All the Colors of the Earth, written and illustrated by Sheila Hamanaka
This book shows paintings of happy children with a variety of skin and hair colors.  This book is also available in eAudiobook format through Overdrive.

Bein' With You This Way, written by W. Nikola-Lisa, and illustrated by Michael Bryant
Several children from different backgrounds have a fun time at the park.    This book is also available in Spanish book format and Spanish Kit CD format.

Being Friends, written by Karen Beaumont, and illustrated by Joy Allen
Two young girls have some similar interests and some different interests.  They are very good friends, and love to spend time together.

The Colors of Us, written and illustrated by Karen Katz
Lena, the young daughter of an artist, has many friends and neighbors, each with differen skin and hair colors.

I Love My Hair!, written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, and illustrated by E.B. Lewis
A young girl named Keyana loves her hair, because she can wear it in a variety of styles created by her skillful and loving Mom.

This is the Way We Eat Our Lunch, written by Edith Baer, and illustrated by Steve Björkman     
Children all over the world enjoy a variety of foods for lunch with their families and friends.   This book includes three recipes as well as a glossary of different types of food.  

Whoever You Are, written by Mem Fox, and illustrated by Leslie Staub  
This book shows that children all over the world have many similarities, including loving their families, having emotions, and thinking about the future.    This book is also available in Spanish. 

Yo! Yes?, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Two boys meet and have a conversation using one word at a time.   This is a fun book for all children, including children learning how to read.   This is a Caldecott Honor book.

April is National Jazz Month.   Here are some books children and their loved ones may enjoy reading together:

The Candystore Man, written by Jonathan London, and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
In the 1950's, the Candystore Man plays saxophone and sells candy and other treats to the neighborhood children and teens.  If you look closely, you will see a newspaper with the heading "Charlie 'Bird' Parker Dead at Age 35."

Jazz Baby, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, and illustrated by Laura Freeman
Young children play a variety of musical instruments, dance, and have fun.

Jazzmatazz!, written by Stephanie Calmenson, and illustrated by Bruce Degen
A baby notices a mouse start to play jazz music on the piano.  Dog soon starts to accompany Mouse with his dog bones and bowl.  Who else will join the jam session?

Jazzy Miz Mozetta, written by Brenda C. Roberts, and illustrated by Frank Morrison
One evening, Miz Mozetta dresses up in a snazzy red outfit and takes a walk.   While walking, she thinks about dancing again.  What will happen next?

Lookin' for Bird in the Big City, written by Robert Burleigh, and illustrated by Marek Los
A teenage trumpet player looks for Charlie "Bird" Parker, a famous saxophonist.   This story is inspired by the famous trumpet player Miles Davis.

Rent Party Jazz, written by William Miller, and illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb
Sonny goes to school, works part time, lives in New Orleans in the 1930's.   When Sonny's mom loses her job, Sonny learns about a special way to help out.

Rum-a-Tum-Tum, written by Angela Shelf Medearis, and illustrated by James Ransome
A girl who lives in the French Quarter of New Orleans in the early 1900's observes street vendors selling their goods with poetic and jazzy words.  Whom will she see next?

Like many toddlers his age, my son loves trains. He enjoys taking train rides – local commuter lines are great for short trips. With CalTrain or BART, you can easily plan a ‘bounceback’ trip where you go to a station and switch to a train coming the other way after a short wait. We also have two picture books in heavy rotation currently...

Jamberry, story and pictures by Bruce Degen

This one combines trains with berries. The illustrations are wonderfully detailed and whimsical, and the poetry is catchy and fun. My son can pretty much recite most of the book already – which is a great confidence booster for developing early literacy skills.

Freight Train, story and pictures by Donald Crews

Kids can learn the colors and different names for freight with this concept book. Each freight train features bright colors, and the train moves through different scenery. My son finds some hardware to point out each time. I’ve also made a felt version of this story – contact me if you’d like a copy of the pattern!

What’s your toddler’s favorite train book? Please share in the comments.

Groundhog Day happens every February 2nd.  Here are some fun books that you and your family may enjoy on Groundhog Day, or any other time of the year. 

Double Trouble Groundhog Day, written by Bethany Roberts and illustrated by Bryan Caulay is a fun book that features sibling rivalry between groundhog twins Gregory and Greta.   One evening, Grampie Groundhog decides to hand over his weather forecasting duties to one of the twins.   Grannie Groundhog decides that the twins should draw straws to see who will take over Grampie Groundhog's duties.

Go To Sleep, Groundhog! written by Judy Cox and illustrated by Paul Meisel is about a Groundhog with insomnia.   Groundhog goes to bed on Columbus day and sets his alarm clock for February 2.   Groundhog has trouble sleeping, so he goes above ground a few times to take walks.   While above ground, Groundhog sees interesting sites and discovers new holidays.   If you look carefully at the pictures, you will frequently see a little mouse, Groundhog's pal.  

Substitute Groundhog, written by Pat Miller and illustrated by Kathi Ember, is another fun Groundhog Day story.   Groundhog has a bad flu, and he needs to find a substitute to take over his duties.  Whom will Groundhog choose?  Read and find out!

Other fun books include:
 

• Gregory's Shadow, written and illustrated by Don Freeman
• Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day! written by Abby Levine, and illustrated by Nancy Cote
• Groundhog Gets a Say, written by Pamela Curtis Swallow, and illustrated by Denise Brunkus
• Groundhog Stays Up Late, written by Margery Cuyler, and illustrated by Jean Cassels
• How Groundhog's Garden Grew, written and illustrated by Lynne Cherry
• It's Groundhog Day! written by Steven Kroll, and illustrated by Jeni Bassett
• Punxsutawney Phyllis, written by Susanna Leonard Hill, and illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Enjoy stories about Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or maybe Dinosaurs!! Children will also make a craft based on the story of Goldilocks, but limited only to their imagination. All supplies will be provided. This program is for children ages 3 and up and their families/caretakers.  This program will take place on Thursday January 24, 2013 at 10:30 at Biblioteca Latinoamericana.

Disfruten una hora de arte y cuentos sobre Ricitos de oro y los tres osos o tal vez Dinosaurios! La biblioteca proveerá los materiales para la hora de arte.  Este programa es para los niños de 3 años en adelante y sus familias o niñeras.  Vengan a la Biblioteca Latinoamericana jueves, el 24 de enero, 2013 a 10:30 AM. 

Other books you and you family may enjoy include:

Goldie and the Three Hares, written by Margie Palatini, and illustrated by Jack E. Davis

Rubia and the Three Osos, written by Susan Middleton Elya, and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Goldilocks, retold and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson

Hurray for Three Kings' Day, written by Lori Marie Carlson and illustrated by Ed Martinez is a story about a girl named Anita and her family, and how they celebrate the Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany.   The family's celebration begins on the evening of January 5, and continues into the evening of January 6.   This book is also available in Spanish.   

The Legend of Old Befana: an Italian Christmas Story, retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola is a gentle story about Old Befana, who visits the children of Italy on the Feast of the Three Kings to leave them gifts.

Strega Nona's Gift is another delightful story by Tomie de Paola.  The reader learns about many Italian holidays, including the Eve of Epiphany, where it is believed that all animals can talk.   The author recommends another book, Celebrating Italy by Carol Field for additional information about Italian holidays.  

All of these books have interesting plots, cultural details, and beautiful illustrations.   Happy Reading!