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.

I Love You, Stinky Face

Author: Lisa McCourt

Illustrator: Cyd Moore

Scholastic

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Maisy’s Snowy Christmas Eve

Author-illustrator: Lucy Cousins

Candlewick Press

More, more, more: Walking with Dinosaurs

Following the BBC miniseries that ran in the U.S. on the Discovery Channel comes the movie Walking with Dinosaurs. Looks like Harper is releasing many versions for totz:

Walking with Dinosaurs Encyclopedia
Walking with Dinosaurs Handbook
Walking with Dinosaurs: Patchi's Big Adventure
Walking with Dinosaurs: The Great Migration
Walking with Dinosaurs: A Reusable Sticker Book
Walking with Dinosaurs: Friends Stick Together
Walking with Dinosaurs: The Winter Ground



Whether you reach for the sticker books, the handbook, the encyclopedia, or the I Can Read series, you will be surrounded by dinosaurs. I'm pretty terrified by t-rex, but maybe your totz will stomp around with excitement!

Blue Bus, Red Balloon: Brian Biggs

Keeping with the Everything Goes Series, I recommend Brian Biggs Blue Bus, Red Balloon, a Book of Colors. Brian tells a story of a lost balloon found again in this small board book, of course featuring means of transportation.

When the little girl loses her balloon out the yellow taxi, the reader tracks the balloon's journey past a green van, a blue bus, a black sports car, and even a purple sailboat. With the rainbow train pulling into town for the circus, the girl hops a hot air balloon and retrieves her own balloon herself.

I love that Briggs told a story while demonstrating color and modes of transportation. Well done!

Blue Bus, Red Balloon, A Book of Colors
by Brian Biggs
Balzer + Bray, 2013

More, More, More: Once Upon a Memory, by Nina Laden

Ohhhhh. Sometimes, sometimes you pick up a picture book, and you hope. You hope, and you keep reading. And you hope, and you turn the pages. And then, you reach the end knowing you have just read the perfect picture book.

Once Upon a Memory is that book. When I heard Nina Laden read only a few pages at our local Inside Story to booksellers and librarians, my ear was caught, and I was left wanting more verses, more story. The stack sold out before I had a chance to buy a copy, and I had to wait, hoping that what I heard would sing to the last page.

"Does a feather remember
it once was...
...a bird?

Does a book remember
it once was...
...a word?"

Now I have read the entire text and can say: it does sing! Following a wordless spread which sets the stage, the clear beat begins and creates a cadence, until reaching a last spread of silence, before the final question. Nina delivers the pulse of our hearts.

Renata Liwska's illustrations are incredibly suited to the text. With original sketches colored in Adobe Photoshop, they almost wink on the page with softness. She captures a classic atmosphere while cleverly stepping us in and out of a child's imagination.

Find, borrow, buy Once Upon a Memory. It's perfect. Brava, ladies! Well done, Editor Connie Hsu!

Once Upon a Memory
by Nina Laden
illustrated by Renata Liwska
Little, Brown and Company, 2013

Forever: Emma Dodd

Forever is a beautiful, sweet book, perfect for winter! The art is stunning and yet simple. And the story is as well.

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

This book can be used as a bedtime story. Or as a comfort to calm a wide range of tot's fears. Getting lost. A divorce or a temporary absence in the family, perhaps due to military service. And in view of the polar bear characters, it could even be used with a tot who has heard just enough to be confused about what global climate change means to her or him.

Forever is not a traditional board book. The pages are paper. However, it's board book size, approximately 8"x8". I love the silver foil snow on the cover. This book is just so beautiful!

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Forever

Author-illustrator: Emma Dodd

Candlewick Press, 2013

Poetry Friday: What Does the Fox Say?

Okay, I love this. That is all. Happy Poetry Friday!

Good Night, Trucks: Brian Biggs

How about saying goodnight to all the trucks? Brian Biggs invites totz to snuggle down as trucks end their day: the tractor trailer, the dump truck, the garbage, and tanker are all winding down. Of course one needs to be quiet in the RV Park. "Shhhh...good night!"

I love author/illustrator Brian Biggs vehicles, whether they are busy around town or settling down for the night. Get ready for sleep with this unusual bedtime board book from the Everything Goes Series. Beep, beep! Shhhhhh.

Good Night, Trucks, A Bedtime Book
by Brian Biggs
Balzer + Bray, 2013

Poetry Friday: My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me

Happy Poetry Friday! Enjoy the day with Julianne Moore's My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me. The affirming message, set to rhyme, along with Meilo So's lively, fresh illustration will touch you for certain. (Note: different fonts denote different children speaking.) Enjoy!



"My Mom is a foreigner,
She's from another place.

     She came when she was ten years old,
     With only one suitcase.

She took a BOAT to get here!

     SHE DIDN'T KNOW THE WAY.

She came here with my Opa.
It took them days and days.

     She's different than the other Moms
     Because she's not from here.
     There's lots of stuff about her
     That's sometimes seems so weird."

My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me
by Julianne Moore
illustrated by Meilo So
Chronicle Books, 2013

Tot to Tot: Ellie and Just Right for Christmas

It's time for another review from Ellie, a member of our readertotz Street Team. Thanks, Ellie!

Title: Just Right for Christmas

Author: Birdie Black and Rosalind Beardshaw

Summary:
“One big bundle of red cloth gets smaller and smaller because it is used by lots of different people and animals for Christmas presents for their families.”

What I liked about the book:

“I liked when the mother mouse gave her son a scarf.”

What will my brother and sister like?

“My sister likes the mouse best.”

Just Right for Christmas
by Birdie Black and Rosalind Beardshaw
Nosy Crow, 2012

Me Hungry: Jeremy Tankard

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The title of this book makes it perfect for Thanksgiving season. Formerly a picture book, Me Hungry is now in board book form. This is a timeless, charming, clever book! Totz, kids, and grown-ups will relate to the situation in which the person you need is too busy for you.

(Cave boy): Me hungry!

(Dad): Me busy!

(Cave boy): Hey, me hungry!

(Mom): Me busy!

(Note: spoiler below)

Cave boy finds ways to entertain himself as he goes on a food search. And in the end when his parents call, he's too busy for them! Ha-ha. Very fun twist.

My overall feeling about this book? Me like!

Me Hungry

Author-illustrator: Jeremy Tankard

Candlewick Press, 2008

Poetry Friday: Around the Block with Sesame Street, Train

This is so fun. Happy Poetry Friday! Take it, Count and Elmo!

Playbook Pirates: Corina Fletcher

Back in September, Joan recommended Playbook Farm. I second her call with Playbook Pirates!

Imagine a box. Opened, there's an envelope on the left which holds all your play pieces. On the right is a book which tells of the jolly pirates' adventures through Corina Fletcher's text. However, the book can be removed from the box and transformed into a large board for play. At that point, the boat, lighthouse, shipwreck, mermaids, octopus, and island are 3 dimensional pop-ups.

Additionally, on the back of each book spread, there are fun facts and questions about life at sea. Britta Teckentrup's digital illustrations look like cut paper collage. The textures and layers bring so much to the imagery.

Nosy Crow creates such great quality. Have fun reading and playing with Playbook Pirates. Note: due to small pieces, only for ages 3 and older.

Playbook Pirates
by Corina Fletcher
illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Nosy Crow, 2013

Photo Friday: A Moment to Read

And I'm back from Greece! It was lovely and inspiring. Just like this photo. Happy Photo Friday with your totz! Take a moment to read. :~)

From Pinterest.

The Very First Thanksgiving: Kathryn Lynn Davis

 

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This is a lift-the-flap book, not a traditional board book as we usually feature on readertotz. However, it's a wonderful introduction to the Thanksgiving holiday for totz. It's super-simple, but tells about the pilgrims sailing to America, Native Americans teaching them to plant crops, and the Thanksgiving feast. Bright, graphic illustrations and just enough information for totz. Parents can fill in with more about family traditions as the pages turn.

The Very First Thanksgiving

Author-illustrator: Kathryn Lynn Davis

Little Simon, 2010

For older siblings, pair this with What Was the First Thanksgiving?, a newly published chapter book from readertotz' co-founder Joan Holub.

What Was the First Thanksgiving?

Author: Joan Holub

Illustrator: Lauren Mortimer

Grosset & Dunlap

Guess Who: Jannie Ho

Too cute! Find Guess Who? for your totz who love to dress up. With handles and two holes punched through the book, each spread can be held before the face like a mask. Whether your reader wants to pretend to be a robot, superhero, or a pirate, the options are hers.

Included are pop-up features which enhance each mask. Jannie Ho's illustrations are bright and fun, not scary at all for the smallest readers. Don't miss the cover illustration in case your tot wants to be a mummy. Take a peek at Guess Who?

Guess Who? A Pop-Up Mask Book
by Jannie Ho
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic, 2013

Hush, Little Horsie: Jane Yolen

To continue our horse theme this month, we have Hush, Little Horsie, a board book by prolific megastar author, Jane Yolen. The traditional style illustrations are jewel-like and will especially interest totz who are enamored with horses. Interesting that our two books chose to spell the titles differently: horsey/horsie.

In this clever take-off on the lullaby: Hush, Little Baby, mama horses promise to watch over their little horsies as they frolic and play and, eventually, fall asleep.

Hush, little horsie,

Asleep on the plain.

Your mama will shade you

From sunshine and rain.

This could be sung at bedtime to your totz. A sweet book!

Hush, Little Horsie

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: Ruth Sanderson

Random House, 2010/2013

More, More, More: The Silver Button

A new classic from Bob Graham, one of my favorite author/illustrators: The Silver Button. What might be happening in the exact moment before Jodie finishes her drawing? It's 9:59, on a Thursday morning, when her brother takes his first step, while her mother plays a pennywhistle, a man buys bread, a soldier says good-bye, and a baby is born.

The sweeping scope Bob provides is incredible. He challenges everyone to look and see and know that the world continues in the space of our drawing one small button. Without sentimentality:

"Sunlight from all over the city streamed through the window, and the kitchen clock struck ten."

Beautiful. We send our applause to you in Australia, Bob, this very moment.

The Silver Button
by Bob Graham
Candlewick Press, 2013

Horsey Up and Down: Kei Bernstein

If your totz love all things horsey, look for Scholastic's release of Horsey Up and Down. The small board book has a clever cut-away enabling the child on the carousel to ride up and down the striped pole.

Inside the horses are big and small, white and black, jumping and sleeping, real and toys. There's a charm to Caroline Jayne Church's illustrations of pudgy children and chunky horses. Kei Bernstein's text is catchy and memorable. This subtle book of opposites will appeal to your little horse lovers.

Horsey Up and Down
by Kei Bernstein
illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic, 2013

More, More, More: Dot.

Perfectly timed, Dot arrives. Here's a young girl proficient at all handheld communications. But it's her mother's prod which send her outdoors where she grows reacquainted with tapping, touching, tweeting, and tagging with friends and nature.

Joe Berger's loose illustration captures the spirit of Dot and each of her discoveries.

A gentle reminder to get out and play and engage in life.

Dot.
by Randi Zuckerberg
illustrated by Joe Berger
HarperCollins, 2013

Poetry Friday: Around the Block with Dave Matthews and Grover

Happy Poetry Friday! May you and your totz be cheered by Dave and Grover's song about feelings. Enjoy!

