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Great Books for Great Kids!
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By: JudeQuinn,
on 7/1/2014
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Arriving alongside our brand new titles this upcoming fall are two new installations in the Teach Your Children Well and Backpack Baby series. Marking the return of two of Star Bright’s favorite protagonists—Madison, the young girl who is always on the look out for a good life lesson, and Jacob, the now adolescent “Backpack Baby”— these new titles are perfect additions to their much-celebrated series.
So be on the look out, fans both new and old, as these new publications will not disappoint!
In Madison and the New Neighbors, Dr. Vanita Braver’s young protagonist faces yet another important lesson regarding how to treat people who are different from us. Given a new mission—to sell enough candy and to raise enough money to earn a school t-shirt—Madison calls upon her neighbors to support her in her feat. Eager to approach many of her neighbors, Madison, despite her need, absolutely refuses to go to visit the Patel’s, a family who has recently moved to the neighborhood from India with their young daughter, Seema. Filled with thoughtful conversations between parent and child about the virtues of acceptance and diversity, young readers will follow alongside Madison as she grows from a reluctant peer into a more tolerant, accepting, and welcoming friend.
In Jacob’s Little Sister, Jacob the Backpack Baby has not only gotten older, but is now a big brother! No longer carried on his father’s back, Jacob delights in helping his father take care of his baby sister, a wild girl who is always escaping from her stroller to run around at the park. Though Jacob loves his little sister, she can be so much to handle! It’s hard, but Jacob never fails to meet his responsibility, knowing and accepting the fact that it’s a big brother’s job to take care of his little sister.
Keep an eye out for these new titles and visit our website (
www.starbrightbooks.com) for more information on all of our publications.
By: JudeQuinn,
on 6/30/2014
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Star Bright Books is thrilled to introduce some brand new titles to our collection this fall 2014! With stories ranging from one tired kangaroo mom’s much needed trip to the beach, to a collection of riddles that answer the much anticipated question “What animal needs a wig?”, our new publications are sure to delight any young reader.
In Harriet Can Carry It, author Kirk Jay Mueller and Illustrator Sarah Vonthron-Laver tell the story of Harriet the Kangaroo, a hardworking kangaroo mother who, after a tough week at work, packs up her little Joey and heads to the beach for some much needed time away. Told in thoughtful rhyming verse and packed with snapshots of Australia’s diverse community of animals, Harriet Can Carry It combines rich language and beautiful watercolors in a playful, endearing story of one mother’s search for peace, quiet, and some time off with her little boy.
What animal is the best to tell jokes to? What animal is always in a bad mood? From where did a laughing hyena get its name? All these questions and more are answered in What Animal Needs a Wig?, the hilarious new addition to the Star Bright collection that invites young readers to explore both these pressing riddles, as well as the animal world in which they are based. With the perfect mixture of facts and humor, What Animal Needs a Wig? will provide readers with plenty of new and enlightening information, along with plenty of laughs.
"My Face Book" published by Star Bright Books, available in 10 Languages and English, has been included in the Read To Me, 50 best Books for Babies list.
Read to Me Launches 50 Best Books for Babies! “When introducing books to babies, the key is to choose the right books for the right time”, says the program’s director, Carol McDougall, “We are often asked by parents for guidance on selecting the best books to read to babies, and we felt that a list of titles specifically geared to babies would be a useful and welcome resource.” The books on the list were chosen by Read to Me with assistance from a group of Nova Scotia children’s librarians. The selected books contain strong rhythm and rhyme to help build vocabulary, feature bright colors and bold images for visual stimulation and help nurture bonding and attachment by encouraging playful interaction between parent and child. The Nova Scotia Provincial Library has purchased sets of the 50 Best Books for Babies for every library system in the province. Says McDougall, “We are so grateful for the support from the Provincial Library, which will help get these great books into the hands of families across Nova Scotia.” Thank you, Read To Me for including one of our favorite books in the 50 best Books for Babies!
