For Pre-School

The fun and fear of a thunder storm is nicely expressed in this wonderful book.

Watch Out For: The storm is exciting but may be scary. A favorite chicken gets caught in the storm and doesn’t want to be taken inside.

Did you ever wonder how bumbling Amelia Bedelia managed to hold down a job? It’s the cooking, of course. This new book shows young Amelia learning to bake with her grandparents.

Watch Out For: Some children might not get the puns , which are far fewer than in the classic Amelia Bedelia books. The whole family learns a lesson in sharing, with each other and with the birds. The book includes an apple pie recipe.

Merliah goes on a fast-paced generic mermaid adventure with glaring plot holes! This book is adapted from a full-length video, and the story does not survive the translation.

Watch Out For: Merliah must go against her evil Aunt who is holding her mother in prison.

In this hilarious picture book, an alien named Dr. Xargle teaches his alien classroom about “earthlets” (what we would call infant humans). Both the text and drawings are laugh-out-loud funny. The importance of perspective is highlighted, as most children (and adults!) have probably never thought about how they might appear to someone very different from them (for instance, a space alien).

What to watch out for: This book should instill an appreciation of different perspectives. It may also prompt a discussion on the existence of aliens.

A boy uses his imagination to have amazing adventures and gain a new friend. A well-executed picture book that’s sure to inspire the imagination.

What to watch out for: The boy “had a million toys and (he) was bored” — the tale provides an opportunity to discuss the power of imagination.

King Rollo has some new shoes — lace-ups!  At first, the king would like the laces to be tied by magic, but after much practice, he is able to tie his shoelaces all by himself.  This light-hearted book may be helpful in encouraging a child who’s learning how to tie shoelaces.

Watch out for: The book features a magician who uses magic to put a falling cake back onto a platter.

Poor little green engine Percy is always so skittish, and now he is awakened in the night by a dragon on the railway! It is only a paper dragon, of course, that Thomas was pulling to the parade.

Watch Out For: The images of the dragon in the dark may be legitimately frightening at first. Percy tells his friends about the dragon, but is teased by James and brushed off by Edward. Only kind Thomas explains it all and takes Percy to the parade to see that the dragon is not scary.

Any parent of a toddler (or two or three!) will appreciate the humor in this simple counting book. It begins with all ten puppies napping, then we count up as they gradually wake up, play and eat. Some puppies start to yawn, and we count back down to one as they each fall asleep. Until, of course, one pup is up once again. Fun rhymes and good illustrations will make this popular with all young children.

Watch Out For: Puppies will be puppies, and there is plenty of rolling and tussling to be had. Point out to your potty-training little one that even the puppies ‘piddle’ where they are supposed to – by the fire hydrant.

Marley is an energetic puppy who finds two kittens while on a picnic with his family. The kittens come home, and Marley tries to do everything they do. He wants to be just as precious, sweet, and graceful as the kittens. But, since Marley is not a kitten, but a puppy, he ends up in trouble in the garage, where his new friends come to keep him company.

Watch Out For: Marley is a very energetic puppy, and his scenes of destruction are illustrated clearly – even when he tries to use the new litter box. Marley is sent into time out, when all he wanted was to be liked. He begins to resent ever finding the kittens, but is quickly reassured that the family loves him just the way he is.

“Edward was a frightful boy” starts this silly story of sharing. Edward does not want to share with his sister, and he will go to any length to keep his toys from her. Claire remains cheerful throughout, and her generosity shows Edward the error of his ways. He learns that playing together is more fun.

Watch Out For: David Catrow’s illustrations are unique and interesting, but may confuse or disturb some children at first viewing. Edward demonstrates some very nasty behavior, and the phrase ‘It’s mine!’ is repeated nine times, often enough a child to pick up on it’s forcefulness. Edward does improve, but really it’s only after he doesn’t get his share of a treat that he comes around.