Monday, March 31, 2014

Taro Gomi: Wiggle and Hide and Seek

Play and reading go hand-in-hand with two new works from Taro Gomi. It's a delight just to have more fun imagery from this master, right?



Wiggle has a clever hole drilled through the entire work. By putting a finger into the hole, the reader can make the cat wiggle its tail, the elephant swing her trunk, and the crocodile flash his fang. Giggles will abound.



Hide and Seek is a first seek and find board book. On the left side of the spread is a question and an object to be found in the right side of the page. Totz will be challenged to find the glove hidden on the rooster, the crocodile hiding a toothbrush, and the turtle hiding a scooter.

Enjoy these two releases originally published in Japan. Your totz will experience the fun of reading.

Wiggle
Hide and Seek
by Taro Gomi
Chronicle Books, 2013

Friday, March 28, 2014

Poetry Friday: Hush, Little Horsie



Happy Poetry Friday! Enjoying Hush, Little Horsie by Jane Yolen and illustrated with the delicate paintings of Ruth Sanderson. Whether on the farm, plain, by the sea, or on the moor, the mother horse is nearby waiting and watching her baby.

Hush, little horsie,
Asleep on the moor.
Your mama is close--
That's what mamas are for.

She'll watch when you play,
And she'll watch when you leap.
And when you are tired,
She'll watch as you sleep.

Best to you as you enjoy poetry with your totz today!

Hush, Little Horsie
by Jane Yolen
illustrated by Ruth Sanderson
Random House, 2013 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Tiny Tab Books: Bunny Boo and Teeny Weeny




Two new releases from Nosy Crow are Bunny Boo Has Lost Her Teddy and Teeny Weeny Looks for His Mommy. These Tiny Tab Books feature tabs to pull, changing the imagery in the cutouts. Teeny Weeny is on the search for his mother, while Bunny Boo needs her bear to go to bed.

The straight-forward text is offset by the tabs which begin as a guessing game and on later readings turn into a memory game. Illustrations are cute, featuring many patterns with a painterly feel. Little fingers will enjoy exploring these two small board books.

Bunny Boo Has Lost Her Teddy
Teeny Weeny Looks for His Mommy
illustrated by Jannie Ho
Nosy Crow, 2013

Friday, March 21, 2014

Poetry Friday: Peek-a Zoo!



Happy Poetry Friday, with a companion to the classic Peek-a Who? Joan and I welcome, Peek-a Zoo!

Peek a MEW!
Peek a KANGAROO!
Peek a COCKATOO!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Nina Laden, for creating this fun for our totz. We love the gouache paintings. So much joy edge to edge in this little gem. Enjoy, everyone!

Peek-a Zoo!
by Nina Laden
Chronicle Books, 2014

Monday, March 17, 2014

Jojo's First Word Book



I'm so excited about the release of Twirl! These are hefty, innovative board books. Think of them as the Cadillacs of the genre. First up for our totz is Jojo's First Word Book by Xavier Deneux. Introducing Jojo and Lulu, brother and sister rabbits who showcase words about themselves, the home, the outside, and animals.

With a handle to carry the book and thick tabs to divide the sections, you'll be amazed at the breadth of this work. Flat shapes, bright colors, and a cheerful script with small embedded stories will keep your totz' attention. The cover is raised with cutouts as are each silhouetted division.

Find Jojo and grow familiar with Twirl. You're going to love them!

Jojo's First Word Book
by Xavier Deneux
Twirl, 2014

Friday, March 14, 2014

Poetry Friday: Odd One Out



The Odd One Out is a retro spotting book by Britta Teckentrup. Released from Big Picture Press, it's regular-size and full of rhymes.

"Hello! Good morning!"
a flock of birds tweet.
As the sun rises,
they're ready to eat.

A yummy bird breakfast
wriggles and squirms --
but which of these birds
has caught the worm?

Enjoy spotting on this Poetry Friday!

The Odd One Out, a spotting book
by Britta Teckentrup
Big Picture Press, 2014

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

More, more, more: The World of Mamoko in the Year 3000



For the Big Kid in your family, there's a big board book, another entry of Mamoko, but this time the characters are in the year 3000. Your young readers will have fun with over 25 characters who begin with a plot question on the first spread. The book can be read front to back following one animal at a time. Otherwise wordless, your Big Kid becomes the storyteller as he follows the images across futuristic scenes and circumstances.

