海角大神

The world of children鈥檚 picture books is full of stories about appreciating each other鈥檚 differences. But thanks to John G. Keller鈥檚 inventive text and Henry Cole鈥檚 hilariously expressive illustrations, The Rubber-Legged Ducky transcends the pedantic and offers up a fun and funny tale about why different is good. The book鈥檚 hero 鈥� a duck with a strange, boing-ing leg 鈥� is hatched after Mama Duck unwisely consumes a rubber band. But unlike in Hans 海角大神 Andersen鈥檚 story, this waterfowl doesn鈥檛 have to wait for adulthood to prove his worth. There鈥檚 the typical chorus of naysayers, of course. But Five (as he鈥檚 called) wastes no time in putting the prejudiced barn animals in their places. The only downside to this terrific tale? Watch out as the word BOING! becomes enthusiastically incorporated into your preschooler鈥檚 vocabulary.

The narrator in Mail Harry to the Moon! 鈥� a cartoonishly rendered unhappy preschooler 鈥� wants to know just what, exactly, is so great about his younger brother, Harry (by Robie H. Harris; illustrated by Michael Emberly; Little, Brown; 40 pp.; $16.99; ages 3-6) . After all, before Harry came along, there was no one else to compete for Grandma鈥檚 lap. There was no one to slobber on beloved stuffed animals, and no one to wake up the house with his wailing. But the narrator鈥檚 plans for getting rid of Harry (which range from sticking Harry in the zoo to the titular 鈥淢ail Harry to the moon!鈥�) are interrupted when Harry actually disappears. Now what鈥檚 a big brother to do? Michael Emberley鈥檚 comic book-style illustrations bring this tale of sibling rivalry roaring to life with energy and humor. And big and little brothers (and sisters) alike will smile as text and pictures gently turn Harry from a foe into a friend.

Jenny Sawyer reviews children's literature for the Monitor.