Children | Page 12 of 54

Super Manny Stands Up! to the simple things for greater good

A book that gently explores bullying from the observer’s point of view didn’t initially sound like it would be of interest to young readers. Adults know that bullies act that way because they’re insecure or are also being bullied. It’s a harder concept to convey that to children. We’ve talked to our seven year old about bullies and people who incessantly pick on others but are met with the same disdainful look every time. Super Manny Stands Up! by Kelly DiPucchio with illustrations by Stephanie Graegin manages to parlay this tricky relationship in a way that children will understand.

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Creepy Pair of Underwear is an instant children’s classic

I like sequels or second acts when the quality is as good as the first entry or there’s a distinctive hook that said project has that nothing else has captured. Creepy Carrots is one of our children’s favorite books. It’s a classic that will be around for generations and manages to straddle the kid friendly line of scary and mysterious, even though kids know it’s all silly fun. Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds with illustrations by Peter Brown has the same character as Creepy Carrots, yet isn’t a sequel per se. Rather, Creepy Pair of Underwear is another story featuring Jasper Rabbit that is possibly more entertaining than its already fabulous predecessor.

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Bobs and Tweets #2 Perfecto Pet Show, early elementary a go-go

Bob and Tweets are birds of a different color. Specifically they’re two families who are quite different, the Tweets are neat and the Bobs couldn’t bother. This is the second book in the series by Pepper Springfield with illustrations by Kristy Caldwell. This is a silly book, that’s fun to read-and if early elementary kids saw the first one, then Bobs and Tweets #2, Perfecto Pet Show is one you’ll be able to tell.

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Fruits In Suits, a worthy sequel to one of our favorite children’s books

Fruits In Suits by Jared Chapman is the sequel to one of the greatest books that our children have read. That book is Vegetables in Underwear and is one that I credit in helping potty train our then 3-year old to stop wearing diapers and to use the potty. His latest book is all about suits and fruits, that being sometimes fruits in suits and packed with puns galore.

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Don’t Blink! is an interactive, fun picture book for 6 and younger

Imagine a children’s book that takes root from a classic game that every child plays at one point. The game takes place usually when kids are between 5 and 7 years old, doesn’t require any money, is difficult to have a proven winner and sometimes involves a little man who is ¼ inch tall. Don’t Blink! is a children’s book that takes the seminal children’s game, blink and provides it with visual cues for kids to laugh along to.

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Real Friends by Shannon Hale is really wonderful for 8 and up

Sometimes on the podcast we’ll talk about examples of the graphic novel as art form. To listeners that don’t read many graphic novels or comic books that might seem like hyperbole, but it’s not. Graphic novels are designed to entertain, while a very others make you think, teach lessons or possibly change your behavior-while at the same time being entertaining. Real Friends, an original graphic novel by Shannon Hale, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham manages to do that in one of the most surprising books that you’ll pick up this year.

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Bulldozer Helps Out works its magic on ages 7 and younger

Every kid needs a good construction book just like every woman needs a black dress. If you’ve got a child who is between two and six you know that they loved big machines. Bulldozer Helps Out is the second book in the Bulldozer series by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. Heavy equipment can’t really be described as anthropomorphic. However, in Bulldozer Helps Out we see a group of construction vehicles being as human as possible and in the end doing something that will appeal to every small human.

The first thing adults will notice about Bulldozer Helps Out is its heart and soul. The illustrations by Eric Rohmann make the book feel like something they’ve been friends with for a while. Digger, Scraper, Grader and the others have enough detail to let readers immediately know who they are and the big building work that they do. However, the characters are not presented in a babyish manner; rather, it’s more of a classic appeal to the machines.

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Win an autographed copy of Brown Bear to celebrate its 50th anniversary

Has it really been 50 years since Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle was released? It’s a children’s classic book whose simple rhymes, distinctive art and perfect length make it one of the first books that children will have read to them. We’re giving away an autographed copy of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, as well as a handful of other Brown Bear swag to celebrate its landmark 50^th anniversary.

This special edition of the book is different for some because it’s the proper, full size release, instead of the board book version that some of us are accustomed to. That was our jam for three straight years. When we had a three and one year old in the house it was one that the younger could laugh at the older one could point to the words. From there we went to Panda Bear and Polar Bear, all of which we’ve also saved for the future library, should our children need it in 25 years.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group has a giveaway for a copy of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, autographed by illustrator Eric Carle, as well as a bag of Brown Bear swag. This is a giveaway that you’ll keep forever. The new 50^th anniversary copy of Brown Bear features the complete story of the book on CD that is read by Gwyneth Paltrow.

Win an autographed copy of Brown Bear to celebrate its 50th anniversary