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Children’s Time

Misty — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:54:35 +0000

So, this morning when I was perusing IMDB (which for the record I do ALL OF THE TIME) I saw new film stills from the Dr. Seuss film adaptation of “The Lorax” and thought, “Wow…my kids are going to just eat this up!” Which got me to thinking. Most of you have kids too. So, in a moment I would like to refer to as “pure freaking genius” (and the fact that I don’t have my book review for today written yet) I decided to share. I mean really…who the hell doesn’t like Dr. Seuss?! So here it is…a look at “The Lorax” Enjoy!

“He’s shortish.
And oldish…
And brownish. And mossy…
And he spoke with a voice…
that was sharpish and bossy.”

“The big, colorful pictures and the fun images, word plays and rhymes make this an amusing exposition of the ecology crisis.”—School Library Journal.

Movie Stills

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Movie Trailer

Through The Looking Glass

Misty — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:49:31 +0000

Evening everyone!!! Tomorrow I will have a review for you, but today I thought I would bring you a Tiny-Tot-Tuesday.

I found this book in a grocery store yesterday (on sale for $6.00 …woohoo!) and thought WOW, what a crazy interesting book. You have the story, but it is laid out in such a unique way that it makes the book itself into a journey. Every time you flip the page there are secret letters in these tiny little envelopes for you to pull out and read, maps to explore, hidden treasures to find. It is not for the tiniest of your children, but if you have a little curious cat around you this one is a fun one to explore.

Princess Alyss of Wonderland

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Publisher Comments:

Feast your eyes on the collected memorabilia of the real Alyss! This lavishly illustrated scrapbook includes:

Alyss embattled correspondence with Lewis Carroll
Actual annotated manuscript pages from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, as well as the early reviews of the book
A flip book given to Alyss by John Tenniel, the original illustrator of Carroll’s whimsical tale
Journal entries and detailed drawings describing the indelible mark that Wonderland left on the young Alyss
Removable letters that the princess wrote to her loved ones back home
And a playable deck of cards created by Alyss to battle the imposter Alice.

This is a book for fans of fantasy and of the bestselling ology books, for Lewis Carroll scholars, and especially for young girls in search of a fresh, new, princess story.

Synopsis:

Enter the exciting world of the real Alyss of Wonderland Behold the stunning proof that the fictitious little girl you have known as Alice was actually a very real little princess named Alyss. Assembled in this scrapbook are the collected letters, journals, and art of the princess who fled her world of wonder only to find herself alone in our world with nothing but her imagination to sustain her. Lavishly illustrated and fully interactive, this book will captivate and delight princess enthusiasts and fans of the original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The Secret Life of Hippos

Misty — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:46:51 +0000

Afternoon! I got a little off of my schedule being sick and I apologize, so before I post today’s Tiny Tot Tuesday – here is the review rundown for the next few days. Wednesday – “The Judge, ” Thursday – “Leap”, Friday – “Whisper” Saturday – “Paper Towns” (whew…that’s a lot of books.) anyways, here’s a cute one for your little ones.

Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on.

Hippos Go Berserk

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Amazon.com Review

How dull, to be one hippo all alone… until the one calls two other hippos on the phone. Soon three more hippos are at the door, bringing along another four. Before the night is through, a houseful of hippos (and one beast) has joined the one hippo for a boisterous bash.

All through the hippo night,

Hippos play with great delight.

But at the hippo break of day,

The hippos all must go away.

In clusters of nine, eight, seven, six, and so on, the hippos depart, finally leaving the one hippo “alone once more, [missing] the other forty-four.”

