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Access is also granted to bibliophiles throughout Africa who read using a mobile phone. This digital library currently features 28,500 local and international titles.
Here’s more from the press release: “The titles donated are The Supreme Gift, an adaptation of Henry Drummond’s famous sermon on love written to appeal to all faiths; Christmas Stories a collection of ten Christmas tales accompanied by Paulo’s ruminations on a life well lived; and Stories for Parents, Children, and Grandchildren, a collection of timeless and magical tales from around the world retold by Paulo and illustrated by his wife, Christina Oiticica…Worldreader currently works with over 250 authors from around the world including Stan Lee, Tad Hills, Nnedi Okorafor, and publishers including Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Longhorn Publishers (Kenya).”
For picture book fans there's a new Charlie the Ranch Dog book from Ree Drummond, and Tad Hills has the bestselling duo Duck & Goose featuring in a book perfect for some pre-summer reading. Middle Graders have more from The 39 Clues and How to Train Your Dragon series, while teens can indulge in Kami Garcia's Dangerous Creatures.
This weekend my daughter and I experienced a new literacy milestone. We read our first book aloud together. She had requested Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills. (We are not hung up on seasonally appropriate literature in our house.) On each page spread of this fun book, reviewed here, Duck or Goose will ask his friend a question ("Is our pumpkin in the log, Goose?", etc.). Then the other will say: "No". It's the illustrations and the deadpan delivery together that make this book funny.
My daughter pointed to the word "No" the first time it appeared, and said: "That says no." It's unclear if she already knew how to spell "no" or was getting it from context, but she was correct either way. So I told her she could read the "No" parts the rest of the way through. And she did. She took pride later in telling Daddy that we had read the book together. As I take pride in telling all of you.
This makes four words that she can spell aloud and recognize by sight: her name, her friend's name, Mom, and No. It's a good start, I think!
Still looking for a Halloween costume? Bunnicula series author James Howe shared his ideas for costumes inspired by children’s books in a Bookish article.
Howe encouraged kids to steer clear of conventional costume choices such as Harry Potter or Dracula. For those who want to play an orphan, Howe recommends the title character in Brian Selznick’sThe Invention of Hugo Cabret.
For those who want to adopt a witch persona, there’s the star of the Miss Nelson is Missing! picture book, Miss Viola Swamp. For those who still need more ideas, check out this Bookish infographic and Time Out New York‘s interview withRocket series author (and custom costume couturier) Tad Hills.
I've been waiting and waiting for a moment when Elliott shows that he's really wanting to have books read to him, rather than just staying occupied for a minute at a time when I decide it's time to read. He definitely has had books that he really likes and I've written up several posts on favorites over the past few months, but 2 weeks ago, something finally clicked in his brain and he has decided that he now LOVES books and reading and actively asks for it.
He just climbed into my lap one morning, book in one hand, saying "dat, dat" over and over again (his word for everything he doesn't quite know how to say yet). I'll admit I teared up a bit, knowing my boy wanted me to read to him and had actually climbed into my lap to get comfortable. He sat through 3 different books that first time and hasn't looked back!
He does have a few quirks about what he wants to have read to him and which pages to look at, which I find both hilarious and adorable. He's definitely a toddler and into the repetition thing, which is why I read the same book 12 times in a 10 minute period. I certainly don't want to read the same book over and over again, but if he's loving it, I'll take it!
Now that reading time has begun to take up a significant portion of the day, I thought you might enjoy knowing what we're reading over and over again.
Gideon, Gideon & Otto, and Jasper & Joop by Olivier Dunrea
These all came for review right around the time the reading binges started and Elliott immediately took to them. I've been a Dunrea fan for a long time, so I was glad to see E was too.
Simple illustrations of the adorable gosling friends on white backgrounds really make the pictures pop and the stories are short and easy enough for my toddler to sit through without a problem. Stories about favorite stuffed animals (Gideon & Otto), not wanting to take a nap (Gideon), and beginning to learn about opposites (Jasper & Joop) are perfect for his age level. There's also an excellent amount of silliness, which I appreciate as the reader!
I'm hoping to find more Dunrea at the library next week, so we can mix it up a bit.
Duck & Goose: Goose Needs a Hug by Tad Hills is kinda similar to the Dunrea books in illustrator style and the simplicity of text, which is why Elliott probably loves it as much as he does. We've read many a Duck & Goose book, but this one includes a lot of animated text (very excited friends, very sad Goose), so I think that's why E listens so well.
Friendship is a big theme in Hills books and he writes about it in such a way that even the youngest of readers can understand. Friends help each other out, friends comfort each other when in need, etc. It's a sweet concept and done perfectly, alongside gorgeous illustrations. Hills is seriously one of my favorite illustrators and he continued his excellent work in Goose Needs a Hug.
We've also been enjoying (over and over and over and over again) Stop! Go! A Book of Opposites by Brian Biggs.
These are also the opposite of the Dunrea books in terms of illustrations: bold, busy, and bright (like that alliteration?) and E is totally obsessed. He stares at each page, tracing the illustrations -- definitely intrigued by something. His favorite page is the "Dirty" "Clean" page, which makes me think he's going to turn out a lot like his neat-freak mama.
As a parent, I liked all of the opposites introduced and appreciate that some of them are more complex than typical opposite books. Near/far and many/few is probably a lot of work to wrap a little mind around, but challenging our kids is exactly what we should be doing.
Biggs has written and illustrated several books in the "Everything Goes" series, including Everything Goes in the Air, which is definitely going to be a big hit around here once we're past the page-tearing stage. I've already given it as a birthday gift to a couple of kids in the past month, so I definitely recommend checking that out (along with Everything Goes on Land). Lots of cool things to find on every page and fun fact boxes that help kids learn while they look at very cool page spreads.
Whose Toes Are Those by Sally Symes and Nick Sharratt has a new and fun thing for E: flaps! Each page gives a little peek at the nose, tail, and toes of an animal, requiring the reader to life a flap to figure out what kind of animal it is. We're working on learning body parts (he visibly understands "head," so far), so this one was perfect at reiterating those three different parts of the body.
E's favorite part of these books is finding the baby at the end. He gets a big smile on his face then gives the baby a kiss. Oh, the cuteness. I think the author did a great job at using a nice mix of animals (mouse, dog, bear, hippo, baby) and the illustrations are simple, but big, making for an easy visual experience for the boy.
This pair also wrote Yawn, which I loved last year!
So, those are a few of the books on repeat around here. I do have some picture books to share at the end of the week, so keep your eye out for those and until then, if you have a toddler, definitely find a few of these and see what you think. They're Elliott approved :)
2 Comments on A proud mama moment and lots of new books, last added: 2/13/2013
What wonderful taste he has! I need to have another baby just so I can trace Dunrea's pictures all over the nursery walls. Of course, I would also need a nursery. Hmm.
I love it when they get to the age when they'll sit for hours listening to books. I'm still waiting for that to happen with my third son. Maybe some of these books will do it for him!
The long-awaited, astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series is here! To stop Lucifer from erasing the past Luce and Daniel must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this–live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her–and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters. In the fight for Luce, who will win?
Random House Children’s Books | 978-0-385-73918-4 | June 12, 2012 | $17.99 | Ages 12-17 | 464 pages
The sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series.This internationally known series introduces readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, myth, folklore, and magic together seamlessly. The twins of prophecy have been split. Nicholas Flamel is near death. John Dee has the swords of power. And Danu Talis has yet to fall. The future of the human race lies in the balance–how will the legend end?
Delacortes Press | 978-0-385-73535-3 | May 22, 2012 | $18.99 | Ages 12 and up | 528 pages
An emotional and beautiful novel about being the new kid. August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school–until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances? R.J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is ac
Ever had aspirations to be someone or something other than who or what you are? The piggy in this book, Liam, wants to be a bunny—the Easter bunny, to be exact. He’s willing to put in the hard work, even if it means eating salad. Nobody in his family, except for his grandma, believes he can become the Easter bunny, but Liam remains focused and with his can-do-attitude and support from grandma he makes his dream come true. Jeremy Tankard’s ink and digital media artwork are the icing on the cake (or the foil wrapper on the Easter egg, if I may) adding emotion to the story through little piggy faces and bodies. Liam is adorable and so is this story. (Ages 4-6. Publisher: Feiwel and Friends)
Jan Thomas is one funny author. In her latest book the Easter bunny is doing his best to teach readers how to dye Easter eggs, however, his assistant Skunk keeps getting over-excited and … well, let’s just say he has trouble containing himself. The combination of the bright illustrations and well-timed text create a laugh-out-loud picture book perfect for an Easter story time session. (Ages 2-5. Publisher: HarperCollins)
From the moment Peepsqueak, a chicken, hatches from his egg he is raring and ready to fly. Even though everyone tells him he is not ready, Peepsqueak remains determined and filled with self-belief—the perfect recipe for reaching goals. Leslie Ann Clark uses rhythmic and repetitive text that begs to be read aloud; and her sweet cartoon illustrations give Peepsqueak a delightful amount of bounce. Great for spring and Easter, but definitely an all-year read that is sure to be a request over and over again. (Ages 2-5. Publisher: HarperCollins)
Anita Lobel, a Caldecott Honor Book illustrator, has created a charming little number with 10 Hungry Rabbits. 10 very hungry rabbits set out to find 10 vegetables from the garden for Mama Rabbit’s soup pot. Using gouache and watercolors, Lobel’s illustrations prime readers well with an exploration of color as each rabbit collects their chosen vegetable
May 2-8, 2011, is Children’s Book Week. Each year, during this week, The Children’s Book Council hosts the Children’s Choice Book Awards. These are the best awards because the children are given a voice! I highly recommend checking out the thirty books that have been nominated for the six categories: k-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, Teens, and author of the year. Then, along with your kids or classroom, go and vote for their favorite(s)—you have until April 29. The winners will be announced on May 2 at the Children’s Choice Book Awards Gala.
