Tag: Leslie Lammle

January 2025 Picture Book Spotlight: Winter and Cozy

- Brittany Leave a comment

Happy January! Each January, I really enjoy focusing on titles that are both cozy but also celebrate the climate that they get to enjoy here in the Midwest! Below are some of my favorite cozy or wintry reads that I have been sharing with my outreach storytime patrons!

The Lumberjack’s Beard
by Duncan Beedie

Big Jim, the lumberjack lives in a small cabin in the middle of the woods and always starts off his day with limbering stretches and a huge plate of pancakes and maple syrup. After a long day of chopping down trees, Big Jim has a disgruntled guest show up at his door. It turns out, if you cut down all of the trees in the forest, there are going to be some displaced animals. Where are they to live?

This title is a great title for teaching young people about cause and effect, animal habitats, and the importance of nature. It is also a rather delightful read!

Dinosaur’s Binkit
by Sandra Boynton

Little Dinosaur cannot get ready for bed without a very important lovey! Binkit is missing, no teeth can be brushed or jammies can be donned without the love of binkit. Follow this short journey into the life of a young one fretting over their beloved blankey through lift and flap interactives! You can never go wrong with a Sandra Boynton but this title is extra special. As a mom with two kiddos especially attached to lovies, I can relate!

This work teaches parents (me) to slow down and focus on what is important and taking a moment to breathe.

 

Snow Falls
by Kate Gardner, illustrated by Brandon James Scott

Winter is officially here and the snow has begun to fall! Will you go outside and sled or will you stay inside for hot cocoa?

I really enjoy reading this title each year because it allows for great conversation with young readers. Before I share this title with my young audience, I always ask them what they like to do in the snow and then we see if what they enjoy doing pops up in the story! With concise dialog and gorgeous illustrations by Scott, this work is truly a joy to share with young people!

Pop-up Peekaboo! Winter
by Amy Grimes

What are Arctic animals up to in the winter? Find out in this highly interactive and enjoyable pop-up board book!

My daughter loves this series of books. They are highly educational and the pop-ups are next level cool!

 

Wilfred
by Ryan T. Higgins

Wilfred is a giant, hairy, and very lonely monster, who wants a friend more than anything. When Wilfred discovers a little town of peculiar children, he runs onto a playground terrifying all but one brave little boy. The pair become fast friends but the other peculiar townspeople have a rather mean plan for Wilfred.

Wilfred is a great redemption story that helps strengthen emotional intelligence and cause and effect skills!

A Little Book About Winter
by Leo Lionni

Winter is a time for celebration, eating, gathering, playing outside, and warming up by the fire. Follow a mouse family as they navigate it all!

This simple and adorably (even if it is covered in mice) illustrated board book will share many wonderful activities and celebrations that only happen in the winter!


Ned the Knitting Pirate
by Diana Murray, illustrated by Leslie Lammle

“The Pirates were a rugged lot, as fierce as they were strong, and as they swabbed the deck one day, they sang a pirate song…” A pirate crew is brought to stitches when one of their fellow mates shares his love for knitting. The captain “won’t be hearing knitting talk,” and tries to end Ned’s knitting adventures. Just when you think that poor Ned has to give up his craft and life calling, a hero is needed. Can Ned save the day and make the Captain eat his words? I sure hope so!

This is a wonderful story told in rhyme that I love to share each year around this time. Ned the Knitting Pirate has such a great message that it is okay to be your own person and a hero lies in all of us! I also get the opportunity to sing and talk like a pirate, what isn’t to love about this title! Seriously, please check this one out and then I want to talk to you about it!

Have you read any of these titles? I would love to hear about what you thought of them in the comments!

Cozy Up with These Picture Books!

- Brittany Leave a comment
small cartoon child under a grey blanket

January to me is always a time to snuggle up with a good book under an ultra-soft blanket. With great amounts of snow currently falling and more forecasted for our region the next few days, I am excited to share some cozy books with you!  Below are some picture books in our collection that celebrate the cozy season!

The Lumberjack’s Beard by Duncan Beedie

Big Jim Hickory begins his day with exercises and a large stack of pancakes before heading out to chop down trees. After a long day of chopping, Jim is home resting when someone begins pecking at his door. Upon opening, Jim discovers that his job has sent some animal neighbors into a flurry of frustration. Ever the problem-solver, Jim is ready for the challenge of creating a safe home for his disgruntled neighbors.

This book is an absolute delight!

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small cartoon child under a grey blanket

Blanket: Journey to Extreme Coziness by Loryn Brantz

You may be wondering how to reach maximum level coziness. Your wait is over my friend, all you need is this book and your favorite blanket to achieve the blanket cocoon – epic level of cozy!

The artwork is delightful as is the content of this title, I hope that you enjoy!

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Narwhal with a yellow blanketBlankie by Ben Clanton

If you have decided to climb out of your blanket cocoon and looking for fun activities with your blanket. This book will give you some suggestions! Will you turn your blanket into a cape or take it on a living room picnic with waffles? The sky is the limit!

This adorable board book is fun for littles and bigs alike!

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Black hairy monster holding a small child

Wilfred by Ryan T. Higgins

Wilfred was a humungous, hairy, monster who only wanted one thing, a friend. One day, Wilfred discovers a peculiar town full of bald townspeople. With hope in his heart, Wilfred hopes to find friendship on a playground but sends most of the children running in fear. One brave child remained and thus began a beautiful friendship until the townspeople came up with a nasty plan.

This story teaches children empathy while making grownups cry. If you read this title, be sure to have your tissues ready. That said, it is one of my favorites and I share it every year when performing storytimes.

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cartoon child pulling a baby in a red sweater across a room.

That’s My Sweater! by Jessika von Innerebner

There are few things that Olivia loves more than her red sweater. This is why when Olivia comes to find that she has grown out of her beloved garment, she has some things to say. To add to her dismay, Olivia’s baby sibling inherits the sweater and is covering it in unspeakable bodily fluids! On a hunt for justice, Olivia makes a discovery, her parents love a hand-me-down.

For all of the older siblings out there, this is the perfect read!

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2 cartoon pirates and o monkey in a boat next to a sea monster

Ned the Knitting Pirate by Diana Murray and Illustrated by Leslie Lammle

Pirates are a fierce and rugged lot. As they sing their pirate song, it is ruined (made better) each time by Ned the knitting pirate.

Written in rhyme, this book is an absolute blast to read aloud! I enjoy singing and donning a Scottish accent as I read aloud. Like Wilfred, this is a yearly read teaches young people to be proud of who they are and that heroes come in all shapes and forms!