LITTLE ANT, BIG THINKER (North South, 2009) features an ant who wants to know where the ocean begins. With the help of a bear, a tree, and a fish, ant's question in answered. However, do remember that ant is a BIG THINKER so there are more questions in store.
Bear has a problem and no one in town will listen long enough to hear what it is. Instead, he is offered all sorts of other things including a hat and a pair of wings. This cumulative story has a clever twist. (North South, 2009)
In some ways reminiscent of HARLEM by Walter Dean Myers, EL BARRIO tells of a young bo7y's exuberancw as he walks the streets of his neighborhood. A quinceanera and all its attendant festivity is included. (Holt, 2009)
And finally, a picture book from Neil Gaiman must be somehow set apart from the norm, right? You bet!
BLUEBERRY GIRL (HarperCollins, 2009) is a lovely rhythmic verse for a new child. All sorts of wishes are made for the blueberry girl including clearness of sight, good dogs, and stories. Not for a child but for the mother-to-be, these are wishes I would make for the resident of the back bedroom in the years to come.