Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

A box is just a box . . . unless it’s not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows.

Inspired by a memory of sitting in a box on her driveway with her sister, Antoinette Portis captures the thrill when pretend feels so real that it actually becomes real—when the imagination takes over and inside a cardboard box, a child is transported to a world where anything is possible.

This is an absolute favorite in our house and was actually one of our very first Turkeybird reviews! Read our review for Not a Box by Antoinette Portis here.

Antoinette has a new book out, Princess Super Kitty, that we’ll be reviewing soon as well!

Pick Up Not a Box by Antoinette Portis:

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Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool and Illustrated by Alison Jay

One small boy has a special gift—he can weave cloth from the clouds: gold in the early morning with the rising sun, white in the afternoon, and crimson in the evening. He spins just enough cloth for a warm scarf. But when the king sees the boy’s magnificent cloth, he demands cloaks and gowns galore. “It would not be wise,” the boy protests. “Your majesty does not need them!” But spin he must—and soon the world around him begins to change.

From author Michael Catchpool and illustrator Alison Jay comes a magical tale about the beauty and fragility of our natural world, and the wisdom and courage needed to protect it.

Expected publication date: March 13, 2012

When I happened upon this new book featuring illustrations from the incredibly talented Alison Jay I couldn’t help but mention it. I’m eagerly waiting for this one as we’ve loved all of Alison’s other illustrated books! (Our reviews: The Nutcracker and Picture This)

Find The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool and Illustrated by Alison Jay Here:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Have fun with Olivia…
dressing up
singing songs
building sand castles
napping (maybe)
dancing
painting on walls
and — whew! —
going to sleep at last.

The Olivia the Pig site is adorable and you really must take a look!

As a sidenote, our favorite version of this has been the board book. We’ve been able to enjoy it for years now because of it’s durability!

Pick It Up:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

Dogs by Emily Gravett

Gorgeous canines of every shape, size and color are bounding through this irresistible book. Can you choose one dog to love best of all? With playful pencil and watercolor illustrations to delight children and adults alike, everyone will long to bark along with the Chihuahua and tickle the Dalmatian’s tummy. This is a wonderfully satisfying book with a twist in the tail.

Emily Gravett has an adorable website that simply should not be missed!

Today’s pick was recommended by Damyanti Patel from Buns! Blankets! Bears! Thank you!

Pick Up Dogs by Emily Gravett:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room–to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one–he says goodnight.

In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

Pick Up Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd:

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Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping by Eileen Christelow

The day before school starts, Mama takes her five little monkeys shopping for clothes. “Stay right here,” she says, “AND DON’T GO WANDERING OFF!” But one little monkey has to go to the bathroom . . . and two little monkeys get thirsty. . . . Then three little monkey friends arrive . . . and four little monkeys decide to go help find the others. . . . Will Mama ever have all five of her little monkeys together again?

In this latest romp with Eileen Christelow’s Five Little Monkeys, vibrant, expressive illustrations accompany a catchy text that’s great for reading aloud. Simple math lessons are seamlessly incorporated into the fun.

In addition to this installment of the Five Little Monkeys series Eileen Christelow has written numerous other versions including, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed, Five Little Monkeys Bake a Cake, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree, Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do, Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car, Five Little Monkeys Play Hide-and-Seek, Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed and coming in October 2012 Five Little Monkeys Jump In The Bath. Most of the series can be found in picture book form as well as in a board book style as well. Eileen Christelow is also the author of a host of other picture books that can be found on her website.

Today’s picture book recommendation came courtesy of Debbie from Debbie’s World of Books. Thank you!

Pick Up Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping by Eileen Christelow:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!