Petunia (by Roger Duvoisin)

Title:  Petunia
Author:  Roger Duvoisin
Summary: Follow Petunia, a silly goose who thinks she's wise by carrying a book, as she gives faulty advice to other barnyard animals with disastrous consequences.  But of course pride goes before a fall and and Petunia soon learns that wisdom comes from learning how to read.

Blurber Blabber Review:  Borrow it from the library.

Blurb:  Petunia is a classic book from the 1950s with charming old school illustrations.  The silly goose, thinking she is wise for owning a book, goes through a few too many scenes giving misguided advice to other barnyard animals, but the little ones may like the repetitive formula.

Age Range: General recommendation is 4-8. 
Story Type:  Third person narrative.
Scary Factor:  There is a reference to blood in a completely non-violent manner (Rooster thinking his comb is red because of his blood).  Another scene involves a horse complaining that he's "dying" and "in horrible pain" from a toothache.  Petunia then suggests pulling his teeth out with pliers.  Also, there's a scene that involves exploding fireworks that injure a bunch of animals.
Reading Out Loud:  Pretty good for reading out loud with a lot of dialogue and different characters that you can make voices for.  But I don't feel like the narrative and dialogue flow as well as other books and the encounters can get a bit repetitious.
Rereadability:  My niece and nephew love this book and want me to read it to them often, but I don't think it adds anything on additional reads and it can be a long read to get through.
Illustrations:  Pen and ink illustrations with a style of slightly messy splashes of color.  Has a kind of old school feel to it.
Medals/Honors/Recognition:  N/A.
Published:Originally 1950 (Have the 2000 copy)
Length:  32 pages
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Ten Tiny Fairies: A Fairy Tale Counting Book (by Dawn Bentley)

Title:  Ten Tiny Fairies: A Fairy Tale Counting Book
Author:  Dawn Bentley
Summary:  Count along with a dwindling number of tiny and glittery pop out fairies as they visit a variety of princesses in classic fairy tales.

Blurber Blabber Review:  Buy it used or on sale.

Blurb:  Ten Tiny Fairies is a catchy rhyme and useful counting lesson.  The little ones will enjoy visiting classic fairy tales and you'll enjoy having a fast read, but this book is very princess-centric.

Age Range: General recommendation is for ages 3 and up. 
Story Type:  Rhyme and counting
Scary Factor:  On pages 11-12 the fairies visit the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and this page always scares my niece and nephew.  As Belle is happily twirling in the ballroom, the Beast is shown as a dark shadow watching in the doorway.  The little ones don't actually say he's scary but they fixate on him and keep asking who he is, why is he there, why is he dark, is he mean, etc.  So be prepared to assure your little ones that the dark shadow is Belle's friend.
Reading Out Loud:  Lovely counting book with a catchy rhyme.  I like to read it in a singsong voice and each page ends the rhyme with dwindling number of fairies ("...and then there are...[next page] X tiny fairies...") so the little ones can catch on and join in the rhyme/song.
Rereadability: This is a great and fast read that you can read over and over again to your little ones.  Makes a good pre-nap/pre-good night story since it's catchy and short.  And reading it over again reinforces the counting lesson. 
Illustrations:  Colorful illustrations with brightly colored fairies in pop-out glitter dresses (don't worry the glitter is securely glued on and doesn't come off easily).  But the illustrations themselves are not very noteworthy.
Medals/Honors/Recognition:  N/A.
Published: 2004
Length:  22 pages 

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How Rocket Learned to Read (by Tad Hills)

Title:  How Rocket Learned to Read
Author:  Tad Hills
Summary:  Learn how to read along with a dog named Rocket as he's taught the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet" by an enthusiastic, but seasonal, little yellow bird.

Blurber Blabber Review:  Buy it used or on sale.

Blurb:  How Rocket Learned to Read is a lengthy and cute book where your little ones can join Rocket's introduction to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet" and spelling.

Age Range: General recommendation is 4-8, but I think it works for 3 year olds as well. 
Story Type:  Third person narrative.
Scary Factor:  None, although there is one picture of a growling dog but it's not related to anything scary or violent. 
Reading Out Loud:  Great book to read to your little ones as they are learning how to spell.  There's a good mix of description and dialogue and I like to make different voices for the little bird and Rocket.  But, this book is a bit long and so might not be the ideal book for a fast read. 
Rereadability:  I like rereading this mainly for the spelling parts.  It can be fun and instructive to spell out basic words like "D-I-G" and "W-I-N-D" with accompanying cute pictures.
Illustrations:  Cutesy and colorful illustrations in oil paint and colored pencil.
Medals/Honors/Recognition:  N/A.
Published: 2010
Length:  40 pages  

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Tuesday (by David Wiesner)

Title:  Tuesday
Author:  David Wiesner
Summary:  Create your own story with some nocturnal frogs on a flying adventure in a suburban neighborhood. 

Blurber Blabber Review:  Buy it now!

Blurb:  Tuesday is another amazing picture book from David Weisner that has vivid, creative, and humorous illustrations that let you and the little ones run wild with your imagination.  The concept is so simple and yet so great.

 Age Range: General recommendation is 4-8, but I think it works for kids older than 2. 
Story Type:  Picture book 
Scary Factor:  None, although the frog faces might be a little scary and the idea of flying frogs entering your home at night might scare the little ones. 
Reading Out Loud:  Great for using your imagination since there's no written story so you can really create a lot of variations of the story by exercising your imagination.   
Rereadability:  Totally rereadable.  My niece and nephew demanded it at least 5 times the day I bought it for them.  And they always remembered the slight nuances in the "story" but also loved to hear slight variations.  Also gives kids a good opportunity to practice their own "storytelling" skills. 
Illustrations:  Great watercolor illustrations by David Wiesner, consistent with his usual style.  There's a lot of humor and details built into each of the pictures that you, or the little ones, can build into the story. 
Medals/Honors/Recognition:  1992 Cladecott Medal.
Published:  1997
Length:  32 pages   

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