By: James Preller,
on 5/7/2016
From a recent school visit. I’ve been all over recently, Wallkill, Rochester, Binghamton, and tomorrow . . . Buffalo! Eleven schools and one book festival in 18 days.
If you’ve never heard me on the radio, boy have I got a link for you. Listen to me, along with Mark Teague and Jennifer Clark, as we discuss the Hudson Children’s Book Festival on WAMC with Joe Donahue.
Jump on the link here and amaze your ears to the dulcet sounds of . . . nevermind!
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Cammie McGovern is the author of the adult novels Neighborhood Watch, Eye Contact and The Art of Seeing. She was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, and received the Nelson Algren Award in short fiction. She is one of the founders of Whole Children, a resource center that runs after-school classes and programs for children with special needs. Say What You Will is her first book for young adults.
Add a CommentA funny reimagining of the Three Little Pigs story, where the wolf isn’t so much big and bad but just hungry … and a bit grouchy.
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By: Martha Brockenbrough,
on 2/3/2013
Almost the moment Mo Willems' keynote speech ended, people started lining up to get their books signed and we kid you not, the line ran the length of a football field (that's 100 yards, for those of you unfamiliar with the sport, or 91.44 meters if you're Canadian).
It's no wonder people are so excited to have their books inscribed, when you share the room with the likes of Julie Andrews, Mo Willems, Shaun Tan, Jane Yolen, Tomie dePaolo ...
We could and should go on, but we'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
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| Mo Willems |
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| Shaun Tan fans standing in a queue (do they say that in Australia?) |
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| Shaun Tan |
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| Mark Teague and Floyd Cooper |
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| Meg Rosoff and David Ezra Stein |
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| Lin Oliver and Theo Baker |
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| Tomie DePaola and Jane Yolen |
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| Margaret Peterson Haddix and Matthew Kirby |
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| Arthur Levine is a full-service editor. Here, he's opening the book to the right page for an inscription. |
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By: Gail Maki Wilson,
on 2/1/2013
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 6, 2012
The Christmas Quiet Book
By Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Renata Liwska
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (October 16, 2012)
It’s impossible to keep quiet any longer. It just has to be shouted loudly to everyone: We love the winning combination of Deborah Underwood’s sweet and pitch-perfect “quiet” holiday moments and Renata Liwska’s gentle and charming drawings that make you wish you could reach into the pages and give each and every character a warm embrace. Make a little book bundle and include the original The Quiet Book and The Loud Book—three books and a piece of ribbon and you have the perfect gift for any young child—go the extra mile and tie a little stuffy on top, too.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
By Jane Yolen; Illustrated by Mark teague
Reading level: Ages 0-4
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (September 1, 2012)
Get ready to roar with laughter with your preschooler. The bestselling combo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague are back again with their winning “How Do Dinosaurs” series. The oversized, egocentric, juvenile dinosaurs wreak havoc through the house for the first half of the picture book—they have no regard for the special traditions of Christmas. As per usual, good behavior is highlighted in the second half and a lesson of “how not to act” is delivered brilliantly. This is a must-have Christmas book, especially for fans of prehistoric animals.
Christmas Magic
By Kirsten Hall; Illustrated by Simon Mendez
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 20 pages
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books (October 2, 2012)
With lyrical verses that have a nostalgic quality and a unique art form that allows every painted illustration to change with a simple pull of a tab, this is a Christmas book that will hold an audience captivated.
The Nutcracker: A Magic Theatre Book
By Geraldine McCaughrean; Illustrated by Kristina Swarner
Reading level: Ages 2-7
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 3, 2012)
We can’t resist the magical movement of this new take on The Nutcracker. Large die-cut board pages have been made to be handled and allow the cast of characters to literally dance there way through the story. This Nutcracker version gets our vote based on the delightful illustrations and inventive paper-engineering—”A Magic Theatre Book” is definitely the write description.
Stable in Bethlehem: A Countdown to Christmas
By Joy N. Hulme; Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Reading level: Ages 1-3
Board book: 22 pages
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books; Brdbk edition (October 1, 2012)
Not just a numbers primer for babies and toddlers, the stunning artwork of Dan Andreasen and Joy N. Hulme’s gentle rhymes also introduce the littlest readers to the religious beginnings of Christmas.
Looking for more suggestions? Try our lists from previous years:
20 of the Best Kids Christmas Books
Christmas Board Books for Babies and Toddlers
Original article: Christmas Books: Five of the Best New Gift Books for Christmas
©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.
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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 5, 2012
In case you’re looking for some new books to spice up your “Books that Celebrate Hanukkah” collection, here are two titles that we think you’ll love reading (and cooking with) as you celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Maccabee Meals: food and Fun for HanukkahBy Judye Groner & Madeline Wikler; Illustrated by Ursula Roma
Reading level: Ages 5-10
Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (August 1, 2012)
Chow your way through Chanukah with this kid-friendly cookbook that provides recipes for eight kinds of latkes (and much more), crafts and games for eight themed parties, and tidbits of factual information about the holiday itself. Illustrated dreidels highlight the degree of difficulty for each recipe: One dreidel means no cooking or baking is required. Two dreidels means the recipe may require chopping or slicing. Three dreidels means a hot stove is used to boil or fry. Safety tips are party etiquette are offered up, too. Here comes Chanukkah! Use this cookbook and you’ll have so much funukah! And … don’t forget your yamaka!
How Do dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?By Jane Yolen; Illustrated by Mark Teague
Reading level: Ages 0-4
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (September 1, 2012)
This bestselling writer and illustrator duo hit the spot (AGAIN!) with their zippy rhymes and entertaining illustrations. Gigantic dinosaurs with their juvenile and mischievous antics take the edge off any holiday tension and manage to encourage good behavior. A lesson in manners and a laugh, what more could you ask for? This book is a guaranteed must-read all eight nights of Chanukah.
Looking for more Hanukkah books? Try our lists from previous years:
8 Hanukkah books: One for Each Day
Kids’ Hanukkah Books: One for Each Night
Original article: 2 New Hanukkah Books
©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.
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By: James Preller,
on 9/21/2011
Just stay home. Please.
Find something else to do.
Each year I do this event, which features more than 60 amazing children’s book authors and illustrators, and it’s always such a disappointment. For starters, check out some of the people who’ll be there, and you’ll understand why I’m so bummed:
Tony Abbott, Nora Raleigh Baskin, Nick Bruel, Bryan Collier, Katie Davis, Bruce Degen, Jean Craighead George, Charise Mericle Harper, Susan Jeffers, Peter Lerangis, Gail Carson Levine, Carolyn MacCullough, Rafe Martin, Wendy Mass, Matthew McElligott, Helen Perelman, Wendell Minor, Gloria Pinkney, Lizzy Rockwell, Todd Strasser, Mark Teague, Jean Van Leeuwen, Eric Velasquez, Sarah Weeks, Ed Young, and more.
Why so down-in-the-dumps you ask? Because I never get to talk to any of them. I never get a chance to meet the new (to me!) people, like Will Moses (Mary and Her Little Lamb), Lena Roy (Edges), Daniel Kirk (Library Mouse), Peter Brown (You Will Be My Friend!) . . .
. . . and Jerry Davis (Little Chicken’s Big Day). Who are these people? Might they become my new best pals? Um, not likely! Because they are sitting at tables forty feet away, surrounded by happy children, shopping grandparents, and strong-armed educators, hauling bags of books like Sherpa guides.
Best I can do is throw rocks at ‘em.
And, oh, hey, look over there, it’s Jean Craighead George. She’s only a freakin’ legend. I can’t throw rocks at Jean Craighead George. She’ll throw them back — and her arm is a bazooka.
Oh, wait. Here’s old friends like Mark Teague and Helen Perelman and Peter Lerangis. Can I talk to any of them? Can we hang out? Maybe shoot the breeze? Commiserate?
Nooooooo. I’m too busy signing books, meeting young readers, gabbing with families, prostrating myself before the cheerful & smiling hordes.
Writing is a solitary business, folks. And it’s frustrating for me to sit there at gorgeous Sunnyside . . .
. . . just feet away from my peerless peers, and never have a free minute to chat with them.
So my dream is for just one year, nobody comes. No book sales, no signings, no musicians, no storytellers, no-bah-dee. Just us authors, finally (finally!) enjoying a few moments when we can hang out and complain about the crappy jobs our publishers do with publicity and marketing. It’s how we bond. We bitch and moan about Kindles.
So this coming Sunday, clean the garage, watch football, wax the car. But if you insist on coming . . . click
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 5/5/2011
Scholastic has opened an auction to benefit its global literacy campaign, “Read Every Day. Lead A Better Life.”
The auction features pieces created by twelve celebrated children’s illustrators: Norman Bridwell, Bruce Degen, Edwin Fotheringham, Mary GrandPré, Barbara McClintock, Jon J. Muth, Sean Qualls, Stephen Savage, David Shannon, Jeff Smith, Mark Teague, and Raina Telgemeier.
