Xander’s Panda Party
Penguins and pandas and raccoons, oh my! See the world in black and white with tales about critters who are colorful in their own ways.
Xander’s Panda Party
Written by Linda Sue Park & Illustrated by Matt Phelan , Clarion, 2013, hardcover, $16.99, Ages 3-6
Xander is the only panda at the zoo, so he can’t have a panda party – or can he? No one likes to be left out of the fun, and in rhyming text Xander makes sure to invite everyone. This sweet story is punctuated with facts about animal classifications and ends with an author’s note of animal trivia.
Mr. Wuffles!
By David Weisner , Clarion, 2013, hardcover, $17.99, Ages 3-6
Aliens, ants, and ladybugs all become friends with a common enemy: Mr. Wuffles the cat! In this nearly wordless picture book, the Caldecott-winning author uses his signature imagination to bring these characters to life. The hilarious alien and ant speech bubbles and spot-on kitty characteristics will have readers of all ages smiling through this original story.
Z is for Moose
Written by Kelly Bingham & Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinksy , Greenwillow Books, 2012, hardcover, $16.99, Ages 3-6
When A is for apple and B is for ball, Moose can’t wait for M and his time to shine. Zebra calls for Mouse instead, so Moose sabotages the rest of the alphabet book! Fortunately for him, in the end Zebra decides that Z can be for Moose, too. This funny ABC book will have readers laughing and hoping that Moose can find a place to fit in.
Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica
Written by Jonathan London & Illustrated by Julie Olson , Marshall Cavendish, 2011, hardcover, $17.99, Ages 4-7
An egg has hatched! The Little Emperor of Antarctica begins life as a chick keeping warm beneath his father’s blubber where he’s perched on his webbed feet. Soon he learns to swim and fish, and four years later the Little Emperor will be the father. This non-fiction picture book is enhanced with illustrations that give each bird personality. An author’s note provides more details on the life cycle of these birds for those whose emperor penguin curiosity has grown.
Secret Pizza Party
Written by Adam Rubin & Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri , Dial, 2013, hardcover, $16.99, Ages 3-6
Combine the deliciousness of a hot pizza with the fun of a party and you’ve got this picture book! Sneaky Raccoon loves pizza more than anything, and he risks being swept away by brooms to get his paws on a slice time and time again. But if he disguises himself as a human, maybe, just maybe, this time he can order a pie all for himself. Come hungry to this tasty treat of a book.
One Cool Friend
Written by Toni Buzzeo & Illustrated by David Small , Dial, 2012, hardcover, $17.99, Ages 4-7
Who says a boy can’t have a pet penguin? Not Elliot’s dad – unless he meant Elliot could have a toy penguin? With ingenious solutions to housing a Megellanic penguin in his bedroom, from cooling him down to providing him a swimming pool, Elliot could pull it off! This Caldecott winner might just convince readers to get an exotic pet. Or at least visit the zoo.
Deena Viviani is a Rochester-based Young Adult Services Librarian who writes reviews for VOYA and the RACWI Newsletter. Read more reviews on her blog www.deenaml.livejournal.com or send her a note at
De**********@ho*****.com
– she loves to hear from readers!
more reads
Ready to read something red? Try these:
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Little Red Writing Written by Joan Holub & Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Red Sings From the Treetops Written by Joyce Sidman & Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Middle Grade
Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody
Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine
Young Adult
Red by Alison Cherry
Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
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