UNDER FIVE
Arf! Beg! Catch!: Dogs from A to Z
written and photographed by Henry Horenstein
(Scholastic, 1999) $12.95, 0-590-03380-8
Charming, active photographs illustrate this original, humorous alphabet book. (4-6)
Bark, George
written and ill. by Jules Feiffer
(HarperCollins, 1999) $15.99, 0-06-205185-7
Hilarious tale with exaggerated illustrations of a dog who purrs, quacks, moos and grunts, but doesn't bark. A perfect read-aloud! (2-5)
Beaten by a Balloon
by Margaret Mahy, ill. by Jonathan Allen
(Viking, 1998) o.p
Sam, upset when his father will not buy him toy weapons, confronts a real-life bank robber. Zany illustrations. (4-6)
The Boy on the Beach
written and ill. by Niki Daly
(McElderry, 1999) o.p.
While fearful of the waves, a young boy has a wonderful day exploring the beach. Pleasant watercolors. (3-5)
Bunny and Me
written and photographed by Adele Aron Greenspun, photographic enhancement by Joanie Schwarz
(Scholastic, 2000) $9.95, 0-439-14700-X
Baby and Bunny get to know each other. Tinted photographs. (2-4)
Busy, Busy City Street
by Cari Meister, ill. by Steven Guarnaccia
(Viking, 2000) o.p.
Exuberant paean to traffic noise and urban congestion rendered in graphic illustrations. (2-4)
Come On, Rain!
by Karen Hesse, ill. by Jon J. Muth
(Scholastic, 1999) $16.95, 0-590-33125-6
After a very long dry spell, the joy of rain brings giggling hugs and dancing feet. (4-6)
Count Down to Clean Up!
written and ill. by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
(HMC, 2001) $14.00, 0-618-10130-6
Bunnies gather together to clean up the park. Counting concepts. Appealing cut paper collage. (3-5)
Counting Kisses
written and ill. by Karen Katz
(McElderry, 2001) $14.00, 0-689-83470-5
A baby?s day of kisses, ending with a lovely kiss goodnight. Colorful, graphic illustrations. (0-2)
Cowboy Bunnies
by Christine Loomis, ill. By Ora Eitan
(Putnam, 1997) $15.99, 0-399-22625-7
Bunnies pretend to be cowboys before bedtime. Charming rhyme and playful art. A delightful read-aloud. (3-5)
Dreaming: A Countdown to Sleep
written and ill. by Elaine Greenstein
(Scholastic, 2000) $15.95, 0-439-06302-7
A wonderful bedtime counting book. (3-5)
The Elf's Hat
by Brigitte Weninger, ill. by John A. Rowe, trans. by J. Alison James
(North-South, 2000) $15.95, 0-7358-1254-3
A lost cap and the animals that claim it for a home. Vivid, energetic art. (3-5)
Five Trucks
written and ill. by Brian Floca
(DK, Inc., 1999) $15.95, 0-7894-2561-0
In an unusual blend of story and concept, five trucks work together in an exciting project. (2-4)
The Gingerbread Man
by Jim Aylesworth, ill. by Barbara McClintock
(Scholastic, 1998) $15.95, 0-590-97219-7
Captivating watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose invigorate this tale of the spirited cookie done in by a fox. (3-6)
Good as Goldie
written and ill. by Margie Palatini
(Hyperion, 2000) o.p.
A spunky sister's view of her baby brother. Lively text and humorous illustrations. (1-3)
Good Knight
by Linda R. Rymill, ill. by G. Brian Karas
(Henry Holt, 1998) o.p.
