Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

This is an adorable retelling by Carmen Agra Deedy of a traditional story. Michael Austin contributed delightful pictures.

Caps for Sale

Thank you to my friend, Iliana, who recommended this book. It has become a new family favorite. The illustrations are wonderful in their simplicity, the story is charming, and my three-year-old son loves it.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

We first got this book as a gift from my sister-in-law and her family (thanks, Cindy!), and to be honest, I wasn't crazy about it at first. The reason it merits a spot on the blog is that my son, James, LOVES this story. He can just about recite it from memory, word for word, and often does.

It's a great book for toddlers because of its use of repetition. There's also a fun "twist" ending. The jack o' lantern pumpkin head, which features in the story and on the cover, make it a good Halloween/Fall book, but it can be enjoyed year-round.

Show Way

This beautifully illustrated book chronicles the codes or maps American slaves stitched into quilts to show others the way to the North and freedom. Whether these codes existed or are the stuff of wonderful legend has been impossible to prove conclusively, but this book does not depend on being rooted in cold, hard fact for its value. It is deeply moving, all the more so because it is told as the story of the author's matriarchal ancestors.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Some of the amazon.com reviews for this book would have you believe that it is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad book. (Who are these people?) Not so. Hilarious and relatable for kids and grownups alike.

On a side note, I just recently found out that the author, Judith Viorst, is also a fairly well known poet. Not surprisingly, I also love her poetry.

Olivia

Olivia is this generation's Eloise. I love this little oinker so much, I seriously considered naming a (non-existent as of yet) daughter after her. The original in the series is by far the best book, and is delightful from cover to cover.

Richard Scarry's books

Richard Scarry's stories are creative and off-the-wall enough to be interesting, but grounded enough in true-to-life human values, feelings, and concerns to be significant. His illustrations are darling.

I freaking love the pie rats.