Whether it’s a baby shower or a sip-and-see (for you non-Southerners out there, it’s a gathering where an infant is adored), there is nothing I love more than holding a baby. In lieu of a real baby, I have to settle for books about babies. Lucky for me, there are some adorable new ones to add to my collection.

Melissa Guion’s newest offering, Baby Penguins Love Their Mama!, is one of those books that kids and parents will both love. A mama penguin is busy taking care of her very large family. Between swimming lessons on Monday and squawking on Saturday, it’s no wonder Mama has to take a nap on Sunday. The pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are the stars here—while Mama is playing the role of a modern overscheduled parent, the roly-poly babies are busy making something that Mama doesn’t notice. Follow the pictures and you will discover that these babies know a thing or two about appreciation. When Mama worries about the day when her babies grow up and can do things on their own, the babies assure her that she will always be their Mama. Their heart-shaped present is sure to warm Mama’s heart—and yours.

SPRING BABIES

Il Sung Na’s A Book of Babies is as bright and sweet as its cover, which features a very yellow chick on a rich green background. Spring has come, and all sorts of babies are born. A new duckling explores the world, noticing other animals along the way. Very young readers will learn about these babies: Some have siblings, some have none, some can walk, some have fur and so on. Na’s colorful illustrations, filled with rainbows that pop in unexpected and welcome places (leaves, a lion’s mane, a seahorse’s pouch), are perfect for this dreamy story. Each loving animal family is shown taking care of its young offspring, reassuring young readers about how families care for their own babies. Textured papers, some used as background and others in collage, add depth and interest. In the end, this is a go-to-sleep book, the very best sort of book for babies and their tired parents.

BABY BROTHER

One of the biggest challenges for new families is the birth of a second or third baby, especially when there is a toddler waiting suspiciously in the wings. Dino-Baby, written by Mark Sperring and illustrated by Sam Lloyd, is unabashed in its message about how a toddler needs to behave with a new baby in the house. Opening with an obviously pregnant dinosaur mother, this rhyming and rhythmic story directly addresses a wide-eyed dino-sister who wants to do the right thing for her new little brother. The right thing to do is be quiet when the baby is sleeping, share and be gentle and polite. Adults might like the message, but kids will stay for the humorous, bright cartoon illustrations. They’ll laugh at the father wearing a tie and the dino-baby wrapped in a cuddly blankie.

Keep these books in mind when that next baby shower invitation arrives in the mail.

Even if the weather is still cold, it’s time to start thinking about the change in seasons. Springtime means new beginnings and the chance to play outside and appreciate nature. Preschoolers and their parents and teachers will love these three new picture books that celebrate the joys of nature.

Jennifer Ward teams up with master paper artist Steve Jenkins in Mama Built a Little Nest (ages 4 to 8). From the title page, where a cactus is used as a wren’s nest, to the final spreads where the reader realizes that a bed is a nest for a person, the young lap listener can celebrate nests of all sorts. The gently rhyming text (which can be sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) is easy to follow and is presented in a generous typeface. Smaller type follows later, and this is where the author presents the book’s more scientific information.

Budding bird lovers will find lots to appreciate, from woodpeckers and hummingbirds to cowbirds and penguins. Jenkins’ cut-paper collages, so familiar in many other nature books, are stunning and make excellent use of white space. Ward’s light humor makes these short poems unforgettable: “Daddy built a little nest— / now don’t gross out—with spit. / Who would have thought that spit would make / the perfect place to sit?”

A BUG’S WORLD

Some Bugs (ages 4 to 8), written by Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel, is another fine book for the very youngest reader. Bugs—insects and spiders alike—are endlessly fascinating, aren’t they? With the simplest of text and effortless rhyme, DiTerlizzi tells a lot: “Some bugs sting. Some bugs bite. Some bugs stink.” Turn the page for the kicker: “And some bugs fight!” The collage, crayon and paint illustrations show bugs in their natural environments and are sure to bring a chuckle to the reader, no matter how old. Each insect is shown with exaggerated bug eyes (pun intended), often looking directly at the reader. The final page reveals a marvelous surprise: The previous spreads have been close-ups of the child’s backyard, which is now shown in its entirety. Delightful!

