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Rating: 5/5 Stars
About the Book: Set in the style of a silent movie, a fox invites a goose to dinner.
Add to GoodreadsGreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I was lucky enough to get a galley of this one at ALA Midwinter. When I sat down in my hotel room and needed a break from all my Printz meetings, I opened this picture book and it was just what I needed!
The illustrations are done in the style of a silent movie, so right there I'm in love. The illustrations are hilarious with subtle hints as to what is going to happen. I also love that it gives a great talking point about silent films and what movies used to be like. Add in the little chicks repetitive refrain of "that is not a good idea" and you've got yourself a wonderfully riotous storytime read aloud. The story has a very funny plot and kids will love shouting along with warning to the goose-because we all know how these stories go-or do we? I said in January that this was my favorite picture book of the year and I'm sticking to that-it's funny, it's great to read aloud, the pictures are fantastic and full of details, and the entire book will leave readers laughing. Once you finish it you want to turn back and start all over again. It's one of the few picture books that I actually laughed out loud over when I read it. A must read and a must have for storytime collections!
Rating: 4/5 Stars
About the Book: A little panda causes chaos when he sneezes. Will he sneeze?
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Ok, seriously, how can anyone resist that adorable panda on the cover? Chu is just too cute you have to fall in love with him. The story is simple-Chu is a small guy, but his sneezes are big. He goes throughout his day and everyone is wary of what might happen if Chu sneezes. I read this one in storytime and the kids had a blast pretending to sneeze along with Chu.
While the story is simple and funny, the illustrations are what make the book stand out to me. Adam Rex does a fantastic job with beautiful full page spreads that you just want to pour over. Each scene he creates adds to the story. You can make up a story about every little character you see on those pages and it's so fun to look at. A cute story with fantastic illustrations. The simple text and bright colors make it a fun choice for storytimes.
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from galley copies received at ALA Midwinter
The King Who Wouldn't Sleep by Debbie Singleton, illustrated by Holly Swain
Rating: 4/5 Stars
The king very protective of the princess and would not sleep until he found the perfect prince for his daughter. But he is outwitted by a farmer who knows of the perfect way to get the king to fall asleep!
This is fun, humorous bedtime story about getting kings (and kids) to fall asleep. I love the illustrations which have a nice cartoon feel. This would be a great read for a bedtime storytime. And I really love that the princess finds love not with a prince but with someone else. Yay for common folk! :)The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett, illustrations by Poly Bernatene
Rating: 5/5 Stars
A princess and a pig switch places which ends up causing a lot of craziness!
This is one of my new favorite princess books! The story is hilarious and the fun cartoon-style illustrations add to the humor. I mean, a big in a princess dress? How can you not crack up? I really love how the characters keep referencing "this is the sort of thing that happens in books"-this book would be perfect for storytime, just prepare for lots of laughing. Plus, it has an ending that would those that are anti-princess proud. Pair this with The Paper Bag Princess for a new take on princess tales.
Time for another edition of what Elliott and I have been enjoying together! So far, this kid LOVES books and I really hope that lasts forever. He loves to look at the pictures, likes being read to, likes eating the pages ;) It's a lot of fun and we've been reading tons of books each day and these are a few of our recent favorites:
Sniff by Matthew Van Fleet
Van Fleet is a great author of interactive books. Sniff! is his latest and it's perfect for a child Elliott's age. It fits well in little hands (some of his other books are big and heavy) and the tabs are easy to pull. Each page has something interactive about it, whether it's something small to touch or a pull-tab to make the animals move.
The story is very simple and excellent for introducing what noses do. We've read this one quite a bit lately and Elliott loves touching the Mouse whiskers and the scaly skin of the lizard. Fun!
It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
I'm a big fan of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but I feel all the additional books in the series were unnecessary. Too much of a good thing. This board book, though, is adorable and perfect for working on what different facial expressions might mean. Mouse paints different faces on seven pumpkins, each one displaying a different emotion (happy, sad, surprised, etc.).
It's also a great intro into fall-themed books for us. If E were a bit older, I would definitely pair this one with an art activity or read prior to carving/decorating pumpkins.
Pat the Zoo
This one has been our favorite book for the last month or so. The touch-and-feel portion is the best I've seen in quite awhile -- a little unique, with feathers, "whiskers" made of fishing line, and a sticky tongue on the frog and the story includes a wide range of words and adjectives for babies to learn. Elliott is encouraged to "touch," "pat," and "feel" all the animals and words like "bumpy," "furry," and "wrinkly" are introduced.
I have to admit, we own none of the other Pat the... books, but this one has definitely made the rotation into our daily reading.
Thank you to Random House, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster for the review copies!
I don't know if this is the season of the bear or what, but picture books featuring bears just keep showing up in my mailbox. All five of these are adorable and worthy of a read!
