Rainy Days--More Time to Read

Let's see, last post on Sunday, that means I need to account for 3 days...
1. The Horn Book--May/June
2. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle (ISBN: 978-0399257131) Another nice book by the rock star of picture books.  (No joke. I went to a conference at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art    a few years ago, and he just popped into the auditorium. Every librarian there stood up and screamed.) This one has the message that one should make art that gives one joy, no matter what anyone else thinks. This would pair up nicely with Ish by Peter Reynolds
3. Extra Yarn by Matt Barnett (ISBN-13: 978-0061953385)

 This is another nomination for the Principal's Book of the Month. It tells the story about a girl and her "magic" box of yarn that never runs out--no matter how many sweaters she knits. After knitting one for everyone in town, she moves on to inanimate objects. My favorite page has her knitting a sweater for a pickup truck. The message here, though not at all explicit or preachy, is that we can give of our hearts and never run out of caring. Kids probably won't pick up on this message--and that's just fine. The illustrations are understated and sort of retro-looking, with enough humor to please a mixed age and gender audience.