Library Haul

 "Home is a house in the country. Or home is an apartment." So begins this delightful book about all the different places (real and fictional) people might call home. I could stare at the illustrations in this book for hours. And it introduces kids to the fact that people live differently that they do, which is an important lesson to learn.

I have seen Du Iz Tak? everywhere! So when it was finally available at my library, I snatched it up. Du Iz Tak? means What is that? in made up bug language. The entire book is written in made up bug language, leaving the reader to deduce what's happening in the story from visual clues and inflection. I have to admit, it was very fun trying to read the made up language aloud with the same casual ease I read English aloud. This book was wonderful and it definitely deserves all of the praise (Caldecott Honor) it's been receiving.

Who knew penguins had such a hard life? Penguin Problems tells the tale of a snarky little penguin who is having trouble just being a penguin. It's cold, everyone looks the same, he's hunted by leopard seals, it gets dark super early, and so on. A walrus overhears his complaining and decides to chime in. He points out all the wonderful things about where they live and and all the great things about the penguin's life, if he would only appreciate what he has. It takes the penguin a while to notice all the beautiful things around him, but he eventually does. This book is funny, beautifully illustrated, and teaches the important lesson that perspective is everything.

Was there ever a fluffier kitty than Papillon? I don't think so. Papillon is so fluffy that he is lighter than air and one day, just floats right out the window and away from home. He gets very lost, but eventually meets a friend who shows him the way home. The illustrations in this book are so stinking cute and I've never seen a kitty cuter than Papillon in my life.  

Egg is the latest book from Kevin Henkes (Waiting, Chrysanthemum, etc.) It's the story of four little eggs, one of which is a big surprise. The text is sparse and repetitive, but it tells a big story - the importance of friendship and acceptance. Told in a graphic novel format, this one would be perfect for Easter, if you gift books at holidays.











What did you check out from the library this week? Anything I should add to my hold list?