Poetry Friday: A Light in the Attic: Special Edition

In celebration of the release of A Light in the Attic: Special Edition, here's a YouTube entry narrated by Shel of "Backward Bill." Pick up the new release and enjoy those 12 new poems with your totz! What a treasure!

A Light in the Attic: Special Edition
by Shel Silverstein
HarperCollins Children's Books, September 22, 2009
www.shelsilverstein.com

Catch the full Poetry Friday roundup with Wild Rose Reader!

September Pick for the Older Sibling: Library Lion

My pick this month for the older sibling of your totz is Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrations by Kevin Hawkes. When a picture book grabs your heart, you have to share it!

So, one day a lion comes to the library. Despite Mr. McBee's concern, Miss Merriweather takes no action as no rules are being broken. Of course, the lion must be quiet in storytime.



The lion makes himself useful in the branch. Eventually Lion's emergency roar is misunderstood, and Mr. McBee casts him out. It's is he who must find lion and explain the new rule:

"No roaring allowed, unless you have a very good reason--say, if you're trying to help a friend who's been hurt, for example."

With extremely smart pacing and endearing characters, this work will quickly become a favorite of your family. This New York Times Bestseller will win your heart if it hasn't already.

Library Lion
by Michelle Knudsen
illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Candlewick Press, paperback 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

Art for Baby: the very best for your totz

If there was a Kunhardt Board Book Award, Art for Baby would be short listed for certain. This is exactly what Joan and I are calling for when we ask for the best for our totz.

Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press, has collected twelve black and white images from eleven contemporary artists. Special thanks go out to the galleries who were so generous with their art that they allowed the pieces to be included in this work. Thanks also to the Outset Contemporary Art Fund and the NSPCC who helped in this collaboration.



What more beautiful images to expose your totz to than Paul Morrison's Cryptophyte or Takashi Murakami's Ohana? (both above) Black and white high contrast images aid newborns in object recognition. What a beautiful way to present art and life to the youngest readers. Other artists include Keith Haring, Julian Opie, and Damien Hirst.

A removable paper frieze for your nursery is also provided. Our thanks go out to Templar Books for raising the board book bar and presenting the very best to the market. This book is exquisite perfection.

Art for Baby
9.6 x 9.5 inches
Templar Books, Candlewick Press, September 8, 2009

Poetry Friday: Two Little Dicky Birds

Two little dicky birds sitting on a wall,
One named Peter, one named Paul.
Fly away Peter, fly away Paul,
Come back Peter, come back Paul!

Thanks to this UK nursery rhyme site for the image and reminder of one of my favorite rhymes when I was a tot! A little looking around revealed the name dicky bird is a child's term for any small bird. Now we know!

Today's Poetry Friday is up over at The Boy Reader.

Edward Unready for School: Rosemary Wells

How cute is this? Although it's not a board book, it's a nice size for totz at 7"x7", 24 pages. Part of a series of Edward books by Rosemary Wells, it deals with a fear. In this case, it's the fear of going to school for the first time. However, it doesn't have the traditional ending one might expect -- the main character realizing he is ready for school.

After a series incidents indicating that Edward really isn't ready for play school quite yet . . .

"Edward's teacher said, Not everyone is ready for the same things at the same time."
"We'll just take him home until he is ready," said Edward's mother and father.

This comes a few pages before the actual ending of the book, but I think the lines are immensely reassuring. A child who might feel like a failure for being "unready" for some feat may well be relieved.

And who can resist Rosemary Wells' adorable illustrations of Edward? His expressions of uncertainty at the prospect of school are realistic and touching.

I love this book!

Edward Unready for School
author-illustrator: Rosemary Wells
Dial Books, 1995

~ Joan Holub, author-illustrator

Poetry Friday: Dreams

Dreams

Friday night's dream, on Saturday told,
Is sure to come true, be it never so old.

I've never heard this before. You? And it of course brought Janet Wong and Julie Paschkis' book to mind. What a beauty it is! Be sure to find it for your totz! Happy Poetry Friday!

Catch the full roundup with Kate Coombs at Book Aunt.

Thank you, Karla Kuskin!

Our thanks to Karla Kuskin, children's author and illustrator who gave us so much. She died last Thursday at her home in Seattle, age 77.




From Traces

We will continue to treasure her beautiful voice and imagery.

Pop-Up Counting Animals: A DK Publishing Collaboration

This week's board book review is simply named Pop-Up Counting Animals. I wasn't convinced I'd be engaged, but I shouldn't have doubted. It's DK Publishing.

Using Dave King's special photography, a bit of flat graphics, and Fiona Gowen's paper engineering, this collaborative work pops! When the first kitten opens beside the number one, you just have to say ooooooooh. And when the five butterflies flap free of the book at the close, you say aaaaaaaaaah. In between, watch for fish, chicks, and parakeets. (Which color would you choose?)

Sit down with your totz and pop open this board book with amazement. Thanks, DK for bringing this back as a revised version of the 1995, Number Pops. Here's to keeping the best in print!

Pop-Up Counting
Photographs by Dave King
Engineered by Fiona Gowen
DK Publishing, 2009

Happy Anniversary, Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty!

Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty is celebrating their three year anniversary this month! Woot!

Z-Dad invited illustrators to springboard off of one of the children's illustrations and contribute to the party. Here's Gracie's version of "Smitten" at age 6:

And that's mine. Drop over to the site and enjoy their 400 drawings!

~Lorie Ann Grover

Poetry Friday: Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants, Video

I was just over at JD Lester's Facebook, and she had posted this sweet video of a mommy reading Monkeypants. So cute and perfect for Poetry Friday!

Let us know if you've posted a reading video with your baby. We'd love to share it!

Catch the roundup with Kyle at The Boy Reader.

For the Older Sibling: Song of Middle C

The art is what initially attracted me to this book. It's a pleasing blend of the contemporary and the retro. The palatte is subdued, the lines simple, and there's plenty of fun to be had here.

Now on to the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Told in first person, it's a fun, realistic, smart tale about a girl who's facing her first piano recital -- "Dance of the Wood Elves." Her mom says "Practice Makes Perfect." So she practices and teaches us a thing or two about preparation and piano skills as we await her big day. On recital day, she practices bowing in front of her mirror. She wears her lucky underwear (pink with music notes) for good measure. All the kids line up waiting for their turns to perform, but . . .

At the recital, I wait and wait and wait.
Did you know that piano recitals take a long,
long time? Especially when your song is the
very last song on the program.
The very, very last song.
But am I nervous?
Hoo boy, no!
Not one tiny bit.
That's because I'm cool as a cucumber.

Then, she's on the bench and things quickly go awry:

Fingers? Hello?
Wood elves, where are you?
Lucky underwear, don't fail me now!

I like her spunky way of thinking, which serves her well as things don't go as planned. Any child who has ever been faced with the pressure of performing in the spotlight--and haven't we all-- will relate to this cute book!

Song of Middle C
Alison McGhee, author
Scott Menchin, illustrator
picture book
Candlewick Press, 2009

~ Reviewed by Joan Holub, author

A Surprise for the Nutbrown Hares: Sam McBratney

I was surprised, just like the nutbrown hares. Because this book is fatter (about 3/4 inches thick) and has many more pages than most board books. However, it is truly a board book. It's small with sturdy pages. And Candlewick says its for ages 2-4.

The team of Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram is probably best known for the best-selling family classic, Guess How Much I Love You. This book follows a similar style. On a windy day, the Nutbrown Hares have been playing and chasing leaves, and now Big Nutbrown Hare has to rest. Imagine his surprise when he opens his eyes and sees . . . a box monster hopping toward him! Is he dreaming? Should he run away? And what will Big Nutbrown Hare’s response be when the box monster sheds his convincing disguise?

Totz will relate to the situation that unfolds and will enjoy reading this with mom and dad. Anita's website is fun and has art and cards for purchase.

A Surprise for the Nutbrown Hares
Sam McBratney, author
Anita Jeram, illustrator
Candlewick, 2009

~ review by Joan Holub, author

Poetry Friday: A Star

A Star

I have a little sister, they call her Peep, Peep;
She wades the waters deep, deep, deep;
She climbs the mountains high, high, high;
Poor little creature, she has but one eye.

