Trudy

Written and illustrated by Henry Cole

When your child says, "Mom, I want to see a cow," and "Let’s go see some goats now,” grab this book.

One day Esme and her grandpa go to the auction looking for a medium-size pet. Esme first sees a cow, a pig, and various feathery friends. Too big, too smelly, and grandma just happens to be allergic to feathers. Finally, Esme spots a bright eye peeking through a stall. Meet Trudy, a brown and white goat who adopts Esme and her grandparents. Esme helps Trudy settle into farm life with her very own mini-barn, blankets, and hay. One day Trudy goes inside her barn and then it snows. This happens the next day and suddenly the whole town is talking about the goat who predicts snow. Winter is coming to an end, Trudy goes inside her barn one last time. Snow does not fall and when Trudy does not come out of her barn, Esme begins to worry. What could be wrong with Trudy?

The pages of this book remind me of fall, more than I ever imagined it would and it makes me long for a roaring fire, a blanket, and a cup of hot cocoa! Even though it's super hot here. I love the crisp colors and seemingly quiet country setting that comes to life on each page. It also has somewhat of a 1950’s feel to the drawings.

My daughter loves it because it’s about a goat. I love it because it teaches her to be kind to animals, we must take care of them, and that animals can be a part of any family.

A Mama for Owen

Written by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by John Butler

Owen is a young hippo who loves his mama. He loves her more than anything else in the world. They snuggle, play hide-n-go seek in the African safari, swim gracefully in the river, and spend all their time together. This is one happy hippo and family. That all changes one day – a day the rains came and would not stop.

It rained so much, that Owen became separated his mama and the entire family. Owen calls and calls for his mama, but she doesn’t respond. The never ending waves washed Owen onto a different shore, some strange and new place, where he must make new friends. No longer at home on the Sabaki River, a tired Owen spies a grayish brown hump. Could this be his mama? No, it’s a big, old turtle named Emzee, who becomes Owen’s surrogate mother. Now they explore the safari and play games and snuggle.

This true story about brave little Owen teaches children that while it's sometimes hard to make new friends, you can make a new friends! Even though it may be scary to be without parents, it is possible to venture into the unknown

This book is easy-to-read and delightfully illustrated. As this sad, yet beautiful story unfolds, you and your little one will enjoy the striking and mellow water-colors. Take the time to sit down and pour over each page, look at each detail.

A Mama for Owen will get your little hippo ready to settle down for the night or a long afternoon nap.

Spots, Feathers, and Curly Tails

Written and illustrated by Nancy Tafuri.

Spots, Feathers, and Curly Tails is a fabulous book geared towards toddlers just getting into the swing of reading. It’s the right book for the questioning and inquisitive nature of associated with any two-year old. Your child will enjoy learning about which animals have feathers, which animals have curly tails and which animals have a mane or a bill. Find out where these animals live. By using a simple question and answer style, even the youngest child will have fun talking about what a cow, horse, or chicken does living on a farm.

This book’s simple, bold, and really cute illustrations will hold the attention of the busiest kid – and have them quacking like a duck and clucking like a chicken in no time. This book will keep your child guessing because it only shows part of each animal on the question page and then you will see a complete illustration of the animal on the answer page.

When you live in the city, pick up a Nancy Tafuri book any day and enjoy a romp around your barnyard. Savor Spots, Feathers, and Curly Tails with your little one today.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney

A colorful tale about little llama's bedtime shenanigans. Mama and little llama read a story and then little llama is tucked in tight for bed, but when Mama turns out the light and leaves, little llama cannot settle down for bedtime. He shouts for a drink and then he must wait a very long time for his mama. He misses his mama, even though she just walked out the door. His wailing, stomping, and shouting sends Mama flying back up the stairs to rescue her little one, only to find that he is just fine in his bed. Mama is upset and tells little llama so, but at the same time, she gives him the comfort he needs.

We love the colorful drawings on each page. Emotion, separation, and love can be felt on every page, but the melodic rhyme keeps your little one comforted and entertained. Whether little llama is scared and upset or Mama is talking on the phone or perspiring with anxiousness, you will feel every bit of it when looking at these pages.

We love reading this book, almost every night. And after a few nights of back-to-back reading, my little llama is now able to “read” right along. Sometimes she will re-enact all the drama caused by little llama.

Make sure this perfect tale of bedtime woes is part of your little llama’s nighttime shenanigans.

Callie Cat, Ice Skater

Written by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Anne Kennedy

Callie Cat LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to skate. It makes her feel good - from head to toe.  Skating makes her feel something so special, she can’t even begin to describe it. Callie is a talented little girl who skates every single day after school on her very own private pond. She hangs out with her friends and goes to the mall, but she would rather skate. She is confident, yet quiet in an unassuming way. Then Callie’s friends urge her to perform in the contest at Honeybrook Ice Rink, and suddenly Callie is caught up in the moment, looking to not only enter the contest, but win. She is not as excited as she thought she should be. Can Callie perform? Will she live up to her friends' expectations? Will winning satisfy Callie's soul?

This book demonstrates the influence and support of friends. Friends may be able to talk you into entering the contest and performing in front of a crowd, but it really is up to the person and whether or not they feel comfortable stepping outside their shell. It also shows that winning isn’t everything. The simple act of skating is Callie’s true passion. Competing in the contest proved that to Callie that.

This charmingly illustrated book shows every twirl and the determination in Callie’s eyes when she decides to enter the contest. This great read encourages your reader to open up and talk about feelings and ambitions.

Let Callie inspire you and your loved one to do what you love and love what you do.