Photo Friday: Born to Read

Happy Photo Friday! In light of Midwinter ALA, I thought this was perfect from their store. :~)

Image from Pinterest with link to product. 

Annual Call for a Youth Media Board Book Award

It was so fun to watch the livestream of the Youth Media Awards this morning. However, Joan and I stop for a moment and once again give the call for a novelty/board book category. Research indicates it takes about $10,000 to fund the start of an award. Joan and I are busy writing to fill the format with quality literature, along with others passionate for the board book. Who will come forward to recognize the best first books for our very youngest readers? We propose The Dorothy Kunhardt Award.

 ~ Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub, 2013

In the meantime, here are your Caldecott winners:



Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

“This Is Not My Hat,” illustrated and written by Jon Klassen, is the 2013 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

Five Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Creepy Carrots!” illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “Extra Yarn,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of

HarperCollins Publishers; “Green,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger and published by Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press; “One Cool Friend,” illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; “Sleep Like a Tiger,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Splat the Cat, Funny Valentine: Rob Scotton

How about a fun, soft-sided, Lift-the-Flap for Valentine's? Splat the Cat, Funny Valentine delivers. Mrs. Wimpydimple reminds the cat class to bring in their special valentines. Splat, Kitten, Seymour, and Spike gather with their supplies at the clubhouse and get to work rhyming, sewing, cutting, and gluing. When Valentines are delivered, everyone is remembered, even Mrs. Wimpydimple.

Based on Rob Scotton's characters and style, you and your Valentine will be lifting flaps and smiling this February.

Splat the Cat, Funny Valentine
based on the creation of Rob Scotton
Harperfestival, 2012

Photo Friday: Book Baby

Pinterest

Happy Photo Friday! Enjoy the day with your totz and books.

readertotz Newsflash: Reach Out and Read

    

So excited to learn of Reach Out and Read and then hear my work was chosen for the program. Check it out and visit the drive. Here's to totz' community service! 

Reach Out and Read prepares America's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. In the Greater New York region, we provide new, age-appropriate books and literacy guidance to over a quarter of a million children. 

Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish is one of 11 books included in the online Virtual Book Drive. www.reachoutandreadnyc.org/VirtualBookDrive.htm

This year the celebration is the 14^th Anniversary of Reach Out and Read of Greater New York, on May 6, 2013, at The Helen Mills Event Space and Theater in New York City. Susan Kaufman, Editor of Time Inc.’s People StyleWatch Magazine will serve as Auction Chair. 

Pediatrician Dr. Leora Mogilner

Thanks for taking a look. And thanks to Scholastic for their contributions! 

A Kiss Like This: Mary Murphy

This, from the back cover, sets up the premise of this book, which uses a clever, split-page format:

Buzzy, bubbly, long, or small,

whose is the best kiss of all?

Can you guess?

A giraffe kiss is gentle and tall. . .

(Giraffe tot pictured on left; parent on right. Turn the split-page flap . . .)

like this!

(Giraffe tot and parent kiss.)

A mouse kiss is quick and small. . .

(Parent mouse on left; tot mouse on right. Turn the flap…)

like this!

(Mouse tot and parent kiss.)

I waited till now to mention that this is not a board book. But it does read like one and could easily be transformed into one in the future. The art is simple and fresh, with cute characters that aren’t syrupy-cute. The book ends with a spread filled with hearts of many sizes, including a giant sparkly one in the middle.

Charming!

A Kiss Like This

Author-illustrator: Mary Murphy

Ages 2-4

Candlewick Press, 2012

Photo Friday: Onesie Words

Happy Photo Friday! May this be true for our totz! Image from Pinterest.

For You: Return to Me

Next time you set the board books aside and your sweet totz to bed, reach for Return to Me. Justina Chen delivers a raw, realistic look at change, redefining normal, and lasting love. 

Here's the description from Amazon:

Nothing is going as planned for Rebecca Muir. She's weeks away from starting college--at a school chosen specifically to put a few thousand miles of freedom between Reb and her parents. But her dad's last-minute job opportunity has her entire family moving all those miles with her! And then there's the matter of her unexpected, amazing boyfriend, Jackson, who is staying behind on the exact opposite coast.