Bear Says Thanks is part of one of my all-time favorite series for kids. Author Karma Wilson and illustrator Jane Chapman have created this circle of animal friends that is just so incredibly charming and sweet that your child will love them and want to hear more and more of their stories.
This particular one focuses on Bear saying "thanks" to each of his friends as they bring him something delicious to eat. It teaches a really nice lesson on thanking people, the rhymes are great as always, and it just has an overall cozy feel to it. Perfect for fall!
Bear in Love by Daniel Pinkwater and illustrator Will Hillenbrand is equally charming. This bear reminded me a bit of Winnie the Pooh with his sweet, humble, and slightly dopey ways.
Someone begins leaving sweet treats outside Bear's cave and soon, ge begins exchanging simple gifts with this secretive animal each day. Bear hopes he has a new friend, but he can't seem to figure out who the mysterious gift-giver is. The beautiful illustrations and quiet story make this a nice bedtime read.
Bears in Beds is the sequel to
Bears on Chairs which is a huge hit at the bookstore. We use it for storytime quite frequently and toddlers seem to love it. Author Shirley Parenteau and illustrator David Walker have created, in my opinion, an even cuter bear story than Bears on Chairs. This time, the bears are all snuggled up in their beds when the wind starts to loudly blow, frightening a few of them. Luckily, Big Brown Bear knows just how to help!
This one would be great for helping with small fears.
Goldilocks and Just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson is a great spin on the classic. While on his usual stroll through the woods, this bear somehow ends up in a big city and he has no idea what to do! He heads into a nice apartment complex, trying to find a way out of the noise of the city, finding a great home with lots of yummy food and comfy furniture. It takes him awhile to find just the right bowl of porridge, the right chair to sit on, and the right bed to take a nap in though!
Older children who know the original Goldilocks and the Three Bears story will enjoy this silly take on it and the fun illustrations would be great for storytime entertainment.
Finally, author Bonny Becker and illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton are back with
A Birthday for Bear. Much like the Karma Wilson Bear series, these are also some of my favorite books to give as gifts. They're just so sweet and pretty!
This time, it's Bear's birthday and he just wants to forget all about it. Pesky Mouse, however, has other ideas of what the best way to celebrate would be, and none of those ideas include staying home alone! Though Bear always seems grumpy and annoyed with Mouse, he ends up coming around in the end and has a very nice birthday!
Originally published in Easy Reader format, it's now being sold as a picture book, which I love!
Thank you to Candlewick and McElderry Books for the review copies!
Here are some recent favorites I've discovered at the library!
Oh No, Little Dragon! by Jim AverbeckRating: 4/5 Stars
Poor dragon was roaring and firing his flame until-oops!-he swallowed some water and now his flame is out! How can he get it back?
The illustrations are adorable. I mean, don't you just want to adopt that cute little dragon on the cover and give him a big hug?? The text is simple, the story is fun, and the illustrations are just too cute making this a perfect read aloud and great for storytimes. I also really appreciated that it had a bit of a sappy storyline (Mama Dragon helps Little Dragon get his fire back) but it never veers into annoyingly sappy territory.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Zoe is trying to get ready for the day, but what clothes will she need?
Oh Zoe, I understand your dilemma so well. I hate trying to choose outfits and pick out clothes. (I'll admit that I will lay in bed trying to figure out what to wear for the day!) And when you don't know what kind of adventure you're going to have that day, how do you pick the right outfit? Anyone who has had the task of getting a preschooler ready for the day can relate to Zoe. Her reasoning for her various outfit choices (what if it's a twirling day? Or what if it's a hiding day?) will resonate with preschoolers. The illustrations are bright and colorful and I'll admit, I wouldn't mind having Zoe's wardrobe! The ending will leave parents laughing making this a great lapsit read.
I, like many other people, love picture books for their illustrations. The stories are, of course, nice too, but I love to just slowly browse through a picture book, lingering on the pages and finding the little details. I have several "favorite" illustrators (Peter H. Reynolds, John Rocco, Alison Jay, Philip/Erin Stead are a few), but tons of books that I love to just stare at. Here are a few new ones:
I Like Old Clothes by Mary Ann Hoberman and illustrator Patrice Barton
This is an older story, but has been reillustrated...and beautifully so. The story itself is excellent and fits my mindset on hand-me-downs perfectly. Why buy new clothes when there are excellent pieces out there that someone else has already nicely broken in! I hope to pass that idea onto Elliott and the fun illustrations will definitely help to encourage that.
The pages are filled with soft colors, yet a lively pair of children that make this such a cute story. They're excited about their hand-me-downs and the reader gets to enjoy the beauty of the new-to-them clothes right along with them. I think every frugal family could use a copy of this one!
I also loved
Patrice Barton's illustrations in
Rosie Sprout's Time to Shine.