USA Today posted a slideshow with all twelve pieces of art. The money generated by the auction will go to two children’s literacy organizations, Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Reach Out and Read. The auction will close on June 5th.
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
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By: Chris Singer,
on 3/16/2011
LaRue Across America: Postcards from the Vacation by Mark Teague
About the author:
Mark Teague has delighted young readers with more than 20 picture books, and he has written many of them himself, including the popular Pigsty, Baby Tamer, and One Halloween Night. He is also the illustrator of Cynthia Rylant’s beloved Poppleton series for beginning readers and the best-selling books by Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon.
About the book:
Ike’s plan for a peaceful cruise with Mrs. LaRue are thwarted when their neighbor, Mrs. Hibbins, falls suddenly ill. Mrs. LaRue suggests that she and Ike care for her cats while Mrs. Hibbins is in the hospital, inviting them along on the cruise. But cats aren’t allowed, and Mrs. LaRue decides to take them all on a week’s vacation of road-tripping. Ike is beside himself and quickly takes up his pen to tell us why!
Join award-winner Mark Teague on this romping road trip across America. Readers can follow along on the maps of the U.S. that span the endpapers. Teague drives us to the story’s satisfying conclusion, and we are left with one profound question: Can cats and dogs really be friends?
Watch the trailer:
My take on the book:
Mark Teague’s latest effort is a take on the classic theme of good vs. evil, or depending on which animal you prefer, dogs vs. cats. Ike is devastated about missing his planned vacation cruise with Mrs. LaRue, and senses trouble when she opts instead for a cross-country driving tour so they can take along their neighbor’s two cats.
Almost immediately Ike takes up writing postcards to Mrs Hibbins pleading for her to get better and save him from her cats. Both adult and young readers will find Ike’s postcards to Mrs. Hibbins comical, and will get a kick out of the fantastic illustrations and the constant bickering between Ike and the cats.
I think this book makes a terrific read aloud and there’s all sorts of activities an imaginative elementary school teacher can come up with to tie in to the story. Students could write their own postcard responses to Ike or even try their hand at writing postcards from the cats’ perspec
By: CocoaStomp,
on 1/29/2011
Conference goers were told that panelist David Small could not be here this morning due to a death in the family. Our condolences to David and his family.
Mark Teague is here in David's stead. You may know him from his great picture books like DEAR MRS. LARUE, and the HOW DO DINOSAURS series (written by a little-known author named Joan Yelon.)
Mark spoke after Jane. He agreed that her advice applies to illustrators, too, illustrators are in service to the same thing, it's just a different means of telling stories.
Mark says the first task of an illustrator: Be a good reader.
Congratulations to our two lucky winners of the Firehouse! by Mark Teague book giveaway—sponsored by Scholastic.
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By: Deb,
on 3/5/2010
In honor of Jane Yolen's 71st birthday and the 300+ books that she has written—winning awards for many—we are celebrating by sharing with you some of her more recent picture books and board books.
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By: Keith Schoch ,
on 12/5/2009
, and another emailed to say that she used it on a regular basis, although she had never seen this reprint with its rich new illustrations. So we've got one copy of The Seeing Stick up for grabs.
, How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?
, and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
, you can enter to win a copy of How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
. Like the others in this series, 
By: Amanda,
on 5/16/2009
Just some random goodies this weekend! Enjoy!
Duck Tents, written by Lynne Berry and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata is I think the third in the ducky series by the pair, all centering on an adorable quintet of ducks having all sorts of adventures. In this particular adventure, the ducks are going camping and having all sorts of fun while in the wilderness. Fishing, toasting marshmallows, and sleeping under the stars are all in the plans but scary noises threaten to ruin their evening!
The illustrations are quaint and the rhyming flow of the story is really cute. Ducks Tents would make a nice read aloud for the younger kiddos.
Duck Tents
Lynne Berry
32 pages
Picture Book
Henry Holt
9780805086966
April 2009
The Girl Who Wanted to Dance, written by Amy Ehrlich and illustrated by Rebecca Walsh is definitely a picture book for your older children, only because of the length and intensity of the story.
Clara lives with her father and her grandmother in a small village and wants nothing more than the ability to dance and dance and dance. Unfortunately, her father is a very sad man and doesn't allow Clara to pursue her dream. When a group of dancers comes to her village, Clara is enchanted and follows them deep into the woods one evening, introducing her to a woman that lights a fire in Clara...not only for dancing, but to bring her father happiness.
