Poetry Friday: Emma Dodd

Here are two illustrated poems in a small format to celebrate Poetry Friday. Emma Dodd's digital illustrations and heartfelt text are to be treasured. (Note the above pink sun is actually gold foil.)

When I Grow Up

When I grow up,
   I want to be...
clever and funny,
   wild and free.


When You Were Born

When you were born,
the rain stopped...
    the sun came out,
and the sky turned blue.

When you were born,
the snow melted...
    the birds sang,
and the flowers grew.


When I Grow Up
When You Were Born
by Emma Dodd
Templar Books, 2015

There, There: Sam McBratney

Little Hansie Bear loves to pretend. Walking like a duck sends him down into a ditch, but his dad comes to his aid. Again his father helps when Hansie gets sand in his eyes and later bumps his head. At the end of the day when his father is overwhelmed, the little bear is able to comfort him.

Originally a picture book in 2013, There, There, by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Ivan Bates, transfers well into the board book format. For the older readertotz, the text will not be too heavy, and the message will be appreciated.

There, There
By Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Ivan Bates
Templar Books, 2015

Poetry Friday: Everything, by Emma Dodd

Emma Dodd is one of my favorite authors writing for our youngest readers. Here's a verse from Everything. Sensitive, endearing illustrations are accented with gold foil beautifully. Happy Poetry Friday!

"I love you when you're in a muddle.
Your tears tell me you
need a cuddle."

Everything
by Emma Dodd
Templar Books, 2015

Poetry Friday: Forever, by Emma Dodd

A keeper for always, no matter the age of your totz!

"If you're ever feeling scared,
I'll be right beside you.
If you're ever feeling lost,
know that I will find you."

Images were created digitally, but there's a definite freshness due to the jagged line. Templar Books has added a silver foil on the cover and throughout, for snow and ice. This is a perfect book. Happy Poetry Friday!

Forever
Emma Dodd
Templar Books, 2013

More, More, More: My Pop-up World Atlas

I'm amazed by My Pop-up World Atlas. This is a work you can introduce to your totz. Their knowledge will only grow as they explore it for years.

With a spread for each continent, so much is illustrated and waits to be discovered. There are file facts, sports notes, products, and landmarks. There are flaps, wheels, and pull outs. When you turn a page, a continent lifts and special features stand tall. Whether it's the pyramids in Egypt or reindeer in the Arctic Circle, your entire family will be engaged.



Here's a perfect first family atlas. Get ready to be amazed by our world.

My Pop-Up World Atlas
by Anita Ganeri
illustrated by Stephen Waterhouse
design and engineering by Andy Mansfield
Templar Books

April Pick For the Older Sibling: Paul Thurlby's Alphabet

Begun as a project to keep himself busy at the start of the recession, Paul Thurlby delivers his rendition of the alphabet. His goal was to join the object featured with the specified letter. Each letter can be found online, where he uploaded them upon completion. Thankfully, an agent discovered Paul and Templar Books brought this collection to life, both book and included poster.

The retro-modern style will appeal to all readers in the family. The imagery stimulates me to create. How about you?





Paul Thurlby's Alphabet
by Paul Thurlby
Templar Books, 2011

Christmas in the Mouse House: Maggie Kneen

I really do love Templar Books. The quality is exceptional. This week's recommend is Christmas in the Mouse House. Be ready to visit a turn of the century mouse house preparing for the holidays.

Papa and Mama Mouse have hidden twelve stars throughout the home, and it's the work of the children to find them in order to decorate the tree. Along the way, they decide to make their own ornaments, too.

Author/illustrator Maggie Kneen's traditional, watercolor spreads contain multiple flaps per page and a few pop-ups which expand the story. What fun to search for the stars, find sweet surprises, and spot the Christmas Mouse.

Watch and help the Mouse family create "the most beautiful Christmas tree" ever. This will be a treasured holiday read with your totz!

Christmas in the Mouse House
by Maggie Kneen
Templar Books, 2011

I like bugs: Lorena Siminovich

I was just out gardening this morning and put some time in with the roly polys. It now seems appropriate to share  I like bugs by Lorena Siminovich.

This touch-and-feel board book from Templar Books is a tactile discovery of five insect-y spreads. Your totz will have the opportunity to count beetles, butterflies, and bees. The texture inserts are inventive: glitter mylar for the dragonfly's body, satin for the butterflies, and fuzzy bottoms for the bees.

Lorena's collages provide variety in the layered papers which create foreground, objects, and backgrounds. There's so much subtle movement to see and appreciate; your totz will want to look at this work again and again. I like bugs is charming, especially outside, on a summer day!

I like bugs
by Lorena Siminovich
Templar Books, 2010

I Like Fruit:: Lorena Siminovich

My feature this week is I Like Fruit by Lorena Siminovich. I'm so impressed by the Candlewick division Templar Books. Every work is such a beautiful piece of art.

Open this touch-and-feel book and explore both color and fruit. Whether it be a red strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, or the orange cantaloupe, peach, and orange, your totz will be delighted with the colorful array and love tapping the textures.

All the images are created with interesting, delicate collage. The left spread is divided into four panels illustrating three fruits and the color featured. The right spread is one whole fruit, cut open to illustrate the inside and outside. The fruit skin is often depicted with three collage print changes, yet the entire image is successful as a whole.

Find this delightful work with your totz and then pass the fruit!

I Like Fruit
by Lorena Simminovich
Templar Books, 2010

December Pick for the Older Sib: The True Story of Goldilocks

In this prequel to the Goldilocks fairy tale, Mama Bear and Papa Bear invite the very good Goldilocks to into their home, hoping she might be a good influence on naughty Little Bear. But Little Bear doesn’t like Goody Two-Shoes Goldie (as he calls her), and Goldilocks thinks he’s un-BEARable! Eventually, Little Bear decides to mend his naughty ways, but then he becomes so very good that Goldie is a little bored. She soon gets an idea that will turn things around. As the Bear family goes off to visit . . . well, you'll have to read the book for your self to see how things turn out.

This 8x8" novelty book is jam-packed with all kinds of cool things to manipulate: lift-the-flaps, envelopes with messages inside, a wheel to turn, a tab to move, some high-relief art, and most elaborate of all in the end -- a pop-up Bear house. The art is very appealing and works well with the story.

It's recommended for ages 3 and up, but I think the story and moveable parts make it skew a little older. Overall, a delightful book thats perfect for your totz older sibling!

The True Story of Goldilocks

Candlewick, Templar Books
Author: Agnese Baruzzi
Illustrator: Sandro Natalini
2009

Art for Baby: the very best for your totz

If there was a Kunhardt Board Book Award, Art for Baby would be short listed for certain. This is exactly what Joan and I are calling for when we ask for the best for our totz.

Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press, has collected twelve black and white images from eleven contemporary artists. Special thanks go out to the galleries who were so generous with their art that they allowed the pieces to be included in this work. Thanks also to the Outset Contemporary Art Fund and the NSPCC who helped in this collaboration.



What more beautiful images to expose your totz to than Paul Morrison's Cryptophyte or Takashi Murakami's Ohana? (both above) Black and white high contrast images aid newborns in object recognition. What a beautiful way to present art and life to the youngest readers. Other artists include Keith Haring, Julian Opie, and Damien Hirst.

A removable paper frieze for your nursery is also provided. Our thanks go out to Templar Books for raising the board book bar and presenting the very best to the market. This book is exquisite perfection.

Art for Baby
9.6 x 9.5 inches
Templar Books, Candlewick Press, September 8, 2009