OWLS ARE GOOD AT KEEPING SECRETS
written by Sara O’Leary, illus. by Jacob Grant, (Random House Books for Young Readers, $17.99, Dec. 2018, ISBN 978-1-5247-1331-7), 40p, Ages 3-7

It’s a little known fact that “Elephants are happiest at bathtime,” “Iguanas sometimes get homesick on sleepovers,” and “Raccoons are always the first to arrive for a party.” In this charming alphabet book, Sara O’Leary presents quirky, charming, and hilarious one-line facts and habits of animals for each letter of the alphabet. In terms of animal behavior, some scenarios are silly, some are absurd, and others describe the wants and needs of little ones. Like Bears, they, “want their mothers to kiss it better,” or like Chipmunks, they, “love to stay up past bedtime.” Owls may be great at keeping secrets, but kids will love spreading the news when they hear this whimsical and sweet alphabet book read to them.
        Themes: Animals, Concept, Humor

TOMMY O’TOM IN A TUB O’TROUBLE
written by JTK Belle, illus. by Mike Motz, (Picklefish Press, $12.99, 2018,
ISBN 978-0-692-05463-5), 34p, Ages 2-5

“Tommy O’Tom was taking a bath when in walked a hippo—and then a giraffe.” These wild animals soon join him in the bathtub along with a flamingo, zebra, and elephant, who discover surprising fun splashing, writing on the mirror, leaving mud tracks, dropping huge amounts of flamingo feathers everywhere, and turning on the shower to water the wallpaper flowers. While Tommy’s mother calls from beyond the door to hurry up, Hippo shouts, “Can you pass me the scrubber? Hey, this duck’s made of rubber! This sure beats the pond at the zoo!” When a shocked mom wants answers to the mess, Tommy uses his keen imagination for the answer. Kids will love the interesting bathtub, shocked expressions, and the just-for-fun adventure.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Humor, Just Because, Rhythm & Rhyme

EASTER MICE
written by Bethany Roberts, illus. by Doug Cushman, (Clarion Books, 2003), 32p, Ages 3-6

It's fun to hunt for Easter eggs, but one little mouse, distracted by the beautiful spring day, forgets the hunt when he stumbles onto a very special egg.
        Themes: Animals, Holidays

OLLIE’S EASTER EGGS
written/illus. by Olivier Dunrea, (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, HC 2010, Board 2013), 32p, Ages 3-6

Easter is underway for the little goslings from the Gossie & Friends series. Gossie, Gertie, BooBoo, and Peedie gather, dye, and hide their Easter eggs on the farm, but Ollie feels left out. In his pink bunny-eared cap, he shouts, “I want eggs!” and proceeds to find his friends’ hidden eggs —Gossie’s red egg in the grass, Gertie’s blue egg in the straw heap, Boo Boo’s purple egg in the tulips, and Peedie’s yellow egg under the green turtle. Stealthy rolling them away, Ollie redecorates each with ribbon and flowers for his friends to discover for the best Easter egg hunt of all. In his assertive way, Ollie provides a very delightful holiday adventure for little ones.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Holidays, Friendship, Series

I’LL LOVE YOU TILL THE COWS COME HOME
written by Kathryn Cristaldi, illus. by Kristyna Litten, (HarperCollins, $17.99, Dec. 2018,
ISBN 978-0-06-257420-6), 32p, Ages 4-7

Using a more than 500-year-old phrase, “till the cows come home,” Kathryn Cristaldi introduces the concept to a new generation of children in a most expressive, whimsical, and fun way that kids won’t forget. “I will love you till the cows come home / from a trip to Mars through skies unknown / in a rocket ship made of glass and stone, / I will love you till the cows come home.”

