Some New Titles Young Readers Will Find Irresistible

The Crown Affair

By Joe Dumpty (as told to Jeanie Franz Ransom)
Illustrated by Stephen Axelsen
Charlesbridge. $18.95

Young readers are invited to join private investigator Joe Dumpty as he tackles a case that centers around a missing crown that could disrupt the annual Gooseland Games.

Jack, part of the Jack and Jill duo, has fallen and lost his crown and now it is up to that hardboiled detective, Joe Dumpty, to find the missing piece of glitter.

There are plenty of suspects in Mother Gooseland but Joe has to contend with a tight timeline because the crown is the centerpiece of the awards ceremony at the annual games.

Who could the thief be? Jack Sprat, Jack B. Nimble, Little Jack Horner, and Jack Beanstalk all are at the top of the list but Joe will need some help determining which one of them, if any, is the guilty party.

Plenty of silly word play, excellent illustrations and a storyline that features solid plot development and content make this a picture book that young readers will find not only enjoyable but also worth sharing with friends.

I Really Like Slop!: An Elephant & Piggie Book

By Mo Willems
Hyperion DBG

Piggie’s favorite food is slop. She is a real epicure nosing out the finest ingredients when it comes time to indulge in this special feast.

Naturally, since her best friend is Gerald the Elephant, Piggie wants to share this dish fit for a king!

On the other hand, poor Gerald isn’t so sure he is ready to sample this porcine delicacy. In fact, he has grave misgivings but relents when, after declining a taste, it appears he has hurt Piggy’s feelings.

After giving the slop a try, Gerald’s response is “URK!” and although he admits he didn’t really enjoy the taste, he explains that’s what friends do for friends.

This latest book in the wonderful series is destined to be another classic. As usual, the characters’ facial expressions and body language indicate the emotions they are undergoing as the story develops and this time Mo Willems has outdone himself in capturing some priceless moments as Piggie and Gerald delve into the glories of slop!

A Surprise for Tiny Mouse

By Petr Horacek
Candlewick Press. $8.99

Tiny mouse loves changes in the weather. She likes to nibble wheat in the sunshine, watch wind blow crackly leaves, and hop across the crunchy frost on a cold night.

When it snows the little mouse loves it when the snowflakes tickle her nose. What she doesn’t really care for, though, is wet weather. If it rains the little mouse runs for her hole and hides. But even the rain has an upside. After the showers pass a lovely rainbow appears and that is always something the little mouse enjoys looking at.

This board book for youngsters up to three years of age features a wheel on the final pages that, when turned, brings the colorful rainbow into sight. With its colorful illustrations this little book will not only heighten awareness of the various changes in weather but the wheel will also stimulate coordination.

Petr Horacek’s picture books are very appealing to toddlers and this one is no exception. “A Surprise for Tiny Mouse” will quickly become one of your child’s favorite books at story time.

One Gorilla: A Counting Book

By Anthony Browne
Candlewick. $7.99

Big bold illustrations are featured in this board book that invites toddlers to count a range of animals. The primates pictured here range from single gorilla, two orangutans and three chimpanzees to half a dozen gibbons, seven spider monkeys and ten lemurs.

Not only will the child have fun counting the various critters but older readers can also identify the specific primates.

A sturdy binding means this book will hold up to continual wear and, no doubt, this will soon become one of your child’s or grandchild’s favorite books.

Get Out of My Bath!

By Britta Teckentrup
Nosy Crow/Candlewick. $15.99

Ellie, a little elephant, loves splashing around in her bath but suddenly she has a problem. She is having so much fun making waves that pretty soon other animals want to share in the fun.

First a crocodile, then a flamingo, and then a tiger join in. Now that’s not good. The bath is getting very crowded. The final straw is when a tiny mouse also jumps in.

“There are too many animals in this bath! Ellie’s had enough. She shouts, ‘Get out of my bath!’”

The interlopers all leave the bath but there’s no water left either. What’s Ellie going to do now? Since she is an elephant she uses her trunk to remedy the situation. Now she can return to have a leisurely bath!

The ideal bath time book for children three years of age and older, this cute picture book will prepare the way for your child’s nightly bath and make the youngster ready for the evening ritual.

Evermore Dragon

By Barbara Joosse
Illustrated by Randy Cecil
Candlewick Press. $15.99

Girl and Dragon are friends. One of their favorite games is playing Hide-and-Seek but, unfortunately, one day Girl was a little too good at finding a clever hidey-hole to hide herself in.

Not only could the clever dragon not find her but Girl also discovered she could not find her way home. She was lost in the forest. What a terrible predicament!

Would Dragon be able to hear the child’s cries and the thumping of her heart? That’s a good question that you’ll discover the answer to when you read this delightful picture book about two very unlikely friends.

Chanting “Evermore, evermore, I am here,” Dragon sets out to find and rescue his good friend. He also successfully illustrates the tight bond that holds them together and makes them so close.