Froggy's Best Babysitter
(by Jonathan London/ illus. by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking $15.99 Score:) We have liked all the Froggy series, but this one is more unsettling than not. When Froggy's parents go off to the city for their anniversary they leave Froggy and his baby sister with a new baby sitter. This sitter is the very model of what not you would want. She is more interested in talking on her cell to her boyfriend than the kids and the art shows the baby and Froggy in the tub without supervision. Ok, it's a book, but what kind of model is this? You never see baby out of the tub or tucked into bed. It took a lot of page turns before we know baby is still in the story and safe. Too bad. This is not a funny book and we advise you to check out earlier Froggy tales from the backlist or your library.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Piglet and Granny
(by Margaret Wild/ illus. by Stephen M. King, Abrams Books $15.99 Score:)

Piglet is waiting for Granny to come visit. She meets all the animals in the neighborhood as she does all the happy things Granny has taught her to do. A charming little story with a repetitive refrain that children will like chiming in on as the old-fashioned story unfolds. 2 1/2 - 6.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Little Books Set: Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink Boxed Set
(by Amy K. Rosenthal and Jen Corace, Chronicle $19.99 Score:)

What child would not see the humor of a little pea who hates having to eat five pieces of candy for dinner and pouts until dessert arrives…a dish of spinach! Little Hoot hates having to stay up late and as for Little Oink – he suffers from his parents’ need for messiness.  These three little award winners are now produced in sturdy board books and packaged together to make a sweet gift. These will be read again and again-but you will not mind since they are short and funny. 3 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Otis
(by Loren Long, Philomel $17.99 Score:)

An oversized old fashioned story book with echoes of Mike Mulligan. Otis, an old tractor is replaced by a big shiny new tractor. Left in the barn the farmer’s potential “prize” calf is miserable without Otis. When that little calf falls into a muddy pond there is only one way to get it out. A charming story of friendship with art that pays homage to picture books of an earlier bucolic time and artists such as Virginia Lee Burton and Robert Lawson.  4-8

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

First Ballet
(by Deanna Caswell/ illus. by Elizabeth Matthews, Hyperion $16.99 Score:)

Most little girls who have been taken to the ballet for the first time will relate to this lyrical little book. Told in verse, it captures the excitement of the occasion. Matthew's lively illustrations capture the adventure and even the joy after the event when both adult and child are inspired to take a twirl or two. 4-7

 

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

What Sisters Do Best/ What Brothers Do Best
(By Laura Numeroff/ illus. by Lynn Munsinger, Chronicle $15.99 Score:)

A reversible/flip book with the same text in both versions but different illustrations depending on the gender you choose. Unlike so many sibling books that focus on negatives, this one is totally positive and clever—in that the things both genders do are the same. It’s only the specific ways they do them are different. That’s a big and very positive concept for kids to think about! 3-6.

 

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Shwatsit!
((by Christin Ditchfield/ illus. by Rosiland Beards, Golden $15.99 Score:)

A big brother keeps trying to understand what his baby sister means by her favorite word…“Shwatsit!”  Told in bouncing rhyme, it soon becomes apparent that this one word covers a lot of territory. In the end it turns out to be more than one word. 3-5.
 

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Hug
(by Jez Alborough, Candlewick $14.99 Score:)

A little chimp travels through the jungle in search of a hug. While he finds many other animals hugging, it's not until he finds his mommy that our little chimp is content. Told with few words and charming illustrations, this story is sure to lead to some hug time of your own. Now available in a sturdy boardbook that will get lots of lugging that leads to hugging!

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2001.

A Pig Is Moving In!
(by Claudi Fries, Orchard $15.95 Score:) Preconceived notions of what kind of neighbor a pig would make are all shattered when this friendly, accident-prone but tidy pig moves in. Talks to keeping an open mind.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2001.

Happy Birthday, Davy!
(by Brigitte Weninger/illus. by Eve Tharlet, North-South $15.95 Score:) Like so many small rabbits, Davy wishes for more attention. On his birthday, all his many wishes come true thanks to his grandparents who give him the best gift of all-their time and attention. 4 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2001.