Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Fantastic NEW Children's Books

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon


Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader.
But Awesome Man also has a secret. . . . Can you guess what it is?

The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon perfectly captures the fantasy life of young superhero fans.



Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj

I'm sorry—this book is not for you. This book is for CATS ONLY.

What's that you say?
You are a cat?

Okay . . . get ready to prove it!



The Cazuela the the Farm Maiden Stripped by Samantha R. Vamos

PAs a farm girl prepares a cazuela (pot) of rice pudding, the animals on the farm eagerly help. Key English words change to Spanish as the cumulative verse builds to a delicious ending. 

Includes a glossary and a recipe for arroz con leche.


Dog in Boots by Greg Gormley

Inspired by his favorite story about a cat with fantastic boots, Dog heads to the local shoe store and emerges with some splendid footwear. But Dog soon discovers that his fancy shoes won't let him do doggy things. He tries flippers, high heels, even skis, but can't find anything that is just right. 

Could the perfect solution be right under his nose?


Edwin Speaks Up by April Stevens


Here's a book that will get the whole family laughing. When a large family of ferrets and their precocious baby take a chaotic trip to the supermarket, mom can't keep track of the groceries, the shopping cart . . . or even the kids! Baby Edwin tries to help, but everyone thinks he's just babbling. Little do they know that he really has all the answers.

Full of fun-to-say nonsense words this is a perfect storytime book and a great read-aloud.


Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play!

As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! 

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

The bear’s hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance. 

Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor— and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

Mine! by Shutta Crum

Have you ever had a toy you really really liked?  Have you ever had a lot of toys you really really liked?

Have you ever said "MINE!"?
If so, this book is for you!

Enjoy this adorable, playful, picture-based book about two very young children and an adorable dog navigating the troubles and triumphs of sharing.


No Dogs Allowed! by Linda Ashman


Welcome to Alberto's restaurant…unless you're a dog, a cat, a bunny, or ANYTHING with fur, feathers, or scales!

The entertainment escalates in this nearly wordless picture book as more and more people arrive with a surprising selection of pets. Alberto turns them all away—only to see the crowd discover a friendlier alternative in the festive street. Will Alberto find a way to win them back?



No Sleep For the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont

One tired sheep wants nothing more than a good night's sleep. All is peaceful until—QUACK! Is that a duck at the barn door? And now a goat? A pig? A cow? A horse? Each new unexpected guest is bigger and louder than the last! 

How will the sheep ever get this barnyard crowd to quiet down before—COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!

Perfect Square by Michael Hall

A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book.

Red Sled by Lita Judge

In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child's sled for a nighttime joy ride.

Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. 

RRRalph by Lois Ehlert

Would you believe that Ralph the dog can talk? Yip, yip, yip--it's true!

With bestselling author Lois Ehlert's simple, funny, call-and-response text and bold, playful collage illustrations, this fresh, young book is sure to get little ones laughing (and talking to their dogs!)


Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw


Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different!

Through an inviting point-of-view and colorful, vivid illustrations, this story shows how two boys living oceans apart can be the best of friends.



Stars by Mary Lyn Ray

A star is how you know it’s almost night.
As soon as you see one, there’s another, and another.
And the dark that comes doesn’t feel so dark.

What if you could have a star?

From acclaimed author Mary Lyn Ray and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Marla Frazee comes this tender, evocative—and profound—exploration of stars both near and far.



That's How! by Christopher Niemann


How do things work?

Hmmm.
Let me think.

That's How!

Christoph Niemann invites you to look below the surface in this visual exploration of the way things work. Turns out there is more to it than meets the eye!


Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby

Weiner Dog's life of leisure has lost its bite. So when he hears the call of the wild one day, he answers! Thus Weiner Dog becomes...
Weiner Wolf.

A sweet, funny picture book in the spirit of Good Dog, Carl! and Martha Speaks!, Weiner Wolf is sure to appeal to the adventurous side of pets and their owners.

The Woods by Paul Hoppe

Being afraid of the dark doesn't mean being afraid alone. When a boy can't find his favorite stuffed bunny, he bravely heads into the woods to look for it. Instead, he finds a big, scary brown bear! But the bear is just lonely, so the boy shares his night light and forges ahead with his new companion, until...they run into two frightening giants! 

As the boy continues on, he comes across other seemingly menacing creatures, but finds that—like him—they're just looking for some comfort and security before bedtime.