| Title |
Author |
Why I Recommend This Book |
Personal Story (optional) |
Recommender |
The Pencil
|
Allan Ahlberg
|
A pencil is lonely so he decides to draw what’s in his imagination and names all the
ants, the people, a dog, cat and a pen to color the world. But when he draws an eraser,
his world starts getting erased. It’s funny and poignant with a great ending. |
When my kids were little, this is the one book I knew would always make them laugh,
and show concern for the pencil and his world being erased. And even though they knew
it had a happy ending, they practically cheered as the lonely pencil triumphs. There
are a lot of kids books that talk down to them, or use humor that appeals only to
a certain age. The rare ones are the ones I can’t wait to read too.
|
Lisa Walters, Psychology & ADC student, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, SBCC |
| Hawk, I'm Your Brother |
Byrd Baylor |
A boy's desire to fly inspires him to keep a pet hawk. Seeing that the hawk is also
now unable to fly, however, inspires feelings in him that he did not expect. |
My son grew to expect that I would get choked up every time I read this book to him.
|
Robbie Fischer, Biology Professor |
A Hunter of Fossils
|
Byrd Baylor |
Peter Parnall's beautiful illustrations compliment Byrd Baylor's prose immaculately.
I really recommend any book from this incredible duo. I was struck by the illustrations
first, and then was delighted to discover Baylor's distinctly Arizonan natural philosophy
that encourages a contemplative, personal communion with nature.
|
|
Shuie Iseli, Student |
A Visitor for Bear
|
Bonny Becker
|
This story is about Bear, who hates people, and a mouse who is very determined to
have tea with Bear in his house.
|
My mom used to read this to me and my brother, and my whole family still quotes, "Well,
you know the rest."
|
Beth, SBCC Student |
Minou
|
Mindy Bingham
|
Minou is a privileged siamese cat who lived in Paris with her owner, Madame Violette,
who died suddenly. Minou was out on the streets and met Celeste, a street-wise white
cat, who said, in essence: "Listen, Hon, you can't rely on your looks alone." The
story closes with Minou at her new job as a mouser at Notre Dame. The watercolor illustrations
of the Paris scenes are beautiful.
|
The book has Santa Barbara connections. Mindy Bingham, the author, was CEO/Director
of Girls, Inc. and Itoko Maeno, the artist/illustrator, taught children's art classes
which my daughter took. We named our white cat, "Celeste."
|
Kathy Bower, Returning Student
|
The First Dog
|
Jan Brett
|
This picture book has classic elements that appeal to kids–repetition, peril, and
gorgeous, detailed illustrations–as “Kip the cave boy” keeps getting interrupted from
eating his delicious “Woolly Rhino ribs” by a variety of predators. Every time Kip
finds a place he thinks will be safe, Paleowolf shows up, “looking for leftovers,”
and then uses his keener senses to detect a predator and run away. Paleowolf ends
up saving Kip’s life and becomes “the first dog.”
|
This book was a gift from a new English Department colleague, Dr. Melanie Eckford-Prossor,
whose daughter, a little older than my first son, had loved it. My son had a phase
when he acted it out, turning his hot wheel tracks into “Wholly Rhino ribs” and building
a couch-cushion cave for himself and his imaginary Paleowolf. What a precious gift!
|
Kim Monda, English Professor |
Fungus the Bogeyman
|
Raymond Briggs
|
I read Fungus the Bogeyman so many times when I was a kid my copy eventually disintegrated. We follow a typical
night in the life of Fungus, when he climbs up from the slimy underground hole he
shares with his beloved wife Mildew in order to frighten pathetic surface-dwellers
like you and me by making things go bump in the night. The album is dense with Charles
Addams-like jokes and mock-scholarly footnotes, which among other things taught me
the word "horripilations" (meaning goosebumps).
