One Shoe, Two Shoes (Caryl Hart)

Title:  One Shoe, Two Shoes 

Author: Caryl Hart 

Illustrator: Edward Underwood 

Target Ages:  1-7 

Genre:  Concept, Early Reader 

Publisher Summary:  Shoes, shoes, and more shoes…This book is bursting with shoes of all different colors, sizes, and shapes.  There’s a pair here to suit everyone—even a family of mice. 

First Lines:

One shoe
Two shoes
Red shoes
Blue shoes
Old shoes
New shoes 

Evaluation:
Author Caryl Hart has written a fresh, new text in the vein of the Dr. Seuss classic One Fish, Two Fish.. 

Edward Underwood’s vibrant illustrations add another engaging dimension to the text with his dog and mouse shenanigans. 

One Shoe, Two Shoes is a exciting frolic with a band of mischievous mice and a lively dog.  It is ideal for parents and educators looking for exciting early readers. 

Hart and Underwood also collaborated on another excellent early reader:  Big Box Little Box.  This fun cat and mouse tale is sure to delight children.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Math:  Practice counting and numeral words.
• Onomatopoeia:  Identify sound words.  Kids can add some of their own sound words to go with the action of the text.
• Colors:  Primary colors are highlighted and often referred to in the text. 
• Rhyming Words:  True and slant rhymes abound for practice saying and identify.
• Reading:  Simple, often repetitive text make for an ideal early reader.  
• Verbs:  Identify action words in the text. Then, create a list of other action words based on the illustrations. 

Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Five Fabulous Picture Book Finds

The Great Puppy Invasion

Alastair Heim, author

Kim Smith, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  

What’s a town to do when hundreds of adorable, wriggling puppies invade?  Especially a place like Strictville, where no one has ever seen puppies before.  And cuteness, fun, and playing are against the rules?  The townspeople don’t know what to do. 

Luckily there is one boy brave enough to face the delightful doggies.

Why It’s Fabulous:

This creative story takes the typical “scary” premise and reimagines it in a humorous way.  From a man running away because “they’re trying to hypnotize” him to a father covering his son’s eyes and demanding he “look away,” this energetic (and adorable) text illustrates the power of the puppy dog eyes and their irresistible charm.  The townspeople learn that life is better when puppies are around.  

I Have A Balloon

Ariel Bernstein, author

Scott Magoon, illustrator

Early Reader

Publisher Summary:

Owl has a

shiny

red

balloon.

Monkey does not.

SPOILER ALERT:

This is NOT a book about sharing.

Why It’s Fabulous:

In Monkey’s attempt to convince Owl to trade his balloon, a humorous repartee ensues.  He offers a teddy bear, a ball, and a robot.  Owl turns them all down.   Then, he entices him with something unexpected, but the plan does not turn out as expected.  Fun twists and turns until the last page.

The Book of Mistakes

Corinna Luyken, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary:

A little spill

could be a small mistake

or the start of a big idea.

With playful text and stunning art, this deceptively simple story shows how the biggest blunders can spark the brightest inspiration.  A celebration of creativity and exploration. 

Why It’s Fabulous:

Words cannot do justice to this perfect little gem of a picture book because so much is in experiencing the illustrations.  On a concrete level, the story shows how a blunder can become something artistic and imaginative.  However, it has a deeper level too.  A pivotal line is, “with each mistake she is becoming…who she could be.”  It is a universal “she,” in the sense that our “mistakes” and what we do with them are what make us who we are. 

On a Magical Do-Nothing Day

Beatrice Alemagna, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary:

All I want to do on a rainy

day like today is play my

game, but my mom says it’s

a waste of time.  The game

makes my mom crazy.

Angry.

She takes it away.

I take it back.

I wish Dad had come with us

on this rainy, gray weekend.

Without my game, nothing is fun.

On the other hand, maybe

I’m wrong about that that…

Why It’s Fabulous:

The protagonist wakes from his electronic game-zombie mentality to discover the wonders of nature and the joys of pure imagination.  He drinks raindrops like an animal, climbs a tree, and makes a big splash in a puddle.  During his exploration, he muses “the whole world seemed brand-new as it had been created right in front of me.”  In the end, he appreciates the joy of sitting with a loved one drinking hot chocolate on a “magical do-nothing day.” 

