Book Reviews PictureBooks!

I love to read, and book reviews picturebooks shares some of my favorites to read aloud to my kiddos -- these are also their favorites to hear. Along with public libraries, I’m a huge fan of independent book stores, including my favorite (which is right here in Denver), the Tattered Cover. Also check out Barnes & Noble   or this list of independent bookstores. These book suggestions can be found online at all or most of these stores. I hope these book reviews picturebooks will help with gifts and picturebook suggestions!

The pictures of the covers link to the book’s Powell's page or Barnes & Noble. The titles link to The Tattered Cover. After each book, I add the reason why we enjoy this particular book so much. Check back often, as I will update the book reviews picturebooks regularly! Also, don't hesitate to send suggestions my way if you don't see one of your favorites here.

My daughter fell in love with the book from the very first picture (illustrations by Tuesday Mourning). She reads it to herself at least once a week, loving the story of how the princess who needs glasses attacks her life with humor and grace.


All the World, by Liz Scanlon

This is a beautiful book with a lyrical flow. Both my daughter and I were enchanted from the first line. And the gorgeous illustrations (by Marla Frazee) fit the gentle mood quite well. We highly recommend this (and my daughter can read it aloud and has done so many times since we got it).



Pinkalicious , by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann

This is a cute story about a little girl who loves pink a little too much. My daughter especially liked all the pink pictures, and I think she fantasized about the many pink cupcakes, as well.





The Emperor of Absurdia , by Chris Riddell

This is a delightfully absurd tale with wonderful illustrations (also by Riddell) to match. My daughter loves it, and I think it would be a rare child who didn't!






Cinder Edna, by Ellen Jackson

This is a slightly longer but thoroughly enjoyable story about Edna, who -- although similar in circumstances to Cinderella -- never backs down from a challenge or suffers even a moment of self-pity. I love how she finds her own solutions to it all -- and how she also finds the perfect prince for her. I'd say this is better appreciated by slightly older kids (maybe Kindergarten through first grade), as my son loved it and my daughter only liked it.

Skippyjon Jones , by Judy Schachner

Both my kids love this book (and its sequels, though the first is our favorite) -- and it's mostly because of the humor and the sing-song story. I love to read it with my best Spanish accent (just like Skippyjon), and they both giggle their way through the book.


Cowboy Camp , by Tammi Sauer

This book about Avery, who goes to camp to learn to be a cowboy and overcomes his fears, is great fun! I think most kids can relate to Avery, and one of my friends even incorporated this into a birthday party (reading it aloud -- the kids hung on her every word)!



Chicken Dance , by Tammi Sauer

Meet Marge and Lola, two chickens who will do anything to win free tickets to the Elvis Poultry concert -- but who can't seem to find an act which works, until they just act as themselves. Both my kids thought this was pretty funny, and the illustrations (by Dan Santat) are spot on for vivid and humorous portrayal. A fun book all around!


Book Reviews Picturebooks offers humor, poetry, bright illustrations, first reading experiences, and a whole new world to kids.

There's a Yak in My Bed , by K. Pluta

This book is not only fun to read aloud (with plenty of great sound effects), but it's good for beginning readers to attempt themselves. My son loved trying to burp just like Yak, and this book quickly became a favorite for both kids.



Watchers , by W. Lyon Martin

This is a good book for when children hit the 'I'm scared' point of childhood sleeping (as my daughter has) -- we like this because of the colorful pictures and the way the 'watchers' turn out to be protectors (pretty fairies -- right up E's alley). For more bright illustrations by Martin, check out Rabbit's Song .

There's an Alligator Under my Bed , by Mercer Mayer

Here's another great book for night-time scaries -- we love the humor and the wonderful pictures by a familiar illustrator.






I Love It When You Smile , by Sam McBratney

The illustrations (by Charles Fuge -- see below) along with the charming story have made this a favorite in our house -- and the kids laugh and giggle their way through the story as I read it.





When You Are Happy , by Eileen Spinelli

This is a great poetic story. I fell in love with it immediately, and the brightly colored and unique illustrations (by Geraldo Valerio) captured my kiddos' interest, as well -- a beautiful book all around!





If You Give a Moose a Muffin , by Laura Numeroff

My daughter loves all the Numeroff books -- her first was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie -- but this is her favorite. They are fun to read aloud, and most kids pick up on the rhythm of the stories and can memorize them quickly.




Swim, Little Wombat, Swim , by Charles Fuge