|
|
Kip Buis, Student |
Fred Gets Dressed
|
Peter Brown
|
Fred Gets Dressed is a delightfully fun and silly romp of a book that shows the beauty of self-expression
and circumventing traditional gender roles. Its unique color palette, brush strokes,
and depictions of light add a layer of whimsy and artistic enjoyment for child and
adult readers alike. |
|
Mae James, Student |
| The Quiltmaker's Gift |
Jeff Brumbeau |
This book is not only inspiring, as it demonstrates the power of generosity, but it
is a feast for the heart with the compelling story line and also a feast for the eyes
with the gorgeous illustrations. My children and I have spent hours just sitting with
and enjoying all the details in the illustrations on each page. It is relevant in
our day-to-day lives as well as in what is going on in our country as well as in the
world. I give it to every new mom for their baby shower and to children for their
birthday. Sometimes I just relish in the beauty of this book myself. |
This book with a counter-cultural message has engendered a generous mind-set in our
family. It is the antidote to the temptation to greed, entitlement, individualization,
materialism and self-centeredness. |
Jenny Cooper, M.S., Career Counselor |
| Big Wolf and Little Wolf |
Nadine Brun-Cosme |
The story begins with Big Wolf living contentedly alone under a tree until the arrival
of Little Wolf who passively settles nearby under the same tree. Big Wolf is initially
annoyed and keeps a vigilant eye on the new intruder. As time passes, Little Wolf
observes and begins to imitate Big Wolf’s daily regimen. This eventually transforms
Big Wolf into caring for Little Wolf through gestures of sharing space and food. Later,
Big Wolf’s fondness for Little Wolf’s company is threatened when Little Wolf disappears,
and he is forced to confront his profound sense of loss. Eventually, Little Wolf
returns and their reunion is heartfelt. |
I have identified with Big Wolf’s tendency to have a self-preserving existence which
doesn’t easily accommodate a change, especially when someone new enters your life.
That newcomer could be a neighbor, roommate, fellow worker, or sibling. And that
tendency could be attributed to any combined layer of fear, suspicion, pride, or control.
Whatever the reason, the tension between preserving “my world” and realizing the
value of friendship is something everyone experiences at some level. As in the story,
it may take only a simple gesture like sharing a space, or a blanket that leads to
a soothing for the ache of connection. |
Peter Rojas, Fulfilled Retiree |
Ramona the Pest
|
Beverly Cleary
|
Ramona Quimby is a spunky little girl who has entered kindergarten, and has all kinds
of adventures. You cannot help but root for Ramona, who is a bit of an outcast, and
does things her own way.
|
I read all of the Ramona books to my daughter, but Ramona the Pest was our favorite. There are parts that are so funny that we laughed out loud for
a long while: when she rides her tricycle after it loses a wheel, when she names her
doll Chevrolet. The original illustrations are magnificent. Once I brought a Ramona
book to class to show my students, and it was a joy to see their faces lit up in happy
recognition.
|
Eileen Vlcek-Scamahorn, Assistant Professor
|
| The Day the Crayons Quit |
Drew Daywalt |
An inventive story told through the vantage points of crayons, embodied as living
beings with personalities that reflect their color, wrestling with their varied stations
in life as artistic tools of children. |
I'll never forget when my young daughter once referred to me as acting boring like
a "beige crayon," one of her first understandings of metaphorical language, thanks
to this book. And a pretty good insult. |
Jenny Baxton, Professor of English |
| Eyes That Kiss in the Corners |
Joanna Ho |
A young girl who notices the difference in the shape of her eyes from her peers. She
came to accept and appreciate her Asian heritage. |
|
Sally Chuah, Librarian / Associate Professor |
The Trip to Panama (Original German Title: Oh, wie schön ist Panama)
|
Janosch (pen name for Horst Eckert)
|
Little Bear and Little Tiger are best friends. They live in a little old house by
a river. One day a wooden crate floats by which has the word PANAMA written on it
and it smells of bananas. They conclude that all of Panama must smell of bananas and
that it is the land of their dreams. So, they venture off to find it. After many weeks
of travel and some adventures they arrive at a wonderful place that they feel must
be Panama, but in fact their journey took them back to their old house where they
live happily from then on. |
This is a children's book that was not around when I was little, but I loved reading
it with my children and now with my granddaughters. I love the heartwarming story
about friendship and enjoying what you have and I want/wanted to share this with my
kids and grandkids.
|
Cornelia Alsheimer, Accounting Faculty
|
What Should Danny Do? and What Should Darla Do?
|
Adir Levy and Ganit Levy
|
Several books are in this fun, interactive “Power to Choose” series in which Danny
or his sister Darla go through their day making choices about what to do in a variety
of real childhood situations. Their superpower is “The Power to Choose” their actions.
