So many days by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

This is a gorgeous book with stunning illustrations. The warmth and beauty of the language is matched by the vision and delight of the art.

Unfortunately, I can't see any kid being interested in it. Maybe if you read it interactively "what's the dog doing now? what do you think the little girl is going to do next" but other than that....no, I'm not a big fan of "inspirational picturebooks"

On the other hand, it would make a GREAT graduation present! Next time I know somebody graduating, they're getting this one!

Verdict: If you have parents who like inspiration picturebooks, this might be a good selection for your library collection. Otherwise, save it for personal gift-giving.



ISBN: 9781416958574; Published January 2010 by Atheneum; Review copy provided by the publisher for Cybils; Purchased as a gift

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party. She is SO EXCITED...until her mother, Ami, says she has to take her fussy little sister Sana along. Ami just doesn't understand how birthday parties work! It's not much fun with Sana along, but the worst thing happens after they get home with their party favors. A long time later, it's Sana's turn to be invited...and now Ami says she has to take the littlest sister, Maryam, along. What will Rubina do?

There are several reasons this is an outstanding story. First, it's a universal theme that children will recognize and understand, although it's not one often seen in picture books. The absolute, helpless anger at an adult who just doesn't understand is so, so perfect. I think every child will recognize that frustration and every adult can remember a time when they felt those emotions. The clash between siblings, the older child who feels the younger one is getting away with everything, and Rubina's struggle to decide whether or not she'll help Sana, are all sympathetically and realistically portrayed. Finally, I was glad to see the realistic consequences of Sana's attendance at the party - Rubina doesn't get any invitations "for a really long time." Contrary to all those happy multicultural books, where a student from another culture is first mocked for their strangeness, and then accepted without difficulty....Khan says it like it is; kids are the ultimate conformists and they don't generally like different. Rubina's fellow students don't become fascinated by Pakistani family structure, they don't flock around her begging to know about her family; they avoid her. Rubina has to learn how to reconcile the different cultures she is part of - her family and her school - on her own.

Sometimes I'm a fan of Sophie Blackall's art and sometimes I'm not. Here, I definitely am. The energy and movement of her round-faced children, their excited, angry, hurt, happy expressions, and the changing perspectives are the perfect complement to Khan's text.

Verdict: A beautifully nuanced story with elements that will resonate with a wide range of children of different ages and experiences. The basic plot will draw in younger children in a storytime atmosphere, but this book is also an excellent story to give to older elementary children. Recommended for children dealing with different cultures at home and at school, for children with siblings, and for anyone who's ever been frustrated that someone just doesn't understand.

ISBN: 9780670062874; Published March 2010 by Viking; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez by Rene Colato Lainez, illustrated by Tom Lintern

Two different mythologies meet. Who will win? The Tooth Fairy is collecting teeth for her castle - El Raton Perez is collecting teeth for his rocket ship. El Raton Perez has collecting the teeth of Miguelito's family for generations - but in the United States, it's the Tooth Fairy who collects teeth! When Miguelito's tooth is lost, it takes the special skills of both tooth-collectors to retrieve it and with a little discussion realize they can compromise and both use the tooth.

A note at the end of the story explains the tooth-collector legend around the world and gives details about the two in the story. Translations of the Spanish terms are also given, but they're also pretty obvious from the story.

This is a fun story with lots of silly details. A great way for kids to see connections between different cultures by showing two traditions and how they vary from place to place. I prefer Lintern's illustrations in Cold Water Witch, but his Photoshopped pencil illustrations are quite pleasant in this story and lend a cartoonish feeling to the silly scenes.

Verdict: If you're looking for multicultural stories kids and their parents will actual check out, this is a definite yes! Lots of fun details as well as traditions from different countries and a lesson on compromise and working together.

ISBN: 9781582462967; Published March 2010 by Tricycle Press; Borrowed from the library

Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to be Kosher by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by David Goldin

Baxter is sitting at the bus stop, when a man tells him about the joys of Shabbat. It sounds like fun to Baxter - a special dinner, singing, and being with loved ones. When Baxter returns to the bus stop, a different man is waiting and says he knows all about Shabbat...but Baxter could never be part of Shabbat dinner. He's not kosher!

