Joy to the World: Bright Night

JOY TO THE WORLD!
Happy holidays to all our dear readers and totz!

Top Shelf: Outside Todo el Día! and Vamos, Body!

Combine the San Antonio Museum of Art, with the San Antonio Library Foundation, and Trinity University Press, and you get a fabulous series of bilingual board books for your readertotz! Along with previous titles including, Black & Blanco! and Hello, Circulos! are two new releases from the Arte Kids Series: Outside Todo el Día! and Vamos, Body! 

The collection of imagery is diverse. The spreads are full of a wide range of styles creating wonderful contrasts. Your totz will be exposed to art from the ancient world to our own time. Questions, statements, and words, in a variety of fonts, label the featured focuses in both English and Spanish. A single image concludes each book as the pacing slows and comes to a close. Backmatter identifies paintings and sculptures from each work.



This work is truly Top Shelf material. Don't miss it.

Outside Todo el Día
Vamos, Body!
Concept and Design by Madeleine Budnick
Text and Illustrations by San Antonio Museum of Art
Trinity University Press, 2017

I'm Scared: Jennier Holm and Matthew Holm

Note: Lorie Ann and I love this so much, we both had to feature it for your totz. Enjoy!

I'm Scared is the fourth board book in the My First Comics series by the sister and brother team of Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm. I enjoy that totz are introduced to reading in the format of speech balloons and thought bubbles. (It's never too early for comics, right?)

Chilly the snowflake is scared of everything. The narrator coaxes Chilly into realizing it can be, well, fun, to have fun by trying something new!

Watch for the My First Comics books: I'm Grumpy, I'm Sunny!, and I'm Silly!

The Holms are the bestselling creators of Babymouse, one of my favorite book series. 

I'm Scared

Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm 

PW interview

Random House, 24 pages

Wickle Woo has a Halloween Party by Jannie Ho

 Wickle Woo is having a Halloween Party . . .

but where are his friends?

A little owl named Wickle Woo plan a Halloween party. But what's a party without pals? Where are they? A tug of some "tiny tabs" reveals Lion and Bear, Rabbit and Tiger, and more, all agreeing to come to the party. 

I really like this tab-pulling format. Take a look at the others Jannie Ho has created in this series including Teeny Weeny and Bunny Boo. They're cute and just the right amount of fun and challenge for totz.

Jannie is super creative about getting 

excitement up for her books. Love these

celebration lollipops!

Wickle Woo Has A Halloween Party

Author-illustrator: Jannie Ho

Nosy Crow

I'm Silly! I'm Scared: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

So much joy in introducing feelings to your totz with My First Comics from sister/brother team: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.

Tizzy Tornado is, of course, silly. But how often can one end up being too silly and cause damage? I'm Silly! helps wee ones to see levels of silly and what is enjoyable to others.

Chilly the snowflake is scared. Sometimes without even knowing why. With brave effort, Chilly finds fun beyond fear.

Comics graphics and panels are approachable and offer nudges into reading. Look for this series which also includes I'm Sunny! and I'm Grumpy. So many feels!

I'm Silly!
I'm Scared
by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Random House, 2017

Bright Night: Lorie Ann Grover

A lovely review from Publishers Weekly!

Grover effectively reduces the Nativity story to quippy rhyming phrases in this padded board book, whose cozy mood is bolstered by Parry’s soft, gauzy-looking digital artwork. “Carry Mary,” reads the opening spread as Joseph leads a donkey down a road as birds, butterflies, and a rabbit dance around the couple. From there, they land in the “safe place” of the stable, celebrate “boy joy” when Jesus is born, and enjoy a little “swaddle, coddle” before visitors arrive, having followed the “far star” in the night sky. It’s a simple, punchy, and jubilant retelling. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Preorder is available here. 

Bright Night

by Lorie Ann Grover

illustrated by Jo Perry

Zonderkidz, Oct. 3, 2017

This Little Trailblazer: A Girl Power Primer

Readertotz co-founder Joan Holub's 

new board book celebrates girl power!

A Barnes and Noble's Best New Picture Books for September

and a #1 New Release Children's Soc Activist Bios on Amazon.

