Kid Konnection: Fun New Picture Books

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you two fun new picture books.

Summary: "While walking through a toy store, the day before today, I overheard a crayon box with many things to say..." Once upon a time, Shane DeRolf wrote a poem. It was a deceptively simple poem, a charming little piece that celebrates the creation of harmony through diversity. The folks at the Ad Council heard it--and liked it so much that they made it the theme for their 1997 National Anti-Discrimination Campaign for Children. Following on the heels of nearly a year's worth of televised public service announcements, Random House is phonored to publish the picture book, illustrated in every color in the crayon box by dazzling newcomer Michael Letzig and conveying the sublimely simple message that when we all work together, the results are much more interesting and colorful. -- Random House

THE CRAYON BOX THAT TALKED by Shane DeRolf and illustrated by Michael Letzig is an adorable hardcover picture book that's the perfect size for little hands. However, it also introduces an important message about cooperation and acceptance.

The premise behind this powerful short story is that a little girl hears the crayons in a box bickering with each other so she decides to bring it home with her. After she creates a picture using all of the colors, the crayons realize that each one is special but when they work together they create something complete!

I found THE CRAYON BOX THAT TALKED to be so sweet and I loved the messages about diversity and acceptance. What I didn't realize until I sat down to write this review is that the book was based on a poem written by Shane DeRolf that celebrated harmony through diversity. This poem was chosen by the Ad Council and used as the theme for the 1997 National Anti-Discrimination Campaign for Children. Just a little tidbit for those of you interested in things like that!

THE CRAYON BOX THAT TALKED is a sweet little picture book with a very special message. Highly recommended.

Summary: Little Frog lives with his mommy and daddy. It's just the three of them, and Little Frog likes it that way. But one day, his parents tell him he is going to be a big brother—to NINE tadpoles!

Little Frog is not impressed with his baby siblings. They can't jump. They can't play drums. They can't do anything! All they do is keep Mommy and Daddy busy—too busy for Little Frog.

But with a little time, big brother realizes that tadpoles grow into little frogs, just like him. And having nine new playmates makes his family better than ever. -- Knopf

LITTLE FROG'S TADPOLE TROUBLE by Tatyana Feeney is a terrific book for toddlers and especially ones who are going to be big brothers or sisters. It has a good message about accepting new family members and the illustrations are as cute as the story!

Little Frog is an only frog and likes having his mother and father to himself. One day, his world is rocked when his parents tell him that he's going to be a big brother to nine tadpoles. Little Frog is frustrated that the baby tadpoles can't do anything... except require his parents' attention.

But one day, the nine tadpole turn into little frogs who can actually play with him, and Little Frog realizes that his family is even better with his little brothers and sisters!

Of course, I enjoyed this story about a big brother realizing how special his family is but it was the illustrations that really won my heart. They are simple and only use lime and pink, but they are just adorable. The dotted font was even the perfect complement to Little Frog's story!

LITTLE FROG'S TADPOLE TROUBLE is a delightful book and perfect for younger children who are facing a new sibling!

Thanks to the publisher for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!