Baxter sets out to make himself kosher. He tries kosher pickles, raisin challah, and even attempts to become a cow! But everyone tells him a pig can never be kosher...until he meets a friendly rabbi. She explains that being kosher would mean Baxter would get eaten! But as a friend he's welcome to Shabbat dinner.

The book ends with a brief explanation of what a Shabbat dinner is all about and the Jewish tradition of inviting strangers to share the meal. There's also a glossary of the various terms used in the story - kosher, mitzvah, rabbit, etc. I really appreciated that the glossary was written in a friendly, fun style so younger kids could understand the explanations.

This story is an excellent introduction to several major elements of Jewish tradition and culture. Some of Baxter's exchanges with various people at the bus stop feel a little forced, but the open and friendly style of the book balances it. I've been looking at various books introducing different elements of religous and cultural groups and this one, I think, is the best I've seen so far. It doesn't talk down to the reader, but doesn't make any assumptions about prior knowledge. Everything is clearly explained in a humorous, lighthearted manner and it's suitable for wide variety of ages - a lot of these books I've looked at have way too much text, but this one is just right. The illustrations are cartoons in pen, collage, and digital. Not my personal favorite, but they did fit the story well.

Verdict: I'd strongly recommend this for your collection whether or not you have a Jewish demographic in your area. It's a good introduction for kids (and parents) who know nothing about Jewish culture but also for kids who may have Jewish friends or neighbors and are curious about how dietary laws work, which is one of the more visible aspects of Jewish religion.

ISBN: 9781582463155; Published August 2010 by Tricycle Press; Borrowed from the library

Chalk by Bill Thomson

This is a wordless book kids can really get their teeth into.

Heh. I couldn't resist. On a gloomy, rainy day, three children find a bag of chalk in the park. Magical chalk, that makes their drawings come alive. Of course, one kid can't resist drawing...you guessed it, a tyrannosaurus! After a frenzied chase, one child has a bright idea and the dinosaur is defeated. The chalk is left behind for another child to discover the magic, and the three children leave.

Thomson's illustrations, created from acrylic paint and colored pencils, have a slick surface and vibrant depth and movement. He perfectly captures the complete absorption in art, imagination, and magic that only a child can display, and the children's range of emotions from wonder to terror, are spot on at every point. I am specifically in love with the illustration of the butterflies coming alive on the concrete and the children's exuberant delight as they swirl up into the sky.

This book, by the way, is the kind of picturebook I'd like to see more of when I think of adding "multicultural" picturebooks to my library. The three children represent different races and genders, but they are caught in a moment of magic and excitement that any child can understand and empathize with. I was also glad to see that each child played a major part in the story - many picturebooks are starting to show minorities, but mostly as what I call "background diversity"; as a best friend, part of a class, or a neighbor, not as an important character in the story.

Verdict: Highly recommended for public, school, and personal libraries. Display it with books on dinosaurs, art, and imagination. Have children tell the story to you in storytime. Show it to your after school kids and then have a giant chalk drawing program.

ISBN: 9780761455264; Published March 2010 by Marshall Cavendish; Review copy provided by publisher for Cybils; Purchased for the library

Sneaky Sheep by Chris Monroe

While we are rather sad that Chris Monroe did not write another Monkey with a Toolbelt story, we felt much happier once we had read Sneaky Sheep.

Rocky and Blossom live in a very nice meadow with lots of nice sheep and a very nice sheep dog (his name is Murphy). But Rocky and Blossom are not happy. They want to explore! They want to try new things! They want...the greener grass high up the mountain. Murphy knows Rocky and Blossom aren't the whitest wool in the flock (insert hilarious spread of previous bad decisions) and tells them definitely NO.

Which is when the Sneakiness begins. Very, very sneaky Sneakiness. Of course, bad things happen, Murphy saves them, and all is well...for the moment!

Monroe's sketchy cartoon art is the perfect background for this hilarious take on the old adage "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Suitable for preschoolers, this story will resonate most strongly with kindergarteners and younger elementary students who will pick up on the snarky humor.

Verdict: Highly recommended. A great book to have on hand for school visits.

