readertotz is Awarded!

Many thanks to Guide to Online Schools for recognizing readertotz as one of the Best Children's Lit Blogs in the industry. Joan and I are honored!

 

Presented by Guide to Online Schools

Boo Who? in 13th Reprint!

Congratulations to readertotz co-founder, Joan Holub, on the lucky 13th reprinting of her Halloween book for ages 2-6: Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book (Scholastic, Cartwheel). Still in print and going strong--a favorite of totz since 1997!

Guess who says boo?
A ghost

Scratch and hiss? Who is this?

Okay, we're going to make you guess that 2nd one. Take a look at Joan's book in your favorite bookstore to enjoy more guess-the-Halloween-creature fun! (There's even a mirror inside.)

Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book
Scholastic (Cartwheel), 1997
Author-illustrator: Joan Holub

Ladybug App

How wonderful is this? Enjoy!

Mimi Loves to Mimic: Yih-Fen Chou

Meet Mimi, the adorable toddler finding her own voice and way with aplomb and energy. Author Yih-Fen Chou explores imitation as a means of learning in Mimi Love to Mimic. Mimi reads like Mommy, makes soup like Grandma, and imitates Grandpa's manners, which have room for improvement. The endearing turn at the close shares Grandpa and Grandma imitating Mimi. Lovely!

The 8x8 format with stiff pages is great for readertotz. The highly awarded Chih-Yuan Chen's multimedia illustrations are appealing with a mild palette and simple shapes.

In Mimi Says No, Mimi asserts her independence as she makes her own way through her day. Mommy is close by and available to help, but Mimi forges onward on her own as she dresses, pours her milk, and walks to the park. A large fold-out increases the drama of an accident.

Again, text and image are tight and polished. I only would have preferred Mimi to say, "No, thanks," rather than just telling her mother, "No," repeatedly. And "I'm sorry," would have helped when she spills her milk. Of course, both ideas can be discussed during the reading with your totz.

The dust jackets refer to both books as picture books. I'd say the size and thickness of the pages skews it younger for little hands.

Find Mimi for your readertotz and be charmed. The works have been translated into fourteen languages already!

Mimi Loves to Mimic
Mimi Says No
by Yih-Fen Chou
illustrated by Chih-Yuan Chen
Heryin Books, 2010

Photo Friday: Happy!

by Lorie Ann Grover, 2010

I made this for my good friend Dia Calhoun. Hope you like it, too!

Happy Photo Friday, totz and parent types! Smile. :~)

Green Eggs and Ham Video Contest

Check this out! Maybe a little fun for you and your totz?

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s classic Green Eggs and Ham Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. have launched the “HAM It Up” video contest, calling for fans across the United States to channel their own Sam-I-Am and submit a video capturing their interpretation of a scene from the book. The grand prize winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize, a year’s supply of Ham I Am! products, a beautifully framed 50^th Anniversary Green Eggs and Ham print, a flip camera and a Dr. Seuss library of books. Originally published in 1960, Green Eggs and Ham has sold over 13 million copies in North America.

Click the Ham It Up link for full details. Would you like them in the rain? Would you like them on a train...

September: Around the Block with Sesame Street

Cute or what? Get those toes tapping with your totz!

Princess Baby on the Go: Karen Katz

Karen Katz's Princess Baby books are a big hit with my neighbor's 3-year-old daughter. She particularly likes this one because she can carry it around easily by the built-in 'handle'. This concept is perfect because PB is headed for Grandma's for a sleepover and she is packing a bag to 'carry' with her.

This sturdy board book has lots of big flaps, some glitter, and princess-pinkness. And there's a storyline to pull totz through the book, which I like. PB is packing her goodies, but she's looking for one special item. Although she doesn't find it at first, she does find other things to pack in locations such as under the table (lift the flap) and in a trunk (lift the flap). In the end she finds what she's looking for: her prince, a stuffed bear. This is an ending that really satisfied me. A very cute, age-appropriate book!

