Steam Train, Dream Train: Colors and 1-2-3: Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld

Inspired by the New York Times Bestselling Picture Book, Steam Train, Dream Train, Colors and 1-2-3 are now in a board book form. In Colors, each car of a different color is focused on, while in 1-2-3 the animals and objects are counted, with a note of the featured car's name.

Of course the oil pastel illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld are from the original beautiful picture book, while the new accompanying rhymes by Sherri Duskey Rinker are fresh. In both books, I did miss a final image of the entire train. I don't think it will stop your totz from responding well to these two concept board books. All aboard!

Steam Train, Dream Train Colors
Steam Train, Dream Train 1-2-3
by Sherri Duskey Rinker
illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Chronicle Books, 2016

Zero the Hero animated book trailer: bagels, Froot Loops--what's not to like?

Look!
It’s a Froot Loop.

It's a donut.

No--it’s Zero the Hero!

Zooming into bookstores February 28, 2012. 

By readertotz co-blogger Joan Holub
Illustrated by NY Times-bestselling Tom Lichtenheld
Enjoy!

June Older Sibling Pick: Cloudette

The minute I saw this cover, I wanted to read this picture book. Tom Lichtenheld's art has that effect on me. The book trailer is adorable, too. It's Cloudette's job resume as she searches for a way to make a difference in the world.

Cloudette has personality. The text and art manage to make her so believably childlike that totz and kidz will identify with her. She isn't as big as the other clouds and wonders what she can possibly contribute. She likes being small, but the big clouds can do a lot that she can't -- like creating thunderstorms, for instance. When one of the big clouds' storms whooshes her far away, she meets a frog with a problem--an empty pond. Her solution is perfect and I was cheering for her.

Tom Lichtenheld is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Duck! Rabbit! and Shark vs. Train, and Zero the Hero (Feb 2012 / written by totz co-founder Joan Holub.)

Cloudette

author-illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld

Christy Ottaviano Books / Henry Holt and Company / Macmillan, 2011