Published by Greenwillow Books

Summary:  “When the world gets too big and too loud and too busy, I like to look at all pieces of it one at a time.”  The child narrator proceeds to do that, imagining museum exhibits for a Museum of Islands, a Museum of Bushes, a Museum of Hiding Places, and more.  In each one, they slowly savor the different objects that could be on display, wondering about various aspects of each one.  After they’re done spending time in their museums, they are ready to go back into the busy, big, and sometimes noisy world.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  An author’s note reads “If you like to be in a quiet place sometimes [even if it’s only in your mind], or if there is a lot that you wonder about, or if you like to make things, I made this book for you.”  It’s a book to invite wonder and slowing down and noticing things.  The illustrations (described by Perkins as being “the most fun ever”) to create could definitely be considered for a Caldecott.

Cons:  Personally, I prefer more of a story, so, while I could admire and appreciate this book, I didn’t really love it.

Published by Margaret Ferguson

Summary:  Toasty is a piece of bread who dreams of being a dog.  He can see there are differences–he doesn’t have fur, he has two arms and two legs, and he sleeps in a toaster–but he’s sure he can overcome these.  He can bark like a dog, so he confidently decides to head out to the dog park.  When he tries to play with the other dogs, they see him as a tasty snack to chase, and Toasty is forced to hide in a sandwich.  Just as a girl is about to eat him, he starts barking.  The girl is delighted: she’s always wanted a dog, but is allergic.  The two become fast friends, and the final page shows them snuggling down to sleep.  32 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  Quirky? You bet, but strangely sweet as well.  Kudos to Sarah Hwang for creating illustrations of a slice of bread that is as endearing as a puppy.

Cons:  Will there not be a mold issue?

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Fred enjoys running around the house without any clothes on, but when he gets to his parents’ room, he decides to explore.  He considers both dad’s and mom’s clothes, then decides that mom’s are more to his liking.  He puts some on, then decides to check out her jewelry and makeup.  He’s just had a little lipstick mishap when in walk Mom and Dad.  A wordless page shows them all looking at each other; the next wordless page has them all smiling.  Then the three of them (and the dog) get to work decorating themselves, and pose at the end for what looks like a photo with the caption “Now Fred is dressed.”  The final page shows him running away, his dress revealing his backside and the one garment he has failed to put on.  48 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  A fun celebration of individuality which makes its point about gender clothing choices without hitting the reader over the head with it.  As soon as I saw the first page I thought of Peter Brown’s Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, and indeed, there were some parallels, with clothing representing the tension between doing what society expects and following your heart.

Cons:  Those writing the one-star reviews on Amazon might want to go go back and reread Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.