One boy's resistance to bathtime and getting ready for bed. Humorously told and illustrated. (3-6)
The Goose That Almost Got Cooked
written and ill. by Marc Simont
(Scholastic, 1997) $15.95, 0-590-69075-2
Vivacious Emily tries out her independence but learns to appreciate the love and safety of the flock. Lovely watercolors. (3-5)
Happy to Be Nappy
by Bell Hooks, ill. by Chris Raschka
(Hyperion, 1999) $14.99, 0-7868-0427-0
Rhythmic read-aloud celebrates the diversity of hair texture with joyous, rambunctious, expressive watercolors. (2-4)
The Hat
written and ill. By Jan Brett
(Putnam, 1997) $16.99, 0-399-23101-3
One by one, Lisa's winter clothes disappear from the clothesline in this cumulative tale. Charming illustrations. (3-5)
Hello Baby!
written and ill. by Lizzy Rockwell
(Crown, 1999/Random, 2000) P$6.99, 0-517-80074-8
A very young chick describes the baby growing inside his mother and shares the baby's homecoming. (2-4)
Here Comes Mother Goose
edited by Iona Opie, ill. by Rosemary Wells
(Candlewick, 1999) $21.99, 0-7636-0683-9
Large print and delightful illustrations make this a joy for reading and sharing. (2-5)
Horace and Morris but mostly Dolores
by James Howe, ill. by Amy Walrod
(Atheneum, 1999) $16.00, 0-689-31874-X
Mouse friends discover that excluding the girl is not nearly as much fun as playing together. (3-5)
How Are You Peeling?: Foods with Moods
by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers, photos by Nimkin/Parrinello
(Scholastic, 1999) $15.95, 0-439-10431-9
Sharp, colorful photographs of fruits and vegetables carved to represent different moods and feelings. (3-5)
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
by Jane Yolen, ill. by Mark Teague
(Blue Sky, 2000) $15.95, 0-590-31681-8
The mini crises of bedtime in rhymed text with funny illustrations. (3-5)
I Lost My Bear
written and ill. by Jules Feiffer
(Morrow, 1998) $16.00, 0-688-15147-7
A little girl plays detective to find her beloved stuffed animal. Told and illustrated with humor. (3-5)
I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
by Rose Lewis, ill. by Jane Dyer
(Little, Brown, 2000) $14.95, 0-316-52538-3
An orphaned baby girl from China is adopted by a single American woman. (4-6)
I Walk At Night
by Lois Duncan, ill. by Steve Johnson Fancher
(Viking, 2000) $15.99, 0-670-87513-9
Cats and their mysterious ways celebrated in poetry and picture. (4-6)
I'll Play with You
by Mary McKenna Siddals, ill. by David Wisniewski
(Clarion, 2000) $14.00, 0-395-90373-4
A whimsical conversation with children and the elements--sun, rain, wind. Collage illustrations. (2-4)
Kiss the Cow!
by Phyllis Root, ill. by Will Hillenbrand
(Candlewick, 2000/2003) P$5.99, 0-7636-2003-3
Annalisa, not the oldest and not the youngest, but the most curious and most stubborn of all Mama May?s many children, upsets the magic cow. (4-6)
Like Likes Like
written and ill. by Chris Raschka
(DK, Inc., 1999/2001) P$6.95, 0-7894-8189-8
A lonely cat falls in love in a rose garden. Warm and charming, with vibrant illustrations. (2-5)
Max Cleans Up
written and ill. by Rosemary Wells
(Viking, 2000) $15.99, 0-670-89218-1
Max helps Ruby clean up the mess in his room in a most original way. Delightful story and illustrations. (3-5)
Mouse Mess
written and ill. by Linnea Riley
(Blue Sky, 1997) $16.95, 0-590-10048-3
A delightful and playful tale of a mouse on the loose. Vibrant collages. (4-7)
My Car
written and ill. by Byron Barton
(Greenwillow, 2001) $14.95, 0-06-029624-0
A man, his car and the care he takes of it. Bright, bold illustations. (2-4)
One Lighthouse, One Moon
written and ill. by Anita Lobel
(Greenwillow, 2000) $15.95, 0-688-15539-1
The days of the week, months of the year, and the four seasons beautifully presented in striking color and design. (3-6)
One of Each
by Mary Ann Hoberman, ill. by Majorie Priceman
(Little, Brown, 1997, 2000) P$5.95, 0-316-36644-7
In this rhyming tale, Oliver Tolliver learns to share his solitary pleasures with first one friend, then another. Whimsical illustrations. (3-5)
Pete?s A Pizza
written and ill. by William Steig
(HarperCollins, 1998) $15.99, 0-06-205157-1
Mom and Dad play with Pete when a rainy day washes out his plans. (3-5)
The Pig is in the Pantry, The Cat is on the Shelf
by Shirley Mozelle, ill. by Jennifer Plecas
(Clarion, 2000) $15.00, 0-395-78627-4
Eight rambunctious animals get into mischief in an empty farmhouse. A whimsical, silly and delightful read-aloud. (4-6)
A Place to Sleep
written and ill. by Holly Meade
(Cavendish, 2001) $15.95, 0-7614-5096-3
Where do various types of animals sleep? Colorful collage illustrations with black-and-white answers. (3-5)
The Puddle
written and ill. by David McPhail
(FSG, 1998) o.p.