By: askgodot,
on 3/18/2013
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We are happy to share with you that Cradle Me is selected as one of the best books of the year by Cooperative Children’s Book Center. CCBC is a highly respected children’s book research center based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, “committed to identifying excellent literature for children and adolescents.” CCBC Choices, the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, has been a highly recommended reference for the best children’s books of each year. As you may well know, Cradle Me has received enthusiastic and wonderful reviews from librarians, educators, booksellers, and Native American communities. It’s a book that celebrates Native American tradition and families, showing how mothers carry their babies safely, comfortably and close to them in cradleboards. The bond between a mother and a child is shown in the brilliantly colored and decorated cradleboard, and they are also manifestations of enduring Native American craft cultures.
If you have not seen the book, take a look at it on our website, or check your local bookstores and libraries. You wouldn’t want to miss a book that you know you would love once you see it.
By: askgodot,
on 10/31/2012
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Visit us at the Parents as Teachers conference in St. Louis, Missouri (November 7-9, 2012). The Conference will be held at St. Louis Union Station Hotel (Double Tree by Hilton), and Star Bright Books’ booth is #33.
As publishers who devote ourselves to early childhood literacy, Parents as Teachers conference has always been important to us, but this time we are even more excited.
At the conference, we will host a book signing for Valentino Finds a Home, a picture book about a little guinea pig’s unlikely adventures as he searches for a home. You know, ValentinoFinds a Home has been a hidden gem, known only to people who are fortunate enough to read it.
Come and see us. You will meet the ever fun-loving Andy, and Valentino, the full-of-life guinea pig. You will get not only Andy’s autograph on your copy of Valentino finds a Home, but also Valentino’s autograph. How? You will see! Thursday, November 8, 2012 2:30-3:15 PM
at Star Bright Books booth #33
(Disclosure: Andy and Valentino along with Valentino’s roommate Louis were at a local library near where they live for a book signing. Andy told us that Valentino behaved really well and LOVED all the attention! Even 'whoop whooped' when asked. I think he knew that he owned the event.)
We hope to see you all at the Parents as Teachers conference. If you are around, drop by and say hello to Deborah, Mary, Andy, and of course Valentino.
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| Click the picture to see inside |
Buildings Through Our Eyes is a work of collaboration inspired by Isabel Hill’s Building Stories and Urban Animals. Guided by the author herself and encouraged by their teacher and Behind the Book staff (the organization behind this project), the young readers, a group of second graders from CS21 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, became writers and photographers on their own terms. They brought the neighborhood’ buildings to life in Buildings Through Our Eyes, the most creative form of a reading experience that comes alive.
Over a four-week period, they read Building Stories and Urban Animals; learned the names and functions of the basic elements of a building as well as the stories behind them. Then, with the author Isabel Hill, they walked through their school’s neighborhood in Brooklyn, exploring the architectural richness of the familiar streets. Familiar, yet so much to see, so much to discover, so much to wonder about.
They looked up high above them at brackets and medallions; their hands touched reliefs and stoops to study the materials. They took photographs of the elements that interested them most and wrote down what they saw, what they learned. One student told about a stoop that reminded him of the one at his grandmother’s house; another found a relief that looked like someone’s spine. They were photographers in their own right, writers in their own way.
We congratulate everyone who worked hard in creating this wonderful book - our own Isabel Hill; Behind the Book; the children’s second grade teacher; and the children themselves, authors-photographers, for their collaboration and their sparkling curiosity.
About Behind the Book: Behind the Book's mission is to motivate young people to become engaged readers by connecting them to contemporary writers and illustrators. They bring authors and their books into individual classrooms to build literacy skills, and create a community of life-long readers and writers. Visit their website, www.behindthebook.org
Another happy news about Cradle Me by Debbie Slier!
Cradle Me has been selected as Book of the Week by Cooperative Children's Book Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since its publication this spring, we have heard many wonderful things about the book and received great reviews including ones from Debbie Reese and Elizabeth Bird. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. They always inspire us to devote(!) ourselves to bringing out joyous and meaningful works to our readers.
