Little Humans by Brandon Stanton

Whenever I am on Facebook someone is always posting a photo from Humans of New York. I think they are terrific and thought provoking.  Mr Stanton has totally captured the essence of what it means to be a New Yorker.  Totally wonderful, intriguing and quirky as only a New Yorker can be.

I was thrilled to come across his new book for children called
Little Humans.  I love this book.  Brandon Stanton takes his fantastic photos and makes a great children's book out of them. He creates a book that is perfect for the littlest among us. It is a great read aloud book as well as a learning book. Each photo has a description that fits it perfectly. I like how there are highlighted descriptive words that emphasize what is being seen in each photo.  I think my favorite is the photo that goes along with the phrase "super HERO tough"...it just cracked me up.  I hope this is the first of many books by Mr Stanton for children.  I see a board book version in his future. This is a must have book for any age.....

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I know today's book is not necessarily a new title but I just finished reading it and wanted to share my thoughts.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is considered a Teen Novel.  I think it is much more than that.  I had heard about it but never read it.  Most recently learned that there is a sequel which I hope to read soon.  There is also a film being made with Tim Burton directing.  I stumbled across it in the library and at the last minute added it to my stack of books to check out.

I loved this book.  This is the kind of book I would have read and loved when I was a child/teenager.  The story starts out like any other teenage angst kind of story but quickly develops into the best kind fantasy story.  The kind that makes a reader feel that it could be true.  The characters are wonderful, I really loved the main character Jacob because he sounded like a typical teenage boy.

A long time ago I was part of a panel for the Children's Book Council called Not Just For Children Anymore.  As part of the panel we had to read a selection of children's books ~mostly young readers and Teen novels.  Once we were finished we then set out to decide whether or not "grown-ups" would enjoy them as well as children.  This book would have been on top of my list.  I really loved how Mr Riggs wove his story around an array of old photographs.  The photographs themselves are so interesting to look at that I  too would have wondered how they were made and if they were real.

I used to know someone who loved to take photographs.  He had rigged his own darkroom in a small bathroom in the house.  He also liked to experiment with his photos.  I remember one photo of what appeared to be  a young girl with a small person standing on her hand.  To create this illusion he said was all in the development. When I saw the photos in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children I was reminded of the photos I saw when I was young.  Like I said I have always been fascinated by old photos.....they are glimpse into the past.  I wish this book had been around when I was young because it would have been one of my favorites.  I can't wait to read the sequel Hollow City.  These are must have books for anyone who loves a bit of fantasy tinged with spookiness....

Reference Sunday: Step Gently Out by Helen Frost photographs by Rick Lieder

I was so happy the other day to discover the local library by my office.   It was a beautiful day and I wanted to go out.   I have been neglecting my blog and thought it was time to refresh it.   The Mahwah Public Library is beautiful.  I was not expecting such a large building with a wonderful children's section. The librarians were so nice and helpful too.  I got there just as a story time was a about to start....I really wished I could join in.  I checked out a number of books that I thought would be interesting.

Step Gently Out poems by Helen Frost and photographs by Rick Lieder, published by Candlewick Press was recommended to me by one of the librarians.   She said she loves to read it at story time because the children are fascinated by the photographs of insects and the natural world.   They like to trace the photos and touch the insects....it is so realistic and exquisite.   I am not a bug or insect person.   As a matter of fact I tend to run away from them.   That being said even I was drawn to these photographs....Rick Lieder is truly one of the best nature photographers I have ever seen.   I love Helen Frost's lyrical poems too....so simple but expressive.   This is the perfect book for ages 2 and up....(I say "and up" because I think any age can appreciate this book).   This is a great book for a child who loves to explore the outdoors and a great way to show children the wonder and beauty of the world around them.  I would have loved to give this to my nephews, I always marveled at my sister-in-law Theresa because she never hesitated to pick up creepy crawly things to show her boys when they were little.

Oh and as far as being a "reference" book, there is a fantastic glossary in the back filled with information about each insect with an accompanying photograph.

Reference Sunday: Marching for Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge

Marching for Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge is a wonderful book and photographic history of the civil rights era.   What I like about it is that it is shown from a child's perspective.    I never knew how involved children were during this time.   The photos and interviews with those who were there are incredibly  moving.  This is a great book for an older child to help them understand this important period in American History.   Elizabeth Partridge has done a wonderful job of bringing to life a little known part of the Civil Rights Movement.   While this is written for ages 9-12,  I think many an adult would appreciate this book.   I know I do!

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.

Flashback Tuesday: Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters Photos by Russ Kendall

Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters with photographs by Russ Kendall is not necessarily a Thanksgiving Story.   It is just a story based on a little girl who actually existed.   Even though it is not a holiday story it has always been a perennial book to read at this time of year.   I remember it being a big seller when I first started working in books.   What I always liked about it, besides the fact that it was about a real person, was the photographs.   It clearly shows children what it was like to live in the 1600's.   Kids are so visual that the photographs bring a reality that sometimes illustrations cannot.   This is a great book to read along side a true story of Thanksgiving if only to give perspective and understanding of how people lived in the early days before we were a country.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011

Today is my nephew Alex's birthday.   He is the only child I know who really loves books on facts.   When we were down the shore this past summer he begged my sister to get today's book.   He promised he wouldn't ask for anything else if they would just buy this for him.   He then went on to use it in the videos he makes for Youtube.  I think that makes it a good book to recommend.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011 is a great gift for any child who might not like to read story books or fiction.   I know we always want our kids to be readers but sometimes that means reading anything.   I try not to discourage a child if they want to read something.   These kinds of fact books are great for reluctant readers or just any curious child you may know.  

