June 29, 1999 by David Wiesner

This is an imaginative and fanciful book about a science project that seemingly goes very wrong. On May 11, 1999, Holly Evans from Ho-Ho-Kus New Jersey launches vegetable seedlings into the sky. Each in planted in a little box and tied to a balloon. Holly wants to study the effects of extraterrestrial conditions on vegetable growth. But in late June, 1999 giant vegetables begin to land on earth. Cucumbers circle Kalamazoo, lima beans loom over Levittown, artichokes advance on Anchorage, parsnips pass by Providence, and cauliflower carpets California. Holly, who initially thinks that her experiment has been a huge success become confused when vegetables she did not plant start floating down to earth. There is a wonderful twist at the end of the story that clearly explains where all of the giant vegetables came from. I have found that some of the older children I have worked with really enjoy the book. It sparks all sorts of imaginative play and is a great book for "thinking outside of the box". Where to Buy: I have recently seen this at Barnes and Nobel, so I would assume that it is still available in most children's bookstores.

Huggly Takes a Bath by Tedd Arnold

This is a fun book that takes readers on the bath time adventure of a monster named Huggly. Huggly lives under the bed of a "people child" and one night he decides to explore the house. He quickly finds the bathroom, and not knowing what it is decides to look around for some snacks. Huggly eats the soap and toothpaste, scrubs between his toes with toothbrushes, and uses the side of the tub as a slide. Once he gets into the tub he fills it with water and starts to add all sorts of "slime" (bubble bath, shampoo, etc.) to the water. Soon the tub is filled with bubbles and Huggly exclaims that this is the "Best slime pit ever!" He covers himself with bubbles to become a snow monster, a dragon, and a ghost. But just as Huggly is having so much fun the "people child" comes into the bathroom and Huggly races back to the bedroom where he once again hides under the bed. The children I've used this book with seem to love all of Huggly's silly actions and laugh riotously when he eats the soap and toothpaste. They especially seem to enjoy it when Huggly uses the family's toothbrushes to scrub between his toes. The end of the story is a little lame, but the rest of the book is great and promotes lots of pretend play. Where to Buy: Huggly Takes a Bath was published about 12 years ago so it can be a little bit hard to find in some of the larger children's bookstores, but it's still available on-line and would probably turn up in lots of used book stores.

Duck Soup by Janet Urbanovic

Max the Duck loves to make soups of all kinds, including Fish Soup with Curry and Pickled Lemon, Cracker Barrel Cheese and Marshmallow Soup, and Squash Gumbo. But one day he decides that he will make a soup masterpiece. As he chops, mixes, and pours he realizes that he has left the most important ingredient for the soup out in the garden. While Max is outside collecting this herb several of his friends stop by to see what he's up to. What they find is a pot on the stove with a feather floating in the soup. Immediately they begin to search for Max, thinking that he has fallen into the pot and has made himself into soup! It's a silly story with a great lesson - things are not always as they appear. The children I've used it with absolutely love it and it teaches them a great deal about what it means to be a friend! Where to Buy: This is a fairly recent publication (2008) so it is easy to find in all types of bookstores with children's sections and of course through a variety of on-line retailers.

I Have to Go by Robert Munsch

Every time Andrew and his parent go somewhere they always ask him before they leave the house if he has to go potty. His answer is always a resounding "NO". But as soon as Andrew is in his snowsuit and strapped into his car seat he yells "I have to go"! Naturally his parents become frustrated with this pattern and are therefor pleasantly surprised when one night Andrew gets up with Grandpa one night to go to the bathroom and doesn't wet the bed. It's not really a potty training book, but has wonderfully expressive drawings that every parent will recognize as the least convenient moment for their child "to go". This is a fun story that seems to have special appeal for young preschoolers who are already potty trained. Robert Munsch is a very well known and prolific author of children's books, so you can rarely go wrong if your decide to purchase or check out from the library one of his addicting books. Where to Buy: Most major children's book sellers carry a fairly wide range of Munsch books so they aren't that difficult to find.

Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester

Hooway for Wodney Wat is the story of a timid little rat named Rodney who has a very common misarticulation - he pronounces 'w' for 'r'. Initially Rodney is shy around the other students in his class because they make fun of how his speech sounds. However, one day Camilla Capybara joins the class and announces that she is the biggest, meanest, and smartest rodent there is. All of the other rodents are terrified of her, especially Rodney. But when the class decides to play Simon Says and lets Rodney be the one who calls out directions, Camilla soon discovers she's not really the best rodent of the bunch. Rodney emerges as the victor and all of the other little rodents cheer him on as their hero. As a speech-language pathologist I must admit that I have mixed feelings about the book. I like the fact that Rodney is seen as a winner despite how his speech sounds, but I'm not to crazy about the bullying aspect of the story. The children I've shared the book with really seem to love it and request it on a regular basis. They cheer when Rodney triumphs over Camilla and take heart in the fact that even though their speech might not always sound like everyone elses', they can still be the hero of the story. Where to Buy: Most major children's book sellers carry the book.

