New Beginnings.......

Life seems to be always handing us new beginnings.  I have never liked August because it still gives me that back to school feeling.  But in a way even though the summer is ending the first day school was a new beginning.  It turns out every morning or day or week or month is a new beginning.

I have missed writing this blog, even if I knew that no one was reading it.  It gave me my connection to children's books that I have always loved.  No matter where I am or what I do if I see a book especially a children's book I need to see what it is and what it is about.

This past year has been busy and stressful....work combined with finding a forever home has consumed me.  When in early May the children's books in The Met Bookshop were shelved in the main shop I was so happy.  I was again close to the books I loved.  Not that I don't love all the books in the shop but my heart is happiest when I am recommending a children's book.

So many wonderful books have come into the shop.  Here are a few that I have loved reading and recommending.......

The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by 

Anna Llenas from Sterling Publishing is a great book that not only teaches about colors but about feelings as well.   A fun story-time book.  

Rosa's Animals: The Story of Rosa Bonheur and Her Painting Menagerie by Maryann MacDonald is a beautiful book that tells the story of painter and sculptor Rosa Bonheur.  I love finding out about artists I never knew about especially women artists.  There are so few who are celebrated and Rosa should be celebrated.  Her life and work is inspirational.  Her artwork is extraordinary! 

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art From The Metropolitan Museum of Art edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins

I would be remiss if I didn't write about a book based on artwork from where I work.....but even if I didn't work at The Met I would recommend this book. The artwork is accompanied by new poems that were commissioned just for this book.  Poets were asked to write about works that inspired them.  A wonderful collection for every  library.  

Stone Giant: Michelangelo's David and How He Came to Be by Jane Sutcliffe illustrated by John Shelley

This month The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened a spectacular exhibit called:
Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman & Designer.  It is a wonderful exhibit that was years in the making. I think the reason it is so wonderful and intriguing is that most people know or think they know who Michelangelo is or was.  The exhibition shows all the work it took for  him to become legendary.  I wanted to showcase one of the books for children we are selling in the shop.  It is a great introduction for a child especially if they plan to visit the museum.

Stone Giant: Michelangelo's David and How He Came to Be by Jane Sutcliffe and illustrated by John Shelley tells the story of the creation of Michelangelo's iconic statue of David.  This wonderful book really shows Michelangelo's process in creating art.  I can only repeat what I wrote earlier that this is a perfect book to introduce and teach a child about a classic artist everyone loves.  A must have for the little artist in your life....

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant illus by Melissa Sweet

I love doing research for new books.  I am constantly on the look out for a new book that will excite me.   I was going through publishers online catalogs when I came across today's book.   I loved the title and the cover but had never heard of Horace Pippin.   The great thing about how online catalogs have evolved is that we can now see inside the books ----not just read the copy on the page.   What I found fascinating about Horace Pippin was that I did know him by his art,  I just never caught his name before.

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin written by Jen Bryant and illustrated beautifully by Melissa Sweet (she is a favorite of mine) is a great picture book biography of an American artist with a truly inspiring story.  When I read about this book I got curious so I looked up his art and realized I had seen his work before.   This is a great book to read to children to not only introduce them to great art but to teach them that if they persevere they can do anything.   Horace Pippin's story is inspirational because he was able to overcome serious injury just to regain what he loved to do best.  Jen Bryant weaves her words to tell us the story of a man who  loved  drawing and how after being disabled during WW I he fought to regain his abilities.   I love how Melissa Sweet's illustrations complement the words and Mr Pippin's art as well.   His paintings are distinctive, thought provoking and very diverse.   He is a true American Master.   This is a must have book for any child's library.

He was born on February 22, 1888 so tomorrow would be the anniversary of his birth ~ which makes it a perfect time to celebrate his life.  

Flashback Tuesday: Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt

While wandering around the library I saw some books on display about Edgar Degas, the famed artist.   I realized that today is his birthday.  I remembered a book I loved that told the story of his famous sculpture, Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.   Sadly my favorite book about Degas was not on display...luckily I can recommend it here today~

Degas and the Little Dancer by Laurence Anholt has always been one of my favorite biographical picture books.   It came out in a time when there weren't that many books like it.  This beautifully illustrated picture book told the true story of how a famed artist created an iconic sculpture.  When I was in the stores I liked to read it during a ballet story time, especially if there were older children in the group.  I also always recommend it to anyone looking for a ballet book as a gift.   It is the perfect book for little ballerinas everywhere.   A classic book that spawned others but is still timeless today.  