Please visit CCBC's web page.
Elizabeth Bird has written a rave review for "Cradle Me" and includes, "My Face Book" and "Babies,Babies" as well. "Cradle Me by Debby Slier – Finally, a face book. Star Bright Books has done a heckuva job with diversity in their board books lately. Last year’s My Face Book was particularly well done, showing a child with down syndrome amongst all the other kids. And Babies, Babies! by Debby Slier is unique because without making a big point about it, all the children in this book are African-American. Cradle Me is one of the more interesting titles, featuring different tribes of Native American babies with their own distinct cradle boards. One of these babies could be seen in the previously published board book Global Babies where she looked particularly grumpy. She’s not much cheerier here and indeed most of the babies in the book seem kinda dour at first. That’s probably a lot to do with how young they are. The back of the book explains each tribe that each child is from, which was good. More to the point, the small fry in my household is gaga over this book. She’ll read it on her own if you hand it to her and that, as far as I’m concerned, is the mark of a good book. Best of all, it has the Debbie Reese seal of approval." Thank you, Elizabeth!
By: askgodot,
on 4/19/2012
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A dad carrying a baby on his front was slowing down when he passed by our booth. I was standing right there, and exchanged a cheerful good morning with the baby. She seemed to be excited to see a lot of books, so I grabbed a copy of “My Face Book,” and showed the pages to her. Excited, the baby’s little arms were flapping like a bird’s wings, so too, her little legs were flailing. I could tell that she was so delighted to see all the babies’ faces, and (imagine) her saying to the babies in the book, “nice to meet you! What a charming person you are!”
I often look into this book. So precious, these faces inspire you to promote world peace (really, I felt that way!).
I am very pleased to tell you that “My Face Book” was selected as one of the Best Books for Babies 2012! The selection committee said:
“Crisp clear photographs of babies—smiling, frowning, yawning, silly and serious—are sure to capture the attention of young listeners who’ll likely return again and again to study the delightfully diverse faces found in this slim board book.”
Haven’t seen the book yet? Don’t miss it. I know you and your little ones will just fall in love with these babies.
What are we about?
We’re bringing together people who share our love of reading to help us get books in the hands of kids who need them most. The movement recognizes the incredible effect books can have on a child’s imagination, sparking ambition, overcoming obstacles and inspiring curious minds.
RIF, the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit, delivers free books and literacy resources to kids who need them most. For many of the kids RIF serves, their RIF books are their only books. They are the books that fill their hungry minds and nourish their future successes – in school and life. Since RIF’s establishment in 1966, we’ve provided 35 million kids with 400 million new, free books. Today, there are 16 million kids living in poverty in the U.S. To reach them, RIF needs you. Book People Unite.
The nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress seeks to spark imagination and creativity, and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Founded in 1800, the Library serves the U.S. Congress and the nation both on-site, in its reading rooms on Capitol Hill, and through its award-winning website at www.loc.gov. The Library of Congress is the home of the Center for the Book, a major national force for reading and literacy promotion, and sponsor of the award-winning Read.gov
Reading lovers are coming together to help us get books into the hands of kids who need them the most. Remember visiting Narnia, playing Jumanji, and eating Green Eggs and Ham? Books can have an incredible effect on children’s lives, yet there’s only one book for every 300 kids living in underserved communities in the U.S. So we’ve brought together some of our most beloved literary characters to help make this film and rally Book People for the cause. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdpKIjpaBU8
Another Great Review of CRADLE ME!!!
Thank you Debbie Reese, you can view her blog here: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2012/03/cradle-me-by-debbie-slier.html
CRADLE ME by Debbie Slier
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.