I Like Old ClothesMary Ann Hoberman32 pagesKnopf9780375869518August 2012Review copyHide & Seek by Il Sung Na
Na's illustrations are SO gorgeous. In this particular book they're bright, colorful, and fun to look at, which is probably why Elliott has gravitated right to since it has been on our bookshelves. He loves to look at the pages and actually sits through the entire story!
The simplicity of a game of hide and seek is taken up a notch with the addition of a chameleon. Elephant manages to find all of his other friends, but chameleon is just too good at hiding! It's a cute story that would be great to read with your younger story time groups. And, of course, I can't say enough good things about the illustrations. Love them!
Hide & SeekIl Sung Na32 pagesKnopf9780375870781July 2011Review copyThe Town Mouse and the Country Mouse retold and illustrated by Helen Ward
The illustrations in this book are absolutely phenomenal!! The story of the town mouse and the country mouse, each loving their lives in their respective places, is much the same as I remember from all of the other versions I own, but it's told very simply and without a huge amount of text which is very nice. Much more accessible for younger children.
It's one of my favorite fables and so I've collected a few copies over the years, but Helen Ward's illustrations are, by far, my favorite. They are incredibly rich, both in color and detail, and you'll want to spend lots of time perusing the pages admiring her work. Everything from the pink flowers on the cover to the platter of blue cheese on the last page has this amazing level of detail and beauty. I love it!
I'm getting two copies...one to go on MY shelf to cherish and one for Elliott to enjoy. This would make a beautiful gift for a child or an adult, so in our house, we get two!
The Town Mouse and the Country MouseHelen Ward48 pagesTemplar978076366098September 2012Review copy
School has started in most of the country and it's time for kids and teachers to get creative. Let the fun begin! I've received a few books over the summer that will help encourage your kids, whether they're in your classroom, your library, or your homeschool setting...I want to help inspire them to seek their creative sides!
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont and illustrator David Catrow
First published in 2005, this one is getting a new look...lap book form! Perfect for my almost-toddler! The story is fairly simple: mischievous boy with a big imagination decides (with a little help from Mama) that he "ain't gonna paint no more," but first he must finish what he started. The result is a big, bright, beautiful mess of paint and fun. Mama may not be happy, but kids have been delighted by this story since it originally came out.
I've loved this book for years. David Catrow uses incredibly bold color choices to help show off the fun and creative story that Beaumont has created. Who cares if the child is a tad disobedient? So what if the English used isn't the best? It's a super cute story with great rhymes and a huge dose of imagination. I think we all could use the reminder that sometimes, it's just ok to PAINT! Self-expression is huge here and I love it!
(After reading this to Elliott we will definitely having the "it's only a story and it is NOT ok to paint your body or our house" talk).
This story is incredibly spirited and makes for a super silly storytime read. Chant it at the top of your lungs and then pair it with a crazy painting activity. Just make sure you have smocks on hand ;)
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!
Karen Beaumont
32 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
9780547870359
September 2012 (lap book edition)
Review copy
Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds
Marisol is in charge of painting the sky for the class mural, but she can't find the color blue! She isn't sure how to create the perfect sky without the perfect blue color and is worried she won't be able to make a beautiful mural.
When she sees has the opportunity to watch the sky change from day to night -- while riding home on the bus and then sitting on her porch -- Marisol realizes that the sky doesn't HAVE to be blue. It can be whatever she wants it to be, while still becoming something absolutely beautiful.
Peter Reynolds is one of my absolute favorite authors. Sky Color is going to inspire kids AND adults, which, at least for me, makes an awesome picture book. Just because we've been taught that the sky is blue doesn't mean it has to be blue all the time. Sometimes it's purple, pink, orange, grey...lots of colors. Marisol will help everyone realize that you don't need the color blue to make a sky...be creative!
Sky Color
Peter H. Reynolds
32 pages
Candlewick
9780763623456
August 2012
Review copy
Create with Maisy by Lucy Cousins
Elliott has started to fall in love with all things Maisy. I've seen it happen with kids at the library and bookstore, but didn't realize my own would love this cute little mouse too! This particular title is a bit above his skill level right now, but it will be sticking around on our shelves for awhile until he can use it.
We start off with a page spread about how Maisy loves to create things and showing off a few of the items she likes to be creative with. The crafts that follow are simple and though they may require a small amount of adult assistance, they'd be excellent for kids 4 and up. It's a great way to let them get creative and express themselves through art, with a small bit of instruction and direction.
Your kids can make Beady Butterflies, a Blossom Tree, a Pencil Holder, Paper Lanterns, a Button Bowl, and other fun crafts to use as homemade gifts. The holidays are coming up, as much as we'd all like to deny it and our kids are going to have to get busy!
This would make an excellent resource at home, as well as for teachers and librarians. I know you all need crafty books too.
