Drum City: Thea Guidone

In the universal language of drumming, children gather and impact their community by drumming on anything at hand. They influence each other, everyone on Main Street, and down on the docks. Whether you are drumming happily or sadly, there's room for your sound around the world. "Together we drum," says author Thea Guidone.

"Drum.

People in traffic keeping the beat

on the hood and the trunk

and the bicycle seat.

Mamas in rollers

rock babies in strollers,

clapping and stomping and

stamping their feet to the 

drums." 

Vanessa Brantley-Newton's illustrations have a satirical line and retro rendering. Compositions convey the gathering, infectious drumbeats. Strong diagonals contrast with horizontals. 

Get a drumbeat rolling with your readertotz. Rat-a-tat-tat! 

Drum City

by Thea Guidone

illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Knopf, 2022

Tarot for Baby: Abigail Samoun

How? How would you bring the 22 mystical archetypes to readertotz? Author Abigail Samoun has done so with her beautiful affirmations for every child. 

"Fear not, brave one--

you have everything you need!

You have wisdom behind you.

You are cared for. 

You are safe."

Each statement is connected to a numbered archetype. The above is: The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, and The Emperor. 

Illustrator Kelly Anne Dalton's single page images capture the sentiment of the archetype and text in a child-centric way. A trusted friend, for The Lovers, is a stuffed lion with the toddler. The quiet place to hear your inner voice, The Hermit, is the child potty training. 

If you'd like to introduce your first readers to the tarot, and affirm who they are, Tarot for Baby is a lovely place to begin. 

Tarot for Baby

by Abigail Samoun

illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton

Rodale Kids, 2022

I Just Want to Say Good Night: Rachel Isadora

In a small village on the African veld, it's time for Lala to go to bed. But before she does, she must say goodnight to so many. There is the goat, the dog, the monkey, the ants, and more. All must be wished well by Lala before she goes to sleep.

The sun sets in Rachel Isadora's sweeping, painterly illustrations, and the spreads shift from warm to cool. The book is full of atmosphere. My personal favorite is the dedication page. 

In a sweet homage to Margaret Wise Brown, Lala says goodnight to her book and the full moon out of her window. Add this beautiful, bedtime book to your goodnight ritual. After saying goodnight to all. 

I Just Want to Say Good Night

Rachel Isadora

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022

My First Book of Beards, My First Book of Tattoos: Robyn Wall

Here we go with two fresh books in a series titled My Cool Family from Doubleday's author Robyn Wall and illustrator Lydia Nichols: My First Book of Beards and My First Book of Tattoos. Quick rhyme accompanies clean illustrations with a subdued palette and beautiful black, varied and expressive lines. 

My First Book of Beards describes beards via the tasks the characters are doing and transitions to physical descriptions of beards:

Merry beard

Share-y beard

Glitter princess fairy beard

My First Book of Tattoos describes the tattoo imagery and the physical expression of that choice:

Rock it tat 

Chalk it tat

Catch it, pass it, block it tat 

Both of the best beards and tats come with love for the child. What a fun addition to our shelves for first readers. Brava! 

My First Book of Beards

My First Book of Tattoos

by Robyn Wall

illustrated by Lydia Nichols

Doubleday, 2022

I Want to Be...a Ballerina: Becky Davies

Our first readers can dream big, and the I Want to Be series from Random House can help visualize the accomplishment. I Want to be...a Ballerina illustrates and labels the journey of a young girl from getting ready for her first lesson to performing onstage as an adult. Vocabulary is rich and identifies clothing, steps, and parts of the studio and stage. 

Text is tight and Richard Merritt's flat, colorful illustrations pop but don't overwhelm. They carry the information in a creative way, even turning the layout for impact. 

You can help your own first reader into ballet with this board book. Whether a career ensues or not, they can dance with joy. 

For your teen readers, I, of course, recommend my own novel, On Pointe. 

I Want to Be...a Ballerina

by Becky Davies

illustrated by Richard Merritt

Random House, Little Tiger Press Ltd 2022 

Women in Art: Rachel Ignotofsky

 

Yay for each board book added in an effort to balance the shelves. Women in Art does so for our first readers, and it's now in a board book format. Diverse women through time are featured and celebrated.  

New York Times bestseller, Rachel Ignotofsky's stylized imagery of artists and their variety of mediums inspires along with its simple text. Find Maya Lin, Faith Ringgold, Yayoi Kusama and more.

As Ignotofsky says in the introduction: "Art is more than something beautiful. With each brushstroke, chisel of stone, and line drawn, these women artists used their talents to tell truths, to talk about injustice, and even to heal. Today, we celebrate their art and their stories."

Let's fill our shelves with quality board books such as those created by Rachel Ignotofsky. Brava! 

