More, more, more: Flora and the Peacocks; Swan, the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova

For your readertotz intrigued by dance, you must see these two beauties, both from Chronicle Books.



Flora and the Peacocks by Molly Idle is an elaborate presentation of suspicion, jealousy, rejection, and acceptance. Two peacocks, jealous of Flora, steal her fan so she can no longer resemble them. In response to her grief, the birds grow repentant, restore Flora's fan in a new way, and befriend her. Occasional lift-the-flaps crescendo in an enormous poster-sized flap of acceptance. There's so much to discuss with your totz arising from this lush work.



The second masterwork is Swan, the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova, by Laurel Snyder, and illustrated by Julie Morstad. The work is an exquisite match of text and art, honoring the great ballet dancer.

The city is big.
     Anna is small.
The snow is
     everywhere
and all around.

There's such atmosphere. Relish each page turn as Anna grows and you witness her life, feeding the world with beauty.

Flora and the Peacocks
by Molly Idle
Chronicle Books, 2016

Swan, the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova
by Laurel Snyder
illustrated by Julie Morstad
Chronicle Books, 2015

Poetry Friday: The Longest Night

Dip into Poetry Friday with The Longest Night, a Passover Story by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Catia Chien.

On the day we killed the lamb,
Aba wiped his bloody hands,

Marked the post above the door,
Drank and ate and said no more.

Till--the saddest sound, so stark.
Cries like knives that split the dark.

Cries that found us, frozen, numb,
Woke us, made us rise and run.

Brilliant, yes? Don't miss this beautiful celebration of Passover. Happy Poetry Friday!

The Longest Night, a Passover Story
by Laurel Snyder
illustrated by Catia Chien
Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013

Nosh Schlep Schluff, BabYiddish: Laurel Snyder

How fun to have a book for totz of Yiddish! What a find!

I eagerly opened Nosh Schlep Schluff BabYiddish and was charmed to discover words in my own vocabulary that I didn't even know were Yiddish. How about "schmooze," "klutz," and "nosh?" The quaint rhymes on each page introduce the language in a fun way.

"If you want to start a ruckus,
wave your arms and shake your TUCHES!"

The board book takes you through a day of a preschooler, from morning bedside to sleeping at night. Tiphanie Beeke's watercolor illustrations on heavy paper are refreshing in our digital age. There are textures, rough edges, and paint strokes to be enjoyed.

You and your totz are going to enjoy this intro to Yiddish more than a "bissel!"

Nosh Schlep Schluff BabYiddish
by Laurel Snyder
illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
Random House, 2011