ISBN: 9780761356158; Published September 2010 by Carolrhoda; Borrowed from the library

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

"It was bedtime for the little red chicken." Of course, bedtime requires a bedtime story...but the little chicken just can't resist jumping into the stories and interrupting! Finally, Papa tells her he's all out of stories - so little chicken will have to make up her own!

This is a fun, funny story. The sections of classic fairy tales which little chicken interrupts are drawn in what looks like a parody of Galdone's classic versions and little chicken's wild and unexpected interruptions will bring down the house every time you pull this out at storytime. A fun concept, beautifully executed throughout this unique bedtime story.

Verdict: Highly recommended. Use it to introduce children to classic fairy tales, as an anti-bedtime story, to encourage them to make up their own stories, and just for fun!

ISBN: 9780763641689; Published August 2010 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by the publisher for Cybils; Purchased for the library

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Purple Problem by Ruth Ohi

In the third Chicken, Pig, and Cow adventure, we find out why Cow has purple spots - that's the only color of clay Girl had. But Cow isn't happy with his color, he wants to be a proper cow color. So he sets off on an exciting adventure to change his color. In the end, he decides his original color is best and he is reunited with his old friends and makes a new friend.

This is a simple but attractive little story, suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. The illustrations are light and pleasant and there is gentle humor throughout the story.



Verdict: Not essential, but if you have the budget this is a pleasant series to add to your picturebook section. Children will enjoy the toys' little adventures and you might want to have playdough available for them to make their own creatures.

ISBN: 9781554512195; Published January 2010 by Annick Press; Borrowed from the library

Beautiful Yetta the Yiddish Chicken by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by Jill Pinkwater

Yetta escapes from her crate, en route from the organic chicken farmer to Phil's Poultry World. She is free in Brooklyn. She is also alone, scared, and homesick. The city animals are unfriendly and frightening...until she meets some friendly parakeets. Yetta displays a surprising talent for frightening cats, and she and the parakeets become a family.

Yetta's dialogue is written in English, Hebrew script, and transliterated Yiddish. The parakeets' dialogue is in English, Spanish, and transliterated Spanish. There's a brief explanation of Yiddish and an alphabet and pronunciation guide at the back of the book.

I admit I'm not a big fan of Pinkwater's oeuvre. I've tried various titles and they just have too much quirk for me. This story really didn't grab me either. The parakeets unexpected love for Yetta because of her suddenly discovered cat-chasing abilities and her great beauty didn't make sense to me. I felt the story was rather disjointed and the translated dialogue was jerky. I thought the illustrations were amateurish and not particularly attractive. Of course, as I said earlier I'm not a Pinkwater fan - a quick google search will give you a long list of people who liked, loved, adored, and enjoyed this book.

Verdict: If, like me, you work in a library with a miniscule to nonexistant Jewish population, this isn't a title you need. I'd recommend Laurel Snyder's Baxter the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher for an introduction to an aspect of Jewish culture and the Big Chickens books by Leslie Helakoski for stories of some gutsy chickens.

ISBN: 9780312558246; Published May 2010 by Feiwel and Friends; Borrowed from the library

Please take me for a walk by Susan Gal

Susan Gal, along with Julia Denos, are my two most favorite new picture book illustrators (and authors) coming out over the past year and a half. I was disappointed that no one nominated Gal's Night Lights for a Cybils, but I've noticed books that are published in the last couple months of the year tend to get overlooked in favor of the new shinies.

Anyways. We loooooove this story! First, the text is sweet and funny and engaging. The refrain "please take me for a walk" is sure to get children chanting along and the joyous list of all the things a charming little dog needs to do outside, from chasing birds to meeting friends, is expounded with just the right touches of lyricism and humor.

The art...ah, so, so, lovely. There's a little bit of a Little Golden Books art feel - kind of Tenggren and a little bit of a story board look to the art (no surprise that Gal was a Disney animator for a while), but the rough edges and cross-hatching and the collage elements are all her own. Her children and animals have a wide-eyed exuberance and the art is full of life and action without being too busy. The type is a nice large font with a little bit of curve in it, easy for read-alouds or beginning readers. Readers and listeners will fall in love with Susan Gal's bright-eyed little dog and get inspired to take their own walk outside!

Verdict: Highly recommended. A must for your library and storytime collections!

ISBN: 9780375858635; Published May 2010 by Knopf; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library