The well-loved Sandra Boynton wrote this tribute to silliness in 1977, inspiring generations of the very young to learn to count. Lively, cute new illustrations complement this edition, with big numbers (one through nine, and nine through one) boldly placed on the corner of each page. The sturdy board book will withstand lots of eager counting fingers, and maybe even a berserk hippo or two. Boynton’s familiar style can be seen in scads of other delightfully nonsensical titles, including Barnyard Dance! and Moo, Baa, La La La!. (Ages 3 to 7) –Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

One of the silliest, most fun counting books around features “One hippo, all alone, calls two hippos on the phone,” until a gang of 45 hippos assembles for a party.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Bedtime With A Twist~

Misty — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:28:41 +0000

Hello All! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a Tiny Tot Tuesday, but I saw this while shuffling around my watering hole the other day and thought: “How in the world can I deny small children the pleasure of a parody?” So without further ado…

Goodnight Goon

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From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—Imitation can indeed be sincere flattery, as Rex proves in his slightly eerie reworking of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s classic bedtime tale. The young bunny has been replaced by a little monster, but he still wears striped pajamas as he lies in his bed and says good night to his surroundings. “In the cold gray tomb/There was a gravestone/And a black lagoon/And a picture of—Martians taking over the moon.” The parody is clever, matching original verse with rhymes that seem unforced and appropriate for the new setting: “Goodnight skull/And goodnight shoe/Goodnight creature/Goodnight goo/And goodnight to the old werewolf hollering ‘Boo.’” Rex’s color drawings create a monster child’s bedroom filled with the same late-evening light of Hurd’s illustrations. The book ends on the same peaceful note as the original. A clever offering just right for graduates of bedtimes with Goodnight Moon.—Kathleen Whalin, York Public Library, ME Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

A clever offering just right for graduates of bedtimes with Goodnight Moon. –School Library Journal

Let The Journey Begin!

Misty — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:25:25 +0000

Happy Thursday everyone! I’m going to deviate a little from the norm today, but only slightly. For those of you that have been following me for a while now you know that I am an advocate for children’s literacy. I think that children and teens can learn more than just HOW to read by picking up a book, but also how to LIVE. Each Thursday I recommend a book for the slightly older kids in your life and this Thursday is no different, only this time, instead of just posting the synopsis for the book I’m suggesting you share with your kids… I’ve actually read it and am going to share my views on it.

“Kevis Hendrickson” sent me a copy of “The Legend of Witch Bane” a few weeks ago and I was excited to get it. Not because I had ever heard of it but because I love adventure, and once I finally found the time to read it…boy it was so much more than just an adventure, it was an experience.

Kodobos, Anyr, and Laris are only children, but when a terrible curse causes their homeland of Kalden to lapse into a permanent slumber, these 3 very determined and very different siblings take it upon themselves to find out what happened. Discovering that the evil High Queen Rhiannon is behind their towns horrible fate they set out on a quest to topple her kingdom and bring peace to their lands, but what starts out to be a hike in the woods quickly turns into an epic battle for their lives. Can these 3 tiny souls find the strength they need to free their people? How in the world will they ever defeat so many minions and what exactly IS the legend of Witch Bane?

“Kendrickson’s” ability to weave “known fairy tales” with a new and exciting plot line was genius, and his attention to the tiny details that make adventure books come to life was equally flawless. Here is an author that dared to ask the question…can a child save the world? Each of the main characters had their own individual personality and he used their weaknesses and strengths to feed the plot line. Children’s fantasy is (admittedly) difficult to write, there must be an equal balance of impending doom and life lessons and “The Legend of Witch Bane” spouted both with perfect form.

There were ice breathing dragons, ogres who think they are giants, greedy treasure stealing dwarfs, children who never grow old, a mysterious spirit, and so many battles it was actually hard to keep track of them.

This is a must buy for your Tiny Tots and Tween! Turn off the TV and give them the adventure of a lifetime…inside of their imaginative little minds.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: When THIS worlds got you down…step into a NEW one.

For a Complete Book Description Click Image

***** (5/5)

Book Trailer

Pink-A-Boo!!

Misty — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:36:34 +0000

I know I missed Tiny Tot Tuesday last week, so this week I’m bringing you a doozie. “Pinkalicious” has taken the world by storm! If you have small children, and have left your house or even watched commercials at all in the last month, you know that McDonald’s has recently jumped on the pink bandwagon making their happy meals pink friendly. Think that’s not enough? Well…what about “Pinkalicious The Musical” that is being performed by the SoHo playhouse which… also boast a “Think Pink” workshop! It’s time to stop denying your little “Pinkerbells” their pink fix.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Pinkalicious

