Little Elliot, BIG CITY
Story and Pictures by Mike Curato

Elliot is different, too--a tiny white elephant with pink and blue polka dots, living alone in a New York apartment. He has to jump into the sink to wash his dishes and be very careful he doesn’t get stepped on in the busy streets. He badly wants a cupcake from the Speranza Bakery (Est. 1905), but he’s much too short to be noticed. When he walks sadly through Central Park and meets someone in distress who’s “even littler than himself,” Elliot offers to help--leading to a delightful story and a delicious cupcake. Curato’s cool 1940s illustrations include a towering Flatiron Building, a sign advertising Pie A La Mode for 10 cents, and a crowded subway stop where everyone wears a hat. Peek through Elliot’s window later that night with the lighted Manhattan Bridge and looming skyscrapers for background. What could be better than a pink-iced cupcake?  “A friend to share it with!”
2014, Ages 4 to 8

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

Be a Friend
Story and Pictures by Salina Yoon

​In February, we think of love and friendship. Silent Dennis is extraordinary--with a closetful of black-and-white striped shirts, white gloves, and black top hats, all inspired by mime Marcel Marceau. Dennis wears a red heart pinned on his shirt and expresses himself only through mime--he can act out anything. But Dennis is lonely; he feels invisible. One day, however, when he kicks an imaginary ball, someone catches it! Her name is Joy and she’s been quietly watching him. Readers will share their happiness as he and Joy play, laugh together with jazz hands, and finally turn an invisible rope for the other children to jump. Yoon’s lovely inventive story will appeal to many young readers, but especially to those who feel themselves different. When they see Dennis’s red heart pinned on Joy’s white and grey polka-dot dress, they’ll want to join the celebration, while adults can admire Yoon’s elegant use of black, white, and red.
2016, Ages 3 to 7

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.