Create with Maisy: A Maisy First Arts-and-Crafts BookLucy Cousins48 pagesCandlewick9780763661229July 2012Review copy
About the Book: Moose really wants to be in the alphabet book. Zebra has a plan and has the alphabet organized but Moose has other ideas.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: How have I not shared my love of
Z is for Moose? And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! It rivals
Robot, Zombie, Frankenstein as my most favorite and adored picture book of the year.
This is one of those picture books that just never seems to get old. It's a blast to read aloud, especially if you really act out Moose's part-his excitement is infectious and you can't help but give a dramatic reading as Moose when you read this one. And the illustrations are fantastic. They really add to the humor of the story and it's fun to spot Moose on the pages. You read this book and try not to laugh-it's just that great. Seriously, I've read this book numerous times this year and I find something new I love with every reading.
Z is for Moose a must read for any picture book lover and a welcome addition to any library collection.
I've been sharing Elliott's new favorites lately, but this week I have two of my own favorites. I've always loved both of these stories and am so glad to have my own copies to share with my son now.
As a kid, I loved both of these books and was really excited to see them being reissued! Both are about wondering what it would be like in the city and realizing that the country isn't so bad after all. Story of my life.
Originally published in 1978 and winner of the Caldecott Medal,
The Little House by Virginia Burton is the story of exactly what the title states: a little house. The house loves living in the countryside, but has always wondered what it would be like to live in the big city. As times change and years pass, the city ends up surrounding the little house, taking over the countryside, until the poor house can't see any green space at all. Be careful what you wish for!
It has a happy ending, I promise! I love the pure classic feel of this one and the illustrations are lovely. My husband thinks it's too long and sentimental, but he's just doesn't get it. Elliott and I have been reading this one at least once a week before naptime and WE love it. It's a nice, quiet story...no excitement here...and I think every once in awhile we need to slow down and read a good long picture book.
The reissued hardcover is available in mid-April!
The Little HouseVirginia Lee Burton44 pagesPicture BookHoughton Mifflin9780547790442April 2012Review copy
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by Paul Galdone was originally published in 1971. This was really one of my favorites when I was growing up, because I lived in the country and always had dreams about what it would be like to live in a city. Or just a place that it didn't take an hour to find a grocery store. You know...perspective.
Most of you probably know the story: the town mouse doesn't understand how the country mouse could stand living in the country, with it being the dullest place on Earth and all, and invites his friend to come stay with him in the city. The fancy life is too crazy for the country mouse, so he hightails it right back to where he came from, happy to live a boring life.
A simple story, with a nice message. Just be happy where you are!
The Town Mouse and the Country MousePaul Galdone40 pagesPicture BookHoughton Mifflin9780547668543April 2012Review copy
For the last few months, I've been focusing this feature on books that Elliott and I are enjoying together, but these two books are ones I've fallen in love with. Both are a bit over Elliott's head for now, but he will most definitely be introduced to them in time!
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
I have a love/hate relationship with William Joyce. If I love a book he's written, I love it wholeheartedly and cannot possibly say enough about it. This one definitely falls into that category! The artwork is absolutely amazing and had me staring at each page for much longer than any typical picture book. I mean, it inspired an Academy Award-winning short film...it's gorgeous!
So, basically, I love that Morris Lessmore teaches the reader that it doesn't matter how you get the story...whether it be via traditional book, e-reader, etc., it's the STORY that matters. Isn't that great?! And really, in today's society, with all the chatter back and forth about who reads the best way, Morris Lessmore is exactly who we need to put us in our place.
A must-have for your book-loving shelves!
The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris LessmoreWilliam Joyce56 pagesPicture BookAtheneum9781442457027June 2012Review copyThe Lonely Book by Kate Bernheimer and Chris Sheban
Oh, this book. Rarely does a picture book actually bring me to tears, but this one succeeded. I love, love, love it and want to push it into the hands of everyone I meet.
It's a fairly simple story about a book used to being loved and checked out and then as it grows older is left on the shelf for longer and longer periods, until it lands in the discard pile. The emotions the words evoke, however, especially in someone who loves books and libraries as much as I do, was anything but simple.
Kids will enjoy the story, but I almost think adults will appreciate it a lot more. I can't wait to give this as a Christmas gift to a few of my favorite book lovers!
The Lonely Book
Kate Bernheimer
40 pages
Picture Book
Schwartz & Wade
0 Comments on Picture Book Saturday: Books About Books as of 1/1/1900
For now, while Elliott is still a little guy, I think I'm going to start doing these Picture Book Saturday posts once a month, focusing on our favorites. That may mean more than just 2-3 books in each post, but that way they're all in one place and I'm not trying to write out a new post every week. If you couldn't already tell, I've been totally slacking at it.
This month, these are the ones our whole family has really been enjoying:
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
We love us some Mo Willems in this house! Elliott seems to really enjoy the simple illustrations and Aaron and I love how ridiculously silly the stories are. This one made us both laugh out loud! That darn pigeon is just too cute.
Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman and illustrator Dan Yaccarino
I'm not much into robots myself, but my nerdy husband loves them and I have a feeling, with a little boy in the house, I just may be seeing them around a lot. This book was great...filled with bright illustrations and a nice message about friendship and helping each other out. The amount of text was perfect--not too much and not too little-- and the adorably nerdy appearance of the little boy had me chuckling. I loved it!
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolf
One of the more unique color-concept books I've seen, this one is not only a lovely read, great for bedtime or just one-on-one time with your little ones, it's beautifully illustrated. Parents could do so many things with this one, spawning projects, guessing colors, etc. or just use it as a nice way to introduce the colors, as I am with E. I'll be using this as a baby shower gift in the near future!
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
Obviously, this is an old book. I enjoyed it during MY childhood and now I'm hoping Elliott will enjoy it too. It's been around for 70 years! This copy includes a cd to read along with, one track with page turn signal
Anyone else remember Lyle from their childhood? I great up reading about this austere and sophisticated crocodile and I was more than a little excited to see this story collection. Yes, I am a children's book nerd and I have no problem admitting that.
Apparently, this year is the 50th Anniversary of the Lyle books and so this awesome storybook treasury is being published. It has all of the classics:
The House on 88th Street
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Lyle and the Birthday Party
Lyle Walks the Dogs
It also has a "Count with Lyle! Counting Activity after the stories.
I love story collections, because it allows for more books with less shelf space! I've already started reading these to Elliott and the illustrations definitely hold his attention, with being mostly green and black. He loves to look at Lyle when he's the only character on the page. An early fan!
This story collection will be out in stores on March 6th!
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Storybook TreasuryBernard Waber192 pagesPicture BookHoughton Mifflin Harcourt9780547516189March 2012Review copy provided by publisher
Randy Riley is a genius and loves robots and science, but the poor kid just can't seem to hit a baseball. When looking through his telescope one night, Randy seems a big fireball heading straight towards Earth and knows he needs to save everyone! Using his smarts and his love of baseball (even if he isn't very good), Randy devises a plan that will surprise everyone and just might save the day.
Chris Van Dusen is one of my favorite picture book authors and his newest, Randy Riley's Really Big Hit is tons of fun. We actually read it to the kids at my small group and it was a huge hit!
The pacing of the book is absolutely perfect for a read aloud and the large, bright illustrations will definitely hold the attention of those being read to. The rhymes had everyone laughing (adults too!) and the the consensus was that Randy should stick to robots!
Randy Riley's Really Big Hit
Chris Van Dusen
32 pages
Picture Book
Candlewick
9780763649463
February 2012
Review copy provided by publisher
We've started trying to establish a bedtime routine with Elliott, though since he's only a few weeks "adjusted" age, it may be pointless. Either way, we've been making sure to have family storytime each night and this one made an appearance in our reading stack tonight!
Bunny tells the reader all of the things he loves about bedtime, including taking a bath, reading a story with Dad, and talking about his best moments of the day. Dad has a special saying for Bunny that he says every single night, making him feel very special and then Bunny gets to dream, all night long.
It's a short story with soft illustrations, great for encouraging toddlers into their own routine. Taking a bath, putting on pajamas, reading a story, etc. Elliott is obviously a bit young, but it certainly can't hurt to start, right?
A nice bedtime read.
The Things I Love About BedtimeTrace MoroneyBoard BookScholastic9780545290166January 2012Review copy provided by publisher
Every other year I've waited until the weekend after Thanksgiving to post about holiday books, but this year I thought I might start a little early. I've had the chance to check out a lot of fabulous books and I want to make sure you have plenty of time to get your hands on them! Parents, I know you'll be at your bookstores and libraries looking for books to make the kids happy this month, so take a look at these and hopefully you'll see something intriguing.
Oh, What a Christmas! by Michael Garland
I've always really liked Michael Garland as both an author and an illustrator. His books are funny, have silly illustrations, and get the reader hooked from the first page. His "Miss Smith" books are still some of my favorite to recommend.
This one is all about Santa losing his reindeer! Just as they are set to take off for their night of gift delivering, the sleigh separates from the flying reindeer, leaving Santa stranded. Luckily, he and the sleigh crash-land right next to a barn filled with animals, all very willing to help Santa out for the night.
A sleigh led by pigs, sheep, and cows may not be conventional, but the animals do a great job and are handsomely rewarded by Santa at the end. Cute!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsOh, What a Christmas!Michael Garland40 pagesPicture BookScholastic Press9780545242103September 2011Review copy provided by publisherJoy to the World: Christmas Stories from Around the Globe by Saviour Pirotta and illustrator Sheila Moxley
I love reading of other traditions from around the world during the holidays and this story collection would be a nice family read leading up to Christmas. It has stories from Mexico, Ghana, Malta, Syria, and Russia, definitely giving global coverage!
