Photo Friday: You Look Good Today!

And here's another fun image I created at Polyvore. It's sure to appeal to our totz. Happy Photo Friday!

April: Community Service

Let your totz gather those early dandelion flowers for a neighbor.

April: Around the Block with Sesame Street

My daughter is majoring in geophysics at Western Washington University. I had to share Bert at readertotz!

Bunny Eats Lunch: Michael Dahl

This cover of Bunny Eats Lunch is so appealing that this book practically hopped of the library shelf into my hands! It's a very simple story about a bunny who is very talented at chewing. I really like the design of this book, and the art.

Bunny has big chompers and he shows off his lunch skills by chomping carrots, mashed potatoes, and celery. When he decides to eat them all in quick succession…

BIG, BIG YUM!

And then…

BURP.

A fun, sturdy board book that’s perfect for a springtime or snacktime giggle! Also keep an eye out for Pony Brushes His Teeth and Pig Takes A Bath!

Bunny Eats Lunch

by Michael Dahl

illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Picture Window Books / Captstone Books, 2010

Photo Friday: Totoro!

I've created a few pieces of imagery that I think you might enjoy with your totz. Here's one for this Photo Friday!

April Older Sibling Pick: Rain Brings Frogs

True to the subtitle of this book, Nate--the upbeat hero of the story--is a ray of sunshine, offering a lighthearted dose of much-needed hope. The first spread reads:

When Mom says, I HATE RAIN.
Nate says, RAIN BRINGS FROGS!

Lately, I have considered the maxim that "little pitchers have big ears," and I've wondered how the tragedy and turmoil in the world is affecting young children. There's a lot of angst out there, and this book is a timely reminder that there is good after bad. Totz haven't lived long enough to know that and may need this idea reinforced.

One of my favorite spreads in this books is the one with an illustration of what appears to be the finale of a swim team race. A dejected Casey clutches a 2nd place ribbon, while Nate's waving a 5th place ribbon:

When Casey says, I LOST.
Nate says, I FINISHED!

Rain Brings Frogs reinforces many such instances of "looking on the bright side," yet it's not saccharine. I'm a fan of Maryann Cocca-Leffler's and a friend. When I received this book from her publisher, I was delighted to see that it was already in a 2nd reprinting! You go, Maryann!

Rain Brings Frogs
Author-illustrator: Maryann Cocca-Leffler
HarperCollins, 2011

Little Duck Says Quack! by Judy Dunn

In the Phoebe Dunn Collection from Random House is Little Duck Says Quack! The world-renowned photographer's images have been paired with text written by her daughter, Judy Dunn.

Who isn't captivated by the birth of a duckling, emerging from an egg, drying until his down is fluffy puffy? The imagery of Henry the duck sitting on the family dog's back is precious. The reader watches as Henry grows into a full size duck.

Some may note the 1976 language is dated as Henry doesn't find true companionship until he finds another white duck to befriend. Those animals not like him, the chicken, rabbit, and goat don't care to be his friend. Maybe talk about this subtle message to counter it.

Totz will enjoy pressing the button to hear the duck quack, over and over. You might celebrate spring with this quacking board book.

Little Duck Says Quack!
by Judy Dunn
illustrated by Phoebe Dunn
Random House, 20

Poetry Friday: Hot Cross Buns

HOT-CROSS BUNS
Hot-cross Buns!
Hot cross Buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot-cross Buns!

Hot-cross Buns!
Hot-cross Buns!
If ye have no daughters,
Give them to your sons.

Enjoy a little baking this weekend with your totz! Happy Poetry Friday!

Lorie Ann's Illustrations!

So over on my blog, On Point, I posted a new tab titled, "Illustrations." All the imagery is copyrighted, and it's up there for publisher types; however, I thought you and your totz might enjoy a look. :~)

I heart creating art, don't you?

. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2011

Follow this link to take a gander. Thank you!

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

Poetry Friday: Lucy Locket

How about this adorable purse for your totz? I found it on Etsy. Happy Poetry Friday!

