So many children share a fear of windy summer storms with the loud sounds of thunder and lightening crackling and booming. This slowly paced picture book addresses those fears with lyrical verse and a soothing calmness as the mother explains what is happening. Though the two of them find shelter in their home, mother explains where the animals go when it storms. It is really a tone poem--told through a gentle dialogue between parent and child. Macken and Gaber, through word and art have created a mood piece in misty scenes that should give the girl in the story (and young listeners,too) a snug sense of security. 4-7.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A little gem of a story about a boy who wants to keep his old shoes. When his mother does not give in, Alfie announces he is going to run away. In one loving scene after another his mother makes sure that he will have everything he needs--water, a flashlight, batteries, peanut butter and crackers, his pillow and bear. Finally Alfie takes off. Though the ending is predictable, it is also reassuring. The drawings capture the youthful vitality of this spirited boy and the moments of bitter sweetness that make it both meaningful and memorable. 

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Poor dragon is so tired, but there's a den of little dragons that keeps growing louder and bigger and keeping him from sleep. This is a zany counting book with a cast that keeps growing and keeping a very drowsy dragon from getting his shut-eye. Fun you can count on without any mean-spirited dragons doing dreadful things.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Bear is hankering for some Ugly Pie, but when he goes from neighbor to neighbor he finds every kind of pie but his favorite. His generous neighbors gives him the only ugly fruits they own and Bear heads home. You guessed it, he's got all he needs for making one great Ugly Pie that smells so delicious it brings all the neighbors calling. Told in lively prose with lilting verse that makes this a fun read aloud you will enjoy reading many times. 3-7

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A foot tapping rhythmic read aloud about the ultimate sleepover at Gramma's. What romping good fun these two have painting, playing, and pretending. Jan Jutte's illustrations of granny elephant and her granddaughter fill the pages of this entertaining book, with a sense of shared joy. If you are a grandparent, put this on the list of must shares. If only all sleepovers were this much fun for both Gramma and child.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2010.

A smaller version of the original I Spy Christmas, this is a shorter book and easier for beginners. Using the usual multifaceted images, readers search the busy photograph to discover the items in the riddles on each facing page. The objects are labeled and therefore easy for sight readers to figure out if they are trying for independent reading. This is also a good choice for encouraging listening and looking skills of preschoolers. As an added pleasure there are punch-out ornaments that you and your child can assemble and add to your own Christmas tree.  A good pre-holiday treat to share as the family anticipates the holidays.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

When Ms Clam takes a yawn, the current moves in and her pearl is gone. Though this reviewer has some problem with the words 'yawn' and 'gone' as the opening rhyme, the rest of the verse gets less worse. In fact, it's a pretty amusing tale of a fish who is something of a super-hero, except he's afraid of the dark. A fun read aloud for kids who like action, humor and illustrations that are full of details that add much to the story.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Gia's Mama is going to have a baby and Gia is anything but thrilled about becoming a big sister. Without being mean and nasty, Mia's view, as the event comes closer, is told with utter honesty. Woodson's language is on the mark with each new turn of events and Blackall's illustrations capture the moods that carry this to a tender ending. Cleverly, the new baby does not appear in a typical storybook happy ending. Instead there's some bittersweet to go along with that very sweet Pecan Pie.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Did you ever hear the story of three Latino osos and a little gal, by the name Rubia with curls of oro? Yes you have--but not this way. This is an amusing version of the Three Bears punctuated with perfectly placed Spanish words. It's light and silly and fun for the reader as well as the listener. 4 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Creak! Said the Bed has a rhythmic pattern with a predictable outcome. It's night and one by one the children of the house ask if they can come to bed with their parents. Each has a simple reason--and each child is accepted with less than a delighted response from dad and a cheerful "Sure" from Mom. It's the arrival of the family pet that provides the comic ending. It's really a one joke book, but probably will make a hit for families that will recognize their late night situation in these pages.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.