Can You Say It, Too? Jingle! Jingle! by Sebastien Braun

Can You Say It, Too? Jingle! Jingle! is a new addition to the series by Sebastien Braun. As Santa delivers gifts, he asks, "Who's that?" to the reader. Below the flaps wait reindeer, a polar bear, a bird, and a dog. Each shares his sound in the excitement. Finally Santa deposits the presents under the tree. The final spread bears two flaps, one for children who, "Giggle! Giggle!" and one for Santa as he flies away with a "Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Nosy Crow always delivers just the right fun to totz. Here is Christmas in a board book for little fingers. Happy holiday!

Can You Say It, Too? Jingle! Jingle!
by Sebastien Braun
Nosy Crow, 2015

Little Houses, A Counting Book: Helen Musselwhite

I have fallen in love with Laurence King publishers. Prepare to be wowed by their contributions for our smallest readers.



Little Houses, A Counting Book by Helen Musselwhite is a perfect example. Portraying an array of house types, your totz will enjoy the paper constructions demonstrating the featured number. Various other animals and objects are included to echo the digit as well. A final spread illustrates each of the houses alongside their number. Four additional pages present the kinds of houses from around the world that were shown, from a chalet in Switzerland to a Ndebele house in South Africa. Older sibs will enjoy the information.

This picture book has a feeling of space and room for all the houses, numbers, and creatures. The heavy pages will resist an accidental tear from your totz.

I'm looking forward to seeing more from Laurence King. Wouldn't board books be lovely?

Little Houses, A Counting Book
By Helen Musselwhite
Laurence King, 2015

Carry and Learn, Numbers: Sarah Ward

Why not a book you can Carry and Learn? How about Numbers and much more. With a handle at the top, just the right size for readertotz, your toddler can carry, touch-and-feel, lift-a-flap, and respond to the requested call on each page. They might stomp like one elephant, stand tall like two giraffes, and growl like three lions.

Adjectives are introduced as well: furry, wet, and spotted. Numbers are repeated for repetition and occupy the left side of every spread. Finally, readertotz are asked what is their favorite animal numbered at the zoo. The glossy paper seems especially durable, along with the raised dots on the cover which make an easy-to-grip book.

Cartwheel knows how to create for the littlest readers. I'm happy they are my publisher as well!


Big Hug for Little Cub

Carry and Learn, Numbers
Illustrated by Sarah Ward
Cartwheel Books, 2015

Splat the Cat, Christmas Countdown: Rob Scotton

Splat the Cat Christmas Countdown is a fun touch-and-feel holiday book. Splat prepares for Santa's visit with a tree and gifts. Snuggled into bed, his hope arrives, and the next morning is full of celebration.

This familiar character brings innovative textures to the holiday with a prickly tree, a shiny package ribbon, and ultimately, Splat's own belly fur. What a fun board book for the holiday countdown!

Splat the Cat, Christmas Countdown
By Rob Scotton
HarperFestival, 2015

Lionel and Molly, Opposites: Joanna Lake

Lionel and Molly are the best of friends, even though they are quite opposite. Comparing the mouse and lion, along with textured inserts, makes a fun read for your smallest readertotz.

Lionel and Molly, Opposites shows how two friends can be different: loud and quiet, big and small, with varied interests. However, they both enjoy tea parties.

Jess Racklyeft's textured but simple shapes read easily with Joanna Lake's words. The added bonus of texture is an enjoyable surprise.

Lionel and Molly, Opposites
By Joanna Lake
Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Little Bee Books, 2015

More, more, more: Caps for Sale and More Caps for Sale

Celebrating 75 years from its first publication, Caps for Sale, A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business, a Reading Rainbow Book, by Esphyr Slobodkina is now accompanied by a formerly unpublished sequel, More Caps for Sale, Another Tale of Mischievous Monkeys.

Rereading Caps for Sale, I'm struck by the beauty of the rhythm and repetition within the work.