I can so see this imagery printed on material for clothing and décor. Can't you? Love it!

The World of Mamoko in the Year 3000
by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
Big Picture Press, 2014

Monday, March 10, 2014

Bedtime and Pottytime for Chickies




These are so cute! With a repeated refrain that sing-songs across the page, these pesky chickies will delight your totz. The padded board books are fun to hold, as well.

In Pottytime for Chickies, the little chicks discover all the alternate uses for the potty while claiming all along they know what the potty is for. They splash, unwind paper, and bounce on the hand towels. They are lovingly reminded and redirected by other barnyard animals that they do know what to do. Success for the chickies comes with a "tinkle, tinkle, tinkle."

In Bedtime for Chickies, they invent excuse upon excuse why they can't go to sleep. They keep the sleepy barnyard awake being thirsty, going potty, and wanting a story. The chickies remind each other to wipe their beaks, wash their wings, and finally to be quiet.

Seriously, you are going to love these chickies!

Bedtime for Chickies
Pottytime for Chickies
by Janee Trasler
HarperFestival, 2014

Friday, March 7, 2014

Poetry Friday: Firefly July



I saw the buzz and eagerly awaited getting a copy of Firefly July, a Year of Very Short Poems. It's as beautiful as it is touted! How lovely to assist a young reader to understand poetry with Melissa Sweet's images. The combination is lovely. From William Carlos Williams and Emily Dickinson to Ralph Fletcher and April Halprin Wayland. Thanks for the collection Paul Janeczko!

In Passing

Open-backed dumpy junktruck
stacked full of old floor-fans,
unplugged, unsteady, undone,
free-whirling like kids' pinwheels
in a last fresh breeze--
What a way to go!

Gerald Jonas

Firefly July, A Year of Very Short Poems
selected by Paul B. Janeczko
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Candlewick Press, 2014

Monday, March 3, 2014

Heaven, God's Promise for Me: Anne Graham Lotz



Here's an interesting work that will provoke thoughts and discussion. What does Heaven look like? Laura J. Bryant pictures the state for your totz in Anne Graham Lotz' Heaven, God's Promise for Me.

Two children ponder where their dead grandmother has passed to. With words and images springing out of the Bible, they are able to gain peace. Their grandmother has no more pain in Christ's presence. She is safe in the light.

Verses are taken literally and illustrations portray them in the same way. There is liberty taken for what the place may be like in a variety of details, but the image of Christ's face is kept hidden.

Thought provoking with a call to follow Christ, this work has the potential to comfort your totz.

Heaven, God's Promise for Me, Board Book
by Anne Graham Lotz
illustrated by Laura J. Bryant
Zonderkidz, 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Poetry Friday: We're Going to the Farmers' Market



Here's a smooth, clean, precisely illustrated rendition of a trip to the local farmers' market. The rhymes are great for Poetry Friday.

To market,
to market,
we are on our way.
So many groceries to find,
on this warm sunny day.

To farmer,
to farmer,
we visit them all
for eggs, milk, and cheese,
fruits and veggies big and small.

To market with your totz, reciting this book all the way.

We're Going to the Farmers' Market
by Stefan Page
Chronicle Books, 2014

Spotted in Barnes and Noble: Board book by readertotz' own Lorie Ann Grover!

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Hug-Little-Lorie-Grover/dp/0545530911/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393546164&sr=1-1&keywords=grover+cub

I spotted this today and was so excited. Its adorable.
Check the board book section of your local Barnes and Noble 
for readertotz co-founder, Lorie Ann Grover's, adorable new board book!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

More, more, more: Photoplay!



Okay, here's the deal. This is for older siblings of your totz. But I may use it as a journal for myself!

Each layout has a photographic element and then a text nudge of how to complete the page.

"There's something strange on the horizon...and on the beach, too."

"This tunnel is overflowing with..."



I can imagine the doodling that will take over this book by kiddos. But as I said, I'd love to just doodle and write among the black and white imagery. It's so cool! If you find Photoplay!, let us know what your plans are. Joan, how about you?

Photoplay!
by M. J. Bronstein
Chronicle Books

Monday, February 24, 2014

Can You Say It, Too? Woof! Woof! and Moo! Moo! by Sebastien Braun



Can You Say It, Too? is a simple series from Nosy Crow by Sebastien Braun. Thick pages and big flaps are designed to sustain being held in the smallest hands. Whether it's animals you might see around a  home, Woof! Woof! or farm animals, Moo! Moo!, totz will enjoy guessing who is behind the flap and making the animal sounds themselves. Cheerful, round-eyed creatures in flat bold colors and engaging and fun.