This year’s Children’s Choice Book Award finalists are as follows:
Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year
Shark vs. Train
by Chris Barton (Author), Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
Publisher’s synopsis:Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?!
If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?
Publisher’s synopsis: Learn to read with this New York Times-bestselling picture book, starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird. Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally . . . learns to read all on his own!
Bob Shea is leading the kids through some truly stellar dinosaur "roars" during a read-aloud of his new book "Dinosaur vs. Potty," a hilarious play-by-play of one little dinosaur's battle to resist going you-know-what, in the you-know-where. The story bounces along with Bob Shea using his best boxing ring announcer's voice to repeat the refrain, "Dinosaur wins!" at the end of each spread. Kids roar, and giggle, then roar some more - and the book concludes.
That's when Chris Raschka, Caldecott medalist and all around cool dude, leans over to me and whispers, "So, who wins? I couldn't see the pictures, is it the dinosaur or the potty?" "I think the Dinosaur went in the potty... so I guess they both win," I say. "I should save my questions till the end," says Chris with a wry grin. "Yeah, we should probably stop all this potty talk," I say.
Left to right: Chris Denise; Anika Denise; Chris Raschka
This is why I love doing group signings. Picture book authors tend to be down to earth, funny, frequently irreverent folks, content with the good fortune of being able to do what they love for a living. This past weekend Chris and I signed at Books of Wonder in NY, alongside Jane Dyer (A Train To Dreamland) Tad Hills (How Rocket Learned To Read), Maira Kalman (The Pursuit of Happiness), Laurie Keller (Birdy's Smile Book), Chris Raschka (Little Black Crow), and Bob Shea (Dinosaur vs. Potty).
What struck me (besides the fact that all these authors are amazing, talented folks and I was honored to be counted among them) was the palpable appreciation for one another's work. The authors were clearly having just as much fun as the audience during the read-alouds.
Equally cool was hearing all the behind-the-scenes chatter about everyone's book projects, how they developed, where they are doing signings, what other artists they admire, how they promote their titles, etc. For me, an author relatively new to the industry, it was a fascinating and fabulous experience.
Next signing stop: Tomorrow! Saturday Dec. 11th: Where The Sidewalks Ends in Chatham, MA (on Cape Cod) 10a - 12p. Big Stella will be joining us (and rumor has it the mouse from "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" will be in the house too); they'll be a holiday stroll going on, hot chocolate, a cozy fireplace, and of course: books, books, books. Come see us!
0 Comments on Booksignings of Wonder! as of 1/1/1900
The littlest ones should not miss out on any fun Christmas reading. There are plenty of sturdy-paged board books for babies and toddlers to get their hands on. Getting the full sensory experience is the beginning step of reading; so let him grab, drag, chew, and flip through these fun holiday stories.
Publisher’s synopsis: The beloved characters from Smee’s Clip-Clop are off on a wild and wintry ride. Mr. Horse has invited all the barnyard animals into his sleigh, and Cat, Dog, Pig, and Duck couldn’t be more excited. Soon, they’re holding on tight and dashing through the snow with bells jingle-jingling all the way. Over the fields they fly-but when they reach the hill, everyone wants to slide down even Mr. Horse, of course. Is there room for them all? Like the happy Mr. Horse, toddlers will think “THAT WAS SO COOL!”
