The Queen of France by Tim Wadham

The Queen of France by Tim Wadham, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton, Candlewick Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0-7636-4102-3
There is something about this book...it is just delightful, but is also one of those incredibly simple books that perfectly illustrates a day in the life of a child. a child who can fully appreciate the "present" and use her imagination to take her all sorts of places. I would like this child: she is full of imagination and creativity and is perfectly happy to create her own fun!

The Secret Box by Barbara Lehman

The Secret Box by Barbara Lehman, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011, ISBN 978-0-547-23868-5
from book jacket: Lehman takes readers on a timeless trip to a world of messages left in secret boxes hidden in secret places.
This is one of those wordless books that has just enough mystery that it could take you anywhere! Open to interpretation, the illustrations are full of hints and intrigue.
See some of her other books (most wordless) at Amazon's author page.

Perfect Square by Michael Hall

Perfect Square by Michael Hall, Greenwillow Books, 2011, ISBN 978-0-06-191513-0
PS: A perfect square that is perfectly happy is torn into pieces, punched with holes, and otherwise changed but finds in each transformation that it can be something new, just as happy.
Great book to address happiness, contentment and change. Beautiful artwork would lend itself to a collaborative project with the art teacher. Eric-Carle-like paper is torn, shattered, cut, and hole-punched to create different objects. Maybe tie in with tangrams and math?!

Questions, Questions by Marcus Pfister

Questions, Questions by Marcus Pfister, North South Publisher, 2011, ISBN 978-0-7358-4000-3
What turns the rain on in the sky and brings the sun to make things dry?
How many shells are on the shore? Millions? Billions? Even more?
In 13 engaging couplets, Marcus Pfister opens children's eyes to the wonderous mysteries around them. from Book jacket

I love this book! The possibilities are endless! "How do seeds know how to grow...?", "Who paints the colors on the flowers...?", "How do birds learn how to sing...?" and a host of other questions that many children have probably asked an adult, and left the adult speechless. This book should spark many discussions and get some minds working: a little curiosity is a great thing!