"I've got the Blue Whale Blues, I've got the Blue Whale, Blue Whale Blues." Have you ever seen a sad blue whale? How about a blue whale riding a bike? ... How about a blue whale who thinks he's riding a bike, but actually he's riding a shopping cart?

The premise of Peter Carnavas' whimsical Blue Whale Blues is just that: Blue Whale is trying to ride his bike, but it's not working, and that's making him sad. His friend Penguin is there to help, and together, they try to solve the problem. But something's still not quite right, and Blue Whale gets sad all over again. 

When Blue Whale and Penguin finally realize that what Blue Whale has been trying to ride wasn't a bike all along, this breaks the sadness, and they both explode in laughter. This is a simple book of friendship, problem solving, and getting out of a funk. 

Besides the content of the story - and the visual humor as the two animals try to ride a shopping cart, dry it off (under the ocean, that is), and attach helmets that are actually cooking pans - this is a delightful story to read because of the clever, mixed-media illustrations. It adds another layer of whimsy to objects that aren't what you think they are but are doing just fine in their new roles. 

Oh, and also, your kids will love hearing you sing the blues as you portray Blue Whale's laments!

It's that book that illustrates the power of whimsy and friendship in a dull situation. 

Book benefits: 

• Lighthearted story reinforces the power of friendship to pull you out of a slump
• Story gives voice to a fresh musical genre: the blues!
• Illustrations are playful and highlight the beauty of mixed media (and would be a fun project to imitate!)

Buy Blue Whale Blues here! ($11.99, hardcover)

"'Can I come?' asked Cat. 'I can do the sound the engine makes when it starts to wiggle and jiggle...'" So speaks one of the sweet characters in this playful book about make believe. Jez Alborough's Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book (published by Kane Miller) is a sure winner for anyone in your life under the age of, well, 99. Let me explain.

While Farmer Dougal is asleep, Sheep climbs into his big red tractor and starts pretending to drive, making the noise when the engine is turned on: "BA-AA-A-A-A-A". Along comes Cat, who asks to join in with the "PURRRRR" of the engine as it wiggles and jiggles. The animals are quickly joined by Turkey, Mouse, Goose, and Cow, each of whom has their own sound to contribute to the make believe game. Soon, they are replicating the tractor's noises so well, Farmer Dougal wakes up, certain someone is driving away with his tractor! But when he looks out the window, all he sees are his animals peacefully grazing in the field near his tractor.

I'm a big fan of this book because (1) the animals just pretend to drive the tractor (much more playful and safe!), (2) everyone contributes to the game in a unique way, (3) it's all about effective collaboration, really, and (4)
(3) the noises are so much fun to read aloud with kids! 

It's that book you can't resist reading aloud, loudly.

Book benefits:

• Sturdy hardcover book with large, full-color pages are perfect for family read-alouds
• Illustrations are brightly colored and whimsical
• Story encourages imaginative play (what other noises would you add to the tractor?)
• The story invites conversation about collaboration and teamwork

​Buy The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book here! ($15.99, hardcover)

Here's my two-minute preview:

"...so don't wake the panda whatever you do." This is the recurring theme of Pandamonia, a playful picture book from Kane Miller (written by Chris Owen and Chris Nixon) about the possible implications of waking a blissfully sleeping panda. This is a book you and your kids will love to read together because of the whimsical illustrations, the goofy storyline, and the lyrical rhythm and rhyme.

The essential storyline of this book is that you need to be careful of waking a panda because of the riot that might ensue. The story itself outlines the snowball effect of this possible occurrence: the hippos will create a hullabaloo, which will make the termites tickle the toes of the elephants, which will make the zebra, giraffe, and hyenas laugh, etc. etc. - until all chaos ensues! ...so don't wake the panda whatever you do.

I have to say, I love this book not only as a parent of toddlers, but as a high school English teacher. Straightforward books with strong rhyme and rhythm are ideal for teaching poetic form to students, and a book where these aims are achieved with playful content is going to be more effective than a classic poem students may find stuffy before they even give it a chance.

And here, we have the added benefit of some excellent vocabulary! kerfuffle, shimmy, yakking, fandango, and palaver are all words that make an appearance in this book. I'll admit, I had to look up palaver! (it's a prolonged and idle discussion, btw.) 

The animals themselves will spark curiosity. Your kids will recognize zebras, crocodiles, and grizzly bears... but jabirus? echidna? galahs? There are plenty of animals within the pages of this book to spark further exploration. And I love books that are worth repeated readings not only because they are fun stories, but because the details spark curiosity and questions that require investigation.

It's that book that'll get you jumping and dancing and giggling... just don't wake the panda whatever you do!

Book benefits:

• Playful text that will keep kids engaged
• Strong rhyme and rhythm help kids recognize poetry mechanisms
• Repeated line encourages text prediction
• Book is full of new vocabulary and animals

Buy Pandamonia here! ($12.99, hardcover)