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There is a dedicated writer who sends me manuscripts so regularly that I recognize his handwriting on the envelopes.
I have had to reject every manuscript he has sent.
His grammar, punctuation, and spelling are always flawless. It’s the stories that are…not what they need to be. It is as if he has no idea how or what to write for children. It seems like he may not have read a children’s book since he last put down a Hardy Boys mystery two or three decades ago. The rejections became so numerous that I felt I needed to send him more than the usual polite refusal. My hope was that if he took my advice, he might achieve his dream of writing a children’s book that will be accepted by a publisher and enjoyed by readers.
My advice to this man, and to everyone who wishes to write a book, is regularly visit bookstores and libraries. If you are writing for children, you need to read children’s books. The same advice goes for writers writing mysteries, romances, or craft books: read the books your audience is reading.
Staff at bookstores will recommend the books they’ve read and enjoyed. Librarians will happily talk to you about what kids like to read. You can look at the sections in bookstores and libraries and see how much shelf space is given to a genre. What kinds of books are on the shelf? Read those books. Borrow lots of library books. Buy books that you admire and keep them on hand. How did that author interest you in opening the book? Why did you turn the page? Why did you keep reading until you finished the book? Give some thought to these questions as you read.
Then go back to your manuscript and keep writing.
—Jacquelyn C. Miller
By: Catherine,
on 2/22/2016
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I know we just passed Valentine’s Day and have not yet reached St. Patrick’s Day, but holiday books have been on my mind. Recently I read-and rejected-a Christmas story that had many of the red flags I hope not to find in a manuscript. I feel bad for authors when I send rejections, as I know that their heart and soul are poured into their work. As I’m already thinking about the catalog for the fall and the publication schedule for next year, now seems like a good time to share my thoughts-scattered as they may be-on writing holiday books for children.
What am I thinking when I pull a holiday story from the stack of manuscripts waiting to be read? First, I hope that it won’t be written in rhyme. Too many people seem to think that stories for children must be written in rhyme. Rhyming is well and good if it suits the story, and the writer doesn’t try to force the rhyme. Yet I often find myself muttering, “Prose is a good thing. Give prose a chance.” as I go through manuscripts with an 8:2 rhyme to prose ratio.
I also hope that the story is about a holiday other than Christmas. Halloween is the second favorite for holiday stories, but Christmas holds a strong lead in the holiday stories submissions stakes. I’m quite fond of Christmas, but there are other holidays where new books would have a better chance of being noticed.
Then there is the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Syndrome. That’s my phrase for when a writer uses a popular character in a story without researching if it is in public domain. Rudolph has an interesting copyright and trademark history. I won’t go into that here, but if you use a copyrighted/trademarked character in your story, two things happen. The words “copyright issues” come to my mind. I also immediately discard the manuscript.
Check out what holiday books are available. Think about what makes them work well. What ideas do you have that would appeal to readers? Find out what the publisher chooses to publish.
Don’t include illustrations. Publishers have art directors who find professional illustrators for projects.
Then send it to a publisher. We are always looking for the next holiday classic.
What holiday books has Star Bright Books published?
Visit www.starbrightbooks.com to see our holiday books.
Now what?
You have a picture book idea. You’d like to write a children’s book and have it published. Where do you turn to learn the process of writing a children’s book and submitting a manuscript?
You should start at your local library. Libraries not only have books on writing and publishing, but the Children’s Room is filled with books you should read to get a feel for what makes a picture book a pleasure to read to a child.
Notice how the text is spread out on the pages. How does the author describe the action, the characters, and use the dialogue to move the story along? Look at the name of the publisher in the front of the book. Notice what kinds of books each publisher chooses to publish.
At Star Bright Books, some of the books we have published recently are:
Do you have a manuscript that would be of interest to us?
If you want to submit a manuscript to a publisher, please visit the publishers’ website for the guidelines.
Visit Star Bright Books to see our
guidelines .
Please follow the guidelines if you want your manuscript read.
