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Happy Saturday everyone! I know I'm glad it's the weekend and I'm sure you all are too. Four fun selections for you this week...well...three fun and one kind of serious, but still worth your time. Enjoy!

Mathilda and the Orange Balloon by Randall de Seve and illustrator Jen Corace

Mathilda is a sheep, surrounded by other sheep. Boring, gray, and dull. Until she spots an orange balloon flying by and she decides that SHE is an orange balloon. Of course, the other sheep just laugh at her, but Mathilda realizes that she can be absolutely anything she wants to be, as long as she can imagine it.

Oh, Mathilda, you're so inspiring! This cute read aloud is definitely a unique spin on the classic "you can do it all" theme. It will be funny for your kids to imagine this small, gray sheep as a big, orange balloon, but then the message kicks in, opening up a nice discussion for your family. Kids can be anything they want to be!

Ooh and Jen Corace, the illustrator, also illustrated all of Amy Krause Rosenthal's "Little" books. How fun is that?!

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
Randall de Seve
32 pages
Picture Book
Balzer + Bray
9780061726859
February 2010
Review copy received from publisher


Captain Small Pig by Martin Waddell and illustrator Susan Varley

The simple yet sweet story of a pig that just wants an adventure. And an adventure he gets when he convinces Turkey and Goat to go out for a row in a boat. That is, until Pig falls asleep. Uh-oh...

A charming little story that is a nice choice for bedtime. The illustrators are adorable and the insistence of this cute little pig is completely inspiring. I really enjoyed this one! Great for a family read aloud before bed.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5


Captain Small Pig
Martin Waddell
32 pages
Picture book
Peachtree Publishers
9781561455195
March 2010
Review copy received from publisher


Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper

This was my laugh-out-loud pick of the week. And in a time where cupcakes seem to be