A tribute to some great women, who blazed trails 

that inspire us all, little or big.

Amazon   B&N   Little Simon

Top Shelf: Nothing Rhymes with Orange

Here's my favorite recent picture book that crossed my path. The one I left out for everyone to pick up and read as they passed by. It's fun, clever, and has great heart. For me, it's Top Shelf! Take it from Adam:



Nothing Rhymes with Orange
by Adam Rex
Chronicle Books, 2017

More, More, More: This is How We Do It

Author/illustrator Matt Lamothe presents seven real children around the world as they live out their day. Italy, Japan, Peru, Uganda Russia, India, and Iran are featured. The large format accommodates the details of the full imagery. Among the illustrated are the variety of homes, families, school clothes, meals, play, and chores. It's fascinating to discover the similarities and differences.

This is How We Do It will bring the world a little closer and raise understanding and compassion. Families were chosen as representatives for countries with the explanation that not all people within the culture are the same as those portrayed.

From Matt's end note:
"I believe the more you learn about different people, the more you see yourself in them, and the more accepting you become."

Welcome this work!

This is How We Do It
by Matt Lamothe
Chronicle Books, 2017

Sleepy Toes: Kelli McNeil

Are your totz ready for bed? Are toes, tummy, fingers, and eyes sleepy? There's been a day of wiggling, gurgles, touching, and seeing. Now what?

Kelli McNeil's Sleepy Toes accompanied with Cori Doerrfeld's illustrations will help your first reader settle down for the night.

Is your mouth getting sleepy?
So very, very sleepy?
All day long it sings a song-
sing-song, happy mouth.
And now it's time for lullabies,
nice long yawns, and bedtime sighs.

Enjoy this padded board book with your totz before bed.

Sleepy Toes
by Kelli McNeil
illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Cartwheel Books, Scholastic, 2017

Top Shelf: I Am a Story

Sometimes, you find that perfect picture book. For me, I Am a Story falls into this top category.

Dan Yaccarino follows story from being told around a fire to cell phones today. Story has been carved into cave walls and clay. It's been printed, woven, and acted. It's been banned and given to all through public libraries. It's been burned, but yet, story still inspires.

Here is a beautiful tribute to story. Graphic, flat illustrations, heavy on line, dance in this work. What a treasure for libraries to hold I Am a Story.

I Am a Story
by Dan Yaccarino
Harper, 2016

Mommy Snuggles and Daddy Dreams: Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben

Two sweet board books from Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben. First published in France, the thick paintings pair beautifully with the simple text.

Mommy Snuggles compares how different animals carry their babies. Daddy Dreams illustrates how various animals sleep, while their offspring watch. Both works close with humans.

There is a gentle tone in both works that is perfect for snuggling down and dreaming.

Mommy Snuggles
Daddy Dreams
by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben
Chronicle Books, 2017

More, More, More: We're All Wonders

"Look with kindness and you will always find wonder."

R.J. Palacio has brought the content of her bestselling middle grade novel to a picture book format. Writing and illustrating We're All Wonders, she illustrates how one child formed differently forbears under bullying. With hurt feelings, he is ultimately able to hope all might recognize we are each wonders.

The graphic imagery and large format portraying diverse people is bold and beautiful. This is a call for kindness. Please share it with your readers!

"I know I can't change the way I look. BUT maybe, just maybe, people can change the way they see."

We're All Wonders
by R.J. Palacio
Knopf, Borzoi Books, 2017

I Love My Mommy, I Love My Daddy: Sebastien Braun

I Love My Mommy and I Love My Daddy is a sweet set of board books from Sebastien Braun. A simple list of what parents do for their babies is gathered and rendered warmly. Paintings of animals and their offspring glow in the illustrations.

My mommy watches
me while I play.
My mommy takes
me swimming.

My daddy looks
after me.
My daddy cuddles me.

The charm is in the imagery and will likely draw and comfort your totz.

I Love My Mommy
I Love My Daddy
by Sebastien Braun
Katherin Tegen Books, Board Book Format, 2017

Mighty Dads

 Father's Day is June 18!