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–Pinkalicious eats so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. The color just won’t wash off, and the doctor diagnoses her with Pinkititis and tells her to eat green food to get better. Still, when her parents aren’t looking, she sneaks just one more treat–and turns red. Startled, she starts to choke down her veggies and finally returns to normal. When everything seems okay, Daddy asks what happened to the other cupcakes, and Pinkalicious’s little brother bounds into the room with one in hand, happily showing off his new pink skin. The final Pink-a-boo! is sure to garner smiles. The computer-generated collage pictures are bold and appealing and will draw readers into the story. Although the main character is a bit obnoxious, children will be amused by her obsession with pink sweets. Reminiscent of David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes (Scholastic, 1998), Kann’s lighter confection is a pink lover’s dream come true.–Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. A little girl recounts her rainy-day adventure with pink cupcakes, which she ate and ate until she turned pink herself. “I’m Pinkerbelle!” she sings, crying tears of delight as she admires her raspberry-hued complexion. Her mom takes her straight to the doctor, who prescribes lots of green food. But she cannot resist another cupcake or two, and her delicate pink skin tone deepens to an angry red! Horrors. She proceeds to choke down everything green she can find (relish, brussels sprouts, grapes, even a cup of acid-green tea). Just as the formerly “pinkalicious” girl returns to normal, her little brother, now quite rosy, shouts “Pink-a-boo!” The digitally created artwork, featuring busy collage elements and big-headed, vacant-eyed figures, won’t win any awards, but the fun premise (and cotton-candy-hued, glitter-dusted jacket) will guarantee an audience. Pair this with David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes (1998). GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Hocus Pocus!

Misty — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:21:26 +0000

For all of the younger paranormal fans out there… here is a spell book for the little ones. Happy Tuesday and remember: Reading is contagious… pass it on!

Spells

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From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 4—As in Wolves (2005) and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears (2007, both S & S), Gravett continues her playful focus on the book as physical object. Here a small green frog transforms an old book of spells into a pirate ship, its torn pages serving as sail, flag, telescope, and water. As the amphibian cavorts through ripped-up incantations, he finds a scrap that reads: “Spell to Become a Handsome Prince.” On the ensuing spreads, the frog’s attempts to line up the proper magic words and phrases are depicted on the verso, while on the recto, split pages lead to increasingly hilarious results. Thus, the jumbled spell may read, “Into the cauldron these words cast Hoppity, Fluffity, Carrotozabbit. Stir three times and out spells…R/ABBIT” (or “R/AKE” if one turns only the lower portion, revealing the snake’s posterior, now supporting the head of a rabbit). The initial letter or blend resides in the top half-page; the remaining letters are on the bottom. The spells reconfigure, too. The controlled palette is comprised of parchmentlike cream, pale green, and yellow, and occasional glittery stardust. While the frog’s wish does come true, it is undone when he fails to read the fine print—a condition clarified only on the endpapers. This tour de force of design and detail is guaranteed to delight all ages, especially those just learning how to…spell.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library END

A 5 Yr Olds Motto

Misty — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:27:09 +0000

Happy Tiny Tot Tuesday! I should have the review for “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms” ready to go for you tomorrow, but until then…here is a funny little ditty with a fantastic lesson for your little ones!

Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on.

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—Reiss and Catrow team up again for another humorous picture book. Edward, a “frightful boy,” will not share any toys with his younger sister. When she touches something, he cries, “IT’S MINE. MINE. MINE!” Overcome by greed, he gets stuck in his tangle of toys and misses the opportunity for homemade fudge. Claire, not one to hold grudges, helps free her brother and shares her chocolate. After Edward apologizes profusely, the siblings spend the day playing happily. The rhyming text is pleasant but flawed. Edward’s dramatic character shift is hard to believe, and one wonders why he doesn’t shout “help” when his mother is nearby. Catrow’s colorful, amusing illustrations are the highlight here. With every viewing, readers see additional delightful details, such as a blow-up Frankenstein doll drinking tea from a dainty cup and a cat whose stripes match the easy chair. The varying perspectives of the children and the toys add to the fun. Edward’s sour, grumpy expressions are exaggerated and comical; children learning to share will belly laugh even as they see a reflection of themselves. Overall, this would be a good addition to early childhood collections.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

Edward has oodles of toys but doesn’t share any of them with his little sister, Claire. She cannot ride his rocking horse, hug his teddy bear, or even think about touching his Slinky.

“They’re mine!”

he says. That is, until one day when Edward finds himself stuck under his enormous pile of toys and can’t move! With a little help from an unlikely ally, he learns that if he can share with others, they’ll share right back with him.

Mike Reiss’s wickedly funny verse and David Catrow’s remarkable gift for comic illustration make this one book you’ll want to share—again and again!

Gotta Get Me Some Of Those Glasses

Misty — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:17:38 +0000

It’s Tiny Tot Tuesday…and you know what that means! Grab a good book and cozy up on the couch with your kiddos. Here is one sure to keep you entertained!

Happy Reading and remember: reading is contagious…pass it on!

Velma Gratch & The Way Cool Butterfly

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Product Description

IT’S HARD TO BE VELMA entering first grade. That’s because everyone has marvelous memories of her two older sisters, who were practically perfect first graders, and no one even notices Velma. But all that changes on a class trip to the butterfly conservatory, a place neither of her sisters has been. When a monarch roosts on Velma’s finger and won’t budge for days – no one will ever forget it . . . or her!

Kids will enjoy reading about everything butterflies, from migration to metamorphosis, as they follow Velma’s own transformation.

About the Author

Alan Madison is the author of some very funny books for children, including The Littlest Grape Stomper, and Pecorino Plays Ball. He lives in New York City.

Kevin Hawkes has illustrated the New York Times bestselling Library Lion and My Little Sister Ate One Hare. He lives in Gorham, Maine.

Flies…Yummy!

Misty — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:35:38 +0000

Hey everyone… sorry this post is so late in the day but technology and I had a little bit of a disagreement, needless to say – Technology won. So, better late than never here is a cutie for your little ones.

Happy Reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Green Wilma

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From Publishers Weekly

There’s something decidedly odd about Wilma: at breakfast, her parents are startled by their offspring’s request to “Pass the bugs”; later, she shocks her teacher by snagging a “tasty little fly” with her long pink tongue. Most noticeably, however, Wilma’s skin has turned a deep, froggy green, a fact that her polka-dot T-shirt and beribboned blond hair cannot conceal. In this strange and gleeful story, it’s surprisingly easy being green–the extraordinary heroine is the envy of her elementary-school class. Arnold’s rhyming text is as buoyant as his leaf-colored, rubbery-limbed protagonist; his roly-poly, bug-eyed characters perfectly suit the story’s quirky theme and manic action. Squiggly, threadlike lines–suggestive of handmade paper–cover every surface in the richly colored illustrations, subtly adding an unusual softness and depth. Though some youngsters may be puzzled by the book’s conclusion, this gifted picture book creator ( No Jumping on the Bed! ; The Signpainter’s Assistant ) has taken his talents in a quirky, unconventional direction with this tale, which takes daydreaming to new and zany heights. Ages 4-8. A Children’s BOMC selection.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2– When little Wilma awakens one morning, she discovers that she has turned green and developed a fondness for eating flies. Her horrified parents don’t know how to deal with her, so she hops to school. There she demonstrates her dodgeball skills, but gets in trouble after flicking her tongue on the teacher’s nose and chasing flies through the lunchroom. Of course the adventure turns out to be a dream–but the dreamer, as it turns out, is a frog, not a girl. Arnold’s breezy humor shines through in the illustrations, especially in his goggle-eyed people who must be the stuff of amphibian nightmares. The rhymed narration is adequate, but the amusing tale’s success derives from the unexpected twist and the slapstick comedy embodied in the pictures. –Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Worm Therapy!

