Yeah, yeah. So it might be narcissistic of her but the Bear’s new favorite pre-bedtime ritual is hearing me read aloud from the book I am writing about, well, her. And her sister. You see, I offer something Steig, Sendak, Yolen, and Krosoczka don’t and can’t. Sure, they’ve got talent […]
Amelia Bedelia isn’t for everyone. The old “I Can Read” books from the early 60’s to the early 00’s feature the tall protagonist in period clothes, servant-attire more specifically, and the stories can be dreadfully elongated. Still, there’s a good bit of fun in the taking-everything-literally Bedelia story arcs, it […]
With a name reminiscent of a Don Caballero song title, picture book legend Eric Carle is set to release a retrospective tome of sorts and, in addition, launch a brand new accompanying exhibit at the Massachusetts museum bearing his name. The Art of Eric Carle: The Artist Who Painted a […]
Hildegard the hippo loves to sing opera and dreams of the spotlight. But really, who doesn’t? When her opportunity finally comes, there’s just one teensy weensy problem: she loses her voice. Murphy’s law apparently applies to immense African mammals too. That’s kinda reassuring, isn’t it? The story of Hildegard reminds […]
SEA MONSTER’S FIRST DAY by Kate Messner Illustrated by Andy Rash Being the new kid, or monster, in school can be a terrifying, misery-inducing experience. I think most of us bigger folk who’ve progressed through some kind of school system can relate to the feelings of isolation, despair, and fear […]
MARTY MCGUIRE by Kate Messner Illustrations by Brian Floca It’s no secret I’m not into princess culture. Neither is the precocious 3rd grade girl Marty McGuire. But when Annie, her best crayfish-catching bud, strays to the dark, er, pink side and when her confidence, energy, and strong voice lands her […]
Ever read a book with a story more interesting than it’s story? Huh. In 1986 a pair of author/illustrators wrote a children’s book together with just four words repeated throughout. So what you say? One was American, the other Russian. And 1986 was smack dab in the midst of the […]
The Princess Arabella Wants To Play iPad storybook app, based on the books by Mylo Freeman, is a captivating long-form story complimented by bold watercolor paintings that’s as engrossing as any traditional children’s book we’ve read recently. That there is some subtle interaction – shake the device and tree monkeys […]
