Not That Tutu! Michelle Sinclair Colman

Taylor loved her tutu.
She wore it everywhere.

She wears it to school (with cowboy boots), swimming, and playing. And everyone who sees her in her tutu says: Not again!
 
One day, she voluntarily gives up her tutu in favor of . . . bunny slippers!

A cute book by the author of the "Babies Wear" board book series, illustrated by one of my favorite artists.

Not That Tutu!
Author: Michelle Sinclair Colman
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Robin Corey Books
www.randomhouse.com/kids
2013

Diggers Go: Steve Light

Steve Light has a knack for bringing locomotion to life. In an elongated board book, Diggers Go, Light brings sound and loose, energetic line to the construction site.

"The excavator goes,
CHUMMA CHUMMA CHUMMA HUFFT HUFFT FALUMP"

Excitement builds to the closing spread of the wrecking ball. Totz who love large machinery will engage in this sound driven delight. Look for Trucks Go and Trains Go, as well.

Diggers Go
by Steve Light
Chronicle Books, 2013

Poetry Friday: Around the Block with Sesame Street, Rocking It with Ernie

Enjoy!

Snow Rabbit, Spring: By Il Sung Na

South Korean author-illustrator Ill Sung Na has created a gorgeous, sweet board book! (Also in hardcover picture book.)

What do the animals do when the snow falls to the ground and all the trees are bare?  Some fly long distances, while some swim to warmer waters. 

But when the snow has melted
and the trees are in bloom . . .
everyone knows it's spring!

Other amazing books by Il Sung Na include The Book of Sleep (adorable app) and Hide and Seek.

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit
Author-illustrator: Il Sung Na 
Alfred A. Knopf, Random House
www.randomhouse.com/kids  
2011

Photo Friday: It's All Black and White

Happy Photo Friday! The beautiful image is from Pinterest.

Farm: James Brown

How about a most traditional board book for this week? James Brown, former textile designer, offers a beautiful rendition of animals in his work, Farm.

With raised ink, Brown depicts a single animal on the right with an accompanying collage of the animal on the left. There's a vague hint of Escher, actually. The lino cut paper texture is wonderfully caught in the illustrations.

The visual appeal of Farm is high and will attract your tiniest totz as well as those a bit older, learning about farm animals.

Farm
by James Brown
Candlewick Press, 2013

Photo Friday: The Giving Tree Baby

Happy Photo Friday! Sweet image is from Pinterest.

MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! Barbara Park

MA! There's Nothing to Do Here! is an adorable board book by one of my favorite authors, Barbara Park.

The lead character is a baby with personality--before he's even born. He wants to play on the swingset and monkey bars. He wants to make friends. He wants hair! 

There's nothing to see here!
Not one scrawny tree here!
No puppies. No toys.
No girls . . . zero boys.

This baby is flat out bored in the womb, but he's far from boring. You'll enjoy reading his thoughts on what he'll do to pass the time.

Sure to please totz with a sibling on the way. And a great idea for baby showers.

Barbara Park is the author of the bestselling Junie B. Jones books and many other favorites!
Viviana Carofoli was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  

MA! There's Nothing to Do Here!
Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Viviana Carofoli
www.randomhouse.com/kids 
2013

Good Morning, Sunshine: Sandra Magsamen

I've had this book out on the table to review, and I found the art alone just so cheerful. How can you not be encouraged by the title, Good Morning, Sunshine?

This lift-the-flap, in celebration of a good breakfast, will get your totz hungering for eggs and toast and another read, for certain. One can flip the egg, squeeze the juice, and remove the toast to put "a big smile in your belly." The last page opens vertically into a large quadruple spread. You are going to have to smile back at the eggs and toast smiling at you.



Sandra Magsamen's text and art are full of life and energy through simplicity and a beautiful palette. Gold foil on the cover will catch your eye when you set out to find this work.

Joan and I wish you and your totz a good morning, sunshine!

Good Morning, Sunshine
by Sandra Magsamen
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic, 2013