Misty — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:57:01 +0000

Happy Tiny-Tot Tuesday… here is a cutie for the little ones in your life. Nothing screams “Kid” like worms and dirt. Oh! and just in case you feel like getting wild with your kiddo purchases there is also “Diary or a Spider” and “Diary of a Fly”

Happy reading and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Diary of a Worm

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Amazon.com Review

Doreen Cronin (Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type) and cartoonist Harry Bliss (illustrator of A Fine, Fine School) shed a whole new light on a creature that spends most of its time underground: the earthworm. Written in diary form, this truly hilarious picture book tracks the ins and outs of a worm’s life from the perspective of the worm family’s young son. Take June 15′s entry: “My older sister thinks she’s so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end. Spider thought that was really funny. Mom did not.” Except for the fact that he can’t chew gum or have a dog, the boy likes being a worm. He never has to go to the dentist (“No cavities–no teeth, either”), he never gets in trouble for tracking mud through the house, and he never has to take a bath. As long as he can remember Mom’s rule “Never bother Daddy when he’s eating the newspaper,” all is well. Bliss’s endearing cartoonish illustrations of anthropomorphized worms are clever visual punchlines for Cronin’s delightfully deadpan humor. For example, “June 5: Today we made macaroni necklaces in art class” sounds normal enough until you see the worms wearing one piece of macaroni around their necks, taking up a good part of each worm’s body. Children and adults alike will adore this worm’s eye perspective on the world. (Ages 6 and older) –Karin Snelson

From School Library Journal

Pre School-Grade 3-A baseball-capped crawler gives readers an episodic glimpse into the vicissitudes of his life in these hilarious diary entries. Difficulties such as having no arms, having a head that looks a lot like your rear end, and facing the dangers imposed by people digging for bait are balanced by a loving family and good friends. The young protagonist describes playing with his friend Spider, engaging in a variety of activities at school, and interacting with his parents and sister. Packed into these droll slice-of-worm-life vignettes are a few facts about earthworms and their behavior, all rendered with a dry sense of humor. The full-color watercolor-and-ink illustrations sprawl across the pages in lush earth tones. Bliss’s cartoons give the worms lots of personality without overly anthropomorphizing them. The use of multiple perspectives will have children eagerly looking at the pictures to identify objects and locales. Primary-grade youngsters will especially appreciate the classroom scenes. This quirky worm’s-eye view of the world makes these ubiquitous invertebrates a little more understandable and a lot more fun.
Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha’s Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Hi My Name Is Dot!

Misty — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:00:22 +0000

Here’s an inspirational one for your bitty bots… happy reading and remember: reading is contagious…pass it on!

Shaoey and Dot

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Product Description

Shaoey & Dot: Bug Meets Bundle is an endearing tale told from the point of view of one little ladybug, Dot, who happens upon a mysterious bundle one sunny day. Dot stays with the little bundle as she is carried to the place where babies come to be found and promises to stay with the little one throughout her journeys toward getting a family. Written by Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth, this heartwarming tale is inspired by the true story of their adoption of three little girls from China and is a story of hope and faith for all families who have been blessed by a lost little bundle of love.

Girls, Wings and Tiaras!

Misty — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:39:42 +0000

Happy Tuesday!! Here is a cute one for the girls. Enjoy and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Bella and the Royal Fairy Wedding

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Product Description

Princess Jasmine is getting ready to marry the Fairy King. There’s just one problem–where’s the crown? Forgetful Fairy Bella put it somewhere, and now she can’t remember where. Will she find it in time?

Complete with a wearable glittery crown perfect for a fairy princess, lift-the-flaps on every page, and a spectacular pop-up spread, Bella and the Royal Fairy Wedding will charm and delight young children.

Peeeee Uuuuuu

Misty — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:30:08 +0000

Hello my fellow Kindle-ites… I’m sorry I haven’t posted a review recently, but I have been caught up in an unexpected medical whirlwind. That being said… I did in fact finally finish the book I was reading and will have a review ready for you tomorrow. Until then… Happy Tuesday, here’s one for the Tiny Tots in your life.

Smelly Locker – Silly Dilly School Songs

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From School Library Journal

Grade 1–5—The “Silly Dilly” duo is back again with an irreverent, entertaining commentary in song about school life. From an ode to the odiferous contents of a smelly locker (sung to “Frère Jacques”), to a selection bemoaning the complexity of math, 14 ditties set to well-known tunes capture the absurd, laughable commonalities of the school experience from a student’s point of view. Other subjects include the “Lost and Found,” a post-recess visit to the nurse, the horrors of cafeteria lunches, class-picture day, test stress, and “I Don’t Want to Do Homework!” (to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”). With exaggerated features and hilarious body language, Catrow’s expressive cartoon characters capture the bizarre and ridiculous elements of the text. Imaginative, witty details fill the illustrations: portraits of “ABE” and “GEO W” (that’s George Washington) hang on the wall; math problems instead of numbers indicate a clock’s time; random art and inexplicable phrases (“3Z–4 Shut the Door”) fill chalkboard computations; and anticipated vacation fun abounds at “Camp GonnaKetchaItcheeRash.” A few syllables may fit awkwardly with the tunes, but for fans of the other “silly dilly” songbooks or newcomers, this one is sure to please.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Panda Yoga!

