Here’s a fun one for the pre-k-kindergarten set.  Neil Gaiman, Newbery award-winning author of The Graveyard Book, is back with a very cute picture book about a little panda that has to sneeze.  What really makes this book, though, are the incredibly colorful and rich illustrations by Adam Rex, reminiscent to me of Pete & Pickles, a real favorite of mine and with older students in my library.

When Chu sneezes, bad things happen.  Chu visits the library with his mom and looks like he needs to sneeze.   When he visits the diner with his dad, he looks like he needs to sneeze.  My students appreciated my theatrical “almost sneezes” and then laughed when adorable Chu said “No,” he didn’t have to sneeze.  Then, Chu and his parents visit the circus – you know – then one with the really big tent?  Chu tries and tries to tell his folks, who are enthralled by the circus, that he needs to sneeze.  No one listens.  Oops.  That sneeze not only knocks down the circus tent, but also everything in the library and diner too, much to the delight of my students.

If you’re looking for a hit with your younger students, you’ll enjoy Chu’s Day.