Feature Friday

I have three picture books to feature today because I fell in love with them just this morning!  It is the month of love so I give you three books you shouldn't live without...

1.  The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen (2009)

I'm not a fan of the circus-the kind that uses animals to entertain so I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to feel about this book, until I read it of course.  It is a delight!  It rhymes.  When a storm ruins the ship the captain saves the the mean and greedy circus boss, Mr. Paine, who chooses to leave the animals behind to save his own.  The animals swim to an island beach, taking refuge with the local people, who are at first scared and then learn to love having the animals around.  The circus animals win their freedom from the demanding circus boss through a great hide and seek scene.  The illustrations are larger-than-life beautiful and it is loosely based on a real event.  5 stars

2.  "I have a Little Problem," said the bear by Heinz Janisch and Silke Leffler (2007)

Bear wanders in to town to get help but noone listens to his problem.  The inventor, the tailor, the hatter, the doctor, the street vendor, the eye doctor, the shopkeeper, and the shoe maker all jump to their own conclusions.  Noone even listens to what it is until bear meets a curious fly outside of town. In my storytime hour children didn't get the big picture but I know a little girl at home who will understand and love it.  The illustrations are whimsical and kindergarten students loved the repitition.  5 stars 

3. the cow loves cookies by karma wilson and marcellus hall. (2010)

I've come to expect great things, usually rhyming things, from Mrs. Wilson as she is the author of The Bear Snores on series of books.  This one didn't disappoint.  All the other animals on the farm eat what the farmer gives them-the horse loves hay, the chickens; chicken feed, the pigs love their slop but the cow...she gets special treatment.  Students loved learning why the cow loves cookies...because she shares her milk with the farmer and he shares his cookies.  Milk and cookies go so well together.  I wish I had some for my lunch today!  5 stars

What ever you do today, ENJOY!!
If you need a picture book-these 3 will not disappoint.