Misty — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:25:14 +0000

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! Hope life is treating you well. Here is a brand new ditty for you and little adventurers!

Now…On a side note, my inner child scolded me on Saturday, as I was perusing my favorite little book joint, I have decided to quit ignoring the more impressionable of age groups… 8-12. So, starting next week, Thursday’s blog post will now be dedicated to bringing the world of adventure and love of reading to a somewhat older crowd. (this one is going to take a little more research on my part, so if you have any handy suggestions… bring it on.)

Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites, and remember: Reading is contagious…pass it on!

Zen Shorts

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From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4 – Beautifully illustrated in two distinct styles, this book introduces readers to a Zen approach to the world, wrapped in a story about three siblings and their new neighbor, a panda. One by one, the children visit Stillwater, enjoying his company and listening to him tell a brief tale that illustrates a Zen principle. Each time, there is a link between the conversation shared by Stillwater and his visitor and the story he tells; it’s somewhat tenuous in regard to the two older siblings, quite specific in the case of Karl, the youngest. The tales invite the children to consider the world and their perceptions from a different angle; for Karl, the panda’s story gently but pointedly teaches the benefits of forgiveness. Richly toned and nicely detailed watercolors depict the “real world” scenes, while those accompanying the Zen lessons employ black lines and strokes on pastel pages to create an interesting blend of Western realism and more evocative Japanese naturalism. Taken simply as a picture book, Zen Shorts is interesting and visually lovely. As an introduction to Zen, it is a real treat, employing familiar imagery to prod children to approach life and its circumstances in profoundly “un-Western” ways. An author’s note discusses the basic concept of Zen and details the sources of Stillwater’s stories. Appealing enough for a group read-aloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, Zen Shorts is a notable achievement. – Coop Renner, Hillside Elementary, El Paso, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. –This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* K-Gr. 3. Like The Three Questions (2002), Muth’s latest is both an accessible, strikingly illustrated story and a thought-provoking meditation. Here he incorporates short Buddhist tales, “Zen Shorts,” into a story about three contemporary children. One rainy afternoon, a giant panda appears in the backyard of three siblings. Stillwater, the Panda, introduces himself, and during the next few days, the children separately visit him. Stillwater shares an afternoon of relaxing fun with each child; he also shares Zen stories, which give the children new views about the world and about each other. Very young listeners may not grasp the philosophical underpinnings of Stillwater’s tales, but even kids who miss the deeper message will enjoy the spare, gentle story of siblings connecting with one another. Lush, spacious watercolors of charming Stillwater and the open neighborhood will entrance children, as will the dramatic black-and-white pictures of the comical animal characters that illustrated Stillwater’s Zen stories. Muth doesn’t list sources for the tales, but his author’s note offers more commentary about Zen. Stillwater’s questions will linger (Can misfortune become good luck? What is the cost of anger?), and the peaceful, uncluttered pictures, like the story itself, will encourage children to dream and fill in their own answers. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved –This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Tiny Superheros Are Everywhere

Misty — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:21:41 +0000

Happy Tuesday!!! For those of you looking for a great last minute gift idea for the little ones in your life, here is a cute little book that incidentally is a part of a larger series. I promise I will post a review tomorrow (for those of you that are lost without my witty banter) I actually have it ready today, but I like to keep things on a schedule (Stupid OCD!) So until tomorrow enjoy this little gem!