Often a hint is given for who is hiding by tails or ears protruding beyond the flaps. The final spread in both works offers a double flap to include babies. Look for these for your youngest totz. And let the woofing and mooing begin!

Can You Say It, Too? Moo! Moo!
Can You Say It, Too? Woof! Woof!
by Sebastien Braun
Nosy Crow, 2014

Friday, February 21, 2014

Poetry Friday: Forever, by Emma Dodd



A keeper for always, no matter the age of your totz!

"If you're ever feeling scared,
I'll be right beside you.
If you're ever feeling lost,
know that I will find you."

Images were created digitally, but there's a definite freshness due to the jagged line. Templar Books has added a silver foil on the cover and throughout, for snow and ice. This is a perfect book. Happy Poetry Friday!

Forever
Emma Dodd
Templar Books, 2013

Monday, February 17, 2014

Giraffes Can't Dance, Number Rumba: Giles Andreae

Giraffes Can't Dance: Number Rumba

Sometimes other authors just beat you to it in this profession! This just happened to me. Giles Andreae nailed the concept I was playing around with for a board book. I wanted to portray animals doing the tango, the waltz, the jive. Giraffes Can't Dance, Number Rumba Counting Book caught it before I could dance my way straight.

Totz will enjoy seeing the recognizable giraffe again from Giraffes Can't Dance. Each page has an animal peeking from the book's border. That animal will take the stage to leap to the beat when the page is reached. Clever, fun, and energized, your totz will be tapping along and counting the animals rocking out.

Giraffes Can't Dance
Number Rumba, Counting Book
by Giles Andreae
illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
Scholastic, 2013

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Poetry Friday: It's Valentine's Day by Jack Prelutsky



For the older siblings, this Poetry Friday, check out Jack Prelutsky's new release. In the I Can Read! 3, he's collected valentine poems which are funny, dear, and push the envelope just a tad.

"I only got one valentine,
and that was signed,
Love, Frankenstein.

Happy Valentine's Day and Poetry Friday!

It's Valentine's Day
by Jack Prelutsky
illustrated by Marylin Hafner
Greenwillow, 2014

Friday, February 7, 2014

Poetry Friday: Ten Tiny Toes



We have a board book recommend for Poetry Friday! How about Caroline Jayne Church's Ten Tiny Toes?

Mouth, ears,
eyes, nose,
arms, belly, legs,
and ten tiny toes.

Touch your ears,
make them wiggle.

Touch your belly,
laugh and giggle.

Perfect, yes? Happy Poetry Friday!

Ten Tiny Toes
by Caroline Jayne Church
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

More, more, more: At the Same Moment Around the World



Certain books sing when you open the cover. At the Same Moment Around the World sang for me. From the elongated layout allowing for the curve of the earth, to the record of what might be happening each moment around the world, I listened and smiled. The work begins and ends at 6 am in Dakar, Senegal. Each hour is marked as the reader travels the globe. Listen:

"At the same moment,
in Baghdad, Iraq, it
is nine o'clock in the
morning, and Yasmine
plays while her mother
shops at the market."

Several pages later...

"At the same moment,
in Anadyr, Russia, it
is six o'clock in the
evening when Ivan
takes his dog for
a walk around the
neighborhood."

The feeling of community and oneness is beautifully exemplified. The illustrations are like an edgier Brian Karas, rendered in pencil with digital color. Rich warm pages are juxtaposed against cool ones. Enjoy this work, including the fold-out world map, with the older siblings of your totz.  

At the Same Moment Around the World
by Clotilde Perrin
Chronicle Books



 

Monday, February 3, 2014

Who? What? Where? When? by Leo Lionni

Where?What?

Obviously. I love when I find a collection of board books, and I think: obviously. Knopf has created a series that should be on the shelves. With Leo Lionni's beloved mice, totz will explore Who? What? Where? and When?

Each book begins with a question which is left unanswered, apart from the image provided. Although Who? does name the animal. I wonder why this is so? The lack of answers in the other three works may be assuring to the child that he will know and deduce correctly.

Apparently, this imagery was used in a series in 1983. The new text is provided by Nora and Louis Mannie Lionni. They hit the mark. I recommend this series. Obviously!