FYI: Publishers find the illustrators for the manuscripts they accept. You don’t need to have your story illustrated. You can add notes about how you picture a scene, but remember that editors are used to imagining what a book will look like.
What’s the worst thing you do? The worst thing you can do is to call the publisher to pitch your idea. You aren’t likely to get to speak to an editor, and you show that you haven’t done your homework.
Let me recommend a terrific book about getting a children’s book published. It’s The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold Underdown.
Harold Underdown is an editor with a wealth of experience.
Harold also has a
websiteyou should visit regularly.
The Friends of the Dallas Public Library recently started giving away copies of Read to Me by Judi Moreillon to new parents at the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Read to Me encourages family members to read aloud to their children. It’s a nice gift to welcome a baby to the community.
You can
read the January 30, Dallas Morning News story about how the Parkland Health & Hospital System has partnered with the Dallas Public Library and the Friends of the Dallas Public Library to give babies born this year a copy of
Read to Me, a board book about reading to babies and children.
The Dallas Morning News followed up with an editorial on February 2, congratulating the Friends of the Dallas Public Library for their efforts promoting early literacy skills that will help the children in the Dallas community.
Reading to Your Own Baby
For all the families who don’t own a copy of
Read to Me, what tips can I, as a librarian, offer you about reading aloud to your children?
First of all, relax and have fun. The attention you are giving your child is making your child happy. You might think of yourself as a “bad” reader, but your child thinks you are a superstar.
Board books, those heavy cardboard books, are good for children 0-2 years of age. Board books are meant to be chewed, hugged, thrown and loved. Chewing is normal. Babies test their world with their mouths. That’s why publishers make books safe for babies to put in their mouths.
What should you read to a child? Infants and toddlers like books with photos of other babies. Your baby will probably pat the books when they like a face on the page. Infants will enjoy hearing your voice no matter what you read.
Older toddlers enjoy books about numbers, shapes, colors or ABCs. Rhyming books are a good choice too.
There is no rule that you have to read the whole book at one time. If your child gets up to run around, that’s okay. Books can be picked up and read at a later time. Or, if your child chose one of those really long stories and YOU are tired, you can just read one sentence or make up a story about the picture on the page.
Now go read a book to your baby and have fun sharing a story together.
By: Catherine,
on 2/4/2016
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Valentine’s Day is the second largest card sending holiday. Christmas is the biggest one.
Who gets the most cards? In this order, teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets receive most of the cards.
According to the Greeting Card Association, approximately one billion cards are exchanged on Valentine’s Day.
Children, between the ages of 6-10 years of age, exchange more than 650 million cards.
Valentine’s Day isn’t always filled with hearts and flowers. Humorous or caustic Valentine’s Day cards were created by John McLaughlin of New York in 1858. These are known as “vinegar valentines.” At one point in the 1800s, the Chicago U.S. Post Office refused to deliver 25,000 Valentine’s Day cards. The staff thought the messages were too nasty.
See more of these heart day jabs A kiss on Valentine’s Day is supposed to bring good luck all year. May you receive lots of kisses and luck on February 14.
You and the children in your life might enjoy two Valentine stories available through our website, your local bookstore, or at Amazon. We promise that there is no vinegar in either of these Valentine stories!
Bee My Valentine by Miriam Cohen How can the first-graders make George feel better when he receives very few Valentine’s Day cards?
A Sweetheart for Valentine by Lorna Balian Share this book from your childhood! A humorous tale of a town trying to find a sweetheart for their giant friend.
By: Star Bright Books,
on 1/29/2016
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Lorna Balian’s classic
Humbug Rabbit is now
available in a new edition just in time to welcome spring.
After a long winter, it’s a pleasure to look forward to Easter Sunday, colored eggs, and egg hunts. Throw in a mystery and a tricky cat and the fun is doubled!
Granny is preparing a an Easter egg hunt for her grandchildren while in the burrow below her house, the Rabbit children are convinced that their father is the Easter Bunny. (A mouse told them so.) “Humbug!” announces Father Rabbit. “Rabbits don’t lay eggs.”
