October Big Kid Pick: Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books

There are times when we want to stop and say, "Thank you! Thank you, publishing house for collecting and reprinting our memories!" This is one of those moments. Many thanks go to Random House, Golden Books for collecting the  Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books. It's like walking back through childhood where we can also find broad image influences on current illustrators' work.

Mary Blair was the conceptual artist for several Walt Disney films: Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. Her touch is found around both Disney World and Disneyland. And of course her dolls dance through "It's a Small World" ride.



Her flat, modern style with unusual color choices and open white spaces will appeal to the older sibling of your totz today. So find this treasure and enjoy Baby's House, I Can Fly, The Golden Book of Little Verses, The Up and Down Book, and selections from The New Golden Song Book. Relish this collection with Joan and me!

Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books
Random House Books, A Golden Book
August, 2012

Where's Ellie?: Salina Yoon

What tot doesn't love hide and seek? In this 7x7" sturdy board book, totz will go seeking Ellie the elephant, who is hiding somewhere among the pages. The die cut at the right side of the book allows Ellie's trunk to be seen, leading totz onward past colorful objects. They won't find Ellie at first, but will be rewarded with each turn of a page by finding something familiar, yet unexpected. In each scene, there's a bit of Ellie peeking out, but it isn't until the last page that totz finally find her. What fun!

Another innovative book by the talented Salina Yoon. Another Yoon favorite of mine is Find My Feet, also published by Robin Corey Books.

Where's Ellie?
Author-illustrator: Salina Yoon
Robin Corey Books, 2012

Photo Friday: Totz in Costume

Caught these from Pinterest. Enjoy a safe holiday with your totz!

Count, Dagmar! 123: J.otto Seibold

Dagmar is ready to throw a party, and he's counting his way through the event. Of course you only need one castle, but how about two bats, five silly monsters, and eight pumpkins? Each piece of the upcoming party hides behind a colorful flap, raising anticipation.

Totz will enjoy this holiday board book concluding with...ten billion pieces of candy. There's a number to explore, especially with candy!

Count, Dagmar! 123
by J.otto Seibold
Chronicle Books, 2011

Photo Friday: Robot Happiness

Here's a fun image I composed for Photo Friday. Enjoy it with your totz!

Mine!: Shutta Crum

Three words can say a lot in this 7x7" sturdy board book: "Mine" (often used); and "Oh!" and "Woof" (each a single use.)

Two siblings--a very young tot and an older tot (pictured on cover)--star along with a puppy co-star. In the first few pages, the older tot claims everything in sight with the word "Mine!" This situation is very true to life and totz will get it and enjoy the realism.

Baby-tot walks for the first time in wobbly baby-steps across a spread. Where's he headed? For his sibling, whom he claims with the single word: "Mine!"

A really sweet book that totz will enjoy.

Mine!
Author: Shutta Crum
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Knopf/Random House, 2011

Poetry Friday: Sing it, Elmo!

Take it away for Poetry Friday, Elmo!

Star Wars 123

Always count on me to recommend a Star Wars spin off. I can't resist! I mean, how fun is it to count with your totz as you introduce them to Yoda, Han, and Ewoks? Star Wars 123 from Scholastic is a large board book with great visual impact. The reader counts to ten, but extra spreads follow. Don't you want to see 25 different aliens, 50 droids, and the startling image of 100 stormtroopers? It all starts with 1 Jedi Master.

Each and every character is shiny against a matte background, while the cover title is foil. Every number is drawn with a texture from the spread. 8 is white and hairy: "These are the galaxy's eight scariest creatures!"

I want to see the companion Star Wars ABC. I can only imagine...

Star Wars 123
Lucas Books
Scholastic, July 2012

Poetry Friday: Eric Whitacre's Goodnight Moon

Oh, isn't this so gorgeous? Eric Whitacre, thank you! Listen in to Hila Plitmann sing. Happy Poetry Friday!