Bob The Artist: Marion Deuchars

Bob appreciates his FINE legs, until he's teased about them. Unsuccessfully, he tries to change them and eventually just hides them. That is until he visits an art gallery. Inspired, he draws attention to his beak by painting it daily. With affirmation for his creativity, he grows confident and finally accepts his legs. And everyone else does, too.

Refusing to be cowed, the reader is emboldened to express herself further and gain self acceptance, possibly changing others' opinions. This is a fresh look at empowerment. Here is the gift of art to impact another, encourage expression, and change lives.

Marion Deuchars' illustrations are endearing in their simplicity. The color palette pops of Matisse. Publisher Laurence King believes in this book. Top quality presentation in every detail proves it.

This is one of my favorite picture books of the year, so far. I love Bob The Artist. You likely will, too. Skinny legs and all.

Bob The Artist
by Marion Deuchars
Lawrence King, 2016

I'm a Monster Truck: Dennis R. Shealy

I'm back from my trip to the Middle East, and one of the first things I heard is that there's a readertot who likes monster trucks. "Do you have a book on them you could recommend?" Well, I do!

I'm a Monster Truck by Dennis R. Shealy just came to my attention.

"I smash!
I bash!
CRASH!
I love the sound
of breaking glass!
'Cause I'm a...
MONSTER TRUCK!"

Bob Staake's zany graphic imagery is perfect to capture the atmosphere of a monster truck event. Between Shealy's text and Staake's illustration, your totz will feel as if they are in the stands. Sure to be a hit with lovers of locomotion, look for I'm a Monster Truck.

I'm a Monster Truck
by Dennis R. Shealy
illustrated by Bob Staake
Random House, 2011, 2016

Hello World! Weather: Jill McDonald

How about an introduction to weather? The Hello, World! series from Doubleday brings exactly that in Weather by Jill McDonald. With childlike imagery, the reader sees various conditions and the clothes needed to enjoy them. The repeated spread of the children's house offers great comparisons as the weather changes. Questions will get your totz checking to see what the weather is like today.

How refreshing to bring science and environmental awareness to our smallest readers. Well done, Doubleday!

Hello, World!
Weather
by Jill McDonald
Doubleday, 2016

Grumpy Bird: Jeremy Tankard

Today's recommend is Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard. When Bird wakes, he's just grumpy. Too grumpy to do much of anything but walk. As he does, he passes others who join him on his stroll. With friends at his side, it isn't long before Bird is able to lose his grumps.

Tankard's thick bold black outlines along with photo collage and abstract shapes invite a fast read as well as a slow one. One can quickly read the action, but there's also an opportunity to linger with so much to see in each spread. This work, along with its truth, should have wide appeal. Note: a hardcover was released in 2007.

Grumpy Bird
by Jeremy Tankard
Scholastic Press, 2016

Steam Train, Dream Train: Colors and 1-2-3: Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld

Inspired by the New York Times Bestselling Picture Book, Steam Train, Dream Train, Colors and 1-2-3 are now in a board book form. In Colors, each car of a different color is focused on, while in 1-2-3 the animals and objects are counted, with a note of the featured car's name.

Of course the oil pastel illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld are from the original beautiful picture book, while the new accompanying rhymes by Sherri Duskey Rinker are fresh. In both books, I did miss a final image of the entire train. I don't think it will stop your totz from responding well to these two concept board books. All aboard!

Steam Train, Dream Train Colors
Steam Train, Dream Train 1-2-3
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Chronicle Books, 2016

Big Kid Power: Maria van Lieshout

It's all about empowerment in the Big Kid Power series from Chronicle Books. Bye-Bye Binky and I Use the Potty help your totz on their journeys to independence.

Rehearsing the past, how diapers and a binky were helpful when they were babies, the protagonists show how they've abandoned both for better ways. Instead of a binky, one can ask for a hug. Instead of diapers, one can wear underwear.

Illustrations have a comic feel with limited color and small dots used for shadows. Both works have saturated color making the books pop from the shelf and in your hand. The above illustrations don't capture the neon color.

This a great series by Maria van Lieshout. We'll be watching for more!

Bye-Bye Binky
I Use the Potty
by Maria van Lieshout
Chronicle Books, 2016

Poetry Friday: In the Land of Words

With the paperback edition of In the Land of Words, compiled in 2004, you can celebrate Poetry Friday with Coretta Scott King Award Winner Eloise Greenfield. The accompanying fabric illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist, another Coretta Scott King Award Winner, are layered and stitched with exuberance.

