Everywhere, Wonder by Matthew Swanson illustrated by Bobbi Behr

"I have a story to share. It is a little gift from me to you. You might not know it, but you have a story, too. You'll find it in the things you stop to notice."

The child in this book, is reading a book. We see the page open on an illustration of the pyramids. Turn the page and voila you are there. Then on you go to Arizona, Brazil, mountains in Japan, Kenya, see salmon swimming in Alaska and you could even see that solitary footprint on the surface of the moon. 

All of these things (and many more) are now part of your story.

The polar bear "walked off this page and into your head. Now he is part of your story."

So, there are wonders in books from places around the world that you can only imagine or see in a book but also there are wonders to see all around you - close to home. Even in a bowl of soup. 

The strongest illustrations are those that play with negative space, as when a polar bear wanders off the ice and into the child’s white-walled room, the one blending seamlessly with the other. A journey of the imagination, the book could be of use as a teaching tool to encourage budding writers and creators to notice and imagine stories based on both what they know and what they dream of. Kirkus

You could perhaps use the first part of this book to explore the 2024 CBCA slogan - Reading is Magic. This book was published in 2017 and it is still available but sadly I think it may be way too expensive for a school library here in Australia. You can see inside this book here. Here is the web page for husband and wife team - Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. They have made 84 books together - 70 self published. You can see them here talking in a video (19 minutes) and reading Everywhere, wonder with tiny animated moments.

Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

Norma wakes up and begins to cook a batch of pancakes. She wants to share them with her friend Belly but because she leaves her cooking to find him the pancakes are burned. As the two friends discuss what to do next they smell something delicious.

"like honey ... it smells like crispy sugar, oil, and a hint of linden flowers."

This smell is coming from a donut van which has parked nearby.  Norma and Belly do not have any money but they do have lots of chestnuts. They pop these on the van counter but the human donut seller is horrified and he grabs a water spray bottle and sprays his small animal customers. Norma and Belly are desperate to eat one of those donuts so they devise a very clever plan.

The library I visit each week use date due slips for their books. This is a great way to see the frequency of borrowing for individual titles. Donut feed the Squirrels arrived in the library in May 2021. This is not a large school (around 300+ students) and yet I see this book has been borrowed twenty times.

Awards for Donut Feed the Squirrels:

• 2021 Eisner Honor for Early Reader 
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2020
• Michigan Great Lakes’ Great Books Award 2021-22
• 2021 The Center for Children’s Books Gryphon Award Honor and
• 2020 The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon in Fiction
• The Nerdy Book Club Pick
• Indie Next List
• Junior Library Guild Pick
• Texas Little Maverick Reading List 2020-21
• Cybils Award
• ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List
• ISLN Red Dot Short List 2022-2023

I highly recommend Donut feed the Squirrels. A perfect book for a newly independent reader and a great way to introduce chapters - there are five chapters in this book. 

The paperback edition of Donut feed the Squirrels has a different cover (Pushkin Children's Books).

Take a look at the webpage for Mika Song. Here are some other books from this series:

I previously talked about Agatha May and the Angler Fish by Nora Morrison and Jessie Ann Foley illustrated by Mika Song.

What About Worms? by Ryan T Higgins and Mo Willems

"I love a book that worms its way into your heart."

What About Worms is the perfect book for a newly confident reader - it is funny and it is easy to read and it invites a reader to use lots of voices. This is also a book that a young reader will be happy to read over and over again. For adult readers you might also think about the way this book 'breaks the fourth wall.'

Tiger is not afraid of anything - well no he is very afraid of worms. 

"Worms are slimy. Worms like to wiggle. And you cannot tell their tops from their bottoms."

Surely there are no worms nearby. Oh, look a lovely pot of flowers! Oh no wait a minute worms love dirt. What if they are lurking in the flowerpot? Oh, look an apple. Delicious. Oh no wait a minute worms love to hide inside apples AND our hapless tiger just took a bite! That book on the path looks good but is that a worm on the cover? Tiger just has to run away. Meanwhile some worms emerge from the ground. They are so afraid of tigers.

"Tigers are furry. Tigers like to walk. And you can tell their tops from the bottoms."

Is there a way the tiger and the worms can actually discover the truth about one another? Perhaps the book will help.

Higgins’ latest addition to the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading series is an exclamation-point–packed, liberally uppercased rambunctious rollick through the irrational world of phobias. His Hobbes-like feline is a master of inscrutability (NOT!). Expressions ranging from cheesy grins to abject terror race across the tiger’s face faster than you can thumb a flipbook. Kirkus

The book-within-a-book will intrigue beginning readers, and the Elephant/Piggie speech-balloon format will seem like a familiar friend as they follow along (look for a surprise appearance by the Pigeon). Redeemed Reader

This book won a Geisel Honour in 2021. This book would be the perfect addition to your library, your kindergarten classroom or your preschool. 

This book is from the hugely popular and hilarious series - Elephant and Piggie. 

You might also look for these as a way to continue the fun!

