Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer
Age Range: 5-8 years
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication Date: February 16, 2016
A young boy searches for the meaning of poetry for six days after he sees a sign about poetry reading in a city park. On the seventh day he gives his poetry reading which is a culmination of what his animal friends have shared with him. The story takes place in the fall. My Book Eyes widened upon viewing the high contrasting collage images created for this picture book. The author/illustrator uses child friendly poses and actions that are relatable to this age group i.e. feeding a dog, trailing a hand in a pond, lying on a boulder, running, climbing a tree, and squatting under a slide.
Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze by Maureen Wright illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Age Range: 3-5 years
Publisher: Two Lions
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
The audience will enjoy this rhyming picture book about a struggle between the autumn breeze and a bear to determine which one causes leaves and apples to fall off trees and geese to fly away. Is it the breeze or the bear’s sneeze? My Book Eyes giggled at the personification, showing various expressions, for the breeze. A silent rabbit accompanies, helps and often mimics bear’s actions throughout the story. The word ACHOO is repetitive and will allow the audience to complete the phrase if the storyteller asks which makes this book fun.
Wonderfall by Michael Hall
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
The author/illustrator of this picture book dropped ful and added fall to create 14 new words that are titles of these poems. Some examples are: Thankfall, Frightfall and Beautifall. Each poem is about something associated with autumn i.e. animal migration, Halloween, going back to school to name a few. My Book Eyes enthusiastically looked forward to reading each new word and poem. The illustrations use many shapes that are familiar to children. Included in the back of the book is a discussion about how animals and a tree survive through winter.
We Harvest Pumpkins in Fall by Rebecca Felix
Age Range: 5 – 7 years
Publisher: Cherry Lake Publishing
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
This is a nonfiction easy reader about pumpkins which includes table of contents, index and glossary. An additional book, website and suggestions for other activities are listed in the back of the book. The photographs are close ups for easy view. Large print size and repetitive words make this a great book for children learning to read. Each page contains no more than 3 sentences so the story isn’t overwhelming. Some of the photographs include questions to increase knowledge and awareness. My Book Eyes noticed diverse children throughout the book which allows various readers to view children like them in printed materials.
Colors of Fall by Laura Purdie Salas
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Capstone Press
Publication Date: January 2, 2011
This nonfiction book uses photographs to show many colors of fall which include: yellow, red, blue, purple, brown, gold, orange, black, pink, white, green and gray. My Book Eyes learned about purple chrysanthemums blooming in late fall which is not commonly seen in children’s books about fall. For younger readers, the pictures tell the story and for older readers detailed facts are included on each page. Glossary, index, read more and internet sites are also included.
My Leaf Book by Monica Wellington
Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
This picture book is about different types of leaves including how to identify them by their colors, shapes, lobes, teeth and vein patterns. The author/illustrator uses assorted illustration techniques to show her leaves which make them interesting to My Book Eyes. She offers a listing of leaf projects for the reader to do including making a leaf book, leaf rubbings and leaf prints.
Rain Fish by Lois Ehlert
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
This rhyming picture book is done in mixed media collage. It’s about fish that can be created by any child using any materials that are at his or her disposal. Here, they are created on a rainy day. This time of the year is good for collecting colorful leaves for the rain fish that can be made at home and/or school. My Book Eyes were pleased to horizontally scan the huge oblong fish.
Miss Smith and the Haunted Library by Michael Garland
Age Range: 3 – 7 years
Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition
Publication Date: August 16, 2012
A cool looking teacher takes her class to the library for spooky stories in this picture book. As the librarian reads to them frightening classic characters come to life i.e. Headless Horseman, Dracula, Frankenstein etc. Students are scared until the gathering turns into a party. The problem: getting the library back to normal before the senior book club comes in and gets spooked. The author/ illustrator includes a guide to finding titles and authors of the books that include the frightening characters. The illumination and terrifying expressions made My Book Eyes suddenly pop open. A must read for Halloween.
my book eyes 