Shlemazel and the Remarkable Spoon of Pohost by Ann Redisch Stampler, illustred by Jacqueline M. Cohen.

I enjoy folklore tremendously, and this traditional Jewish folktale makes a wonderful picture book, especially paired with the folksy illustrations of Cohen.  Shlemazel is convinced that he doesn’t have any luck, so he refuses to work or try to do anything at all.  Then clever Moshke comes up with a plan to trick Shlemazel into trying.  He gives him a spoon that he calls “the amazing, remarkable spoon of Pohost,”  telling Shlemazel that it will help him find his luck.  And does it?  Well, of course it does!  This is a folktale after all.

The treat of this picture book is in the language and the ease with which it is written.  The dialogue flows, each character has a unique tone, and you will find yourself reading aloud with a lilt of an accent that matches the story.  It is a real joy to find such a winning traditional tale.

When Giants Come to Play by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.

This magical picture book tells the story of what happens when two giants come to play with Anna.  From hide and seek to jump rope, they have a wonderful time.  Each game and activity is done in a giant sort of way.  Trees are pulled out when they pick peaches, cars are raced with real cars, and Anna’s older sister is used as their dolly.  The illustrations are soft and reflect an old-fashioned feel, but are enlivened by a real sense of humor. 

Share this one for giant storytimes or as a real treat for any preschooler or kindergartener.  It is a lot of fun.

The Cow Who Clucked by Denise Fleming.

You can never go wrong reading aloud Fleming’s picture books, and her new one is no exception.  One morning Cow wakes up to find that she is clucking rather than mooing.  So she sets off across the farm to find her moo.  She goes from one farm animal to the next listening to the sound they make until she finds the animal that is mooing and is able to switch back to her normal sound. 

Fleming’s writing is rhythmic and simple, creating a strong pattern that children will enjoy.  Her illustrations as always are stunningly lovely and very child-friendly.  Like the writing, they are simple but masterful.   Share this book with toddlers through preschoolers in units about sounds, farms, cows, animals, etc.  There are so many uses for this one, and it is another great read aloud from a true master.

The Mixed-Up Rooster by Pamela Duncan Edwards, pictures by Megan Lloyd.

Ned is a rooster who just can’t seem to wake up in the morning.  He’s just not a morning bird.  So Daisy Mae decides to fire him as their rooster.  Ned hides in a nearby tree and hears the replacement rooster crowing.  He hides there all day until nightfall when he meets all sorts of friendly creatures who come out at night:  bats, rabbits, and tree frogs.  Ned plays all night with them.  Then in a game of hide and seek, he hears a strange creeping noise.  A snake is sneaking into the hen house!  Ned’s night bird tendencies save the day with a little help from Daisy Mae. 

Two things make this picture book fun.  First is the vibrant illustrations that are cartoon-like and comical.  Second is the language that is filled with puns galore.  My favorite is when Ned complains about being “hen-pecked” by Daisy Mae.  This is a joy to read aloud with a fast pace that flies along.  Add this to your poultry themed storytimes for preschoolers and Kindergarteners. 

Endymion Spring by Matthew Skelton explores the mystery of the relationship between Faust, Gutenberg and an unknown boy.  The book flashes back and forth between modern-day Oxford and fifteenth century Germany.  Readers get to meet Endymion Spring, a boy who discovers Faust’s secret of dragon-skin paper that has magical properties and has the power to allow readers to read every book ever written.  Readers also get to know Blake, an American boy whose mother is studying in Oxford.  Blake is left at some of the top libraries in Oxford to amuse himself along with his younger sister Duck.  One day, he discovers a strange book bound in brown leather that at first appears to be blank.  It is this book of Endymion Spring that will lead him on a wild adventure around Oxford.

This book is fascinating from the historical details of Endymion’s life to the glory of the hidden side of the Oxford libraries.  It is a novel for those of us who love books, who are often taken away by the mysteries we find inside and the wonder of what could be found there.  The characters are well-rounded and complex as are their relationships with those around them.  The adults around the characters are flawed and complicated people themselves.  Once the reader is captured by the mystery of both the modern story and the historical one, the book is nearly impossible to put down.  The climax is both stunning and gratifying. 

Offer this one to both children and adults to read.  Just make sure they love books.  This one is a winner.