Eggs disappear, are found, and disappear again. What is happening at Granny’s house? Laugh along as you see who discovers the Easter eggs and the surprises that are hatching all over the place. Humbug Rabbit is a perfect read aloud book for children of all ages.
For readers who enjoy madcap fun, there is The Great Eggscape by Susan Glass. Puns abound in this riotous tale of two rotten eggs running amok mashing potatoes, tossing the salad aside, and causing food fights galore. It takes one smart cookie to beat these two bad eggs.
JM
By: Kara Rowland,
on 1/6/2016
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Come Meet our Authors and Illustrators
at the ALA Mid-Winter Conference
Boston Convention Center
January 8-11, 2016
Booth #1940
January 9, Saturday at 2:00 PM
Ellen Mayer, Ying-Hwa Hu, and Betty Bardige Red Socks and A Fish to Feed
"Informative, and joyous read for both parents and child " Kirkus Reviews
A Fish to Feed is shortlisted for the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy Awards
January 10, Sunday at 11:00 AM
Ying-Hwa Hu, Cornelius Van Wright, and Rebecca Hu-Van Wright The Barefoot Champion, Alicia's Happy Day, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and more!
January 10, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Deborah Slier Hidden Letters
By: Kara Rowland,
on 12/9/2015
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Here's a sneak-peak of our February 2016 title, Grandma is a Slowpoke that has already been reviewed by Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Review
Written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by Michele Coxon, Grandma is a Slowpoke is a simple story that delivers a joyous message to young readers- to pause, stop and be present with the creatures around us. Janet Halfmann’s delightful story encourages children to observe nature. Michele Coxon’s exceptionally fine illustrations bring life to the creatures on each page, and make the animals so endearing.
“Halfmann gracefully delivers a message about living in the moment, while closing details about the animals that appear should intrigue wildlife enthusiasts.”
-Publishers Weekly, Dec. 2015
“Halfmann’s nature walk from a child’s perspective is spot-on, neatly capturing the grandparent-grandchild dynamic….. A sweet celebration of intergenerational slowpokery.”
- Kirkus Review, Dec. 2015
If you thought to yourself for maybe even a moment that one of the “bad eggs” in The Great Eggscaperesembled one of the out-spoken candidates in the race for presidency – you were correct. If you thought to yourself for maybe another moment that the other “bad egg” resembled a famous, former talk show host- you were also correct. Illustrator Cornelius Van Wright based the two main characters on Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell. The puny plays on words in this book are as entertaining as the recent Republican debates and the ongoing feud between the two celebrities.
Cradle Me, written by Debby Slier celebrates Native American families and shows how they carry their babies. It also encourages caregivers to teach children to say the words in their own languages.
“It is impossible for me not to have positive feelings when I look at the faces of babies. Debby Slier's Cradle Me had me happily gazing at the faces of babies from eleven different tribal nations in their cradle boards.” – Debbie Reese (American Indians in Children Literature)
In Loving Me, also written by Debby Slier, babies and toddlers will discover the importance of family relationships through the charming photographs of Native American families.
Cradle Me and Loving Me are available in Navajo English
By: Star Bright Books,
on 10/26/2015
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It’s always nice when we see our books being shared! Too Small
to Fail, an early literacy initiative of the Clinton Foundation posted a
video that shows children reading Red Socks (by Ellen Mayer,
illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu) and having fun together in an unusual place,
a laundromat! This initiative turns an everyday task such as a trip to
the Laundromat to help lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning
that turns laundry time into reading time. This initiative will equip
5,000 laundromats in communities with resources for families
to engage in language-rich activities. Make sure to check out the video
to learn more! Our fabulous illustrator, Ying-Hwa visited the
laundromat and had a fun time reading Red Socks to children.