The Worm

Meet the illustrator Chuck Groenink

From Rufus the Writer by Elizabeth Bram 

Why have a lemonade stand when you can have a story stand? That’s what Rufus, a boy with a big imagination, decides. And once he’s in business, he starts creating little gems for his friends and family. Millie and Walter trade a shell for his story called “Why Orange Is the Best Color.” Rufus writes little sister Annie a story for her birthday about a girl who shrinks to the size of a teacup. Sara trades flowers for a story about a family of buttons. And then they all sit down and read the wonderful stories together.

I will share a new book filled with ten-word stories in a few days. The author Joseph Coelho invited twenty illustrators to contribute to his book. I knew many of the names but there were a few I needed to investigate. One name that was new to me is Chuck Groenink. His name really caught my eye.

His webpage tells me: Chuck grew up in the Netherlands, where he spent his formative years climbing trees, drawing, reading, and cycling. He attended the Artez Institute of Visual Arts in Kampen, graduating from its department of Illustration in 2004. Since 2010 he has resided in the United States, going from Portland, Oregon, to Kinderhook, New York where he lives with his wife, dog, three cats, and several rowdy chickens. 

Here is his instagram page.

Read a few blurbs:

16 Words by Lisa Rogers: This simple nonfiction picture book about the beloved American poet William Carlos Williams is also about how being mindful can result in the creation of a great poem like "The Red Wheelbarrow"--which is only sixteen words long. "Look out the window. What do you see? If you are Dr. William Carlos Williams, you see a wheelbarrow. A drizzle of rain. Chickens scratching in the damp earth." The wheelbarrow belongs to Thaddeus Marshall, a street vendor, who every day goes to work selling vegetables on the streets of Rutherford, New Jersey. That simple action inspires poet and doctor Williams to pick up some of his own tools--a pen and paper--and write his most famous poem. Kirkus Star review - Groenink’s richly layered, chalky illustrations expressively realize in muted earth tones the all-important everyday elements of Williams’ world.

Grandpa is here by Tanya Rosie: Grandpa is finally here to visit! He’s brought a suitcase smelling of Persian spices, walnuts picked from his trees at home, and sparkly saffron to make yellow rice. And Grandpa and granddaughter have so much they want to see and do together. She shows him all her favorite things: the mountaintops, the tunnel she discovered, and the horse in the field. If only Grandpa could stay longer, then he could see the spring—but when time together is limited, it feels all the sweeter and more special. (sequel to Mum me and the Mulberry Tree). Read the Kirkus review. 

I am not a fox by Karina Wolf: When Luca first arrives at the dog park, the other dogs turn him away. "You're not a dog," they say, "You're a fox." But . . . Luca likes to chase cats. He likes to yip at mailmen. And he likes sniff other dogs you-know-where. Still, Luca has to admit, he doesn't look like the other dogs. So . . . he must be a fox, right? But when Luca finds a trio of foxes in the forest and asks to join them, they don't think that Luca is a fox at all. After all, Luca acts just like a dog. Luca can't seem to find anyone quite like him, but then he meets a caring little girl and finds something even better--a friend. In this heartwarming tale, Karina Wolf and Chuck Groenick remind us that you don't need a label to find just where you belong.

The Friend Ship by Kat Yeh is a book to share with your young class at the start of the year. My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a teacher who reads this and then the class fill a ship wall mural with their own faces. Such a terrific way to remind everyone in a class that we can all be friends and support one another on our learning journey. Speaking of journeys, the end papers of this book show firstly a world map and then the same world map with the dotted outline of their long journey of discovery. (A mapping unit idea). I also love the double meaning of the title - friends in a ship who eventually work out they have actually found friendship. The characters in this story are a few of my own favourite animals - beaver, hedgehog, and a capybara. I adore the repeated line 'yes, yes, yes, yes-yessity-yes.' Oh, and you can see a lighthouse in this illustration. 

Kirkus review: Yeh makes effective use of dialogue and repetition, investing her characters with personality with just a few lines. Groenink employs sunny, warm hues that increase in saturation as the boat fills and Hedgehog becomes surrounded by friends. A sweet, simple story with a nicely offbeat heroine.

 I previously talked about another book by Kat Yeh:

Just one Little Light

Life in a Hollow by David Gullan illustrated by Suzanne Houghton

"The rosellas were noisy and made quite a mess, but the hollow was perfectly made for a nest. Two rosellas came in to rest as a pair. After a while, another was there!"

This is a book that should be added to every Australian Primary school library. It is the perfect combination of an engaging narrative, life-like illustrations, and extra fact pages plus a glossary for curious readers. You might also like to explore and purchase other terrific books from the CSIRO.

"Tree hollows are home to an incredible variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals of all shapes and sizes. Small, young hollows house hungry little insects, such as termites and beetles, that eat away at the wood making the hollow bigger."

As the hollow becomes bigger and bigger different animals make use of the space in a variety of ways. 

I love the scribbly gum that contains the hollow - scribbly gums are among my own favourite trees. And in this book children will meet some different animals - Longhorn Beetle; Three-toed Skink; Yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat (at 7-9am they are so tiny); Crimson Rosella and Brushtail Possum.