GROWING UP

Seeds live in the soil and are reluctant to make their way to the surface in Rooting for You (ages 3 to 5), written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Matthew Cordell. One little green seed (a pea?) is NOT coming out of the earth. Alone with the earthworms and cicadas, he seems nervous and worried. Just like teachers and parents cheer for children, all the little earthy critters cheer on our little pea as he sticks out one little root—and then a shoot, and so on.

The book works regardless of whether young readers recognize the seed as a symbol for new experiences, so it’s no big deal if the message goes unnoticed. Whether your little one is heading for preschool or for college, let her know that you are rooting for her!

Robin Smith lives in Nashville, where she teaches second grade, knits and reads, sometimes all at the same time.

It’s never too early to start teaching kids about the importance of friendship. Offering lessons to live by, three delightful new picture books demonstrate the rewards of team effort and the power of partnership. As these clever tales prove, pitching in to help a pal—whether it’s with a stroke-of-genius idea or a simple word of cheer—can make a world of difference. That’s what friends are for!

A HIGH-FLYING TALE OF TEAMWORK
No goal is unattainable if you’ve got a gang of buddies to lend a hand. Of course it helps if they have smarts and pluck, like the animals that assist their penguin pal in Kerstin Schoene’s A Mountain of Friends. Giraffe, toucan, elephant, snake—all are concerned about the little penguin, who, attired in a tiny black hat and matching bow tie, slouches glumly on a chunk of ice. This bird clearly has the blues! Why? The flippers he possesses instead of wings prevent him from taking to the air. “Just once I want to soar above the clouds,” the penguin says.

In a fun twist, readers are prompted to rotate the book, which takes on a vertical orientation as the resourceful animals assemble themselves into a precarious pile that reaches to the sky. And who’s at the very top? The penguin! Poised on the tip of the elephant’s trunk, he’s able to enjoy—at last—the feeling of flight. Rendered vividly in chalk, pencil and watercolor, Schoene’s furred and feathered group shows just how important it is to support a friend in need. With its irresistible illustrations and inspiring upshot, this story soars.

A HOUSE BUILT ON FRIENDSHIP
Willingness to compromise is a terrific quality in a friend, as demonstrated by the companion-critters in Kit Chase’s new book, Oliver’s Tree. There’s Lulu, a dainty little bird, and Charlie, a trim, gray bunny. Both take to the trees in the forest with ease. If only Oliver, their elephant friend, could join them! During games of hide-and-seek, Oliver, with his big, gray bulk, is at a decided disadvantage. Lulu’s so light she can vanish up in the branches, and Charlie’s so slight he can hide inside a stump, but Oliver’s weight is too great for any tree. His attempt to scale a low-hanging limb ends in a crash.

Thoroughly dejected, Oliver stalks off and falls asleep. But Lulu and Charlie have an idea. On a broad, flat tree stump, using sticks and moss, leaves and rocks, they build a whimsical house. Size-wise—“not too small and not too tall”—it suits the trio to a T, and Oliver soon joins his buddies there for an inaugural game of pirates. Problem solved! Chase does a wonderful job of depicting the riches of nature—delicate mushrooms and vibrant blooms—with ink and watercolors. Her pink-cheeked woodland pals make this tale of cooperation a winner.

FRIENDS IN FLIGHT
Lita Judge’s too-funny Flight School is the tale of a misfit (another anatomically challenged penguin, as it happens) who, with the help of his mates, graduates with—there’s no better way to say it—flying colors. School is in full swing, and birds of every feather have gathered near a dock to try out their wings, including one latecomer—a penguin who’s more than ready to soar. “I have the soul of an eagle,” he says. Teacher, a stern-looking bird with a pince-nez balanced on his beak, regards his tardy pupil doubtfully but allows him to join the group.

After weeks of practice, the class is ready for flight day. Penguin takes off, but his flippers fail, and he belly-flops into the ocean. When he resurfaces, he’s ready to quit. But his chums come up with a clever way of getting him into the air. In the end, Penguin is so happy with his flight-school experience that he brings a new student to class—an ostrich “with the soul of a swallow.” Uh-oh.

Ford’s storytelling genius shines through her richly detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations. Her birds have character to spare. Overall grade: A+.

Featuring creatures with outsize personalities whose slightly subversive behavior is hugely hilarious, the picture books featured below are about defying expectations and bending the rules. Young readers, show the world who you really are!

