Tried & True and New: Picture Books

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood

Reviewed by: Erik Knapp 

When a little mouse picks a delicious strawberry for his dinner he learns that Red Ripe Strawberries are also a favorite of The Big Hungry Bear. Fortunately, the Reader has a plan to help him.  The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear is a particular storytime favorite. The illustrations and the mouse are adorable in his attempts to save his dinner. The way the story is told also lends itself to the reader interacting with the mouse which puts the child right in the middle of the story.  This is one of my favorite stories, highly recommended! 

With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez; Illustrated by André Ceolin

Reviewed by: Stephanie Tamayo

When Rocio and her family move from Central America to the United States without Abuela, Rocio starts to feel homesick, especially on her birthday. Rocio especially misses her Abuela and all the things that connected them together. She misses the smells of the spices in her Abuela’s store, as well as the piñatas her Abuela would make by hand. She misses all the treats her Abuela used to make for her,  including her sweet coffee, warm tortillas, and honey-drizzled buñuelos. Luckily, Rocio gets to experience a taste of home for her birthday thanks to her Abuela!  

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, Illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Reviewed by: Erik Knapp 

Amos McGee works at the City Zoo and always makes time to help his friends; whether they like to play chess, need a hankie, or just need someone to sit quietly with them. But, one day, when Amos doesn’t feel well, his friends decide to help him. This is a “quiet” story that would be perfect before nap or bedtime, or as the title suggests, any time you might have someone not feeling well. The story is sweet and the art is first-rate. This is definitely a storytime favorite but I think it should also be an “at home” favorite as well. 

Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi, Illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc

Reviewed by: Erik Knapp 

At night the Moon watches over a diverse city of children as they have dinner, pray and get ready for bed. As they drift off to dreamland the Moon encourages them to make and be the change needed in the world and create a place where all children have the same opportunities and a chance to make their place and be safe and happy. This is a great book to read at bedtime when the Moon’s dreams have the best chance to take hold.  The story is perfect for the time we live in and the art shows children of all ages, genders, situations and skin colors and how racism affects us all. This book could resonate with younger elementary children as well.