The Wicked Big Toddlah by Kevin Hawkes.

This rollicking book is guaranteed to have small children listening intently.  It is the story of Toddie, a brand new baby who is very special.  He is huge!  He is brought home on a flatbed truck, takes baths in the ocean, and eats ice cream by the truckful (literally!)

The text of the book is key to its success.  Done in a matter-of-fact style, the words don’t speak to the size of Toddie at all.  Instead they are all about normal baby things:  dirty diapers, baths, eating solids, starting to walk, etc.  Nothing in the text gives away the antics of the illustrations.  The illustrations are large, colorful and spectacular.  Toddie is amazing in his large size, great enthusiasm, and broad humor. 

Recommended for ages 3-6.  Highly recommended for reading aloud.  This book is a guaranteed read aloud winner.

A Strange Day by Iris van der Heide, illustrated by Marijke ten Cate.

Jack is waiting to find out if he won a drawing contest.  But the wind is blowing hard outside and the postman loses his grip on the letter.  He heads out to chase the letter down.  Meanwhile, Jack runs to the mailbox to check on his letter and doesn’t find a thing.  Jack now decides that he didn’t win and walks off in despair, not noticing anything that is going on around him.  And quite a lot is!

The illustrations are real winners here, carrying the story forward.  They are done in paint with a friendly bright coloring, lots of animals, figures and busyness.  The story is also friendly, giving just enough detail about Jack’s walk to move the story along.  The real joy is discovering the story that is not being told in words by looking at the pictures. 

Recommended for ages 4-6.  This is a lap book that will be enjoyed by children.  Reading it in front of a group will diminish the pleasure because of the details of the illustrations.