Dear Readeo Friends,

One of my favorite children’s book additions this month is a sweet and heartwarming story, Puppy is Lost, by one of Readeo’s most popular authors, Harriet Ziefert. When Max discovers that Puppy is missing, readers immediately empathize with him as he calls Puppy home for dinner, searches high and low, and finally walks home, dejected and worried. We’re also treated to the apprehensive thought bubbles of little Puppy, lost and confused, as she wanders about the city. The vivid, high-octane collage-style illustrations from Noah Woods reinforce the feelings and textures of the busy city. Read what happens when Max and Puppy get the same great idea to go back to where they last saw one another.

Another new addition, Oops! by Leo Timmers, is full of mishaps (this time self-inflicted) when Piggy decides to brave the sledding hill alone despite Mommy and Daddy’s warnings. Readers of all ages will enjoy the funny illustrations of Piggy narrowly missing penguins in goofy hats, alligators in ski sweaters, and vultures on an expedition, all the while learning about the concepts of “around,” over,” “under,” and “between.” Who will Piggy meet when he reaches the bottom with a crash?

In two new additions for older readers, Grin and Bear It and Bear in Pink Underwear, we meet two little bears who are faced with big problems. The bear in Grin and Bear It by Leo Landry has a bad case of stage fright when he attempts to perform onstage, and believes his dreams of stand-up comedy are over. And the star of Bear in Pink Underwear, by Todd H. Doodler, finds that his lucky underwear have been dyed pink in an unfortunate laundry mishap! But with determination, and with a little help from their friends, both bears find a way to fulfill their goals (in soccer and elsewhere…) If your reader enjoys Bear in Pink Underwear, check out Bear’s other silly undergarment adventures in Bear in Long Underwear, as well as the original Bear in Underwear, also found in the Readeo library.

In our final new book, mistakes and mishaps do happen, even if you’re the best-behaved, most polite fairy at Fairy School. In My Little Troublemaker by Thierry Robberecht and Philippe Goosens, a little fairy finds herself doing all sorts of naughty things in response to an unkind classmate. As the story unfolds, readers learn that even perfect fairies can have bad days, and children and adults alike must choose to curb their rash impulses.

We have lots of great new books to share with you, so please check back soon for a post about even more additions to enjoy with your loved ones this month.

Please share your thoughts about our new additions–and especially the reactions of your little readers!–on our Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you!

Happy reading!

Kristen Johnson

We’re sitting down to a delivery pizza dinner–a meal about which I feel an inordinate amount of guilt. Not, as you might assume, because of the calories represented by the pepperoni swimming in greasy cheese, but because we very rarely had pizza when I was a child. And I mean rarely as in, my mother was suffering from the stomach flu, and literally couldn’t get out of bed to prepare her usual fare, such as 10-vegetable whole wheat pasta. Or zucchini pie. This kind of diet also ruled out such childhood delicacies as Mac n’ Cheese, Lucky Charms, and Twinkies. As a kid, I fantasized about eating Jiffy peanut butter on white bread while I struggled to re-integrate the layer of oil that separates from 100% natural peanut butter. And like most kids my age, pizza was number one on my favorite foods list.

So, needless to say, I was nonplussed by my 5-year old daughter moodily picking at her pizza. “Is something wrong?” her dad asks. “I just want some icecream,” she says. “There will be no icecream until you eat your pizza, young lady!” I declare. Wow. Did that just come out of my mouth? Almost as good as my earlier doozie, “Stop cleaning up right now and put your shoes on!”

Though my statements sound wrongheaded, it’s the underlying principles that I’m trying to teach (i.e., “dinner before dessert”, and “listen to your mother the first time”); it’s that universal struggle to get the kids you love to do what you think is best for them.

This universal struggle extends even to the animal kingdom in this month’s featured book, Little Hoot, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and illustrated by Jen Corace. You and your reader will laugh your way through this unexpected tale about Little Hoot, a happy little owl who enjoys school, playing with his friends, and even minds his mother when it’s time for “pondering practice.” Yet, like all little ones, he does not like bedtime–but for a very different reason than most: “All my other friends get to go to bed so much earlier than me! Why do I always have to stay up and play? It’s not fair!”

Children will enjoy the lovely, yet simple, line drawings and the comic-book-style bubbles revealing Little Hoot’s thoughts. As you BookChat, ask younger readers if they can find four forest friends playing hide-n-seek with Little Hoot, or to point out Little Hoot’s favorite nighttime blankie throughout the book. Older readers will enjoy the ironic reversal of roles as Mama and Papa Owl pull out the familiar stall tactics like “One more story!” and “One more glass of water!” Talk about the stall tactics you used when you were a kid, or ask your readers what they’ll let their kids do when they’re grown-up.

As an extra bonus, you might find that the reverse psychology actually works! Little Hoot’s constant pleas for a little shut-eye and the final relief of his cozy bed may tempt your little night owl into dreamland.

Special thanks to Chronicle Books for making Little Hoot available to lull your loved ones to sleep during the month of January.

If you love Little Hoot, don’t miss Rosenthal and Corace’s other endearing books, Little Pea and Little Oink, also available in the Readeo library!

Happy reading!

Kristen

Dear Readeo Friends,

This month, we add four new books: three that star furry and finned creatures, and one book about an imaginative little girl named Lola.