I particularly enjoyed the backstory Eloise included for her poems in Part One. Happy Poetry Friday to all!

I Go to the Land

I go to the land of words,

for I am at home there,

and never leave

for long. My thirst

pushes me through

the open door.

The more I drink

of the falling water,

the more I know.

I drink. I think.

I grow.

In the Land of Words

by Eloise Greenfield

illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Armistad, 2016

  

More, more, more: The Tree in the Courtyard

Stopping everything to tell you about The Tree in the Courtyard, Looking Through Anne Frank's Window. It's chilling. It's beautiful. I don't want you to miss it. Please don't.

Jeff Gottesfeld's text is delicate and poignant while Peter McCarty's brown ink on watercolor paper set the perfect tone. The work is based on this quote from Anne Frank:

"The two of us looked out at the blue sky,
the bare chestnut tree glistening with dew,
the seagulls and other birds glinting with silver
as they swooped through the air, and we were
so moved and entranced that we couldn't speak."

The text weaves the view of the tree with the life of Anne and her family. The conclusion is full of hope as seedpods are planted worldwide in her remembrance. This must win awards. Period.

The Tree in the Courtyard, Looking Through Anne Frank's Window
by Jeff Gottesfeld
illustrated by Peter McCarty
Knopf, 2016

Mother Goose: Rosemary Wells

How delightful Iona Opies' compiled Mother Goose rhymes, illustrated by Rosemary Wells, are available in board book volumes. One, Two, Three, Mother Goose and Snuggle Up with Mother Goose are sweet collections for your totz. If your wee ones don't yet know Rosemary's rabbits, ducks and cats, here is the perfect opportunity to make the introductions.

Practice counting or snuggle up for a rest with these two gems from Candlewick Press.

Snuggle Up with Mother Goose
One, Two, Three, Mother Goose
edited by Iona Opie
illustratd by Rosemary Wells
Candlewick Press, 2015, 2106

Poetry Friday: Emma Dodd

Here are two illustrated poems in a small format to celebrate Poetry Friday. Emma Dodd's digital illustrations and heartfelt text are to be treasured. (Note the above pink sun is actually gold foil.)

When I Grow Up

When I grow up,
   I want to be...
clever and funny,
   wild and free.


When You Were Born

When you were born,
the rain stopped...
    the sun came out,
and the sky turned blue.

When you were born,
the snow melted...
    the birds sang,
and the flowers grew.


When I Grow Up
When You Were Born
by Emma Dodd
Templar Books, 2015

Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Love: Kimberly and James Dean

I know Pete the Cat is everywhere and beloved. But Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Love, Tips from a Cool Cat on How to Spread the Love by Kimberly & James Dean shouldn't be missed. Pete translates the gist of famous quotes and illustrates the concepts.

"Love is space and time measured by the heart." Marcel Proust
Far out! Love is out of this world. Pete

"All you need is love." John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Morning, noon, and night-love is all right! Pete

"Friends show their love in times of trouble." Euripides
Always stop to help your turtle friends. Pete

Whether you need one more Valentine for your sweetheart, a gift for your philosopher friend, or want to share a little love with your totz, Pete is a great choice to sweeten their day.

Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Love
by Kimberly & James Dean
Harper, 2016

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

There, There and Bum, Bum: Taro Miura

Two new board books, for us, from Taro Miura are available in the U.S., first printed in Japan in 2008. There, There is a simple concept book introducing animals and their sounds. But, when the baby starts to cry, everyone joins in. Empowering the reader, it's the baby who comforts them in the end.

Bum Bum is my favorite though. "Duck's fluffy...bum bum. Pig's round...bum bum." Get the gist? You just have to smile at all those various behinds. The flat, graphic illustrations fit the simplicity of the text.

How fun to have these for our totz. Thanks, Candlewick!

There, There
Bum Bum
by Taro Miura
Candlewick Press, 2016

More, More, More: Baa Baa Smart Sheep

Sometimes, I have to stop everything and tell you about a book I just read. Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark and Rowan Sommerset is the pick this time. I burst out laughing at this deceptive sheep, and totz are going to absolutely howl. I can only imagine library story time.

"What's what?"
"That there."
"This here?"
"Yes, that there."
"Oh, it's just a pile of . . . smarty tablets." 