So the peddler
picked up his caps and
put them back on his head--

first his own checked cap,

then the gray caps,

then the brown caps,

then the blue caps,

then the red caps
on the very top.

Doesn't it just resonate calmness? The sequel begins with the same opening as Caps for Sale. But the peddler considers the monkeys and how he sold no caps that day. This time as he sets an example for the monkeys, they also set an example for the peddler. He follows their lead by eating and sleeping. Journeying back to town the following morning, the peddler sells all his caps as the monkeys entertain the townspeople by imitating the peddler. They learn proper conduct from him.

Ann Marie Mulhearn Sayer wrote this sequel with story ideas from Slobodkina. The two were longtime friends, business partners, and supporters of each other. The sequel art was extracted and manipulated by Sayer from Slobodkina's paintings and illustration. The reader might initially feel the difference, if a lover of Caps for Sale, but the work pulls together with a sense of unity.

Both women believed society should instill morality and ethics in young children, and books were the perfect format to do so. Enjoy these picture books with your totz. And let us know your thoughts! (A board book release of Caps for Sale by HarperFestival is also available!)

Caps for Sale, A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
By Esphyr Slobodkina
More Caps for Sale, Another Tale of Mischievous Monkeys
By Esphyr Slobodkina, with Ann Marie Mulhearn Sayer
Harper, 2015

There, There: Sam McBratney

Little Hansie Bear loves to pretend. Walking like a duck sends him down into a ditch, but his dad comes to his aid. Again his father helps when Hansie gets sand in his eyes and later bumps his head. At the end of the day when his father is overwhelmed, the little bear is able to comfort him.

Originally a picture book in 2013, There, There, by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Ivan Bates, transfers well into the board book format. For the older readertotz, the text will not be too heavy, and the message will be appreciated.

There, There
By Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Ivan Bates
Templar Books, 2015

Do I Have to Say Hello? Aunt Delia's Manners Quiz for Kids and Their Grownups: Delia Ephron

In perfect time for the holidays we have a reissue of a book from 1989 with updates for the modern reader and older sibs of your totz. Delia Ephron's Do I Have to Say Hello? Aunt Delia's Manners Quiz for Kids and Their Grownups is available for giggling and learning simultaneously.

The work begins with Aunt Delia's letter and book arriving at the kids' home. It is an invite to take a quiz of manners. How do the children reply?

"Go jump in the lake."
"I hate tests."
"Okay, but I'm bringing forty friends. You'd better have food.
"I'd love to, Aunt Delia. Thank you so much for asking me."

If you accepted the invitation, what do you do now?
Turn the page.
Close the book and throw it out the window.

Edward Koren's squiggly, loose, ink drawings illustrate topics from Restaurant Manners to Video Game Manners and Holiday Manners. Delia's humor is punctuated with Edward's hilarious imagery of children acting out at times with inappropriate responses.

The modern inclusions are gems.

Now you're playing Minecraft. Aunt Delia is watching. She says, "Do you have to kill the sheep, too? Why don't you just cut the wool?"
What do you say?
"Wait until I kill this pig and then I'll explain."
"Stop talking. You just made me die."

And how perfect to end with the holidays we are approaching.

It's time to go home. What's the best way to show everyone how much you love them?
Give them each a big hug and a kiss and thank Aunt Delia for the delicious dinner.
Say, "Some Thanksgiving. The only thing I liked was the white meat turkey."
Say, "So long, Aunt Delia, Uncle Jerry, Grandma, Grandpa, Matt, Michelle, and baldie. See you at Christmas. Bring big presents."

So much to love.

Do I Have to Say Hello? Aunt Delia's Manners Quiz for Kids and Their Grownups
By Delia Ephron
Illustrated by Edward Koren
Blue Rider Press, 2015

Poetry Friday: A Great BIG Cuddle, Poems for the Very Young

Here's a gorgeous selection for Poetry Friday. Find it and enjoy the poems over and over with your totz! The large size drops you right into Chris Riddell's line drawings as you rock into Michael Rosen's poems.