Inside are babies in their cradleboards, smiling, frowning, peeking, touching, crying, yawning, thinking, looking, sleepy, and sleeping. Beneath each of those words is a line for a parent/librarian/teacher to write that word in--perhaps--the Native language of the child the book is being used with. It is a powerful book because the images are photos, not drawings, and because Slier included a two-page spread that specifies each baby's tribal nation.
When you use the book, make sure you use present tense verbs! I recommend it and think you'll enjoy it, too. (Note, 3/2/2012: Cradle Me is published by Star Bright Books.)
Who is Debbie Reese?
A founding member of the Native American House and American Indian Studies program at the University of Illinois. she is on the Literature Advisory Board for Reading is Fundamental and the Advisory Board for Reach Out and Read American Indian/Alaska Native.
First Peoples listed her site as one of the Top Five Native Blogs and Podcast to follow. School Library Journal's Elizabeth Burns featured her site as her Blog of the Day on July 2, 2007, and in 2007, the ALA's Association for Library Service to Children invited her to write a blog post for their site.
Star Bright Books; is pleased to announce that Anna and Natalie, by Barbara H. Cole, has been selected to be included in the 2011/2012 RIF Multi Cultural Collection. The collection features myriad cultures through the theme "celebration". RIF, Reading Is Fundamental, will be holding a special event at the Library of Congress’ Young Readers Center on Wednesday, February 8th at 10:00 am in celebration of the Multicultural Collection. It will involve a moderated author panel and a celebratory dedication of the Collection to the Library of Congress by Margaret McNamara Pastor, the daughter of RIF’s Founder. www.rif.org
Come to Story Time at Green Light Bookstore.
The fabulous Isabel Hill reads her super fun Building Stories.
She can tell, she can show how to see, how to read buildings.
Sure, like a story book, buildings have stories.
Did you know why the front of the YMCA building has a stone carved ship?
(Years ago, only sailors could stay there, you will learn)
What about the one with a monkey family, a roaring tiger and an elegant elephant?
(Right, that's the fantastic Bronx Zoo!)
Come to Story Time at Green Light Bookstore.
You will discover that buildings are like us;
they will tell you who they were, who they are.
Listen carefully, and look carefully,
because just like us,
some are wild, others are very shy.
Brooklyn-based author, photographer, architectural historian, Isabel Hill presents her new picture book, Building Stories, a rich collection of photographs and facts, all told in rhyming verse to delight young readers.
Feb 4 2012 11:00 am
Green Light Bookstore
686 Fulton Street
(at South Portland)
, Brooklyn, NY
From the December issue of the Midwest Book Review Children's Bookwatch:
"Small Medium Large is a creative concept-teaching picture book with brilliant graphics and colorful characters named (and sized appropriately) Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Huge, Enormous and Teeny Weeny, Itty-bitty, Minuscule, and more. Tackling relative size concepts and basic adding (math) skills, Small Medium Large uses color, size, even print and page size to convey fun combined with comparisons and math to equal a fabulous teaching book for children age 3 and up! The final double gatefold illustration adds excitement and action to this fun package, making it irresistible.”
Since its publication last summer, Witches has gotten a wave of praise from review media and readers like you. In the November issue, the Midwest Book Review Children's Bookwatch selected it in its Holiday Bookshelf, calling it "an exciting, colorful, Halloween tale in verse, with a tiny but definite message of inclusiveness triumphantly embedded in both text and illustration."
Here is the full review from the Midwest Book Review.
"Capering, rollicking young witches in masks prepare for a spooky night of entertainment. First they make a disgusting gooey, concoction which all must taste. Then they clean up and prepare to go trick or treating outdoors in the dark and spooky night. Amidst all the fun, masks, costumes, candy, and celebration is one small witch with braces on her legs and adaptive cuff crutches to help her walk independently. She joins in the fun and later on the walk for treats outside she is seen in the background being pushed in a nice wheelchair. No special attention is paid to this particular witch, she is simply included in the festivities. Meanwhile the Halloween verse tale follows an enchanted path to a happy evening of festive fun for youngsters. Witches is sure to appeal to children age 4 and up, and to adults who will be pleased at its thoughtful, unassuming content.”