At each choice point, there’s a question – “What should Danny (or Darla) do?” – and
the reader gets to pick a choice, then turn to the page that reveals the outcome of
that choice. Children as young as age five can understand the concept of choosing,
and that different choices yield different results. It’s a good message even for adults!
|
|
Nancy Keller, Retired SBCC staff and adjunct instructor; current SBCC student |
Julián Is a Mermaid
|
Jessica Love
|
This a book of exquisitely beautiful hand painted scenes, depicting the awakening
of tolerance for for self expression for a little boy who wishes to dress up as a
beautiful mermaid. It’s the winner of the Stonewall Book award and many others, translated
into over 19 languages, and is being turned into a feature length animated film. Highly
recommended .
|
|
Michael Adcock, Adult Ed Ceramic Instructor |
Mother of Sharks
|
Melissa Cristina Márquez
|
Mother of Sharks, available in both Spanish and English, is a stunning picture book written by globally
renowned shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez. Márquez empowers young readers
to deeply engage with the natural world and the ocean that is so enmeshed in our daily
lives here in Santa Barbara. Márquez also highlights the necessity of visibility of
women of color in STEM to act as role models for future generations. As she writes,
"we can't be what we can't see."
|
I also recommend The Great Pollinator Count by Susan Edwards Richmond (illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman).
|
Mae James, Environmental Science Major |
| One |
Kathryn Otoshi
|
This book uses colors and counting in a unique way that also discusses the importance
of speaking up when one observes something that is not right and how even just one
voice can inspire others to join together. I love this book and how it demonstrates
to young readers that their voice makes a difference in their world. |
I was introduced to this book by a fellow teacher and used it many times in my experiences
teaching preschool.
|
Christina Covarrubias, Student, Retired Preschool Teacher, Lifelong Learner
|
Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter
|
Aida Salazar and Molly Mendoza |
True story told by the grand-niece of the main character.
|
I recommended it in another class.
|
Louie Ayala, Student |
| Where the Wild Things Are |
Maurice Sendak |
I think we all read this book as a child, and I think we all should take a moment
to read it again. Sometimes, we just need a good short read, even as adults, that
helps us remember how exciting life is and how important big emotions are :) |
|
K Olmedo, Professor |
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
|
Dr. Seuss |
In its way, this is a philosophical book about one's ups and downs, done in the inimitable
Dr. Seuss style, with clever drawings. Anything is possible for the little explorer---until
it isn't. The kids I've read it to love seeing his good fortune return so he can get
back on his path. It's fun for the adults as well: Drama Dogs acting company once
did a staged reading for an adult audience. Oh, the Places You'll Go is an optimistic book that depicts life's challenges in an entertaining way. |
I read this book countless times to my grandkids and their friends until the were
much beyond picture-book age. In fact, they would probably still enjoy it as young
adults.
|
Jinny Webber, PhD, Professor of English, Emeritus |
| Where the Sidewalk Ends |
Shel Silverstein |
Growing up I loved Shell Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. I was drawn to the
poems because of their cadence and meaning but also loved looking through the book
at the various illustrations. It encourages us to look inside ourselves and form our
own beliefs, morals and values despite outside influence. I also like how it inspires
children to do things that seem impossible or “bigger than themselves.” |
|
Sadie Campbell, Student |
The Wonky Donkey
|
Craig Smith
|
This is my current favorite to read to anyone under five years old. |
|
Ellen Stoddard, Retired, Parent Education, SBCC Trustee |
| What Color is Love? |
Lou Spaventa |
Beyond the magnificent illustrations, there is discovery and exploration from the
perspective of a parent-child relationship. Instead of feeding an answer to the question
being asked from the child, the parent nurtures observation to inspire learning and
teaching to discover that there are many colors and origins of love. |
|
Erin Coulter, Executive Assistant |
| Minerva Louise |
Janet Morgan Stoeke |
A delightful and engaging series about a silly chicken named Minerva Louise for younger
children.
