A light but meaningful book about a young hippo who is about to start school. Her best friend, Tiny, a mouse is very conservative and keeps telling plump Penelope that what she wants to wear, eat for lunch and carry for show and tell is all wrong. After hearing him out Pen turns out the next day in her original choices and discovers that being herself is the best thing she can be. On one level it's a terrific tale--on another, as a parent you may have some qualms about going along with some of the off the wall choices kids can and do make. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2013.

Great literature it's not, but it is an entertaining book of one liners by a dad ( like mine) who always made corny jokes. For example, "Whenever I say, "I’m hungry," Dad says, "Hello, Hungry. Pleased to meet you."  As the young narrator tells us again and again...his dad thinks he's funny and in the end,we think kids will agree with that dad. Good for some silly giggling together. Some of the jokes will go over the heads of preschoolers. 5 & up

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2013.

With some guilt for the way we treated my best friend's little sister, I have confess this story about two "big kids" who try to ignore a little brother rings, oh, so true! Big sisters do have a way of wanting time alone with friends, a fact that little brothers and sisters don't seem too understand. With good humor and some predictability, the stand-off ends with little brother saving the two big kids with some help from Mom, of course. This is the best story in the new collection of easy, I Like to Read titles.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This is one of the new Curious George books written in the style of the original. The stories are less complex and sometimes a bit didactic, though this one manages to make a thank you notes into something that might be fun. When George receives a thank you note for a birthday gift he likes the idea, especially putting stickers on cards. Any story that instills the idea of saying thanks for gifts strikes this reviewer as a positive idea. Great literature it is not--but it does make a good story that can be followed up with stickers, paper, markers and thank-you notes for holiday gifts. Also see, Splat says Thanks You!

We notice that online there is a book with stationary package. That looks like a great combo for followup fun.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

New Yorkers will especially relate to this story about a stonecutter at St. John the Divine. She's a working mom who lives in a modest home and trudges home each night dusty and tired. Yet her dedication speaks to the devotion she brings to her work. When the stone she has completed is finished she brings the children to see it. Her son John is disappointed at first that her name is not on it. But even the children come to understand the community of workers who have dedicated themselves to a common cause. Handsome illustrations light up the story whether in the modest apartment or under the stained glass window in the cathedral that has been in construction for more than a century.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A playful dialogue begins with Lily asking what her grandma what she would like to be when she grows up. Lily's imagination takes off with a variety of choices that lend themselves to fun illustrations. An entertaining read aloud that might lead to some further occupational choices to dream up. 4-7

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A playful dialogue begins with Lily asking what her grandma what she would like to be when she grows up. Lily's imagination takes off with a variety of choices that lend themselves to fun illustrations. An entertaining read aloud that might lead to some further occupational choices to dream up. 4-7

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Preschoolers will love the upside down humor of this tongue-in-cheek storybook. In her backyard, Lily sees something she has always wanted—a doggy. Of course it is rather big and obviously, to all but Lily, it is a huge bear! There is nothing scary about this silly little story that ends when Silly Lily posts a sign about her lost doggy, hoping no one will come. This might be best to borrow from the library. It's a fun book but a one joke story that may not be one of those read it again treasures.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Kids love upside down humor and this is a fun-filled example. Grandpa is coming over and the child narrator gives young listeners many important tips on how to be a good baby-sitter with Grandpa. From the moment he arrives the games begin and dear old Grandpa has to find his grandchild. After that there are tips on snacks to offer, getting ready to go outdoors and coming home to play good games. The cartoonish illustrations match the playful tone of this little book that is sure to tickle babysitting grandparents as well as their grandkids. 3-6.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A handsome and original approach to an adoption book. Unlike the usual storybooks that center on bringing home a baby, this book uses realistic photographs of babies and bigger school aged kids. It stresses the idea that there are so many different ways, reasons, places, and families that have grown through adoption. This is the kind of book that raises many questions children have about being adopted. It may also be a liberating book prompting children to ask questions they have kept to themselves. Full color photos capture diverse families with children of many ethnic backgrounds.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011.