On October 17th 2015, Green Light Bookstore, an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, NY, hosted an interactive story time with local author Michael Gervais. Gervais read aloud as children listened to his book The Barefoot Champion. In his book, a young boy in Harlem brings home a brand new pair of Nike Black and Red Double Dunks, and is already able to see his future as an NBA star. After the reading, children were able to draw their very own All-star shoes. This book evokes all youthful dreams that were able to be inspired at this event.
Thank you Green Light Bookstore for hosting Michael Gervais’s reading of The Barefoot Champion!
Yet how many of us know that in many states across the county hanging clothes outside to dry is “illegal”? “Unsightly,” that is one of the reasons it is banned. But things are changing. The Governor of California has signed the bill to prohibit banning drying laundry outside and California becomes a “Right to Dry” state, where the very smell of the sun that inspired Anderson to create Smelling Sunshine.
Although Anderson says she claims no responsibility for the new law, her book, Smelling Sunshine is certainly an inspiration to many people to look at drying laundry differently and reminding them how enjoyable and communal it can be. Let alone saving energy.
We remember when we first received Anderson’s drawings of Smelling Sunshine, how extraordinarily beautiful it was that captures one of the most ordinary chores in our daily life, that is somehow lost in the electronic driven, over developed world we live in while it still exists in much of the world.
Editor of Nolo.com, Bray wrote a nice piece about the new law, quoting Anderson’s heartwarming message. “When we hung laundry together, we slowed down to take in the sights and smells and sounds of the world around us, which brought us closer. Then, at the end of the day, I would pull up the covers and that wonderful smell of the outdoors and its memories, what I call the smell of sunshine, was in the sheets.”
To read a full article of Bray, click here. http://blog.nolo.com
By: Star Bright Books,
on 9/30/2015
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Spook the Halloween Cat, by Dean Norman, tells the story of two very different witches and a magical, mischievous cat. A witch, Hexabell, comes across a lost kitten and grants him magical powers. On Halloween night, she takes the newly magical cat out for a ride on her broom. The cat slips and falls to the ground. When Karen, a young girl dressed as a witch on Halloween night, finds the magical cat, she takes him home and names him Spook. Spook has a difficult decision to make: stay with the witch who gave him magical abilities, or give up his powers and stay with Karen who loves him very much. In a comic book format, this colorful laugh out loud Halloween tale will not leave you spooked!
What does a witch do when her witchy spells and potions don’t turn out right? This is the dilemma that faces our little witch when her witchy plans just don’t go the way they’re supposed to. Written and illustrated by Lorna Balian, one of the most beloved children book authors, Humbug Witch tells the story of a little witch but with a twist. We often hear from our readers that this is a book generations read together–a mother’s childhood favorite becomes her daughter’s favorite Halloween tale. Humbug Witch is an endearing classic that delightfully surprises readers at the end.
It’s a dark and spooky Halloween night, and little witches abound in this rollicking, rhyming adventure. Witches, by Cheryl Christian and illustrated by Wish Williams tells the story which features all the fun, fantasy, and treats – but none of the tricks – of a Halloween night to remember. What’s uniquely memorable about Witches is amongst the capering and masked fun witches, readers see little witches with braces on their legs and in wheelchairs. The importance of including children of all abilities, a value that Star Bright Books prides itself on, is quietly, yet vividly presented in this book.
Papa Gave Me a Stick has received a warm review from School Library Journal. Maria D. Salvadore, a former librarian of the District of Columbia Public Library and a current reviewer for the publication praised the book's illustrations, which "are soft, gently colored, creating a sense of place." She, additionally, mentioned the book's plot, pacing, and useful Spanish glossary as some of the book's other notable facets, all of which contributed to a story that had "the form and cadence of a folktale."
Star Bright Books would like to thank Ms. Salvadore for her kind and thoughtful review.
