Zuno’s Pick

Here are Zuno’s picks for April:

Samuel’s Baby Written by Mark Elkins, Ill. by Amy Wummer (5 paws)

Willoughby the Lion by Greg Foley (3 paws)

Jack’s Fantastic Voyage by Michael Foreman (3 paws)

No More, Por Favor Written by Susan Middleton Elya, Ill. by David Walker (3 paws, great bilingual book)

My Side of the Car Written by Kate Feiffer,  Ill. by Jules Feiffer (3 paws)

Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad  Written by Pamela Duncan Edwards, Ill. by Henry  (3 paws)

President Pennybaker Written by Kate Feiffer, Ill. by Diane Goode (3 paws)

The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Nuts to You! by Lois Ehlert (Great illustrations)

Possum Magic Written by Mem Fox, Ill. by Julie Vivas

No More Hitting for Little Hamster Written by Bernette Ford, Ill. by Sam Williams

I. Q., It’s Time by Mary Anne Fraser

The Cow Who Clucked by Denise Fleming

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert

Slop Goes the Soup: A Noisy Warthog Word Book Written by Pamela D. Edwards, Ill. by Henry Cole

Zuno’s Pick

Some of Zuno’s Christmas favorites:

The Candymaker’s Gift Written and Illustrated by David and Helen Haidle

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

The Real 12 Days of Christmas by Helen Haidle, Ill. By Celeste Henriquez

Other fun stories for Christmas time:

The Man of the House at Huffington Row by Mary Brigid Barrell (4 paws!)

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo, Ill. By Bagram Ibatoulline

Minnie and Moo: The Night Before Christmas by Denys Cazet

Jingle Bells, Homework Smells by Diane de Groat

The Christmas Cobwebs by Odds Bodkin, Ill. By Terry Widener

Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Ernest’s Special Christmas by Laura T. Barnes, Ill. by Carol A. Camburn

The Farolitos of Christmas by Rudolfo Anaya, Ill. By Edward Gonzales

The Christmas Crocodile by Bonny Becker, Ill. By David Small

Harriet and George’s Christmas Treat by Nancy Carlson

Santa and the Three Bears by Dominic Catalano

Christmas Cricket by Eve Bunting, Ill. by Timothy Bush

What are your favorite holiday stories?

Zuno’s Pick

And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel  (Zuno and I loved this one! Laugh out loud funny!)

Bear’s Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper (Also a favorite! Hilarious!)

The Firefighters’ Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Terry Widener

Saying Grace: A Prayer of Thanksgiving by Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Timothy Ladwig

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner

Nursery Crimes by Arthur Geisert

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson, Pictures by Judith Byron Schachner

Zuno’s Pick

Sci-fi fans will love this easy reader by Jane Yolen in Commander Toad and the Big Black Hole. Frog puns and wordplay abound in this deep space adventure. Commander Toad and his crew discover a black hole. When something long, pink, and sticky appears and begins to pull the ship, the crew of the Star Warts hop to it. Lt. Lily’s gun has little effect. Old Doc Peeper’s tries a huge tongue depressor, but the ship stays stuck. Will the ship be toad-ally consumed by an E.T.T., an Extra-Terrestrial-Toad? Not while Commander Toad and his secret weapon are on board. Jump over to the library or your favorite bookstore and check out Yolen’s Commander Toad and the Big Black Hole.

Zuno’s Pick

Cowgirls and their horses share a special relationship. They work together and play together. Cowgirl Kate ‘s horse Cocoa has a chocolate coat and a mane and tail the color of caramel. That’s a sweet ride for any cowgirl as the two work the ranch, count the cows, and finally bunk down for the night. Be sure to pack your saddlebag with Erica Silverman’s Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. What color would your cow pony be? Palominos are my favorite.

Zuno’s Pick

Tucker Mouse’s love of coins has trapped him in the shoeshine store. How will Harry Cat convince Papa Bellini to open the door? Harry to the Rescue! by Thea Feldman is marked as a Level Two reader and is based on the classic, The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden. Related stories include Tucker’s Beetle Band, Harry Kitten and Tucker Mouse, and Chester Cricket’s Pigeon Ride.

Zuno’s Pick

Over the next month, Zuno will spotlight some early reader books. This week, he’s chosen Cynthia Rylant’s Mr. Putter and Tabby Clear the Decks. When Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby need adventure, they go next door to Mrs. Teaberry’s house. Today, Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke head for a sightseeing boat and open water. Orangesicles. The wind in their face. This hot day feels better already. Zeke, however, takes such a liking to the boat, he refuses to come home. Will the captain have a new crew member and will Mrs. Teaberry go home alone? Join the Putter crew on their seafaring adventure. Check out all of the Mr. Putter books at the Amazon store.

Zuno’s Pick

Ruby’s invited to have tea with the Queen, but is she ready? Tea for Ruby romps through those oh-so-important manners. What a fun way to practice! Your princesses will beg for their own tea party. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, who knows something of tea and the Queen, authored this picture book.

Zuno’s Pick

In Madlenka, by Peter Sis, Madlenka shares some very important news with her friends. As she visits each friend on her New York City block, she travels the world—and is almost late for dinner. Sis’s illustrations not only transport you from continent to continent, but also keep your eye busy with his tweaks in perspective. Use this little story to study new places, things, food, and people. Do you have friends from around the world? What have you learned from them?

Zuno’s Pick

A, B, C’s—scoot over, as 1, 2, 3 take their turn in Bill Martin, Jr.’s Chicka Chicka  1 2 3. The apple tree provides the setting for this adventure as the numbers climb its sturdy branches. Will Zero get a chance to join the number game? What will the numbers do when the bees claim the tree? Martin scores again.