Farewell for Now, Totz!

 

illustration by Lorie Ann Grover

Hello beloved readertotz, first readers, older sibs of totz, parents, and educators!

After fourteen years of posting recommends for the most excellent board books and an occasional exceptional picture book, I believe it is time to end our effort for now. Thankfully, the esteem for and quality of board books has risen in the industry. We still hope that ALA will begin to award the Dorothy Kunhardt Award yearly to the very best in the novelty/board book format.   

Joan and I continue to write our own books. You can follow the links below to keep up on our news and releases if you like. Thanks so much for your interest, encouragement, and support over the years. Yay for the books we have gathered around! I hope you have discovered joy and fun from authors, illustrators, and publishers. 

For now, farewell! May your next snuggled book be a rich delight for you and yours. Love to each,

Lorie Ann Grover 

and Joan Holub 

Celebrations: Margaret Wise Brown Board Book Award

 

It's official! Bank Street College of Education has decided to begin acknowledging and awarding board books! My editor just zipped me the press release as she and I talked about this need in 2010. The award will be named: the Margaret Wise Brown Board Book Award for excellence in literature for very young children. Wonderful!

Here is a press release excerpt: 

The first prize will be awarded in the spring of 2023 for board books published or picture books adapted to board book format in 2021 and 2022. The award will be given every two years to a board book for infants and toddlers (ages 0-3).

“Criteria for selection will include books that promote interplay and engagement, incorporate rich
language, demonstrate a consideration for childhood development, and are constructed to withstand multiple encounters with little hands,” said Dr. Cynthia Weill, Director, Center for Children’s Literature, Bank Street College of Education.

Joan Holub and I, both board book author/illustrators, have been calling for a recognition of the board book format since 2009. Our aim at the readertotz blog has always been to raise the profile of board books for our first readers. We make a call to authors, illustrators, and publishers to create the best possible works as they introduce reading to our youngest ones. 

We have envisioned the American Library Association creating the Dorothy Kunhardt Award for the Outstanding Board or Novelty Book. Click here to see our facebook page. We would love to see Dorothy named as the creator of the beloved, first novelty book still in print: Pat the Bunny. 

Joan and I are thrilled Bank Street College is lifting this important format for all to see! Here's to future award recipients, the wee ones who will hold the works, and Bank Street College for their efforts. Bravo! 

More, more, more: I am the Shark

The great white shark enters bold as the greatest shark there is. It isn't long before he's challenged. There are other sharks who are great, as well. They swim faster, live longer, hide better, and more. The great white shark learns there will always be others who are great and greater than him. To be happy, being yourself is the way to swim. Along the way, first readers will learn fascinating, fun facts about many shark varieties. And who knows? Maybe it's your joyful smile that will set you apart in the end. Regardless, there's room for all to be admired and enjoyed for who they are. Even a bear...

Joan Holub's funny, heartwarming text bounces along with the great white's search for specialty. Laurie Keller's art amps the humor to its fullest level. What a winning combination for schools, libraries, and families who love sharks! 

I am the Shark

by Joan Holub

illustrated by Laurie Keller

Crown Books for Young Readers

Top Shelf: This Little Artist, Joan Holub

Celebrations for readertotz founder, Joan Holub! Her "This Little" series continues beautifully with This Little Artist, an Art History Primer.

Painting, shaping, making art.
With creative joy, hands, and heart.

Little artists have great big imaginations.

Introduce your totz to ten artists who have shaped our world culture by reflecting their own insights. A rhyme and portrait is followed by a fact and example of the featured artist's work. Daniel Roode's adorable big-eyed, flat characters create a unity in our diversity. 

Lastly, a final spread collects eighteen more creators. The broad field of art is open to collage, photography, glass creation, performance and more. An end question asks:

Crayons, paper, paint, or clay-
what will you use to make art today?

Bravo, Joan and Daniel! Thank you for this joyful board book!

This Little Artist, an Art History Primer
by Joan Holub
illustrated by Daniel Roode
Little Simon, September 10, 2019

This Little President: Joan Holub

Happy Presidents Day! Right now, find This Little President, a Presidential Primer by Joan Holub. It's always fun to celebrate our own contributions to the board book format at readertotz. Congrats, Joan!