And if that isn't enough to deal with, mere days after moving cross-country, Reb's dad drops shocking, life-changing news. With her mother and brother overwhelmed and confused, Reb is left alone to pick up the pieces of her former life. But how can she do that when everything can change in an instant? How can she trust her "perfect" boyfriend when her own dad let her down? Reb started the year knowing exactly what her future would hold, but now that her world has turned upside down, will she discover what she really wants?

Join the Celebratory Twitter Party at #LBSchat at 5 PT, 8 ET!

Return to Me
by Justina Chen
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013

Poetry Friday: The Brave Spell

Do you see the totz in the tapestry? :~) I loved this movie so much. How about you and yours? Happy Poetry Friday!

"Fate be changed.

Look inside.

Mend the bond

torn by pride."

More, More, More: Who's on First?

Who doesn't love Abbott and Costello's piece, "Who's on First?" Thanks to Quirk, you can bring this classic comedy to your totz. A rabbit and bear stand in for the famous duo and deliver the fun.

John Martz's clean illustrations make the wordplay clear for everyone. Who is a worm. What is a dog, and I Don't Know is a chicken. Everyone will be able to follow the fun, except, of course, Costello. A "Brief History" of the exchange closes the book. Did you recall the long version is in the film The Naughty Nineties?

Enjoy Time magazine's pick for best comedy sketch of the 20th century with John Martz's Who's on First? Your totz will be instant fans.

Who's on First?
by Abbott and Costello
illustrated by John Martz
Quirk Books, February 19, 2013

10 Valentine Friends: Janet Schulman

Valentine’s Day is coming, so ten friends decide that each will make a valentine card from someone special. As we count from 1 to 10, another card is made and added to the group of them shown on the right side of the page. This is a clever concept which reinforces the importance of giving and sharing with others, and I can see this book leading to fun times at home making cards with totz!

One tot creates a card with a slug illustration for a friend who’ll appreciate it:

Annie Lee knows how Pete likes bugs.
He’ll really dig her squishy slugs!

10 Valentine Friends (a holiday counting book)

Author: Janet Schulman

Illustrator: Linda Davick

Alfred A. Knopf, 2011

Poetry Friday: Around the Block with Sesame Street, Elmo and Ricky Gervais

So fun! Have a good nap this Poetry Friday!

More, More, More: La Luna

Did you catch the Pixar short for Brave, La Luna? It was simple, innovative, and enchanting, and you can now hold it in your hands with the picture book release. Enrico Casarosa's story and watercolor illustrations capture the mood of the Disney short, which was, actually, his directing debut.

The only illustration I truly miss is the one where the boy falls through the sky surrounded by stars. I wonder why it wasn't included as a full spread? As an aside, I haven't been able to find the soundtrack by Michael Giacchino. I would like to be able to hear it again and again.

If you loved the short, look for the book for your totz! And let me know if you find the music...

La Luna
by Enrico Casarosa
Disney Pixar, 2012

January Pick For the Older Sibling: Annie and Helen

I was fascinated by Helen Keller when I was a girl, so I was excited to see this new picture book. I hoped it would be a good one that expanded my knowledge about Helen Keller and entertained me. I wasn’t disappointed.

It’s beautifully designed, with numerous sepia photographs of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, on the inside covers. One photo shows them finger-spelling. Another shows Helen reading a Braille book, and still another shows her with her dog, Jumbo.

The story itself is engaging and thorough with just the right amount of information to satisfy. By means of excerpts from Annie’s letters, we learn even more about Helen’s progress and struggles.

The hand signs for the manual finger alphabet signing are shown in a text illustration. I loved the tactile addition on the back cover, which is printed with the Braille Alphabet, complete with raised dots for A to Z.

Annie and Helen

Author: Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrator: Raul Colon

Schwartz & Wade, 2012

Big Kid Pick: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

I know it's hard to believe, really hard, but I picked this picture book up and read it without realizing who the author was. Seriously. I knew Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs was my Big Kid's Pick by the last page and then continued laughing when I turned back to the cover and discovered the brilliance, again, was Mo. (How did I not recognize the illustrations? I don't know.)

You have to love three dinosaurs visiting from Norway, who go Someplace Else and don't wait for an unsuspecting kid to come by, a "poorly supervised" Goldilocks. She eats three bowls of chocolate pudding, finds three chairs which are too tall, and finally discovers she's in a dinosaur home.

There are echoes of James Marshall throughout this gem. I absolutely loved this work. Don't miss it! It's one of my favorites of 2012. Thanks, Mo!

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
by Mo Willems
Balzer + Bray, HarperCollins

Everything Goes, Stop! Go!: Brian Biggs

I'm a new fan of Brian Biggs! These sturdy board books feature cars and fun people demonstrating opposites and counting. Everything Goes, Stop! Go! and 1 2 3 Beep Beep Beep! both have an underlying humor just waiting for the giggle.

My favorite illustration in Stop! Go! is "Loud Quiet." How perfect to use the ice cream man's truck to illustrate loud while a mother pushes a stroller for quiet? 123 Beep Beep Beep! features a similar ice cream truck on the "6 Food trucks" spread.

Biggs is current, fun, and bright. You and your totz will love his work!

Everything Goes, Stop! Go! A Book of Opposites
Everything Goes, 1 2 3 Beep Beep Beep! A Counting Book
by Brian Biggs
Balzer + Bray, HarperCollins

Photo Friday: Happy Holidays!

Joan and I wish you and your totz a marvey holiday season!

Goose Needs A Hug by Tad Hills

 Goose Needs A Hug opens with Tad Hills’ familiar Goose character announcing to his friends:

I’m feeling sad.

I think I need –

Without waiting for Goose to explain what he needs, his friends jump in with suggestions that they hope will cheer him up. Normally, a game of hide and seek or splashing in puddles might be just the ticket to make Goose feel better. But in the end, Goose becomes a little frustrated, insisting:

NO! I NEED—

Finally his friends listen. And once they understand, they give him just what he needs--a hug. And that's something we can all use now and then. The idea that totz should be comfortable asking for a hug when they need one is a lovely one to reinforce, and I hope totz will grow up knowing that they can always ask dear friends for a hug even when they're grown up!

With pages of 6x6.5 inch sturdy-cardboard and simple, colorful pages with a population of sympathetic childlike characters who fill much of each page, this board book will stand up to many re-readings and occasional unsanctioned tastings by totz.

Goose Needs A Hug
Author-illustrator: Tad Hills
Schwartz & Wade, 2013

Poetry Friday: Polar Bear Night

Joan and I don't usually post a second time in support of a work, but this one I love so much. I'm sharing a phrase from Polar Bear Night for Poetry Friday. Enjoy it with your totz!

The little cub leaves her warm,
soft mother, so deep asleep.
She sets out for the snow and sky and
sea and ice, and the moon follows.

Beautiful! May your day and night be filled with poetry.

Polar Bear Night: Lauren Thompson

Don't you love when the perfect picture book is released in a board book format, and it reads so well? The awarded Polar Bear Night is that book!

Lauren Thompson's text is elegant and poetic while Stephen Savage's lino cuts are brilliantly refined. The textures brought to the story enrich the tale.

When "the night is keen and cold," a baby polar bear is called out of the den, away from the sleeping mother. While the walrus, seals, and whales sleep, as well, the baby and moon watch the stars begin to fall, lighting up the world.

This could be my favorite board book of the year. Text and imagery will light up your heart. Thank you, Cartwheel. Bravo!

Polar Bear Night
by Lauren Thompson
illustrated by Stephen Savage
Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 1/1/13

Photo Friday: Baby Lights

Beautiful, yes? Spot on, Amy Tripple Photography. Happy Photo Friday!

Happy Holidays from Chronicle

Sweet holiday wishes from our beloved Chronicle!

BOB and 6 more Christmas Stories: Sandra Boynton

This is a true board book with small, sturdy pages. What makes its form different from a typical board book is that the seven stories (BOB plus 6 more) are made easy to find by tabs on the right.