Princess Baby on the Go
Author-illustrator: Karen Katz
Schwartz & Wade, 2010

Photo Friday: Wild Thing

Lorie Ann Grover, 2010

Happy Photo Friday, parents and wild things!

September: Community Service

Can your totz help make lunch for an older sibling headed back to school? How about a Bento Box. :~) Thanks again, Joan, for showing us Bento and thanks, bohaute, for the photo. Adorable!

Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger

As promised, here's Pirate Potty!



The perfect companion for Princess Potty, pick this novelty book up for your pirate, mateys. Instead of forest creatures and sparkles, there's a black potty flying three Jolly Rogers, cannon balls, and a big x to mark the spot!



Of course, every pirate has a special sea shanty, keeps his toilet paper in his treasure chest, and announces, "Anchors away!" Right?

Author Samantha Berger just nails this presentation. Your pirate totz are going to love potty training with this book as an aid. Again, Amy Cartwright's imagery is clean and adorable whether it's a page full of little symbols or a full spread. I particularly love the mother's eye patch in the shape of a heart. And the pirate's proportions are as cute as can be.

Enjoy Pirate Potty, with your crew. Punch out the included hat and decorate it with the gold doubloon stickers for a job well done!

Pirate Potty
by Samantha Berger
illustrated by Amy Cartwright
Scholastic, 2010

Photo Friday: Are you happy?

Lorie Ann Grover, 2010

Here's one of my recent compositions. Thought it was perfect for totz as well. Happy Photo Friday!

Happy Birthday to Lorie Ann Grover!

Sending Happy Birthday wishes

to readertotz' own fabulous

Lorie Ann Grover!

Lunch with personality: Have you heard about Japanese Bento Boxes?

Instead of a board book this time on readertotz, we've got food for thought. I found Bento boxes for the first time recently and loved these cool food critters. I hope you will too!



'O-bento' is what the Japanese call these lovingly created and packed lunches. These adorable tributes are made by parents and sent off with their children to school, to a game, etc. Some of these goodies are works of art! I would almost hate to eat them, wouldn't you? They're not only a hit in Japan, they're a big hit here in the USA these days. I have to admit I find the idea of making these elaborate-yet-simple lunches a bit overwhelming. My mom barely had enough time to put anything in our school lunch boxes when I was a girl. Still, I love the idea of creating nutritious snacks and meals that are so incredibly cute!

Just had to share. Here are some book and site links:

Books:
Cute Yummy Time
Funky Lunch
Yum Yum Bento Box (photo below)


Sites:
Lunch in a box
Bento Box

Photo Friday: Seniors Heart Novelty Books!

I shared Princess Potty at my mom's b-day, and it was a huge success! We giggled over text and image.

Do you heart board/novelty books? Send me a pic, and I'll post it for our community! http://readertotzdotclearwiredotnet

September Pick for the Older Sibling: Zelda and Ivy, Keeping Secrets

If you don't know Zelda and Ivy, run out right now and read everyone of these fox sister adventures. Laura McGee Kvasnosky brilliantly captures the antics and intrigues of the older and younger sibling.

First published as picture books, Zelda and Ivy's short chapters are now featured in the reader format. Brava! Perfect! Think James Marshall. Exactly.

In Zelda and Ivy, Keeping Secrets, the duo, along with their neighbor Eugene, woozy-weasel promise to keep secrets, while younger sister Ivy gets the upper hand on April Fool's day, and all three perform a most elegant opera. It's the subtle truths that Laura weaves into her stories which ring of the best in life and bring smiles to readers. Whether how it's so hard not to tell a secret, or be a diva and steal the opera, you and your younger reader will nod and giggle over the revelations.

Painted in gouache resist, the compositions, colors, layouts, and characters will keep you turning pages for more. I definitely need the fox sisters' style. I want Zelda's leggings! Be sure to stop and appreciate the endpapers. Beautiful turquoise butterflies flutter you into and out of the story.

Enjoy Zelda and Ivy, Keeping Secrets from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winning author. Read it and smile. And then share it with the older sibling of your totz!

