Holly Meade: John Willy and Freddy McGee

How about a re-release of Holly Meade's John Willy and Freddy McGee? First seen in 2007 in board book form, it's receiving another turn as Amazon purchased Marshall Cavendish. The gouache and cut paper illustrations are inviting and detailed. I particularly enjoy Holly's black line.

The more complex plot of two hamsters escaping their cage and exploring, with a climax in the pool table, is accompanied by a heavier text. The work is appropriate for the older totz in your family. It's easy to see this was originally a full picture book.

John and Freddy are completely adorable, and thankfully, no animals were hurt in the reading of this board book. Not even the Basset Hound or black and white feline.

John Willy and Freddy McGee
by Holly Meade
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2007

Poetry Friday: In the Sea

A great recommend for Poetry Friday: In the Sea!

The Shark

The fin,
the skin,
the brutal grin...

The terror
of the dark within.

In the Sea
by David Elliott
illustrated by Holly Meade
Candlewick Press, 2012

Hop! by Phyllis Root

Hop! by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Holly Meade, totally hopped right into my heart. There's so much action packed into this little board book. From playing together, running, hiding, and finally munching lunch, these bunnies are full of charm.

Phyllis' rhythmic text zooms as quickly as the bunnies themselves:

Baby bunnies
bump and bumble.
Cottontails take a tumble.

Paired with Holly's warm watercolor and collage, these bunnies are absolutely endearing. The characters are not overdone bland figures, but rather, they are unique shapes in diverse positions. In the entire book, only one bunny smiles directly at the reader, which creates a more realistic tone.

What a great match between these two artists for your totz. Pick up Hop! and be ready to do so yourself.

Hop!
by Phyllis Root
illustrated by Holly Meade
Candlewick Press, 2010