Mo

Mo's in a muddle
She slipped in a puddle
Mommy gives Mo
A great big cuddle.

And one more. So wonderful!!!



A Great BIG Cuddle, Poems for the Very Young
By Michael Rosen
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Candlewick Press, 2015

The White Book: Minibombo

Book, art expression, game, or toy? The White Book fits each of these categories with smiles and enjoyment along the way.

As a young boy roller paints a wall, white-lined imagery appears, dissolves from the space, and flies, swims, and walks away. Pacing is sustained with excitement building from a sudden dinosaur's appearance to an anteater who attempts to eat the boy's paint roller. The conclusion is perfect.

This minibombo book lives up to its claim: a little book buzzing with a big idea. The interactive app can be purchased for .99, and your child can create and experience color on your ipad or iPhone. Click here to purchase. The fun and learning will continue with additional exposure to animals, colors, and painting. Take a peek at the trailer.



Here is this generation's Harold and the Purple Crayon.



The minibombo website offers even more art activities for little hands. Happy reading and painting with your totz! Looking forward to more fun from minibombo.

The White Book
minibombo
by Silvia Borando, Elisabetta Pica, and  Lorenzo Clerici 
Candlewick Press, 2015

Poetry Friday: Peek-a BOO!

Nina Laden's latest board book Peek-a BOO! is a perfect celebration of Poetry Friday and the holiday tomorrow. There's a lot of buzz for this clever book. It's going to be enjoyed for many, many years. A new holiday classic. Congrats, Nina!

Peek-a BOO!
Peek-a BREW!
Peek-a FLEW!

Peek-a BOO!
By Nina Laden
Chronicle Books, 2015

Owl Babies: Martin Waddell

Owl Babies in board book format! I'm so excited! This is a beloved favorite of our family, and I'm so glad it's formatted again for little hands.

The cover is lightened, the background blue rather than black, maybe to make it less scary? Otherwise Patrick Benson's perfect imagery is untouched, as well as Martin Waddell's text. Bravo, Candlewick!

I met Martin years ago and can still hear his voice reading as Sarah, Percy, and Bill await the return of their mother. Here is a lifework to treasure.

Owl Babies
By Martin Waddell
Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Candlewick Press, 2015, 2nd US edition

Poetry Friday: Double Happiness by Nancy Tupper Ling

Filling little boxes with treasures from home, helps a Chinese American brother and sister prepare for a move. The picture book-in-verse tells a complete story as a novel-in-verse would. Another delight from Chronicle, and it's perfect for Poetry Friday!

Leaf

One stray leaf
flutters down
onto my box--
Eucalyptus!
If I had a koala I'd feed
her this minty meal all
day long--
the perfect treasure
to remind me of home.

Double Happiness
By Nancy Tupper Ling
Illustrated by Alina Chau
Chronicle Books, 2015

Are You My Mommy? by Mary Murphy

Mary Murphy has another adorable board book for your totz. Are You My Mommy? asks a little dog of the various farm animals. Each mother says no but introduces the puppy to her baby. New words are likely introduced such as duckling, foal, and calf.

The thick black outline for characters and the Murphy Brush typeset against soft watercolor settings create vibrant spreads. Candlewick Press has a gem in Mary Murphy.

Are You My Mommy?
by Mary Murphy
Candlewick Press, 2015

Arf! Arf! and Quack! Quack! by Sebastien Braun

Nosy Crow has a series titled Can You Say It, Too? The big flaps are easy to lift for little hands. Quack! Quack! and Arf! Arf! are the two I most recently ran across from Sebastien Braun. The former is set near a pond and the latter by the sea. Answers to the questions are printed on the backside of the flaps.

