4th set of 20 books

The 20 books this week all promote phonological awareness. Promoting early literacy comes from exposing children to different sounds or phonemes. Reading to children exposes them to different sounds, hence increasing their phonological awareness. Reading to children creates a win-win situation.
(I am starting a new thing where I star (*) all the books I can’t wait to read to my kids…sometimes for the millionth time. This is more for my benefit, but maybe you’ll take it as a strong recommendation)

Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis*
Not a Stick has great illustrations that show imagination at work. Each page has "pig" playing and being told to be careful with that stick. The next page draws attention to the playfulness every child and adult will recognize. The scene will change and show you why it's "not a stick," and we all learn how the imagination can make anything possible.

Previously by Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman*
Fun and childlike painted scenes tell the story's of "pre-famed" fairy tale characters. Children will have fun as they connect the dots of Previously into many of their favorite bedtime stories. See fairytales in a whole new way and learn new words at the same time. Children and adults will love this creative story.

Bugtown Boogie by Warren Hanson
Wonderfully intricate, playful and fun illustrations accompany exciting words and a fun font style. The story's dance beat style and rhyming words allow the reader to dance along to the beat while following the story, creating an exciting read for anyone.

Night of the Veggie Monster by George McClements*
Real veggie pictures accompany the main characters cardboard cutout and charcoal illustration style to help tell the great story of The Veggie Monster. Parents will smile and kids will giggle as the main character squirms, twists, and wiggles from eating a single veggie at dinner. But what will happen at dinner tomorrow?

Yum! MmMm! Que Rico! Americas’ Sproutings by Pat Mora
Wonderfully colored illustrations accompany poems of blueberries, chocolate, papaya, peanuts, potatoes and more foods from the Americas. Yum! MmMm! Que Rico! will leave children and caregivers tapping their toes along with the story. Learn interesting facts about where different foods come from in the sideline notes as the stories unfold.

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Read along as old bear lays down for a winter nap. Follow his dreams of being a cub again during spring, summer and fall. Kids will want to see what happens next as bear wakes up. Was it all a dream, or is it spring again?

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland
The new teacher this year is very different than any Zach had before. Every time she opened her storybook the characters jumped to life and into the classroom. Read along as trouble begins when the kids in the classroom each begin reading from the magical book. Find out if this adventure will end just in time, or if the kids will be in trouble? Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook is an excellent tale which affirms the pleasure of reading.

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen*
Kids will be inspired to keep turning the pages to meet new friends of Pout-Pout, a fish that is always glum. Read along as they try to turn his frown upside-down. Can they change Pout-Pout into a Grin-Grin? Children and caregivers will really enjoy this rhyming story that reads like a song. The fun ending is sure to make everyone turn their frown upside-down.

Bunny Fun by Sarah Weeks
Is a rainy day going to ruin bunny's fun? Come along as bunny shows kids and adults alike that even on a rainy day you can create your own fun. Dress Up, painting, baking, building and more help teach the readers all the great things they can imagine on a rainy day. Fun word play teaches children the joy of creating new sounds. This book is intended for younger children infant to toddler.

The Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
As the fall season goes by one little yellow leaf just isn't ready to let go. Read along as the simple illustrations tell the story of fall turning to winter. Will yellow leaf ever be ready? Follow the story and you will find out. Beautiful and creatively illustrated, all ages will enjoy the Yellow Leaf.

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty*
Have fun as you read along about the adventures of Hondo & Fabian, a dog and cat who have a very busy day ahead of them. The soft illustrations and large words make it easy for kids to understand and follow along. Children and adults who have pets will love the sweet endearing story of Hondo & Fabian.

SMASH! CRASH! by David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon*
Smash! Crash! is a fun read with colorful and energetic painted illustrations on each page. Jack and Dan are two trucks who are best friends and like to SMASH and CRASH, just like some youngsters you may know. Smashing and Crashing might by okay for Jack and Dan, but find out how their antics may or may not help their friends! Children of all ages will enjoy the vivid illustrations and fun story.

The End by David LaRochelle and Richard Egielski
Many fairy tales have ended with these words, but this one happens to start with them. Kids and adults alike will have fun following along with the story as each page fills you in on the previous occurrence. The End is a backward tale of a princess, a knight, a dragon, rabbits, a flying teacup, a giant and other favorite fairy tale characters all rolled into this entertaining story.

A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas
Simple and colorful illustrations bring us through the story of Pig, Mouse and Duck making the best birthday cake ever! Laugh along with the tale as the antics all lead up to the big surprise at the end. Big, bold, colorful words will help children read along.

Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Learn about Sergio, the penguin, and the things he loves. He especially loves the water, so what is the problem when a class trip takes them to the ocean? Will his friends be able to help him take the big plunge? Read along with the adventure of Sergio and find out what will happen on the next class trip to the ocean. Children who are afraid of the water will relate to this sweet story.

Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson
Hilda Hippo loved to dance, the only problem was when she did the jungle floor would shake and quake. What if she danced the flamenco in heels? Would that help? Could she dance the samba in a flowered skirt? Would that help? How could Hilda's friends help her find a new hobby? Children will laugh right along with the story as they see if Hilda will keep annoying her friends or if they can find a compromise.

Monster Mess! by Margery Cuyler
Big surprise, as a little boy's room is too messy for his monster friend. Blocks, socks, shoes, rubber python, spilled juice and more all get jammed into their places before it is time for the boy to start his day. Read along and giggle as you follow the monster that cleans a little boy’s room as he sleeps. Children will enjoy this imaginative tale of what monsters really do in their rooms at night.

Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont*
Scratch your head as Kanga tries to decipher who ate all her cookie dough? We get to follow along as Kanga tries to find who ate the cookie dough. Can you guess? Who Ate All the Cookie Dough is a fun "who done it" adventure, with many recognizable animals. Children will have fun learning the names of animals and following the story as you guess eeny, meeny, miney, moe! Who ate all the cookie dough?

The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman
One day a lonely pencil began to draw, and a great adventure begins to unfold. Follow along as pencil draws out an exciting story for you in black and white, then color. What will happen when he draws an excited eraser? Will this be the end for pencil as the eraser tries to rub the pencil out? Children will enjoy this creative and dramatic story.

Where’s My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi*
Follow Baby Mummy as he plays hide-and-seek with Mama Mummy in the deep, dark night. But he’s not scared…or is he? Children will enjoy guessing what friends wait on the next page after reading the sounds they make. Turn the page to reveal where Baby Mummy goes next. A fun, before bedtime story, children and adults will enjoy Where’s My Mummy.