By: JudeQuinn,
on 7/15/2015
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Ellen Mayer, author of the recently published
Red Socks and
A Fish to Feed and the forthcoming
Cake Day and
Rose's Laundry Day, has a brand new website! At
ellenmayerbooks.com, visitors can learn about Ellen's career as a children's book writer, upcoming author events, parenting resources, and, of course, information regarding her wonderful new titles. With a number of different pages which host a whole collection of information accented by Ellen's charming creative flair, the website has something to offer anyone looking for an introduction to this talented author and her lovely books.
Here are just a few highlights of the website:
A wonderful introduction to the Small Talk Books collection, which highlights the series many benefits for parents, caregivers, and teachers. Links to more information regarding each book have also been provided.Also included: just a few of the comments the series has already attracted from notable readers.A very useful resource page which includes links to Dr. Betty Bardige's book Talk to Me, Baby! How You Can Support Young Children’s Language Development and to parenting organizations Too Young to Fail and Zero to Three. Dr. Betty Bardige's constantly-updating twitter feed is also included on this page.
For more information regarding Ellen Mayer and her books, please visit either her website or the website of Star Bright Books,
starbrightbooks.com.
By: JudeQuinn,
on 6/19/2015
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Martin Kratt, co-creator of the hugely popular PBS series "Wild Kratts," was introduced to Star Bright Books at a recent performance. Kratt, along with his brother and show collaborator Chris Kratt, are currently on tour promoting the show, as well as their work in the field of wildlife advocacy. It was at a sold-out performance in Providence, Rhode Island that Nellie Gest (pictured above), the niece of What Animal Needs a Wig? writer and illustrator Abigail Fuller and Frances Baldwin, delivered a copy of the book into the hands of the television star. Martin Kratt was apparently very enthusiastic about the gift.
By: JudeQuinn,
on 4/21/2015
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It was just a few months ago that Star Bright Books had the opportunity to read about Neil Wollman and Abigail Fuller, the writers of the wonderful book
What Animal Needs a Wig?, in an article that profiled both the title as well as its inspiration. We were delighted by the fact that someone found our title interesting enough to research and report on it; now, we are even more excited that it has happened for a second time!
In an article featured in the Journal Gazette, a news publication of Northeast Indiana, writer Jamie Duffy highlights not only the title, but also the interesting family dynamic that inspired the husband and wife to write a children's book. Having both worked as professors at Manchester University in Indiana, the dinner table was a place where Abigail and Neil, and their families, could turn knowledge into jokes and riddles. And with a lot of research, organization, and the illustrations of Fuller's sister Fran Fuller Baldwin, these dinner-table conversations became a 48 page, highly entertaining children's books, of which we could not be more proud.
We would like to thank Jamie Duffy for writing this wonderful article, which is available in its entirety here:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/Family-finds-humor-in-animal-world-5829554For the first article featuring
What Animal Needs a Wig?, feel free to revisit our earlier blog post:
http://starbrightbooks.blogspot.com/2015/01/star-bright-title-makes-headlines.html
Star Bright Books would like to thank the Barnes & Noble of Holmdel, New Jersey for selecting
Madison's Patriotic Project,
Madison and the Two Wheeler, and
Madison and the New Neighbors by Vanita Braver as advertised "Top Picks in Picture Books" (alongside the beloved classic
The Giving Tree, nonetheless!). We are very excited that we have had the opportunity to work with Vanita to share Madison's many thought-provoking adventures with the world, so we are touched to hear that people share our excitement.
Seeing our titles on display was just a small piece of this month's Barnes & Noble excitement, however; in addition to the display, Dr. Vanita Braver, a noted child psychiatrist and author of the "Madison" series, lead a workshop titled "Creating Confident Writers." By examining research-based techniques that enhance the writing process, Dr. Braver provided the audience with several tips and tools for early writing instruction. If the and excited and delighted smiles in the pictures below serve as any indication, the event looks like it was a huge hit!
Once again, Star Bright Books would like to thank the Holmdel Barnes & Noble for hosting this event. We, as well as Dr. Braver, would also like to thank anyone who came out to this event. Your attention, support, and laughs were appreciated by everyone involved.