LUCY LOCKET

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,

Kitty Fisher found it;

Nothing in it, nothing in it,

But the binding round it. 

The Tragedy of First Position

Ballet totz are so cute. And perfectionists at times. Enjoy!

Home for a Bunny: Margaret Wise Brown

Golden Classics are now in board book formats! How lovely is that? I found such solace rereading this work by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren. But of course! Here are images and rhythms I held dear as child. And now they are preserved in a sturdy format for your own totz.

As the animals celebrate spring, bunny is looking for a home, "a home of his own." He inquires about staying with the robins, a frog, and a groundhog. None of their dwellings fits the bunny, until he finds a white rabbit who welcomes him to her home. Margaret's beautiful language will mesmerize your totz' ears.

Gustaf's illustrations are precise and light and full of charm. Golden Books has given the board book cover a padded thickness for easy gripping.

Step back in time and bring this treasure into your home!

Home for a Bunny
by Margaret Wise Brown
illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren
Golden Baby, Golden Books, 2011

Poetry Friday: 3 year old performs "Litany"

Here's to sharing poetry with your totz. WOW!

March: Around the Block with Sesame Street

Here's to happy thoughts with your totz!

March: Community Service

Encourage your totz to donate outgrown toys to a local charity!

Preschool Day Hooray! Linda Leopold Strauss

I was attracted to this book because I've been a fan of Hiroe Nakata's illustrations since she illustrated my easy reader The Garden That We Grew. Her watercolor style is simple, expressive, and delightful. Perfect for totz. I really like the rhyming story here, too. It's not stiff and uses words like "drippy" and "painty" as adjectives, as we enjoy a day at preschool with a boy, from from the time he departs home in a rush to the end of school when it's once again "Mommy time!"

Painty hands and gooey glue.
Tricky puzzles I can do.

I think this book will be a comfort to totz contemplating a future in school and will help get them excited about the prospect of the activities they might do, which are portrayed in a breezy, charming style here.

The pages of this 8x8 " book are sturdier than those in a picture book, but are not cardboard-stiff as in a true board book. This book hits the mark in style and substance. Hooray for Linda Strauss and Hiroe Nikata!

Preschool Day Hooray!
Author: Linda Leopold Strauss
Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata
Publisher: Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2010

For the Older Sibling: Can We Save the Tiger? Martin Jenkins

I have always, always believed there is room for a virtually black and white picture book. Thank you, Candlewick Press! Can We Save the Tiger? is an honest dialog between author and reader about the state of endangered animals. Which animals are already extinct? Which are running out of space? Which have been harmed by our actions? Which are recovering? Martin is fair in expressing how these difficulties arose. He's compassionate towards both people and animals. I find this a refreshing breath.

Vicky White's illustrations and lettering are exquisite. The larger size of the book is honoring to the animals and allows you to connect with each one. My favorite is the Steller's Sea Cow, so rich in tonal values, it is breathtaking. Predominantly black and white, Vicky occasionally uses oil paint, as well.

Can We Save the Tiger? is my number one pick this month for the Older Sibling of your totz. The whole work is fresh and engaging. This is not just another book about endangered animals. It is the book about endangered animals. Well done! Bravo!


Can We Save the Tiger?
by Martin Jenkins
illustrated by Vicky White
Candlewick Press, 2011

Set aside that book tonight!

EARTH HOUR 2011

Saturday, March 26th, at 8.30 PM, Pacific

Are you turning off your lights for 60 minutes? 

Earth Hour was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, when 2.2 million individuals and 2,000+ businesses turned their lights off for one hour. Last year was the most supported yet: 128 countries participated. Sydney Harbor Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Coliseum all stood in darkness.

Add to the symbol of hope for our planet! You and your totz can set aside your books, and turn out the lights for 60 minutes tonight!

Poetry Friday: March Winds

I took this photo right outside of San Diego. Gorgeous, yes? Happy Poetry Friday!

MARCH WINDS

March winds and April showers

Bring forth May flowers.