Let’s go home, Little Bear

Written by Martin Waddell; illustrated by Barbara Firth

1991 Candlewick Press 

Returning from a walk in the snowy woods, Little Bear begins to hear noises. Big Bear, as the protective caregiver for Little Bear, is reassuring, understanding and empathetic. Eventually Little Bear finds safety in being carried home Written and illustrated by Big Bear. Waddell presents the parent-child bond in the characters of Big Bear and Little Bear. Beautiful watercolor illustrations decorate every page and preserve the emotions of Little Bear throughout the book. This wonderful bedtime story promotes the concept of safety within the arms of a parent.

In the small, small pond

Written and illustrated by Denise Fleming

1993 Henry Holt and Company, Inc. 

Bright colored illustrations and rhyming text teach children about the wildlife living around a pond.  A 1994 Caldecott Honor book that follows a frog around the busy life of geese, turtles, ducks, minnows, and peeks in on a raccoon and muskrat until winter comes and all the life around the pond tuck away for the winter.

I’m a little teapot

Written and illustrated by Iza Trapani

1996 Whispering Coyote Press 

The classic nursery song, I’m a little teapot, has developed into an all-out adventure. The teapot takes two children on a journey of their dreams to China, outer space, a fox hunt, and the jungle until they return home to share tea time with their family and friends. A wonderful story with beautifully illustrated pictures in watercolor complement the rhyme while a basic piano accompaniment can be located at the back of the book to help sing along.

If you take a mouse to school

Written by Laura Numeroff; illustrated by Felicia Bond

2002 Harper Collins

From the series If you give a mouse a cookie, Numeroff describes the excited little mouse as one ready for a new adventure by attending school. He’s going to want a lunchbox, a notebook, some pencils and a backpack too. Mouse just loves to learn: trying a science experiment, being artistic with clay, and of course, learning to write. No child can refuse the enthusiasm that is conveyed by the mouse. The story line is stimulating and keeps the children on edge to find out what is coming next. As always, Numeroff comes through with an animated tale as does Bond’s wonderfully bright and emotionally charged illustrations.

I know an old lady who swallowed a pie

Written by Alison Jackson; illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner

1997 Dutton Children’s Books

This story is a knock off of I know an old lady who swallowed a fly. In this version however, the old lady is consuming large amounts of food related to a Thanksgiving feast instead of the original version that has her swallowing up animals. The rhymes are entertaining and the watercolor pictures depict the scenario rather well. Overall, the book is fun and stimulating.

Growing vegetable soup

Written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

1987  Harcourt Books  

Literally starting from the ground up to make vegetable soup, a father and his children plant seeds, watch them grow and eventually harvest the vegetables to concoct a delicious soup. Illustrations seem to be created in a collage format that is bright and vivid. The font of the story is easy on the eyes and simple to read. A bonus to this book are the terms attached to the tools, seeds, seedlings, plants and vegetables to give children the vocabulary associated with growing vegetables from the beginning of development to finished soup.

Bear feels sick!

Written by Karma Wilson; illustrated Jane Chapman

2007 Simon & Schuster

Bear is sick. He’s sniffing, sneezing, coughing and aching. He’s all alone in his big cold cave. Bear is very fortunate, his good friends come to take care of him by making him warm, feeding him, and keeping him company until he feels better. Can you guess what happens next? All his friends get sick! But Bear is there to return the favor.

Karma Wilson adds another wonderful book to the Bear snores on series. This is definitely a story everyone can relate to. The illustrations by Jane Chapman are vivid and follow the story perfectly. Bear feels sick is a book that would be a great addition to storytimes about not feeling well.