Dreary Days

Is it just me, or does this fall seem even more dismal and gray than usual? We haven't really had those days that make me want to throw on a sweater and take a walk through the woods, just days that make me want to curl up under an afghan with a cup of cocoa and a good book. Here are some new books perfect for days that make you want to snuggle up and read.

Courage of the Blue Boy by Robert Neubecker
Blue and his cow, Polly, are tired of living in a land where everything (including themselves) is blue. So, they set off to find some other colors, learning how to live in a multi-hued world along the way. I'm sure that this book has a good message about inclusiveness and acceptance, but I'm just drawn in by the picture of Blue and Polly on the cover. Their bright, wide eyes contrast delightfully with the blue of their skin, making them seem courageous indeed--and hopeful and happy and adventurous.


Love From Woolly by Nina Michaels
Okay . . . it's a lift-the-flap book, which I know makes people cranky, but how can you resist? Woolly, the chubby, woolly sheep with hilariously short legs has knitted gifts for all her friends, and kids can lift the flap to reveal these gifts. According to the description, it also teaches about numbers and etiquette. And did I mention that the sheep is chubby and woolly?


Melrose and Croc: A Christmas to Remember by Emma Chichester Clark
You really can't go wrong with a Christmas book, particularly one with a lonely golden retriever and a visiting crocodile painting the big city (Santa Claus-y) red. There's a lot to like about this book, like the fact that the dog is considerably bigger than the crocodile to reduce the reptilian threat, and the cover illustration of the two friends ice skating.


Where is Baby's Pumpkin by Karen Katz
You know that I'm a sucker for all things fuzzy and sparkly, but this new board book goes above and beyond all my expectations. Yeah . . . it's got flaps to lift, sparkly foil and glittery flocking!!!!!! Who knew you could even combine the sparkly and the fuzzy into one thing?!?!?! And it's holiday-themed, which means it will fly off the shelves before it even comes in. I can't wait!


I was reading some sneak peeks of the spring season books, and it was mentioned that Mo Willems will debut his first easy reader in the first half of 2007. How exciting is that?!?? It's always a thrill when someone who gets kids as much as Willems obviously does (Knuffle Bunny? Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus?) turns their talents to easy readers, which isn't as easy a genre to write for as one would think. I'm expecting good things . . .