David Goes to School by David Shannon

David, an energetic, enthusiastic, and slightly out of control little boy, takes to the classroom in another installment of the "David" series of books by David Shannon. David goes through his school day with very little regard for how his behaviour might be impacting upon other members of his class. He pulls pony-tails, stares out the window, cuts in line in the cafeteria, and draws on thetop of his desk! Despite the ongoing warnings from his teacher, David continues to wreck havoc in the classroom. At the end of the story David stays after class and washes off all of the desks for the teacher. She tells him he did a good job and rewards him with a gold star. Kids seem to really enjoy this book because they have the opportunity to tell David not to do things and can then come up with options for better classroom behaviour. I have found that even two-year-olds can recognize what not to do and have some excellent suggestions for David improving upon his behaviour. Where to Buy: Any major children's book seller would probably have this book in stock.

10-Step Guide for Living with Your Monster by Laura Numeroff

This is the quintessential guide for choosing and living with the monster of your choice. The book begins with helpful hints on how to select a "good" monster for you and ends with how to tuck your monster into bed at night. The illustrations are just the right blend of cute and scary, and children seem to love trying to figure out what else you can do to take care of your monster. I like the book because it helps children learn how to predict why you should or shouldn't do certain things with your monster in a fun and appealing way. It also helps to encourage children to think about novel events they could do with a monster/pet. Additionally, it helps children learn how to respond to those all important "Why" questions. I've had two-year-olds who have really enjoyed this book and five-year-olds who like it just as much! Where to Buy: The 10-Step Guide is available at most children's book stores and naturally though on-line book sellers.

To Market, To Market by Ann Miranda (illustrator Janet Stevens)

I love Janet Steven's work, so whenever I see a book that she has written or illustrated I just have to get it. This book starts off with the rhyme "To market, to market, to buy a fat pig. Home again, home again, jiggity, jig". This part goes well, but when the Grandmother in the story goes back to buy some more groceries things definitely go wrong. When she gets home with the hen (her second purchase) the pig has escaped from his pen. Then she returns to the store to buy a goose, but when she gets home the hen is loose! The story continues in this manner, with the Grandmother looking more and more disheveled along the way, until she decides to take all of the animals with her to buy some fresh vegetables to make a nice soup for lunch. The book ends with Grandma and the animals all lying on the floor taking a nap. This is a really fun book with lots of unexpected twists and turns, and Stevens illustrations make the story come alive before your eyes. Children of all ages seem to enjoy this book because it's just so funny on so many different levels. Where to Buy: I would assume that you could find it in most children's book stores and naturally it's always available on-line.

Bumpety Bump by Kathy Henderson

This is actually a lap game book for babies. Slumpety, humpety, tumpety, everyone in the family gets a chance to hold the baby in this book that is filled with bouncy rhythms and bright illustrations. after the baby has been bounced, tossed, given a horsie back ride, and cuddled went back to her crib for a nap. This is an extremely simple book that encourages lots of participation from children. If you pause at the end of the sentence before the action starts, even very young children will move their arms and legs to get the story going again. It's a fun, action packed story to share with young children. Where to Buy: The book was originally published in 1994, so I'm not sure if it still in print. However, I have been able to find it on Amazon (naturally) and have found it in a couple of bargain bins at large chain book stores, like Barnes & Nobel.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood

This is a charming story about a a house where everyone is sleeping. It starts out with a snoring Granny sleeping in a cozy bed. Soon she is joined by a sleepy child, a dozing dog, a snoozing cat, a slumbering mouse, and finally a wakeful flea. While everyone else is asleep on top of Granny the wakeful flea bites the mouse, who scares the cat, who claws the dog, who thumps the child, who bumps the granny, who breaks the bed. And now no one is sleeping inside the house. This is a really simple premise for the book, but toddlers and three year olds seem to be overjoyed with the silly actions and reactions of everyone sleeping on the bed. The illustrations are fantastic and they add a dreamy quality to the first half of the book and them give the characters an aura of excitement as everyone is forced out of bed. Where to Buy: This is an incredibly popular book and can be found in both hard cover and board book form at most stores that sell children's books.