Kids will love yaks in a Cadillac, sheep on a cruise ship, wolves in a hot air balloon, frogs on unicycles, dancing deer, geese toasting marshmallows for s’mores, and marching ants with birthday hats and cake crumbs. As the animals settle down to sleep, exhausted from all their activities, the message of love will resonate: “I’ll love you till then, and again and again / till my love makes a bed for the cows in their pen / and the yaks and the sheep and the wolves settle in, / and the frogs softly strum on their frog violins / and the deer and the geese and the ants close their eyes / as the moon sprinkles moon dust all over the skies. / I will love you till the cows come home, come home.”
        Themes: Animals, Bedtime, Humor, Rhythm & Rhyme

PENGUIN FLIES HOME: A Flight School Story
written/illus. by Lita Judge, (Atheneum Books, $17.99, Jan 2019 ISBN 978-1-5344-1441-9), 40p, Ages 4-8

“Penguin loved everything about flying: the feel of the wind beneath his wings, the song that rose from his little round belly, the sight of new and wonderful places.” When he misses his penguin friends from the South Pole, with help from his flight school teachers, he returns to the Antarctic to share with the penguins all that he has learned. Surprisingly, they are unconvinced about the marvels of flying, and would rather soar under the water with their friend Whale. Realizing that his friends don’t share his passion for flying, Penguin treasures every moment with them, but decides to follow his heart and return with Teacher, Flamingo, and Egret. In this sweet follow-up to Flight School (Antheneum 2014), sometimes dreams are worth chasing, even if they aren’t considered normal.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Friendship, Series

LOST IN THE LIBRARY: A Story of Patience & Fortitude
written by Josh Funk, illus. by Stevie Lewis, (Henry Holt & Co., $17.99, Aug 2018,
ISBN 978-1-250-15501-6), 40p, Ages 5-7

Patience and Fortitude are two lion statues that guard the entrance to the New York Public Library. One morning just before dawn, Fortitude awakes to find Patience missing. Since they must be in place before the sun rises, steadfast Fortitude abandons his post to search for curious Patience through the library’s labyrinth of halls and rooms, past statues, gossiping portraits, the Astor Hall, and the Rose Main Reading Room. Along the way, he remembers the wonderful stories Patience would share with him. “Patience told stories of ducklings and moons, / Of wardrobes and buttons and fun. / On cold snowy evening or hot afternoons, / Fortitude cherished each one.” Sure enough, he finds Patience in the Children’s Center pouring over children’s books, but will they make it back to the main entrance before the sun rises? Children will enjoy sneaking through this famous library with Fortitude on a quest to find his best friend. Endpapers contain information on Patience, Fortitude, famous rooms featured in the story, paintings of historical figures, the map division, and the Children’s Center.
        Themes: Adventure, Animals, Friendship, Humor, Rhythm & Rhyme

CRAB CAKE: Turning the Tide Together
written/illus. by Andrea Tsurumi, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $17.99, Feb. 2019,
ISBN 978-0-544-95900-2), 48p, Ages 4-7

Life is pleasant under the sea in a coral reef, where the fish do their usual thing. “Spiny Lobster looks for a new home. Parrotfish crunches coral and poops sand... Lionfish does whatever she pleases.” The exception is Crab, who literally “bakes cakes,” until one night a boatload of junk is dumped into the ocean and the once clear water turns dark. The fish are afraid, confused, and dumfounded, until Crab determines to carry on baking cakes, and the fish come out of hiding, are comforted, and find a solution to the pollution. In acts of defiance and resilience, the fish shove, roll, tow, drag, carry, and lug the trash back to the humans with a signs attached, “COME” “GET” ”YOUR” ”JUNK!” Kids and adults will like the messages of environmental pollution, teamwork, resilience, and the healing powers of yummy baking. Links are found in the end pages to NASA’s Climate Kids Ocean Resources.
        Themes: Animals, Heroes, Humor, Oceans Lakes Rivers & Ponds

MISSION DEFROSTABLE #3 (Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series)
written by Josh Funk, illus. by Brendan Kearney, (Sterling Children’s Books, Sept. 2018, $16.95, ISBN 978-1-4549-2811-9), 40p, Ages 5-8