This makes for a really nice fairy tale and will definitely appeal to fans of the genre. The illustrations were beautiful and the writing superb. Again, mainly for the older kiddos though. Younger ones aren't going to sit through it.
The Girl Who Wanted to Dance
Amy Ehrlich
40 pages
Picture Book
Candlewick
9780763613457
February 2009
Funny Farm, written and illustrated by the incredibly talented Mark Teague, is so cute in such a subtle way. Edward (who appears to be a French Bulldog) is visiting Hawthorne Farm for the first time, in a tuxedo no less, and manages to get himself into lots of interesting antics while going about a farm's daily business.
There's the mud issue when feeding the pigs, the attacking hens while attempting to gather eggs, and of course the angry sheep being tended. The illustrations truly tell the story here, as the text simply reads as if Edward is going about his farm adventure as any normal dog would. Very cute!!
A perfect book to chat your way through with your kids. Have them point out the silliness in each picture as you go along.
Funny Farm
Mark Teague
32 pages
Picture Book
Orchard Books
9780439914994
April 2009
And finally, we have Prudence & Moxie: A Tale of Mismatched Friends, written by Deborah Noyes and illustrated by AnnaLaura Cantone. Now, I've read a lot of books about friends being different from each other and the ways in which they are compliments of each other, which is basically what this book is. However, the illustrations set Prudence & Moxie far apart from other "mismatched friends" books.
Moxie is a daredevil and Prudence is the sensible one. Prudence dares Moxie to do something that is waaay out of her comfort zone and Moxie doesn't know if her daredevil ways will stand up to this task...enough said. An adorable book with fantastic, hilarious, illustrations.
Prudence & Moxie: A Tale of Mismatched Friends
Deborah Noyes
32 pages
Picture Book
Houghton Mifflin
9780618416073
April 2009
I hope you found something that peaks your interest! To learn more about any of the titles or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon.
By: Alice Pope,
on 8/7/2008
The End of the Conference: Autograph Party Photos...
After half a chocolate cupcake and half a yellow cupcake, I got some shots of the autograph party (which I didn't have to participate in because the 2009 CWIM didn't make it to the bookstore which in a way was OK because I feel a little silly signing books).
Susan Patron, Sara Pennypacker, and Ann Whitford Paul look happy about autographing.
Washingtonians Holly Cupala (who is holding one of the roses from the gorgeous bouquet her husband sent in celebration of her very recent two-book deal!) with RA Jolie Stekly and her stack of books.
The awesome Paula Yoo listens to a conference-goer as she prepares to sign her first novel, Good Enough.
Authors Katherine Applegate and Jay Asher--both of whom I interviewed for Insider Reports in the 2009 CWIM.
Rachel Cohn happily passes one of her novels off to a conference goer (note the red "Reading Is Power" bracelet) while Bruce Coville concentrates on signing.
Marla Frazee and her line of autograph seekers. (I wonder if her hand got tired.)
SCBWI RAs/authors Esther Hershenhorn (Illinois) and Ellen Hopkins (Nevada).
Down the row: Linda Zuckerman, Paula Yoo, Lisa Yee, Mark Teague, and Adam Rex (who you can sort of see).
By: Laura Zarrin,
on 3/15/2008
The boys and I went to my friend, Christine Benjamin's, art opening today while hubby played golf. We love her paintings. They are so vibrant and colorful and too much fun! Her paintings are full of quirky characters from her vivid imagination: skulls, monsters, sock monkeys, and robots. Sorry the photo is so blurry. That's Christine on the left and me on the right. The kid's favorite is the one behind us and this little one below.
Click here to view more of her wonderful work. She is also a fabulous illustrator! Her sock monkeys have so much personality. This one below is called "Teasing Death".
We're so excited! Next week, our neighborhood independent childrens book store, Hicklebees, is hosting, Mark Teague. His Secret Shortcut has been a long time favorite. We also love his How to Dinosaurs Say Goodnight. I hope to have pictures to post next weekend.
By: Amy C. Moreno,
on 8/4/2007
Crayonville...A new marketing company. What can I say..the name got to me. Check the links. There is a lot here to look into just to see the trends going on in marketing and the world.
I almost missed Mo Willems while getting Julie Andrews and Emma Hamilton's autographs, but when I caught him at the elevator, he was kind enough to do one more quick signature. :) A great ending to an absolutely perfect conference.