My dad has one eye, and we don't think of him as "poor little creature." Hm. Too dated for our totz?

Catch the full roundup with Andromeda Jazmon at a wrung sponge.

Totz Video: Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish

Is this not the cutest ever?

If you recognize her as one of our totz, please don't divulge her name in the comments to protect her anonymity.

Thanks to her family for filming the moment and allowing me to share this. It just cheers my heart!

~Lorie Ann

readertotz CLASSIC: Bruce Degan, Jamberry

It's a classic post! Yay!

Give it up for Jamberry by Bruce Degen. How awesome to have this 1983 picture book in a board book format. It's a perfect fit.



Revisit this classic or discover it for the first time with your totz. The rhythm is so catching you'll find you are reciting it together throughout your day.

"One berry
Two berry
Pick me a blueberry
Hatberry
Shoeberry
In my canoeberry

The fantasy includes a boy and bear off to find and pick berries for jam. Everyone joins the joyful pursuit, from animals circling the bear like a maypole to a goose driving a train. All the action culminates in a jam jamboree!

Bruce uses an ink line and watercolor to capture the fun and excitement of the tale. Full spreads alternate with half spreads and one wordless explosion of blueberries.

Pick up this board book before you go pick those berries at the close of summer. Whether they be strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, jazzberries, starberries...

Jamberry
by Bruce Degen
HarperFestival, 1995

Poetry Friday: Blow, Wind, Blow!

Blow, Wind, Blow!

Blow, wind, blow! And go, mill, go!
That the miller may grind his corn;
That the baker may take it,
And into rolls make it,
And send us some hot in the morn.

Happy Poetry Friday, folks and totz! I'm writing from a bakery, so this seemed perfect!

Catch the full round up with Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

~Lorie Ann

Watch Me HOP! Rebecca Young

Watch Me HOP! has "8 Amazing Moving Pictures." These photos that seem to move are actually 60-frame lenticulars. Totz can actually watch a bunny or a grasshopper hop, and an elephant swing its trunk. The animals almost literally leap off the page!

I leap up high
and land with a plop!
I'm a FROG . . .
Watch me hop!

The black and solid color design is eye-catching. I think this photo technique is fascinating and totz I've shown it to have loved it. It's great to see boundaries being pushed like this to create a successful book. It's pretty sturdy and will likely stand up to most totz' handling.

Watch Me HOP!
Rebecca Young, author
Von Glitschka, illustrator
Pamela Notarantonio, designer
Scholastic, 2009

~ reviewed by Joan Holub, author

Poetry Friday: Broadway Across America

I just wrote and posted this haiku at my blog, On Point, and realized it's kind of fun for our readertotz, too. If The Lion King hits your town, GO! It was a lifetime memory for our family!

Broadway Across America

Gazelles ready to
leap for Simba the Lion
King, dancing through town.


Lorie Ann Grover, 2009

Catch the full roundup with Sylvia Vardell at Poetry For Children.

For the Older Sibling: The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau

What makes a picture book stand out from the crowd? How about unique art treatments, interesting layouts, intriguing perspectives, and tight text? The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau includes each of these elements and more. When I first opened this work, I knew I was holding a gem. I'll be shocked if this doesn't garner awards.

Author/illustrator Dan Yaccarino's text relays the life of Cousteau, from childhood to adult. The simple font does not detract from the illustrations and almost reflects the voice of the storyteller. The pacing of facts, interspersed with quotes from Cousteau, is brilliant. Yaccarino conveys so much feeling in this non-fiction work.

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Yaccarino's gouache and airbrush treatments perfectly capture the underwater world. The layers of imagery and color pull the attention into the multitude of details. The large format is able to hold the world Cousteau uncovers.



I've watched adults pick up this work and say, "I didn't know Cousteau co-invented the Aqua-Lung," while children say, "I didn't really know who he was before." Then both groups sink into the story.