Publisher’s synopsis: This irresistible retelling of the Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Barbara McClintock is now in board book format for the first time, and it’s a perfect treat for cookie lovers everywhere. Children enjoy chiming in with Aylesworth’s charming, rollicking refrains, accompanied by whimsical animal images and a delicious recipe for gingerbread men. (Note: the text has been adapted to fit board book format)
Duck & Goose have become favorite characters to my son. It's always nice to only do two voices when reading a book aloud, so I'm a fan as well. We live in New Hampshire, and lately it's hard to turn a corner without seeing pumpkins.I like that these characters are flawed, but since they have each other - they can just look past it all. Simple character design and art can often limit the storytelling, but Tad Hills always makes Duck & Goose show you just how they feel. Without arms! Oh, the challenges illustrators must face. We're just at the tail end of reading board books, but sometimes humor comes in small packages.
1 Comments on Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin, last added: 9/30/2010
One look at the fluffy puppy holding this book on the title page and you'll be headed to the checkout line.
Hills, author of the beloved Duck & Goose books, returns with a sweet, gentle story about a sheepdog named Rocket who discovers that learning to read can be as fun as chasing sticks.
One day while napping under a tree posted with a sign he can't read, Rocket is startled by an enthusiastic yellow bird who wants to teach him to read.
At first Rocket is reluctant to be in her class and even a little annoyed when the bird sings a story aloud while he's trying to rest. But soon he's following her every word.
The story is "as delicious as the earthy smells of fall," and soon the bird is teaching him the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes. Together they spell the sound they hear, his growl, the whoosh of the wind.
But not long after Rocket learns to spell F-A-L-L, the bird announces it's time for her to fly south, then cheerfully reminds him to continue to spell until she returns in the spring.
But how will he practice his letters now? And will his tail ever be as waggy again?
This lovely book shows the power of gentle encouragement and captures the wondrous feeling of seeing letters transformed into words.
0 Comments on How Rocket Learned to Read as of 1/1/1900
My nephew reviewed Tad Hills's newest toddler book, What's Up Duck?: A Book of Opposites, for me this week. Just press play! His reaction to What's Up Duck? tells more than any review I could ever write would. Enjoy!
I'm thinking of hiring my nephew. He's a great reviewer.
14 Comments on Best Book Review Ever: Tad Hills's What's Up Duck: A Book of Opposites, last added: 6/13/2008
What I loved best about your nephew's review is how engrossed he became in looking at the pictures, not just listening to the words (and laughing at your excellent sound-effect-like reading skills). That book looks like a winner!!
I'm serious when I say reviews by the target audience for kids' books are important. That goes for toddlers, that goes for teens, and everything in-between.
Seriously behind in my blog reading. This video reminds me of those wonderful commercials (are they for insurance?) where the baby just laughs and laughs and laughs.
I love the look on his face as he looks at the pages, he is so intent on your voice and the pictures.
So, I've developed a new genre of poetry. I call it poofetry. What is it? It's poetry that's a little bit along the lines of Russian roulette. See, my computer has a bad power supply (part on order, thanks). Consequently, it simply shuts down from time to time, and there's nothing my UPS and surge suppressor can do about it. And that's right... whatever you're working on at the moment is GONE FOREVER. Yup, it goes POOF.
And so... Poofetry is what you write and save. You can only save once. If you fail to save and the power goes off, the poem is gone. Oh, sure, cheaters among us can then try and rewrite the same lines, but frankly, the power supply gods know, and they'll shut you down faster than you can write "Jim Dandy." So you type and work and type and work and then, when your nerves get you and you want to make sure you keep this gem forever, you save. And that's it -- the piece of Poofetry is done, never to be edited.
So far, my collection of Poofetry is pretty weak. I'm kinda chicken, having lost the same long email three times running (hey, normally the computer stayed on for an hour, at least. How was I to know it would be 5 minutes?). And so, here's my fave of what I've got:
Loss of power Makes me sour And it
Hey, I told you I was chicken!
This, btw, is a poof-post. So I gotta book!
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Beloved author Paulo Coelho has donated three of his books to the Worldreader’s digital library. The nonprofit organization behind this venture allows young students and public library patrons in sub-Saharan Africa to access e-books through e-readers.
This weekend my daughter and I experienced a new literacy milestone. We read our first book aloud together. She had requested 
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What wonderful taste he has! I need to have another baby just so I can trace Dunrea's pictures all over the nursery walls. Of course, I would also need a nursery. Hmm.
I love it when they get to the age when they'll sit for hours listening to books. I'm still waiting for that to happen with my third son. Maybe some of these books will do it for him!