Seasons

One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews.

A really simple book, illustrated with photo collage, it tells the story of one very hot day in the city when it's too hot to play outside until the rain comes. Lots of adults think this book is very strange, but it appeals to children because it tells the story of something real using real pictures of a real little girl.

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes.

Old Bear The illustrations are extremely beautiful and the dream sequence is a real treat for the imagination, especially the blueberry rain.

Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

I've recently been struck by exactly how well tuned these classic American books are. Peter wakes up one morning and everything is snowy, he makes pictures in the snow, hits a tree with a stick and decides he's not old enough yet for a snowball fight. No wonder that books by Keats are so well loved by toddlers and preschoolers.

I Am A Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scarry

Yes, that Richard Scarry. But from before he was famous for drawing apple cars. The illustrations in this little board book are actually very realistic, each of the butterflies, frogs, flowers and animals are all recognisable. It's surprising and if you haven't seen it before I would recommend it.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke

This book is beautiful and poetic. A slightly neurotic fox named Fletcher is terrified that his favourite tree is dying. His mother's assertions that it's "just autumn" don't help. Luckily the tree ends up being more beautiful than ever and Fletcher gets a nice warm breakfast.

We'll be singing Mr Sun, It's Freezing, It's Freezing I hope I don't Start Sneezing, Incy Wincy Spider and The Leaves are Falling Down and the poem will be one of Ted Hughes' Autumn Nature Notes

You, Me and Everyone

(This is a slightly nebulous theme which allows me to include some great new books. Although it could also be titled "being ourselves and being together")

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon and Marla Frazee

A brand new book with warm illustrations and a simple rhyming scheme which links together everything and everyone in the world. It's an inspirational read, just in time for the holidays.

Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty

Jeremy never plays outside with the other children from the neighborhood, so when he draws a very demanding monster who comes to life, he has to rely on his own wits to get it out of the house. A book about tackling your inner demons and about joining the group to save yourself, from yourself. I also think that this book gives children the opportunity to see an abusive relationship where one party is unequivocally monstrous.

On a lighter note, that's the funniest hat I've ever seen a monster wear.

My Truck is Stuck by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk

From the dream team that brought us the classic Chugga Chugga Choo Choo is a truck related story with some sneaky counting and off kilter rhythms. Fun all round.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

A little boy discovers a small patch of green growing in the city and helps it along until the city is full of garden and gardeners. Crisp modern illustration, with a fantastical twist and a simple storyline make this one of my favorite new books of 2009. It's actually the story of the Highlands railway, a disused railway track in NYC which has been converted to a community garden.

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Duck decides to ride a bike and show off to all the other farm animals. Their responses are complex, they say moo, or squeak, or oink or maaa, but they think something different and then they do something else entirely! It's difficult to know what other people really think, but it's easy to have fun playing together.

The songs will be “This is Me” by Laurie Berkner, "Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes" and "Old Macdonald"

Monsters

And how not to be scared of them

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Cleverly made cutouts create this monster in all his sharp teethed glory, but he can easily be uncreated if you tell him to go away.

Bootsie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner
Children can be monstrous. I know, it's not going to make me Mum of the Year, but really, they can. Bootsie Barker is a bully, she pulls hair, destroys property and intimidates our heroine and her pet salamander. Thankfully, this is a brains over brawn story and when the tables are turned and "Bootsie throws a tantrum on the sidewalk." the balance of power is rightfully adjusted.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Here we are again with monstrous children, but then if Max hadn't been a Wild Thing he probably wouldn't have been King of the Wild Things. The illustrations are dynamic and timeless. It's a classic for a reason.

Horns to Toes and Inbetween by Sandra Boynton
This is a little board book with big personality. It's a simple "parts of the body" book, but because we're learning with monsters there are also tails and horns in the picture. I love reading this to preschoolers and asking them to point to their body parts, when it gets to their tails, they always laugh.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
This author and illustrator are my dream team for read aloud children's books. And The Gruffalo is the best of their great work. Refusing to shy away from a concept as gruesome as the food chain, this book follows the adventures of an extremely fast thinking and fast talking mouse who lives to eat nuts another day.

We'll be singing "There's a Monster in My Closet", "Row Your Boat" and "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". The poem will be "A Little Grue" by Roger McGough (which for some strange reason, I know by heart).