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy

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From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Lulu is back in this companion to Ladybug Girl (Dial, 2008). Taking on the guise of her superhero alter-ego (including a red tutu and spotted wings), she makes her own fun on the way to the playground by leaping over sidewalk cracks and counting to infinity. However, once she and her mother arrive, Ladybug Girl faces a new challenge: she wants to play with her friend Sam, but they can’t agree on what to do. Lulu is frustrated at first, but then suggests playing the Ladybug Girl game. Sam, clad in yellow and black, quickly turns into Bumblebee Boy, and the two “zoom around…looking to help anyone in trouble.” When two girls ask to join in, but both want to be Butterfly Girl, Ladybug Girl tactfully defuses the situation by saying, “If we’re going to play together…we don’t fight each other.” One youngster agrees to be Dragonfly Girl and the Bug Squad flies again. Like the previous book, this offering paints a realistic picture of the daily struggles in a youngster’s life. The conflict and resolution ring true, as does the dialogue. The lesson is clearly stated, but not heavy-handed. The cartoon illustrations are bright, expressive, and beautifully presented. Pair this book with one of Mini Grey’s “Traction Man” titles (Knopf) for a superb superhero storytime.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

At the playground, Lulu asks her friend Sam if he wants to play with her. Sam likes Diggers, while Lulu thinks Monkeys is the best game. Sam suggests playing under the castle, but Lulu knows that the top is the most fun. They just canÂ’t agree! And then Lulu asks, Â“Have you ever played Ladybug Girl?Â”

As Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, Lulu and Sam save the playground from hairy monsters and big mean robots, and have their very own parade on the bouncy dinosaurs. They figure out that when they work together, they can create fun games that they both like to play.

Unleash Their Imagination!

Misty — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:27:15 +0000

A book to open up your little one’s minds…happy reading!!!

The Curious Garden

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Product Description

One boy’s quest for a greener world… one garden at a time.

While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world.

This is an enchanting tale with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations that become more vibrant as the garden blooms. Red-headed Liam can also be spotted on every page, adding a clever seek-and-find element to this captivating picture book.

Tiny Tot Tuesday!

Misty — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:48:56 +0000

It’s that time again!!! Here is one for the little ones in your life. Don’t forget, reading is contagious…pass it on.

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From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 1–Fucile makes a hilarious debut with this picture book. After playing all kinds of games, reading comic books, and baking enough cookies to feed a small country, two boys agree to do nothing for 10 seconds. When Sal, the older child, tells Frankie that they are going to sit in chairs and pretend to be statues in the park, the younger boy’s imagination runs wild and ruins the moment. He envisions a flock of pigeons clustering about his stony self and shoos them away. This only frustrates Sal, who tries again and again to think of ways for the two of them to remain absolutely still. Frankie is unable to get this right, always imagining something that causes him to move, from a small dog relieving himself on the boy’s giant redwood self or King Kong climbing his Empire State Building self and stealing his eyeglasses. In the end, when Frankie can no longer hold his breath or keep from blinking, Sal gives up. Relieved, Frankie has a suggestion. The story is told mainly through the zany artwork. Clear, cartoonlike illustrations alternate between generous spreads and vignettes set on white backgrounds. Done in ink, colored pencil, and acrylic, the pictures capture the universality of the moment through the boys’ animated body language, Sal’s imperious glances, and Frankie’s increasing exasperation.–Adrienne Wilson, Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, Monroe, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

Don’t move! A master of animation explores the elusive art of doing nothing in this comical tale of two very active imaginations.

Frankie and Sal have already played every sport and board game invented, baked and eaten batches of cookies, and painted a zillion pictures. What’s left to do? Nothing! Ten seconds of nothing! Can they do it? Can they act like stone statues in the park? Can they simply hold their breath and not blink an eye? With a wink to the reader and a command of visual humor, feature film animator Tony Fucile demonstrates the Zen-like art of doing nothing…oops! Couldn’t do it!

Famous Last Words

Misty — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:35:59 +0000

In an effort to support continued reading development in small children…here are 2 new book suggestions for you’re bitty bots! Happy Reading!

No, David!

