Poetry Friday: Tree

Did you see Tree by Britta Teckentrup in 2015? The Peek-Through Picture Book is a great pick for Poetry Friday. First readers will follow the seasons illustrated through changes to and around one tree.

"Birds flit through the leafy bowers.
The forest is abloom with flowers.

Birds are singing, foxes play.
Summertime is on its way."

Watch the changes with owl through the pages' clever die-cuts. Happy Poetry Friday, readertotz!

Tree, a Peek-Through Picture Book
by Britta Teckentrup
Doubleday, 2015

Poetry Friday: The Maine Coon's Haiku

Happy Poetry Friday, readertotz! Today's feature is The Maine Coon's Haiku, and Other Poems for Cat Lovers by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Lee White. Flat, textured graphics, with a print-like quality achieved digitally, illustrate each cat haiku. Alternating between Outside and Inside, pick your favorite and read more about the breed in the back matter.

Scottish Fold

wind-whipped magnolia

cat's pink-petal toes--the last

to drop from its boughs

Be ready for beautiful language and exquisite imagery.

The Maine Coon's Haiku, and Other Poems for Cat Lovers
by Michael J. Rosen
illustrated by Lee White
Candlewick Press, 2015

More, More, More: The Owl and the Pussy-cat, and Further Adventures

My favorite poem growing up was "The Owl and the Pussy-cat." Edward Lear wrote the "picture poem" for a sick child of close friends. Recently voted Britain's favorite poem, it dances through generations. A new edition, illustrated with Charlotte Voake's gentle watercolors, has been released by Candlewick Press. In conjunction is the picture book, The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat. Author Julia Donaldson was raised on Lear and re-immersed herself in his work to write this text, also illustrated by Voake.

When a crow steals the ring from the end of Pussy's tail, another journey begins. Watch for other Lear characters to make appearances such as the Pobble who has no toes, the Jumbly Crew, and the Dong with a luminous Nose.

What an honor to be asked to write a sequel for such a beloved poem. Well done, all, in these two releases!

The Owl and the Pussy-cat
by Edward Lear
illustrated by Charlotte Voake
The Further Adventures of the Owl and Pussy-cat
by Julia Donaldson
illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Candlewick Press, 2017

Poetry Friday: Love is

Happy Poetry Friday! How about a little love in time for Valentine's Day? Find Diane Adams' work Love is, illustrated by Claire Keane (developmental artist for Tangled and Frozen). The work is retro-fresh and rendered in Photoshop. Diane shares the concept of love with first readers by describing the love between a girl and a duck.

"Love is holding something fragile,
tiny wings and downy head.

Love is noisy midnight feedings,
shoe box right beside the bed."

Chaos, comfort, loss, and reunion are all featured. This is a beauty. Love from us to you!

Love is
by Diane Adams
illustrated by Claire Keane
Chronicle Books, 2017

More, More, More: An Artist's Alphabet

An Artist's Alphabet by Norman Messenger is a visual feast. In watercolor and pencil, objects, animals, people, and the environment assume the shape of each letter of the alphabet. Six interior images can be seen here.

Inventive, gentle, dynamic, and intriguing, the art will capture both the adult and totz' attention. A through Z.

An Artist's Alphabet
by Norman Messenger
Candlewick Studio, 2016

More, More, More: Frederick Douglass, The Lion Who Wrote History

Are you ready for a masterpiece? Combine Walter Dean Myers with illustrator Floyd Cooper and have the two present a picture of Frederick Douglass. There is so much beauty in this picture book collaboration: Frederick Douglass, The Lion Who Wrote History, I can't convey the breadth.

Meyers begins:
"This is the story of how one man's careful decisions and many accomplishments not only made his own life better but in many ways changed the history of America."

With a meaty text from Meyers, Cooper's illustrations are both realistic and stylized in his oil on board paintings. There's a flickering glow in each spread. Unique perspectives invite the reader into Douglass' actions.

This work should not be missed. It should be awarded.