From this link you can find the CSIRO teachers notes for Life in a Hollow. Here is the webpage for Suzanne Houghton. I previously talked about her wonderful Christmas Beetle book. 

The simple beauty of this book allows the reader to seamlessly follow the narrative, and then be directed to conduct more research if desired. Kids' Book Review

In this beautifully illustrated new book from CSIRO publishing, teacher/author David Gullan not only shares the story of one such hollow but makes the reader aware of their importance in nature’s life cycles, and how fire, land clearing and storms can have a devastating effect on the availability of such important habitats. The Bottom Shelf

The book doesn’t just tell a story; it also imparts important information about the significance of tree hollows in the ecosystem. It explains how these hollows are created, how different species adapt them to their needs, and why protecting the trees that provide this valuable shelter is crucial. Reading Time

Companion book:

One Little Dung Beetle by Rhian Williams illustrated by Heather Potter and Mark Jackson

"One little dung beetle rolling up some poo, 
working very hard like a beetle likes to do."

In this clever jaunty rhyming, counting book we meet ten different beetles. MG Leonard, author of Beetle Boy, Beetle Queen and Battle of the Beetles would adore this book - hope it reaches her from Australia. (Note these are for readers aged 10+). Read about Beetle Boy here. And look for Masterpiece by Elise Broach - another wonderful reading experience. 

Now back to this book - yes, One Little Dung Beetle is told in rhyme and hooray the rhyme works so well. But this book is so much more. Yes, it is a counting book too, but it is also filled with rich words such as:

• nudges
• insistently
• drumming
• zooming
• glint
• breeze

And there are so many interesting beetles with more of them illustrated on the final pages - Pie Dish Beetle; Water Penny Beetle; Whirlygig Beetle; Texas Beetle; Jewell Beetle; Bombardier Beetle; and Tortoise Beetle. The ten special beetles from the main book are profiled on the final double spread and yes there are some of my favourites - the Christmas Beetle; Click Beetle; and Rhinoceros Beetle along with a new one (to me) the Feather Horned Beetle. Look out for the Ladybird on the end papers - yes she is a beetle too. And one more bonus - all of the beetles in this book are Australian or found in Australia! Special mention - the end papers are spectacular. Surely these will make you even more curious about beetles.

This book is another fabulous nonfiction discovery. This needs to be added to your school or preschool library - pop it on your list. It's not too expensive (thank goodness). AND I am certain we will see this book on the CBCA (Children's Book of the Year) 2025 Notables list and hopefully even the short list. Here are the teachers notes from the publisher Wild Dog.

With stunning endpapers, and accurate anatomical illustrations throughout, this offers an insight into the prevalence of beetles in the landscape and the critical role they perform in keeping it healthy and vibrant.  ... Give it with the gift of a magnifying glass and see the joy and wonder explode.  The Bottom Shelf

Here's another new counting book I talked about recently:

One Tiny Treefrog

And look for this one too:

Rex the Rhinoceros Beetle

And this one is essential reading:

Where are all the Christmas Beetles?

Albert's Tree by Jenni Desmond

Never, never underestimate the power of a great story twist! And appealing illustrations and brilliant end papers. This book has it all. Jenni Desmond - well done!

Look at that face on the cover. Bear looks so content. We can guess he has found HIS tree! 

"Spring had arrived and Albert woke from his long sleep. 'Horray!' he shouted. As the snow was quietly turning to water and trickling down from the mountains, Albert raced to his favourite place. His tree."

This tree is perfect. Not too hard, soft, slippery or prickly. This is a place of peace and quiet.

BUT all readers know that at this point there is sure to be a complication. And yes, there is. Albert hears a noise. It sounds as though his tree is crying. Albert decides to ask his forest friends. Rabbit explains that digging holes makes him happy so the pair of friends dig lots of holes but the tree keeps crying. The Caribous suggests gathering lots of grass because it is delicious to eat but the tree keeps crying. The crying becomes louder and more intense.

Bear is at a loss what to do so he climbs his tree and he "gave the tree a huge, kind, bear hug." There are ten more pages in this book but I don't want to spoil the surprise. Bear does make a discovery about his tree but I am certain you will never guess the truth. This is a book you should add to your read aloud list. It would be perfect to share with a preschool group.

The picture book is as cozy and familiar as a teddy bear’s embrace, but smart touches elevate the story. They include vignettes against white space that contrast beautifully with more detailed and colorful spreads that give a wider view of the world around Albert. And by naming Albert alone of the characters, Desmond keeps readers’ sympathies squarely on the well-meaning mammal. If that weren’t enough, the endpapers include a lovely cutaway view of underground hibernation and a hilarious offhand joke that add beauty and charm, respectively, to an already endearing effort. There are lots of children’s books about cute bears who talk like people, but few are as cleverly put together and as witty as Albert’s little adventure. Kirkus Star review

Here are some other books by Jenni Desmond:

I have previously talked about these:

Puffin 

On the Night of the Shooting Star

The Zebra who ran too fast