Splish, Splash, Splosh! by David Melling

What do you get when you combine rhyme, ducks, and a kiddie pool? Another great book from David Melling! Splish, Splash, Splosh!  is a counting book filled with watery fun. Your youngster will be delighted to count from one to ten with the fluffy ducks as they go waddling, flapping, grinning, jumping, and splish, splash, sploshing away.

This book is adorable and funny. Even I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched the ever increasing number of ducks and their poolside antics. Simple text, loads of action words, and cute illustrations fill this one. Even if your child has a dozen counting books, you need to make room for this one.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hardcover: 22 pages
Publisher: Tiger Tales; Brdbk edition (March 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589256433
ISBN-13: 978-1589256439

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleepover by David Melling

Get ready for another zany Hugless Douglas book by author/illustrator David Melling. Douglas is all excited to be sleeping over at rabbit’s house. He packs plenty, because there is so much room at rabbit’s. On the way, he invites Little Sheep along, too. When Douglas arrives with a ton of guests for rabbit’s sleepover, there’s not enough space for everyone. How will they ever get to sleep?

This book is a riot. I’ve loved all three Hugless Douglas books, but this is my favorite. Silly antics and crazy pictures fill this book with tons of fun. Melling has such a wacky style that he creates wonderful characters that offer loads of comedic entertainment. I also love the hidden details you catch here and there along the way. The last two pages of this book have illustrations that match answers to the question, “What would you pack for a sleepover?” The sheep, rabbit, and some screwy birds help illustrate the answers.

Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleepover is a great book for bed time or anytime. I can’t wait to see what future adventures lay in store for Douglas and his friends.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Publisher Tiger Tales; Reprint edition (March 1, 2013)
Language English
ISBN-10 1589251164
ISBN-13 978-1589251168

I received this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Top 10 Picture Books of 2011

This took longer than expected. As I mentioned in my last post, selections this year were hard. In addition, I discovered I needed to segregate picture books for little kids (babies, toddlers, preschoolers) from those for school-age children. While some books could overlap between the two age groups, there was no way for me to compile a fair list if I lumped them all into one group. For books where I couldn’t find an age listing, I put them where I felt they fit best. I’ll start off with my Top 10 for the youngest category and then list the Top 10 in the older category.

Top 10 Picture Books for Preschoolers and under

• Ricky’s Christmas Tree by Guido van Genechten
• A Cat’s Alphabet Book by Sally O. Lee
• My Daddy by Guido van Genechten
• Going to the Beach with Lily and Milo and Going to the Zoo with Lily and Milo by Pauline Oud (I reviewed these together, so I am counting them as one.)
• One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano
• Oops! by Leo Timmers
• 1-2-3- Count with Me and A is for Apple by Georgie Burkett (Again, I reviewed these together and count them as one.)
• Ricky is Brave by Guido van Genechten
• Thankyouplease by Pierre Winters and Barbara Ortelli
• Ian’s New Potty by Pauline Oud

There are repeat names on this list, but I felt these authors and publishers truly knew how to create books attractive to this market.

Top 10 Books of 2011 for Ages 3 and up

• A Dog is A Dog by Stephen Shaskan
• My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Angela McAllister
• Will & Kate: A Love Story by Ink Robin
• Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner
• The Butt Book by Artie Bennett
• Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey
• The Dancing Clock by Steve Metzger
• Humbug, A Christmas Carol by Lee Baker
• My Name is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry
• Fifo “50 States” by Hayley Rose

Honorable Mentions

• A Christmas Secret by Candace Hall
• Frederico, The Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani
• The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger
• Marta’s Gargantuan Wings by J. Aday Kennedy
• Every-Day Dress-Up by Selina Alko
• Freckleface Strawberry Best Friends Forever by Julianne Moore
• Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson
• Don’t Worry Douglas! by David Melling
• Cinderfella and the Furry Godmother by Dixie Phillips
• Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure
• Secret Service Saint by Janet Ann Collins
• Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann 

Don’t Worry, Douglas! by David Melling

Douglas is back with an all new dilemma. When his father gives him a new wooly hat, he reminds Douglas to be careful with it. Then something terrible happens. His hat gets caught on a tree and ends up like a long string of spaghetti. His animal friends try to help, but Douglas is going to need to tell his dad what happened. That sure won’t be easy.

I fell in love with Douglas when I read the touching story titled, Hugless Douglas. Now David Melling is back with another Douglas story that will warm your heart and make you laugh. Don’t Worry, Douglas! is a beautiful book that teaches children the importance of telling the truth. What Melling does so well in this book is capture the feelings children go through when something has gone wrong and they must approach their parents. The book is filled with some well-meaning and some not so selfless friends, which is true of the environment in which children grow up in today.

Melling’s artwork in this one is superb. He is able to capture so many emotions with his illustrations: the glee of having fun, the shock of something unexpected, the despair of knowing you must face the music, and the joy of learning it will be all right.

This is one of my favorite series of books. I can’t wait to see what Douglas is up to next!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

• Publisher:Tiger Tales
• ISBN-10:1589251067
• ISBN-13: 978-1589251069
• SRP:  $12.95

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Hugless Douglas by David Melling

 Does anybody have a hug they can spare?

Poor Douglas wakes up one spring morning needing a hug. He steps outside and tries to remember what his hugs are like. They’re big, tall, and comfy. But everything he tries to hug doesn’t feel right or runs away. Maybe he’s just going to stay Hugless Douglas.

This fabulous and funny book written and illustrated by David Melling is going to become a quick favorite. Hugless Douglas is as touching as it is silly.  Melling is masterful in his telling of the story of a young bear who is seeking a hug and can’t seem to get one from anyone of anything.

The last two pages of the book contain some zany hugs your kids will probably try on you.

Hugless Douglas is a delightful book. I’ll be on the lookout for more books by David Melling.

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Publisher: Tiger Tales

ISBN-10: 1589250982

ISBN-13: 978-1589250987

SRP:  $$15.95

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