Penny and Her Marble

Hot off the presses- Kevin Henkes's Penny and Her Marble. I immediately ordered this from the library, and we've already read it many times. The irrepressible mouseling, Penny, is back. She and her doll, Rose, are out on a walk near Mrs. Goodwin's house when they discover a lovely blue marble. Penny slips it into her pocket and dashes home only to be confronted by guilt. Will her conscience get the best of her? 

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes is a favorite of Ivy's, but I think I have read Owen 15 times in the past few days.  Owen owns a fuzzy yellow blanket that accompanies him everywhere, much to the dismay of his parents and their nosey neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers.  As school rapidly approaches, Owen's parents try a myriad of ways (all suggested by the omniscient Mrs. Tweezers) to stop Owen from taking Fuzzy to school.  In the end, perhaps Fuzzy can go to school after all thanks to some quick thinking done by mom!  For anyone who has ever struggled growing up or giving up a favorite blankie...

If there is a book I have read more than Owen recently, it is Chrysanthemum.  Chrysanthemum absolutely loves her name.  She and her parents think it is perfect until...Chrysanthemum goes to school.  Some of the other girl mice giggle and say her name is too long.  After all, it does not even fit on a name tag!  After a few discouraging days at school, the poor little mouse hates her name.  Then, Mrs. Twinkle, the music teacher, arrives at school and dazzles the mice with her voice.  Will she be able to turn things around for a poor, broken-hearted mouse?

O.K. This is not a Christmas book, but Ivy just loves Kevin Henkes's My Garden.  A young girl tells the reader the magical things that will happen/appear in her dream garden.  The pictures and subdued colors are fun.  It is simple and easy to read - good for a younger audience as well!