Who? What? Where? When?
by Nora and Louis Lionni
illustrated by Leo Lionni
Knopf, 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

More, More, More: Paul Meets Bernadette

Paul Meets Bernadette

Paul circled the fish bowl, round and round, until Bernadette joined him. She pointed out the whole wide world. She shows him a boat, a forest, a cactus, and a lady's dress. (a banana, a flower arrangement, a clock, and a newspaper) To Bernadette, the teapot is an elephant, eyeglasses are a butterfly, and a spoon is a fish. With her explanations, Paul no longer swims in circles. "Now Paul goes around Bernadette."

This book is so subtle and dear. While at the same time, the older siblings will laugh at Bernadette's ideas. There's much to discuss as you read and absorb Rosy Lamb's words and paintings. How refreshing to see paintings! These were created while her daughter slept beside her.

Publishers Weekly gave the picture book a starred review and said, "Her sly approach to the way that love and friendship can alter one’s very view of life welcomes repeat visits."

Paul Meets Bernadette
by Rosy Lamb
Candlewick Press, 2013

Monday, January 27, 2014

A Big Hug For Little Cub: Lorie Ann Grover

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Hug-Little-Lorie-Grover/dp/0545530911/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389627311&sr=1-1&keywords=a+big+hug+for+little+cub
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This adorable, new bedtime story stands out for its spot-on description of the excitement, surprise, and joy that totz experience as they explore a world full of small discoveries and big wonders each day. The text is lyrical and rhyming, and follows a curious lion cub on adventures, from the time he wakes, till bedtime. Mom is always nearby.

Morning dawn,
I stretch and yawn.
Momma's near,
purrs in my ear.

Come, let's play
this bright hot day.

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Hug-Little-Lorie-Grover/dp/0545530911/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389627311&sr=1-1&keywords=a+big+hug+for+little+cub 
Something that A Big Hug For Little Cub does so well in both story and illustrations is to show that as this small, curious lion cub wanders, plays, and learns each day, his loving parents will always be there to guide him and keep him safe. A reassuring message for totz.

The cuddly illustrations, warm parent-and-child theme, and appealing text make A Big Hug For Little Cub a wonderful choice for Valentine's Day, Easter, totz birthdays, and bedtime.

Loved it!

This soft padded board book is slightly larger than the typical board book at 7.5x7.5 inches.
Lorie Ann Grover is  the co-founder readergirlz, a social media site awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize, as well as readertotz, which aims to raise the profile of board books. She is alaso the author of board books (Bedtime Kiss For Little Fish) and young adult novels. Her most recent novel, Firstborn, publishes January 2014 and has received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews.

Author: Lorie Ann Grover 
Illustrator: Rosalinda Kightley
Cartwheel Books (January 7, 2014)

Friday, January 24, 2014

Poetry Friday: Best Friends Pretend!

Best Friends Pretend

I love it! Best Friends Pretend! is fun, catchy, adorable and portrays girls having adventures through their imaginations. Girls can be princesses, but they can also be astronauts, superheroes, explorers, and moms.

Boom! I'm off!
Will you come, too?
I'm the captain
you're the crew.

We'll zoom through space
and gather stars,
then bring them home
to keep in jars.

I hope this work finds a wide audience. It deserves it! Happy Poetry Friday!

Best Friends Pretend!
by Linda Leopold Strauss
illustrated by Lynn Musinger
Cartwheel, Scholastic, 2013

Thursday, January 23, 2014

More, More, More: Psalm 23, Richard Jesse Watson



It's as awesome as I hoped! Match the 23rd Psalm with the paintings of Richard Jesse Watson, and you have a classic. I'm so thankful Zonderkidz and Watson brought this book to our shelves. What a work of truth, comfort, strength, and beauty. Truly. It's as if you fall into this great book as it quotes the King James Version of the most popular Psalm of David.

Watson's bold, brushstrokes are layered and create beautiful tones and textures. There's a nod to Byzantine imagery with golden halos while there's also a loose, free line throughout, allowing the spreads to breathe. Modern children and lambs are included in the illustrations; we are all lambs being led. Rich endpapers portray eight child shepherds from around the world.


photo from jubileereviews.com

You don't want to miss this masterpiece in children's literature. Share it with the older siblings of your readertotz! Let's hope there will be a board book edition...

