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A nice cumulative tale that combines also an element of prediction. EXCEPT IF by Jim Averbeck (Atheneum 2011) begins with an egg that might become a baby bird except if it turns out to be a snake except if...well, you get the drift. End papers join in the cumulative pattern, too. <57>
MR. DUCK MEANS BUSINESS by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Jeff Mack (Simon & Schuster 2011) features a lovely duck who has his routine, thank you very much. He stretches and fluffs and glides on his pond quite quietly until one day he is interrupted by some noisy animals. Soon, duck is posting signs and warning the others to stay away and leave him alone. Be careful what you wish for, Mr. Duck. <58>
SQUARE CAT (Aladdin 2011) by Elizabeth Schoonmaker will develop empathy in readers who will know just how miserable it is to be the square cat in a world of round cats. Being square makes it impossible, for instance, to catch mice. And when a sqaure cat tips over, well, it is impossible to become upright without assistance. How does Square Cat manage to overcome his problem? <59>
I love movable books. FORTUNE COOKIES is a pull-the-tab book by Albert Bitterman with art by Chris Raschka (Beach Lane 2011). Each day of the week, our main character opens her fortune. Somehow, it comes true, even if it is in a rather unpredictable way. Raschka's art is, as always, outstanding. The text is simple, too, making this a perfect shared reading experience with a toddler. <60>