Delightfully demonstrating the adage that there’s “nothing to fear but fear itself,” Jill Esbaum’s I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo! is a triumphant tale of self-reliance that features, of all creatures, a cow. In the barnyard one day, Nadine boasts about her own bravery, impressing her cow comrades, Starla and Nanette. To test her courage, the two suggest a trek to the forest. Nadine is game, although the sight of the woods—overgrown, dark and dense—quickly sparks fear in her heart. Nadine discovers that she loves the woods, but when she becomes separated from her friends and night falls, she’s terrified. With a twitch of her own tail, she spooks herself and takes off at a mad trot. But she soon bumps into her buddies, who were hopelessly lost. Convinced that Nadine saved them, they celebrate her as a hero—not quite the truth, Nadine knows, but close enough! Esbaum’s rollicking, rhymed lines give this inspiring story momentum, while Gus Gordon’s clever mixed-media illustrations will draw the kiddos in for a closer look. Who knew that fear could be fun?

HOLLYWOOD STARS
And the Best Comedy Award goes to . . . Richard T. Morris and Tom Lichtenheld for their screwball offering, This Is a Moose. Set in the woods during the shooting of a movie, this zany tale is the story of a star who eludes the typecasting trap and pursues new dreams. The lead, a moose with broad antlers and a defiant stance, has something to declare: He wants to be an astronaut! Clad as a spaceman, he steps before the camera, causing the director to call “cut”—the first of many such eruptions, as the star and his animal pals usurp the production. With gags aimed at grownups, showbiz jokes and a quintessential dictator-director, this is a brilliant send-up of cinema culture. On this set, a bear serves as gaffer, a chimp mans the camera, and a kangaroo wields the clapper. Lichtenheld is the real director here: His antic illustrations in ink, pencil and gouache make Moose a future classic. Readers will applaud this behind-the-scenes movie spoof.

HOW-TO HIGH JINKS
Camp Rex, Molly Idle’s madcap sleepaway adventure, features the blue-eyed tykes from her previous book, Tea Rex. This time around, the proceedings are less civilized, as blonde and beaming Cordelia and her impish younger brother (with teddy bear in tow) rough it in the wilderness with four grinning, agreeable dinosaurs. No regulation troupe, this! Led by the granddaddy of them all, T. Rex, whose kit consists of a red neckerchief and a minuscule scout hat, the gang goes on a march and (after some inexpert attempts at pitching tents) sets up camp. When it comes time to gather round the fire, T. Rex tears a tree from the ground, attaches marshmallows to the roots and gets to roasting! Idle plays it straight in the text, adopting a serious, how-to-camp tone that stands in hilarious contrast to her genius drawings. This is an irresistible trip readers will want to go on again and again.

This article was originally published in the May 2014 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Three picture books about racing use the excitement of competition to introduce themes of cooperation, collaboration and sharing.

AND THEY’RE OFF!
Jamie Harper’s Miles to the Finish finds Miles and his buddy Otto polishing their wheels for the preschool Grand Prix when trouble arrives in the form of a woman. Well, a girl—Indie’s a racer, too, with a much faster car. Miles is determined to beat her, but cooperation and friendship win the day. The book’s brightly colored mixed media art and dialogue-driven story make it perfect for reading aloud, right down to the big “ERRRRRH!” when Miles slams on the brakes. Such drama!

FRIENDLY COMPETITION
Miles and his friends are human, but Number One Sam is a dashing dog who’s used to being number one on the track. When he loses a race, his confidence is shaken, and he neglects his best friend. Another race looks like it’s in the bag, but when a crisis arises, Sam does the right thing and is able to enjoy a different kind of victory. Author/illustrator Greg Pizzoli uses bold colors and simple designs here, so the little things stand out: When Sam loses, his car’s big red “1” is crossed out and a blue “2” is handwritten beside it; when he stops to help some birds, their chatter includes one asking him to slow down and another declaring, “You are my idol.” He’ll be yours, too.