Zelda and Ivy, Keeping Secrets
by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Candlewick Press, 2009

Princess Potty by Samantha Berger

Okay, so all our totz need this skill, and it can't be soon enough! Princess Potty by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Amy Cartwright, is new, adorable, and fun.

"Psst! Do you want to hear a secret? Even princesses use the potty!" says a little mouse. He goes on to share the peculiarities of a princess, like how she rides the royal pony to the royal throne. Of course, the toilet has sparkles, glitter, and diamonds. It smells like rose petals, for a time.

Little blue birds bring the princess soft tissue, and forest animals help her wash her hands with warm water and strawberry soap. She gets a sticker for her crown, just like your princess can with the included tiara and sticker sheet.

Amy's illustrations are pink and fun and clean, clean, clean! She makes me want to punch out the tiara for myself.

Have a little giggle and read Princess Potty with your totz. Up soon at readertotz...Pirate Potty!

Princess Potty
by Samantha Berger
illustrated by Amy Cartwright
Scholastic, 2010

Photo Friday: Just a Little Alice

Lorie Ann Grover, 2010

Anyone ready to introduce Alice to your totz? Isn't it just a joy to think of all the characters in literature awaiting your wee one?

Happy Photo Friday!

Totz Newsflash: ReaderKidZ

So excited to share another site with you with information for the older sibling of your totz: ReaderKidZ! For 3 years, the readergirlz divas have been asking someone to come forward and spearhead a site with the middle grade reader in mind. These ladies have done just that. In fact they are focusing on picture books to grade 5.

Here's their Mission Statement:
Providing teachers, librarians, and parents with the resources and inspiration to foster a love of reading in kids, K-5.

So check them out and spread the news. There are several great features to explore like the Author in Residence and Tool Box. The layout is inviting and accessible. You are going to love it!

Here's to the authors/educators for running the work: Debbie Gonzales, Dianne White, Nancy Bo Flood, and Stephanie Green. Thanks, ladies, for contributing to literacy!

Note: ReaderKidZ operates independently from readergirlz and readertotz.

Outreach for Andrea Ross

I know everyone remembers the beloved podcasts over at Just One More Book! Mark and Andrea gave us wonderful years filled with their picture book passion. Here's my interview with Mark about readergirlz. We had a lovely time chatting.

The blog was suspended shortly before Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, 2009. Now in October, 2010, she'll be running to raise money. Here's what Mark says:

"Andrea is currently the number three fundraiser for the Ottawa Run for the Cure, taking place on October 3. Of course, when she first decided to run in support of breast cancer research, she never considered that our amazing communities (online and off) would band together to help her raise $4120 in six weeks."

If you'd like to help, you can join her effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by clicking here.

Run, Andrea! We are cheering!

Love to you, Lorie Ann and Joan

August: Community Service

After swimming, encourage your totz to use the water in their blowup pool to water your flowers!

Diane Muldrow: Somewhere So Sleepy

Do you know that somewhere, in a leafy tree, a little koala has just finished her supper?
(lift flap) Cuddle Up, Little Koala.

And thus begins this sweet lift-the-flap board book. I like books that slip in a little nonfiction information along with the fiction, and this book does that effortlessly. Each spread begins in the same way: Do you know that somewhere...

And then totz are lead to a cozy nest, a squishy swamp, a warm little house, etc. What will they find there? Lift the large flaps to find out. The book is sturdy board and the flaps are big, almost full page size. I enjoyed the surprise of the pull-down window shade on the last spread.

Artist Jui Ishida's site is really simple, but hints at wonderful art! I'd love to see more.

Very cute book!

Somewhere So Sleepy
Author: Diane Muldrow
Artist: Jui Ishida
Golden Books (Random House), 2010

Poetry Friday: The Children's Hour, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Isn't this so dear? Love it. Happy Poetry Friday!

The Birthday Box: Leslie Patricelli

When our family rounds the middle of August, we are in for a flurry of birthdays. Leslie Patricelli's classic, The Birthday Box, is a classic pick for celebrating totz.