Reference Sunday: Jesus by Demi

Jesus by Demi is a beautiful book to talk about on the Sunday before Christmas.  I have always loved Demi's work.  Her books are more than just books but works of art.   There are so many books to read to children about the birth of Christ but I think this one is for the whole family.   It has a sense of reverence about it that takes the Christmas story to another level.  It is not a typical Christmas book but one that should be read as it truly brings us back to "the reason for the season".  

Flashback Tuesday: The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett

Today is the iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright's birth anniversary.   He was born June 8, 1867.  For my weekly Flashback Tuesday I thought I would talk about a great mystery book for kids that takes place in one of the homes he designed.


The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett is a great book for older kids that mixes art with mystery and problem solving.  When I was a kid I would have loved this book.  I loved it as an adult and I remember when I read it and the previous book, Chasing Vemeer, that I wished it had been around when I was young.   This is a great way to introduce history and art to children without being preachy.   It is a fun book that makes the reader use their brain.   The characters are wonderful and relatable ~ a really great read!  For all who are inquisitive and imaginative at once.....

Happy Birthday Edward Lear!

Today is Edward Lear's birthday.   Most people know him for his nonsense poems but he did much more than that.  He was also an accomplished author and artist.  I am a big fan of his art not just his illustrations.  I love the way he uses light for his landscapes. They are just wonderful.  To celebrate his birthday I am going to suggest his most famous poem that has been illustrated for children.

The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear & illustrated by Jan Brett is a classic poem that has been talked about and imitated.   It is also a bit of a love story.   I love Jan Brett's illustrations because of the detail ~ kids love to look at the these pictures to see what they can find.   A wonderful edition.

Caldecott Medal Winner John Schoenherr 1935-2010

I was saddened to hear of the passing of the Caldecott winning artist John Schoenherr earlier in this month.   It is funny how we just take it for granted that people are going to be around forever.   I thought I would honor him today and talk about his winning book as it has always been one of my favorites.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and illustrated by John Schoenherr won the Caldecott in 1988.   I have always loved this book not just for the sweet story of a girl and her father but because the illustrations are the kind that are so powerful even in their quietness. This is a perfect example of what should win awards.   Mr Schoenherr totally captures the the feelings of walking at night in the snow.   This is one of those must have titles especially as it is about a father and daughter bonding....


I never knew John Schoenherr was also an accomplished commercial artist.   He was more than a children's illustrator but also illusrated Science Fiction novels such as Dune and the covers for Anne McCaffrey's books.  I also was not aware that he is a fellow New Jerseyan.   He also did the covers for Jean Craighead George's Julie of the Wolves, the original cover is wonderful because we can feel the coldness of Alaska. 

John Schoenherr was truly a wonderful artist who contributed so much that he will be missed. 

Hooray for Fall by Kazuo Iwamura

It is still Autumn outside, although stores and malls would have you think it is holiday time. Since it still not yet winter I thought I would tell you of a sweet book with beautiful illustrations about fall.

Hooray for Fall is written and illustrated by acclaimed Japanese artist Kazuo Iwamura. It is the third book in the series that includes Hooray for Snow & Hooray for Spring. While I enjoyed the first two books and thought the illustrations were sweet I really love this new one. I illustrations are rich and inviting. I love the little squirrels in their matching red sweaters, so cute and fun to read. This is a great autumn book to add to any child's library~while your at it all three would be great books to have!

Reference Sunday:Alphab'art by Anne Guery & Olivier Dussatour

Today would have been the great Pablo Picasso's birthday. He was an incredible artist who continues to inspire millions with his art. Pablo Picasso also led a very colorful life which I think might be a prerequisite for genius. I thought of just giving a list of books about Picasso but then thought that anyone could do that.

The object of this blog is to help people choose good books for children. I enjoy giving suggestions and finding answers for people. I also like finding hidden treasures. To that end I found a book that I think would be a great help to anyone wanting to inspire children and educate them on the wonders of art. The book is called Alphab'art by Anne Guery & Olivier Dussatour. It was originally published in France and has been translated into English. It uses 26 pieces of art, one for each letter of the alphabet, to teach not only the alphabet but explanations of the artist and the painting. One letter of the alphabet is hidden in each painting.

It includes great works of art by such artists as the birthday boy Pablo Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, & Dali, as well as Hopper, Klee & many others. I love books like these because they make us realize that there are more to paintings or artwork than meets the eye. Which is why art is so important to the world.

Artists (and I mean any kind of artist including writers) create because they can't help it. True artists create for themselves but we reap the rewards just as much as they do. So Happy Birthday Mr Picasso ~thank you for enriching the world with your genius.