Frederick Douglass, The Lion Who Wrote History
by Walter Dean Myers
illustrated by Floyd Cooper
HarperCollins, 2017

Nighty-Night and Hair: Leslie Patricelli

Always, always I cheer when Leslie Patricelli offers up a new board book. This round is Nighty-Night and the hilarious Hair.

In Nighty-Night, baby takes us through the evening ritual. A string of couplets helps march your reader to bed. My favorite:

Bye-bye, pants.
Naked dance.

In Hair, it's time for baby to have a haircut. For one hair, that is. "I have a hair!" baby says, then goes on to explain all that must be done for its care. Gender neutral, baby is ever adorable. The book concludes with examples of diverse kinds of hair.

Thank you for two more baby books, Leslie! We heart you!

Nighty-Night
Hair
by Leslie Patricelli
Candlewick Press, 2017

Poetry Friday: I Love You, Honey Bunny

A sweet first board book for readertotz is I Love You, Honey Bunny. With perky, soft ears which poke out of the top, this is a sure cuddle.

"You're sweeter than the sweetest little honeybee.
You fill the world with love--you're amazing to me."

Happy Poetry Friday to you and your bunny!

I love you, Honey Bunny
by Sandra Magsamen
Scholastic

More, More, More: Muhammad Ali

For the older sibling of your readertotz, I suggest Muhammad Ali, A Champion is Born. Written by Gene Barretta, with dynamic illustration by Frank Morrison, the picture book is a strong tribute to the forces and fortitude which shaped Cassius Clay.

Beginning with one knockout after another, the story continues to show good following difficulty. From one stolen bike, one champion grows, a role model for a generation.

"I had to prove you could be a new kind of black man. I had to show the world."

Add this strong work from Katherine Tegen Books to your collection.

"Impossible is nothing." Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, A Champion is Born
by Gene Barretta
illustrated by Frank Morrison
Katherine Tegen Books, 2017

Please, Mr. Panda: by Steve Antony

How often do we wish there was an award for the very best in books for first readers? Often! This is why readertotz proposes The Dorothy Kunhardt Award for Outstanding Board or Novelty Book be awarded by ALA. Today's recommend would have been a contender for 2015. Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony is unique and adorable and unexpected.

Various black and white animals approach Mr. Panda who is offering a colorful donut from his box. To each he changes his mind: "No, you cannot have a doughnut. I have changed my mind." Penguin, skunk, ostrich, and orca are offered donuts but then denied. Your readertotz will be delighted when the lemur arrives on scene.

Don't miss this wonderful release from Cartwheel Books. Please?

Please, Mr. Panda
by Steve Antony
Cartwheel Books, 2015

The Nutcracker: Jack and Holman Wang

Did you take your readertotz to The Nutcracker over the holiday? If so, or maybe if you intend to in the future, you might revisit or introduce the ballet with Cozy Classics, E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker. Text and felt art are by Jack and Holman Wang.

Your first readers can consider the nutcracker gift, sleep, the mouse, and more. Each half-spread is detailed and memorable. The complexity is there for the older child, the simplicity for the younger.

What a beautiful holiday book to add to your child's collection. Cozy up with Cozy Classics. This season, chose The Nutcracker.

Cozy Classics
E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker
by Jack and Holman Wang
Chronicle Books

Top Shelf: Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout

Top Shelf is my new name for the very best that crosses my path. Here is the very best, collected by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out! is perfection. The author has compiled stories, songs, and games from her African American childhood. With wonderful research, she shares variations that twirled from person to person.

I found so many verses and chants ringing from my own jump rope days. The variances were fascinating. It is obvious the illustrations were "pure joy" to Brian. He said, "The images danced from my hand onto the page."

This collection preserves history, offers opportunities for growth and development, and brings happiness to readers. Here is beauty and brilliance. Thank you to the author, illustrator, and Schwartz & Wade Books. Bravo!

Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin & Turn It Out!
by Patricia C. McKissack
illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Schwartz & Wade Books, 2017

The Christmas Story: Robert Sabuda

Honoring the awe of the Christmas narrative is Robert Sabuda's The Christmas Story. The beautiful text is illustrated with exquisite pop-up art. The work is so intriguing you will likely want to display it. The scene of Bethlehem and the Magi are grand. Actually, the entire work is grand.

