five fun fiction books for friday

We're nearing the end of the time frame for Cybils Round One Panelists to agree upon a shortlist of finalists, and I'm thrilled to still be swimming in picture books.  The kids have certainly appreciated this experience, and even Red could be heard talking to herself during her play the other day- "And now, I'm reading my Cybils books!"  YAY!

This week I thought I'd highlight five picture book nominees that are perfect for the youngest of kids.  Those of you spending your time with toddlers, listen up, because these are adorable and fun and sure to be loved by your little ones.

1.  Soup Day by Melissa Iwai -- Bright colors make these illustrations attractive to young children, and the depictions of home life will be familiar and fun.  A nice way to connect a book to a real life experience with a simple recipe included at the end.  I love realistic stories for toddlers, showing them situations that they can relate to within the pages of a book.   My own newly-3 year old loves this book, often choosing it from the basket to look at on his own, which speaks highly of its appeal!

2. Bear in Underwear by Todd H. Doodler -- Look at this cover.  Now look back at me.  Do I even need to tell you that this book is loved by my own kids?  Its adorable cover caused this one to be snatched out of the box immediately when it was delivered.  The bonus?  The underwear on the cover is an actual piece of cloth, making the tighty whiteys a tactile experience.  The story is simple with lots of visual humor and silly underwear.  Anyone potty training and finding themselves talking about big girl/big boy underwear a lot?  Add this to your reading mix!

3. Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig -- I can't stop saying adorable, but the label just keeps fitting.  These collage illustrations are definitely adorable and give the impression of texture.  Lots of emphasis on rhyme and repetition make this a great read aloud for a group, allowing kids to contribute to the reading.  Kids who love to move (so, all of them) can imitate the movements, showing the difference between the "creepity" feet of a caterpillar and the "thumpity" feet of a bear.

4. The Thingamabob by Il Sung Na -- When an elephant finds a thingamabob, he just can't figure out what it's for.  It's certainly surprising, and no one seems to know what it is.  He tries out different uses, but to no avail... until the weather changes and it becomes quite useful.  Kids will enthusiastically shout out their ideas to the elephant, which is good since young kids love to interact with their stories so much!  The color palette is gorgeous here in these painted illustrations.

5. I Don't Want a Cool Cat! by Emma Dodd -- There are a whole lot of different types of cats out there, and they are funny and cute even if they're not the right cat for this little girl.  The rhyming scheme is creative and unexpected here, which helps make it not just your average rhyming text.  The words are fun for kids to repeat and the story flows nicely.  Again, the illustrations are cute and appealing in their simplicity, and my kids are big Emma Dodd fans!


For more fun picks, check out the list of picture books that have been nominated for the 2010 Cybils Award.


Happily immersed in picture books,