2 TO 4 YEARS OF AGE
"All Kinds of Children," by Norma Simon. Illustrated by Diane Paterson. Albert Whitman & Co. 32 pages. $15.95.
No matter how many children the world holds, no matter how unusual they may look or sound or seem, they all share many characteristics. After all, did you ever meet a child who didn't love to play? Didn't need food? Didn't want someone to love? This book celebrates difference and similarity in a reassuring way.
"Billy and the Big New School ," by Laurence Anholt. Illustrated by Catherine Anholt. Albert Whitman & Co. 32 pages. $14.95.
Have you ever wanted to do something but been a little afraid at the same time? Then you'll understand about Billy as he gets ready for big school. A tiny sparrow, who has fallen from its nest, shows him that it's okay to worry a little but that it's great to spread your wings when the time comes.
"Bugs for Lunch," by Margery Facklam. Illustrated by Sylvia Long. Charlesbridge Publishing. 32 pages. $15.95.
"If your lunch was a bug, who could you be?" Turning these wonderful picture pages, you'll meet birds, animals, reptiles and insects who enjoy bugs of all sorts for snacks. What? You don't think termites, slugs and bugs would be tasty? Watch the ending for the surprise mammals who think they make a fine meal!
"Daisy and the Egg," written and illustrated by Jane Simmons. Little, Brown. 32 pages. $12.95.
Aunt Buttercup is sitting on eggs in the nest until they hatch. Daisy's duckling cousins emerge, but the egg that will be her own sister or brother doesn't show signs of life. Finally, Daisy herself takes a turn on the huge green egg, and that does the trick.
"Jumping Day," by Barbara Juster Esbensen. Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Boyds Mills Press. 22 pages. $9.95.
Things jump all day, and what fun that is! Jump out of bed, into your clothes, over "mountains" of chairs. Watch a frog jump into a pond and lightning jump across the sky. Jump into your bath and back into bed. What a happy, bright-colored day!
"Let's Join In: Four Stories," written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes. Candlewick Press. 60 pages. $17.99.
This big book for small children has four sections, each about something you love to do. Who hides? Children, parents, pets, the sun. Who gives? You give presents, hugs, frowns and parties. Who talks--to whom? Who--and what--bounces? A delightful book by an artist with a charming sense of humor.
"Mei-Mei Loves the Morning," by Margaret Holloway Tsubakiyama. Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. Albert Whitman & Co. 32 pages. $15.95.
What's special about morning is that Mei-Mei spends it with Grandpa. They ride his bicycle to the park, their pet songbird's cage dangling from the handlebars until Mei-Mei hangs it on a plum tree branch. Whole families enjoy the outdoors, doing tai chi as their birds sing. On the way home, they buy crisp Chinese pancakes for lunch.
Judy Chernak is a former teacher of music and language in private schools. A resident of Pikesville, she has written several picture books. Her chapter book, "The Mysterious Chanukah Candles and Other Holiday Adventures," will be published later this year.
Pub Date: 03/07/99