Gullibility isn't a mark of intellect, as Quirky Turkey learns from Smart Sheep. Aside from the amazingly paced fun, the book will open discussions on what one might believe, no matter who says it's the truth. Releasing February 23rd, I hope this mischief finds a wide audience!

Baa Baa Smart Sheep
by Mark and Rowan Sommerset
Candlewick Press, 2016

Sing Along With Me: Yu-hsuan Huang

How adorable. Sing Along With Me! from Nosy Crow and illustrated by Yu-hsuan Huang are cleverly designed and durable for your totz. The heavy, chunky pages and moveable parts will endure many readings.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm features a dog as the farmer himself. Pull tabs, turning wheels, and moveable parts can imitate the song's rhythm as the animals are described. In The Wheels on the Bus, the animals are scooting around town together thanks to the dog bus driver. Wheels turn, windshield wipers swish, and babies bounce--all through the town.

Scan the included QR code or download the song from the Nosy Crow podcast. How cool is that?

Sing Along With Me!
The Wheels on the Bus
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
illustrated by Yu-hsuan Huang
Nosy Crow, 2016

Big Chickie, Little Chickie: Janee Trasler

Janee Trasler's chickies never disappoint. Big Chickie, Little Chickie is so clever. The book of opposites has surprises which will elicit giggles from your totz. It's picture time, clickety-click. In and out, whisper and shout, are opposites which proceed unexpected rhymes from adorable supporting characters: pig, cow, and sheep.

How can you not love:

Chickies here.
Chickies there.
Chickies
   in their
underwear.

I mean, seriously. Thanks, Janee!

Big Chickie, Little Chickie, a Book of Opposites
by Janee Trasler
HarperFestival, 2016

Busy Baby, Friends and Trucks: Sara Gillingham

Readertotz will stay busy with Sara Gillingham's Busy Baby series. Friends and Trucks allow your little reader to explore different situations and consider ensuing feelings. A disk, which turns in the board books' middle hole, lets you say Busy Baby is happy or sad.

In Trucks, can he drive the firetruck faster? Can he load the recycling or pass out scoops of ice cream? In Friends, Busy Baby is asked to share, help clean up, and wave good-bye. The reader considers if the baby is happy or sad in each situation.

With subdued color, graphic shapes, and a print texture in the illustrations, Busy Baby will keep little fingers engaged and minds considering. How does Busy Baby feel? How would you feel?

Busy Baby Friends
Busy Baby Trucks
by Sara Gillingham
Chronicle Books, 2015

More, more, more: Pete the Cat's Big Doodle & Draw Book

How fun to get to color and draw around Pete the Cat, right? If your totz enjoy Pete, look for his Big Doodle and Draw Book. Draw Pete boarding a train, add a smile to a frog, color his cap with cool colors. Tasks reinforce concepts: draw six strings on Pete's guitar, what doesn't belong in the fridge, match pictures with their opposite.

Add this work to your family's coloring books. Everyone will want to take a turn!

Pete the Cat's Big Doodle & Draw Book
by James Dean
HarperFestival, 2015

Lionel and Molly, Colors: Joanna Lake

Lionel and Molly, Colors is a new touch-and-feel book from little bee books. Joanna Lake's two characters explore color, weather, and texture together. Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, with a touch of sophistication in the simplicity, text and imagery are a nice balance. The inserted textures are an added bonus for little readers' fingers.

Introduce your totz to multiple concepts with Colors. Look for more from Lionel and Molly.



Lionel and Molly, Colors
By Joanna Lake
illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
little bee books, 2015

Shhh! this Book is Sleeping: Cedric Ramadier

Welcome, 2016! With the new year, we wish you and yours great sleep. Hopefully your readertotz are quiet through the night. This board book may be a help, at least getting everyone settled down.

Shhh! this Book is Sleeping begins with a little pink mouse encouraging the reader to be quiet. The book in hand is sleepy. It has completed all night duties, such as brushing its teeth. Warm enough, with a hug and kiss, the reader closes the last page very gently, as the book has fallen fast asleep.

Author Cedric Ramadier helps create the bedtime ritual by repeating the necessary activities and showcasing the pleasures of quieting down. Vincent Bourgeau's graphic images, with only a few shapes and lines, convey sweet simplicity as the book falls asleep.

Your totz will enjoy putting this book to sleep, before they nod off themselves. Shhh.

Shhh! this Book is Sleeping
by Cedric Ramadier
illustrated by Vincent Bourgeau
Random House, 2016