https://ursus.maine.edu/search~S1?/tpete+the+cat/tpete+the+cat/1%2C1%2C1%2CB/request&FF=tpete+the+cat&1%2C1%2C

   Looking for an upbeat picture book to beat back the winter blues? If so, I've got a cat I'd like you to meet. Pete the Cat in his adventure called I Love My White Shoes!

Pete the Cat loves his white shoes, he sings a song about them as he grooves down the street. But UH-OH, he steps in some strawberries and they turn his white shoes RED. Does he cry? Goodness no! He just keeps on grooving and singing to his RED shoes. No matter what happens to his white shoes, Pete the Cat keeps smiling.

I fell in love with this cat's attitude right away. Then I discovered the author singing/telling the story online! AWESOME! There are even some children on youtube who give it a whirl. An infectious tune and a positive message. I heartily recommend reading Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.


And coming this July: Pete returns in Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

Could be Worse by James Stevenson

Camara recommends Could be Worse

Louie and MaryAnn are constantly bored at Grandpa’s house because everything is the same, and no matter what happens, Grandpa always gives the same response, “It could be worse!” Then one morning at breakfast, Grandpa tells the children a wildly exaggerated story about what happened the night before, from being captured by a giant bird to engaging in a snowball fight with the Abominable Snowman to flying home on a paper airplane. Children of all ages will enjoy the humorous pictures.

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A Chocolate Moose for Dinner by Fred Gwynne

Camara reccommends A Chocolate Moose for Dinner:
This humorous about homonyms book was one of my favorites when I was growing up. Written by Fred Gwynne, best known as “Herman Munster,” this book shows how many phrases in the English languagem such as “chocolate mousse” and “airplane hangers” can be very confusing at times, The main character, a little girl, imagines very literal and hysterical images of these humorous homonyms. This book will bring a smile to adults as they explain the meanings of all the various phrases to their children.

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Storytime about Snow!

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

After all the snow in Maine, it is the perfect time to tell a story about snowmen.  Lois Ehlert uses wonderful pictures to show household items being used to give snowmen their own unique personalities.  For example, Spot the dog uses buttons – how clever! I love how this book flips around to showcase the art.  Curious to know what I mean by “flipping the book around”?  Check out a quick reading of this lovely book after the jump and see for yourself!

The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairytale by Grace Lin

Camara recommends The Red Thread:
As the aunt of four internationally adopted children, this beautifully illustrated book touched my heart. There is an ancient Chinese belief that we all bound together with an invisible red thread. Lin takes that belief and spins into a beautifully depicted fairytale about a king and queen who have everything, but are still sad. They realize a red thread is tugging at their hearts. Upon following the thread, they cross the seas to a foreign land where they find a baby girl who becomes their daughter. This gentle tale will touch everyone’s heart and will help open up conversations about international adoption.

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Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective: Bad Bugs are My Business by David Biedrzycki

Camara recommends Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective: Bad Bugs are My Business:
After being mugged, Scratch Murphy the flea asks Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective, for help in finding the culprit who stole money from his Six Legs Amusement Park. This amusing tale about bugs and mystery will delight everyone. Little kids will love all the different types of insects dressed like humans, and adults will smile, laugh, and perhaps groan at the puns sprinkled throughout the pages. This book is geared for children ages three and up.

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I was recently gathering books for upcoming story times, and I noticed that I had chosen two tales by Valeri Gorbachev. One for a penguin story time called Turtle's Penguin Day and one for a story time on the color red called Red Red Red.   Valeri Gorbachev is probably known to only a few of you but I would like to sing his praises a bit here, in the hopes of inspiring others to seek him out.

 

Turtle's Penguin Day stars Little Turtle whose father entertains him with a bedtime book about penguins. Little Turtle becomes so enamored of these feathery creatures that he spends the next day imitating them, much to the enjoyment of his family and classmates. The loving home life and nurturing classroom portrayed in this story make it a nice read aloud for preschool through grade 2. Humor plays its part as well in the silly antics of the characters and the foreshadowing of Turtle's next possible obsession.

Red Red Red  stars a character simply known as Turtle who is on his way to find something red. He walks down city streets, through neighborhoods and into the wilderness. All the while gathering friends who are interested in his quest for something red. He passes by many red items such as socks, roses and a truck but doesn't stop until he reaches his destination,  a beautiful red sunset. I think this book works best as a one on one read aloud as that allows time for the child to point out all of the red things that turtle sees and also reinforces the gentle snugly nature of the tale.

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Reserve Red Red Red