Jamberry

Hat and boot in hand, a boy and a bear set off on a delicious and raucous romp through Berryland. They frolic in strawberry fields forever, rumble and ramble in blackberry brambles, and topple their canoeberry with blueberries. Silly rhymes and a musical beat practically beg to be read aloud, preferably accompanied by dancing. New readers will giggle as they follow the fruit-frenzied pals on their berry adventures. Jamberry builds quickly in intensity and complexity, starting with "One berry, Two berry, Pick me a blueberry," and working up to "Raspberry, Jazzberry, Razzmatazzberry, Berryband, Merryband, Jamming in Berryland." Children will love discovering the subtle touches in Bruce Degen's illustrations: a frog climbing out of a hat, crackers and butter instead of lily pads, and a sign by the raspberry skating rink imploring skaters not to pick the jelly rolls planted nearby. Every character seems giddy with well-fed joy in this veritable jamboree of flavorful fun. Jamberry is a book best enjoyed on a gloomy day with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter

• Each Peach Pear Plum board book (Viking Kestrel Picture Books)
• Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?
• Big Red Barn
• Time for Bed
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Classic Board Books)
• Good Night, Gorilla
• The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear (Child's Play Library)
• Sheep in a Jeep (board book)
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Board Book)