The series could easily have been titled, "Who's that?" With each question and flap, another character is present as well. The additions can expand the interactive read. Double flaps at the conclusion are a nice surprise.

Chunky and sturdy with adorable animals, these are sure to be read and reread. Look for the whole series.

Quack! Quack!
Arf! Arf!
by Sebastien Braun
Nosy Crow, 2015

Poetry Friday: Bathtime for Chickies, by Janee Trasler

I'm a chickies fan! Thanks, Janee Trasler for another peek into the life of the chickies. In Bathtime for Chickies we find the little birds covered in grime and grub, resisting bathing, and then not wanting to get out of the bath…over and over. Pig washes them once; Cow follows up the perfume/lotion mess; and the cooking catastrophe is cleaned up by Sheep.

"Once they're clean
     and shiny too,
     what will
little chickies
     do?

Take a guess. Just know Pig, Cow, and Sheep join those little chickies. Happy Poetry Friday, readertotz!

Bathtime for Chickies
by Janee Trasler
HarperFestival, 2015

More, more, more: Pool, by JiHyeon Lee

I'm a huge fan of wordless picture books. Before your summer ends and school starts up again, find Pool by JiHyeon Lee. As a young boy approaches the public pool, it seems the entire town turns out and jumps in ahead of him. But…what if he dives beneath all the floaties and splashing swimmers to find a girl down below. Maybe there is a world of coral, fish, and mythic creatures, tiny and great, to be discovered.

With their descent, color saturates the oversized format, and the reader is lost in another world created with color pencils and oil pastels. When the two friends resurface, it's possible their discoveries return with them and cause the pool to empty. The book is dedicated: "For Those Who Want To Swim Freely in the World."

This is JiHyeon Lee's first book. The work so clearly taps into the imagination it feels as if she has read our own wishes. Brava! Joan and I will be waiting for more from this gifted newcomer.

Pool
by JiHyeon Lee
Chronicle Books, 2015, originally published in South Korea, 2013

All Shook Up! and Who's There? Alain Crozon

I have two lift-the-flaps that are unique and stand out from the stack. Alain Crozon's All Shook Up! and Who's There? are strong, graphic additions to the market which invite page turns and giggles.

The limited palate of blue, yellow, black, and red; the matte pages; and thick black line create all the fun. Whether you are reading and lifting to discover what's inside the fearless fish or the nesting dolls, or exploring movement in fluttering feathers and spiky hair, the reads are interactive and dosed with joy.

I love these two, and so will your totz!

All Shook Up!
Who's There?
Alain Crozon
Chronicle Books, 2015

Poetry Friday: What Pet Should I Get?

Happy Poetry Friday! It's time to "Make up your mind," with two totz, the boy and girl from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, trying to decide which pet to take home. How lovely to have one more Dr. Seuss book to treasure with back matter to explain context. Enjoy!

"Dad said we could have one.
Dad said he would pay.
I went to the Pet Shop.
I went there with Kay.

And so we went in..."

What Pet Should I Get?
by Dr. Seuss
Random House, 2015

Poetry Friday: The Bus is for Us!

Poetry Friday will be a beauty with The Bus is for Us! Michael Rosen's text swings through locomotive options, real and imaginary, while Gillian Tyler's illustrations softly wisp along the reader. Find this rhyming picture book and then take a ride somewhere delightful with your totz. Consider taking the bus!

"I do, of course,
like riding a horse.

I like to float
in a little boat.

I like trips
in big ships.

But the best is the bus.
The bus is for us."

The Bus is for Us!
by Michael Rosen
illustrated by Gillian Tyler
Candlewick Press, 2015

Poetry Friday: Funny Face, Sunny Face

Happy Poetry Friday! Here's a little Funny Face, Sunny Face to brighten your day with your totz. It's oh, so catchy.

"Sticky lips, licky lips,
love-you
kiss-me-quicky lips.

