Cybils Time- four reviews

As a reader, I always have a stack of books waiting. But, right now, my stack is extra tall.

I am excited to be a first round judge for the easy reader and early chapter book categories of the Cybils Award given to the best children’s books of the year selected by children’s book bloggers. In the next few days, I’ll share some of the great books I’ve been reading.

Many of you are familiar with books written and illustrated by Mo Willems. I am especially fond of his Elephant and Piggy books for beginning readers and two of these books have been nominated for this year’s award.

I Really Like Slop! By Mo Willems (author and illustrator)
Easy Reader ages 4-7
Hyperion

Gerald the Elephant and Piggy are as different as night and day. Elephant is a worrier. Piggy isn’t. Gerald is serious. Piggie is a happy-go-lucky character. Gerald thinks things through before doing something. Not Piggie. But, they are best friends. So, when Piggie prepares slop and wants Gerald to try it, what’s a best friend to do?

I Really Like Slop is a super funny book which will appeal to young readers. The illustrations are simple but very expressive. The witty text is written in speech bubbles with back and forth dialogue. Hand this to children who are hesitant to try new things and be prepared for lots of laughing out loud.

Themes: Friendship, politeness, trying new things

 

The Thank You Book by Mo Willems (author and illustrator)
Easy reader ages 4-7
Hyperion – 2016

Please, Mo – say it isn’t so! The Thank You Book is the final title in the Elephant and Piggie series. (I’m wiping away a tear here.) Once again, negative Gerald and exuberant Piggie banter back and forth as Piggie goes about thanking ALL of his friends. Gerald is sure that Piggie will forget someone. The suspense builds as Piggie finally realizes that he forgot to say thank you to his best friend, Gerald. But, Gerald isn’t worried about himself. He wants to make sure that their faithful readers aren’t forgotten.

The Thank You Book is a truly satisfying ending to the series which has helped so many young people become readers. The text is deceptively simple and says so much in so few words. This books show the importance of saying “thank you” and the illustrations show how much these simple but heartfelt words mean to the recipients. The Thank You Book is one that should be in every home, school, and public library.

Themes: friendship, thankfulness

Fortunately, Mo Willems has started the new series,  Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! These easy readers are written by various children’s authors and Gerald and Piggie are featured in the beginning pages introducing the book to readers.

Two books in this series have been nominated for the Cybil Award in the Easy Reader category:

We Are Growing! By Laurie Keller (author and illustrator
Easy reader ages 4-7
Hyperion 2016

This is a book about grass growing. Yes, really. As each blade of grass grows, it describes what special characteristic it has. One is tallest, one is curliest, and another is silliest. But poor Walt, he doesn’t know what he is. This book is clever and hilarious!

Themes: friendship, encouragement, self-esteem

 

The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat (author and illustrator)
Easy Reader ages 4-7
Hyperion 2016

Hippo, Crocodile, and two Squirrels are excited about cookie time but, there is a big problem. There are only three cookies! The animals become frantic as Hippo keeps breaking the cookies. Readers will laugh but also be trying to figure out the math so that each character gets their fair share. The book contains great vocabulary such as nervous, fiasco, and equal which a young reader can figure out from the surrounding text and great illustrations.

Themes: friendship, sharing, problem solving

 

On a final note, a few weeks ago we took a field trip to meet some beautiful elephants who happen to be movie and television stars.

Here are a few snapshots of our adventure: