GreenBeanTeenQueen

If there was one big trend in picture books this year, I would say it's birds. Last year I started noticing a trend in publishing across all ages about books being published featuring bird watching . Birds have always been a popular topic, yet this year it seems as though 2014 year of the bird in picture books. Take a look: Froodle by Antoinette Portis -A silly story about a bird who is tired of the same old song, only to be met with some opposition. A nice simple commentary on accepting change and adapting that's great for storytime. Peggy by Anna Walker -A sweet and funny story about a chicken who sets off on a big adventure to the city. Also, I love the illustrations. Bluebird by Lindsey Yankey -Another bird on an adventure story with gorgeous illustrations.  Henny by Elizabeth Rose Stanton -A chicken with arms? Odd but adorable! Another good choice for storytime and a sweet book about being different. Mama Built A Little Ne...

Robots have always been a popular topic in children's literature, but it seems like the last two years, robots have taken over picture books! I first noticed it with one of my favorite books of 2012, Robot Zombie Frankenstein! And the robot books just kept coming: And some of this year's offering: This is a trend I can fully get behind! I love robots and robot stories! So of course, when I had the chance to read, Sometimes I Forget You're A Robot by Sam Brown , I knew I had to read it! The cartoon illustrations are simple and reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid . A young boy dreams of having a robot, but when he gets his dream robot, it turns out his robot can't do anything he always thought robots should be able to do! This robot can't fly, swim or talk-he just beeps! But there's more to the robot than meets the eye and it just might be that his greatest strength is not being a robot, but being a friend. ...