By: JudeQuinn,
on 1/8/2015
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A local newspaper based out of Manchester, Indiana has written an article profiling Neil Wollman and Abigail Fuller, the co-authors of the recently published
What Animal Needs a Wig?! The article (which can be expanded above) highlights both the lives of the co-authors, as well as the background on their hilarious new book.
In contrast to the research-based academic reports and activism publications that both Neil Wollman, a former psychology professor, and wife Abigail fuller, a current sociology professor, are accustomed to working on,
What Animal Needs a Wig? came about much more casually. During long trips to visit Fuller's family in Massachusetts,
Wollman would make jokes and puns with his family regarding animals. Curious to see if anything could come of it, Wollman decided to team up with Fuller and her sister, illustrator Frances Baldwin, to construct a compilation of well-researched, interesting, and funny factoids and puns about nature.
Everyone at Star Bright Books would like to extend congratulate Neil Wollman and Abigail Fuller for writing such an amazing book, and our warmest thanks to writer Eric Seaman for writing this article. For more information regarding
What Animal Needs a Wig?, please visit our website,
starbrightbooks.com
Everyone at Star Bright Books would like to extend our warmest thanks to anyone who attended the launch party for Harriet Can Carry It at the Old Town Newhall Library on November 1! To hear that almost 100 people were in attendance at the event is incredibly exciting and inspiring, and we greatly appreciate the support.
The event included a talk by the author about his journey as an author, the author's performance of his very own super-fun Harriet song, a silly auction, as well as the celebration of Harriet Can Carry It and all of its wonderful merit. For those who were unable to attend, no need to feel down; here are some awesome pictures of the event to lift you up!
Thank you Kirk Jay Mueller for putting together this awesome event and thank you everyone, once again, for your attendance and ongoing support of our book.
Online book reviewer Jen Robinson has written a wonderful review of Harriet Can Carry It on her website, jkrbooks.typepad.com. Newly available in both hardcover and paperback formats, Star Bright Books is very excited about the warm reception that Harriet is already garnering from readers.
With careful attention to detail, Ms. Robinson highlights elements of the plot, the descriptive writing and vocabulary, the illustrations, and the book’s animal glossary as some of the book's best aspects. Also commenting on the experience of reading Harriet, Ms. Robinson writes: “Harriet Can Carry It is an entertaining picture book that introduces kids to marsupials in a light, yet memorable manner. It would make a fun read-aloud for schools or libraries."
Here at Star Bright, we are very delighted to see words such "memorable" and "fun" appear in reviews of this title. In addition to the lessons that we hope Harriet will convey to its young readers (one of which Ms. Robinson comments on in her description of "the idea that it is ok to say no when people are making unreasonable requests"), it is one of our deepest wishes that this book, and others, will inspire readers to pursue reading as an activity that brings enjoyment, fun, and happy memories. As a children's book publisher, this is one of our fundamental goals, and we thank Ms. Robinson, as well as anyone who shares their thoughts with us, for continuing to inspire our devotion to this goal.
The full review can be found at Jen Robinson's Bookpage, at http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2014/10/harriet-can-carry-it-kirk-jay-mueller-sarah-vonthron-laver.html
In celebration of our BRAND NEW Star Bright title, Harriet Can Carry It, Star Bright Books welcomes anyone in the area to attend a launch party held by author Kirk Jay Mueller at the Old Town Newhall Library in Santa Clarita, California. The event, which will also include a signing by the author, will take place in the library's Community Room on Saturday November 1, 2014, from 2-4 PM. Full event details are available at the Events & Visits tab of the author's website, kirkjaymueller.com.
Here at Star Bright Books, we are incredibly excited for the impending publication of this book. Through every read-through and discussion of this story, our delight in experiencing the journey of Harriet, her little Joey, and the quirky characters that she meets has never weakened, owing in large part to the fantastic and imaginative storytelling of Kirk Jay Mueller. While this is Mr. Mueller's first children's book, he has told many stories throughout his life and career; as a teacher of 4th-6th grade students for thirty years, he made sure to set aside time every day to introduce his students to engaging stories, the writing process, as well as a song or two (Mueller is also a singer-songwriter). He now especially enjoys going into schools and classrooms, guitar in hand, to share his songs and stories with children.