In Lola Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, Lola goes to the library with her father each Saturday to check out books. Each new story inspires her to use her imagination to become a fairy princess, a pilot who travels to far-off places, or a farmer taking care of her animals. See if your little reader notices the homage to a very famous children’s book on the last page.

In Bunny’s Lessons by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Barroux, we learn alongside Bunny, the stuffed companion of a boy named Charlie. Bunny learns not only about concepts like the “loud” sound of the tuba, but also about emotions (like feeling lonely when Charlie goes to school). Perhaps you’ll notice Harriet Ziefert’s signature humor from her books There Was a Little Girl, She Had a Little Curl and the Posey books, just to name a few.

Another fun creature book, Wiggle Like an Octopus! by Caldecott Medalist Simms Taback, introduces a group of creatures as they swim, slither and otherwise make their way to the beach. You may recognize Simms Taback’s artwork from his other books in our Readeo Library, Mommies and Babies, as well as 1 2 3 and 4 5 6.

A perfect pairing with Mommies and Babies is another new addition, Daddies and Their Babies from best-selling Belgian author Guido Van Genechten. The stimulating, high-contrast illustrations teach babies and toddlers about the names of various baby animals, from the tiny “fish daddy” and his “baby fry” to the huge “daddy rhinoceros” and his “baby calf.” Check out his other books in our Readeo library, including the Ricky series, The Big Sleep Book and The Big Baby Book, as well as Look at That! Farm Animals and Look at That! Wild Animals.

Log in to share these fantastic new books with the children you love, and please let me know what you think of our new additions on our Facebook page. I love hearing from you!

With all my best,
Kristen

As a child, did you ever dream of owning an exotic pet, like a tiger or a giraffe? I wholeheartedly sang along with Gayla Peevey,“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” and thought she made it sound so practical and reasonable. And she’d apparently done her research, too: the hippo was clearly no danger (being a vegetarian) and there was plenty of room to house him in the two-car garage (where she could also give him a massage).

Why have a cat or a hamster, my small self reasoned, when I could have a hippo instead?

In November’s featured title, Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzycki, the little boy decides that–while it’s okay for some kids to want a dog or a cat–for him, only a dragon will do. Readers of all ages will appreciate this imaginative and charming exploration of what it would be like to own such an exotic, fire-breathing pet.

The adorable, bright red dragon starts out small, showcased in the window of “Eddie’s Exotic Pets,” hilariously grouped with a tiny chihuahua and two concerned-looking puppies. But the adventure grows, along with the dragon, as the pair goes camping (fire-breathing dragons are perfect for making s’mores), trick-or-treats, and even helps the community by clearing some snowy driveways.

Parents wishing to raise only the most responsible pet-owners will also appreciate the little boy’s attentiveness to his new pet, which includes a check-up at the vet, daily walks, filling Sparky’s bowl with “Dragon Chow,” and regular bathtimes. Ask your readers to look for the tiny animal Biedrzycki has hidden on almost every page, and while BookChatting, talk about what kind of exotic pet they’d like to have. Discuss what kind of care a dinosaur would need, or where they’d keep their pet rhinoceros.

Log in to read or Bookchat with Me and My Dragon, and don’t forget to check out our Facebook page. Let me know what you think of November’s Book of the Month and share reading activities with other Readeo fans. I’d love to hear from you!

A special thank you to Charlesbridge for making this book available to read for free during November.

Dear Readeo Friends,

As you know from our other posts, songs can be a great way into literacy. With their repeated refrains, rhymes, and predictable patterns, familiar songs can be a great way to help young children recognize words.

We’ve added three more song storybooks by Iza Trapani to our library: I’m a Little Teapot; Baa, Baa, Black Sheep and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. You may recognize Trapani’s style—building a story on top of song lyrics and also her sunny palette—from Row, Row, Row Your Boat and The Itsy Bitsy Spider, also in the Readeo Library.

In her versions, the Teapot, Black Sheep and twinkling Star all come to life and lead readers on an adventure. These three selections were also suggested by one of our Readeo subscribers, early childhood educator Dale Bodenstein. Thanks, Dale!

We’ve also added three new books by Belgian author, Liesbet Slegers: Guess What I’m Doing?, Guess Where I Am? and Happy Halloween!.

The “Guess” books are part of a fun series that engage young children and new readers with bright, colorful illustration and simple text. Because of the interactive question-and-answer style, these books are perfect for BookChatting; play along with your young reader as you try to discover what the little boy is doing, or where he will end up at the end of a busy day.

Finally, we’re rounding out this month’s latest additions with a great book that will get your readers excited for October 31st: Liesbet Slegers’ Happy Halloween!.

With her genuine ability to empathize with and write about the first-time experiences of young children, Ms. Slegers tells the story of a fun-filled Halloween day from the perspective of a little girl. She spends her day carving pumpkins, enjoying pumpkin soup, and even receives a special invitation to a friend’s costume party. But as nighttime draws near, little readers are reassured as the girl puts away her costume, her candy, and–most importantly!–any spooky thoughts of ghosts or witches, and drifts off to sleep with sweet dreams.

Please let me know what you think of our new additions on our Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you!

Happy reading!

Kristen Johnson