Baby begins with a song to himself and then introduces you to his present. The joy only begins when under the wrapping paper he discovers a big brown box. We learn all the things he can do with his box before he opens the gift fully and finds a stuffed dog, Oscar. Now with the box open, the two of them can have adventures at sea or on the slopes. Of course, the box is the perfect place for a nap.

I saw this work, pre-publication in our critique group and loved it just as much then. There's a simple charm to Baby and his simplicity. The colorful painted spreads with thick black line and hand lettering will win your heart. If you weren't an avid Baby fan before, you will be after reading The Birthday Box with your readertotz!

The Birthday Box
by Leslie Patricelli
Candlewick Press, 2007

Poetry Friday: Cry Baby

Cry, Baby

Cry, baby, cry,
Put your finger in your eye,
And tell your mother it wasn’t I...!

Okay, this is a strange one, right? I wonder where it came from? May your Poetry Friday be tearless with your totz!

Older Sibling Pick: LMNO peas by Keith Baker

Just when you think all the wonderful ABC books that could possibly have been done, have been done, along comes Keith Baker with LMNO peas.

We are peas--alphabet peas!
We work and play in the ABCs.

Each colorful page or spread in this charming picture book presents a large letter. Lots of industrious little peas are busy under, over, around, and atop them. If you enjoy the wonderful, zany energy of Richard Scarry like I do, you'll find a similar energy here. For the letters E and F:

We're eaters, electricians, and explorers searching land.
We're farmers, flaggers, and best friends in a band.

After all the peas have had their say, they ask us: Who Are You?

Keith's humor extends to the flap copy, in which he proclaims that he hails from the NW city of Peattle!

This book leaves me wanted more, more, more peas...please!

LMNOpeas
Author-illustrator: Keith Baker
Publisher: Beach Lane Books (Simon and Schuster), 2010

BOB Winners Announced

We have our winners! Anne and AEKZ2 will receive the boxed sets of new BOB books and a lunch box! Congratulations, ladies! Watch your inbox for my note. :~)

Thank you, Scholastic!

Robert Crowther: The Most Amazing Hide-and-Seek Numbers Book

Totz can pull tabs and lift flaps for a variety of counting experiences in this intriguing book by Robert Crowther. I like the unexpectedness of this book. Pulling the tab on the number 3 brought forth 3 caterpillars curling around the curves of the number 3. And 7 field mice come running down the long slope of number 7. 10 butterflies are just adorable. And when we get to 100, there are 5--count 'em--5 tabs to pull and a myriad of tiny creatures to count. Are there 100? I confess, I didn't count. But I think your totz will.

Companion to The Most Amazing Hide-and-Seek Alphabet Book.

The Most Amazing Hide-and-Seek Numbers Book

Author-illustrator: Robert Crowther

Candlewick Press, 1999

Poetry Friday: Butterfly, Butterfly

Butterfly, Butterfly

Butterfly, butterfly,
Whence do you come?
"I know not, I ask not,
Nor ever had a home."
Butterfly, butterfly,
Where do you go?
"Where the sun shines,
And where the buds grow."

Happy Poetry Friday, parents and totz! (Just realized I posted this one earlier in the year. But it's such a great rhyme. Enjoy it again with me. :~)

And here's a video to go with. AMAZING!

BOB Books Giveaway!

Who doesn't love BOB? Certainly all the 3 million totz who have announced that they've read the WHOLE book. So first, thanks to author Lynn Maslen Kertell and illustrator Sue Hendra for helping the youngest readers learn those site words.

I taught my own girls to read, and we used phonetics AND site words. It was a perfect mix, and BOB led the way. Our hearts were captured by these little, funny stories.

Now, a giant thanks to Scholastic! We have a give-away for you! Two random commenters will receive BOB lunch boxes and a collection of the newest BOB releases: Sight Words, Kindergarten, and Sight Words, First Grade. Each set contains 10 books!

The included bonus flash cards will reinforce the new words as your totz progress through the series.

