Reading Roundup: May 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 15
Early Readers: 1

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
I'm just going to go with an Overall award this month because I'm having a hard time picking out specific art and writing standouts. Wait, didn't I do that last month? Oh well; you get extra Because I Want To awards in exchange.
Overall: Press Here by Herve Tullet
This is a little bit of a cop-out, because in fact I read Press Here months ago, but I just got around to recording it in my database this month. But honestly, if there's a book that deserves any award that will stick, it's this one, which is maybe the best audience participation book on the simplest of concepts that I've ever seen. So. Much. Genius.

Because I Want To Awards
Exactly as Promised: The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
When I hear a new Pigeon book is coming out, I expect a smart and witty readaloud about a self-centered and histrionic bird who could double as one of my storytime toddlers any day of the week. That's what I got. Thanks, Mo!
Entertaining Reversal: The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson, illustrated by Sue DeGennarro
You've heard of the high-maintenance original? Feh on her. This prince would rather have a rough-and-tumble chick who demands an entire packet of frozen peas, for the purpose of icing bruises, of course.
Grabbed This One for Storytime: Red White and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated Huy Voun Lee
If there's one storytime theme that makes me grit my teeth a little, it's July 4th. Not because I'm unpatriotic, but because it's really very hard to find good readalouds for the preschool set that don't get jingoistic or just recite our National Anthem. This one, which follows a multi-ethnic group through the holiday's entertainments, works pretty well.
Yay for Everyday Multi-racialism!: Whoa, Baby, Whoa! by Grace Nichols
What do you call it when members of one family come in all colors and yet nobody makes a fuss about it? You call it daily life for many kids in America. A baby toddles around his house and is preserved from constant disaster by loving hands that are brown and white and tan, of all ages and sizes. D'awwww.