Psalm 23
illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson
Zonderkidz, 2013

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Tot to Tot: Ellie and A Birthday for Bear

I love this book, so I wasn't surprised to hear Ellie, from our readertotz Street Team, liked it, too! Bonny Becker's work is always top notch and touches the heart. Listen in to Ellie...




 
Title: A Birthday for Bear
Author: Bonny Becker

Summary:
“Bear, who doesn’t like birthdays at all, has a mouse friend who tries to fool
Bear into liking birthdays. Then at the end, mouse makes Bear like birthdays.”

What I liked about the book:
“When Mouse popped out of the birthday cake.”

What will my brother and sister like?
“They would like when Mouse pops out of the cake, too!”

A Birthday for Bear
by Bonny Becker
illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Sparks, Candlewick Press, 2013

Monday, January 13, 2014

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket: Tatyana Feeney

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Bunnys-Blanket-Feeney-Tatyana/dp/0385753632/ref=tmm_other_meta_binding_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

First published as a 32-page picture book, Small Bunny's Blue Blanket is now available in board book form!

This seemingly simple plot will strike a chord with totz and parents alike. Small Bunny's bff is his Blue Blanket. With this blanket, Small Bunny can paint the best pictures, swing high, and read difficult words.

When his mom washes Blue Blanket, Small Bunny watches the entire cycle anxiously. Will his bff make it? Will he be the same? Turns out, his blanket is good as new, just like his mom promised. But Bunny liked his friend how he used to be!


A traditionally small-size board book at 6x6, with cardboard pages that will stand up to multiple readings.

Take a look at more of Tatyana's adorable illustrations!

Author-illustrator: Tatyana Feeney 
Knopf Books for Young Readers; Boardbook edition (December 24, 2013)

Friday, January 10, 2014

Poetry Friday: And the Cars Go...

Here is a fun, cumulative work titled And the Cars Go..., by William Bee. Actually, all the vehicles are stopped for the moment. The repeated sounds are fun, the mystery builds, and the illustrations are quirky with thick and thin lines and pattern.



"Here is the school bus, stuck in the jam,
and the kids shout,
'We're late! We're late! It's great! It's great!'

And the school bus goes,
     Chug chug, chuggety chug,
     chug chug, chuggety chug."

Enjoy this work on Poetry Friday! And note the bolded letters on the copyright page spell out an appropriate phrase...

And the Cars Go...
by William Bee
Candlewick Press, 2013

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

More, more, more: Josephine



I recommended this work on a Poetry Friday and now here's the trailer. Enjoy!



Josephine
by Patricia Hruby Powell
illustrated by Christian Robinson
Chronicle Books, 2013

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Happy Book Birthday, Little Cub!

I'm so happy to be celebrating A Big Hug for Little Cub. This was fun to write, and Rosilinda's illustrations are cute as ever.

 
I hope you make many happy memories reading it with your totz!

Here's the description:

Cuddle up for a sweet bedtime story!

Little Cub is a cute and curious lion cub on a big adventure. Follow along as he travels with his mother safely by his side, exploring a world full of small discoveries and large wonders.

With lyrical rhymes and cuddly illustrations in a soft padded board book format, BIG HUG FOR LITTLE CUB is a reassuring tale of toddler curiosity and a parent's joy at seeing their little one hard at play from morning till night.


Big Hug for Little Cub
by Lorie Ann Grover
illustrated by Rosalinda Kightley
Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2014

Monday, January 6, 2014

The Baby Beginner's Bible: Zonderkidz




I'm so happy to find this series from Zonderkidz and recommend that you share it with your totz. The Baby Beginners Bible hits the tot target with simplicity and clarity. Each biblical event is illustrated with one word, usually a noun but sometimes an adjective or verb. The story is presented beginning to end in ten images, with a fuller telling on the final spread for older totz.

Pulley's computer illustrations are light-hearted and fun. Each image sits within a circle above the block type word. From the introduction of concrete items to piecing together biblical stories, these works hit the mark.

The Baby Beginner's Bible Series
Jonah and the Big Fish
Daniel and the Lions
Creation
Noah's Ark
edited by Barbara Herndon
illustrated by Kelly Pulley
Zonderkidz, 2013

Friday, January 3, 2014

Poetry Friday: Giving Thanks

Likely intended to be purchased and enjoyed over the Thanksgiving holiday, I instead recommend Katherine Paterson's Giving Thanks now, now at the close of one year and the beginning of the new. These beautiful prayers and poems are nestled in Pamela Dalton's exquisite scissor cuts. This is a treasure to call to mind all we can be thankful for and all there is to joy in.



