Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox & Judy Horacek

I can't believe it has been a month since I posted last.  I recently went back to work after my winter hiatus and it has been non-stop ever since.  While I loved the warmer winter we had I am not thrilled with this colder and wetter spring.  The first event we held this season is an event called "Sheep to Shaw"...it was a rousing success.  It was a beautiful weekend and there were baby lambs to be seen that the children loved.  In the shop we bring in lots of little stuffed lambs, sheep and animals.  We also bring in a plethora of books.  One of the books is today's recommendation.

Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek a very cute book that we are selling in board book form.  This is a fun book that teaches about color, size, action and reaction.  One of my co-workers brought his four year old little girl to work the other day.  She is so cute that we sat and read this book together.  I do miss reading to little ones and her reactions were perfect.  This is a great story time book that can be read again again.  I love books like this because  it is very interactive between the child and the reader. Sometimes it is the simplest books that can be the most fun.....

The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry illustrated by Sanja Rescek

I have been working for Museum Shop of the Historic Hudson Valley for a few months now.  Since it is a gift shop it sells many things.  While we sell lots of Sleepy Hollow and Washington Irving memorabilia including all of his books, especially the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, we also sell other other things.  Among those "things" are other books.  We have books about slavery because of Philipsburg Manor.  We sell lots of books about the Rockefeller's because of Kykuit (the Rockefeller Estate) plus books about the Hudson Valley etc.  At this time of year (our busy season) we sell lots and lots of Halloween books.  I am always happy to sell anything but whenever customers or visitors buy a children's book I still get a special thrill.

One of our most popular books for the littlest among us is The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry and illustrated sweetly by Sanja Rescek.  It is a small board book that tells the story of a little pumpkin to the tune of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider".  This re-imagining of a beloved nursery rhyme is great fun.

Here is the beginning:

The itsy bitsy pumpkin 
rolled down the spooky street. 
He passed a ghoulish ghost 
and some stinky goblin’s feet. 


So perfect for little hands this Halloween.   The author and artist's have also collaborated  on  I'm a Little Vampire to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot----another  very cute idea.  These are great reads on a Halloween night after a long day of trick or treating....

Ollies Halloween by Olivier Dunrea

The joy of working in a bookstore is seeing new books as they come out of the box.  Yesterday we received a bunch of Halloween titles.   Here is my favorite:

Ollies Halloween by Olivier Dunrea  is a sweet Halloween title for toddlers.   I love Mr Dunrea's Gossie & Friends series.  I remember this book when it first came out in hardcover and thought it would make a wonderful board book. I am thrilled I was right.  These characters and stories are perfect for  the youngest among us.  I am so in love the with the characters and illustrations that I squealed when I saw this book.  I wished I had a little one to buy it for.  This is the perfect introduction to Halloween for the littlest trick or treater. Have I said I LOVE the illustrations? They are so precious and sweet.  A must have new book...

Two great New Board Books: Dive In! and Dig In! by April Jones Prince illustrated by Michelle Berg

It has been a busy summer. So busy I haven't had time to post any new books.   I am hoping to get back into the swing of things.  I have been working part time at a really great independent called Well Read (New & Used) Books in Hawthorne NJ.  It is great because I get see new books and old favorites as they come in the door and onto shelves.  I just really loved today's new board books.

Dig In! and it's companion Dive In! by April Jones Prince and illustrated so sweetly by Michelle Berg are two new interactive board books that are about construction sites.  I have construction on my mind because of all the work that is being done around my neighborhood.  It seems like there is a new detour every day.  Anyway I know how children can be mesmerized by construction vehicles in general so these two books would make great additions to a child's bookshelf.  They have the cutest little mice doing the construction but it is what they are "building" is a surprise at the end.  Easy to read with movable parts that will keep little fingers busy.  Great books to read during a lazy summer's day.                    

BabyLit board books.....

It seems like I haven't posted in ages.   Life certainly gets in the way.   I discovered today's books because I was looking for something different to write about.    I came across these really cute and eclectic board books.   At first I thought it was kind of silly to make board books out of classic literature....but after looking at them I find them quite charming.   Are they for everyone?  Probably not....but I know of a few parents who would think they are a hoot and fun to read to their kids.

BabyLit from Gibbs Smith publishing has four titles to date:

Alice in Wonderland ,  Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Romeo & Juliet are written by Jennifer Adams and illustrated by Alison Oliver.   They are by no means a retelling of he classic novels but take images from the stories to teach colors and counting. When I was a buyer of toddler books I would have loved them.   I also knew that they wouldn't be something I could place in all stores.  These clever little books would be put in select stores because they are part of a niche market.   I personally love the illustrations and since I have read all four stories I would understand the images that are presented.  I think they are a great novelty gift for a new mother, especially if she is a reader and lover of literature.   I just think they are a fun way to introduce classics to kids.  

Flashback Tuesday: Books about Autumn

There is a definite chill in the air and since Autumn starts this week I thought I would suggest some of my favorite books Fall books.   For some reason Fall or Autumn  titles always sold better in than other season.   Winter books seem to do well but mostly if it has a holiday theme.   Like I said today's books represent books I would put out on display....I always liked to mix fun books with informative book....basically something for everyone. 

  

I Love Fall by Alison Inches and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata great little touch and feel board book for the littlest hands.  

Count Down to Fall by Fran Hawk and illustrated by Sherry Neidigh this is a sweet book for ages 4-8. 

Ready for Autumn by Martha Jocelyn is another board book that shows children what to wear in the crisp air....for ages 2-5.

Why Do Leaves Change Color by Betsey Maestro is a classic read and find out book that tells children in a fun way how the leaves on the trees change color.   It includes great activities to do this time of year with leaves etc.  Ages 4-8

Red Leaf Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert is a perennial favorite that should be on every child's bookshelf.  Click on it to read my original post from last year.   

