Greatreads: Happy 2012! Happy reading!

A New Year’s Reunion by Yu Li-Qiong

Maomao is excited for Chinese New Year because it means her papa is coming home! Sometimes, the Chinese New Year celebration is the only time of year a migrant farm worker comes home during the year—precious family time indeed! Bright, bold illustrations fill Maomoa’s family’s reunion and Chinese New Year celebration. Candlewick Press, $15.99; ages 4-8

I Am Small by Emma Dodd

Join a baby penguin on a journey in a wintry world. The baby penguin is small, but the wind is strong, the sky is high, and the stars stretch far—how will the penguin do on the journey? Since, at the end of the day, home is where the baby penguin is the most important and biggest thing of all, all of a sudden the penguin doesn’t feel so small at all! Charming! Scholastic, $8.99; ages 2-4

Every Thing On It  by Shel Silverstein

Open a brand new book of poems this January and just keep right on reading. Inside the pages of this delightful book you’ll find a poem about a lizard in a blizzard and even a poem about an apple with one bite missing. This book has it all!  Shel Silverstein’s poetry and drawings will amuse readers of all ages and have you grinning and laughing all the way through!
Harper, $19.99; ages 8 and up

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

A seamless blending of two stories in words and mesmerizing pictures, “Wonderstruck” is an adventure your kids will enjoy. Ben’s story, told in words, starts at Gunflint Lake in Minnesota in June, 1977. Rose’s story, told in pictures, begins in Hoboken, N.J., in October, 1927.  When Ben takes off on an adventure to New York to find his father, an amazing adventure unfolds. Meanwhile, back in 1927, Rose is searching for her famous mother. These stories twist and turn until they come together in an amazing way! Scholastic, $29.99; ages 9 and up

The Snow Blew Inn by Dian Curtis Regan

Emma is waiting for her cousin to arrive for a sleepover, but will the snow’s arrival spoil it all? As more guests arrive, the inn gets crowded and Emma worries that her cousin, Abby, won’t be able to come to the sleepover. Finally, Emma even gives up her own room and settles down in the parlor with some popcorn. Just then, Abby finally arrives! Enjoy t his delightful winter warm-up!
Holiday House, $16.95; ages 4-8

It’s Snowing by Gail Gibbons

Have you ever wondered just when a winter storm watch turns into a winter storm warning? Did you know that it snows on all seven continents? These are just a couple of the amazing snow facts you’ll find out in this brightly illustrated, entertaining, and enlightening book about snow!
A great January read!
Holiday House, $17.95; ages 5-9

Jennifer Galvin is never far from her children, a paintbrush, or a good book. You can find her on the web at www.jennifergalvin.com.
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Moms read too!
Family:  The Ties That Bind ... and Gag! by Erma Bombeck

If laughter is the best medicine, then pick up a dose of humor at your local library or bookstore.  We recommend this classic book by the late Erma Bombeck – America’s best-loved humorist.