Big Kid Pick: Maps

As I get ready to set off for Greece, I came across this work by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. It is GORGEOUS! I'm so happy to recommend Maps to you for this month's Big Kid Pick.

The oversize book is a visual representation of the world. Intricate, detailed, pen-line drawings and subdued colors show countries, places of interest, heroes, animals, people, traditional dress, foods and plants, languages, populations, and more, more more!

With the work translated into many languages, here's just a sample of the interior imagery:



In this time of "search and find" books, I found this work from Big Picture Press equally complex yet refreshing in what it might teach. Your Big Kids and you will fall into this book, and before you know it, you'll be making travel plans. I read it for an hour the first time I opened it. I was lost in Maps and happy for it.

Maps
by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
Big Picture Press, 2013

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

Poetry Friday: Maisy's First Numbers and Colors

How about a couple little rhymes from Maisy for this Poetry Friday?



"Three spotted butterflies.
Flitter,
flutter,
fly!

Four scaly yellow fish,
swimming on by!"



"Charley's picked bananas,
a big yellow bunch!

Green pears for Cyril,
munch, munch,
munch!"

Maisy's First Numbers
Maisy's First Colors
by Lucy Cousins
Candlewick Press, 2013

I Spy Pets: Edward Gibbs

Not a board book, but perfect for totz anyway! The die-cut hole in the upper center of the front cover continues on every other right hand page inside. 

I spy with my little eye . . .

something with a hard shell.

(speech bubble from unknown green thing visible through the die-cut hole)

I like to munch lettuce.

(Turn the page . . .)

I'm a turtle!

(with a turtle filling the entire spread)

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the final die cut hole in the back cover. Even as adult, I absolutely had to look through it to see what I could spy in my surroundings!

This book is part of a series, so be sure to check out the rest, including I Spy on the Farm.

I Spy Pets

Author-illustrator: Edward Gibbs

Templar Books

Poetry Friday: Digger Dozer Dumper

Happy Poetry Friday!



Garbage Truck

The garbage truck adores his work -
the sights, the smells, the sounds!
The sour milk, the clanging lids,
the clumpy coffee grounds.
Hydraulic arms reach out, then lift.
He hoists the bins up high,
then tips and dumps and shakes them out . . .
and BANGS them down - good-bye!

Digger Dozer Dumper
by Hope Verstergaard
illustrated by David Slonim
Candlewick Press, 2013

Baby and Me: Emma Dodd

I'm a huge fan of Nosy Crow. They repeatedly hit the mark for totz. Check out Baby and Me, written and illustrated by Emma Dodd. The interactive book is fun with thick pull tabs, cloth diaper strips, and even a blanket for the girl to wrap her baby doll inside.

The soft colors and varied black outline are pleasing to carry the simple text.

"This is me.
And this...
is my baby doll."

Of course all the activity is leading up to the child's welcome and able assistance for the new baby in the family. So clever! Enjoy Baby and Me! It may be just the book you need to introduce your happy news to your totz.

Baby and Me
by Emma Dodd
Nosy Crow, 2013

Photo Friday: Baby Book Love

Happy Photo Friday, thanks to this Pinterest link!

Kiss, Kiss Good Night: Kenn Nesbitt

Kiss, Kiss Good Night is an endearing bedtime book to help your totz snuggle down and quickly fall asleep. Children's Poet Laureate Kenn Nesbitt's rhyme is lyrical and rhythmic.

When cuddly cubs begin to doze,
their mothers stroke them on the the nose,
then grumble softly in their ear.
In Bear, that means
"Good night, my dear."

Rebecca Elliott's art is is warm, with texture and curved lines which enhance and mimic the hugs between mothers and their babes. In the larger format, the two full spreads envelop the reader into Elliott's world.

Joan and I recommend Kiss, Kiss Good Night for your bedtime ritual. xox

Kiss, Kiss Good Night
by Kenn Nesbitt
illustrated by Rebecca Elliott
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic, 2013