By: Kara Schaff Dean,
on 2/27/2011
I recently read the latest picture book by British author and illustrator Ruth Brown, Gracie the Lighthouse Cat. Ruth Brown is not the household name that she should be in the United States, taking a back seat to more famous picture book Browns; Margaret Wise and Marc being the ones which spring to mind. Ruth Brown draws the natural world with a balance of delicacy and vigor, and her
By: Kara Schaff Dean,
on 1/15/2011
Do You Have a Cat? by Eileen Spinelli My rating: 3 of 5 stars My favorite Eileen Spinelli books are the ones where she tells a story, Such as "Sophie's Masterpiece" or "Something to tell the Grandcows", but she does generic quite well, too. I particularly liked the nod to famous cat-owners throughout history. Helps to set this one apart from other cat-lover books. View all my reviews
By: Kara Schaff Dean,
on 8/14/2009
Okay, when I saw the title of this book in the Publisher's Weekly Fall Children's preview I got excited because I had images of cockney wide-boys dancing in my head. One look at the cover has disabused me of that notion, and a visit to Urban Dictionary has enlightened me to the fact that "geezer" is a term used in the US as well as the UK, although the connotation is completely different. I guess
By: Kara Schaff Dean,
on 7/21/2009
We've just had an extended family visit, which has put me in mind of this jaunty and joyful collaboration between Cynthia Rylant and Stephen Gammell. Combining oft-repeated text, numerous references to food, and energetic colored pencil illustrations, The Relatives Came perfectly expresses the loving claustrophobia of a family visit, and then the bittersweet stillness when they are gone. The
By: Kara Schaff Dean, the Yankeerat,
on 6/25/2009
It's an even ten this week!NMD read to me:Humpty Dumpty Climbs Again by Dave HorowitzNo Bows! by Shirley Smith Duke, illus. by Jenny MatthsonWorst Best Friend by Alexis O'Neill, illus. by Laura Huliska-BeithI read to NMD:A Book by Mordeicai GersteinBusy Bea by Nancy PoyderLibrary Mouse: a Friend's Tale by Daniel KirkMaybelle, Bunny of the North by Keith PattersonSpoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal,
By: Kara Schaff Dean, the Yankeerat,
on 5/20/2009
Hee! This perennially popular story is still funny. But how to deal with the issue that kids today are already young enough to ask, "What is a typewriter?"(photo taken from Oregon Children's Theatre blog.)
I'd add Boris from Mama Cat Has Three Kittens. The Grumpy Cat is another favorite of mine.
We LOVED Cross Country Cat! For some reason, even though we don't have any cats, due to allergies, that particular book was read over and over. The attention to detail made it SO believable.<br />thanks for sharing this wonderful theme!
I love Grumpy Cat, too! See, I knew I'd forget someone.
And I forgot to mention: one of my current illustration students is the niece of Jack Gantos.
I'm glad you liked the post, Jamie. Yowl-me-yow!
What a beautiful post about cats. Ruth Brown's books look gorgeous. I know some cat lovers who are going to appreciate these books.
Thank you, Roberta. Picture books really provide a treasure trove for cat lovers.