LEAPING LEMMINGS!

Leaping Lemmings! by author John Briggs and illustrator Nicola Slater

Age Range: 3 and up

Publisher: Sterling’s Children’s Books

Publication Date: September 6, 2016

Picture book about a character named Larry, a lemming. What is a lemming? A new creature to learn about. My Book Eyes investigated and found that lemmings (briefly) are small rodents with short tails. This is an amusing fictional story about Larry who loves living life his way as opposed to the way other lemmings in his life are living. They are carbon copies of each other. Fed up with sameness, Larry leaves lemmings to be among other types of animals only to find that he needs to be around those who are genetically like him also. When Larry returns, he saves the other lemmings and they try differentiating themselves through outfits and activities. A fast read with irresistible illustrations. My Book Eyes highly recommends this book as it can generate discussions about culture, acceptance, being different and being the same.

Reading About Relationships

 

I Will Love You Anyway by author Mick Inkpen and illustrator Chloe Inkpen

Age Range: 3-8 years

Publisher: Aladdin

Publication Date: December 6, 2016

Picture book with a lone saucer eyed dog on its cover. He’s cute with tinges of mischief in his eyeballs. My Book Eyes were immediately attracted to the book which is about a boy and his perky dog. The pet has many shortcomings i.e. he doesn’t follow commands, digs the sofa and runs away several times to name a few. Despite them all, there is mutual affection between the two. Because the dog is unruly, the boy’s parents want the dog to leave their home. While the boy and his dog hear adult dialogue, no adults are pictured in the book. The dog runs away again, this time in a storm and gets lost. Emotions prompt the family to find the dog and he remains with the boy. The wide eyed characters will melt readers’ hearts. The text rhymes and could be used when teaching poetry.

 

 

The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose

Age Range: 3-6 years

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: October 21, 2014

This picture book features Mr. Peanuts, a squirrel, who is getting ready for Cousin Squirrel to visit. Chores and activities that these two characters are photographed doing made My Book Eyes burst into laughter repeatedly. Photographs are vibrant and remarkable. At the back of the book the author/illustrator gives Ten Tips For Photographing Wildlife as well as a Q&A with Nancy Rose. Superbly done.

My Book Eyes enjoyed The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose so much that The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story by Nancy Rose was also read. It too is a wonderful book.

 

The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story by Nancy Rose

Age Range: 2-5 Years

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: December 6, 2016

In this picture book, Mr. Peanuts returns and is looking for someone to spend time with. At the library, he meets another squirrel named Rosie and the two spend the rest of the day together at the park. The day culminates with dinner for two. The scenes are adorable and relatable to the human experience. My Book Eyes feasted on the lifelike props. A must read.