Jefferson
This little president
was super-duper smart.
He liked buildings, inventions,
books, fossils, and art.

Daniel Roode's simple illustrations capture our beloved presidents with zest and fun. The round eyes alone make you smile.

Joan has brought the celebration of our country's leaders into the board book format for your totz. Start building your little patriot's library with This Little President! Who knows? You may be reading to the next leader of the United States.

This Little President
by Joan Holub
illustrated by Daniel Roode
Little Simon, 2016

Poetry Friday: Itty Bitty Kitty, by Joan Holub

So adorable with rhyme throughout. Itty Bitty Kitty is a great pick for Poetry Friday! Enjoy our own Joan Holub's bouncy, punchy text accompanied by the cutest illustrations by James Burks. Move over Clifford!

    It was a furry purry,
snuggly huggly,
cutie patootie,
                   itty...
                     bitty...
                       kitty!
                    He had sparkly green eys
                 and was just the right size
                 for a girl like Ava.

Itty Bitty Kitty
by Joan Holub
illustrated by James Burks
Harper, 2015

Mini Myths: Joan Holub and Leslie Patricelli

 

 

I've been waiting for this pairing of awesome: our own readertotz' Joan Holub and Leslie Patricelli! It doesn't get better!

Mini Myths is their series collaboration releasing September 16th. Play Nice, Hercules! and Be Patient, Pandora! are the first to pub. Following Joan's hit series with Suzanne Williams, Goddess Girls and Heroes in Training, Joan was primed to translate myths for totz. And she does it so well! Tight language conveys the essence of both Pandora and Hercules. Following a dear concluding truth, each book ends with a short synopsis of the myth itself.

Leslie's illustrations bring new beloved characters to board books, but you will recognize her infectious style from her Baby books. How fun to have more to love.

You will treasure these gems as they bring myths to your totz with heartfelt truths. Wonderful! Thank you, Joan and Leslie!

Be Patient, Pandora!
Play Nice, Hercules!
by Joan Holub
illustrated by Leslie Patricelli
Abrams Appleseed, 2014

Big Kid Pick: Little Red Writing

I'm psyched about our Big Kid Pick this month! It's our own Joan Holub's Little Red Writing. Paired with Melissa Sweet's illustrations, this picture book is winning acclaim for it's smart text and awesome imagery:

* School Library Journal, starred review
* Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* Publishers Weekly, starred review
* Richie’s Pick

Joan dedicated this treasure to me and my daughters, Emily and Ellen, as we all read the work in first draft and encouraged Little Red on her way. Thank you, Joan!

Here's a bit about the work and pertinent links. Write on!

Little Red Writing
Readertotz co-founder Joan Holub and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet team up in this hilarious and exuberant picture book retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, in which a brave, little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of writing a story, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000)... and saves the day.

Joan Holub has hundreds of pencils. Some are red. Others are glittery, sporty, or full of holiday cheer. They are all super sharp and good at writing books. They’ve helped Joan write more than 130 books, including Zero the Hero and Knuckleheads. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Melissa Sweet has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor–winning River of Words and the Sibert Medal–winning Balloons Over Broadway. When not in her studio, Melissa loves to ride her bicycle and hike with her two dogs, Rufus and Nellie. She lives in Rockport, Maine.

Little Red Writing
by Joan Holub 
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Chronicle Books, September 2013
Click for Teaching Guide

Annual Call for a Youth Media Board Book Award

It was so fun to watch the livestream of the Youth Media Awards this morning. However, Joan and I stop for a moment and once again give the call for a novelty/board book category. Research indicates it takes about $10,000 to fund the start of an award. Joan and I are busy writing to fill the format with quality literature, along with others passionate for the board book. Who will come forward to recognize the best first books for our very youngest readers? We propose The Dorothy Kunhardt Award.