Of course, you don't have to wait until Halloween to pick up this charming book. A six years old blogger from the blog Mother Daughter Reading Team has just read this book and wrote "I really liked it because it was about Halloween and it was fun because it was about witches." See? Oh, by the way, this little blogger is quite articulate: "I had no idea the witches were kids going trick or treating I thought they were real witches and it was silly because they were really just kids in costumes!" Now I know better why children love this book so much. It's a lovely and refreshing review by an articulate little book lover. See more what she (and her mother) says about the book at Mother Daughter Reading Team.
By: MGibson,
on 12/1/2011
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Buildings are like books with stories that last
They tell us our present and also our past!
The outside of a building says quite a lot.
About setting, about character, and even about plot.
Beloved Children’s Author Gives Advice to Parents of Budding Architects
National Building Museum Online sat down with Isabel to discuss her work and her advice for the parents of budding architects.
National Building Museum Online (NBM Online): As an urban planner and architectural historian, what motivated you to create books for young children?
Isabel Hill: Quite honestly, I was inspired to write my first children's book, Urban Animals, by my own daughter, Anna. When Anna was younger we used to take walks in Brooklyn where we live and I would always point out architectural details. One day, as we were wandering around our own neighborhood, I stopped to point out an interesting floral detail on a building and Anna interrupted me saying, "Mama, there is a dog on that building!" So my wonderfully-observant 5-year old daughter gave me the idea to create books for young children about architecture.
NBM Online: What was the inspiration behind your latest book, Building Stories?
Isabel Hill: For many years I worked as an urban planner in an old industrial neighborhood in New York. I walked by a building with spectacular, yellow, terra-cotta pencils on the outside and just had to find out why they were there. I researched the building and discovered that it was the Eberhard Faber Pencil Factory, famous for making those yellow, Number Two pencils that were used for generations all across America. Fast forward to two years ago: as I began to brainstorm about a second children’s book on architecture, the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company Building came to mind and inspired the book.
NBM Online: In Building Stories you look at the details of a building as being the characters, plot, and setting of a story. Have you always thought of buildings in this way?
Isabel Hill: No, this was a new concept for me but I think it works extremely well. Buildings do have stories and, when you think about it, what goes on inside can be mysterious as well as educational. Sometimes a building can have many plots and characters depending on what goes on inside and who is involved with the building.
NBM Online: What advice do you have for the young readers who enjoy your books?
Isabel Hill: I am so excited about these books and want them to be the catalyst for walking around one’s own neighborhood and observing all the interesting architecture that surrounds us. My advice would be to go out, walk the streets, take the books as your guides, but find your own architectural treasures. Photograph them, draw them, write about them, and share what you find with other children and adults.
NBM Online: What advice do you have for parents of budding architects?
Isabel Hill: I think it’s great for parents to read the books out loud, to help their children tackle some of the harder words, and to ask their children what they see in the books that relates to what they see in their own neighborhoods.
NBM Online: As an architectural photographer, what is your favorite city to photograph?
Isabel Hill: I must admit I love the city I now call home—New York—because it is so vast and has so many different kinds of buildings, architectural styles, and fantastic details. But Washington, D.C. is the place I used to call home, and I have a huge affection for the beautiful choreography of scale, m
By: MGibson,
on 11/17/2011
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BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!
Janet Halfmann author of "Good Night, Little Sea Otter" will be giving 5 of her books away (including Little Sea Otter) during the Holidays. Follow the link to find out how to enter!
http://www.janethalfmann.com/news-a-events
Little Sea Otter is ready to go to bed, snug in his Mamma's lap, head against her chest, floating on the ocean's surface. Still, he fights his drooping eyes and mother's urgings, by saying good night to every animal he can see or hear, in and out of the ocean's calm blue waters.
