Mary Brigid Barrett: All Fall Down

An energetic take-off on the game: Ring Around the Rosie or One Two Three, We All Fall Down! Totz build things, including a block tower, which they then knock down; a tower of natural objects in a stream, which they then splash down; and finally a version of the above-mentioned game.

With bright, colorful art, this book is lots of totz fun!

A traditionally formatted board book with nice sturdy pages.

All Fall Down

Author: Mary Brigid Barrett

Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

Candlewick Press, 2014

Poetry Friday: I Saw Esau

After celebrating it's twenty year anniversary with Maurice Sendak's illustrations, how about a poem for Poetry Friday from the "Nonsense" section of I Saw Esau. Enjoy!

I was in the garden
A-picking of the peas.
I busted out a-laughing
To hear the chickens sneeze.

Oh, I'll be at ALA, signing in the HarperCollins' booth, #508, Saturday, June 28th, at 10 am. Stop by and say hey! We can chat about our love for readertotz!

I Saw Esau, The Schoolchild's Pocket Book
Edited by Iona and Peter Opie
Illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Candlewick Press, 1992

Faces for Baby: Yana Peel

My recommend today is one I've savored on my own for a bit. It is so beautiful. Talk about raising the bar for board books, check out Faces for Baby. The collection of 12 works by well-known artists were curated by Yana Peel. Each image is sure to hold your totz' attention. They can be introduced to faces portrayed by various artists from Pablo Picasso to Paul Klee. Older siblings may be inspired to create in similar fashion.


Chris Ofili and Pablo Picasso

Faces for Baby is a treasure to keep for all ages. Just be sure to share it with your totz, too! Where's the nose? Where are the eyes?

Faces for Baby
curated by Yana Peel
Templar, 2013

Poetry Friday: A Giraffe and a Half

We are celebrating Shel's 50 year anniversary and Poetry Friday today! Remember A Giraffe and a Half? Classic!

and he gave the rose
to a girl he chose...

while the bee on his knee
flew away with a flea...

A Giraffe and a Half
by Shel Silverstein
Harper, 1964

Shane DeRolf: The Crayon Box that that Talked

A short rhyming board book that celebrates differences and cooperation. It's a cute idea: Differently colored crayons don’t get along and must learn to work together in order to make a picture.

“I don’t like Red!” said Yellow.

And Green said, “Nor do I.

And no one here likes Orange,

But no one knows just why.”

Pair this one with the bestselling picture book, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.

The Crayon Box that that Talked

Author: Shane DeRolf

Illustrator: Michael Letzig

Random House

Poetry Friday: Dinnertime for Chickies

 I LOVE THESE CHICKIES! So happy there's another escapade. Celebrate Poetry Friday with Janee Trasler's Dinnertime for Chickies. Here's an enticing taste:

Dinnertime, Chickies.
Let's all eat.
Wash your wings
and take a seat.

We can't eat this.
It's too drippy.
We want something chocolate chippy.

Needless to say, the Chickies' tastes grow, and by the conclusion of the board book, they hardly have room for dessert. Thanks, Janee for these delightful characters. <3 p="">
Dinnertime for Chickies
by Janee Trasler
HarperFestival, 2014

Creature Colors, Creature Numbers: Andrew Zuckerman

Andrew Zuckerman's wildlife photography can be enjoyed by your totz in the Creature collection. In Colors, the hues are rich, intense, almost shocking on the animals against stark white backgrounds. There are 5 birds in the gathering of 10 features, including an elephant, frog, and a bear.

Numbers counts either the number of active animals or a characteristic of the body such as 8 legs creeping or 7 fins paddling. The final spread gathers all 10 creatures in mostly different positions than shown previously.

Even the youngest totz will be entranced by the color and activity of these glorious creatures. Also, look for Baby Animals and Sounds.

Creature Colors
Creature Numbers
by Andrew Zuckerman
Chronicle Books, 2014

Poetry Friday: You Mean the World to Me

Here's a cute entry for Poetry Friday, in case you missed it near Mother's Day. It's perfect for any day. Enjoy!



We will spin and twirl
round and round,
tickle each other
and then fall down.

I'll wake you up
in the morning light,
and tuck you in
to dream at night.

You Mean the World to Me
by Bayne Gibby
illustrated by David Walker
Scholastic, Cartwheel Books

Miss J reads Mighty Dads by Joan Holub

Mighty Dads

Scholastic, picture book by readertotz co-founder Joan Holub

illustrated by James Dean, creator of Pete the Cat

Joyce Wan: My Lucky Little Dragon

When I see a Joyce Wan book on the shelf, I know immediately who created it. She has that kind of signature style. It’s hip, yet totz-friendly.

You are my lucky little

DRAGON

My clever little 

snake

This book’s simple rhyme and art lends itself to the very young, from babies to younger totz. It’s a quick read, but bright and fun. The way the names of the animals, such as dragon or snake, are illustrated is super snazzy.

And there’s a heart-shaped mirror on the last page with the text:

Baby, I’m

LUCKY

to have you!

A traditionally formatted board book with nice sturdy pages.

My Lucky Little Dragon

Author-illustrator: Joyce Wan

Scholastic / Cartwheel Books, 2014