Women in Art

by Rachel Ignotofsky

Crown Books

Hot Cocoa Calm: Kira Willey

  

Cozy up this winter with Hot Cocoa Calm and your beloved readertotz. Author Kira Willey walks the reader through mindfulness exercises to help us regulate our emotions. What a perfect joining of winter chill; friendly, stylized animals illustrated by Anni Betts; and instructions nested around a warm, sweet drink that needs a little time to cool.  

Maybe we could all use a cup of cocoa and calm at the start of our new year. Happy reading in 2022 with peace and joy to you and yours!

Hot Cocoa Calm

Mindfulness Moments for Kids Series

by Kira Willey

illustrations by Anni Betts

Rodale Kids, 2021

Change Starts With Us: Sophie Beer

 

Beginning our new year, it's good to be reminded Change Starts With Us! With straightforward text, author/illustrator Sophie Beer illustrates how even the smallest hands can create change. We all can save water, pick up litter, and plant trees. We can recycle, save power, and shop local. 

Adorable, flat, vibrant illustrations bring youthfulness to the imagery as children assist adults and each other in affecting change. Together we can care for our beloved world. 

Happy new year to you and your readertotz! Happy reading and learning! 

Change Starts With Us

by Sophie Beer

Dial Books, 2021

Happy Halloween from The Very Busy Spider: Eric Carle

Get Halloween ready with the Very Busy Spider who is looking for all of her friends. Your totz can solve riddles and lift the flaps to help her. 

"Who does she see

smiling up at the moon

hoping to join his friends

very soon? 

A kind fox!"

Of course she has to find the Very Hungry Caterpillar munching inside a pumpkin. Once everyone is gathered, it's time for fun. Trick or treat! 

Thank you, Eric Carle.  We miss you dearly! <3

Happy Halloween from the Very Busy Spider

by Eric Carle

World of Eric Carle, Illustrated Edition, 2020

The Wheels on the Bus at Halloween: Sarah Kieley

Just in time for Halloween, your totz can sing "The Wheels on the Bus" for magical creatures who happen to need a ride. Beginning with a map of the upcoming journey, Sarah Kieley's vivid illustration pops across the board book double spread as we anticipate who will ride the bus on Halloween. 

Riders include witches, bats, ghosts, candies, and more. 

The pumpkins on the bus go "Trick or treat!

Trick or treat! 

Trick or treat!"

The pumpkins on the bus go, "Trick or treat!"

on a spooky Halloween!

When everyone's gathered on the bus, of course the next stop is your house! Enjoy this joy-packed take on "The Wheels on the Bus!" 

The Wheels on the Bus at Halloween

by Sarah Kieley

Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2021

 

What is Fall? Genie Espinosa

 

What is Fall? gives a cut-out, shaped experience of the season nearly upon us. 

"The days are shorter. Summer is done.

Now FALL is here....

Let's have

SOME FUN!"

Rhymes continue to accompany author/illustrator Genie Espinosa's rounded illustrations created with a soft fall palette. You might need a scarf, or want an apple, or enjoy a bright sunflower this season. Readertotz can explore the cut shapes, be introduced to autumn, and anticipate the coming rhyme. This is a delightful addition to season books for first readers. 

What is Fall?

by Genie Espinosa

Random House, 2021

Grumpy Monkey's Little Book of Grumpiness: Suzanne Lang

Everyone tries to help Suzanne Lang's Grumpy Monkey lose the grumps. But no matter the offerings, from a rainbow to a flamingo, nothing helps. Grumpy Monkey moves through anger and sadness before finding a bit of happiness beside a friend. 

Emotions are illustrated boldly, vividly, and close-up to the reader at times. Max Lang's work pops off the page and illicits giggles from everyone. Yay for this character finding his way to the smallest hands. 

Gumpy Monkey's Little Book of Grumpiness

by Suzanne Lang

illustrated by Max Lang

Random House, 2020

Unicorn's School Day: Lucy Golden

 

Unicorn's School Day is a fun burst of color and shapes from illustrator Sophie Beer. Author Lucy Golden's text takes Unicorn off to her lessons with friends and Ms. Llama. 

Spinning the wheels on each page will bring silly solutions. What does Unicorn paint, play with, or eat for lunch? Your first reader can decide and be introduced to the corresponding words. Which option is a number, which qualifies as a fruit or flower, and which can be flown? Giggles will be shared. 

The book concludes with the sparkly mural the students have created together. You can also look for Unicorn's Birthday. Let the party begin!

Unicorn's School Day

by Lucy Golden

illustrated by Sophie Beer

Random House, 2021

Sleep Tight, Polar Bear: Sabina Gibson

Sleep Tight, Polar Bear is a felted delight for bedtime. Artist Sabina Gibson's small, fuzzy creatures invite the reader to lean in and snuggle close. The text rhymes beautifully and provides the perfect framework for the illustrations. 