 ~ Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub, 2013

In the meantime, here are your Caldecott winners:



Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

“This Is Not My Hat,” illustrated and written by Jon Klassen, is the 2013 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

Five Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Creepy Carrots!” illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “Extra Yarn,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of

HarperCollins Publishers; “Green,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger and published by Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press; “One Cool Friend,” illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; “Sleep Like a Tiger,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Photo Friday: Happy Holidays!

Joan and I wish you and your totz a marvey holiday season!

readertotz co-founder celebrates new Goddess Girls book!

 

Goddess Girls #9: Pandora the Curious releases today!

This is the first in the series to release in both paperback and hardcover in the US. 

My awesome co-author Suzanne Williams and I put a modern spin on the Greek myth of Pandora's Box in this story, which is set at Mount Olympus Academy, where gods and goddesses hone their mythical skills.

Pandora the Curious

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Aladdin paperbacks / Simon & Schuster

ages 8-12

Is Pandora about to open up a box of trouble?

One of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy, Pandora is famous for her mega quizzical nature--not that she thinks there's anything wrong with curiosity of course!

Her curiosity kicks into high gear when a godboy named Epimetheus brings a mysterious box to school. Pandora can't help but take a peek inside this new box when it unexpectedly lands in her lap. What could be the harm in that, right? Little does she know that opening the box will open up far more trouble than she ever expected!

Zero the Hero animated book trailer: bagels, Froot Loops--what's not to like?

Look!
It’s a Froot Loop.

It's a donut.

No--it’s Zero the Hero!

Zooming into bookstores February 28, 2012. 

By readertotz co-blogger Joan Holub
Illustrated by NY Times-bestselling Tom Lichtenheld
Enjoy!

Who Was Babe Ruth? co-blogger Joan Holub's new release

Just in time for baseball season, I'm celebrating the release of my new chapter book biography! I'm a huge biography fan, so I thoroughly enjoy writing for Grosset & Dunlap's "Who Was" series. Also known as the "big head" biography series because of the striking cover illustrations. You can see a nice assortment of the titles in a face-out display at Barnes & Noble in the children's section.

Babe Ruth came from a poor Baltimore family and, as a kid, he was a handful. It was at a reform school that he discovered his talent for baseball, and by the age of nineteen, he was on his way to becoming a sports legend. Babe was often out of shape and even more often out on the town, but he had a big heart and an even bigger swing! Kids will learn all about the Home Run King in this rags-to-riches sports biography. With black-and-white illustrations throughout.
This is my 4th title in the series for ages 7-11:
Who Was Johnny Appleseed?
Who Was Marco Polo?
Who Was Jim Henson?
Who Was Babe Ruth?

Drop a comment at joanholub.blogspot.com for a chance to win an autographed copy! Winner will be announced on my blog in the comments on or about January 19th. Please either leave a contact email or be sure to check back to see if you're the winner.

~ Joan

Celebrating Joan's magnetic new release: A Kiss For You!

This board book (with lift-the-flap magnetic hand) began four years ago as a way to empower young children by showing the many important, loving things little hands can do. In fact, the original title was What Can A Little Hand Do? My editor loved the idea of blowing a kiss, which I had on one of the inside pages. So the title became A Kiss For You!

I made numerous dummies of the book to figure out the best way for the hand to move as a lift-the-flap which folds down on each page in turn, and Scholastic had the idea of adding a magnet so the hand would stay in place easily, until lifted.

Caroline Jayne Church's adorable illustrations added just the right touch that brought the story alive. I hope you and your child enjoy this book, which so many loving hands and minds came together to create.

From Publishers Weekly: "Readers can engage with this sunny board book by maneuvering a hand-shaped flap attached to the back cover, in seven scenes. Gently lifting the hand up and down makes a blonde girl softly pat a puppy. Elsewhere, a boy blows a kiss with the hand, and a brunette girl can play "peek-a-boo, I see you!" with readers...a fun, engaging gimmick. Ages 2–4. (Sept.)"

~ Joan

A Kiss For You!
Ages 2-5
Author: Joan Holub, readertotz co-founder
Caroline Jayne Church, illustrator
Scholastic, Cartwheel Books
September 2011