Jeremy Draws a Monster

By Peter McCarty

Jeremy’s too shy to make friends. Fortunately, he's clever, though and draws one. Unfortunately, who happens to be a monster. Unfortunately, Jeremy discovers that a monster does what a monster wants to do. He orders Jeremy around and is a thoroughly disagreeable guest. Fortunately, Jeremy is clever. Does a drawing of a bus ticket and suitcase tell you how the story ends?

Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes his way first as an extra, then as a stunt cat and then as an understudy. Will Mr. P “break a leg?”  Not yet. More ridiculously funny mishaps await him.  It’s aimed at the kids’ market, but the sly humor tickles grownups, too. The line drawings add extra giggles as you read. A great pick for reluctant readers.

Books can be funny, but make my stomach hurt from laughing? Not too many do that. But, I just found one. Mr.Puffball, even as a kitten, knows his destiny is to be a Hollywood Star. He makes his way to Hollywood and suffers disappointment and despair. But, with the help from Hollywood veterans he makes his way first as an extra, then as a stunt cat and then as a understudy. Will Mr. P “break a leg?”  Not yet. More ridiculously funny mishaps await him.  It’s aimed at the kids’ market, but the sly humor tickles grownups, too. The line drawings add extra giggles as you read. A great pick for reluctant readers.

Some picture books can be face-timed across country. Some can’t. The artwork is so detailed, so compelling, that you must read it close up. It’s a lap book.

Why Dogs have Wet Noses by Kenneth Steven and illustrated by Oywind Torsetter is one.

Noah’s ark sails through seas until a chestnut size hole appears in its side. What to do? Luckily, Noah ‘s dog has a big black nose, the perfect size for plugging a leak. Close up and personal, you see animal antics in the background that make reading it a delight.

                 The Juniper Tree: And Other Tales from Grimm

I've been following the blog, Brain Pickings, and am discovering new and old books that are great for kids. This is the latest.The late great Maurice Sendak as illustrator with the never matched Grimm Brothers.

The Book about Moomin. Mymble, and Little My
Tove Jansson
English translation by Sophie Hannah

The Moomintroll, the Gaffsie, the Hemulen, the Fillywonk, and, course, Little My and Mymble. Poor little Moomin troll is trying to take a pail of milk home. But one things leads to another and… Ha! I know what you’re thinking. What are these things? Why should I care? These characters make up the world of Tove Jansson, the brilliant Swedish writer for children. Her books are clever, funny, and not at all scary, even though she peoples them with odd creatures. This book has cutouts that encourage kids to guess what happens next in the story. Take a look at the cover. It’s a hint of the fun that waits within.

A while ago, I mentioned the recent discovery of 50 fairy tales that rivaled Grimm, Andersen and Perrault. Franz Xaver von Schönwerth journeyed through Bavaria, recording the fairy tales he heard in the 1850's. They stayed, unread, unknown, in boxes in a German city archive. A few year ago, they were discovered. And in February, they were translated into English.
Here's the book's information.

Series: Penguin Classics
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Penguin Classics (February 24, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0143107429
ISBN-13: 978-0143107422
Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.7 inches I just ordered a copy and cannot wait to read it! If you're a fairy tale lover, I don't know how you'll pass it up.