friday's five

How has another week slipped out of my grasp? I tell you, I'm loving every second of my involvement with Cybils, as I have over the past few years, but this year it is an extra challenge to do while working full-time. I've got this huge stack of books just waiting for me to read them all, yet there's never enough time, and then there are so many I want to talk and blog about! So, pardon the late in the evening friday's five, but technically I'm making it just under the wire to share a handful of Cybils nominated picture books that the kids and/or I've had fun with this week.

1. Buglette the Messy Sleeper by Bethanie Deeney Murguia --  I really like this adorable book about a usually neat and organized little bug who turns all fidgety and wild in her sleep when she dreams about adventure. But what can happen when her movements attract the attention of the creature most feared by Buglette and her family- the big crow! Count on Buglette to save the day, no fear. I haven't read this one yet with my kids, but I predict that they'll enjoy the cute illustrations and the character of Buglette, who has to be the cutest little bug around.

2. Rain Brings Frogs: A Little Book of Hope by Maryann Cocca-Leffler -- Ever feel like your child needs a quick little lesson in gratitude and optimism? Well, this short book might be just the thing to spark that type of conversation. Each spread features a character or characters who may not be expressing the best attitude, contrasted with Nate, the most optimistic and positive little kid around. Sure, there's a little cheesy factor going on here, but with little kids, you can come on strong with an idea to help make the point, right?

3. If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk -- Okay, alphabet books are a dime a dozen, yet this is possibly the most innovative and original of any that I've seen. McGuirk combed the Florida beaches for a DECADE and has collected sea rocks that resemble every letter in the alphabet along with uniquely shaped rocks that match the words for each letter. Seriously, seriously cool. Again, I haven't shown the kids this book yet, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to be buying a copy for us to keep because it's just so visually appealing!

4. King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently and Helen Oxenbury -- Oxenbury's signature illustrations bring this gentle adventure to life. Three young children's imaginations soar as they play together one day, with the images of kids engaged in true play as beautifully refreshing as can be. My five and almost-four year olds absolutely loved this book, and I think they loved the fact that pretend play is depicted in such a gorgeous manner. There's a warmth to this whole book that is quaint and just lovely.

5. A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid -- Oh, Petunia has an enthusiastic desire for a pet, but not just any pet out there. She's fixated on the wonderfully, amazing animal that is the skunk. They're cute and they have stripes, of which Petunia is also a huge fan. Though she begs her parents for one, they continue to tell her no, so she goes off on her own in frustration only to make a first-hand discovery... which just may alter her perspective a bit. I have to say that this felt a bit reminiscent of The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! especially in the final pages.

If you think any of these books might be fun reading for you and yours, I'm happy to have shared them with you and I encourage you to check out all the other nominated titles over at the Cybils Awards! Your trusty Round 1 Judges are working hard reading through that list with the intention of narrowing it down to the best of the best!





Forever a picture book fanatic,