Emma Kate by Patricia Polacco is a story about Emma Kate and her best friend. They are inseparable, they do everything together including going to school, riding bikes, going to soccer practice, and they even get their tonsils taken out at the same time! The illustrations are done in beautiful pencil drawings  with only a select few vivid color details on every page. With a surprise twist at the end you may want to reread this book!

Gerald cannot stop sneezing.  And when an elephant, even a baby one, is sneezing LOOK OUT!  What if he is allergic to pigs?  After all, his best friend is Piggie!  What is he to do?  Gerald decides to visit the doctor.  He continues sneezing.  Is he allergic to cats now too?  Read Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems, another of his delightful Elephant & Pig  gie books, to find out what is wrong with Gerald.   

Yes, another blog about children's author Mo Willems. Mr. Willems is well liked by many library employees and I must confess I think he is great also. You can't miss with his delightful Knuffle Bunny series of books and his Pigeon books are so funny. Now Mr. Willems has a new Easy Reader series starring Gerald the Elephant and Piggie, and my favorite in this series is Are You Ready to Play Outside? Piggie wants to go out and play but when it starts to rain she becomes very upset because you just can't play in the rain! Gerald tries to help in any way he can until the two of them learn from some ecstatic worms that playing in the rain can be great fun! If you're looking for an easy Easy Reader for that new reader in your family please try the Elephant and Piggie books. They have simple dialog, great pictures and they are funny too! Now, meet and listen to Mo Willems as he talks about his books and characters:

Mo Willems is best known for his Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny series, however his Gerald the Elephant & Piggie series is full of great humor for both children and adults. The friendship and adventures shared by this pair are written in a text that is easy enough for children to read on their own, but fun to read together.

The latest in the series, We Are in a Book! Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read, but what will happen when the book ends. Be prepared for more laughs and silliness with Elephant & Piggie.

Check out all the other books in the series, as well as other books by Mo Willems.

Need a hug?  Want company? You'll be laughing and feeling "warm fuzzies" after reading Peanut by Linas Alsenas.