Picture Books For Lazy Summer Afternoons …

The New Small Person

By Lauren Child
Candlewick Press. $17.99

Elmore Green loves being an only child. He has his own room, his own TV and no one plays with his toys or eats his jelly beans. It is a wonderful life being an only child.

Then this situation undergoes a radical alteration. A new little person arrives in the household and he’s not going to be leaving anytime soon. Poor Elmore. Not only does the new arrival get all the attention but as he gets older he also becomes a bit of a bother. The small person knocks things over, licks Elmer’s jelly beans and is a general nuisance.

Then the two boys are forced to share a bedroom. Oh, no, this is not good!

Elmore asks if the small person can be sent back to where he came from but his parents’ response is that’s not going to happen.

Finally something does occur that begins to change the brothers’ relationship. I’ll get you discover what this is, but it may be of use in any household where there is a little sibling rivalry.

This humorous book about having to adjust to no longer being an only child is not only fiendishly clever but it will also help any family get through this trying transition that can disrupt even the happiest of households.

Freddie & Gingersnap Find a Cloud to Keep

By Vincent Kirsch
Hyperion/Disney. $16.99

In this latest humorous adventure Freddie and Gingersnap, two flying dragons, are buzzing around seeking a cloud. There seems to be nothing in the sky and then suddenly a strange object appears that may be a cloud.

Actually, it is an airship with two people in it, but Freddie and Gingersnap don’t realize that.

The two folks in the airship strike up a conversation with the two dragons, which serves to confuse them since they think this is a cloud. The whole situation becomes a bit surrealistic, especially when the airship duo conjures up a wild storm (this is highlighted in a colorful two page spread).

Throughout the narrative the airship characters sing a song entitled “A Cloud’s Song” (the words are included) and by story’s end your little one may well be singing this catchy tune too.

Although it is a bit nonsensical, this picture book will certainly appeal to youngsters who love silly stories and odd looking characters. Freddie and Gingersnap certainly fit the bill when it comes to enjoying funny, rather bizarre situations.

Big Red Kangaroo

By Claire Saxby
Illustrated by Graham Byrne
Candlewick Press. $16.99

Follow a mob of Red Kangaroos and their leader as they move about their home in the wilderness area of Australia. They may seem relaxed but members of the group are always on the lookout for danger.

The females must also keep watch over their young (joeys) while the dominant male must be ready to keep other males away.

As the story of the kangaroos unfolds the author also includes material about the creatures’ lives in general. You’ll discover that they are most active at dusk and dawn, when moving at full speed the animal’s tail acts as a rudder, and a full grown male can top six feet in height.

Any child five and older who is interested in exotic animals or kangaroos will find this an entertaining read. If you were planning a trip to Australia this would be an ideal book to read for background information on the animals you’ll see.

Out and About: A First Book of Poems

By Shirley Hughes
Candlewick Press. $16.99

Here’s a collection of short poems about the seasons and the activities children enjoy in each one. “Out and About”, the title piece, celebrates spring and a child’s first pair of shiny, new boots. With the boots on, the youngster can explore the garden and scamper about on wet days.

“Spring Greens” captures new plants appearing, the sky reflected in puddles, birds making nests and other small events that announce warmer weather.

In addition to the poetry, which is fun to read aloud, each page is filled with beautiful illustrations that evoke each seasonal situation. A little girl sits in the tall grass with her cat, a group of neighborhood children play in a backyard wading pool and a fire of autumn leaves lights up the landscape in the evening as the family burns the leaves they have raked into a big pile.

If you feel it is time to introduce you child to poems, this collection is worth considering. All the events here are things a child will be able to relate to.

Decorated Horses

By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Illustrated by Jeannie Brett
Charlesbridge. $17.95

This is a splendid book that features horses down through history and how they were decorated or spruced up by their owners. For example, you’ll begin by reading about horses used for warfare and hunting. In this section there are chariot horses, horses ridden by medieval knights, Japanese samurai horses and ponies painted with various symbols by American Indians.

Other sections include horses involved in competition and sports and horses that get all dressed up for special ceremonies and celebrations. Any child (or adult for that matter) who loves horses will find this a fascinating read and the illustrations are exceptionally good, which means “Decorated Horses” will be a volume that will be read over and over again.

Rhyme Time: Sleepy Time and Playtime

By Fiona Lee
Hardie Grant Egmont. $8.99 each

These two board books are ideal for children two years of age and older. Both books feature some favorite nursery rhymes that youngsters can enjoy with their parents.

“Sleepy Time” will work nicely at bedtime and help get your child into the mood for a good night’s sleep. Some of the rhymes include “Little Boy Blue”, “Brahms’ Lullaby”, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Rock-a-Bye Baby”.

“Playtime” provides an accompaniment to games and dancing for active youngsters. The rollicking rhymes include “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, “This Old Man”, “The Wheels on the Bus” and “This Little Piggy”.

Both books also feature colorful illustrations that will engage the young readers and draw him or her back to the book over and over again. You can’t miss with these two books in the “Rhyme Time” series.