For more information on the author, his work, and his future events and visits, please visit his website. For more information on Harriet Can Carry It, our other new and exciting fall titles, as well as the rest of our catalog, please visit our website, starbrightbooks.org.
I started this post hoping to be able to report on any kind of literary celebration that was to take place/has already taken place at some point throughout the month of July. Having missed both Read Across America Day (though respects should be paid to the late, great Dr. Seuss every day of every month of every year), as well as National Poetry Month (April, for those who are so inclined), I was disappointed to find that there wasn’t any nationally ordained celebration of books during the month of July. Sadly, the only celebrations that I could find for July were ones of national independence (fun fact: Canada Day is July 1st, and Bastille Day (France) is the 14th), food (Blueberries and Ice Cream, the foods of summer) and good manners (National Cell Phone Courtesy Month: take note, dinner-table occupants). To some of these I say, frankly but fondly, bah humbug.
In opposition, I propose that we use this month to appreciate all of the books that make us feel warm and welcome, like nice weather or a day at the beach. I propose that we use some of our down-time to experience the books, whether newly purchased or plucked from a dusty shelf, that stick out in our minds and make us feel inspired, moved, or fulfilled. For the parents of young children, these are the days that count; fill them with memories and love and beautiful words and stories. Pick up a book and hunker down with your little one, whether inside or outside, under the sun or by a fire, and help them as they embark on adventures that, while imaginary, are everlastingly valuable.
Here are some summer stories, courtesy of Star Bright, that would make a great start!
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Harriet Can Carry It
by Kirk Jay Mueller
Art by Sarah Vonthron-Laver
Follow Harriet the Kangaroo as she goes on an adventure to the beach with her little Joey. Looking for some time off after a long week at work, Harriet packs her little boy in her humongous pouch and sets off looking for some rest and relaxation. But appearances by her many marsupial neighbors make Harriet's journey both difficult and troubling, as Harriet tries to accommodate all of their requests to carry their things until finally....
Beach Socks by Michael J. Daley Art by Estelle Corke
No more shoes! No more socks! shouts the young boy in Beach Socks, a book by Michael J. Daley and Estelle Corke that mixes beautiful illustrations and charming descriptions in a delightful story of one child's day at the beach.
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By: JudeQuinn,
on 7/8/2014
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Star Bright Books
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Star Bright Books has recently been included in an American Academy of Pediatrics list of recommended titles for babies and toddlers! The list, thoughtfully titled “Books to Start a Lifetime of Reading,” is inspired by the organization's advice for all parents to promote “reading together as a daily fun family activity.” The academy, which has famously advocated for the development of early literacy skills in the past, previously stated that early reading "can enhance parent-child relationships and prepare young minds to learn language and early literacy skills." With this mission still a priority, the Academy has put together this list in the hopes of putting great books in the hands of every committed parent, and of inspiring a magnificent world of stories to take root in the ever-growing, ever-hungry, and ever-curious minds of young readers. Star Bright Books is both incredibly honored to be included on this list, as well as enormously proud of our growing collection of titles, titles that, in the warm words of the Academy, are "beautiful books for you and your children to enjoy!"
Books For Babies:
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My Face Book
by Star Bright Books
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Babies On the Go!
by Debby Slier
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Are You My Baby?
by Kathleen Rizzi
 | Carry Me
by Star Bright Books |
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Families
by Star Bright Books |
Books for Toddlers
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Hip, Hop
by Catherine Hnatov |
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How Many?
by Cheryl Christian |
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Big Box for Ben
by Deborah Bruss
Art by Tomek Bogacki |
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Animal Colors
by Brian Wildsmith |
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Amazing Animal Alphabet
by Brian Wildsmith |
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