I’m a Sandra Boynton fan, and this book does not disappoint. It begins with:

BOB

I have a tiny reindeer.

He says his name is Bob.

He likes to enterain me.

He says it is his job.

(To the very end of this two-page tale, the narrator still believes Bob is real, despite his sister’s nay-saying.)

The seventh story is actually a song. Christmas Lullaby comes with accompanying 1-page sheet music, in case you want to play it with your tot. This one is soft and sweet. The third and final stanza:

Good night, my little present,

and always peace to you.

I’ve nothing more to ask for—

You are my wish come true,

Oh, you are my wish come true.

A fun and lovely book sure to please parents and totz!

BOB and 6 more Christmas Stories

Author-illustrator: Sandra Boynton

http://kids.simonandschuster.com/

Poetry Friday: African ABC, Around the Block with Sesame Street

I have always loved this from Kermit. It's so relaxing, isn't it? Happy Poetry Friday!

readertotz co-founder celebrates new Goddess Girls book!

 

Goddess Girls #9: Pandora the Curious releases today!

This is the first in the series to release in both paperback and hardcover in the US. 

My awesome co-author Suzanne Williams and I put a modern spin on the Greek myth of Pandora's Box in this story, which is set at Mount Olympus Academy, where gods and goddesses hone their mythical skills.

Pandora the Curious

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Aladdin paperbacks / Simon & Schuster

ages 8-12

Is Pandora about to open up a box of trouble?

One of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy, Pandora is famous for her mega quizzical nature--not that she thinks there's anything wrong with curiosity of course!

Her curiosity kicks into high gear when a godboy named Epimetheus brings a mysterious box to school. Pandora can't help but take a peek inside this new box when it unexpectedly lands in her lap. What could be the harm in that, right? Little does she know that opening the box will open up far more trouble than she ever expected!

Countasaurus: Megan E. Bryant

Don't you love a passion for a subject, combined with spot on text, and perfectly appropriate cheerful illustration? This describes the Chronicle dinosaur series by Megan E. Bryant, illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell. The works include: Countasaurus, Shapeasaurus, Colorasaurus, and Alphasaurus.



I have to say my favorite is Countasaurus. There's a simplicity as the reader counts to ten, ending in the surprise of 50 Tyrannosaurus Rex's teeth. Colorasaurus is evocative with open wide spreads to showcase color: "The cool, blue water ripples as Triceratops takes a drink." Shapeasaurus is sophisticated with its introduction of crescents, cones, and diamonds. The most complicated is, of course, Alphasaurus with each letter presenting a dinosaur in the midst of a sentence full of alliteration. This particular text will keep your totz' attention to an older age.

Powell's illustrations are a delight. She manages to portray the dinosaurs with cheerful smiles. There's no room for fear in the collection. Joan and I let out a dinosaur roar for this grouping!

Countasaurus
Shapeasaurus
Colorasaurus
Alphasaurus
by Megan E. Bryant
illustrations by Luciana Navarro Powell
Chronicle Books

Fa La La: Leslie Patricelli

Fa La La is adorable! And it's wonderful to see a Christmas book featuring Leslie Patricelli's exuberant baby character. This is the Christmas timeline from a tot'z perspective, with spot-on humor:

We put on the lights. 
(Mom and Dad setting up the tree with lights)

Look at me! I'm a Christmas tree!
(Baby nearby, self-adorned with a popcorn-string boa and a few ornaments)

Fa La La is a true board book with sturdy pages and a 7x7" format. I like that the last spread is full of small illustrations of Christmas items with labels (reindeer, stocking, present, etc.). As a tot, I remember poring over this kind of spread with relish. The art is beautiful and the style is perfectly suited for totz.

Fa La La
Author-Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Candlewick, 2012

Photo Friday: Happy Thanksgiving, Totz!

Pinterest

Happy, happy Thanksgiving, to our parents and totz!

