Catfish Kate and the Sweet Swamp Band by Sarah Weeks is a great story to read aloud. While Kate and her band want to play music in the swamp, some of the other animals want their peace and quiet. Luckily, Kate comes up with a creative compromise to satisfy everyone. This is a very fun story to read aloud because it has a strong rhythm and rhyming pattern throughout the book. If you like this book, check out some other books by Sarah Weeks such as: Bunny Fun, Overboard and Paper Parade.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown is one of our new picture books, located on the new shelf in the children's department. It is about a young boy named Liam who decides to grow a small garden in the midst of a new cement filled city. Before he knows it the whole city is becoming greener as his garden grows and his efforts inspire others to grow their own gardens. The pictures are busy and fun to look at again and again. This is a great book about spring, gardens and making a difference in the environment.

Little Pea loves spinach but hates the fact that he has to eat five whole pieces of candy (for dinner) before he can have any spinach (for dessert). Little Pea is a very funny story that children will delight in reading over and over, especially the picky eaters. If you like Little Pea, be sure to check out some of our other books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal:

• Little Hoot (same style as Little Pea)
• Duck!

If you enjoy dancing, you may enjoy some fun picture books about these little dancers:

Tessa's tip-tapping toes by Carolyn Crimi; illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington

Dancing class by H.M. Ehrlich; pictures by Laura Rader

Harriet dancing by Ruth Symes; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

Reading to children before they reach school age is critical to their success as future readers. Knowing this, the Plymouth Canton Community Schools has teamed with both the Canton Public Library and the Plymouth District Library to generate a list of "100 Picture Books Everyone Should Read" to get you started.

Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears: a West African tale by retold by Verna Aardema; pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon

K is for kissing a cool kangaroo by Giles Andreae; illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees