Open Board Book Sketch: Covid 19

Sharing from my notebook, here are my quick, first sketches of What I Can Do, Covid 19. (The different colors are just the different qualities of light throughout the day as I was working.)

If I develop and refine the book, I plan to post updates. In the meantime, feel free to share in the hope it will give a little comfort to your wee ones. Good health to you and your beloveds!

With my love, 

Lorie Ann Grover

Top Shelf: Unstoppable

I LOVE THIS BOOK! Hence, the Top Shelf designation.

Adam Rex, of Nothing Rhymes with Orange, brings a story of cooperation between individuals to the grand scale to include society and the environment. Together, we are unstoppable.

To begin, a bird joins a crab to gain protection from a cat. It's crabbird, birdrab! Desiring the attributes of other species and facing fears, a birdraburtlebear is created. Colloquial language brings even more humor to the text:

"Hey, Steve, I don't know what you're so angry about, but I think maybe it's because you wish you could be a part of this incredible thing we've got going on. I think maybe you're lonely. I think...maybe...you could use some friends?"

The group is unstoppable as they fly through the air, until they discover their environment is threatened. I won't spoil the surprise, but they go and find help. And it's a beautiful thing. Laura Park's fresh illustrations are given a big format, and the white space is filled with hope for everyone. Bravo!

Unstoppable
by Adam Rex
illustrated by Laura Park
Chronicle Books, 2020

A to Z Menagerie: Suzy Ultman

Quirky, clean illustrations bring the pull-the-tab board book, A to Z Menagerie. to life. Referred to as a gleeful gallery and a curated collection, the work will keep little eyes looking.

Among others, F includes a Ferris wheel, flour, a fez, a fern a flounder, fizz, and fireflies. The pullout tab illustrates the fox within the shape of the large cut letter. Printed in all caps, each drawn feature is identified.

Object identification, letter sounds, touch, and remembering are exercised alongside unique representations of things from our world. Here's a fresh A, B, C book for your first readers.

A to Z Menagerie
by Suzy Ultman
Chronicle Books, 2019

Poetry Friday: Moon Babies

Happy Poetry Friday to you and your first readers! Enjoy this verse from the beautiful Moon Babies:

In the starry dark of night,
a secret moon world dims its light.
Close your eyes and you just might
dream of baby moons tonight.

Moon Babies
by Karen Jameson
illustrated by Amy Hevron
Putnam, 2019

Alpha Bit: Juan Carlos Solon

For the nostalgic for 8-bit, you can go on an alphabet quest with your first reader in Alpha Bit. As always, bring back the treasure after pressing Start!

Operating like a hidden picture puzzle, readers follow their hero and find objects in the 8-bit illustrations featuring particular letters:

D: ducks, donkey, dig, dragon, diamond

or

S: snake, spider, skull, sweat, sword, shield.

Midway, there's a choice to continue or Quest on. Enjoy this retro visit with your readertotz!

Alpha Bit, an ABC Quest in 8-bit
by Juan Carlos Solon
Chronicle Books, 2019