What's Up? Picture My World by Severine Cordier

TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

SCHOOL IS OUT!

UH, OH. MOMMY FORGOT THE KEYS.

TOMORROW WE'LL MAKE IT EVEN BIGGER!

Every day there is something new. In everyone's world there are good days and bad days, things that don't go well and things that go your way.

Swing high day and sit and cry day. First days and last days. Happy Birthday party day and big-wave-washes-the-castle-away day. Splash-go-rocks-in-the-river day. Push-the-bowl-of-spinach away day. Singing-in-the-rain day and bury-the-dead-bird day. Two-scoop-ice-cream-cone day, or, Oops! It-melted-all-over-my-shirt day!

The world of the preschooler is filled with new experiences, and Severine Cordier and Cynthia Lacroix portray many of them in their new Picture My World (Owl Kids Press, 2012). Illustrated with cheery drawings a bit reminiscent of Charles Schulz, this book pictures the world as seen in the daily lives of many preschoolers. Open-ended pictures give youngsters and adults much to discuss. "What do you think is happening here?" is a good leading question to spark discussion, about a picture of three kids huddling in a pretend boat (or tent, or cave) or one lone girl pouting in a corner. A sturdy picture book read-aloud or a fine sit and "read" alone book for the preschool set.