David Shannon

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Amazon.com Review

Parents will be quick to jump to the conclusion that there can be nothing appealing in a tale of an ugly kid who breaks things. And certainly–from that adult perspective–there’s something off-putting about the illustrations of David, with his potato head, feral eyes, and a maniacal grin that exposes ferociously pointed teeth. But 3- and 4-year-olds see things differently, and will find his relentless badness both funny and liberating. “No, David,” wails the off-stage mother, as David reaches for the cookie jar. “No! No! No!” as he makes a swamp out of the bathroom. “Come back here, David!” as he runs naked down the street. Each vivid double-page illustration is devoted to a different youthful indiscretion and a different vain parental plea. Readers will be amused to know that the protagonist’s name is no accident: award-winning writer-illustrator David Shannon wrote the book after discovering a similar effort that he had made, again with himself at the center of each drawing, at the age of 5. (Ages 3 to 6) –Richard Farr

From Publishers Weekly

In this boisterous exploration of naughtiness, Shannon (How Georgie Radbourne Saved Baseball) lobs one visual zinger after another as David, a little dickens, careens from one unruly deed to the next?coloring on the walls, tracking mud all over the carpet, jumping on the bed in red cowboy boots. Meanwhile, all those timeless childhood phrases echo in the background: “Come back here!” “Be quiet!” “Not in the house, David!” and most vigorously?”No!” Shannon’s pen whisks over the double-page spreads in a flurry of energy, as he gains perspective on an image of a bare-bottomed David cavorting down a quiet suburban street or closes in on the boy’s face as he inserts a finger into his triangle nose, his button eyes tense with concentration, and perfectly round head looming larger than the pages. While Shannon gives David the purposeful look of a child’s crude drawings, his background settings (the kitchen sideboard, a toy-littered TV room) are fully rendered, effectively evoking the boy’s sense of displacement. This dead-on take on childhood shenanigans ends on a high note, with the penitent David (he broke a vase with a baseball) enfolded in his mother’s arms as she assures him, “Yes, David, I love you.” Readers won’t be able to resist taking a walk on the wild side with this little rascal, and may only secretly acknowledge how much of him they recognize in themselves. Ages 2-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

David Goes To School

David Shannon

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Amazon.com Review

David, the out-of-control monster-child from David Shannon’s Caldecott Honor Book No, David! is back… and ready to disrupt the class. Shannon remembers the word “no” all too clearly from his childhood, and, as he says in his introduction, “It seems that kids haven’t changed much over the years, and neither have school rules, some of which date back even further than the invention of sneakers.” In David Goes to School, young David shows up late to class, goes wacko at the blackboard, chews gum in class, yells answers out of turn, pulls pigtails, stares out the window, cuts in line, has a food fight (“I don’t care who started it!” says the teacher), lingers at recess, and draws on his desk. Colorful, hilarious, childlike illustrations examine our strangely appealing demon-boy at eye level, which is especially disgusting as David stretches an enormous mass of bubble gum from his pointy-toothed maw. After an intense day of exuberant misbehaving, however, he stays after school and washes all the desks until they sparkle. The day ends with a gold star and a pat on the head… something that any child (or adult) would find satisfying. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by David Shannon. Courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.) (Ages 2 to 6) –Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

He’s b-a-a-a-c-k! And better than ever. The rascal first unleashed in No, David! returns to wreak havoc in the classroom. Whether he’s goofing off at the blackboard (“Sit down, David!”), cutting in line at the cafeteria (“Wait your turn, David!”) or drawing on his desktop (“That’s it, Mister! You’re staying after school!”), David is clearly a handful. But when his teacher gives him a chance to redeem himself by cleaning the desks at the end of the day, he rises to the occasion (“Good job, David!”) and receives a gold star. Shannon foreshadows trouble right from the title page: the teacher stands in front of her desk, feet firmly planted, arms crossed and looming so large that her shoulders, neck and head don’t make it onto the page. As in the previous book, the adult voice provides the text, but her person is confined to the periphery of the action. David, meanwhile, with his round head, triangle nose and wide grin of pointy teeth, is the pinnacle of boisterous boy-energy. His antics take center stage visually while his teacher’s words act as the perfect foil for each spread. After David cuts the cafeteria line, for example, the next illustration shows food splattered all over the walls, floor, David and the boy who was formerly at the front of the line; the two boys point at each other and the text reads, “I don’t care who started it.” The exaggerated shapes and slightly cartoonish poses of an array of students in all-too-familiar situations will have youngsters crowding together over the book at recess. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.