“ROBOT ZOMBIE FRANKENSTEIN!” by Annette Simon, Candlewick, Hardcover, April 24, 2012, $16.99 (ages 3 and up) Two robots, both very alike. Maybe too alike. But Robot can take care of that. A few changes here, a few changes there, and Robot becomes Robot ZOMBIE! Well other Robot can’t let that go — enter Robot Zombie…

“CHOMP!: A Pull Tab Book,” by Accord Publishing and Heather Brown,  Feb. 7, 2012, $7.99 (ages 3 and up) One thing most animals have in common is they’re chomping ability.  Crocodiles smile, leopards growl, polar bears yawn, orangutans laugh, sharks chomp and lions roar. All of these things are displayed in “Chomp,” which features die-cut…

I’ve never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day. There’s something about being told when to tell someone you love them that doesn’t sit well. Celebrating love should be a year-round action. That’s why I like the following picture books, which work as fun reading material any time of the year. “WHERE DOES LOVE COME…

“THE GINGERBREAD GIRL GOES ANIMAL CRACKERS,” by Lisa Campbell Ernst, Dutton Juvenile, October 13, 2011, $16.99 (ages 3 and up) It’s the Gingerbread Girl’s birthday, and the little old man and woman who made her excitedly give her a birthday gift of animal crackers to celebrate.  What could be more fun than some cookies just…

“ESTIE THE MENSCH,” by Jane Kohuth, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger, Random House Books for Young Readers, August 23, 2011, $16.99 (ages 3 and up) Estie prefers animals to people. Animals make fun noises, explore the world in interesting ways, and do all kinds of wiggling. People insist on talking to you, take fun toys away…

“CHIRCHIR IS SINGING,” by Kelly Cunnane, illustrated by Jude Daly, Schwartz & Wade, August 23, 2011, $17.99 (ages 3 and up) What small child has not wanted to help out at home and been brushed off because they were “just too little”?  Chirchir — the youngest of the family, but one — wants so much…

“LOVE, MOUSERELLA,” by David Ezra Stein, Nancy Paulsen Books, September 15, 2011, $15.99 (ages 3 and up) After a summer visit, Mouserella’s Grandmouse has headed back to her own house in the country, and Mouserella misses her.  When her mother suggests writing a letter, Mouserella gets to work. “Love, Mouserella,” is written and illustrated to…

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been holding on to returns and gift cards in hopes of avoiding the massive crowds that seemed to come out of nowhere this holiday season. You may be hoping to cash in on some new releases, and I can’t blame you. But if you’re still not sure what to…

It’s rare to give 100 percent approval to everything a publisher sends you, but in the case of Ammo Books, I have yet to be disappointed. My first introduction to the publishing house came in the form of “Charley Harper Colors: and “Counting in the Garden.” Both are amazingly beautiful books. They were followed up…

“THE CHRISTMAS PUPS,” by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by John Kanzler, Albert Whitman & Company, Aug. 1, 2011, $16.99 (ages 3 and up) Ruff, Tuff and Penny are cold. An icy rain is falling and the puppies are confused. They’re in a box on the side of the road. They’ve been left behind. Just as the…