More, More, More: If Rocks Could Sing

If Rocks Could Sing, a Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk is one of my absolute favorite books from 2011. Collecting sandstone rocks over a ten year period along the Florida coast, Leslie shares the alphabet she harvested from the sea. Both the letter and the subject are illustrated with rocks. Whether it's a collection of ghosts, a sea horse, or a yawn, you will be amazed. You have to see the rock which looks like two people hugging. X is for xoxo of course!





This treasure is going on the shelf of my geology major daughter. Your rockhound will be looking for his own alphabet on your next walk. Be inspired by If Rocks Could Sing. Rock on!

If Rocks Could Sing, a Discovered Alphabet
by Leslie McGuirk
Tricycle Press, 2011

Poetry Friday: A Dazzling Display of Dogs

Happy Poetry Friday! Today's feature is A Dazzling Display of Dogs. Ready yourself for a collection of concrete poems about dogs by poet Betsy Franco, illustrated by printmaker Michael Wertz. Each vivid celebration of a dog could stand alone as a graphic poster. The monoprints are as rich as the language.



Look for an ode, a cinquain, a haiku, and free verse. Be ready for mutts, dalmations, a golden retriever, a Jack Russell Terrier and many more busy, barking dogs. Here's an entry for my pug-loving mother.



A Dazzling Display of Dogs
by Betsy Franco
illustrations by Michael Wertz
Tricycle Press, 2011

Busy Elephants: John Schindel and Martin Harvey

This 16 page board book is the 14th in the Busy Book collection. Busy Elephants shows elephants engaging in their everyday activities in their natural habitat. There aren't enough wildlife photography books like this for totz, so I'm happy to welcome this one onto my shelves. From a two-page spread:

Elephants splashing
Elephants dashing


The real-life photographs, action verbs, and rhyming text are a delight. Made of sturdy board and glossy photos, its , 7 x 5 inch size makes it perfect for small hands. It's a self-described "elephantastic romp" that I think totz will enjoy.

Busy Elephants
Author: John Schindel
Photographs: Martin Harvey 
Tricycle Press, 2011
$6.99

Busy Bunnies: John Schindel

Bunnies, bunnies, bunnies! This is an attractive board book with photographs of black ones, white ones, brown ones, gray ones, and spotted ones. Bunnies with long, floppy ears and bunnies with big fuzzy feet. What are these busy bunnies up to?

Bunny hopping

Bunny plopping

Bunnies bunching

Bunnies munching

I especially enjoyed the two cuddled black bunnies with the text:

Bunnies loving

Totz will enjoy this close-up look at this adorable, fuzzy, furry bunnies in a natural grassland environment. Photographs were a brilliant choice as illustrations for this one. Steven Holt is a widely published photographer specializing in wildlife subjects. John Schindel has written many similar "busy" books.

A perfect springtime book for totz and younger!

Busy Bunnies

by John Schindel

photography by Steven Holt

Tricycle Press, 2008

Busy Bear Cubs: John Schindel

Prepare to be absolutely charmed by these bear cubs, captured by Lisa and Mike Husar along with John Schindel's text. Short rhymes provide the context for the bears to hide, ride, turn, and learn.

Black bears, grizzlies, pandas, and polar bears are all featured. Each page features two actions and bears having tremendous fun.

Whether your totz love bears or enjoy imitating, this is a great addition to your library. And of course, it concludes with, "Bear cub sleeping". Perfect before a nap or bedtime. Note, this is the 11th book in the Tricycle Press Busy series. Yay!

Busy Bear Cubs
by John Schindel
illustrated by Lisa and Mike Husar
Tricycle Press, 2009

I Am a Backhoe: Anna Grossnickle Hines

I met Anna Grossnickle Hines eleven years ago and was impressed by her creations. How lovely to have readertotz now to share her work with everyone!

I Am a Backhoe is a sturdy-paged toddler book for lovers off all things construction. On one page, a young boy plays out an action. On the following page, the construction equipment is illustrated along with his action.

I dig my hand
into the sand,
my scooper hand.

Dig. Dig. Dig.
Lift, turn, tip.
I am...

a backhoe.

Each featured action and truck is posed on a colored background to link the set. Daddy eventually joins the boy, and they conclude by reading the same text which began I Am a Backhoe. They both like trucks.

I was just ready to praise the loose strokes of saturated paint, when I discovered the art was created digitally! It is rich and flows freely. Truly a feast. Endpapers showcase the unique tools of the trucks, like the roller and hoe. This makes a nice foreshadow or conclusion to what was explored.

If you have a truck lover, or a tot with eyes drawn to construction, be sure to share I Am a Backhoe! Note, men and women operate the machinery. Thanks, Anna!

I Am a Backhoe
Anna Grossnickle Hines
Tricycle Press, 2010

Busy Birdies by John Schindel

So, yes, I'm a bird lover and writing a novel with birds at the heart, but really, how can you not love Busy Birdies? John Schindel has brought a cute text to totz which is paired with Steven Holt's photo-illustrations.

Aside from the first single image spread, each page holds a double image of birds in action with a rhyming couplet.


Birdie bottoms have to bring a smile to all! And then there are:

Birdies eyeing
Birdies flying
Birdy stretching
Birdy stepping

The colors zing off the page in these gorgeous photos caught by Steven.

Tricycle Press is doing a fantastic job with their contributions to the board book industry. Bravo!

Twitter about Busy Birdies with your readertotz!

Busy Birdies
by John Schindel
illustrated by Steven Holt
Tricycle Press, 2010

Rocker Babies Wear Jeans

After a summer of my husband and daughter playing in a rock band, this board book won my heart! Get ready to be introduced to the Rocker Babies.

You'll recognize them as they tend to wear jeans, shake their booties, and go on the road. Of course they have groupies, hit high notes, and rock out.

Michelle Sinclair Colman's clever text spun on a popular theme will have you smiling and turning up the tunes for you and your totz. Nathalie Dion's illustrations hold a great mix of light color, sharp line, and fun patterns. The half spread in black fits the tone and subject perfectly.

I've enjoyed Rocker Babies Wear Jeans and recommend it for your readertotz!

Rocker Babies Wear Jeans
by Michelle Sinclair Colman
illustrations by Nathalie Dion
Tricycle Press, 2009

More, more, more: Ned's New Home

What can a worm do when his home begins to rot? Ned's walls have grown mushy and apple juice rains. The problem forces the little green worm on an adventure to find a new home. Not an easy task. Pears are wobbly, watermelons are too large, and blueberries just roll about.

Of course, it's in the most dire circumstances that the hero finds his solution. In this case, Ned finds a new home and a new friend.

Kevin Tseng's text and art are sparse and fresh. Two images per spread maintain a rhythm from start to end, while visual distance varies in the watercolor paintings. Even the rounded font lends atmosphere to the tale.

Read Ned's New Home with your readertotz and experience one little worm's crisis and soaring solution.

Ned's New Home
by Kevin Tseng
Tricycle Press, 2009