Franny celebrated the one year anniversary of overcoming herpetophobia  on 8/30/10. In honor of this accomplishment, she read this appropriate book.

PreS-Gr. 2. In this offbeat fantasy, an alligator makes his way down the street, through the front door, up the stairs, and into an apartment where three children flee from his gaping jaws. Finally, when they have endured the threat--or perhaps enjoyed the thrill--long enough, they turn the tables by yelling at the beast, who runs away. Using elements of rhythm and rhyme as well as an enjoyably predictable question-and-answer refrain, the text maintains a playful tone beneath the scary details such as alligator eyes flashing and teeth gnashing. Expressive line drawings, brightened with watercolor washes, illustrate the story with wit and style. Not for every preschooler, perhaps, but good fun for some, especially those who fantasize that they really could whip an alligator and those who realize that their home will never be invaded by a giant reptile. The final scene, in which the beast escapes into a manhole, might keep the alligators-in-the-sewer urban legend alive for another generation.

-Booklist

Franny's birthday is still months away, but already she knows what her wish will be when she blows out the candles on her cake. You can bet that it has something to do with this book, which she read on 8/30/10.

Kindergarten-Grade 1—A simple tale of friendship between two children who are as different as night and day. Where Pearl is loud and boisterous, Charlie is quiet and thoughtful. When Pearl forgets her mittens on a cold day, Charlie helps to keep her hands warm. Conversely, when Charlie is feeling down, Pearl cheers him up. Clearly the audience can see that these children admire the opposing personality traits that they find in one another. Blabey's painterly illustrations, rendered in acrylics and mixed media on board, allow readers to see the texture of the canvas in the characters' faces, clothes, and even in the scenery. The sometimes curving text adds levity to Pearl's exuberant moments. Use this offering as a supplement for friendship-themed storytimes.

-School Library Journal

Franny has been wanting to read this book at Tail Time for months, but has always been thwarted in her efforts by her nemesis. She finally made it happen, through sheer determination and force of will, on 8/30/10.

This lullaby, filled with warm bedtime scenes, will appeal to young preschoolers for the surprising sounds as well as the sleepy comfort it offers. In the mischievous story, written in sweet rhymes, Lulu the pig snuggles into bed in her room, “cozy and quiet / just the way she liked it,” but she is awakened by a sound of someone crying, “Cooooo.” She asks Pigeon, “Who said coo? / Was it you?” But Pigeon does not answer. Lulu heads back to bed, but just when everything is cozy and quiet once again, “somebody somewhere” says “Moooooo.” The pictures show Lulu fuming as she chases away two noisy birds that are causing the ruckus. At last she can sleep, until she hears “Boo-hoo,” and she races outside to apologize: she should have said “shhhh” not “shoo.” Together, the animals all snuggle in Lulu's bed together––until somebody yells, “Cock-a doodle doo!” Even when kids know what is coming, they will love going back to the contrasting scenes of comic anger and snuggling bliss. Preschool.

-Booklist

Franny would have been in the doghouse if she hadn't read this book on 8/23/10. She knows why.

PreSchool-K—The barnyard animals are playing with a red ball that accidentally rolls into the doghouse. Who's going to get it out? Mouse says Cow is big, brave, and strong, and must go first. Cow goes in but does not come out. Pig tries next, as Mouse deems him smart, wise, and stinky. Pig takes offense at the "stinky" designation, but proceeds into the doghouse. Pig does not return either. Duck, as the loudest, goes next—and disappears just like the others. The only one left outside, Mouse timidly calls out, "Can't you come out, Duck?"—upon which Dog appears in the doorway and says, "No! Because I am having duck for dinner." Mouse assumes the worst, but the last spread shows all the animals inside the dog's house sitting down to a meal. Mouse joins the party on the endpapers, just in time for dessert. The simple cartoon characters, scenery, and dialogue balloons are outlined in thick, bold lines. Colors are smooth and flat, with backgrounds done in bright blues, purple, and lime green. The pictures are large and distinct, and will work well with a group. The joke is an old one, but it's always new to kids just beginning to understand wordplay.

-School Library Journal

This book called out to Franny on 8/23/10. She had no choice but to read it.

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 2–At the Greenstalk Farm, it's no problem if the sheep get lost, the farmer drops his watch down the well, the dog eats young Jeffrey's book report, the cow gets stuck in a tree, the duck steals the truck, or Mrs. Greenstalk is too tired to cook. It's Chickens to the rescue! Unless it's Sunday when they get some hard-earned rest and the pigs step in to help out. This rollicking story, made up of simple statements in a specific pattern, follows the fowls' heroics Monday through Sunday. The simplicity of the text allows the sheer brilliance of the colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations to shine through. The details in each rescue scene will have everyone laughing and noting the expressions of the animals, their crazy but appropriate outfits, and their amazing abilities. Pair this hilarious story with Doreen Cronin's Click, Clack, Moo (S & S, 2000) and David Shannon's Duck on a Bike (Scholastic, 2002) for a lively storytime about extraordinary farm animals.
 

-School Library Journal

When did Franny read this, you ask? We'd tell you, but we'd have to . . . ok, it was on 8/16/10.

Who likes strawberries? The mouse does. The bear does. But what about the reader? He plays the key role in this story. A Don and Audrey Wood favorite, remarkably illustrated in full color.

DON WOOD, along with his wife, Audrey, is the creator of many beloved books for children, including" The Napping House, " "Piggies, " "Heckedy Peg", "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, " a Caldecott Honor Book, and most recently, Piggy Pie Po. The Woods live in Hawaii.

AUDREY WOOD is the much-loved author of more than thirty books for children, including the bestselling The Napping House, Piggies, Heckedy Peg, and most recently, Piggy Pie Po, which she collaborated on with her husband, Don Wood. She lives in Hawaii. 

Franny dreamt about reading this book, and the next day she read it. That day was 8/16/10.

PreSchool-Grade 1–In this action-filled romp, Tinka and the boy who loves her journey from home to the beach to the fair and home again. Being reprimanded for candy snatching, running away, playing Frisbee, and giving some lovin' are just a few of the activities that fill the pup's busy day. Her adventures are described in a repetitive and effective singsong text that is catchy and enjoyable to read. She's "A Hey! dog,/a sprayed dog,/a skunk-got-in-the-way dog./...A care dog,/a share dog,/a when-I-need-her-there dog." The text and the painterly, cartoon illustrations work together beautifully. The story is brought to life through a mix of full- and partial-page spreads that use bold acrylics in bright and warm tones, and the different perspectives give readers the feeling of being part of the action. Tinka is a fun-to-read-about dog, and this book would enrich any storytime.

-School Library Journal

"A warm and cozy tale of sisterly joy and sweet imagination."

-Kirkus Reviews

"Children will recognize the thrill of confronting fears when you know that cozy comforts are right there when you need them."

-Booklist