Leave your comments, and tell us how much you love BOB!

BOB Books
by Lynn Maslen Kertell
illustrated by Sue Hendra
Scholastic
(The give-away is limited to U.S. addresses.)

Multicultural Representation in Board Books

Eliza Dresang, Beverly Cleary Professor for Children and Youth Services, Information School, University of Washington, recently shared Sandra Hughes-Hassell's website with me as well as Sandra and Ernie J. Cox's recent study conclusions: "Inside Board Books: Representations of People of Color" from The Library Quarterly, Volume 80 Number 3 (July 2010).

Visit here for Sandra's great list of board books featuring African American babies and families. And then read these quotes from "Inside Board Books: Representations of People of Color." The 2000 U.S. Census shows 33% of children under age five are multicultural. We need to address this need, authors, illustrators, and publishers!

First look at the included summary of the board book from Moira McKenzie and Gay Su Pinnell's “Changing Conceptions of Early Literacy” in Children’s Literature in the Classroom: Weaving Charlotte’s Web:

"Interactions with board books help infants learn to recognize familiar objects and to develop basic concepts related to people, animals, possessions, familiar events, and daily routines. Through naming and pointing, board books help build a toddler’s vocabulary and aid in understanding language. Rhymes, rhythms, physical actions like hand clapping, and the exploration of textures build a toddler’s sensory awareness. Young children who are regularly read to exhibit early literate behavior."

The report continues by explaining the need for board books with multicultural representation:

"Research suggests that exposure to books and other resources about people who look like them,and stories that reflect their world, may contribute to an infant and toddler of color’s developing appreciation of self."

A challenge is made to illustrators to depict races beyond just changing skin color. Races themselves should be shown. I particularly liked the charge to expand Hispanic representation beyond Dora the Explorer:

"To address better the needs of Hispanic children, the publishing houses could commission Hispanic authors and illustrators, such as Pat Mora and David Diaz, to create “true” board books that provide multiple mirrors on the Hispanic experience. If nothing else, they could mine their backlists for appropriate picture book titles by Hispanic authors and illustrators to convert into board books."

Brava! Joan and I wholeheartedly agree.

The reader is then reminded that while we represent everyone, we must be careful not to perpetuate stereotypes.

The study concludes: "We believe that white privilege is apparent in the production and publication of board books....beginning in infancy children of color not only get the message from books that their lives and their stories are not important but also that to be white is better."

But if we produce the books, would they sell, you might ask? After noting amazing book purchase figures by Asian Americans and African Americans, the study concludes:

"If board books that featured people of color were published and appropriately marketed, it is likely that the publishing industry would find the endeavor to be financially rewarding. Appropriate marketing is key."

Readertotz applauds Sandra Hughes-Hassell and Ernie Cox for their study. We stand alongside them and challenge authors, illustrators, and publishers to represent all groups for our very youngest readers.

My New Baby: Rachel Fuller

A few weeks back I posted about Waiting for Baby. Of course the day will come when your totz will appreciate My New Baby. :~)



Here's the logical follow up and joyful help as your new baby arrives in your home. The text captures the wonder and happiness of a tot welcoming a sibling.

"My baby smells nice. Soft and warm.

Presents for the new baby! Is this for me?

Why does the baby always have milk?"

True to a child, voice is given to the observations and questions which naturally arise with a new baby in the family. The closing is particularly comforting:

"Sleep well! You're part of my family now.
Baby's fast asleep. Time for my story!"

In keeping with Waiting for Baby, illustrator Rachel Fuller uses fun texture swatches to accompany her watercolor and varied black outlines. The addition brings a vibrancy to the spreads.

Enjoy this board book with your tot now and possibly your new baby in the future. "This is what it was like when you were born..."

My New Baby
illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Child's Play, 2009

Poetry Friday: A Farmer Went Riding

A Farmer Went Riding

A farmer went riding
Upon his gray mare;
Bumpety, bumpety, bump!
With his daughter behind him,
So rosy and fair;
Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

A raven cried "Croak!"
And they all tumbled down;
Bumpety, bumpety, bump!
The mare broke her knees,
And the farmer his crown;
Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

The mischievous raven
Flew laughing away;
Bumpety, bumpety, bump!
And vowed he would serve them
The same the next day;
Lumpety, lumpety, lump!

Don't you think this is fun to recite with your tot on your knee? Happy Poetry Friday!

Michael Dahl: Duck Goes Potty

Duck Goes Potty is a sturdy 22-page board book. No novelty element this time. It's a cute story, with cute illustrations. The text is spare. Page one:

Duck wears DIAPERS.

The accompanying page one illustration of duck eyeing the diaper he wears is amusing and cute. When duck "misses" the new potty a couple of times, the evidence on the floor will have totz quacking up. I like that Mom is present, giving instructions, but we only see part of her and never see her face. It's nice that duck has mishaps along the way in his training, and even when he succeeds, he sometimes still forgets till the last minute and has to run for the potty. The ending is a gentle pat on the back for being a big duck now. Overall, an amusing, reassuring, cute book!

Michael Dahl is the popular author of many other books for children, including chapter books such as the Library of Doom and Princess Candy series.

Duck Goes Potty
Author: Michael Dahl
Illustrator: Oriol Vidal
Picture Window Books / Capstone

Poetry Friday: Jenny Wren

Jenny Wren

As little Jenny Wren
Was sitting by her shed,
She waggled with her tail,
And nodded with her head.
She waggled with her tail,
And nodded with her head,
As little Jenny Wren
Was sitting by the shed.

Photo from the BBC. Happy Poetry Friday!

July: Community Service

Help your tot pick those early summer flowers, dandelions will do, and share them with a neighbor.

Photo from GLiving, who will give you a great recipe for dandelion tea as well.

Kika, My First Word Book: Fukiko Yamamoto

How can you not love Kika? Just adorable! I want to squeeze this little bunny and never let go.

The start of this soft board book lists the upcoming, themed sections. Your totz will be exposed to Kika's family, house, feelings and more. The accompanying sight words are great reinforcement.

Author/illustrator Fukiko has given two images per spread throughout the book. With flat areas of color encased in thin black line, each page is slightly related to its opposite:

tree
leaf

car
bus

talk
listen

Kika's expressions, world, and friends will warm your heart. You'll be eager to talk your way through this delightful book with your totz. I want more Kika, Chronicle! Please. :~)

Kika, My First Word Book
by Fukiko Yamamoto
Chronicle Books, 2006

Photo Friday: Lorie Ann reads

I was known for licking the right hand index finger and turning the page with my left hand. :~)

Send me your photo, old or new, of a baby reading for Photo Friday! readertotzatclearwiredotnet

July: For the Older Sibling, Mary's Penny

I was instantly drawn to this quirky cover of Mary's Penny. Illustrator Richard Holland combines colored pencil and photo collage to create this traditional tale. There's a sense of history and novelty mixed together perfectly!

Author Tanya Landman says, "I've always found this traditional tale deeply satisfying." I had never heard it before, but I was definitely charmed by her retelling. As a father looks to leave his farm to one of his children, he gives each son a penny and charges them "to fill the whole house." Both sons fail, and it is the daughter, Mary, who speaks up, requests a penny, and wins the home. "It takes brains, not brawn, to run a farm."

Enjoy this work with the older sibling of your totz. Let the cleverness of Mary fuel conversations while you enjoy the sparse, fresh, funky art.

Mary's Penny
by Tanya Landman
illustrated by Richard Holland
Candlewick Press, 2010

Sara Gillingham: In My Nest

What makes little bird's nest so cozy? Soft feathers? Sure, but that's not all. Smooth leaves? Sure, but that's not all. In the end, there's a gentle, reassuring message: Bird's nest is so cozy because it's where his family lives.

There are lots of hole-in-the-book formats in stores these days. This one has an unusual twist, and it's one of the best. The cover has a large hole (the outer edge of the nest), and each successive page has a slightly smaller hole. This allows for a nest with a layered look, and displays the various things that go into nest-building. In the center is a soft, well-crafted blue bird finger puppet.