"Gratitude is from the same root word as 'grace'...
Thanksgiving is from the same root word as 'think,'
   so that to think is to thank."

Willis P. King, "Pulpit Preaching"

Or how about this Vietnamese Farmer's Prayer?

"Heaven,
Please make the rain fall,
So I have water to drink;
So I may plow my rice field;
So I may have my bowl of rice;
And my fish in great slices."

Happy Poetry Friday!

Giving Thanks, Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving
Edited and Reflected upon by Katherine Paterson
Illustrated by Pamela Dalton
Handprint Books, 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

I Love You, Stinky Face: Lisa McCourt


I love that I Love You, Stinky Face is available in sturdy board book form, so totz can hang onto it, carry it around, and perhaps even chew on it a bit.

Mama said, "I love you, my wonderful child."
But I had a question.
Mama, what if I were a big scary ape? 
Would you still love me then?

What a wonderful beginning, sure to engage totz! The child in this book continues to pose similar questions to mom, who continues to reassure him. Expect totz coming up with their own ideas of hilariously horrible creatures they might become to test the strength of their parents' love.

Author: Lisa McCourt
Illustrator: Cyd Moore
Scholastic

Saturday, December 28, 2013

More, More, More: Carnivores




One of my favorite works from 2013 was this one: Carnivores, written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Dan Santat. The premise is that "even SAVAGE CARNIVORES get their feelings hurt." Whether it's the sensitive lion worried about the gazelles' whispers, or the wolf's really unearned reputation for eating little girls, the carnivores come together in a sort of group therapy.

When their vegetarian efforts fail, as well as their disguises, they learn to embrace who they really are. "Eating meat is just what they do." Explore and enjoy this fun message with your totz! Even though Joan and I are pescetarians. ;~)

Carnivores
by Aaron Reynolds
illustrated by Dan Santat
Chronicle Books, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Poetry Friday: Josephine

I opened this picture book and was completely amazed to read of Josephine Baker. What an homage to this esoteric, African American dancer with an enormous heart. So, I'm celebrating this work for Poetry Friday as author Patricia Hruby Powell's words dance across the pages along with the cadence of Christian Robinson's imagery. Enjoy and teach your totz the Charleston!



"I improvised, crazed with the music.
Even my teeth and eyes burned with fever.
I leapt to touch the sky.
When I regained earth
it was mine alone."

Josephine, The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
by Patricia Hruby Powell
illustrated by Christian Robinson
Chronicle Books, 2014

Monday, December 23, 2013

Giggle! Caroline Jayne Church



What is more infectious than hearing a tot giggle? Scholastic knows it's irresistible and captured the sound in a push button for the corner of Giggle! by Caroline Jayne Church.

"Laugh out loud
or just giggle!
Feel a tickle in
your middle!"

Each spread featuring giggling children allows the reader to press the button and double the laughter. So, as the totz make silly faces, grin, and wiggle their noses, laugh along with them. You likely won't be able to help yourself!

Giggle!
by Caroline Jayne Church
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic, 2013

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Santa Goes Everywhere! Brian Biggs

Had to jump on and be sure you caught Santa Goes Everywhere! by Brian Biggs! Too cute for the holidays. How can you not love Santa and his one reindeer in a canoe, taking public transportation, and on a motorcycle. Happy celebrations, everyone!



Santa Goes Everywhere!
by Brian Biggs
Balzer + Bray, 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

Poetry Friday: Toys Galore

Happy Poetry Friday! Here's a fun book in poetry for the holidays. Enjoy!

"Small toy, tall toy,
bouncing-ball toy.
Hat toy, shoe toy.
Stretchy GOO toy!



And of course the best toy is your own imagination. ;~)

Toys Galore
by Peter Stein
illustrated by Bob Staake
Candlewick Press, 2013

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Maisy’s Snowy Christmas Eve: Lucy Cousins


Snow falls on Maisy's, Charley's, Cyril's, Tallulah's, and Eddie's houses on Christmas Eve. Join them on this simple story that tells of hanging stockings by the fireplace, making pies, and hanging colorful decorations. Oh, and also rescuing a friend caught in the snow. All ends well with the whole group singing carols around the Christmas tree.

A lovely, colorful Maisy book with sparkly snow on the cover. What could be better?

Author-illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Candlewick Press