32 pages,
10"x8 3/4"
ages 3-6
Paperback, $5.95
Star Bright Books is pleased to announce that Anna and Natalie, by Barbara H. Cole, has been selected to be included in the 2011 RIF Multi Cultural Collection.
RIF's Multicultural Book Collection, a set of 45 high-quality children's books curated by RIF's Literacy Advisory Board and Multicultural Advisory Committee. Nearly 600 collections will be distributed annually to select RIF programs across the country. The 2011 collection features myriad cultures through the theme "celebration" and has accompanying activities aligned with the Common Core State Standards. A full list of titles is available at www.rif.org .
http://www.rif.org/us/2011-multicultural-booklist.htm
Anna and Natalie
Winner, 2007 ASPCA® Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
Every year a group of students from Mrs. Randall’s class
gets to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
This year, the lucky students will be those who write the
best letter pleading their case. Anna and Natalie are determined
to win, and they submit a convincing letter inspired
by the role Natalie’s great-great-grandfather played in
World War II.
This story, with a surprising twist at the ending will teach
young children the power of believing in your own talents
despite disabilities and that we should recognize the unsung
heroes in our everyday lives.
Curriculum Guide: http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/aspca/Anna%20and%20Natalie.pdf
For additional information about RIF:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/reading-is-fundamental-celebrates-45-years-of-inspiring-young-readers-2011-11-03
To Purchase:
StarBrightBooks.com
ISBN-10: 1595721053
ISBN-13: 978-1595721051
$16.95 Hardcover
$6.95 Paperback
By: MGibson,
on 11/10/2011
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Introducing A New Title just in time for Native American Heritage Month!
http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
"Cradle Me"
By Debby Slier
The rich Native American tradition of carrying babies safely, comfortably and close to their mothers in cradle boards endures to this day. Cradle Me celebrates Native American families and shows how they carry their babies and, with a fill-in-the-line feature, enables readers to translate the words to write their own language.
A portion of profit from this book will be donated to the National Indian Child Care Association
To order: (718) 784-9112 • fax: (718) 784-9012 • www.starbrightbooks.com
Cradle Me
Board Book
978-1-59572-274-4
$6.95 Retail
By: MGibson,
on 10/14/2011
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A Great Review from Jen Robinsons Book Page
Star Bright Photoflaps Books: Cheryl Christian
Books: Where Does It Go?, Where's the Baby?, and How Many?
Author: Cheryl Christian (with photos in Where's the Baby by Laura Dwight)
Pages: 12 per book
Age Range: 0 to 3
Star Bright Books sent me three board books from their Photoflaps series (Where Does It Go?, Where's the Baby?, and How Many? ). These books have been around for a while, but I just discovered them. In my mind, these are perfect for toddlers. They have photos of children, ordinary objects, and animals. And they have easy to lift flaps on every page-spread.
Where Does It Go? shows a baby and an object (diaper, shoe, etc.) on each page, and asks repeatedly "Where does it go?" The photo below the flap shows the answer (e.g. baby wearing diaper). The babies are all rather white-skinned in this one (which is not typical of Star Bright's books), but I like that one of the babies shown appears to be developmentally disabled. I like the quiet inclusion of this, without comment.
Where's the Baby? shows an item (toy, etc) and a location (high chair, playpen, etc.) on each page spread. Each pair is introduced ("Here's the baby's apple. Here's the high chair.") and then we have the common refrain, familiar to parents everywhere: "Where's the baby?" Below the flap, of course, we see the baby in the high chair holding the apple, and so on. This one is a bit more multi-ethnic than Where Does It Go, and certainly features universal themes.
How Many? is the most of fun, and the most educational, of the three, featuring both animals and counting. On each page we have some number of animals, plus, on the facing page, one more of the same animal. The text asks the child how many there are total. Then below the flap we see the animals together, and the number (e.g. "3 Three puppies!") The animals are all charming and kid-friendly (rabbits, ducks, kittens). Baby Bookworm turned again and again to the page with four bunnies, plus one more bunny. She especially seemed to like that some of the rabbits were white and some dark-colored.
