The House In The Night - Susan Marie Swanson (2008)

                                      (Caldecott Medal - 2009)

       Have you ever held the key to a magical night, that just goes endless in an enchanted way? If no, hold this book and you can get a peek of that night.

Key To A Magic Portal

       It all starts with a child, being handed the key to a house. The house, where a light burns. In the light's warmth, there lies a bed. On the bed, there is a book, which pictures a bird. In the soul of the bird, a song is playing, about the dark. In the dark, the moon is glowing with the lights from sun.

Wabi Sabi - Mark Reibstein (2008)

 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (Picture Books) - 2009 

        Is it the heart? Or, the eyes? Which sees beauty? The ancient tradition of Japan, Wabi Sabi, (rooted from Chinese origin) can give a perfect answer to this question. Wabi Sabi is an aesthetic Japanese tradition, where the heart sees the beauty in simple, modest and imperfect things.

If You're A Robot And You Know It - David A.Carter & Musical Robot (2015)

         If you are happy and you know it, obviously you know what to do. But, what if you are a robot? Maybe, this techno twist of the classic nursery rhyme could tell you.

Action Bots

         Just take the rhythm of "If You Are Happy And You Know It" and change it into "If You Are A Robot And You Know It". Yes, you are all set for a world of robotic actions. This is the lovely theme of the "If You Are A Robot" song by "Musical Robot" band (released in 2013). Now, this book is the next upgradation to that blasting song. The cut-out and pop-up robots in each page of this book clap hands, jump, beep, and shoot laser beams, according to the actions in the modified song (The song is downloadable for free).

Zen Ties - Jon J. Muth (2008)

                       (Note: This book is a sequel of "Zen Shorts" by Jon J. Muth. But this book can be enjoyed as a stand alone book also.)

Some Haiku and a Cup of Apple Tea

        Sometimes, small acts of kindness can change stones. Michael, Addy and Karl understand this, with Stillwater's kind and tender actions (The same characters occurred in Jon J. Muth's "Zen Shorts" also.)

The Foolish Tortoise - Richard Buckley(1985 - First Ed.)

A Bold Message - "Consider the Consequences"

ISBN 10 : 0689820585

       Everyone makes bad decisions at times. A tortoise is no exception. The  tortoise in this story hates being always slow and takes off his shell to move fast. But before the end of the day, he learns that his shell protects him from various dangers and harsh weather. Finally reaching the shell, he feels safe once again.

             Illustrator : Eric Carle 

               Publisher : Little Simon

               Classification : Moral, Science (Shells)     

              Age : Preschooler, Kindergartener, Grades 1 - 3

My Comment:

    I have always felt certain messages are hard to tell in a kid-friendly way. But this book broke my opinion. It comes with a high level message of "understanding the consequences", in a way even kids can get it. The poetic narration makes it a pleasure to read again and again. 

     Eric Carle's illustrations should be noted separately, as they carry the  entire background of the story in bright colors.(Obviously, the reason why small kids get attached to Eric Carle's books much. They love to go through the pictures repeatedly.) I am also happy that I can explain to my younger son why tortoises and turtles need shells. So, a lot is packed in this simple book - moral story, poem, bright and meaningful pictures, science. Whichever angle you read this book, you can interpret good things from here.

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Shadow - Marcia Brown(1982)

      ISBN 10 : 0684172267   

                         (Caldecott Winner-1983)

Follow the Shadow, that follows you

 
       What is a shadow like? What would be its characteristics? Author Marcia Brown tried to bring answers to these questions, with the elegant sketches of this book.

Animals Animals - Eric Carle (Poem Collection) (1989)

ISBN 10 : 03992 17444

"The wild world of Poems"           

             Poems are great. Collection of poems from around the world, written by great poets is remarkable. If all those poems shine with the bright illustrations of Eric Carle, what's more there to ask for?

            This book is a collection of poems about various living beings to which Eric Carle gives visual life. It starts with the verses from Bible and and includes poems of African Pygmy, Japanese Haiku, Australian Aborigine. Along with these, poems of Rudyard Kipling, Emily Dickinson and other eternal poets are included.

            All these poems, which articulate about living beings, varying from bumble bee, ant, dog, snake to whales, lions and seals, are enhanced by the canvas of Eric Carle.

          Publisher : Philomel Books - First Ed.

          Classification : Poems

          Age : Kindergartener, Grades 1 - 5

My Comment:

            Introducing diversified interests at a young age is always good. In that respect, I consider this book as an important one. It is not a story book, that could be read in a single day. It is good to take time and read this book slowly. (I read two poems in a day)

            Whether your kid already likes poems or not, it is worth a shot, introducing this book. The poems, that are simple and flowing along with lively illustrations, may bring out the poetic sense in your child. Eric Carle's illustrations are vibrant and act as the backbone of this book. (My preschooler son, though he cannot read the book, enjoyed leafing through the book, seeing the illustrations over and over again.)

             Some poems, my kids loved in this book are about barracuda, snake, sparrow etc. But they can't follow and understand all the poems. The Haikus are lovely, but I have to explain them to my kids. Though they can't follow everything, I was satisfied that I introduced this exciting book to them.

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