Middle Bear

Susanna Isern, author

Manon Gauthier, illustrator

Publisher Summary:

He is the second of three brothers—a bear cub right in the middle.

He goes about his middle-sized life riding his middle-sized bike, catching middle-sized fish and sleeping in a middle-sized bed.  But he doesn't want to be the middle one.  He’s too small for big adventures with his older brother and too big for small adventures with his little brother. 

Then when the three brothers are sent on an urgent quest, the middle bear discovers that for this most important adventures, he’s just the perfect size.

Why It’s Fabulous:

Middle and many “average” children will relate to Middle Bear’s experience and feelings.   The story has a satisfying (and hopeful) ending to those feeling like they are in the middle.  The charming collage and mixed media illustrations round out this entertaining read.

10 Picture Books That Will Make You Smile (and Laugh)

This list is for everyone who loves an twisty, turny, funny, ironic, laugh out loud picture book. Each one is sure to warm your heart as you snuggle with your little ones during story time, share in your classroom, or read independently because you are a picture book junkie like me. Be sure to check out these 10 picture books on your next trip to the library or bookstore. They will make your day a whole lot brighter as well as elicit smiles and giggles from the kids in your life.  

I Am Bear by Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyuz

Publisher Summary:

“This is Bear.  He was bare.  Now he’s wearing…purple hair.  His favorite thing is playing tricks. He makes trouble just for kicks. “

What’s to Love: 

This book had me laughing out loud.  The rhyming text is quick and snappy. The humor is primarily in the discrepancy between the words and the pictures (situational irony).  For instance, Bear says he does magic which prompts a pile of fish to appear.  However, it is clear that the wand has a fishing line on it.  He reveals his favorite game is cops and robbers, but it is quite different than what the reader expects. Kids may not fully understand irony, but they will recognize the humor.  (Do not hesitate to identify the ironies to young listeners.  They will likely catch on to this concept quicker than you think.)

Who Wants a Hug?  by Jeff Mack

Publisher Summary: 

“Everyone likes hugs, especially when Bear gives them!  Everyone, that is, except for Skunk.  Bear really gets on Skunk’s nerves.  He’s too happy…and he’s always giving way too many hugs!  Skunk has the perfect plan to keep Bear from giving any more hugs.  Will it work?”

What’s to Love: 

Skunk tries three different tricks on Bear, each with a hilarious and unfortunate end—for Skunk.  Kids are sure to giggle as Skunk gets skunked. Bear continuously offers Skunk a hug, but he adamantly declines it.  Bear always replies, “It’s okay.  I’ll save you one for later.”  When Skunk finally changes his mind, Bear really wants to save it for later—and for good reason. 

How to Catch a Mouse by Philippa Leathers

Publisher Summary: 

“Clemmie the Cat knows everything about how to catch a mouse—and she would prove it, too, except that she’s never actually seen a mouse! Perhaps, she thinks, they’re all afraid of her.  But wait…is that a pink tail? And a whiskery nose?” 

What’s to Love: 

Clemmie sees a long pink tail.  She creeps up, thinking it is a mouse.  Instead, it is a ribbon on a hat.  The same sequence happens with two round ears (a stuffed bear) and whiskery, pointy nose (a spider).  She is convinced she has scared away all mice.  However, there is a mouse lurking around craftily.  This story has potential for interaction as children look for and guess along with Clemmie as well as point out the sneaky mouse.  The ending is a fun surprise. 

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Publisher Summary: 

“Sandwich?  What sandwich? Oh, that sandwich. Right. Um. Well. It all stated with the bear…”

What’s to Love: 

The bear’s journey from the forest into the “jungle” of a city is worth the read.  The illustrations add so much energy and humor as the bear scratches his back on a tree (light post), squishes in the mud (wet cement), and finds interesting smells (trash cans).  His experience finding, eating, and retreating is a rollicking fun time.  What got me, though, was the end.  I laughed out loud (but I won’t ruin the surprise).

How to Share with a Bear by Eric Pinder and Stephanie Graegin

Publisher Summary: 

“The perfect thing to do on a chilly day is to make a cave.  But, of course, a comfy cave never stays empty for long.  What’s a boy to do when a bear takes over his cave?  Try to distract him with a trail of blueberries?  Some honey? A nice long back scratch?”