There's not a lot of text to these books. You're not going to read them aloud to lull your child to sleep. But they are nice for interactive, educational play for toddlers. They have photos. They have babies, toys, and animals. And they have flaps. What more could anyone ask? Well, ok, I could maybe ask for the pages to be a bit thicker. The flaps are not as sturdy as, say, those in the DK Peekaboo series, and I foresee the need for scotch tape. But that's in part because I see this series getting a lot of use around our house. The Photoflaps books would make a great first or second birthday gift. Recommended.
Note: versions of these books are also available in other languages (Chinese, Russian, Haitian Creole, etc.)
Publisher: Star Bright Books
Publication Date: 2001
Source of Book: Review copies from the publisher
© 2011 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved.
http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2011/09/star-bright-photoflaps-books-cheryl-christian.html#
The past week or so has been remarkably slower hereabouts - a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks, though it's left everyone slightly restless (well, me at least!). However, you readers have been kept very busy with our books, so I thought I would dedicate today's entry to reviews from real people. Great books for great kids is our motto, and that's because we believe that kids deserve books that they will truly enjoy and that parents will want to read to their children. It is wonderful to hear that libraries and Publisher's Weekly enjoy our titles, but the best - and most meaningful - praise comes from those who are just like you - readers who like great books!
So, let's take a look. What have you been saying about our books?
WITCHES
"What a delightful book! One of the best Halloween picture books I have seen. The illustrations were awesome and all inclusive. Having a special needs child this was a pleasant surprise. I really appreciated that the illustrator included special needs children and portrayed them accurately as "normal" children. The text was fun...the author and illustrator were able to capture all the magic and fun of Halloween night without the scary side you often see in Halloween books. The book is a keeper!" - F. Cristina Gutierrez
"Halloween is still 2-1/2 months away but I couldn't resist this whimsical Halloween book...I love the illustrations. Perfect for preschool aged children." - Kathy Habel
"The illustrations are vividly colored, and writing rhythmical. You will enjoy reading this with your child or any child...this is a great book for children, and fun and entertaining for everyone - especially around Halloween. Overall rating: A." - Laura Koehler
BUILDING STORIES
"This is an entertaining introduction to architecture for young children...by looking at the different decorations adorning buildings, Hill shows kids that they can tell a good deal about a building, just by looking at the outside." - M. Scout Johnson
SMALL MEDIUM LARGE
"Bright, colorful illustrations definitely captivate young readers as they are introduced to the wonderful characters of Small Medium Large. With minimal words children can grasp the math concept of bigger and smaller...a great way to introduce or reinforce early math skills. After reading this my little one, age 3, began gathering and sorting her toys, attempting to find her own versions of Enormous and Miniscule. Definitely sparks an interest!" - Ginny Blankenship
We love making books that people love. Nothing makes us happier!
Yesterday started out as another sunny day, so yours truly did not think to check the weather forecast in the morning - which proved to be a very bad idea indeed. Midway through the day it stared pouring sheets and sheets - and I didn't even have a jacket with a hood! Luckily for me it let up just in time for the end of the workday, so I didn't get drenched on my commute home, but I've made a mental note to always keep a small umbrella on hand just in case - and to check the weather report every day!
Little Junjun doesn't want to do any work. He's a dreamer and would rather spend the day sitting outside watching the lizards in the yard, feeling the warm sun on his face, and savoring tasty tamarind jam. He wishes his chores would just do themselves! So he sits and makes wishes while saying rata-pata-scata-fata, and his chores somehow do complete themselves! But when everyone is tired at the end of the day and wants rain so that they don't have to fetch water, will rata-pata-scata-fata work?
Rata-pata-scata-fata is a fun book for kids to read. Silly phrases and pleasing repetition make this book by Phillis Gershator ideal for reading aloud to young children. Holly Meade's illustrations are colorful and bright, drawing readers in and adding a magic feel to this fun story while bringing the spirit of the Caribbean to life!
