Hey bookworms! Looking for some books for your TBR? Maybe some gift ideas for the upcoming holidays? You’ve come to the right place. As we mentioned here, we’ll be sharing excerpts from reviews from our judges. about the books they’re reading for the 2023 CYBILS Awards.
Why do we post the reviews? Because our judges are readers – librarians, teachers, parents. They read lots of books (not just CYBILS) and often include thoughts about how young readers might engage with a particular title. Great insight!
So let’s go! For Wee Ones Wednesday, we are sharing one Board Book and one Fiction Picture Book nominee. It just so happens that our picture book reviews are on Instagram, which means there’s an opportunity to see some of the interior imagery!
BOARD BOOK
Three little chicks are ready to explore the big, wide world together! Running in sunshine and in the rain, over grassy fields and past friendly neighbors, these chicks are as eager for adventure as they are to run back home into the arms of their caring parents at the end of a long day. This journey of adventure, discovery, and excitement has a reassuring reminder that no matter how far they may roam, there is always love and support waiting for them at home.
Rosemary @ Mom Read It – The story speaks directly to a toddler’s growing sense of independence, cloaked in the desire to explore within the bounds of safety. Gomi’s colorful artwork is always a delight for the eyes, and some readers may notice that the bus in the story looks similar to another board book favorite character: Elmer the Elephant! Short sentences make for a great move into independent reading for preschoolers. An essential pick for board book collections.
Brooke @ Goodreads – Taro Gomi’s unique style has a mysterious power to captivate children that defies explanation. I read Little Chicks with my first grader, expecting her to find it a little too simple. My daughter cheered and applauded her love for the little chicks. She adored the story she could read all on her own and was eager to read it again.
FICTION PICTURE BOOK
Once there was a bridge and a terrible and VERY hungry troll lived underneath it. When the three Billy Goats Gruff decide to clip-clop across the bridge to get to the grassy ridge, the troll is already imagining all the way to prepare a delicious goat dinner. But the troll underestimates those seemingly sweet but oh-so-savvy goats!
Sam @ Little Cub Literacy – It was so fun to see how they’ve taken such a treasured tale and put their own spin on it, with the dark humor we can expect from Mac. The added lines from the troll are perfection. He rattles off all the ways he enjoys goat meat—reminiscent of Bubba and his shrimp—in rhyming fashion.
Brooke @ The Brooke List – 🐐 The kids at our house keep pulling out this fun new favorite. While @macbarnett and @jonklassen are already both well-known and beloved authors, we deeply admire their ability to make such a repetitive old tale into something new and fun! 🦴
Amiee @ Keep a Book Out – This is the kind of book kids will ask for again and again that you won’t actually mind reading on repeat. It’s the classic tale with a hilarious twist. You are going to want this one on your