“OPERATION ALPHABET: Ministry of Letters,” by Al MacCuish, illustrated by Luciano Lozano Thames & Hudson, Oct. 24, 2011, $19.95 (ages 4-8) Once upon a time there was a little boy named Charlie whose mum took him to a strange place called school. Poor Charlie; he loves to run and play, not sit in a desk…

“KING HUGO’S HUGE EGO,” by Chris Van Dusen, Candlewick Press, July 26, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8) At only 3-foot-3, King Hugo is not very large in stature. He does, however, make up for his physical size with his enormous ego. “Hugo was a cocky king — as boastful as could be. To him, no other…

“FULL MOON AND STAR,” by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Marcellus Hall, Abrams, Aug. 1, 2011, $16.95 (ages 4-8) Kyle and Katie are inseparable. The best friends do everything together. But that changes when Kyle decides to write a play about a full moon. Katie is surprised he would write it without her, but likes…

“TOM THUMB” by Eric Carle, Orchard Books, Oct. 1, 2011, $17.99 (ages 4-8) “Tom Thumb,” a picture book by Eric Carle is actually a compilation of four stories based on tales by the brothers Grimm — “Tom Thumb,” “The Fisherman and His Wife,” “Hans in Luck” and “The Seven Swabians.” Once upon a time, a…

“BIRDIE’S BIG-GIRL DRESS,” by Sujean Rim, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Sept. 5, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8) Tomorrow is Birdie’s birthday party, which means Birdie and her mother are very busy. Tomorrow Birdie will dance to her favorite songs and play her favorite games and share birthday cake with all of her friends. There’s…

“I WILL NOT READ THIS BOOK,” by Cece Meng, illustrated by Joy Ang, Clarion Books, Sept. 6, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8) You can’t make me read this book! In this case me is a little boy who has a lot more excuses to not read a book before bedtime than anyone could possibly have to…

“CHARLOTTE JANE BATTLES BEDTIME,” by Myra Wolfe, illustrated by Maria Monescillo, Harcourt, Sept. 6, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8) Charlotte Jane the Hearty has lost her formidable oomph. No one knows where it has gone. Charlotte Jane has had oomph from the day she came howling into the world with the sunrise. Her first words came…

“YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND!” by Peter Brown, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $16.99 (ages 4-8) Today is the day Lucy is going to make a friend, she just knows it. The forest is full of critters. At least one of them is gonna want to be her friend, right? Things start out well,…

“ZOOZICAL,” by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown, Knopf, Aug. 9, 2011, $17.99 (ages 4-8) The midwinter doldrums have arrived at the zoo. Blustery winds and frosty snow have kept families home. And the lack of visitors has made the zoo’s inhabitants grumpy. Just when it seems like nothing will go right, a very small…

“THE LITTLE PEA,” by Éric Battut, Sky Pony Press, Sept. 1, 2011, $16.95 (ages 4-8) There is a garden where a plant full of peas grows. All the little peas look alike and are happy, except for one. He hops out of his pod and wanders away, all the while asking himself what he would…