I had a moment or two in the office to glance at a couple of new picture books and thought I would share them before heading home to begin preparing for the trip to NCTE in a couple of days.




Okay, now I want some donuts to eat. Here is a cautionary tale about two rival chefs who compete for business at their respective donut shops. Before long, each has lost touch with the true product and customers become fewer and fewer. Ultimately, it is a young girl (ooo! an archetype?) who reminds one chef of his true purpose. Comical illustrations and a rollicking couplet text add to the bouncy good humor. And be sure to read ARNIE THE DONUT if you have not already had that experience as I think the two together would make for an interesting story time.




Charro Claus is Santa's cousin. In order for Santa to deliver all the presents along the Rio Grande, he enlists the help of his cousin who comes dressed as a charro complete with sparkly suit and guitar. With the assistance of his nephew, The Tejas Kid, Christmas is realized for all the children living along the border between Texas and Mexico. While this will have more interest down here, it is a great addition to a Christmas collection that would include HOW MURRAY SAVED CHRISTMAS and AUNTIE CLAUS.

Coming from Greenwillow in March of 2009 (which is why there is no cover to show you) is EMMALINE AND THE BUNNY. Think of it as a cautionary tale for adults with a different message for children. In Neatasapin, everything must be tidy. Babies wear alarms that sound when a diaper needs changing. Everything possible is covered in concrete so there can be little digging, splashing, or other messes. And, of course, the wild animals have been banished to some other place where they can continue their untidy ways. Emmaline, though, is not tidy, and she longs for a bunny so she will not be only or lonely anymore.

Katherine Hannigan, author of Ida B, offers a rhythmic story with lots of word play that will charm the very young audience for this book. For older readers (the book is labeled for 7-12 year olds), there is another layer to the story. There is yet another layer for the adult reader, I think. The very best children's books do just that.