Poetry Friday: Don't Bump the Glump!

On this Happy Poetry Friday, I share a poem from Shel Silverstein's Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies. Celebrating 50 years, you can find this collection in color for your totz. Enjoy!

About the Bloath

In the undergrowth
There dwells the Bloath
Who feeds upon poets and tea.
Luckily I know this about him,
While he knows almost nothing of me.

Don't Bump the Glump! and Other Fantasies
by Shel Silverstein
HarperCollins Publishers, 1964, 1992

A Tree for All Seasons: Maryse Guittet

It's a tree illustrating 4 seasons in your hands. By lifting graduating, shaped pages, totz are shown the life of a tree from spring to winter. Cleverly, the trunk is stationary causing the peeking fox to listen in as the story is read aloud. Each page includes additional flaps where readers can discover hidden animals within the branches and leaves.

Maryse Guittet's illustrations are controlled and open with an occasional stamp of what could be lino block for texture. The shapes are cheery along with the insects, birds, and animal faces.

Watch the tree bloom and the snow fall in A Tree for All Seasons. It will be a hit year round.

A Tree for All Seasons
by Maryse Guittet
Twirl, 2014

Poetry Friday: Tap Tap Boom Boom

Beautiful pick for text and art this Poetry Friday: Tap Tap Boom Boom.



Tap TAP,
dark clouds.
Tap TAP,
damp air.

Tap TAP,
cold drops
of rain
dot hair.

Street carts appear:
"Umbrellas here!"
Tap TAP
Tap TAP
BOOM
BOOM

This is such a visual treat of sound and sight, texture and rhythm. Find it!

Tap Tap Boom Boom
by Elizabeth Bluemle
illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Candlewick Press, 2014

Karen Katz: Princess Baby Night Night

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It’s bedtime, but this princess is not sleepy. This isn’t a traditional bedtime story. Mischievous Princess Baby is doing what her parents ask in her own unusual way. In short sentences and simple patterned art, Katz manages to give her character personality plus!

Princess Baby,

Are you getting read for bed?

But I’m not tired.

(Princess Baby is bouncing on the bed.)

Did you wash your face?

I’m washing.

(Princess baby is washing her toys’ faces.)

The glittery crown and slippers on this royal baby are sure to please totz princess fans. A traditionally formatted board book with nice sturdy pages.

Princess Baby Night Night

Author-illustrator: Karen Katz

Random House, Schwartz & Wade, 2009

Anne-Sophie Baumann: The Ultimate Book of Vehicles From Around the World

60 moveable parts! 60! This big book from Twirl had to be titled The Ultimate Book of Vehicles, right? There are flaps, tabs, pop-ups and slides, all portraying locomotion from around the world. Yep. I just checked. There are trains, too.

Didier Balicevic's illustrations provide a happy medium of detail, not too little where credibility would be lost in the discerning vehicle lover, but not too much to overwhelm the vast collection. The first pages, including a few such as Construction, Demolition, and City Maintenance, are illustrated on white backgrounds. The simplicity helps the reader to focus on the many vehicles. Midway, the Rescue page creates a scene, while latter spreads of Fishing, Sea Travel, Air Travel and Space have blue or black backgrounds which are refreshing to the eye.

There is so much to see and learn in this ultimate book. Your totz won't want to miss it! Get those engines humming.

The Ultimate Book of Vehicles From Around the World
by Anne-Sophie Baumann
illustrated by Didier Balicevic
Twirl, 2014

Photo Friday: Pages and Piggies

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Such a sweet image, yes? Happy Photo Friday! Pinch those piggies and read a book together.

Peter Panda Melts Down!: Artie Bennett

Meet Peter Panda! He's usually good, but sometimes crabby. Aren't we all? I think totz will see themselves reflected in this panda's frustrations and relate to his occasional meltdowns. Panda grabs another's toy, won't eat his veggies, and won't go to bed. What are panda parents to do? Melt down too! This is a realistic occurrence and I'm glad to see it portrayed in this book. In the end, Peter Panda is sorry and all is well.

I adore this character and this book cover by Jon Nez!

An 8.5 x 8.5 inch picture book that could easily transform into board book format at some future time.

Peter Panda Melts Down!
Author: Artie Bennett
Illustrator: John Nez
Blue Apple Books

Mighty Dads from James Dean and totz co-founder Joan Holub

Hey! Big scoop, scoop, scoop: 

A new book from the New York Times bestselling creator of Pete the Cat, James Dean and totz co-founder, Joan Holub, hits stores today!

Mighty dads, strong and tall,
help their children, young and small.
They keep them safe and bolted tight
and show them how to build things right.


"When my editor told me Grady, Dumpy, Boomer, and the rest of the crew that James Dean had agreed to illustrate Mighty Dads, we went roar, roar, ROAR!" ~ Joan Holub

Mighty Dads is dedicated to hardworking fathers and the subtle ways they teach their boys and girls to follow in their tracks. The Dump Trucks learn to get dirty. Crane keeps his little one safe from harm. The busy Cement Mixer gives his daughter a hug. The Forklift cheers his son on. It means so much when Mighty Dads say, "I'm proud of you."

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Mighty Dads

Author: Joan Holub

Illustrator: James Dean

Scholastic Press, 2014