WINNER’S CIRCLE
Chisato Tashiro’s Five Nice Mice series hits the road with Five Nice Mice & the Great Car Race. It’s the most visually complex book here, but has the simplest story: The mice compete in an auto race whose prize is the biggest piece of cheese imaginable! Inspired to succeed, they design a car from an empty can (of Red Bull) with a battery-powered motor and a secret weapon to help them reach the finish line. The race takes the competitors through an outdoor market and public park, past curious children, dogs and mice lining the race path with directional flags. Tashiro gives each mouse a distinct look and personality, and kids will have fun picking them out of the crowd. The moral here is simple—an edible prize is best shared with friends—and who can argue with that? These mice really are nice.

Heather Seggel reads too much and writes all about it in Northern California.

Somewhere around a child’s fourth birthday, the whine begins. At first it’s a soft sound, the gentle “aww” whenever anyone walks by with a puppy or friendly dog, and the begging grows with every cat video that pops up on any website. It hits a fever pitch when someone—a neighbor, a relative—gets a puppy or a kitty or a goldfish. Soon, you give in and get a pet. Thank goodness there are some new picture books that are almost as lovable as your new responsibility.

Take some gray felt, pipe cleaners, cotton, beads and nylon thread, plus quite a lot of sewing and gluing and talent, and you, too, could create amazing books like Maggie Rudy. OK, you couldn’t do any such thing, but you can snuggle up to I Wish I Had a Pet and revel in the world that Rudy has created. This time, her main character is a little girl mouse, clad in a yellow calico dress with a purple sash. Clearly, she wants a pet. But which one? She considers all the possibilities, small and large, from roly-polies, beetles and bumblebees to birds, frogs and turtles. Each spread is a marvel of a little mouse world where young children will want to explore all the details.

Through these amazing scenes, Rudy offers wise advice about pet ownership: Get a pet that suits your style, is not too big, doesn’t make you sneeze or is too fierce. You can play with your pet, but it is not a doll. You have to care for it by cleaning it, making it comfy, feeding and watering it. Pick up after it when it makes a mess; exercise it; and teach it tricks. It will be hard to resist the call for a pet after reading this treasure to your pet-starved youngster.

TROUBLEMAKER
If you are trying to stave off the pet pleas, Naughty Kitty! might fit the bill. Coming on the heels of his hilarious Silly Doggy!, Adam Stower outdoes himself with this tale of kitten ownership gone bad. Starting on the end pages, the careful reader will notice some hints of things to come: A striped orange tiger has gone missing, but Lily is much too excited about her new gray kitten to think about that. She wished for a dog, but the kitten is nevertheless quite cute and cuddly—even if he can’t do any tricks. The minute Lily’s back is turned, things go wrong. The runaway tiger sneaks in, makes a huge mess and goes on his way, leaving Kitty to blame. This scene repeats until the little kitty “saves” Lily from the neighbor’s dog, which is clothed in an orange striped sweater.

There’s nothing more fun than being in on a joke, and your lap-listener will love discovering all the sneaky ways Stower has included hints of the tiger’s presence. Who knows—your young reader might be so distracted by the joke, she might forget that she wants a pet. Maybe.

CONE OF SHAME
Puppies Mister Bud and Zorro are back in Mister Bud Wears the Cone. If you have not yet given in and gotten a pet, Carter Goodrich’s hilarious dog stories will test your resolve. This time, a hot spot on Mister Bud’s back is wreaking havoc on Zorro’s schedule and making Mister Bud miserable. When their owner has to leave, Mister Bud has to wear the cone. Adults know how unhappy dogs are when they have to wear the cone, but children will understand Zorro’s glee: Now he can eat all the treats and play tricks on his visually impeded friend. When Mister Bud accidentally smashes a lamp, Zorro waits in anticipation for the owner’s return; he just knows that Mister Bud is in trouble for sure!

These two dogs have so much personality that adults and children alike will have trouble resisting them. Who can choose a favorite? Not me. Uh-oh—now your child will want two pets!

This article was originally published in the June 2014 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Putting a playful spin on school, these picture books depict life in the classroom as a grand adventure, filled with good friends, fun activities and teachers that are wise beyond words.

Fresh recruits feeling less than intrepid about maneuvering the school days that lie ahead will be heartened by Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt and Shane Prigmore. The first day of class takes on the dimensions of a cosmic mission in this imaginative tale, as a courageous young boy leaves behind the comforts of home to explore an unknown zone: kindergarten! In class, he acclimates to an atmosphere that’s undeniably intergalactic, with a mission-control intercom and far-out friends, including a pair of pink sister-twins with long white hair, and a tall, thin figure whose bulging head is hidden inside a purple hoodie. Crisply rendered and a bit retro, Prigmore’s brilliant digital illustrations make this space-age expedition extra special.

