Readertotz Read Aloud: The Beatryce Prophecy

For the older siblings of your readertotz, you might read aloud Kate DiCamillo's latest work: The Beatryce Prophecy. Every time I begin a work of Kate's, I get first-page chills. You know you are taking her hand and journeying into a narrative, lyrical circle which will weave a community together through the eyes of an endearing, strong protagonist. You and yours will love Beatryce, Answelica the goat, Brother Edik, and Jack Dory. 

Sophie Blackall's pencil drawings illuminate the text throughout. She brings half-page images, flourishes, and spot illustrations to the reader. The two time Caldecott Medalist dedicates her work to Kate, herself.  

Listen in to NPR's Talking Volumes, 2021, interview of Kate about this new classic taking its place on our shelves and in our hearts. 

"That is not a book I would care to read. 

As if she could read.

As if such a thing were possible.

Which, of course, it was not.

But still, a shiver of wonder and fear went through him at the possibility of a girl who could read." 

The Beatryce Prophecy

by Kate DiCamillo

illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Candlewick Press, 2021

More, more, more: When We Say Black Lives Matter

Here is a must find, must purchase, must share! When We Say Black Lives Matter is the poetic, spot-on answer for our readertotz when they ask, "What does Black Lives Matter mean?" 

Maxine Beneba Clarke's direct, compassionate beauty fills this picture book as black parents speak to their black child. Clarke's watercolor pencil and collage resembles chalk drawings which glow like stained glass over the large format. Verbs illuminate what this powerful statement means, whether it is screamed, danced, or laughed. 

"When we smile

Black Lives Matter,

we're raising our spirits high.

We're saying

we are here,

and we are enough.

Black-beautiful-brave, 

my child."

Let Clarke, who is speaking to her own beloved family around the world, fill your home with affirmations of truth and joy. Black Lives Matter. 

When We Say Black Lives Matter

by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Candlewick Press, 2021

Now You See Me, Now You Don't: Silvia Borando

Such a clever concept! Fourteen animals, each wearing a bit of a shocked expression, remain in the same position throughout this small scale picture book. The only thing that changes is the background color. As it does, the animal of the same color disappears, apart from the eyes. On the white background, they can all be seen, and one disappears on every page but the first. Hm...

This engaging wordless book will delight and amuse. Just the googly eyes alone make a reader smile.

Now You See Me, Now You Don't
A Minibombo Book
by Silvia Borando
Candlewick Press

Poetry Friday: The Maine Coon's Haiku

Happy Poetry Friday, readertotz! Today's feature is The Maine Coon's Haiku, and Other Poems for Cat Lovers by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Lee White. Flat, textured graphics, with a print-like quality achieved digitally, illustrate each cat haiku. Alternating between Outside and Inside, pick your favorite and read more about the breed in the back matter.

Scottish Fold

wind-whipped magnolia

cat's pink-petal toes--the last

to drop from its boughs

Be ready for beautiful language and exquisite imagery.

The Maine Coon's Haiku, and Other Poems for Cat Lovers
by Michael J. Rosen
illustrated by Lee White
Candlewick Press, 2015

More, More, More: The Owl and the Pussy-cat, and Further Adventures

My favorite poem growing up was "The Owl and the Pussy-cat." Edward Lear wrote the "picture poem" for a sick child of close friends. Recently voted Britain's favorite poem, it dances through generations. A new edition, illustrated with Charlotte Voake's gentle watercolors, has been released by Candlewick Press. In conjunction is the picture book, The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat. Author Julia Donaldson was raised on Lear and re-immersed herself in his work to write this text, also illustrated by Voake.

When a crow steals the ring from the end of Pussy's tail, another journey begins. Watch for other Lear characters to make appearances such as the Pobble who has no toes, the Jumbly Crew, and the Dong with a luminous Nose.

What an honor to be asked to write a sequel for such a beloved poem. Well done, all, in these two releases!

The Owl and the Pussy-cat
by Edward Lear
illustrated by Charlotte Voake
The Further Adventures of the Owl and Pussy-cat
by Julia Donaldson
illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Candlewick Press, 2017

Nighty-Night and Hair: Leslie Patricelli

Always, always I cheer when Leslie Patricelli offers up a new board book. This round is Nighty-Night and the hilarious Hair.

In Nighty-Night, baby takes us through the evening ritual. A string of couplets helps march your reader to bed. My favorite:

Bye-bye, pants.
Naked dance.

In Hair, it's time for baby to have a haircut. For one hair, that is. "I have a hair!" baby says, then goes on to explain all that must be done for its care. Gender neutral, baby is ever adorable. The book concludes with examples of diverse kinds of hair.

Thank you for two more baby books, Leslie! We heart you!

Nighty-Night
Hair
by Leslie Patricelli
Candlewick Press, 2017

The Christmas Story: Robert Sabuda

Honoring the awe of the Christmas narrative is Robert Sabuda's The Christmas Story. The beautiful text is illustrated with exquisite pop-up art. The work is so intriguing you will likely want to display it. The scene of Bethlehem and the Magi are grand. Actually, the entire work is grand.

Smaller hands will be able to negotiate the page turns, but the illustrations are layered, cut-paper and will need care.

Thank you, Robert and Candlewick. You have brought light into the world.

The Christmas Press
by Robert Sabuda
Candlewick Books, 2016

Baa Baa Smart Sheep and I Love Lemonade: The Sommersets

Oh, now. How about a little mischief? You are going to find it with Little Baa Baa. If bored, Quirky Turkey had better watch out. A mysterious pile of brown balls may not exactly be smarty tablets. And sweet revenge with a glass of yellow liquid might actually backfire.

The pacing is brilliant, the line drawings so expressive you will be delighted. Baa Baa Smart Sheep and I Love Lemonade have been the favs of 2016 with totz AND seniors. (#readergrands) My in-laws have shared them with hoots and howls with their retirement community.

Thanks, Mark and Rowan Sommerset. More, more, more!

Baa Baa Smart Sheep
I Love Lemonade
by Mark and Rowan Sommerset
Candlewick Press, 2016

Animals: Ingela P. Arrhenius

It's HUGE! Likely as big as your totz, the graphic depiction of various animals by children's designer in Sweden, Ingela P. Arrhenius, is captivating. There's no particular order or arrangement in the beasts, but there is a celebration of shapes, including lettering which changes from piece to piece. The palette is subdued. All imagery is caught on the endpapers for comparison.

Consider this for young storytime groups or singular readers who are ready to meet an array of animals and twirling letters. Each is friendly and waits introduction.

Animals
by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Candlewick Press, 2016

My Very First Mother Goose: Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells

How wonderful! The Twentieth Anniversary Edition of My Very First Mother Goose, edited by Iona Opie and illustrated by Rosemary Wells, is being released! In four chapters, the rhymes are collected and shared in a large format. Readertotz are going to love falling into the phrases and big imagery.

As Iona notes in her introduction, Mother Goose knows of human nature. She shows us the beautiful world we are all a part of. Her rhymes give us answers and encouragements in so many situations. Rosemary Wells fills the scene, and with a line, she conveys layers of emotion.

I shared this first with my own readertotz. Now, to the next generation...

My Very First Mother Goose
edited by Iona Opie
illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Candlewick Press, 2016

Shh! We Have a Plan: Chris Haughton

"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." Albert Einstein

Here is the quote noted in Shh! We Have a Plan. How wonderful to have Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award winner, Chris Haughton's work now available as a board book. School Library Journal's starred review says it is, "A masterful delight."

It's the smallest of the group of four who would like to say, "Hello, birdie." But his three counterparts dissuade him repeatedly, as they have a plan. It's the smallest who is successful though, even though the three still don't learn.

There is so much anticipation and delight from the big eyes of the characters as they try over and over to catch the bird. There is so much to talk about with readers, eager to identify with the smallest in the group. I believe this book was meant to be a board book from the start. Enjoy!

Shh! We Have a Plan
by Chris Haughton
Candlewick Press, 2015

Poetry Friday: Who Woke the Baby? Jane Clarke

Who Woke the Baby? is the mystery in the jungle one morning. The baby gorilla awakes smelly and yelly and is caught in a cumulative rhyming tale full of sound. There is the hippo who yawns like a horn, a lion who snores and roars, and a frog who croaks.

It's lovely to discover the smallest, yet brightest, is the one who woke the baby. And it is also that one who leaves everyone happy.

The recent tragedy involving a child and a gorilla and the death of a child by two alligators came to mind as I pondered the beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations. Such horrific occurrences likely won't be known by readertotz, and the book will be thoroughly beloved.

Who Woke the Baby?
by Jane Clarke
illustrated by Charles Fuge
Nosy Crow, 2016

More, more, more: Circle

An epic book has been released from Candlewick Press titled Circle, by Jeannie Baker. With one wish: "Ahhhh--I wish I could fly!" and one note: "In its lifetime a godwit will usually fly farther than the distance from the earth to the moon," the collaged picture book begins.

"In a place where mud and sand become sea...
a godwit with white wing patches
flies up with his flock.
The moment is right
for the long journey north."

The flock takes flight away from a boy in a wheelchair at the beach. Page upon page follows the flock from one safe stretch of mud to another. The birds return to their remembered place and nest. Eventually, the moment arrives to leave again and reach the other side of the world. They arrive at the original beach and rest. Now, the boy leaves his crutches and races after his dog who is giving chase to the birds.

After the flock has flown full circle, the boy is shown again in his bed, imagining his own flight with the godwits. My only disappointment was that the boy did not remain in his wheelchair.

You won't want to miss this love letter to the godwits and the brilliant collage by Jeannie.

Circle
by Jeannie Baker
Candlewick Press, 2016

One Gorilla, A Counting Book: Anthony Browne

Anthony Browne helps us get our primates straight as we count from one to ten and beyond. Introduce mandrills, macaques, and lemurs to your readertotz with Browne's mixed media illustrations. Even get a peek at the author himself!

"1 gorilla
2 orangutans
3 chimpanzees"

With a starred review from the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, you won't want your totz to miss this one. The classic vibe is definitely there.

One Gorilla, A Counting Book
by Anthony Browne
Candlewick Press, 2015

Poetry Friday: Sweep Up the Sun and Among a Thousand Fireflies

Breathtaking. The poems of Helen Frost alongside Rick Lieder's photographs are stunning. And then there are the layered meanings and life lessons within the pages. Celebrate Poetry Friday with this duo.



"Alone in the sky,
or flying with friends,
your wings will carry you far,
stitching earth to sky
with invisible thread,
at home
     wherever you are."



"Across a distance
wide and dark
she looks out from
her flower
and sees---

Light. Dark.
Light. Dark."

Sweep Up the Sun, 2015
Among a Thousand Fireflies, 2016
by Helen Frost
photographs by Rick Lieder
Candlewick Press

Crocopotamus: Mary Murphy

Giggles will erupt as your readertotz flip through Mary Murphy's Crocopotamus. Combinations of animals just wait to be discovered. How about a Zekey or an Eleger. Of course there are matches for animals we know and love, too. Big, bold rough-edged images and hand-lettered text set a playful tone in this board book for the earliest readers.

Crocopotamus
by Mary Murphy
Candlewick Press, 2016

Mother Goose: Rosemary Wells

How delightful Iona Opies' compiled Mother Goose rhymes, illustrated by Rosemary Wells, are available in board book volumes. One, Two, Three, Mother Goose and Snuggle Up with Mother Goose are sweet collections for your totz. If your wee ones don't yet know Rosemary's rabbits, ducks and cats, here is the perfect opportunity to make the introductions.

Practice counting or snuggle up for a rest with these two gems from Candlewick Press.

Snuggle Up with Mother Goose
One, Two, Three, Mother Goose
edited by Iona Opie
illustratd by Rosemary Wells
Candlewick Press, 2015, 2106

There, There and Bum, Bum: Taro Miura

Two new board books, for us, from Taro Miura are available in the U.S., first printed in Japan in 2008. There, There is a simple concept book introducing animals and their sounds. But, when the baby starts to cry, everyone joins in. Empowering the reader, it's the baby who comforts them in the end.

Bum Bum is my favorite though. "Duck's fluffy...bum bum. Pig's round...bum bum." Get the gist? You just have to smile at all those various behinds. The flat, graphic illustrations fit the simplicity of the text.

How fun to have these for our totz. Thanks, Candlewick!

There, There
Bum Bum
by Taro Miura
Candlewick Press, 2016

More, More, More: Baa Baa Smart Sheep

Sometimes, I have to stop everything and tell you about a book I just read. Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark and Rowan Sommerset is the pick this time. I burst out laughing at this deceptive sheep, and totz are going to absolutely howl. I can only imagine library story time.

"What's what?"
"That there."
"This here?"
"Yes, that there."
"Oh, it's just a pile of . . . smarty tablets." 

Gullibility isn't a mark of intellect, as Quirky Turkey learns from Smart Sheep. Aside from the amazingly paced fun, the book will open discussions on what one might believe, no matter who says it's the truth. Releasing February 23rd, I hope this mischief finds a wide audience!

Baa Baa Smart Sheep
by Mark and Rowan Sommerset
Candlewick Press, 2016

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