The Boy Who Longed for a Lift

The Boy Who Longed for a Lift by Norma Farber

Illustrated by Brian Selznick

1997

     A boy's family welcomed a baby into their home, and as the parents focused on the new arrival, the boy embarked on a solo journey.  He walked a long way and as he got tired he cried, "Who'll offer me a ride? Who'll carry me far and wide?"   A brook carried him first, followed by a boat, a trout, a snail, a horseman, a gull and the rain.  Finally, he decided to continue his journey afoot until he made his way back home. "His father ran out, strong and swift, and gave the boy a lift." (This time around, the baby is the one being ignored.)

     The Boy Who Longed for a Lift is told in rhyme.  The illustrations by Selznick are wonderful and there are many hidden details to discover during careful readings; there are world landmarks drawn in some pages as well as clues as to what the boy will ride next.     The repetition and rhyme, as well as the adventure theme, make this a nice read aloud.

Pete's a Pizza

Pete's a Pizza by William Steig
1998

     Pete was in a really bad mood because, just when he was ready to go outside to play with his friends, it started to rain.  His father, noticing that Pete looked miserable, "thinks it might cheer Pete up to be made into a pizza."  Pete's father lays him down on the kitchen table and starts pretending that he's pizza dough, kneading him, stretching him, and even tossing him up in the air.  The game continues until the pizza has all the toppings (with a tickled session in between steps) and it's placed in the oven (the couch). "It's time to slice our pizza," said Pete's father. "But the pizza runs away," and as his parents capture him and hug him, Pete sees that the sun has come out so he can go outside and play.
     This entertaining story about pretending to be pizza dough is based on a game that William Steig used to play with his younger daughter.  I'll guarantee you that once you read it out loud at home, you'll be asked to play it as well.  The illustrations are simple with ink and watercolors over a white background which pair perfectly with the text.  Pete's a Pizza is also published as a board book, so you can share it with the youngest ones at home.  A fun game/tale by the amazing Steig.
  

Mitchell's License

Mitchell's License by Hallie Durand
Illustrated by Tony Fucile
2011

"Mitchell was three years, nine months, and five days old when he got his license." He never wanted to go to sleep so his dad came up with a master plan: to let Mitchell drive to bed. Mitchell's drivers license allows him to drive his dad all over the house by riding on his shoulders. He checked the car's tires (dad's shoes), the engine (through dad's belly button), the windshield (dad's glasses) and using dad's ears as his steering wheel, they take off running all over the house. Their final destination: Mitchell's bed. And so begins a new routine to be perfected night after night, always culminating with an exhausted dad and a sleepy Mitchell tucked safely in his bed.
Mitchell's License is a blast. Riding on dad's shoulders and pretending that he's a car is full of clever and funny situations. My son loves this book and all the funny images, like when Mitchell drives his father into a wall, or when he takes him to the gas station (the kitchen) to fill up (with chocolate chip cookies). The illustrations by Tony Fucile (who also illustrated Bink and Gollie by Kate diCamilo) are hilarious. This is a great book for fathers and sons to share at bedtime.

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