Peeky nose,
beaky nose,
rub-a-
     dub-a-
        cheeky nose."

Funny Face, Sunny Face
by Sally Symes
illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
Nosy Crow, 2015

More, more, more: The New Small Person

Elmore Green began life as an only child, happy with his status in the family. No one ever ate his jelly beans, until "somebody else came along." The small person, being cut major slack within the family, makes Elmore wish he would go away. And when he only grows larger and moves into Elmore's room, there's little hope left in life.

But a bad dream and finding a bit of comfort from the younger sib, along with a large dose of admiration, and someone to laugh with, changes Elmore's perspective. Enough to share his jellybeans. Except the orange ones, of course.

Lauren Child is the master of wry humor, truthful twists, and everyday observations. The New Small Person is a brilliant work to add to your collection beside Charlie, Lola, and Clarice Bean. More, more, more, we say!

The New Small Person
by Lauren Child
Candlewick Press, 2014

Shark Bite! by Beatrice Costamagna, Little Bee Books

Shark Bite! is a fun read for your readertotz, helping them to see maybe the fearsome can be friendly after all. On each spread, Mark the shark shows his teeth, and a pull tab allows the reader to chomp through the book.

Scary, then angry, then laughing, thanks to the tickling octopus, Mark finds friendship in the sea. Beatrice Costamagna's illustrations are bright and inviting. Look for Shark Bite! for your readertotz and take a bite out of this board book this summer.

Shark Bite!
illustrated by Beatrice Costamagna
Little Bee Books, 2015

Poetry Friday: Itty Bitty Kitty, by Joan Holub

So adorable with rhyme throughout. Itty Bitty Kitty is a great pick for Poetry Friday! Enjoy our own Joan Holub's bouncy, punchy text accompanied by the cutest illustrations by James Burks. Move over Clifford!

    It was a furry purry,
snuggly huggly,
cutie patootie,
                   itty...
                     bitty...
                       kitty!
                    He had sparkly green eys
                 and was just the right size
                 for a girl like Ava.

Itty Bitty Kitty
by Joan Holub
illustrated by James Burks
Harper, 2015

Poetry Friday: Beach House

Oh, these two caught it: the summer sun and fun at a beach house. This is perfect for your Poetry Friday out at the shore. Deanna Caswell's text is lyrical while Amy June Bates captures sunshine in her watercolors. Enjoy!

A long, long drive.

It's been a year
     of dreaming, waiting.

Summer's here.

Doors fly open.
     End of the road.

"To the beach!"
     "Not yet--unload."

Beach House
by Deanna Caswell
illustrated by Amy June Bates
Chronicle Books, 2015

Young reader recites Mighty Dads at a construction site

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly! Lucille Colandro

Can it be done again? Yes! In board book format for little totz' hands. And how about dropping the line, "Perhaps she'll die."? Why can't a cough release all the Old Lady's new friends she has temporarily ingested? Much more friendly thanks to Lucille Colandro's text.

And then Jared Lee's illustrations add a frenzy to the story with tiny pen hash marks zinging across the imagery. The layout is brilliant. (That black dog is the cutest ever and with a few others, smartly avoids being eaten!)

Colandro dedicated the work to the Cartwheel Team. I agree. Bravo!

There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!
by Lucille Colandro
illustrated by Jared Lee
Cartwheel Books, July 2015

Poetry Friday: After the Bell Rings

Here's a collection of poems centered on all things after school. Read a few for this Poetry Friday!

Escape

Out of the prison gates I slip,
I zig and zag, I dodge and dip,
Through the dark forest of towering trees,
Leaving no trail for my enemies.
Across the wild river on a narrow log,
Past the castle with the howling wolf-dog,
One last mad dash! I got home okay!
Good thing that my school is just three blocks away.

