Storytime Line Up: Audrey Wood Author Study

This week we spent time reading several of author/illustrator Audrey Wood's wonderful titles.  With over 30 children's books to her credit, we had plenty of books to choose from.  Wood's stories are often playful, humorous, and quirky, drawing in young listeners.  Be prepared to read and reread what will sure to be new fan-favorites.  Audrey Wood is both an author and illustrator, but some of her titles are collaborative works with her husband, Don Wood or her son, Bruce Wood.  For more information about this creative family, check out their website!


These are the books that I had on-hand for storytime, but check your local library for all of Audrey Wood's stories.

Blue Sky by Audrey Wood (ages 2-5)
This is Audrey Wood's newest title.  It's a simple story with only two words per page, but each page packs a lot of punch.  We got through the day and see how the sky changes with each page turn from sunny to stormy to a rainbow to night time.  The illustrations provide a lot to look at and discuss with your little reader.  

The Deep Blue Sea by Audrey Wood (ages 2-5)
A collaboration with son, Bruce Wood, this cumulative tale showcases vibrant colors blue, red, green and more.  The repetitive "in the middle of the deep, blue sea" begs to be chanted throughout.  

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood (Ages 3-6)
This is a Caldecott Honor book illustrated by Don Wood.  In the story, the  lavish king is spending the day in the bathtub, refusing to come out to eat, battle, dance or anything else and no one in the court seems to know how to solve the problem.  

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood (Ages 2-5)
As the reader, you are quietly invited into the conversation between the narrator and the quiet, little mouse who has just uncovered a juicy strawberry ready for the pickings.  Little mouse never says a word, but gets right to work to rescue his treat from the possibility of a big, hungry bear - and you might get to help!

The Napping House by Audrey Wood (ages 2-5)
Somewhat in the style of "The House that Jack Built", The Napping House is a delightful romp for nap time, bed time or any time!  That cozy bed at granny's house gets piled high with folks and critters until one tiny, harmless flea sets to motion waking everyone up.  The repetitive text is filled with great vocabulary (slumbering and dozing and snoozing) and the softened illustrations bring us from a grey raining day to a bright, sunny rainbow afternoon.  
* A Cozy Up and Read all time favorite.

Piggies by Audrey Wood (Ages 2-5)
Large-sized print and short simple phrases carry this story of a child's piggies - or fingers.  The detailed illustrations give enough for the big kids to grab onto and the busy, sometimes naughty piggies will make every child smile.  A terrific bedtime story.

Piggy Pie Po by Audrey Wood (ages 3-5)
This book is filled with three short, rhyming stories about quirky and humorous Piggy Pie Po.  Great for a one-on-one lap read.

Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood (ages 3-7)
Every child can start to think about all their different moods and feelings after reading Quick as Cricket.  A book of similes, the story compares this child to wide variety of animals - sometimes you're big and sometimes you're small; sometimes you're loud and sometimes you're quiet.   

Silly Sally by Audrey Wood (ages 2-6)
Get ready for giggles - Silly Sally is really silly.  She's trying to get to town, but does everything backwards and upside down.  


* A Cozy Up and Read all time favorite.