“I think ideas are one of the things I do well,” says Susan Anderson-Newham, 2013 Mover & Shaker, block-play advocate, actor, writer, storyteller and, most importantly, the Pierce County Library System’s (WA) early learning supervising librarian. In this interview, Anderson-Newman talks about the importance of collaboration and a good sense of humor, why hands-on play is key to kids’ learning, her inspirations and passions, and her top picture books of all time.

Read More›››

Berenstain Bears Biggest Pet Show - app

The Bear family loves their pets and they take very good care of them. When the Bear Town Festival hosts a pet show, the Bear family makes sure their pets - Little Lady, Grace, Swish and their new bird, Keats - look and feel their best for the big day. Dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, bunnies, snakes and even skunks are all entered in the show. With such a diverse group, who will receive prize ribbons from Mayor Honeypot? => http://bit.ly/XZyEvW

Horton hatches the egg
Kind-hearted Horton the elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie flutters off on a vacation.

=> http://bit.ly/N4Shwj

Moo!

Matthew Van Fleet

EAN:978-0857073181
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
Published in: United Kingdom
Published: September 2011

Discover all the fun of the farm with this great new novelty book from Matthew Van Fleet. Following in the same photographic style as bestselling titles, Cat and Dog, this title will include pull-tabs, gatefolds and touch-and-feel elements.

Best price for Australians

or you can buy from

Bestselling picture book author Eric Carle will publish his first new picture book in more than four years in October. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse will be published simultaneously by Penguin's Philomel imprint in the U.S., and by Puffin in the U.K. Philomel has set a 300,000-copy first printing.

EAN:978-0399257131

Inspired by expressionist painter Franz Marc, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse tells of an artist who “paints the world as he sees it.” Said Carle in a statement, “When I was in high school, in WWII Germany, I was secretly shown works by the banned Expressionist painters by my teacher Herr Krauss. This was an experience that changed my life and had a deep impact on me.” Carle has written and/or illustrated more than 70 books, which have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.

Pre-order the book here:

or from:

Let's Go, Baby-o!

Janet McLean

EAN:978-1742375649
Format: Hardback
Published by: Allen and Unwin
Published: 1 March 2012

Let's Go, Baby-o! You and me! To the up, to the down and the turn around, to the wibble and the wobble, and the flip, flop hop. Then twist, twirl, whirrrl...When sleep-time is over, a little boy and his friend play action games, but in between they stop to look out the window. What do they see? Grandparents are digging in the garden, children are building a cubby house, the cat has her eye on the baby birds and the dogs have their eyes on the cat! Let's Go, Baby-o! is a fun-filled story for parents, grandparents, teachers and childcare educators to share with babies and young children. This book shows that learning language and playing games go together and will encourage the conversations between children and adults that are so important for children's development.

not available from

Baby Wombat's Week

by Jackie French

He sleeps. He eats. He gets bored.

He creates havoc wherever he goes!

He?s Mothball?s baby - and he?s even cuter, naughtier and more determined than his mum.

Created by writer Jackie French and illustrator Bruce Whatley, Baby Wombat?s Week is an irresistible new picture book by the award-winning duo of the international bestseller Diary of a Wombat.

The very long awaited follow up to Diary of a Wombat - the illustrations are as beautiful as ever and the simple story will be adored by young children. Best of all, Mothball herself features in the story. Adults with an appreciation of Australian wildlife and children's literature will cherish these books as well. Weaver has the obstinate behaviour of wombats down pat but her affection for the animals is very obvious.

Teachers Notes => bit.ly/er2ur5

Buy the book => http://bit.ly/gLXAkj target="_blank"

The Polar Express
by Chris Van Alsburg

One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children's book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he's produced. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder.

Watch the trailer

Ideas, lessons, printables, games, party fun, and much more

Lesson plans and activities

Lessons, resources and integrated units

Scholastic Lesson plan

Ideas, guides, activities and integrated units

Buy the book

Hetty's day out
by Pamela Allen

Hetty the cat wakes up, yawns, washes behind her ears, and pops through her cat flap into the bright sunlight. And what does she find in the big wide world? One plate of baked beans, two pork pies, three lamb chops - and that's just the beginning! This charming counting book follows Hetty on her big day out.

Merry Christmas, Splat
Written and Illustrated by Rob Scotton

The third hilarious story about Splat the Cat, the irresistible character from Rob Scotton, bestselling creator of Russell the Sheep Splat the cat can't wait for Christmas and is SURE he's been good enough for Santa to bring him all the presents on his Christmas list. But just in case Santa needs reminding of what an exceptionally good cat he is, Splat makes himself EXTRA helpful around the house. It's tiring work being helpful, but when Splat goes to bed on Christmas Eve he's kept awake by a worrying thought...Just how good do you need to be for Santa to visit? A charming Christmas story perfect for any eager child awaiting Santa's arrival.