This is a wonderful concept, simply and beautifully illustrated, and it has heart. Nicely done!

Also take a look at the others in Sara's series: In My Pond, In My Tree, In My Den, In My Meadow, and In My Flower.

In My Nest
Author: Sara Gillingham
Illustrator: Lorena Siminovich
Chronicle Books, 2009

Poetry Friday: Bat, Bat

Bat, bat, come under my hat,
And I'll give you a slice of bacon;
And when I bake,
I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken.

Maybe I was inspired by the release of the movie Eclipse. :~) Thanks to Dorling Kindersley for the clip art! Happy Poetry Friday!

Waiting for Baby: Rachel Fuller

The New Baby series from Child's Play is spot on accurate. Waiting for Baby reads like the inquisitive stream of questions from a tot awaiting a sibling.

"How big is the baby? What does it eat?
What's the doctor doing? Does it hurt?"

All the of questions invite you to discuss the topics further. I especially appreciate the inclusion of the ultrasound, for realism, and the father and child making dinner, for thoughtfulness.

Rachel Fuller's watercolors and graphite or grease pencil outlines are friendly and exuberant. Patterned areas break up the solid blocks of color nicely.

Introduce the concept of an upcoming new baby to your totz with Waiting for Baby.

Waiting for Baby
illustrated by Rachel Fuller
Child's Play, 2009

Photo Friday: Baby reading

Just ran across this on Photobucket. Too cute!



Feel free to send me your photos of your totz for Photo Friday! readertotzatclearwiredotnet

Totz Celebration: Who Was Jim Henson?

From time to time Lorie Ann and I celebrate our new books on readertotz. Today, I’m pleased to announce the release of my newest paperback chapter book biography in the “Who Was” series published by Grosset & Dunlap. Aka, the “big head” books. Just take a look at the cover to see how they got this nickname.

The new book is Who Was Jim Henson?

Answer: He was the man behind the Muppets. He was Kermit the frog. He was the heart and soul of Sesame Street. He was a private person. A silly, but serious one. A guy who loved his work, and who inspired others to be excited about puppetry. A man who wanted to make a difference.

Jim Henson died twenty years ago at age 53.

This is my third in the WW series, and I’m currently working on a fourth. I like this series because the books are written in a brisk, kid-friendly way, and they include factual sidebars with information about things kids really want to know. I read every biography on the shelf in my elementary school library (starting with the girl ones), and remain forever a biography fan. Biographies rock!

Some other cool books about Jim Henson:
Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination
Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook

Who Was Jim Henson?

Ages 7-12

Grosset & Dunlap, paperback

Author: Joan Holub

Rock & Roll Shapes: Salina Yoon

I love the sound this book makes. When you tilt the pages, a foil circle zips through a series of 5 windows, showcasing various shapes, such as a triangle, square, etc. It's hard to decide whether this is more 'toy' or more 'book'. But whichever you decide, it's clever and totz will love it. Very sturdy with a handle little hands can clutch, so they can carry this everywhere.
A-dor-a-ble!

There's a companion book called Rock & Roll Colors, which I haven't yet seen up close.

author-illustrator: Salina Yoon
publisher: Scholastic (Cartwheel) 2010

Photo Friday: Retro Summer

Doesn't this have the best nostalgia in the lighting and pool design? Love it!

Here's to a dip in the pool before reading another book with your totz! Happy Photo Friday. Send me your pics at readertotzatclearwiredotnet Show us your totz enjoying their summer!

July: Around the Block with Sesame Street

Happy July!

I want to start posting our sidebar content in blogs each month, so that we can still access it in the future. Otherwise it just drops as I update the site. Now, it hits me? Now I realize everyone might not have caught the community service idea and Around the Block with Sesame Street?

Well, there's always room for new thoughts, right? Here it goes for a new day. Feist is just adorable counting to 4. Your totz will be singing along with you, no doubt!