Mighty Dads is my celebration

of you dads, who pave the way for your

daughters and sons.

You guys roar, roar, ROAR!

Thank you, dads!

Find activities here.

Poetry Friday: Find It! Twist, Yoga Poems

Celebrating a ten year birthday, Twist, Yoga Poems is brilliant and beautiful. Janet S. Wong's poetry nests in Julie Paschkis' art as the two illustrate yoga practice. I find I fall into the lyrical words and symmetrical images while being stirred to strike the poses.

Cobra

Darkness
pushes Cobra up from damp soil.

She lifts herself higher,
to dry out her heart.

Find this treasure from 2007. And then strike a Warrior's pose. Twist with your totz.

Twist, Yoga Poems
by Janet S. Wong
art by Julie Paschkis
Margaret K. McElderry, 2007

Top Shelf: My Little Cities, London, New York

I love this new series from Chronicle Books: My Little Cities, by Jennifer Adams with illustrations by Greg Pizzoli. So far, I see London and New York. And Paris and San Francisco.

Veering away from adult board books, Adams' rhyme is child-relatable and interweaves beautifully with Pizzoli's graphic art with simple shapes and subdued color. These works will appeal to first readers and then offer more as they grow and learn about the featured cities.

Now, how about Athens? Dubai? Madrid? Moscow? Shanghai?

My Little Cities, London
New York
by Jennifer Adams
illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
Chronicle Books, 2017

Shake, Wiggle & Roll: Carli Davidson

Alerting all dog lovers! Shake, Wiggle & Roll and Heads & Tails are adorable new board books from Chronicle Books by Carli Davidson. In the first, totz learn about actions, including walk, jump, and lick. In the second work, parts of dogs are illustrated up close and then in a full body photo: tongue, legs, belly. White backgrounds showcase these fun pets who are named and listed in concluding spreads.

Top Dog is one more in the series. Find these for your beloved dog people and their readertotz. So cute!

Shake, Wiggle & Roll
Heads & Tails
Top Dog
by Carli Davidson
Chronicle Books, 2017

Masha and Her Sisters: Suzy Ultman

This book is adorable. Stacked pages flip down to introduce a family of nesting dolls. Masha and Her Sisters by Suzy Ultman is clever with beautiful, patterned folk art in subdued colors. There's Natasha the storyteller; Larisa, the performer; and Olya, the chef among the group. The bodies of each sister are illustrated, front and back, with their beloved items: books and ink, measuring cups and pots, recorders and lutes. The mechanics of the book are so smooth, it's fun to manipulate the pages.

In this age, where we avoid labeling, I'd remind totz that these are things the sisters enjoy. The sisters are more than the labels the book is illustrating. Does that make sense? One can enjoy storytelling and be a nature lover. This work can raise that conversation. Also, there are no descriptions which broaden the roles of women beyond the familiar. Yet, they do reflect the time period of the art. Another chat to be had.

When concerns are addressed with your readertotz, Masha and Her Sisters is dear.

Masha and Her Sisters
by Suzy Ultman
Chronicle Books, 2017

More, more, more: North, South, East, West; Margaret Wise Brown

Oh, deliciousness! A never-before-published work by Margaret Wise Brown! North, South, East, West is the question the young bird asks her mother before flying off into the world. Which way should she go? Mother never answers, but she allows the bird to discover the world on her own. Eventually, the bird returns east, to her first home. There she finds a mate, and when their eggs hatch, she sings the song her mother first sang to her. She, also, leaves their question unanswered for the chicks to find their own way.

The language is as beautiful and tight as you'd expect:

"Her mother taught her to ride the wind
and to fly above and below the storms,
and glide on the strength of the wind.

Greg Pizzoli's flat, graphic illustrations offer space for the little bird to soar in the world. The simple shapes are accessible and appealing. The digital work looks like a rough-edged print. What an honor to come alongside Margaret's text. Well done, Greg!

And thanks to Harper for bringing this work to the shelf. Whether we are north, south, east, or west.

North, South, East, West
by Margaret Wise Brown
illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
Harper, 2017