This third episode in the delightful Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series finds the two sleuths re-uniting to help Agent Asparagus, with his Fridge Bureau of Investigation badge, to track down the villain who has frozen the refrigerator. “‘Where are we going?’ asked Toast from the rear / ‘Up to the freezer, of course!’ said the spear. / Sneaking past peas in a snow paradise, / they sidestepped a pineapple dripping with ice.” When Agent Asparagus is kidnapped, they team up with an old enemy, Baron Von Waffle, who proves to be the hero of the day in a sweet ending full of courage, kindness, apologies, and forgiveness. Kids will love the facial expressions of the angry bananas, the conga-dancing popsicles, and the Peach Boys. Be sure to catch the first two hilarious tales, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast (2015) and The Case of the Stinky Stench (2017).
        Themes: Adventure, Food, Friendship, Humor, Mysteries, Rhythm & Rhyme, Series

TURKEY’S EGGCELLENT EASTER
written by Wendi Silvano, illus. by Lee Harper, (Two Lions, $17.99, Jan. 2019,
ISBN 978-1542040372), 40p, Ages 3-7

This latest entry in the Turkey Trouble series finds Turkey and his friends walking in the park, where they find a sign announcing an Easter Egg Hunt: “Find one of the ‘special’ eggs to win an eggstraspecial prize.” Unfortunately, the hunt is only for kids, but Sheep suggests, “If they don’t know we’re there, we won’t get the boot …” After the friends disguise themselves with sunglasses, Turkey goes undercover as a rabbit, then a daffodil, and a bee. But the kids are quicker than Turkey at finding the eggs, so the friends work together to design their own egg (with Turkey inside.) Find out how Turkey wins a prize of a huge jelly bean-topped pizza to share with his friends. Kids will enjoy the silly costumes and humorous expressions in this holiday treat.
        Themes: Animals, Humor, Holidays, Series

HERE COMES THE EASTER CAT
written by Deborah Underwood, illus. by Claudia Rueda, (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014), 80p, Ages 3-6

Deciding that the Easter Bunny has more fun, Cat decides to replace the famous bunny and make the deliveries himself. Communicating with the narrator using placards, expressive faces, and body language, cat chooses a red motorcycle for delivery, a sparkly vest bow tie and top hat for appearance. He also considers delivering hairballs but is discouraged by the narrator. When he realizes that the Easter Bunny’s exhausting schedule allows for no naps (Cat takes 7 a day), he hatches a new plan. Using the motorcycle’s sidecar, Cat provides a place for the tired bunny to sleep while he delivers the eggs.
        Themes: Food, Holidays, Humor, Pets, Series

MILO THE REALLY BIG BUNNY
written by Stephen Krensky, illus. by Melissa Suber, (Simon & Schuster, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-6

Milo is a little different. Actually, being huge and purple, he is a misfit in the world of bunnies. When the Easter Bunny announces that he needs a new helper, Milo is first in line, tool belt ready for egg dying and basket weaving. Alas, he looses to a smaller bunny. However, on Easter morning when a storm comes in, only Milo can help the Easter Bunny and finally discovers his true calling in life.
        Themes: Animals, Heroes, Holidays

BENTLEY & EGG
written/illus. by William Joyce, HarperColliins, 1992, 2017), 32p, Ages 4-8

Being a nice frog, Bentley Hopperton agrees to babysit Kack Kack’s duck egg. But the egg is so smooth and white that Bentley cannot resist painting it. “He did a beautiful job, a masterful and extraordinary job. The egg looked dazzling. Never in the history of the wood had there been such a special egg.” Trouble begins when the egg is mistaken for an Easter egg and is taken by a young boy. Bentley courageously begins a journey that takes him through the garden and into the big house. Along the way he befriends a forgotten stuffed elephant, an earnest goldfish, and a little girl, who helps him escape in a hot air balloon. After crash landing on a lady’s hat at an Easter party, Bentley manages to escape in a toy boat which sinks. With valiant perseverance Bentley returns the cracked egg just in time. Kids will love this endearing little hero and his never-give-up attitude.
        Themes: Adventure, Classics, Heroes, Holidays, Seri4es

THE ADVENTURES OF VIN FIZ
written by Clive Cussler, illus. by William Farnsworth, (Philomel Books, Feb. 2006,
ISBN 978-0-399-24474-3), 160p, Ages 8-12

In Clive Cussler’s first children’s book, 10-year-old twins Casey and Lacey Nicefolk, from Castroville, California, experience a magical adventure of a lifetime as they fly a vintage Wright Brothers biplane from California to New York. When an itinerant farmhand, Sucoh Sucop (spell it backward), offers to help the Nicefolk family with their harvest, the twins see strange flickering shadows coming from the barn. At the end of the harvest, he leaves the twins a gift that allows them to make any tiny object real and life-size, but they are sworn to secrecy, with a stipulation: “Use the gift only for good and it will last you a lifetime. But if you use it for bad, it will vanish in a puff of red smoke.”