What’s to Love: 

The protagonist comes up with several solutions to his “bear” problem, showing resourcefulness and creativity.  The illustrator does an excellent job with blocking, so the reader does not see what is really going on until the end.  This imaginative text is so sweet you will not be able to help but smile real big. 

Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Publisher Summary:

“Meet Max.  Max the Brave, Max the fearless,  Max the Mouse-catcher.  But, in order to be a Mouse-catcher, Max needs to know what a mouse is.”

What’s to Love:

Following a similar format as “Are You My Mother?” Max asks each animal if he is a mouse.  The hilarity begins when he actually meets Mouse.  After a couple quick twists and turns, there is a satisfying and clever ending. 

One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl and Tom Lichtenheld

Publisher Summary: 

“Two bears. Three yaks. Four seals. Six cats. All of them have one thing in common: They hate to share. But here comes a pack of twenty pigs—count on them to prove that sharing makes everything twice as fun.”

What’s to Love: 

This concept book teaches counting and number words while illustrating the importance of sharing in a comical way.  It is the most energetic concept book I have seen.  Word play includes onomatopoeia, alliteration, and rhyme.  The illustrations are fantastic.  Sharing and underwear are taken to a whole new level. 

I'm My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein

Publisher Summary:  

“I am my own dog.  I fetch my own slippers, curl up at my own feet, and give myself a good scratch.  But there’s one spot in the middle of my back, that I just can’t reach.” 

What’s to Love:  

This story is told through the dog’s perspective, mimicking many of the phrases associated with them, but in unexpected ways.  The “little guy” who follows him home is the man pursuing the dog.  The ones “yapping” are the people as the dogs looked annoyed.  Of course, he has to clean up all the man’s messes.  Dog lovers will smile and chuckle at this inversed story full of irony and humor. 

Cheetah Can't Lose by Bob Shea

Publisher Summary: 

"It's race day, and once and for all, it's time to determine the better feline:  little cats or big cheetah.  Cheetah might be bigger, taller, stronger, faster...but the little cats have some tricks up their sleeves, so don't count them out." 

What’s to Love: 

Cheetah is, let's say, an over-achiever.  He has to win and to be the best at everything!  The sly little cats let him win several challenges but have an ulterior motive.  While Cheetah has no clue, the reader can infer what is really going on.  Full of humor and action, this story will be a winner with readers or all ages.   

How to Cheer up Dad by Fred Koehler

Publisher Summary: 

"Little Jumbo's dad is having a bad day. Little Jumbo has no idea why.  Luckily, he does know just how to cheer up Dad with some of his--ahem, his dad's--favorite things!"

What’s to Love: 

This endearing story about a boy and his loving dad is sweet.  The adorable pictures capture the mischief and energy typical in preschool-aged children.  I laughed in a couple places and smiled all the way through. The pictures and the words convey different ideas, making this one ideal for teaching inference and irony.  

Time for Bed, Fred! (Yasmeen Ismail)

Summary of Time for Bed, Fred! (Yasmeen Ismail)

Fred is a mischievous and playful dog.  Once bedtime hits, he bolts away—trying everything he can to avoid the inevitable from rolling in the mud to climbing a tree.  He eventually agrees to a bath, but afterwards he continues to hide and to play.  Once a bedtime story is agreed upon—he wants to sleep everywhere expect his own bed!  (Anyone have a child like Fred?) Eventally, he calms down and goes to sleep.  Sweet dreams, Fred!

Evaluation

I am a huge fan of stories about bedtime. There is just something comforting and soothing about this time of day.  Now that my kids are grown, I miss reading bedtime stories and tucking them in.  (sad face)

This story follows the typical ritual of bath, story, bed—which will be familiar to young readers.  What I loved about this book is how the author uses a dog to illustrate what many kids do at bedtime—avoid it at all costs, no matter how tired they are.  I see this book being an amusing story to help reign in playful children who like Fred, just do not want to settle down at night.  They can live vicariously (let’s hope) through Fred while being in the position of the authority telling him, “Time for bed, Fred!” Even children who go to bed easily will delight in this mischievous dog’s bedtime antics. 

The watercolor illustrations are full of motion and animation.  Children will delight in each of Fred’s “tricks” to get out of bed.  I high recommend this book for ages 1-6.  You will likely find that Time for Bed, Fred will become a new bedtime favorite in your home. 

For a list of some of my favorite bedtime stories, click here and here.