The Seven Silly Eaters

Mary Ann Hoberman

In this delightful picture book, Mary Ann Hoberman takes a challenge many parents struggle with—picky eaters—and spins it into an exaggerated but silly story about a mother with seven such children. One drinks only milk, another lemonade, one eats only applesauce, and so forth. Mrs. Peters runs herself ragged picking, peeling, straining, scraping, poaching, frying, and kneading. But then on her birthday the children hatch a secret plan and find they must work together to create the best surprise of all. The story is also a great conversation starter about the importance of everyone pitching in to help as a family. (1997)

Mama Seeton’s Whistle

Jerry Spinelli

This story hearkens back to yesteryear, when children spent afternoons playing kick the can or an impromptu round of baseball with other neighborhood kids, instead of crowding around a video game console. Mama Seeton discovers a simple whistle is all she needs to gather her brood back each evening for hugs, kisses, and chocolate cake. The years pass, and Papa and Mama Seeton are now empty nesters wondering what will bring their four children home again. The book sends a strong message about the importance of family ties and reminds readers, “No matter where you go, you can hear the call of home.” (2015)

Kiss the Cow!

Phyllis Root

Mama May has “so many children she couldn’t count them all,” but thanks to her faithful milking cow, Luella, she always has enough milk and cheese to feed her hungry children. The secret to the overflowing milk is Mama May’s ritual of singing to the cow and then giving her a kiss on her velvety nose. Chaos ensues, however, when little Annalisa disobeys and refuses to milk the cow the right way. This story provides a launching point for discussing the consequences of disobedience, selfishness, and stubbornness, although Christians will wish the resolution showed Annalisa making amends for the right reasons. (2000)

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

Lloyd Moss

Introduce young children to the wonder of orchestras with this lyrical Caldecott Honor Book. Moss uses clever verse and rhyme—“The strings all soar, the reeds implore, the brasses roar with notes galore”—to describe 10 instruments found in an orchestra. With the introduction of each instrument and its sound, he highlights the differences among solos, duets, trios, and more, all the way up to the “Encore!” Marjorie Priceman’s vibrant illustrations push the story forward, adding energy and excitement to the chorus of words. The book creates the perfect segue to turn on some music and enjoy a few orchestra selections together. (1995)

Afterword

The Boy Who Drew Birds by Jacqueline Davies (Houghton Mifflin, 2004) first appeared on bookstore shelves over a decade ago, but this beautiful edition describing the early life and work of John James Audubon will continue to delight young readers discovering the self-taught artist and naturalist. The book’s charm is rooted in the work of illustrator Melissa Sweet, who studied Audubon’s style and technique to create warm watercolor scenes and collages that echo Audubon’s own drawings.

Sweet also illustrated the more recently released A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant (Alfred A. Knopf, 2013). Sweet and Bryant drove to eastern Pennsylvania to study Pippin’s life and art, with Sweet recreating art tools similar to what the self-taught artist would have used. The resulting illustrations add greater depth to the story of a man who started with just a piece of charcoal and overcame great personal challenges. —K.C.