When Casey’s toy replica of the famous Wright Brothers’ Flyer becomes real, their journey to New York begins in the newly christened Vin Fiz, named after Casey’s favorite soda drink. Under the guidance of an enchanted, intelligent, and responsive plane, the twins and their basset hound, Floopy, save a town from gold thieves in Nevada, warn a Mississippi River steamboat of a runaway barge headed their way, stop a runaway train in Ohio, and save two teenagers from plummeting over the Niagara Falls. Kids and parents will love the magical adventure, historical facts, character names, and surprise ending, as well as the sequel, The Adventures of Hotsy Totsy (2010).
         Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Families, Heroes, Values, Series

HOMER PRICE
written/illus. by Robert McCloskey, (Viking Press 1943, Puffin Books 1976, $6.99,
ISBN 978-0-14-240415-7), 160p, Ages 8-11

Welcome to Centerburg, America where a young boy named Homer Price resides with his family, builds radio sets for fun, pumps gas at his father’s gas station, helps his mother clean the tourist cabins she manages, and tinkers with his uncle's new invention—an automatic donut maker. Readers will love Homer using his wits and pet skunk to catch bandits, a rampaging donut machine making hundreds of donuts with a lost diamond bracelet in one, a competition between his uncle and the sheriff involving a local widow and a ball of string, and a mysterious shaggy-looking stranger claiming he can rid the town of mice with a fancy musical machine. Written in 1943, this classic with its colorful townspeople, humorous events, and one clever and thoughtful boy from small-town America, make is a winner for the whole family.
         Themes: Adventure, Classics, Families, Friendship, Heroes, Humor

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW
written by Margaret Sidney, (Aladdin,1881/2006), 351p, Ages 9-12

“The little old kitchen had quieted down from the bustle and confusion of midday; and now, with its afternoon manners on, presented a holiday aspect that, as the principal room in the brown house, it was eminently proper it should have.” At the turn of the nineteenth century, this was home to a widow and her five children who learn to cope with poverty, living near starvation, and illness with courage, devotion, and respect for their mother. Mary Pepper ekes out a meager living from sewing jobs, while her children Ben, Polly, Joel, David, and Phronsie take on adult responsibilities to keep the family together. A chance encounter with a wealthy boy and his dog changes their lives forever. Although written in 1881, this story is a charming tribute to the best in people, especially families.
         Themes: Classics, Families, Series

ZAP
written by Martha Freeman, (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 2018,
ISBN 978-1-5344-0557-8), 304p, Ages 10-13

“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology. This is a clear prescription for disaster.” So begins a quote from Carl Sagan in this mystery/adventure story surrounding two tweens, a massive power outage, science and political connections, and computer coding.11-year-old Luis Cardenal is curious about how things work, and when the power goes out in Hampton, New Jersey, Luis and his friend Maura begin to investigate the ongoing blackout, rumors of terrorist attacks, and foreign intervention. When they accidentally overhear, “Zap seven forty-two,” from Maura’s grandfather, they begin a search for a homeless teen legend by the name of “Computer Genius.” and his connection to Maura’s grandfather. This fun mystery will appeal to reluctant readers with its fascinating science technology, engineering, and math concepts. Endpapers explain crank radios, solar cells, nuclear fission, AC power, the power grid, and assembling an emergency kit.
        Themes: Adventure, Friendship, Mysteries

BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON!
written by Sid Fleischman, illus. by Brett Helquist, (1963 Little, Brown and Company, illustrated pb 2013, $8.99,
ISBN 978-0-316-28612-1), 224p, Ages 10-13

In1849 cries of a Gold Rush echo across the country to Boston, where a young boy resides with his sisters and Aunt Arabella. When his aunt loses all her money, twelve-year-old Jack and the faithful family butler, Praiseworthy, sail to California to strike it rich to help her. These two unlikely gold miners/adventurers sail on the paddle wheeler, Lady Wilma, around South America’s Cape Horn and up to San Francisco. Along the way, they outwit thieves, survive vicious storms, save grape cuttings and barrels of spoiled potatoes, deal with an invasion of Peruvian cats, and help the ship’s captain to beat competing ships to San Francisco.