After the Bell Rings, Poems About After-School Time
by Carol Diggory Shields
illustrated by Paul Meisel
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015

Polar Bear's Underwear: tupera tupera

How can you not chuckle just by saying the title: Polar Bear's Underwear? Right? This Chronicle Books release isn't a board book, but the stiff pages with underwear cutouts will hold up to little hands.

As Polar Bear and Mouse look for the missing undergarment, they find other underwear with design hints as to whom the clothing might belong. The zebra's is striped. The butterfly's is tiny and covered in flowers. The guessing game will keep the giggles going along with the fun tighty-whitey ending.

Tupera Tupera, the team of Tatsuya Kameyama and Atsuko Nakagawa's layered collage hints at Eric Carle while holding its own freshness. Enjoy!

Polar Bear's Underwear
by tupera tupera
Chronicle Books

Poetry Friday: Blown Away

Happy Poetry Friday! Look at this cutie and consider adding it to your collection!



"A windy day.
A brand-new kite.
For Penguin Blue
a maiden flight.

The kite so high. The wind so strong.
It's pulling Penguin Blue along."

And so begins the adventure!

Blown Away
by Rob Biddulph
Harper, 2015

Giveaway! Autographed Mini Myths board books for preschoolers.

Mythology life lessons in board books for totz! 

Giving away 4 autographed Mini Myths board books

by readertotz co-founder, Joan Holub,

illustrated by Leslie Patricelli, creator of Yummy Yucky

and other amazing board books.

Abrams Books

Please do this to enter:

"Like" readertotz on Facebook 

"Like" Joan Holub and Lorie Ann Grover on Facebook

Drop a quick comment here on this post.

Entry rules: 

Must be over 18. Must like books! :o) 

USA only. 

2 randomly chosen winners each receive 2 autographed Mini Myths books (author's choice). 

Winners names posted here and notified via email (if email provided). 

Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with any social networking site. Ends June 10th. 

Good luck!

Poetry Friday: Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry

Celebrate Poetry Friday with Vern Kousky's delightful owl, Otto. A secret poet eventually scorned, he finds his voice with the realization that, "Poetry should be shared with everyone." He quotes T.S. Eliot, Joyce Kilmer, and more, while writing his own words. "The more the owls listen, the less they feel like laughing."

"Dear Moon, you must be lonely
so high up in the sky.
I'm sure your heart's so heavy,
sometimes you want to cry."

Enjoy Otto the Bard, today!

Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
Vern Kousky
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015

More, more, more: Before After

I love this book! Leaving it out on the coffee table, I've seen it engage all ages, totz to seniors. The wordless imagery usually plays across a spread, revealing a "before and after" scene, situation, or object. The touch of humor, or seriousness, and clean illustrations with a gentle palette sustain the page turns. Occasionally a full spread follows a full spread enhancing the beat of the book.

From acorn to tree, to more complicated strings echoing subjects: squid to ink, pigeon to quill pen, quill pen to typewriter, pigeon to airmail letter, the reader is engaged. Pick up this work and be caught between the profound and daily "before and afters." This work deserved a major award.

Before After
by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui
Candlewick Press, 2014

Guinea Pig Party: Holly Surplice

Counting with a troop of guinea pigs is a delight! What better place than in a party. From ten to one, the party winds down, yet when one wishes really hard for his friends again, the guinea pig party twirls into action.

Holly Surplice's pig party introduces counting backwards, patterns, active verbs, and bright colors. It's a little gem to celebrate or get a party going. Share it with your totz!

Guinea Pig Party
by Holly Surplice
Nosy Crow, 2015

#Giveaway The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations

Happy National Photo Month to everyone! I'm honored to be included in this excellent collection of poetry, highlighting celebrations: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. The contributors and compilers have created a treasure to inspire appreciation for poetry and days of joy.

"Like" readertotz on Facebook, drop a comment on the link relating to this post, and you'll be entered to win either a Teacher Edition or Child Edition. (Note if you are a teacher or librarian!)