"Home is calling. The sun is setting low.

The moon is rising fast, and that means it's time to go."

Full, soft spreads bring all the animals to rest, from fox kits to narwhal who count fish and ask for one more lullaby. Only the owls wake to fly off and "search for prey." Throughout the book, the bears travel home to sleep in safety under the moon. 

Look for the entire series of Little Loves books for your readertotz' collection. Snuggle close and read. 

Sleep Tight, Polar Bear

by Sabina Gibson

Alfred A. Knopf, 2021

Women in Science: Rachel Ignotofsky

 

There's a new edition available of the New York Times bestseller, Women in Science, which has been adapted for your readertotz. The board book is perfect for little hands, and the content is aged for older toddlers. In a celebration of often overlooked scientists, the work shares facts and imagery of amazing women and their contributions throughout time. 

Beautiful muted pages feature scientists, a timeline, and lab tools. Included in the collection are Psychologist, Mamie Phipps Clark; Astronomer, Vera Rubin; and Volcanologist, Katia Krafft. The work closes with an encouragement to go out and make your own discoveries. 

Share these mighty women from ancient Greece to today, who worked through enormous obstacles for our lasting benefit. 

Women in Science

by Rachel Ignotofsky

Crown Books, June 2021

Mamasaurus and Papasaurus: Stephan Lomp

 

How about a new take on P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? but with dinosaurs? Mamasaurus and Papasaurus are both sought after by Babysaurus in this duo of board books from Stephan Lomp. 

Wee ones will enjoy seeing all the baby dinosaurs as Babysaurus is on the hunt. Descriptions and contrasts are plentiful in a game of hide-and-seek with the father and before Mamasaurus finds her lost one. Our beloveds don't possess all the characteristics, physical features, and abilities of others, but they are wonderful, none the less.

Author/illustrator Stephan Lomp's colorful dinosaurs pop against black backgrounds. Papasaurus' environment is purple while Mama's is green. 

Enjoy these first introductions to dinosaurs and the celebration of community and being together.

Mamasaurus

Papasaurus

by Stephan Long

Chronicle Books, 2021

Poetry Friday: Cool Cuts

 

Celebrate Poetry Friday with Mechal Renee Roe's Cool Cuts! There are so many ways to wear your hair. How about crisp cornrows, or a full 'fro, or a dope design? Illustrations accompany a rhyme and repeated phrase.

"Be the best,
no matter how
hard the test!

i am born to be AWESOME!

LOW WAVES!"

Here's a fun and beautiful representation of mini-twists, a fro-hawk, and lively locs. So glad this work has hit the board book shelf. It pairs with Happy Hair. 

Cool Cuts

by Mechal Renee Roe

Doubleday, 2020

I Am! Affirmations for Resilience: Bela Barbosa

 

With clear room to feel the feelings, I Am! Affirmations for Resilience gives first readers tools to help let the emotions pass through and encourages others in their place. 

"When your body feels out of control,

sit with your hands in your lap and say

I am calm. My body is quiet."

You can help your readertotz learn to scan their own bodies, assess their feelings, and choose to move forward. Note, the lingering feelings, the damage from trauma and suffering are not addressed. But autonomy and responsibility can be encouraged as healing is awaited. 

Find this practical tool in bold shapes and vibrant colors to empower your first readers to resilience!

I Am! Affirmations for Resilience

by Bela Barbosa

illustrated by Edel Rodriguez

Rise and Penguin Workshop, 2020

Poetry Friday: Hello Hello, Brendan Wenzel

Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel is a celebration of meeting others and enjoying differences. 

Hello Hello

Black and White

Hello Color

Hello Bright.

Hello Stripes

Hello Spots

Hello Giant

Hello Not. 

Brendan Wenzel's expressive illustrations pop against the consistent white background. Here is a lovely portion of our world in a beautiful board book. 

There is so much to see and treasure of our beloved earth. Let's dance to the poetry all around us! 

Hello Hello

by Brendan Wenzel

Chronicle Books, 2020

Little Bug on the Move: Stéphanie Babin

Little Bug is on the Move in today's board book feature. Teaching direction and action, a little bug can be moved on each spread through sliding finger holes. They will travel up a hill, among the trees, and round and round a flower. Journeying with purpose, this little bug will emerge on the final spread as a surprise, pop up feature. 

Little fingers will enjoy manipulating the slides and moving little bug onward. Olivia Cosneau's illustrations offer colorful, simply patterned shapes and areas for the bug's environment. Gentle fear, mystery, and surprise await your readertotz as they are introduced to this wee caterpillar. 

Little Bug on the Move

by Stéphanie Babin

illustrated by Olivia Cosneau

Twirl, 2020