Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by G. Brian Karas
ages: k-3

Mr. McGreely has decided that the time has finally come to plant a garden. He is looking forward to eating his crisp, fresh vegetables from the garden, but his beautiful vegetables are being eaten by rabbits--very clever rabbits! Each evening, the three hungry bunnies come and eat up the delicious vegetables. As the leaves of his plants get more and more nibbled, Mr. McGreely becomes more and more angry and resorts to taking drastic measures. Will Mr. McGreely be able to outsmart these three clever bunnies before they eat all of his yummy vegetables?

A perfect summery read, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! is a story which embodies the old adage, share and share alike.

Chicken Cheeks (the beginning of the ends)

written by Michael Ian Brooks and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
ages: elementary grades

Some bears will do anything to get some honey-including coercing all of his animal friends into making a teetering end-to-end tower to reach the very tip top of the tree. Along with making a tower comes bums and writer Michael Ian Brooks cleverly names the back ends of the various animals.

With a flair for the silly, Chicken Cheeks is neither crass nor rude. This giggle fest uses only nice words (read: no "butt") for bottoms and is clever and cute. The whimsical illustrations add another layer of interest and fun to the story; take the time to see if your listener can find the two helper ants in the pictures. From chicken cheeks to guinea pig buns and everything in between, this book is sure to please the even the most discerning grade schooler. There are 17 different animal (and one insect) posteriors in all- almost enough to make it educational.

Knuffle Bunny

By Mo Willems

Trixe, a young child, goes on an errand with her daddy to the Laundromat. On the way home, Trixie realizes something and starts to talk to her dad, but Trixie is too young to be understood by her dad. Trixie cries and bawls all the way home. Her father did not realize why Trixie was unhappy. When they arrived home, her mother and father discovered Trixie’s favorite stuffed animal was left at the Laundromat. Her father found it in with the clothes. Trixie screamed with delight and said her first word, “Knuffle Bunny!!” the name of her favorite stuffed animal. This book stands for the story of lost favorite animals and first words, but also for the illustrations. The background of every page is real world black and white photos of the places in the city where Trixie’s family lives. Trixie and her family are color and cartoons. The starch contrast connects real world and surreal world together in a unique format.

Also, Mo Willems is author of the "Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus."

Fever 1793

written by Laurie Halse Anderson
Young Adult (ages 12 and up)

In August 1793, yellow fever strikes the city of Philadelphia, changing it from the center of democracy and new beginnings to a barren wasteland. Fourteen year old Mattie Cook has big plans and ambitions far beyond what her Mother dreams for her. Her priority is turning Cook's Coffeehouse, the family business, into the finest establishment in Philadelphia. However, news from the docks is of fever, and the deadly disease begins to take the lives of Philadelphians and fill the cemeteries with bodies. It begins to spread closer and closer to Mattie and the family and livelihood that she holds so dear. Mattie is a strong young woman, showing great courage, strength, and perseverance as she lives a nightmare and tries to save what she holds so dear.

Well researched and written, this historical novel is riveting and powerful. Fever 1793 was selected as an ABA Pick of the Lists title.

Goodnight Gorilla

written and illustrated by Peggy Rathmann

This lovely picture book features a mischievous gorilla and his bedtime antics. Gorilla carefully takes the keys from the zookeeper's belt and unlocks the cages after the animals are tucked into bed. With gorilla in the lead, the animals quietly follow the zookeeper back to his house and snuggle in for the night. Find out what happens when the zookeeper's wife finds a menagerie in her bedroom.

Your child will be charmed by Gorilla and his animal friends and identify with his bedtime capers. Delightful writing and whimsical pictures will make Goodnight Gorilla a family favorite.

My one hundred adventures
by Polly Horvath

Jane is a twelve year old girl and she is ready for adventures; to move beyond the world of her siblings and single mother and their house by the sea. Over the summer, adventures seem to find Jane, whether it’s an exciting ride in a hot-air balloon, the appearances of possible fathers, or a unique new friendship with a preacher and psychic wannabe. Horvath creates a small town which holds a slew of characters that you can find anywhere; the weird preacher, the old man who doesn’t seem to do anything, the family with tons of kids and bad parents. Jane is any typical 12 year old girl. She is starting to see the world through adult eyes. Sometimes Jane’s duped, sometimes she’s played; but if hope fades, it returns and adventure still beckons. Horvath is able to capture a child’s inner voice and logic as she grows up. Jane’s discovery of what lies at the heart of all great adventures is that not what happens to you that matters, but what you learn about yourself.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney
ages: infant to preschool

Baby llama is all ready for bed- he is wearing his red pajamas and has read a bedtime story with his Mama. After Mama kisses him goodnight and turns off the light, baby llama suddenly feels alone. He calls for a drink of water and Mama says that she'll be right up. But Mama doesn't come fast enough and baby llama starts to worry- maybe she has left him all alone! Baby llama starts to whimper, then cry, and then wail. Mama arrives just in time to reassure him that she will "always be near, even if she's not right here." And then with two kisses and an I love you, baby llama is fast asleep.

This warm and humorous book will bring a smile to the face of young readers who can relate to the comfort and love of a mama, and to their mamas who provide it. Llama Llama Red Pajama will surely become a bedtime favorite.

There's a House Inside My Mommy

written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Vanessa Cabban
ages: preschool, early elementary

This sweet book begins, "there's a house inside my Mommy where my little brother grows." A soon-to-be big brother wonders what the baby is like and what it's like inside Mommy's "tummy house". He talks to the baby on the tummy telephone, watches as Mommy eats "crazy stuff," and makes sure that she gets enough rest.

Perfect for any big brother or sister, There's a House Inside My Mommy describes the anticipation and wonder that a sibling experiences when a new baby is going to join the family. This charming book isn't overly saccharine nor is it too clinical. This book can be read without any worry about the need to explain the "birds and the bees" to your preschooler. The watercolors are warm and inviting-this would be a wonderful bedtime read.