Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda

Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda is one of those books that made me look twice.   The second I saw these cute little pigs staring at me I instantly broke out into a smile.   When I looked at it closely I was thrilled to see it was a fun retelling of a classic fairy tale.   Not only is this a sweet story but it is interactive too.  I would love to sit and read this with a child on my lap....to ask them to act like the wolf and "huff & puff"...would be so cute.   I can even see reading this at story time.   The end of the book is sure to induce claps and squeals....a great new read aloud for even the littlest one in your life.

Reference Sunday: Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh!

According to sources today is Winnie the Pooh's 90th birthday.  So in his honor I thought I would suggest some great Pooh books that speak of his wisdom----because if you can't trust a 90 year old who can you trust???






Positively Pooh: Timeless Wisdom from Pooh
by A.A. Milne published by Dutton.   Really cute book with quotes like:

" Good Friends are Always Pleased to See You!"  so true!







Pooh's Little Instruction Book by A.A. Milne published by Dutton.  I always thought Pooh was perfect for this format!








The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff is more of an adult book----well it is an adult book.  But that doesn't mean I can't recommend it for today.   I always thought it was a wonderful way to help explain Taoism....not that I understand it but I got out it through this book is that we should all be more like Winnie the Pooh---living in the moment.  

Flashback Tuesday: Rap A Tap Tap by Leo & Diane Dillon

Today is the birth anniversary of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson the celebrated tap dancer immortalized in the famous folk song "Mr Bojangles".   This was always one of my brother Michael's favorite songs.   Whenever I hear it I think of him.  Bill Robinson was a an incredibly generous man who sadly died destitute.  He brought joy to so many that would be a shame not to remember him on his birthday.


Rap A Tap Tap by the Dillons is beautifully illustrated book that received a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and it is a remembrance and homage to an important figure in American cultural history.   The fans of the Dillons will appreciate the artwork as they are always brilliant.  This is a great introduction to early American music.  

Friday Fun Book!

Today is my niece Celia's birthday~she is in college now but I still think of her as the little girl I used to sing and read to.   I thought in honor of her birthday I would talk about some of the books she always liked to read.  A couple books I have mentioned before but it doesn't hurt to talk about them again.

Giant John by Arnold Lobel  ~last fall I was so happy to see that they reissued this book.   It was always one of my favorites.   I loved to read it Celia, she got a kick out of him dancing with the fairies and knocking the castle down.   She also thought the picture where he finds his mother ready to eat a shoe quite hilarious.   This is a great book to read aloud. 

Sweet Dream Pie by Audrey Wood illus by Mark Teague ~ I don't usually recommend books that are not being published anymore but if you can find this book you won't be disappointed.  I first read this book to Celia before it was officially published.   I had what is called an "F&G" which means "Folded & Gathered".  Basically a book that has not been bound yet.   She loved to read it when she visited.   She always went to the drawer in the guest room to pull it out.   It is a shame it isn't readily available anymore because it too was such a great read aloud.

Over the Rainbow  by E.Y Harburg ~this is a new book that I never read to my niece but I did always sing her the song before she went to bed.   It was one of the songs she always wanted me to sing to her.   I was excited when this book came back because it brings back so many wonderful memories.

The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola ~ I read this book over and over to her when she was little.   As soon as I finished she would ask to hear it again.   It is a wonderful Christmas story told by a wonderful storyteller.

Lastly I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Harry Potter books by JK Rowling.   I am not going to list them as I don't think that is necessary but I will tell you they were Celia's biggest obsession growing up.   Once she got into them she couldn't get enough.   She even listened to it on CD when she went to bed.  I went to many a midnight party with her so she could get the books and took her to a few of the movies.  When I think of Harry Potter I think of her.  

These are just a few of the books that I think of when I think of my niece but they bring back wonderful memories.

Happy Birthday Celia!

Party Animals by Kathie Lee Gifford illus Peter Bay Alexandersen

Normally I am wary of any celebrity book.   In all my years in the book business I have seen many a celebrity children's book come and go.   I have seen good  books from such celebrities as  Jaime Lee Curtis, John Lithgow or  Henry Winkler ~to name a few .   I have also seen some bad....which I am not going to name.

All week long I have been watching the Today show talk about Kathie Lee Giffords new children's book.   I was very skeptical ~which is my nature.   I thought I had better check it out (basically I was curious-which is also my nature).   Anyway I stopped by a local independent  bookstore where Ms Gifford had just done a signing.   Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Party Animals by Kathie Lee Gifford & illustrated by Peter Bay Alexandersen is actually very good.  It is not  overly wordy  and it has a great read aloud sensibility.  She got it right~it isn't a vanity piece but a story for kids to enjoy. I also like that she plays to her strengths and makes it a song.    I liken it to John Lithgow who didn't write his first children's book, The Remarkable Farkle McBride,  as a book but rather as a way to teach the orchestra to children.   I always admired him for that.  Party Animals  has that same quality about it only this time it is teaching children about accepting our friends for who they are. Which is always a good lesson. The illustrations are a great match to the words.  Mr Alexandersen really captured the characters he has drawn.  Again ---it is nice to be pleasantly surprised....

Bella The Birthday Party by Mandy Stanley

Bella the Birthday Party by Mandy Stanley was such a great find. It is also perfect to write about today as Spring begins. It is also perfect because today is my little friend Grace's 7th birthday. This book has Grace written all over it, she loves bunnies (her Mom had a cute one for awhile) and tutu's too. This is the story of a little bunny, Bella, who comes across a birthday party and not only joins the fun but saves the day too.

This is the perfect book for any little girl in your life. It is such fun to read aloud and talk about. It also makes a great gift because it has a grand look but at a great price.

Happy Birthday Grace!