Picture Book Reading Pile

I've been reading.... but I am tragically behind in my writing. This is my pre-New Year's resolution to do better.

Little By Little by Amber Stewart, Illustrated by Layn Marlow:

A very sweet and accessible story about Otto the Otter and his path to learning how to swim. Along the same vein as Leo the Late Bloomer, this title shows how everything happens in its own time, with the added benefit of helping younger children understand how little accomplishments can end up giving you the big pay off you want in the end. While the art is nothing breathtaking, I love the clear expressions on the character's faces, otter or not, there are emotions that youngsters will recognize and clear affection from Otto's family towards his endeavors.

How Strong is It? by Ben Hillman

Upper elementary and middle school students will love the pictures and dry wit of this non-fiction title. The images are computer edited to make a point about each of the strength comparisons between nature and something we would know from the man-made world. For example, the first picture features an airplane caught in a spiderweb to illustrate the fact that spider silk is the strongest fiber in the world - far exceeding even Kevlar. The cover image gives me pause... its a rhinoceros beetle and the book proclaims it to be the strongest creature in the world, capable of lifting over 850 times its body weight... or around 37 pounds. I compared this to my three year old and had to shudder thinking about a 6 inch beetle being capable of carrying my pre-schooler. Yuck!