Some of the stories are a bit long for younger children to sit still and listen to, though the vibrant illustrations may help to hold their attention to the page. A great author's note is included, expanding on the specific country traditions and where the stories came from.
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsJoy to the World: Christmas Stories from Around the Globe
Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle and illustrator Matt Phelan
The picture book version of this was published way back in 2007, but since it's just now coming out in board book form (and it's a new-to-me book altogether), I thought it should count for a Picture Book Saturday post. And I love Matt Phelan. He's my illustrator crush (along with Kadir Nelson and John Rocco, of course).
When I read this, I couldn't believe I hadn't read it before! I fell in love with the sweet story of a very hairy bear (except for his no-hair nose) and the lovely flow Schertle created. We follow the bear through the seasons as he searches for salmon, snacks on yummy blueberries, and eventually cuddles up for a nice, long sleep.
The story is utterly charming and the illustrations are just lovely. A fantastic and unique choice for a story time, as it's quieter than most, but engrossing, and perfect for a one-on-one read with your toddler or preschooler. I loved it!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsVery Hairy Bear Alice Schertle30 pagesBoard BookHoughton Mifflin9780547594071October 2011Review copy provided by publisher
A Dog is a Dog by Stephan Shaskan
A dog is a dog right? Not if it's a cat. Or a squid. Or a moose! Imagine that! Silliness definitely plays a huge role in this new picture book, from the funny storyline to the bright (and sometimes downright devilish) illustrations, your kids will love shouting out what they think the next animal will be...and you can laugh when they're wrong. ;)
If you're looking for a great read aloud, this is definitely one to pick up next time you're at the bookstore or library. A lot of fun, with excellent rhyming and a bit of quirkiness drawn into the illustrations. A really nice choice to liven up story time and stray away from the same old reads.
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from Powells
A Dog is a DogStephan Shaskan40 pagesPicture BookChronicle9780811878968October 2011Review copy provided by publisherMustache! by Mac Barnett and illustrator Kevin Cornell
Arrogant King? Definitely. Duncan is more concerned with his appearance than maintaining his kingdom and keeping the citizens happy. He stars at himself in mirrors all day and even when the people protest for better roads or safer slides for children (the protest signs are quite humorous), the King's answer is to hang a giant poster of himself on the castle wall, for the kingdom to "enjoy."
A sneaky royal subject begins to gain revenge by painting mustaches all over the King's beloved billboards, enraging Duncan and creating some pretty silly results in the kingdom.
This one was a cute read for your older kids. The illustrations are definitely the standout portion of this story. Make sure you peruse the page for awhile to take in all the great details!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsMustache!Mac Barnett40 pagesPicture BookDisney Hyperion9781423116714
2 Comments on Picture Book Saturday, last added: 10/30/2011
How Do You Feed a Hungry Giant? by Caitlin Friedman and illustrator Shaw Nielson
Though it's not every day little boys find giants in their backyard, Oscar knows he can't turn away from this one. This poor giant is HUNGRY, or so his sign says. Oscar proceeds to do everything he can to help fill the giant's belly, from bunches of grapes to pizzas and jars of peanut butter. Nothing seems to help! Eventually, Oscar really does have to ask himself: how DO you feed a hungry giant?
The text is simple and bold on the page and the illustrations also evoke a sense of simplicity, which was really nice to see. A lot of "busy" illustrations in books today and this one was just the right match for the story. The addition of a few pull tabs, lift-the-flaps, and pop-ups keep things interesting without being over the top.
Two thumbs up!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsHow Do You Feed a Hungry Giant?Caitlin Friedman32 pagesPicture BookWorkman978076157526October 2011Review copy provided by publisherI Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
Poor bear has lost his hat. Sad day. He goes around asking his fellow woodland dwellers whether or not they're seen the hat, all responding that they hadn't...except for one fellow, who definitely responds NO, but careful watchers will see otherwise. When the bear figures out who indeed does have his hat, he definitely gets it back...quietly, calmly, and in a very "bear-like" way.
Loved this one! Another simple story, but is one has a quirky twist at the end that will delight kids and probably cause some parents to put it back on the shelf. Those are always the best books I think. Add a little pizzazz to your reading pile!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsI Want My Hat BackJon Klassen40 pagesPicture BookCandlewick
2 Comments on Picture Book Saturday, last added: 10/24/2011
Two sets of giveaways in one month, what do you think about that?! Instead of my usual Picture Book Saturday post, I wanted to let you know about this fabulous giveaway I'm having, featuring a couple of books from Sleeping Bear Press, one of my favorite publishers of books for kids.
They've been gracious enough to offer TWO winners each a copy of
When Anju Loved Being an Elephant by Wendy Henrichs and
Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band by Kwame Alexander (which I
reviewed here).
Anju has gorgeous illustrations and a really sweet story and
Acoustic Rooster is a whole lot of fun. A great gift combo for those upcoming holidays presents we all have to give, hint, hint.
