MUST READ: TIME FOR A BATH by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

The illustrations in TIME FOR A BATH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011) are SO spectacular, you'll run around your house/neighborhood/state showing them to people. ("You've GOT to see this!") Via amazing torn- and cut-paper collage, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page show some of the more unusual ways some animals take a bath. From spit (BLEAH!) to mud (BLEAH!) to nibbling cleaner shrimp (SUPER BLEAH!), suddenly water and suds don't seem so bad! Fun facts + INCREDIBLE paperwork = MUST READ!

MUST READ: THE GREAT BEAR by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder

I just read the most amazing PB! (It's vastly past my bedtime right now but I just to tell you right away.) THE GREAT BEAR by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Armin Greder (Candlewick, 2011) is unlike any other PB I can remember. Halfway through the achingly sad story of a mistreated captive circus bear, the text simply stops--leaving Greder's magnificent illustrations to tell the rest of the tale. The resulting ending feels... MORE that way. (A cautionary note: some of the illustrations of the--brilliantly rendered--angry crowd may be disturbing for very young readers.) Beautiful story + fantastically unique artwork = MUST READ!

MUST READ: LET'S BE ENEMIES

I thought I'd just have a peek around the bookstore. Then I saw this: LET'S BE ENEMIES by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Harper Trophy, 1961, renewed 1989). (I know I said I'd save money. But surely, books don't count!) When John tires of James' bossiness, he decides they are no longer friends and tells him so. What happens next is funny and rings oh-so Kid True! Perfect Kid Voice writing + Maurice Sendak's brilliant illustrations = MUST READ!

MUST READ: SMALL SAUL by Ashley Spires

I'm a sucker for a great picture book cover, and this one makes me laugh EVERY time. The protagonist of SMALL SAUL by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, 2011) isn't your average pirate: he'd rather redecorate than rampage, and his "tough" tattoo is a bunny. Will he ever fit in with his shipmates on The Rusty Squid? Funny illustrations + a fresh take on the "just be yourself" message = MUST READ!

MUST READ: BOY WONDERS by Calef Brown

Ever started a word game with a friend that turned into a no-rules IMAGINATIONFEST? Feel this again--illustrated!--with Calef Brown's BOY WONDERS (Atheneum, 2011). Peek into a boy's mind as it runs, no-rules, with do, is, are, if, suppose, would, does, any and how about through a variety of creative ponderings. (It had me at "Do bees get hives?") Brilliant wordplay + Brown's fantastically unique art = MUST READ!

MUST READ: A PET FOR PETUNIA by Paul Schmid

I am DELIRIOUSLY happy. I have always wished for the PERFECT skunk picture book.
I got my wish!
A PET FOR PETUNIA by Paul Schmid (Harper, 2011) is not your typical "child wants a pet" PB. Sure, there are the standard pleas and promises to the parents regarding feeding and walking and sanitation.
But Petunia doesn't want a dog or a cat...
Hysterical twist + witty text + delightful illustrations = MUST READ!