Not That Tutu! Michelle Sinclair Colman

I am one who doesn't need a reason to wear a tutu. This book with a fabric tutu on the cover caught my eye immediately. 

Michelle Sinclair Colman's text shares the young, female protagonist, Taylor, who wears her tutu everywhere, despite the entire family questioning her choice. Hiroe Nakata's loose and bright illustrations keep the exchanges lighthearted and fun. 

"She wore her tutu on her sled.
"Not again," her brother teased."

Taylor shows how tutus can be worn with a swimsuit, snow pants, and cowboy boots. Of course when her tutu is in tatters, she is ready to make a great decision. It, too, surprises her family. Here's to strong-willed totz with great fashion sense!

Not That Tutu!
by Michelle Sinclair Colman
illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
Robin Corey Books, Random House

Preschool Day Hooray! Linda Leopold Strauss

I was attracted to this book because I've been a fan of Hiroe Nakata's illustrations since she illustrated my easy reader The Garden That We Grew. Her watercolor style is simple, expressive, and delightful. Perfect for totz. I really like the rhyming story here, too. It's not stiff and uses words like "drippy" and "painty" as adjectives, as we enjoy a day at preschool with a boy, from from the time he departs home in a rush to the end of school when it's once again "Mommy time!"

Painty hands and gooey glue.
Tricky puzzles I can do.

I think this book will be a comfort to totz contemplating a future in school and will help get them excited about the prospect of the activities they might do, which are portrayed in a breezy, charming style here.

The pages of this 8x8 " book are sturdier than those in a picture book, but are not cardboard-stiff as in a true board book. This book hits the mark in style and substance. Hooray for Linda Strauss and Hiroe Nikata!

Preschool Day Hooray!
Author: Linda Leopold Strauss
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Publisher: Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2010

Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug, by J.D. Lester

I'm so happy to see Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants now has a companion board book from Robin Corey Books. J.D. Lester and Hiroe Nakata have teamed together again to bring your totz more rhyming couplets in Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug.

Illustrating both child and parent and animal behaviors, J.D. brings a lot of fun to her spreads.

Daddy calls me Shoo-Be-Doo...
we sing an ocean song. (whales)
Daddy calls me Mini-Me...
we're swinging right along! (monkeys)

Your totz and you will be surprised with each page turn as the nicknames are inventive: Goo-and-Go, Hockey Puck, and Hide 'n' Seek. You'll be adopting them before you know it.

Again, Hiroe's illustrations are light and airy, capturing the atmosphere surrounding a freedom of expression. Joy and lightheartedness are conveyed in the loose white edges around the watercolored imagery.

Enjoy Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug this upcoming Father's Day and then year round! Take a peek at J.D.'s Photototz entry here!

Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug
by J.D. Lester
illustrations by Hiroe Nakata
Robin Corey Books, Random, 2010

Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants: J. D. Lester and Hiroe Nakata

In Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants, J. D. Lester uses sweet rhyme to explore nicknames a mother bestows on her child. From Monkeypants to Snuggle-up, Splishy-splash to Polka Dot, your readertotz will be presented a logic for creative name calling done in love.

Hiroe Nakata's sparse watercolors illustrate each phrase. Refreshing white lines embrace most of the imagery while wide swathes of slightly variegated color provide simple backgrounds. The babies are most endearing in each spread.

Inside Scoop:
View more of Hiroe's work at:

Your readertotz will respond so positively to this board book, they'll be creating new nicknames for you!

Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants
by J.D. Lester, illustrations by Hiroe Nakata
Random House, Robin Corey Books, 2009