Where's Boo? Salina Yoon

So great to share another fun Salina Yoon title. Where's Boo? takes us right into October.

With a curved cut-out, revealing the shape of a black tail, the reader is asked if Boo the cat is hiding behind the jack-o-lantern, the cookie jar, or the broom. In each case, he isn't. Boo is waiting behind the door at the conclusion of the book to say Trick-or-treat.

The anticipation, puzzles, and bright colors will capture your totz' attention. Look for Boo this month!

Where's Boo?
by Salina Yoon
Random House, 2013

Photo Friday: Read to Me Onesie

So cute, right? Found it on Pinterest. Happy Photo Friday!

Tot to Tot: Introducing Ellie and Big Mean Mike

I'm so happy to introduce, Ellie! She's our first ever member of the readertotz Street Team. She'll be reviewing new books for your totz and Big Kids. Listen in to her first entry:

Title: Big Mean Mike

Author: Michelle Knudsen

Summary:

“Big Mean Mike did things his own way. He kept seeing more and more bunnies everywhere. He found out that the bunnies were happy about singing in the monster truck show with him, and then the dogs laughed at them, and then Mike said he’d be friends with whoever he wanted.”

What I liked about the book:

“My favorite part was when Mike changed his mind about the little fluffy bunnies.”

What will my brother and sister like?

“I think my brother would like the pictures of Mike’s car, and Madeline would like the bunnies.”

Thanks, Ellie!

Big Mean Mike
by Michelle Knudsen
illustrated by Scott Magoon
Candlewick Press

Cake day!

Joan Holub (readertotz co-founder) celebrated a new picture book release this week by making this cake and dressing up a fourteen inch red pencil like the character in the book. Some of Joan's collection of alphabet blocks spelled out the joy!

 Buy link

Teaching/Reading guide from Chronicle Books

Playbook Farm: Corina Fletcher

 

A really fun idea for ages 3 and up: It's a book that unfolds and transforms into a 3-D farm-landscape playmat. It has stand-up cardboard animals, a tractor, and other objects that you can move all around the farm. There is a little fold up pouch that holds the cut-out paper pieces. It all comes in a colorful box. And when totz are done, it folds away again.

Corina Fletcher has 20 years of experience in paper engineering and pop-up books, and has worked with many popular names in children’s publishing.

Playbook Farm: 

Paper engineer: Corina Fletcher

Illustrator: Britta Teckentrup

nosycrow

Photo Friday: Bookish Baby

Such a sweet moment caught. This image is from Pinterest. Happy reading today!

My Pretty Princess Dress: Ilanit Oliver

Princess Poppy wants to go to the fancy party, but she needs to find her dress. An extension above this board book supports Poppy's plush head so that each turn of the page displays another option for her to wear. Totz designers will be introduced to puffy sleeves, sparkles, silk ribbons, lace, and a full-cut skirt. All of these accompany simple color identification.

Whether reading or playing, your totz will enjoy Genevieve Leloup's illustrations as they dress Ilanit Oliver's Poppy. They'll be looking for their own party dress to wear for the day.

My Pretty Princess Dress
by Ilanit Oliver
illustrated by Genevieve Leloup
Cartwheel Books, 2013

Poetry Friday: Around the Block with Sesame Street, Grover: I am Special

Just a ditty from Grover on this Poetry Friday. Enjoy!

Big Kid Pick: Little Red Writing

I'm psyched about our Big Kid Pick this month! It's our own Joan Holub's Little Red Writing. Paired with Melissa Sweet's illustrations, this picture book is winning acclaim for it's smart text and awesome imagery:

* School Library Journal, starred review
* Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* Publishers Weekly, starred review
* Richie’s Pick

Joan dedicated this treasure to me and my daughters, Emily and Ellen, as we all read the work in first draft and encouraged Little Red on her way. Thank you, Joan!

Here's a bit about the work and pertinent links. Write on!

Little Red Writing
Readertotz co-founder Joan Holub and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet team up in this hilarious and exuberant picture book retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, in which a brave, little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of writing a story, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000)... and saves the day.

Joan Holub has hundreds of pencils. Some are red. Others are glittery, sporty, or full of holiday cheer. They are all super sharp and good at writing books. They’ve helped Joan write more than 130 books, including Zero the Hero and Knuckleheads. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Melissa Sweet has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor–winning River of Words and the Sibert Medal–winning Balloons Over Broadway. When not in her studio, Melissa loves to ride her bicycle and hike with her two dogs, Rufus and Nellie. She lives in Rockport, Maine.

Little Red Writing
by Joan Holub 
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Chronicle Books, September 2013
Click for Teaching Guide

When Lions Roar: Chris Raschka

 

A lovely, simple book to comfort totz and other young children who are feeling fearful in a world that can seem really scary and noisy sometimes. The main character shows simple solutions to calm fears.

 And eventually...

The scary is gone.

And I go on my way.

At about 9"x9", this picture book fits well in small hands. Not a board book, but it would be perfect as a reprint in board book form in future.

When Lions Roar

Author: Robie H. Harris

Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Orchard/Scholastic 

Photo Friday: Pat the Bunny Award

Photo from Pinterest

Today's Photo Friday is in support of our new page at Facebook. Click here to like our Call for the Dorothy Kunhardt Award to be established by the American Library Association. The award would recognize the greatest contribution to literature in the board/novelty format.

Thanks for patting the bunny and sharing!

Welcome to Mamoko: Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski

Okay, it's a board book, really. Yes it's huge, but the pages are stiff and even the youngest readers will be intrigued. Welcome to Mamoko is wonderful!

The opening spread introduces the characters heading to the Town Carnival that evening. A small intro is included beside each animal/alien. Then, turn the page and track the stories each one experiences. The work can be read and reread as your focus changes. What does old Mrs. Full-Wool experience, while Alexander Stripe is hurrying off to help someone. But who needs help? What does Cecily Beak see with her chick, while who is Vincent Brisk taking as his date?



Readers will be telling stories and laughing at plot lines while spotting repeated objects like cheese, apples, and a pencil. So glad this was brought to us from Poland. Find it and tell all the tales in Mamoko.

Welcome to Mamoko
by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
Big Picture Press, 2013