I'm so happy to share this beautiful book with you this month. The siblings, friends, and family of your readertotz will be amazed by Cousteau's journey, discoveries, and achievements, captured and shared brilliantly by Yaccarino. Here's my favorite quote which concludes the book:

"If we were logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work."

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau
by Dan Yaccarino
Alfred A. Knopf, 2009

readertotz CHALLENGE: The Kunhardt Award

Thanks to everyone for their input on our idea of a board book award. Everyone is truly in favor of the Kunhardt Award!



Let's remember that unlike the Geisel Award which was named to honor Dr. Seuss' collective body of work, the Kunhardt choice would be based on the fact that Dorothy Kunhardt created the 1940 groundbreaking board/novelty book Pat the Bunny which still generates 250,000 sales a year.

So, American Libraries Association, we put forward the Kunhardt Award! We would like to see this award given to the best contribution to the board book/novelty arena. What book published in the given year represents the strongest art and appropriate text for the youngest reader? What book is going to engender a lifelong love of literature in our babies and toddlers?

Let's encourage authors, illustrators and publishers to create the best in this important field. Let's offer the Kundhardt Award!

~Lorie Ann Grover, author/illustrator, co-founder of readergirlz and readertotz
and Joan Holub, author/illustrator, co-founder of readertotz

Lost Sheep and the Scary Day: Christina Goodings and Claire Henley

How do you convert a Bible story into the board book format and retain the accuracy of the one and the toddler appeal of the other? Lion Children's Book has done this with their series All Join In. I was skeptical at first but then delightfully surprised!

Author Christina Goodings has reduced the scriptural parable to the fewest words for plot. Then she has added repeated animal and nature sounds to further increase interest and tension.

"slurp slurp
scritch scritch"

Illustrator Claire Henley's paintings are fresh and bright. Her layout of the book will catch your totz' eye. Each half spread is a close depiction of animals, along with the first of the shepherd. The rich treatment balanced by a spot illustration on the opposing page creates a strong rhythm. The final full page spread with a flap is a fun reward at the story's conclusion.

Here's to publishers who offer the richest stories to totz in accessible ways. Brava to writers and illustrators who create them.

Lost Sheep and the Scary Day
by Christina Goodings
illustrated by Claire Henley
Lion Children's Book, Lion Hudson pic, Trafalgar Square Publishing, UK: 2007, US: October, 2009

Poetry Friday: These Chickens, from Syria

Here's a Syrian nursery rhyme to share with your totz this Friday! Thanks, Mama Lisa.

These Chickens

These chickens... How they are beautiful
They are walking around their mother happily
They drank water and said Wow Yum Yum
They raised their heads and thanked God happily.

Catch the roundup with Mary Lee Hahn at A Year of Reading.

Silly Suzy Goose: Petr Horacek

Suzy Goose may look like your average white goose with an orange bill and feet, but she has a big imagination. She can see the merits of being all sorts of other animals:

If I were a giraffe, I could S T R E T C H up high.

But she can see the merits of just being herself as well.

With cut-paper and collage illustrations which are pleasingly reminiscent of Eric Carle, this sturdy board book is filled with examples of animals and common action words and sounds associated with them. It's longer than average at 17 pages (32 spreads) and is suggested for ages 1 to 3.

Also see Lorie Ann's review of this book in her June 15th post. We reviewed the same book without realizing each other had chosen it. I think this speaks well for this book.

Silly Suzy Goose
Petr Horacek, author-illustrator
board book
Candlewick Press, 2006

~ reviewed by Joan Holub, author

Poetry Friday: Hush You Mice!

I love uncovering these nursery rhymes from other lands! Mama Lisa is a great resource. Today's is from Russia and translated by Natalia, with an appearance by Angelina Ballerina.

Hush You Mice!

Mice are dancing in a round,
On a bench a cat is sleeping.
"Hush, you mice, don't make such noise
Or you'll wake up Vaska Cat
Vaska Cat will jump and leap
And will spoil and break your round."

Catch the roundup with Becky Laney at Becky's Book Reviews.

readertotz CHALLENGE: Name that Board Book Award...