Here is my poem to enjoy as you click those selfies this month!



You can visit Poetry Celebrations to see 12 more things to party about in May. Shout out to Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell for editing, supporting, and impacting the world through poetry!

The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations
Teacher/Librarian Edition
Children's Edition
edited by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell
Pomelo Books, 2015

Recommends from Books Around the Table

I love it when Joan and I review the same books on readertotz. We live across the country from each other, and we work fairly independently on totz as we write our own works. So if you see a book reviewed twice you can believe we recommend it! i.e. the last two Harry posts!



In place of a review this week, I want to redirect everyone to Books Around the Table. Author/Illustrator Laura Kvasnosky looks over her new grandson's collection of board books and is heartened by what she finds. Enjoy!

Hide and Seek Harry On the Farm: Kenny Harrison

There are lots of farm-theme books out now that it's spring. The cover of this one caught my attention right away and made me smile.

Two kids are on the farm playing with Harry the hippo. And what does Harry want to play? Hide-and-seek. Totz will laugh as Harry tries to hide behind a plow or in a haystack. He may think he’s hiding, but he never quite manages to completely camouflage himself. In the end, he is found, and the game begins again.

A cute and sturdy board book.

Hide and Seek Harry On the Farm

Author-illustrator: Kenny Harrison

Candlewick Press, 2015

Hide and Seek Harry: Kenny Harrison

Harry the Hippo has two friends, a girl and boy. Whether they are playing hide-and-seek on the farm or at the playground, totz will enjoy helping the children find Harry. There's something adorable about a large entity hiding when his size makes him very easy to spot. Say a hippo behind a cow or a sunflower. It's giggle-worthy for older readers and helpful for wee ones to find Harry.

The series will likely be a hit with your young readers. Invite Harry onto your bookshelf!

Hide and Seek Harry, On the Farm
Hide and Seek Harry, At the Playground
by Kenny Harrison
Candlewick Press, 2015

Maisy’s Plane / Maisy’s Tractor: Lucy Cousins

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In Maisy’s Plane, Maisy is flying herself to a party. I love seeing her in the plane, taking charge like this. How exciting when she starts the engine. And when the propeller goes around and around. Vroom, Vroom! In the end, we find out that her destination is a party for Eddie the elephant. Well done, Maisy!

Pair Maisy's Plane with Maisy’s Tractor. In this one, we see Maisy driving a tractor. Chug, chug! She’s plowing and working hard, appearing competent. She finds lost lambs and brings them home. Well done, Maisy!

Maisy serves as a wonderful, confident role-model for girl totz in both of these books!

Well done, Candlewick!

 

Maisy’s Plane

Maisy’s Tractor

A Go With Maisy Board Book

Author-illustrator: Lucy Cousins

Candlewick Press, 2014

Star Wars Epic Yarns: Jack & Holman Wang

You HAVE TO get ready for May 4th, (May the Fourth Be With You), with this brand new board book trilogy from Chronicle Books. Think felt art, twelve words, and 12 epic scenes from the original Star Wars movies in each book.

It's absolutely adorable and detailed. Watch this behind the scenes take from Jack and Holman Wang:



What a great way to introduce your Padawan readertotz to this epic tale. I love it!

Star Wars, Epic Yarns
A New Hope
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
by Jack & Holman Wang
Chronicle Books, April 2015

Cutie Pie Looks for the Easter Bunny: Jannie Ho

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Another cute book from Jannie Ho! It’s full of chunky tabs that work really well. Cutie Pie, the yellow chick, is searching for the Easter Bunny. She meets lots of other friends everywhere she looks, and they all have Easter eggs. In the end, she finally has an Easter egg of her own. Very sweet and satisfying ending for toddlers.

Liz Reed interviews Jannie Ho.

Cutie Pie Looks for the Easter Bunny

A Tiny Tab Book

Illustrated by Jannie Ho

Nosy Crow, 2014