Boo!

How scary is Halloween for young readers and their still younger siblings? Peek-A-Boo is fun, but familiar voices coming from behind monster masks may be something else. Here are two more books to ease the way into a night of frights. These could be enjoyed for days after, every time the candy bag is rattled.

FRANKIE STEIN by Lola M.Schaeffer works on several levels, as all good picture books do. Even after Halloween, Frankie could be invited over to play. He plays "nice."

BATS AT THE LIBRARY by Brian Lies will have your youngsters looking for bats while you look for books to take home.

What Halloween picture book was most helpful at your house?

Magazine Treat for Tiny Tricksters

HIGH FIVE is a magazine for the kindergarten set and younger. It's the brainchild of the same creative folks who produce HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN, a favorite of generations of readers.

Pick up HIGH FIVE at the library or a bookstore that carries a good selection of children's magazines and flip throught the bright pages of crafts, activities, and stories.

What do you think?

Monsters and their Care

Monsters are tricky. What would you feed one if it followed you home? Not MY chocolate! Not to worry. Here's one that eats peas.

THE MONSTER WHO ATE MY PEAS by Danny Schnitzlein and Matt Faulkner will change attitudes about those little green orbs that get smushed under the plate or fed to the dog. This picture book that tempts older kids to sneak peeks, too, is a great vehicle for papa or mama drama. Emote. Bring the monster to life.

What's for dinner?

Rhyme Time Clean-Ups

RHYMING DUST BUNNIES by Jan Thomas bursts from the page with a sense of humor perfect for little crumb droppers. They will get it! Rhyming your way through housework is yet another way to multi-task when your little helpers are underfoot.

No dust bunnies? I can send you some!

Picturebook for Little Wigglers

PLEASE PICK ME UP, MAMA written and illustrated by Robin Luebs is one way to multi-task. The little raccoon of the story wants to be picked up, put down, picked up, you know the routine, don't you? It struck me that this would be a great way for a new mom to exercise away unwanted inches, read to Baby, and enjoy a good action story with other toddlers. Baby also says "please" with each request. Another chance to emphasize manners!

What do you think?

For Tiny Trick or Treaters

Halloween can be spooky for first-timers. Here are a couple of books to ease the trauma of all those green faced goblins ringing the doorbell.

BOO TO YOU by Lois Ehlert
Ehlert's colorful collage illustrations manage to set a spooky mood gentle enough for the youngest among us. A nice touch is the introduction of Halloween traditions like pumpkin carving and roasting pumpkin seeds. No tricks anywhere!

CAN YOU MAKE A SCARY FACE? by Jan Thomas
Thomas has created a wiggly, giggly interactive book that older siblings will enjoy reading to little brothers and sisters or the preschoolers next door. A treat for everyone!

What's your favorite scary book?

Counting on fingers, toes, and books

Kids love to count. Here are two books to give parents a break from counting fingers and toes over and over again:

HOW MANY ANTS? by Larry Dane Brimner, illustrated by Joan Cottle. Picnic any time of year. Spread a beach towel on the floor and make a lap. Follow Cottle's fun inspiring critters across the page and engage your future math star in Brimner's rhythmic text. You won't miss the bugs you didn't invite.

ONE BOY by Laura Vaccaro Seeger won a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor from the American Library Association. Count on bright colors and rhythm to win attention from the youngest library patron, too. What does your scholar in training think?

Toddler Favorite

A friend's 18 month old makes it clear that LLAMA, LLAMA RED PAJAMA by Anna Dewdney is the book he wants to hear over and over again. It's on the book shelf where he can reach it, and he picks it from the rest of the shelved books, over and over again. He pats the book and calls it by name, his own version of LLAMA, LLAMA. Which book is your toddler's favorite bedtime story?

Picture book for any age

GARMANN'S SUMMER by Stian Hole was translated from the Norwegian and this is a treat for those of us who read picture books in English. Both author and illustrator, the creator speaks to everyone who has been uneasy or just plain afraid. Garmann is contemplating the first day of school. His round, jolly, wish-you-could-hug-them aunts arrive for their traditional summer visit. Each aunt has a different perspective to consider when Garmann quizzes them about their fears. This is a helping hand for anyone facing change--and who isn't?

Book Tip for Toddlers

RED TRUCK by Kersten Hamilton has lots of get up and go plus a slow down and enjoy feeling for readers and listeners. Let me know what you think.
Joan