Picture books? Have we got picture books for you today. A recommendation from the Verona Public Lirary’s children’s librarian, a new pick from my favorite children’s book blog and a spotting of picture books galore at a local book store. Read on: 
“Pip is fascinated by the farm’s red pick-up truck and longs to see “the wide world” from the back of its cab. The other girls are nervous about the expedition, though, and after talking Pip into hopping in the back first, Midge and Dot chicken out (pardon the pun); to stall for time, they run off in search of Rooster Sam so that he may join them in their adventure.
Suddenly, the truck’s engine roars. Pip thinks the truck is racing away and, terrified, hides under a blanket. When the truck engine stops, Pip expects to see the “wide word” but finds herself still on the farm.
Pip can’t resist boasting a bit about her bravery. She tells Dot and Midge that she didn’t even get scared. When they point out that the truck didn’t move, a crestfallen Pip looks like she’s about to cry. Her friends reassure her, though, claiming that Pip is indeed brave because the truck was awfully loud and scary.
In a story about friendship and adventure, Janet Morgan Stoeke illustrates her stories, and her simple, plump images are filled with bold blues, reds and greens.
This synopsis from Pip’s Trip, A Loopy Coop Adventure by Janet Morgan Stoeke, was provided by Cheryl Ashley of the Verona Public Library. Each Friday, Ashley will continue to provide us with suggestions of some of her favorite books.
My recommendation this week is A Sick Day for Amos McGee.
And from Susanna Hill and her Perfect Picture Book Friday series, we have Flap Your Wings which is the story of a boy who finds an egg, but doesn’t want it to get damaged, so he looks around until he finds the nest and carefully puts it back.  When Mr. and Mrs. Bird come home, they are surprised to find an egg in their nest… it wasn’t there when they left!  But Mr. Bird says that if an egg is in their nest it must be their egg, so they must take care of it.  So they do… with very surprising results!
Earlier this week I was in Watchung Booksellers, and am continuously amazed at some of the great books that are available for children. My kids always manage to find them too, and several dollars later, I’m walking out with four books rather than one. I suppose that being the parent of avid readers is not a bad problem to have. Finding new content is even easier when other are making suggestions. Here are some additional suggestions from last week’s posting for Perfect Picture Books, and some of the latest additions to my lengthening library list:  Tomorrow’s Alphabet, John Philip Duck, This Tree Counts!, Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain, and I Can’t Stop.
