Ribbit! - Rodrigo Folgueira & Poly Bernatene

As a group of frogs are minding their own business, a pig joins them. The pig says "Ribbit!" The frogs are aghast. Is this pig trying to mock them? Other woodland creatures come by to observe as the pig continues to say "Ribbit!" They talk amongst themselves about the pig who isn't doing what he ought to. Finally, they seek out the wise old beetle to tell them how they should deal with this pig. The beetle helps them realize that maybe the pig is just looking for new friends. At this point, the pig has disappeared. Is it too late for a new friendship to begin?

Folgueira's sweet and lightly humorous book deals with judgement and gossiping in a way young children can understand without being too emotional or heavy. The pig who goes out of his way to make new friends is a great role model. I love that despite the rejection he receives, the pig keeps up his mission to make new friends. This book is a great for reading aloud and following up with a discussion. Bernatene's textured illustrations are lovely.    

That is NOT a Good Idea - Mo Willems

Portrayed in the style of silent films, Goose meets Fox, Fox invites Goose over to dinner, and Goose happily accepts. Between each scene, chicks warn of the danger with the title phrase "That is NOT a good idea!" The suspense builds... and the ending is laugh out loud amazing.

I can not get enough of Mo Willems. His books are brilliant, and this is no exception. Willems is a master of expressions. The visual storytelling is brilliant. The text is perfect. The silent film format is fun. This is an amazing read-aloud that the whole family will enjoy.

Xander's Panda Party - Linda Sue Park & Matt Phelan

Xander wants to throw a panda party, but he is the only panda in the zoo. He decides to make it a bear party, but when he invites the koala and discovers that koalas are marsupials, he decides he needs to invite other marsupials as well. As he talks to more animals and doesn't want to leave anyone out, he is overwhelmed by the growing guest list. Will he throw a successful party, or will it be more than he can handle?

The storytelling is delightful. Park's use of verse is impressively executed. She incorporates a bit of zoology and animal classification, which is a fun element. Phelan's ink and watercolor is stunning. Overall a lovely book.

This is Not My Hat - Jon Klassen

I discovered this beauty as I was trying to catch up with the Caldecott Award books I hadn't read yet. Based on my previous experiences with Caldecott winners, I had more or less established a subconscious set of rules as to what kind of feelings a Caldecott book would evoke. This is Not My Hat shattered those expectations in the most enjoyable way possible, leaving me jaw dropped, laughing, and dumbfounded in the end.

The illustrations are worthy of the award - not just for their stunning quality, but also for their key role in telling the story. They work together effortlessly with the text to keep the reader engaged and eager to see what will happen next.

Jon Klassen pushes the modern limits of "safety" in the picture book world. While what exactly happens at the end is not entirely clear, a less-than-cheerful outcome for the protagonist is implied through the illustrations. Cautionary tales are sugar coated or reinterpreted in contemporary storytelling, leaving the audience with the false sense of security that bad choices don't necessarily have bad consequences. This book brings us back to the good old cautionary tale in a hilarious modern way.

The Day the Crayons Quit - Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers

For anyone who has ever used crayons, this book is a must. Daywalt explores what crayons would be like if they had personalities based on how we tend to use them. The different crayon perspectives are absolutely hilarious. Jeffers' illustrations are expressive and to-the-point. An overall fun picture book for the whole family to enjoy.

Count the Monkeys - Mac Barnett & Kevin Cornell

Don't be fooled: this book is not a cutesy count aloud book. In fact, you won't be counting monkeys at all. But all for a good reason: you'll be having too much fun with the humorous mishaps and shenanigans on each unpredictable page.

Mac Barnett speaks to the readers in the spirit of The Monster at the End of This Book. He has a lot of fun with words while keeping a comedic pace. Kevin Cornell's illustrations are fun and animated, with many silly details that you and your kids will enjoy finding. Barnett and Cornell are the perfect author-illustrator team.

Don't get this book just to read to your preschooler. Get it for your whole family.