Princess Baby on the Go: Karen Katz

Karen Katz's Princess Baby books are a big hit with my neighbor's 3-year-old daughter. She particularly likes this one because she can carry it around easily by the built-in 'handle'. This concept is perfect because PB is headed for Grandma's for a sleepover and she is packing a bag to 'carry' with her.

This sturdy board book has lots of big flaps, some glitter, and princess-pinkness. And there's a storyline to pull totz through the book, which I like. PB is packing her goodies, but she's looking for one special item. Although she doesn't find it at first, she does find other things to pack in locations such as under the table (lift the flap) and in a trunk (lift the flap). In the end she finds what she's looking for: her prince, a stuffed bear. This is an ending that really satisfied me. A very cute, age-appropriate book!

Princess Baby on the Go
Author-illustrator: Karen Katz
Schwartz & Wade, 2010

Jayne C. Shelton and Karen Katz: In Grandma's Arms

Written by Jayne C. Shelton and illustrated by the board book queen, Karen Katz, In Grandma's Arms is a delight for your readertotz' imagination. Join the main character as she sits on her grandmother's lap in their Storybook Chair. Through the power of books they explore the skies, the sea, landscapes, and fantasies. Always safe, because Grandma is there.

The text is set in curves and waves, reinforcing the feeling of travel or a journey. I find the language and rhymes in keeping with the child's voice, and they are fun to read aloud:

"We leap on a comet
And zoom through the stars--
Have lunch on a moonbeam,
Then blast off to Mars."

And:

"On a carpet of magic
Just made for a ride--
With the wind in our faces,
We swoop, loop, and glide.

The work is illustrated with Karen Katz' stylized paintings of layered, flat patterns and round faces. With warm painted portions, a bit of cut paper, and sweet smiles, the images are sure to be welcomed as friends.

Inside Scoop
Aha! Digging around a little, I discovered on Karen's website that she has a love of Indian miniatures, Mexican ceramics, Chagall, and Matisse. But of course!

This was Jane's writing debut. She is a practicing psychotherapist.

In Grandma's Arms
by Jayne C. Shelton and Karen Katz
Scholastic, 2008