Clifford's First Autumn by Norman Bridwell  is a no brainer for a story time about Autumn....children love Clifford.  It is a fun and easy read.  Ages 2-6  

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass uses wonderful photos to simply tell the story of Fall.  Ages 4-7

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner is for the older child ages 9-12.   I wrote about it when it first came out and still feel it is the perfect read for this time of year.   

These are just a few classic titles and newer/older titles to read this fall....tomorrow some brand new Autumn books to try....

Flashback Tuesday: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by Annie Kubler

In the last couple of days I have met the most beautiful babies.   They were so sweet and cute.   This one little baby looked so familiar to me...although I didn't know him.   Then it hit me, he reminded me of the the little baby on the cover of today's book.   I used to love to sing this song to my nephews and my niece.   

Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by Annie Kubler is a perfect first book for children.  Children like the repetitive nature of the song.  It was always a great way teach babies the parts of their body.  This is a must have book for a new baby.....I loved to hear how babies laugh when we sang this....

oh and the baby I saw yesterday....had overalls just like this too!

Flip, Flap, Fly!: A Book for Babies Everywhere by Phyllis Root illustrated by David Walker

Flip, Flap, Fly!: A Book for Babies Everywhere by Phyllis Root and illustrated by David Walker is a sweet book about baby animals.   It is new in board book form  which is the perfect format  as it lends itself better to little hands.    It is has a soothing and lilting text that can be read over and over again without getting tired.     I love the soft illustrations and cute expressions on all the animals.  A wonderful addition to a toddler's library of books.  

You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis illus by Caroline Jayne Church

Today is my nephew Michael's 13th birthday.   I can't believe he is a teenager.   I remember exactly what I was doing thirteen years ago today.   I was on store visits with my boss in Florida.   It was our last day there and I wanted to come home because I knew my nephew's arrival was imminent.   Although at that point I didn't know he was to be a "nephew".   For some reason every time I traveled with my boss we had some sort of car issue.   In this case it was running out of gas on a major Florida highway and accepting a ride from a stranger to a gas station.   Needless to say I was glad to get home.   I wasn't home for 10 minutes when we got the call that my nephew had been born.   He was such a sweet little baby, I used to love to sit and rock him.   He has always loved music and the one song that I considered "our" song was "You Are my Sunshine"....I would sing it to him over and over again as I rocked him to sleep.   This is why I am suggesting today's book.

You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis and illustrated so sweetly by Caroline Jayne Church is wonderful little board book to share with a child.   It is the perfect new baby gift that will be read over and over again,(or should I say "sung" over and over again)....a must have new baby book that will never go out of style.

Happy Birthday Michael V....may there always be sunshine in your life.....

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg is technically a board book meant for a toddler.   I say technically because it is so much more than a board book.  This is the kind of book that I would give to someone who might be a bit of a perfectionist and who might not see the possibilities a mistake can bring.   The illustrations are quirky and the foldouts are fun but it is the lesson that is most important.   Mr Saltzberg has said in a few simple words that it is better to make the most out of an "oops"----just like the old adage to make lemonade out of lemons.   A wonderful book for all ages......

American Babies by The Global Fund for Children

American Babies by The Global Fund for Children is a wonderful new board book that celebrates babies across our country.    It is a companion piece to Global Babies a 2008 Notable Children's book.   Both titles use photographs of some of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen.   The simple text is perfect to string all the photos together.  The one thing I have learned about babies is that they love to look at other babies.   These are perfect books for little hands.   I also love the fact that part of the proceeds from these book goes to helping children around the world.  Must have books for the babies your life.

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas by Tad Hills

It seems like so many blogs I follow have already started to write about Christmas books.   I have resisted because I always feel that we rush the holiday season.   Besides I like Thanksgiving and feel like it gets lost in the shuffle.   Well I can resist no more....only because this book keeps staring me in the face and I have been dying to recommend it.

Last year I recommended the original Duck & Goose book while talking about books on ducks.   Shortly before that I suggested Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin because I just loved the illustrations.  Well here I go again.

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas by Tad Hills is one of the cutest Christmas books I have seen for toddlers in a long time.   It is a simple story of two friends:  one who likes to just have fun and the other who wants to have fun but only after their work has been done.   It is a fun little book that is the perfect way to let your little one start getting excited for Christmas.  It is a must have for any child's bookshelf....

Perfect Piggies by Sandra Boynton

I can't believe I missed this new release of a Sandra Boynton board book.   Her new board book Perfect Piggies! is just too adorable for words.   I have always loved her books, they are perfect for story times and just one on one time with kids.   I have even gotten them for some adults I know.   I love the sing along aspect of the book and was thrilled that there is a downloadable song that goes with it.   This is just a "perfect" book....(Pun intended).   The cover illustration is priceless and when I first saw it I couldn't help  smiling.   This is a must have for any child especially anyone who loves Sandra Boynton.....






Oh and there is even a Perfect Piggies!Book and Plush Set that makes a
wonderful gift!

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

In honor of the  author Eric Carle's birthday today I thought I would recommend one of my favorite books.   Most people will mention his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is a wonderful picture book which is a shame because he has written and illustrated countless other classics.


The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle is my favorite of his "Very" series because it is the first book my niece Celia "read".    When she was only about two years old she this was the book she constantly picked up to for anyone to read to her.   She heard it so much that she was able to "read" it herself.   Now I put "read" in parenthesis because what she really had done was memorize it and just recited it back to anyone who would listen.   The funny part is she imitated her mother's intonations perfectly.   Whenever I would read this book at story time I always read it like "Celia".....

This is a must have for any child in your life.

Thank you Mr Carle for the great memories and wonderful books ~ Happy Birthday!