A TEACHER TRANSFORMED
A mischievous pupil butts heads with a stern instructor in My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.) by acclaimed author and illustrator Peter Brown. Bobby, a boy with a light-socket shock of hair and a penchant for paper airplanes, has a rocky relationship with his teacher, Ms. Kirby. In class she addresses him shrilly as “Robert” and—after an unfortunate airplane incident—deprives him of recess. Small wonder Bobby views her as a monster! Ms. Kirby is indeed a scary sight—a creature-teacher with green skin and fangs. But when Bobby runs into her in the park, the encounter (which involves ducks, a flying hat and—yes—a paper airplane) is surprisingly pleasant. As he gets to know the real Ms. Kirby, her monster facade fades. Brown’s nifty India ink, watercolor and gouache illustrations reward careful scrutiny. This one’s destined to become a school-season staple.

A BIG IMPRESSION
A master of many genres, Neil Gaiman tackles school anxiety in Chu’s First Day of School, the delightful follow-up to his bestseller Chu’s Day. This time, the pint-sized panda is fretting over his first-ever school experience. When the big morning arrives, he’s greeted by a kind teacher (a bespectacled bear) and a menagerie of animal-students, who introduce themselves and explain what they love to do: Robin likes to fly, while Pablo, the monkey, gets a kick out of climbing. Uneasy Chu sits in silence until a cloud of chalk dust forces him to share his own special ability. We won’t reveal what happens next, but suffice it to say, Chu blows his classmates away! This panda has plenty of personality thanks to artist Adam Rex, whose rollicking illustrations, executed in oil and mixed media, have depth, dimension and detail. Immanently adorable, Chu is the perfect pal for readers suffering from first-day phobia.

This article was originally published in the August 2014 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Being a small kid in a big world isn’t always easy. It’s sometimes hard to get noticed, let alone feel like anything is within your control. But three new picture books are guaranteed to encourage even the smallest children to stand up for themselves—and others.

SEEN AND HEARD
In The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade, family music star Justin Roberts and up-and-coming artist Christian Robinson combine their considerable talents to tell the story of Sally McCabe. While Sally may indeed be the smallest one in school, she has a large capacity for paying “extra special attention” to everything going on around her. It’s Sally who notices tiny incidents: “how a whisper could make someone cower like a bulldozer crushing through fields of wildflowers.” Eventually, Sally speaks up, starting a wave of kindness, proving that you don’t have to be big and powerful to make a difference. The rhyming text is enhanced by Robinson’s playful colored pencil illustrations.

HUSTLE AND BUSTLE
Like Sally McCabe, the Elliot in Mike Curato’s arresting debut title, Little Elliot, Big City, is tiny—a petite, somewhat shy, polka-dotted elephant to be precise. (And yes, a plush animal is in the works.) The dedication, “For anyone who feels unnoticed,” captures Little Elliot’s daily experiences as he makes his way around a 1930s/'40s New York City: riding on the subway, trying to catch a cab and, most importantly, attempting to order a cupcake from the local bakery. But as Elliot learns, there is always someone a little smaller or in need of help, and when he and his new friend Mouse work as a team, they achieve both success (yum!) and make a new friend. With its iconic images and heartwarming story, this first book is a memorable start to what is sure to be a successful series and career.

PEACE AND LOVE
It’s perhaps fitting that the last book Leo Dillon was working on before his death was about empowering children around the globe. Leo and Diane Dillon’s If Kids Ran the World is a boisterous celebration of diversity, harmony and imagination. Things, little and big, would be different if kids ran the world, whether it’s housing that doesn’t ruin the land or sea, medicine for people who need it, or just not being teased because of the clothes you wear. As the authors’ note says, “Kids who make the world better will probably grow up into adults who want to do the same thing.” And that can certainly be said of Leo and Diane Dillon, whose commitment to equality has empowered generations of children and adults to make a difference in the world.

Deborah Hopkinson lives near Portland, Oregon. Her most recent book for young readers is The Great Trouble.