Thanks Alex for the book idea..... have a great Birthday!

Reference Sunday: Ripley's Believe it or Not! Enter if You Dare!

Happy Halloween!!!  I would have posted earlier but I had a gaggle of early trick or treaters.  As it is I am almost out of candy.   This is what happens when Halloween falls on a beautiful Sunday!

Last night I went to "real" haunted house..they did a very good job of having creatures jump out at me...sad to say I did scream a few times.   They even dared us to enter a few rooms....which reminded me of today's book suggestion.

Ripley's Believe it or Not! Enter if you Dare! from the Ripley's people is a great book for the curious minded among us.  It is not necessarily a children's book but I know a few kids who would love it.   I think I liked the "Ripley's Revealed" sections as I am always fascinated to find out how things work.   A great family gift since there would be something for everyone.....

Have a spooky rest of your day!

Reference Sunday: Lives Turned Upside: Homeless Children in Their Own Words & Photographs by Jim Hubbard

The things that we learn by using the Internet.  The one thing I want this blog to be is informative.   I am always looking for ways to tie together what goes on in the world to books.   Today I found out is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  It originated in Paris in 1987 but was only recognized in the US in 1992.   According to wikipedia, and I quote" One of the main aims of the day is to make the voice of the poor heard. To this end, commemorations often include testimonies from people living in poverty, describing their own experiences or those of people they know"   


In doing research as to what book to highlight on today's blog I came across a title that moved me.  

Lives Turned Upside: Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs by Jim Hubbard was first published in the late 80's and early 90's.  He is a renowned photographer who gave camera's to children in order for them to document their lives.   The images are still quite powerful.   This book also became the basis for the organization Shooting Back.  Looking at these photograph's and seeing what these children see is inspiring.  What amazes me is that it is as if these photos were taken yesterday.  Not much has changed and yet there is a hopefulness that change will come.   This is a great book for children and adults to foster discussion and empathy for the world around them.  This is the perfect book for teachers and parents to use as a teaching tool so that maybe our children will grow up to care about others and try to help.   There is always hope.

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Fall by Roger Priddy

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Fall by Roger Priddy is a great new touch and feel book for toddlers that is perfect for today.   As I sit here looking out my window the leaves on trees are changing colors.   The wind is blowing like it is shouting that Autumn is here.   I have always been impressed with Priddy Books for children, this goes back to the days when I bought Toddler books.  Roger Priddy really knows what is perfect for little ones when it comes to books.   This book has wonderful textures and photographs for babies to look at and feel.   A perfect addition to a toddler's repertoire of books.

Flashback Tuesday: When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass

Tomorrow Summer officially comes to an end.   Here in the northeast the breeze is picking up and there is a bit of a chill in the air.   Driving back from upstate NY I saw signs for apple and pumpkin picking.  It made me think of this book and it wonderful photographs.
  

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass was a great book to read at story time because of the great photographs that came with the story.   I liked that because the kids could really relate.  Of course not all areas of the world celebrate autumn like this which is why the photographs are so important....a great way to bring in a change of season.

Reference Sunday: Face to Face with Whales by Flip Nicklin

I was trying to decide what to write about today when I came across the fact that today is Herman Melville's birthday.   I didn't think I could write about Moby Dick because even though it is a classic, it is a bit old for my audience.   His birthday did get me thinking about 'whales'....and I remembered that a whale had recently crashed into a boat.   The images were awesome...especially because no one got hurt.   I thought then I would recommend a book about whales.

Face to Face with Whales by Flip Nicklin seems like the perfect book to talk about on Herman Melville's birthday.   The cover image for the paperback edition coming out in a few weeks is so reminiscent of the whale incident and the boat a few weeks ago that I couldn't pass it up.    I don't usually recommend a book that is not out yet but as this is out in hardcover I thought I could make an exception.  This is a truly wonderful book that really illustrates the beauty that is a whale.   The photographs are incredible.   National Geographic books always have spectacular photographs but this book takes it up a notch. This is a great book for the explorer in your life....the images are wonderful.  

Cinco De Mayo: Celebrating the Traditions of Mexico by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith

I never really knew what Cinco de Mayo was....I just thought it was a Mexican holiday that was celebrated with great food.   (Of course the best to celebrate any holiday is with food but that is just me.) Anyway I came across this wonderful book that is a perfect way to explain this holiday to children, it certainly explained alot to me.   There are many books published about this holiday non-fiction as well as fiction so I thought I would just suggest one of my favorites.

Cinco De Mayo: Celebrating the Traditions of Mexico by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith with photographs by Lawrence Migdale is a great book for kids about Cinco de Mayo because it is easy to read and understand for even the youngest child.   I love the fact that it uses photographs as they show the colorfulness of the holiday and celebrations.   It is pact with information but also tells a story.   So if your child wants to know what this holiday is all about then this is the book for you.

Happy Cinco de Mayo or Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Freeze Frame: A Photographic History of the Winter Olympics by Sue Macy

On January 25th 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France. In a few weeks the 2010 Winter will start in Vancouver, Canada. I have always liked the Winter Olympics, which is ironic because I don't really like the cold. What I like is that there is a more intimate feeling with some of the sports...I remember years ago watching the Luge competition with my Mom. She thought it was amazing and fun.

Freeze Frame: A Photographic History of the Winter Olympics by Sue Macy with a foreword by Peggy Fleming is a great way to get excited about the games coming up. Since it is published by National Geographic the photos are truly amazing. The anecdotes are perfect to read without getting bogged down. It is great for any age but is meant for an older child.