Goodnight Moon, Cloth Book: Margaret Wise Brown

So what do you think? The cloth version seems a perfect, soft touch for your totz. I was excited to see this new edition from HarperCollins. But, they've reduced the classic to three spreads, and I wonder if there's a retouch to Clement Hurd's illustration of the fishing rabbit picture above the bookcase. For clarity, if I'm right? With the reduction of pages, the cadence of the original is sacrificed, yet, the rhythm can be found in what is included:

In the great green room
There was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of-
The cow jumping over the moon

Goodnight room
Goodnight moon
Goodnight light
And the red balloon
Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs

Goodnight noises everywhere

It's almost what you might whisper to your tot as she clutches her blue plush pillow book to sleep. I believe it has grown on me. Look for it, and let us know your take.

Goodnight Moon, Cloth Book
by Margaret Wise Brown
illustrations by Clement Hurd
HarperCollins Publishers

Photo Friday: Bookish Tot

So cute, yes? Thanks, Pinterest. Happy Photo Friday!

November Pick for the Older Silblilng: Dog Loves Drawing

From Louise Yates' previous book, we all know that Dog Loves Books! In this picture book follow-up, Dog receives the gift of a book from his Aunt Dora. It's pages are empty. A sketchbook!  Dog knows just what to do with it:

He pulled out his pens, laid out his brushes, 

sharpened his pencils, 

took a deep breath and drew a

door.

Dog meets newly-drawn friends, goes on an adventure, and makes a narrow escape. This book has broad appeal, especially for totz and their siblings who love drawing. It can serve as a unique vehicle for parents and teachers to engage children in a discussion of art materials and styles as well. 

I really enjoyed this wonderful book! 

Starred Review, School Library Journal

Dog Loves Drawing
Author-illustratog: Louise Yates
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012

Trucks: Debbie Powell

Construction for totz! This "shiny touch" book is a super-sturdy 7x7" board book with tactile embossing and shiny stuff covering some areas.

Crash, bang
goes the dump truck.

Whirr, whirr
goes the cement mixer.

What are they building? Turn to the last page to find out. Sure to be a favorite among totz!


Trucks
Author-illustrator: Debbie Powell
Candlewick, 2012

Poetry Friday: Around the Block with Sesame Street, Patrick Stewart

Oh, Patrick Stewart! We love your soliloquy! Happy Poetry Friday, parents and totz!

More, More, More: Show Me a Story!

Leonard S. Marcus says, "Our favorite picture books speak to us at the start of life and continue to speak to us for the rest of our lives." So true!

I encourage parents of totz to sit down with a cup of coffee and Show Me a Story! Why Picture Books Matter, and listen in as Leonard interviews 21 of the world's greatest illustrators. From Sendak to Wells, McCloskey to Steig, you'll feel as if you are at the table listening in to an expert discuss his passion with the passionate illustrator, himself or herself.

Gems are uncovered with each page turn. Behind the scenes anecdotes flesh out your favorite picture books. It's amazing how many illustrators give a nod to Charles Schultz. How many admire and look to each other for inspiration. Surprises include Mo Willems:

"I'd rather be a craftsman than an artist. An artist waits for an audience to understand his or her work. But a craftsman tries to understand the audience."

While other notes confirm your thoughts, such as Vera B. Williams' clear aim:

"The thing I'm most interested in doing as an illustrator is to make emotion visible."

Thanks to Candlewick Press and Leonard S. Marcus for sharing this treasure with lovers of picture books. The content, moments in time, words exchanged, thoughts shared is invaluable.

Show Me a Story!
Why Picture Books Matter
Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators
compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus
Candlewick Press, 2012

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin: Tad Hills

Duck and Goose, the irrepressible team, spot Thistle carrying a pumpkin. The search is on for their own great gourd.



The journey takes the two to a log, a leaf pile, and up an apple tree. They look under water and on a stump. The reader almost expects flaps to appear on the spreads of this traditional search.

It's Thistle who tips Duck and Goose off, finally, that they might look in the pumpkin patch. Your totz will have fun staying one step ahead of the inquisitive, naive duo. Celebrate the season with Duck and Goose and a pumpkin from your local patch!

Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin
by Tad Hills
Schwartz & Wade

Photo Friday: Jack Skellington Tot

Too cute from Pinterest. Perfect totz photo for the season! Happy Photo Friday!

October Big Kid Pick: Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books

There are times when we want to stop and say, "Thank you! Thank you, publishing house for collecting and reprinting our memories!" This is one of those moments. Many thanks go to Random House, Golden Books for collecting the  Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books. It's like walking back through childhood where we can also find broad image influences on current illustrators' work.

Mary Blair was the conceptual artist for several Walt Disney films: Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. Her touch is found around both Disney World and Disneyland. And of course her dolls dance through "It's a Small World" ride.



Her flat, modern style with unusual color choices and open white spaces will appeal to the older sibling of your totz today. So find this treasure and enjoy Baby's House, I Can Fly, The Golden Book of Little Verses, The Up and Down Book, and selections from The New Golden Song Book. Relish this collection with Joan and me!

Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books
Random House Books, A Golden Book
August, 2012

Where's Ellie?: Salina Yoon

What tot doesn't love hide and seek? In this 7x7" sturdy board book, totz will go seeking Ellie the elephant, who is hiding somewhere among the pages. The die cut at the right side of the book allows Ellie's trunk to be seen, leading totz onward past colorful objects. They won't find Ellie at first, but will be rewarded with each turn of a page by finding something familiar, yet unexpected. In each scene, there's a bit of Ellie peeking out, but it isn't until the last page that totz finally find her. What fun!

Another innovative book by the talented Salina Yoon. Another Yoon favorite of mine is Find My Feet, also published by Robin Corey Books.

Where's Ellie?
Author-illustrator: Salina Yoon
Robin Corey Books, 2012

Photo Friday: Totz in Costume

Caught these from Pinterest. Enjoy a safe holiday with your totz!

Count, Dagmar! 123: J.otto Seibold

Dagmar is ready to throw a party, and he's counting his way through the event. Of course you only need one castle, but how about two bats, five silly monsters, and eight pumpkins? Each piece of the upcoming party hides behind a colorful flap, raising anticipation.

Totz will enjoy this holiday board book concluding with...ten billion pieces of candy. There's a number to explore, especially with candy!

Count, Dagmar! 123
by J.otto Seibold
Chronicle Books, 2011

Photo Friday: Robot Happiness

Here's a fun image I composed for Photo Friday. Enjoy it with your totz!

Mine!: Shutta Crum

Three words can say a lot in this 7x7" sturdy board book: "Mine" (often used); and "Oh!" and "Woof" (each a single use.)

Two siblings--a very young tot and an older tot (pictured on cover)--star along with a puppy co-star. In the first few pages, the older tot claims everything in sight with the word "Mine!" This situation is very true to life and totz will get it and enjoy the realism.

Baby-tot walks for the first time in wobbly baby-steps across a spread. Where's he headed? For his sibling, whom he claims with the single word: "Mine!"

A really sweet book that totz will enjoy.

Mine!
Author: Shutta Crum
Illustrator: Patrice Barton
Knopf/Random House, 2011

Poetry Friday: Sing it, Elmo!

Take it away for Poetry Friday, Elmo!

Star Wars 123

Always count on me to recommend a Star Wars spin off. I can't resist! I mean, how fun is it to count with your totz as you introduce them to Yoda, Han, and Ewoks? Star Wars 123 from Scholastic is a large board book with great visual impact. The reader counts to ten, but extra spreads follow. Don't you want to see 25 different aliens, 50 droids, and the startling image of 100 stormtroopers? It all starts with 1 Jedi Master.

Each and every character is shiny against a matte background, while the cover title is foil. Every number is drawn with a texture from the spread. 8 is white and hairy: "These are the galaxy's eight scariest creatures!"

I want to see the companion Star Wars ABC. I can only imagine...

Star Wars 123
Lucas Books
Scholastic, July 2012

Poetry Friday: Eric Whitacre's Goodnight Moon

Oh, isn't this so gorgeous? Eric Whitacre, thank you! Listen in to Hila Plitmann sing. Happy Poetry Friday!