Peas Please

by Keith Baker

Youngun's will love the bright and cheerful illustrations as much as grownups do! Need a little pick me up during the day? Take a peek at any page of LMNO Peas!

Let me start with a positive reference. My 5 year old nephew chose this bright and beautiful book out of a stack of similar picture books. This is the one he wanted to hear.  He asked may questions about the pictures and vocabulary.  His vocabulary now includes the words acrobats, electricians, inventors, miners, unique, voters, yogis, and his new favorite: outlaws!  

Keith Baker uses precious drawings of peas to illustrate this alphabet book that introduces a wide variety of titles for professions, hobbies, and other activities people do. The peas are drawn in all sorts of outfits and poses. As I said earlier, my nephew's favorites were the outlaws. They wear masks and caps and are robbing lots of money from vaults. My nephew is very interested in Star Wars and superheroes right now so these bad guys caught his attention. 

All young children will find peas to admire and appreciate in this delightful book. A must have for every early learning classroom and library. 

Through the Eyes of Mona Lisa

by Ruthie Knapp

Illustrated by Jill McElmurry

This 2010 Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books winner will hold the attention of any listener. A great way to introduce biographies or point of view to any age level. 


Ruthie Knapp gives readers a Mona Lisa eye's view of her life as a famous painting.  Readers experience her creation, the admiration by many kings of France, Napoleon, and her placement in the Louvre.  However, she is stolen in the middle of the night by an thief who sadly stores her under his oven for two years. Eventually, she is recovered and returned to her home in the Louvre.


The reader will get a true feeling of what it must have been like to be a famous painting in the Louvre.  Mona Lisa comments "Tall people poke their noses up close. I can smell their breath: garlic, coffee, cigars." 


The author includes a brief description of Leonardo Da Vinci as well which could lead to guided inquiries regarding that famous Italian.  


I highly recommend this book for teachers and libraries of all ages. Yes, it is a gorgeous picture book, however, it serves as a wonderful introduction to point of view and biographies for students of any age.