Smaller hands will be able to negotiate the page turns, but the illustrations are layered, cut-paper and will need care.

Thank you, Robert and Candlewick. You have brought light into the world.

The Christmas Press
by Robert Sabuda
Candlewick Books, 2016

Poetry Friday: My Snow Globe

Here's a board/novelty book perfect for a snowy Poetry Friday! The cut-aways, use of transparency, and textures are clever invitations into a snow globe world.

"Shake, shake. Swish, swish.
Close your eyes and make a wish.

Follow the footprints in the snow
to find out where the animals go."

My Snow Globe
by Megan E. Bryant
illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Cartwheel Books, 2016

Love, Happy, Together: Emma Dodd

I'm giving a shout-out to all things Emma Dodd. Publisher Nosy Crow loves her, as do we, and they invest in her creations with high production quality. Each of her books is a joy to hold and share with readertotz. In Love, Happy, and Together, in perfect rhyme, the parent assures that in every circumstance the child is beloved. With each reading, you will be doing the same.

Find Emma Dodd and build your own library. The added foil embellishments echo the respect that should be given to love and first readers. (Look for Forever and Wish, as well.)

Love
Happy
Together
by Emma Dodd
Nosy Crow

Poetry Friday: Seeking a Santa

You can enjoy a catchy rhyme and introduce your readertotz to Santa in this board book for first readers. Angela Diterlizzi's fast-paced text outlines how to recognize the jolly character in Seeking a Santa. Are you one yourself, maybe? Allie Smith's illustrations pop with strong color and a black outline when contrast is needed.

This is a perfect pick for a holiday Poetry Friday! Take a look:

"Crave milk and cookies
Have a belly that jiggles
Love humming and whistling
and carols and giggles"

Let's all share and spread cheer as we love our children and read to them this season. Happy holidays!

Seeking a Santa
by Angela Diterlizzi
illustrated by Allie Smith
Little Simon, 2016

Poetry Friday: Because of an Acorn

A beautiful poem for the love of the forest which builds upon itself and circles back. Enjoy Because of an Acorn today with your readertotz. Happy Poetry Friday!

Because of an acorn,
a tree.
Because of a tree,
a bird.
Because of a bird,
a seed.

The illustrations are fresh and full. Such beauty!

Because of an Acorn
by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer
illustrated by ran Preston-Gannon
Chronicle Books, 2016

The Itsy Bitsy Pilgrim: Jeffrey Burton

You can celebrate Thanksgiving right alongside the itsy bitsy pilgrim this year. With a rhyming text from Jeffrey Burton and soft illustrations from Sanja Rescek, the mood will be set for a day of thanks.

The Itsy Bitsy Pilgrim board book shares the story of a mouse who sails on the Mayflower to a new home. There he helps build the community and makes new friends. All come together in a thankful meal.

Echoing the nursery rhyme "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," your totz will likely recognize the adjectives and rhythm thereby endearing this book even more. Here's to your Happy Thanksgiving with your itsy bitsy readertotz!

The Itsy Bitsy Pilgrim
by Jeffrey Burton
illustrated by Sanja Rescek
Little Simon, 2016

Pete the Cat: I Can Draw

James Dean has brought step-by-step instructions for you and your totz to enjoy drawing Pete the Cat. You'll recognize his world and experiences as you learn to draw supporting objects and characters as well. The big 160-page workbook gives plenty of space for practice. You'll want your own copy for the family so you can draw straight in the book. Go have fun with this groovy cat!

Pete the Cat, My First I Can Draw
by James Dean
HarperFestival, 2016

Poetry Friday: I Love Hugs and Kisses

So many occasions for hugs and kisses. Especially with panda, felt, flap arms and ears on this board book cover. Happy Poetry Friday to you and yours!

Hug me when we take a walk.
Kiss me when we quack and talk!

Hug me when we go to the zoo.
Kiss me when I have a boo-boo.

I Love Hugs and Kisses
by Sandra Magsamen
Scholastic, 2016