New picture books with pizazz!

As summer comes closer, we of the Matteson Public Library are working hard to purchase some new books for fun summer reading! Here are some of my favorite new picture books for young children:

For the "princesses" out there, I would like to recommend Polly's Pink Pajamas by Vivian French. Polly loves to wear her pink pajamas all the time, but she is invited to a party and needs to find just the right outfit! Luckily, she has friends to help her! Pink Me Up by Cherise Mericle Harper is another title for lovers of the color pink! A cute little bunny named Violet is invited to attend a pink party with her mother! Unfortunately, the pink spots on her mother's face mean that she is sick and can't attend. Daddy offers to bring Violet, but boys aren't pink! Violet's Daddy gets in the spirit and he looks "pinktastic!" Finally, for the little ballerinas, try My Friend Maya Loves to Dance by Cheryl Willis Hudson. The illustrations feature a lovely African-American dancer performing everything from ballet to african dance in beautiful costumes. Share this one with the little dancer in you life!

For your fire truck fans, try Firehouse by Michael Teague. Edward and his cousin Judy are visiting a fire station to learn what it takes to be a real firefighter. When there is a real emergency, it's Edward to the rescue! Big Rig Bugs by Kurt Cyrus, combines the appeal of trucks and bugs into one eye-catching package! As the "big rig bugs" work to clean up at mess left by a "litter bug," in the background there are trucks worling on completing there own project. The text is simple enough to be share with toddlers, but the pictures will pull in the preschoolers! For a bedtime treat, choose Willoughby and the Moon by Greg Foley. When Willoughby's closet magically opens onto the moon's surface, he helps a giant snail search there for its favorite silver ball.

Finally, here is a list of great books for everyone:


Love-A-Duck by Alan James Brown

Chavela and the Magic Bubble by Monica Brown

Stuck in the Mud by Jane Clarke

The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks out! (Big Time) by Troy Cummings

What the Ladybug Heard by Julia Donaldson

Kid Tea by Elizabeth Ficocelli

My Garden by Kevin Henkes

Mimi's Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jackson

One Too Many by Gianna Marino

The Sleep Sheep by Anna McQuinn and Hannah Shaw

Nibbles: a gree tale by Charlotte Middleton

Basil's Birds by Lynn Rowe Reed

Wanted: The Perfect Pet by Fiona Roberton

Creak! said the Bed by Phyllis Root

Stop by the Matteson Public Library beginning June 1st and register for the Summer Reading Program, "Be a Star at your Library!"