Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  On the first page, the Bunny family arrives home to find a baby wolf on their doorstep.  Mama and Papa immediately fall in love with the cute little cub, but their young daughter Dot exclaims, “He’s going to eat us all up!” a refrain that continues throughout the book.  But Mama and Papa don’t seem to hear her as they coo over him and snap photos of Wolfie’s every move.  Wolfie grows into a toddler who adores his big sister.  One day, the parents send the two of them out to get more carrots (now Wolfie’s favorite food).  When Wolfie opens his mouth at the grocery store, Dot is sure her prediction is coming true.  But he’s not looking at her…he’s looking at the gigantic bear in front of him.  Dot’s reaction saves the day and cements the brother-sister bond between them.

Pro:  This is an unusual and highly entertaining take on sibling rivalry.  The picture of Wolfie in a bunny suit is priceless.

Cons:  I can’t help wondering how this family dynamic is going to work out over time.

Published by Greenwillow Books

Summary:  What happens when a blue crayon gets a red label?  Everyone thinks he’s red.  His teacher thinks he needs more practice, the scissors think his label is too tight (“One snip should do it”), his grandparents think he needs to wear a warm scarf.  But no matter what he tries, it doesn’t work. He just can’t make those strawberries and hearts look the way they’re supposed to. Finally, he meets a new friend (Berry), who asks him to make an ocean for his boat.  And it’s perfect!

Pros:  This is a great story that kids can read at their own level of understanding.  My first thought was that it was about gender identification, but it could be about embracing yourself in many different ways.  School psychologists and social workers should definitely check this one out.

Cons:  The first time I read this, the message seemed a little heavy-handed, but I don’t think kids would see it that way.

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Published by Viking Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Smick is a dog who likes to chase sticks.  When he sees a chick, he wants to chase that, too.  The two become friends, and Smick has a new sidekick…or sidechick, as the case may be.

Pros:  Minimalist in text (the story is told with only 15 different words) and pictures, this book could be used in many different ways with kids.  They could add to the story by looking at the pictures.  Beginning readers could read a whole book themselves.  It would lend itself to a quick readers’ theater.  The bold line illustrations and wordplay add to the appeal.

Cons:  If you’re trying to fill class time with a book, look elsewhere.

Summary:  All the hens in the henhouse lay eggs on a very regular basis.  They’re proud of their accomplishments, and can’t understand why P. Zonka refuses to produce anything.  Instead, she wanders around admiring the flowers and the sky.  Finally, the other hens call her on it and insist that she try to lay an egg.  To their surprise, not only does she lay one, but it is beautifully striped and patterned with many colors.  P. Zonka never becomes a regular egg layer, but when she does lay one, it is always beautiful and unique, and the hens treat her with new respect.

Pros:  This is a story that celebrates dreamers and artists.  The productive, hardworking citizens of the henhouse are seen as a bit bossy and self-righteous, while the one who seems to be doing nothing is actually fully engaged in an artistic process.  On another level, this story and its illustrations are a good introduction to pysanka egg decorating.

Cons:  The message seemed a little bit heavy-handed to me.

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Hungry Hoot Owl is flying through the night, looking for something to eat.  Fortunately, he considers himself a master of disguise, so when he sees a rabbit, he disguises himself as a carrot.  No luck.  A pigeon?  Hoot Owl transforms himself into an ornamental birdbath.  Alas, one disguise after another fails, until finally Hoot Owl dresses up as a waiter and is able to snag a pepperoni pizza.

Pros:  Kids will enjoy Hoot Owl’s high opinion of himself, as well as his dramatic narration of his actions.  The big bold illustrations will be easy for everyone to see.  And Hoot Owl is a master of similes.  Ask the kids how many they can find in this book.

Cons:  It wasn’t clear why Hoot Owl’s disguises failed.  I thought his carrot was pretty good.

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Elmore Green’s life as an only child is pretty idyllic.  He’s got a great room, his own TV on which he can watch whatever he wants, AND he gets to eat all the jelly beans.  But one day, everything changes.  A new baby moves in.  It cries when Elmore wants to watch TV.  It comes into Elmore’s room and knocks things over.  And worst of all, Elmore suspects people might like it as much as or maybe even more than they like him.  One terrible day, its bed is moved into Elmore’s room.  Elmore can’t get away from it.  But one night, Elmore has a bad dream, and, lo and behold, the new small person comforts him.  After that, Elmore begins to notice some other not-so-bad things about his new brother.  Finally, he is even willing to share his jelly beans with Albert (except the orange ones).

Pros:  It’s an old tale, but this book tells it with humor and a pretty good dose of reality.  I love how the small person goes from being “it” through most of the book to “him” after he comforts Elmore at night, to finally, “his brother Albert”.  This would make a great sibling gift to a kid whose home has recently been invaded by a new small person.

Cons:  If only sibling relationships were this simple…