|
The illustrations are awesome.
|
Cheryl M. Guthrie, Student |
| Mel Fell |
Corey R. Tabor |
Mel Fell is a children's picture book that chronicles a young kingfisher's first flight that
begins with a plunge. Mel's adventure is documented with vertical page-turning as
opposed to the typical horizontal page-turning, which makes it extra unique!
|
My brother got this book for his daughter, and he loved it so much that he read it
to my entire family via Zoom. Great-grandmas, grandpas, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles,
and toddlers approve. This book is so cute!
|
Samantha Lewis, Student |
| The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig |
Eugene Trivizas |
The witty writing and truly beautiful drawings by Helen Oxenbury make this a book
that is for every age. As the title implies, it turns the familiar story on its head
as the sweet wolves build increasingly bigger, stronger and higher security homes
for themselves in order to fend off the increasingly more alarming attacks from the
Big Bad Pig. But despite the escalation, the creators find a way to bring us to a
completely joyful happy ending. |
I still remember the first time I read this book to my two boys when they were in
elementary school and it instantly became one to read and reread. We all laugh so
much every time and its message that it is better to lead with love than fear is one
that never gets old.
|
Katie Laris, Theatre Arts Faculty |
| The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig |
Eugene Trivizas |
It is a hilarious twist on the traditional story, with great illustrations, and a
thoughtful concept about peace and friendship. |
|
Margaret Prothero, Professor, Department of English |
Knuffle Bunny Free
|
Mo Willems
|
This is the third book in the Knufflebunny trilogy, which is about the relationship
between a young girl and her stuffed bunny, who she accidentally leaves behind.
|
I love Mo Willems, and read all of his books aloud to my daughter when she was young.
When I got to the end of Kunfflebunny Free, I was so moved by Trixie's action, I choked up and couldn't even speak for several
moments. If we think of literature as a means to build empathy, Knufflebunny Free is an important contribution to a child's sense of caring for others.
|
Eileen Vlcek-Scamahorn, Assistant Professor
|
| The Velveteen Rabbit |
Margery Williams |
Lovely story of a stuffed toy who, by virtue of how loved he is, becomes real. The
Skin Horse (an older, wise toy) tells the stuffed rabbit: Real isn’t how you are made,
it’s something that happens to you. Love takes a long time. It doesn't happen often
to people who break easily, or have sharp edges. By the time you are ready, you are
loose in the joints and very shabby.
|
Was my favorite.
|
Julia Offen, Student (Extended Studies) |
The Sugar Bear Story: A Barbareno Chumash Tale
|
Mary J. Yee (Illustrator: Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto)
|
The Sugar Bear Story is a delightful oral tale that has been passed down through generations and now lives
on through this children's book. The story is in both Barbareno Chumash and English,
and includes a glossary of the words used.
|
I was lucky enough to get to meet Ernestine when she visited the SBCC Native American
history class I took.
|
Mae James, Environmental Science Major |
Owl Moon
|
Jane Yolan
|
A young child spends time with their father and they see a great horned owl. Quiet,
intimate, tender and beautiful. One of my favorites for my dad to read to me.
|
My parents have always been separated in my memory. I had different books, toys and
things at their houses. Owl Moon was a book and a cassette that I had at my dad's
house. I don't know why I loved it so much at the time, but I have always liked walking
in nature and listening for birds. I think I wish my dad was more like the dad in
the story.
|
Daniella Alavi-O'Fahy, Nursing Student
|