Author Showcase – David Shannon

I love David Shannon Books and so have every child I have ever had the pleasure of reading them with. When I volunteered for Frontier College when I was in university my reading buddy would choose No David every time it was available.  If you are new to this author/illustrator I hope you check his books out soon.

A Bad Case Of Stripes is about a little girl so worried about impressing others that she keeps changing and loses who she really is. This story is a cautionary tale about being yourself, and not being yourself. A great book for older preschoolers and young elementary-aged children. At 4 my son is starting to get the message of this book but has enjoyed reading it and giggling at the antics for some time now.
Alice The Fairy is such a sweet book about a fairy who is still learning the ropes. I love the spells she casts and kids relate to her type of magic, I promise! I love that this book is about a fairy but not the Disney idea that we are so often bombarded with. It’s fresh, fun and I can’t wait for my daughter to enjoy doing more than using it as a teether because I know she will love it.

Duck on a Bike tickles my funny bone. I love this book, the message is awesome too. Just because it’s never been done before doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try! Also how cute is a duck riding a bike? The illustrations by David Shannon are amazing and your child will love the farm animals.

No, David! is probably the author’s best known book, in it we follow the misadventures of little David and his eventual dicsiplining and hug from his mom! This book is a wonderful gateway into talking about rules with a class, I have successfully used it as a reminder about rules and why we have them. Kids love watching other kids do naughty things , so this book is always a hit with toddlers on up.

Too Many Toys In Too Many Toys, little Spencer has way too many toys, a sight all too familiar. The toys cover the floors and spill down the hallway. They cover the yard and the bathroom. But, Spencer’s toys were becoming a household hazard. Spencer’s mom (perhaps one of the most relatable moms in a picture book ever) finally loses it when she trips on railroad tracks while carrying a load of laundry. She haggles, bribes, coaxes, and threatens Spencer to start getting rid of toys. Spencer’s mom is victorious when there’s a giant box full of toys to be banished, but when she returns from a tea break, she discovers the toys emptied all over the hall. There’s Spencer, astronaut helmet on, sitting in his new cardboard rocket. Forget all the toys – the box is the best toy EVER! ( review by Amy Kraft )