Alphabet Under Construction by Denise Fleming

Henry Holt and Company, New York, 2002.

Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-8050-6848-1.

Fleming's handy mouse is kept busy performing 26 different operations and using a variety of tools as he airbrushes, buttons, carves, dyes, erases... his way through the entire alphabet. Her signature fabric paint collage textures are colorful and engaging. A pull-out alphabet poster lives in the back of the book.

Fun for any storyhour where a variety of occupations are featured.

Assists in enhancing letter knowledge, as well as vocabulary of great nouns and verbs related to handyman functions.

The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003
Booklist Starred Review, 2002
Capitol Choices, 2002
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2002
ALA Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2002
ALA Notable Children's Books, 2003
Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee 2004
South Carolina Picture Book Award, Nominee, 2005-2006;

Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming

Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1998.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-8050-5745-5

Mama Cat has three kittens. Fluffy and Skinny carefully copy everything that Mama does. Boris naps. When Mama Cat finally curls up to nap with Fluffy and Skinny, Boris casually "stretches, yawns, washes his paws, and POUNCES on Fluffy, Skinny, and Mama Cat. Then Boris naps."

Fleming once again utilizes her unique textile and stencil technique to create brightly-colored, textured highlights of the cats outside in the natural world. Varying trios of insects and bugs adorn each page, as well as a curious mouse who peeks out from numerous hiding places along the way.

A lovely, whimsical read for toddler storytime about cats. The short refrain, "Boris naps", at the end of each kitty activity is easily picked up by the audience. Searching for the mouse and other creatures makes a good one-on-one time with a parent or caregiver.

Short sentences and very large text assist with print awareness and letter knowledge.

The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1999
Books to Read Aloud to Children of All Ages, 2003
Capitol Choices, 1998
Parenting Magazine's Reading Magic Awards, 1998
School Library Journal Starred Book Review, 1998
Charlotte Zolotow Award, Highly Commended, 1999
Great Lakes' Great Books Award Winner 2001
Michigan Reader's Choice Award, Nominee, 2001

In the Small, Small Pond / In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming

Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1993.                          
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-8050-2264-3.    

Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1991.
Hardcover edition, 32 pages, ISBN 0-8050-1635-X.

These twin jewels explore the wondrous creatures of pond and field respectively. With a mere two words on most pages, Fleming captures the sound and motion of insects, birds, crustaceans, amphibians, fish, and small mammals. Her unique textiled stencil art creates visual textures and interesting flecks of color, giving a luminescent quality to a child's discovery of the natural world and its fascinating inhabitants.

The large animal depictions, bright colors, and simple animated text makes these great picks for baby, toddler or preschool storytime.

Onomatopoeia and rhyming words enhance phonological awareness, while identification of the creatures will assist in vocabulary building.

In the Small, Small Pond was a 1994 Caldecott Honor designee.

In the Tall, Tall Grass won the following awards and honors:

Booklist Starred Review,1991
ALSC Books to Grow On, 2003
Books to Read Aloud to Children of All Ages, 2003
IRA Children's Choices, 1992
ALA Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1991
School Library Journal: Best Books, 1991
Please Touch Museum Book Award Winner, 1992  
Redbook Children's Picturebook Awards Winner 1991