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.....

Thank You and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell

It has been a very busy few months for me and things are finally quieting down. This has been a time of highs and lows....joys and sadness but even amidst the craziness of life there is always time to be thankful.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving when we are supposed to pause and give thanks.  

Now that I have time to get back to book reading and evaluating I combed over many a Thanksgiving title to suggest.  I kept coming back to today's title because it universal and not just about giving "Thanks" on one day but to give "Thanks" everyday!  This is a must have, read aloud, bedtime story for every day of the year.  

Thank You and Good Night written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell is an instant classic.  I have always loved his books and his comic strip---he so quietly reminds us of how we should live our lives.  This is the story of a first sleepover of friends---they do all the things children do at sleepovers from having a snack to goofing around to a final bedtime story.  They are also asked to give thanks for something---the long list of simple things is a reminder that we all have something to be thankful for everyday. It is a beautiful way to instill in children that they should remember to be grateful for the little things as well as the big things. As I said this is a must have book for any child in your life.....maybe even some grownups....

In spirit of the holiday I would like to say I am Thankful for my family and friends who are an important part of my life----you are all special to me.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

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.....

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...

Flashback Tuesday: Let it Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

We are in the midst of a warm spell for the first day of October here on the East Coast.  That being said  I have been told by the various weather stations that the crisp air is right around the corner.

Let it Fall written and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler is a sweet book that is all about the Autumn season.  It has charming illustrations of little children playing in the leaves.  The words are very lyrical which makes it a great story time book.  This is for more of a preschool or toddler aged child.  It is also part of a series that deals with each season....which makes it perfect for a school setting.

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.                    

That's How Much I Love You by Julie Rudi illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke

Today is apparently National Love Our Children Day---which of course should be every day.   I found a sweet little book that is perfect to read to little ones as you snuggle on the couch or in bed at bedtime.

That's How Much I Love You by Julie Rudi and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke is a new little padded board book perfect for tiny hands.   It has sweet illustrations of animal mama's and their little babies.   I think is a wonderful addition to a toddler's library. I think it would make a great new baby gift. I love the author pairs up everyday things like a sock with a shoe or flower and a pot in a beautifully visual way.  A great way to tell a child how much you love them.





 

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.

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: 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!

Reference Sunday: Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five by Valorie Fisher; illustrated by Valorie Fisher - Hardcover - Random House

Growing up my Mother was a bit old fashioned.  She never felt the need to sit with her kids and go over the alphabet because she felt that we would learn it in school.   That being said she was always reading and singing to us which helped prepare us for school anyway.

 Nowadays kids need to at least have a basis on which to grow. Working in the bookstore and as a book buyer I saw many books on teaching preschoolers the basics....their ABC'S, their numbers....shapes etc.   It was always a rare book that took these simple concepts and made them into something special.   Today's book is that kind of book....

Everything I Need to Know Before I'm Five by Valorie Fisher; illustrated by Valorie Fisher - Hardcover - Random House is the perfect little book for preschoolers.   First off I was drawn to the title....always very important.   It reminded me of the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten and similar titles.   I love the graphics and the quirkiness of the photographs.   This is a perfect new parent book or baby gift.   A wonderful little book that will be read again and again!

Flashback Tuesday: Dinosaur Roar! by Paul & Henrietta Stickland

Yesterday I finally fulfilled a birthday promise to my nephew Michael V.   I had promised to take him into NYC ----ride in a cab, buy him lunch and most importantly take him to the American Museum of Natural History.   It turned out to be a really fun day.    We saw lots of different exhibits  but one of the main things was the fourth floor filled with dinosaurs.  It was the most crowded exhibit and one of the most impressive, even for me---a grown up.   It was also where all the little kids seemed to gravitate towards.   There are many books that I could talk about but today I wanted to highlight one of my favorites.


Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Stickland is not really a book about dinosaurs but about teaching children about opposites.   The wonderful thing about the book is that it gives a child characters that they love, i.e: dinosaurs and pairs them with sounds rhymes.    This is a way to teach children.   It is a colorful book that is fun to read aloud, especially in a story time setting.   This is a classic book that never goes out of style.  Perfect for the little dinosaur in your life....


(Oh and check back soon for my picks and recommendations of some great dinosaur books for kids. )

Flashback Tuesday: Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet & Allan Ahlberg

Before I ever started working in bookstores I worked in a library.   Even then I loved working in the children's section.   I liked to shelve in the picture book section because I got to read the books before I shelved them.   This is probably where I discovered my love of fractured fairy tales or in this case nursery rhymes.

Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg was a book I discovered while shelving in the library.   I liked the rhymes and sweet illustrations plus it was fun to play the "I Spy" aspect of the book.   This book stands the test of time....it is a classic book that should be on every child's bookshelf.  

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.....

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:My First Christmas by Tomie dePaola

My First Christmas by Tomie dePaola is the perfect little Christmas book for a new baby. It was originally called "Baby's First Christmas" but I understand and can appreciate the change.    I know lots of new babies this year who are celebrating their first Christmas'.   It is just the right size for their tiny hands and the simple words makes this a great introduction to the Christmas holiday for babies and toddlers.   It is a classic book that will be read for many years to come.    A must have Christmas title!  

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!