Grab your copy of Rata-pata-scata-fata today!
Available in hardcover & paperback editions.
As you may know, A Donkey Reads has been a hit sensation. A Junior Library Guild selection, just last month it was chosen as a featured title in the Midwest Book Review's July issue of Children's Bookwatch. Popular with reviewers across the board, it came as no surprise to us when we received notice from the Society of Illustrators that the artwork from A Donkey Reads has been selected to appear in this year's exhibit and catalog! This is truly an honor - only the best of the best artwork is selected for presentation at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators. For those of you interested in seeing the exhibit, exhibition dates are from Wednesday, October 26th to Thursday, December 29th. We can't wait!
A Donkey Reads is available in both hardcover and paperback editions.
Find out more about A Donkey Reads at our website!
Learn more about the Society of Illustrators at their website.
Boy oh boy, is it hot out! After exiting the clinically cool office of my doctor this morning, I was blasted by an unrelenting wave of heat. Though the Star Bright offices are always so very chilled, from the windows you can see the world outside very literally melting away.
The only solution to this withering weather is to stay very, very hydrated. And in addition to tons and tons of water, I like to eat plenty of fruits.
You know who loves fruit? Pamela the cow. And one fruit in particular: pears. Lots of them. Pounds and pounds and pounds of them! Amy loves pears, too, but Pamela keeps eating them before anyone else can. Amy's family tries everything to keep Pamela away from their pears, but she always finds a way to get to her favorite food - even climbing through a wombat hole! But Amy devises a plan to get rid of Pamela's obsession for pears once and for all.
Too Many Pears! is my favorite Star Bright Books title. It is hilarious and charming, and adults will truly enjoy reading this book to their kids and laughing along. Readers have nothing but good things to say about Too Many Pears!:
"An enjoyable summer read, and a perfectly respectable inclusion on the well-read child's summer reading log!" wrote Lynne Ann Cutler, teacher. "This book is a fun, simple read for young children. The repetition makes it easy to pick out the oft-repeated words for the new reader, but it also offers some more difficult words—like wombat—for the emerging reader. This makes a great book to read out loud to children or for the beginning reader to tackle themselves," says yet another educator, Amie Gaudioso. School Library Journal raves that Too Many Pears! is "a real winner."
Get your copy today!
This morning's commute was nightmarish. Subway delays, broken air conditioning, and cranky passengers made for a highly unpleasant trip. Hot and crowded, I would have given anything to have just the hint of a breeze to relieve my discomfort. Alas, no dice. Instead we were trapped in the tunnel for what seemed like eons. In an attempt to distract myself I studied a series of advertisements along the top of the subway car, which were enticing commuters to cast aside their suits, ties, and heels and fly off to a beautiful tropical island getaway. The white sand beaches, the hammocks strung between palm trees, the beautiful turquoise ocean beckoning. . .what I wouldn't give to be there instead of in the stifling heat!
Instantly I was reminded of Miriam Cohen's Down in the Subway. For Oscar and his mama, a hot subway ride leads into a magical adventure - thanks to the Island Lady. While the passengers fan themselves, Oscar twirls around a pole, sneaking peeks at the Island Lady. Finally she smiles and asks if he would like to see what is in her bag. When she reaches in, she pulls out first a cool blue Island breeze, then everything from the Caribbean Sea to delicious foods and even a whole Island town! The entire train has a party, enjoying the wonderful treat that the Island Lady has given them in lieu of their regular commute. Never has a subway ride been so exciting!
While this is certainly an exception from the norm, children will love reading Cohen's book over and over. Surprise adventure is always fun to read about, and who knows? Maybe on your next subway ride, you too will encounter the magical Island Lady! Pick up a copy of Down in the Subway today.
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See the full review here:
http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/04/23/board-books-2012-what-works-what-doesnt/comment-page-1/#comment-740101