more picture books

Loreen Leedy's picture books have long been favorites of mine. I used MESSAGES IN THE MAILBOX with my middle school students years ago. With CRAZY LIKE A FOX, Leedy gives readers a story told entirely with similes. Rufus the fox is chasing Babette the sheep. The romp progresses to a happy and surprising ending. Back matter discusses similes in more detail.

And here is another one with classroom utility by Laurie Keller, a sequel to her SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA. In SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA TALENT SHOW, the states enthusiastically agree to perform in a talent show. There are jugglers, dancers, singers, and the like. When Georgia is struck with stage fright, she is told to picture the audience in their underwear. That leads to a priceless final double page of various states doing cheesecake poses. Endpapers include statehood dates and state abbreviations.