Entering is simple. Leave a comment by Thursday 10/20 at 11:59pm and I'll pick two winners. Nothing complicated, no extra entries. If you want the books, just say so! Sleeping Bear Press will mail the books out to the winners shortly after they receive your snail mail addresses.
Stars by Mary Lyn Ray and illustrator Marla Frazee
Combine a super sweet story with one of my favorite illustrators and you'll definitely have winner on your hands. Going down as one of my favorites of the year, Stars is incredibly simple, explaining all the wonderful places one might find stars and just what those stars can mean.
From being given a shiny star for doing something great, to blowing on a dandelion and releasing thousands of stars into the sky, this is an absolutely beautiful representation about appreciating the little things in life. One of my favorites of the year...though I think I say that about anything Marla Frazee is involved in!
I'll definitely be giving this one out as a gift this Christmas!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from PowellsStarsMary Lyn Ray40 pagesPicture BookBeach Lane9781442422490October 2011Review copy provided by publisherGrandpa Green by Lane Smith
I've never come across a Lane Smith book that I didn't like and I think this one will be going on the "love" shelf! A beautiful telling of Great-Grandpa Green's life, through the amazing topiary trees he created in the garden. It's not only an exploration of family history from a young boy's perspective, but also a whimsical look at just what can be made out of nature.
I loved the flow of the story and though the concept is rather serious, the overall feel is that of wonder and amazement. Learning about heritage is incredibly important in one's family and this book might get your younger children asking questions about their own families.
An absolutely lovely book! Pick one up for grandparents or your own grandchildren!
Buy from IndieBoundBuy from Powells
Grandpa GreenLane Smith32 pagesPicture BookRoaring Brook Press
The Splendid Spotted Snake by Betty Ann Schwartz and illustrator Alexander Wilensky
What a fun book! Telling the simple story of a snake with different colored spots could not possibly be more exciting than with this magic ribbon technique. I've never seen anything else with an interactive element quite like this before, each page pulling a different portion of ribbon through slots in the pages, and kids are going to get the biggest kick out of it!
The snake grows bigger and more colorful with each page turn and the book is made of heavy duty pages and ribbon, ensuring its ability to last for more than a few reads (which all of you librarians and booksellers will appreciate). The ending is quite clever and a bit of a surprise, making for a nice read aloud as well.
Buy from PowellsThe Splendid Spotted Snake: A Magic Ribbon BookBetty Ann Schwartz9 pagesPicture BookWorkman978076163602October 2011Review copy provided by publisherColors of Me by Brynne Bares and illustrator Annika M. Nelson
I always appreciate finding new books that speak about differences between children in a thought-provoking, yet age-appropriate way. The beautiful collage illustrations in this one, paired with verse that offers questions surrounding color.
"If flowers had no colors, would they smell as sweet?" and "What color am I to the moon? What color am I to the sea?" are great examples of how the book not only questions what skin color means, but also what color in general means, in a manner that even toddlers can understand.
The illustrations are fabulous and though I'm not familiar with other work by Nelson, I'll definitely be seeking her illustrated books out.
Buy from PowellsColors of MeBrynne Barnes28 pagesPicture BookSleeping Bear Press9781585365418September 2011Review copy provided by publisher Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka and illustrator Chad Cameron
Three of my favorite picture book authors have new books popping up right about now and I know you all are fans of some of these too. Enjoy!
The Sniffles for Bear by Bonny Becker and illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton
This is the third installment in this adorable series featuring Bear and Mouse. Bear is his usual grumpy self, though he also happens to have a very bad cold, making him even grumpier. Mouse, always overeager in his willingness to help, makes Bear snippier and grouchier, until of course, Mouse starts to feel yucky and the roles are reversed.
These books are always cute and sweet with soft illustrations that make them perfect for bedtime reading. The silly relationship between Bear and Mouse is definitely giggle-worthy, great for storytimes with toddlers.
Other books in the series include A Visitor for Bear, A Bedtime for Bear, and the early reader A Birthday for Bear.
Buy from PowellsThe Sniffles for BearBonny Becker32 pagesPicture BookCandlewick Press9780763647568September 2011Review copy provided by publisherBear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson and illustrator Jane Chapman
Karma Wilson's "Bear" books are some of my favorite to read aloud. The rhymes are always done really well in terms of flow and the silliness of the story comes through perfectly.
In this latest Bear installment, poor Bear has a loose tooth! He's worried about what it means to have a loose tooth, until his faithful friends come to his rescue, as they always do. If you've read the other stories, you'll know Bear is a big worrywart and his friends are always there to comfort him and make him feel better.
Just enough silliness for some giggles and a touch of that sweetness I love in picture books. These books are great to read aloud with your family or for a storytime. I highly encourage checking out the others in the series, as well as Karma Wilson's other titles. She has a lot!
Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, Bear Stays Up, Bear Feels Scared, Bear Feels Sick, and Bear's New Friend.
Buy from PowellsBear's Loose Tooth
Lots of new picture books have been showing up in my mailbox lately and you know I love to share! Hopefully you'll find something to enjoy with your family.
I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn and illustrator Julia Denos
A little girl with a favorite dress discovers what can be made of clothes when we outgrow them. No need to get rid of her favorite dress, she can make it into a t-shirt! And then a tank top, a skirt, etc. If you have a budding fashionista in your house, this is definitely a book to check out!
The illustration are unique, with the artist using a collage-type medium with pencils, paints, and 3D elements and a fun to just look at...I discovered new things the closer I looked. I loved the creativity aspect and the idea of encouraging kids to reuse things they love and make memories out of them, rather than always buying new.
I Had a Favorite Dress
Boni Ashburn
32 pages
Picture Book
Abrams
9781419700163
August 2011
Review copy provided by publisher
Naamah and the Ark at Night by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and illustrator Holly Meade
Such a lovely, lovely lullaby! Naamah is Noah's wife and her name means "great singer" as shown on these beautifully illustrated pages. All through the night she sings to the animals, to her sons and their wives, songs of prayer and songs of love.
An incredibly simple, yet powerful book, this make such a nice bedtime reading. The illustrations are amazing, showing off the strong implications of the text and the magnificence of the night. It's a soothing book and a unique. Rarely do we see mention of Noah's wife, even in the Bible, so for Bartoletti to imagine her in such a strong and beautiful way was inspirational.
This one would make a great gift for a new baby, for a baptism, or just for yourself, if you're like me!
Naamah and the Ark at NightSusan Campbell Bartoletti32 pages
I'm featuring one of my favorite illustrators this week and a bit of Maisy. Hopefully you'll find something to read with your family!
King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
One of my favorite picture books, both to read and to sell, is
The Circus Ship, so I was really excited to see Van Dusen's newest in my mailbox.
This one tells the tale of a King who is a tad bit too confident! When his pompous attitude meets Tessa, a sorceress, she places a spell on the King, causing his head to swell. It keeps growing and growing until he can no longer fit in his own castle!
The hilarious story is paired with even funnier illustrations. Seriously some of the silliness, laugh-out-loud worthy illustrations I've ever seen. Your kids will be laughing, you'll be chuckling, and both of you will develop quite the fondness for this flawed, yet ultimately sweet, King.
Definitely a great pick for a read aloud!
King Hugo's Huge EgoChris Van Dusen40 pagesPicture BookCandlewick978076365049July 2011Review copy provided by publisherMaisy's Amazing Big Book of Learning by Lucy Cousins
I love Maisy books. I think the brightness of the colors are incredibly appealing to the toddler/preschool age group and the concepts taught are simplistic and presented in a easy-to-understand format.
This latest includes lots of cool flaps and TONS of cool stuff to learn. From days of the week to animals and counting, shapes, patterns, it really has a bit of everything, yet the information is presented in very small increments, allowing your child to really grasp what Maisy is doing. Too much on the page is just information overload in my opinion.
A really nice book for just beginning the process of teaching these concepts to your kids. No need to go through the entire book, let the child pick the page to work on. That makes it fun! Great for ages 2+
Maisy's Amazing Big Book of Learning
Two incredibly visually stimulating books for you all this weekend. Enjoy!
If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk is brilliant in its concept. So brilliant that I wish I had thought of it!
Taking completely unaltered rocks the author personally found, we are given a simple, yet totally cool alphabet book. The rocks are each in the shape of a letter of the alphabet, as is whatever the letter is standing for. We have "b is for bear," "q is for question mark," "i is for igloo," and my favorite "g is for ghosts."
At the end, readers are given a neat explanation of how McGuirk came about the idea of this book and how the collection even came to be. I was so glad to see these tidbits included, because I was definitely wondering as I flipped through the pages.
This one is great for kids AND parents. Visually stimulating and a lot of fun...plus it just may spawn some ideas for kids starting their own cool collection.
If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered AlphabetLeslie McGuirk48 pagesPicture BookTricycle Press97858263704May 2011Review copy provided by publisherTo Market, to Market by Nikki McClure (also the illustrator of the beautiful All in a Day) has created a beautiful and educational story with a nice story included as well.
Focusing on the wonders of a farmers market, the pages switch between a story about a family going to visit the market and facts about how different fruits and vegetables end up at the market. We learn about kale, apples, honey, cheese, and even napkins!
The text is paired with beautiful illustrations that are totally unique to this illustrator. I've never seen anything like them before and I've loved staring at all the books McClure has been a part of!
This one would make a really nice book for those wanting to introduce their kids to how great farmers markets are and how we really should be thanking the farmers for providing us with such wonderful produce and other products.
To Market, to Market
1 Comments on Picture Book Saturday, last added: 6/20/2011
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