When a young boy sails his toy boat in a puddle he conjures up all kinds of animals and adventures. Appropriate illustrations. (3-5)
Rain
written and ill. by Manya Stojic
(Crown, 2000) $15.95, 0-517-80085-3
Vivid brushstrokes depict Africa's savanna animals as they await and savor rain. (3-5)
Sleepy Me
by Marni McGee, ill. by Sam Williams
(S&S, 2001) P$2.99, 0-689-86622-4
Bedtime is gentle and comforting as this small child makes his way to sleep. Soothing illustrations. (1-3)
Snow
written and ill. by Uri Shulevitz
(FSG, 1998) $16.00, 0-374-37092-3
A child sees more than adults in a poetic celebration of a snowstorm. Lyrical, humorous illustrations. (2-5)
The Stray Dog
retold and ill. by Marc Simont
(HarperCollins, 2001) $15.95, 0-06-028933-3
While picnicking, a family enjoys the company of a dog and saves him from the dogcatcher. From a true story by Reiko Sassa. Delightful watercolors. (3-5)
Tadpoles
written and ill. by Betsy James
(Dutton, 1999) o.p.
Molly watches her tadpoles and her baby brother grow through the summer. Warm family story enhanced by information about frogs and playful illustrations. (4-6)
Telling Time with Big Mama Cat
by Dan Harper, ill. by Barry Moser and Cara Moser
(HBC, 1998) $15.00, 0-15-201738-0
Follow a cat?s activities through the day and move the hands of the clock. (2-5)
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
written and ill. by Simms Taback
(Viking, 1997) $15.99, 0-670-86939-2
The folk poem/song retold with wonderful art and humor. (5-7)
Turtle Splash!: Countdown at the Pond
written and ill. by Cathryn Falwell
(Greenwillow, 2001) $15.95, 0-06-029462-0
Animals and birds appear as turtles fall into the water one by one. Handsome cut-paper illustrations and nature glossary. (3-5)
What If?
by Frances Thomas, ill. by Ross Collins
(Hyperion, 1999) o.p.
Mother Monster responds to Little Monster?s scarey if's with reassuring if's so that he can go back to sleep. (3-5)
When Will Sarah Come?
by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, photos by Nina Crews
(Greenwillow, 1999) $16.00, 0-688-16180-4
A pre-school boy waits for his sister to return from school. Engaging text and lively photographs. (2-5)
Where Is That Cat?
by Carol Greene, ill. by Loretta Krupinski
(Hyperion, 1999) $14.99, 0-7868-0611-7
A wayward cat insinuates itself into the life of a lonely old woman as she tries to find it a home. (4-6)
Widget
Lyn Rossiter McFarland, ill. by Jim McFarland
(FSG, 2001) $16.00, 0-374-38428-2
A stray dog must fit into a household with six cats. Endearing watercolor illustrations. (4-6)
Yoko's Paper Cranes
written and ill. by Rosemary Wells
(Hyperion, 2001) $15.99, 0-7868-0737-7
Friendship expressed through origami and mail sent from America to Japan. (3-6)
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