There, they begin their trip to the Sacramento gold fields and encounter miners, outlaws, and varmints. To buy picks, shovels, horn spoons, and a hotel room, clever Praiseworthy cuts and keeps the miners’ hair and beards that contain gold dust. Surviving a stage coach robbery, they arrive at the diggings and begin panning for gold. Written in 1963, this classic western adventure will give readers a taste of history, hilarious action, fascinating characters, clever plots, and the escapades of two tenacious heroes nicknamed Jamoka Jack and Bullwhip.
        Themes: Adventure, Classics, Friendship, Heroes, Historical Fiction, The Wild West

THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS
written by Sheila Turnage, (Kathy Dawson Books, $16.99, Sept, 2018,
ISBN 978-0-8037-3962-8), 668p, Ages 11-14

This fourth and final book of the Mo and Dale Mysteries series finds the Desperado Detectives, sixth graders Mo, Dale, and Harm, investigating pirate treasure fever in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, while following new clues to Mo’s missing Upstream Mother. When a slick professional treasure hunter claims to know where Blackbeard’s lost gold is buried, the Desperados are hired by the mayor’s mother to search, as she claims to be the rightful owner. Mo’s ongoing search for her missing mother takes a surprising turn, when new clues emerge from the Colonel and Miss Lana. Of course, interference from Mo’s nemesis, Attila, is always expected, but with surprising results. Readers will enjoy Dale’s hilarious use of the English language, Valentine’s Day surprises, and pithy sayings (Nothing says I love you like an alibi; Never let your hopes rise higher than you can stand for them to fall.) Don’t miss the first three books: Three Times Lucky (2012), The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing (2014), and The Odds of Getting Even (2015).
        Themes: Adventure, Families, Friendship, Mysteries, Series

A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO
written by Richard Peck, (Dial Books, 1998, 2004), 148p, Ages 11+

During the Depression years Joey (narrator) and his sister, Mary Alice learn lessons about life from their thrifty, hardworking, and shrewd grandmother in rural Illinois. Each chapter is devoted to the annual weeklong summer visit at Grandma Dowdel’s house at the end of town. Stretching the truth, plotting schemes to even scores, catching fish from a stolen boat, arranging an elopement, handling a teenage vandal, a drunk sheriff, and a wealthy banker, Grandma Dowdel teaches her grandchildren about life. Humor, good old-fashioned fun, impressive escapades, and colorful characters make this classic story unforgettable.
        Themes: Classics, Families, Humor, Series

THE GRIMM LEGACY
written by Polly Shulman, (Scholastic, $5.99, 2012, ISBN 978-0-545-43652-6), 325p, Ages 14+

When Elizabeth Rew’s social studies teacher recommends her for a job as a Page at The New-York Circulating Materials Repository, she discovers that it is unlike any library she's ever seen. Instead of books, the vast nine floor building is filled with historical objects and “special” collections, including magical objects in the Grimm Collection. Among the items collected by the Brothers Grimm in their travels and associated with their tales, are Aladdin’s carpet, Cinderella’s glass slippers, Snow White’s step-mother’s sinister mirror, and mermaid combs. When several magical objects begin to disappear, Elizabeth and her fellow pages embark on a perilous quest to apprehend the thief and avoid capture, only to become suspects. Teens will love this modern fantasy with its adventure, romance, magical intrigue, flying charms, and carpet rides.
        Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship, Heroes

Over the years, we have researched thousands of children's books, and can recommend some of the best in outstanding children's literature for parents to read aloud and children to read. Our recommendations must meet certain criteria: fun, creative and imaginative stories, delightful illustrations, and excellent for age appropriate listening and reading. We hope that you enjoyed our recommendations. If you desire further information some of the best in children's literature, please visit our website, www.tchliteracy.com.