I Love You So Much, by Marianne Richmond
A cute alternative to the familiar “mama do you love me theme.” When told “I love you so much,” a young person inquires “How much is ‘so’?” The response is a comparison to the stars and a lion’s roar. Question follows question from the child: how did the love start; is it everyday; even when they are far away. The answers come in beautiful rhyme in this sweet story. What I like most about the book is that the material touches on what happens to love when you are mad. The answer is very reassuring.
The pages of the book are filled with bright and colorful illustrations with multi-cultural faces throughout.
I Love You so Much, by Marianne Richmond, $15.95, ages 3-6
Little Chick, by Amy Hest. Ages 2-6
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher Jeremy Thatcher knows a thing or two about raising animals. But after he leaves Mr. Elives’ magic shop with a strange marbled egg, it soon becomes clear that this is one pet he wasn’t prepared for! How is he supposed to keep a flame-breathing dragon with razor-sharp teeth and an out of control appetite in his bedroom? But if the playful baby dragon is ever to grow up to become a magnificent beast of myth and legend, it needs Jeremy. And though he doesn’t know it yet, Jeremy needs a dragon.
Jennifer Murdley’s Toad Jennifer Murdley had always wanted to be pretty. That’s why she’s so surprised to leave Mr. Elives’ magic shop with a particularly ugly toad. As her worst enemy says, “A toad for a toad.” But this toad can talk. And what it has to say sets Jennifer off on a journey that leads her into the company of the Immortal Vermin and straight to the Beauty Parlor of Doom…where she comes face-to-face with her deepest fears and dreams. Jennifer would give anything to be beautiful. But sometimes anything is too high a price to pay.
The Monster’s Ring If ever a kid needed to release his inner monster, it’s Russell Crannaker. He’s bullied at school and he’s bullied at home, and when he stumbles into Mr. Elives’ magic shop, he’s even bullied into buying something he didn’t know he needed. His purchase–a strange green ring– promises a monstrous magic that will make Russell bully-proof for the rest of his life. The directions for the ring are very simple: Twist it once, you’re horned and haired; Twist it twice and fangs are bared; Twist it Thrice? No one has Dared! Russell has been feeling daring lately…
Ted and his older sister Kat have a love-hate relationship, but they put their differences aside when their cousin Salim mysteriously disappears from a sealed pod on the London Eye. Ted, who has Asperger’s Syndrome and a fascination with weather, has a different perspective on just about everything, and thus notices things that others don’t. Together, he and Kat are able to solve the mystery of Salim’s disappearance in spite the tendency of adults to ignore their ideas.
Readers ages 9 to 13 (and older) who like spooky (but not nightmare-inducing) stories will want to get their hands on The Haunting of Derek Stone, a new series by Tony Abbott (whom many of you know as the author of The Secrets of Droon.)
In the 2nd book, Bayou Dogs, which is due out in March, Derek and Virgil/Ronny learn a few things that might help them foil the comeback of the evil souls. But this requires Derek to return to the site of his worst nightmare, Bayou Malpierre. The suspense just gets greater and greater!
The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson, Pictures by Axel Scheffler
down-to-earth fellow who has a tremendous artistic talent. We talked to him about his upcoming book, 
Frindle, by Andrew Clements (ages 8-10)
Princess Bess Gets Dressed, by Margery Cuyler
und the store checking out the new books that have come in since my last work day. This book immediately caught my eye. It is fabulous and I just love it! If you are a cat lover, know a cat lover, are a pop-up book lover or just a plain old book lover you MUST own this book. Cats is for children and adults and has wonderful realistic photographs of the many different species of cats. On top of all that this book will make you laugh out loud!!!
