Here’s few we liked that we picked up from the library. All of these were picked by the 5-year old:
The Apple Pie That Papa Baked
by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Jonathan Bean. Told in pictures and verse, The Apple Pie that Papa Baked is a fun view of the farm at harvest time. The story is about a young girl and her father who bakes an apple pie for his daughter with the apples he has picked from their tree.
Illustrated in blacks and browns and reds, it has an earthy look and feel. The hills and paths, trees and sun have that round, plump feel, almost like a Grant Wood Iowan landscape, but I wouldn’t go too far with that comparison. If I were smarter, I’d know the style of the verse – you’ve seen it before, but here’s an example from one page:
These are the clouds,
heaped and round,
that dropped the reain,
cool and fresh,
thatwatered the roots,
deep and fine,
that fed the tree,
crooked and strong,
and on it goes.
Two by Caldecott Medal winner Eric Rohmann: Clara and Asha and My Friend Rabbit
In Clara and Asha (Ala Notable Children’s Books. Younger Readers (Awards))
, Clara is a young girl who has lots of friends, one of whom is Asha, a big fish she met in the park. Asha was a part of the giant fountain, but she brought him home. Now, inseparable friends, Asha follows Clara everywhere. The story is very fun, all of a child’s imagination, and the illustrations are even more fun, and the true spark in the book.
My Friend Rabbit
is the story of a rabbit and a mouse, both friends. Enthusiastic Rabbit get his friend stuck in a tree and, to try to get him down, he builds a ladder of animals. Not so good an idea, as it turns out. Mostly in pictures, the silliness abounds, and there’s really no need for words here. Eric Rohmann won the 2003 Caldecott Medal for this book.
Cat & Mouse: A Delicious Tale
by Jiwon Oh
This book was the most fun of the bunch. Cat and Mouse are best friends. Cat takes cooking lessons and discovers that mice make delicious dishes, and, no big surprise, a rift in the friendship ensues. The book is delightful. Jiwon Oh’s illustrations are a combination of modern manga and ancient Chinese landscape. Go to the library or the bookstore to look for this one.