*waving to you from ALA*

When Joan and I began readertotz, our mission was to raise the profile of board and novelty books while challenging writers to contribute their very best for the youngest readers. Our long term goal is to see an award created for the very first books that ignite a love of reading.

Here at ALA, we are celebrating the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and other prestigious awards. Why not an award for the best board book published?

Today, July 12th, 2009, Joan and I put forward two names for the first board book award for literary and artistic merit:



The Nordstrom Award
Shall we honor Ursula Nordstrom, (1910-1988) the amazing editor-in-chief of Harper & Row from 1940-1973, who edited Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon, our country's most beloved board book today? True, the book was originally 32 pages, and only took the board book form in 1991, but no one can contest what Ursula contributed to children's literature. And this board book will stand for generations.

Or...



The Kunhardt Award
We would remember Dorothy Kunhardt the author of Pat the Bunny, possibly the first interactive book for babies. Printed by Random House, Golden Press Golden Books in 1940, the work still generates 250,000 sales a year, rating only second in all time sales behind The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It would be an honor for board book creators to receive The Kunhardt Award, remembering the woman who broke the ground for us today.

Please feel free to repost this entry and generate feedback. Which do you prefer?

And a thought recently came to mind. Is there room in the Cybils awards for board book winners? What do you say? Thanks for your input!

~Lorie Ann Grover, author/illustrator, cofounder of readergirlz and readertotz

More More, More!: April Pulley Sayre at ALA Annual

Hanging at ALA and I ran into April Pulley Sayre, 2008 Geisel Honor Winner for:

Here's the Amazon blurb:

"Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don’t hunt—they like their food to be already dead, and their eating habits serve a very important ecological role. Vultures are part of nature’s clean-up crew.

In her signature poetic, energetic style, acclaimed nature writer April Pulley Sayre introduces young readers to the world of the turkey vulture. The gorgeous illustrations by Caldecott Honor–winning artist Steve Jenkins capture these birds in all their surprising majesty."

April has written over 50 natural history books. What an awesome contribution to the field. On behalf of our totz, we thank you, April!

Poetry Friday: Our Baby, a Chinese Rhyme

Here's a fun Chinese nursery rhyme to introduce to your totz. Enjoy!

Our Baby

Mrs. Chang, Mrs. Lee,
Mama has a small baby;
Stands up firm,
Sits up straight,
Won't eat milk,
But lives on cake.

Catch the roundup with Jama Rattigan at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup.

Little Fish Signing

I had one of the best signings ever at Costco! Just take a look at Lucy, my perfect match. :~) Thanks to everyone for their support of this super event! *hug, hug, kiss, kiss*

~Lorie Ann

Update for Wednesday's Wins

Thanks to Joan for all the Wednesday Wins so far this year! Just an fyi: she's taking the summer off as she's writing her head off. Yay! She'll resume the wins in September.

We'll still continue our weekly reviews, celebrations of Poetry Friday, and occasional extras at totz, however. So stay tuned and drop comments. Onward!

And admit, this fella is soooo cute! Chillin' in summer.

Lily's Twinkly Bedtime: Katie Peters

Lift the large, glittery flaps in this Sweetheart Fairies book and you'll see Lily the fairy saying good night to her three fairy friends in this sturdy board book. Each time she bids another fairy friend good night, the friend gives her an object she'll need for her own bedtime: a blanket, a teddy, and a book.

Lily says good night to Rosie,
and finds her blanket, soft and cosy.

The sparkly flaps each have a small half-oval cut-out--a good idea because it made them easy for me and the totz I read this book with to lift. The colors are attractive and appropriate to fairies--pink, blue, and other pastel hues. A cute bedtime book!

PW Review

Lily's Twinkly Bedtime
Katie Peters, author
Sanja Rescek, illustrator
Scholastic, 2008

~ reviewed by Joan Holub, author

Poetry Friday: The Lion and the Unicorn

The Lion and the Unicorn

The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown
The lion beat the unicorn all around the town.
Some gave them white bread, and some gave them brown;
Some gave them plum cake and drummed them out of town.

Catch the full roundup with Tabatha A. Yeatts.