Brontorina by James Howe illustrated by Randy Cecil

Brontorina by James Howe and Illustrated by Randy Cecil is one of the cutest new books I have seen in a long time.  This funny story of a dinosaur who wants to be a ballerina is really funny and heartwarming.  I just love, love, love the illustrations.   Randy Cecil so perfectly captures the expressions and feelings of the characters in this book.    This is a great story time book.   I would have loved to have  read it at my story times because I think the kids reactions would have been priceless.   I am also happy with the fact that it isn't a really girlie kind of book.   Even though it is about learning ballet I like the fact that there is a boy in the ballet class and that the colors aren't too pink.   The fact that it also teaches a subtle lesson about never giving up on your dreams is a plus.   A must have new book to read and enjoy!

Flashback Tuesday: Petunia by Roger Duvoisin

While on my walk today I was thinking of what I would write about on my blog.   I look forward to Flashback Tuesdays because I get to reach back into the past to find a book.   It had just started to rain and I was sort of following the street sweeper truck.   I didn't feel like following the all the way so I cut down a street I don't usually walk on.  It was as I was turning the corner that I noticed a really lovely house that I hadn't noticed before.   On the front porch was a statue of a goose with a wreath of flowers around it's neck.    At that moment Petunia popped into my head. 

Petunia by Roger Duvoisin is the classic story of a goose who finds a book and immediately thinks she knows everything...even though she hasn't read it.    I can't believe this book is 60 years old this year....it is such a timeless story.  This was always a great read aloud because the kids would get  really get into the story.   There are a lot of discussion points too.   The best books transcend time....this is certainly one of them.   A must have for your child's bookshelf.

Reference Sunday: Bite-Size Science: Everything You Need to Know About Science in Small, Easily-Digestible Portions by Robert Dinwiddie

I found this book at the bookstore and really liked the concept.   It was in a small local independent store where they had put it in the children's section.   It was such a cute book---I like cute and small.   I didn't realize until I went to the publisher's website that the book was written for grown ups and not kids.   How silly that is.   I know so many kids who would love this book....namely kids like my nephew Alex who loves books about facts and figures.   He would rather read this kind of a book than a novel or story book.  I figure he is reading so it is ok.  

Bite-Size Science: Everything You Need to Know About Science in Small, Easily-Digestible Portions by Robert Dinwiddie is a nicely packaged book with around 400 illustrations that explains science to the unscientific.   I enjoyed the explanations of things like the solar system, earthquakes even human body stuff because I could understand what it.  The language is simple and jargon free.   This is a great book for any one who likes to keep up on things without being overwhelming.   Like I said it isn't meant specifically for kids but it would be great for them too!

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood illus by Renata Liwska

Sometimes a book comes along that speaks to me without being flashy.   Today's book is just that kind of a book.




The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Renata Liwska seems to be the perfect bedtime story book.   While that is a true statement I think it is much more than that.  I was instantly drawn to this book when I saw it on the shelf.   The illustrations are sweet and comforting.   When I read it I immediately felt calm and soothed.   I could imagine myself reading this to a child not just at bedtime but during the day, especially if that day has been chaotic.   It is the perfect book to help calm overly excited children and to give a nice respite before excitement begins again.   I would have loved to read this at story time......especially if the kids have been a bit rambunctious and loud.    It is surely to be a new classic and would make a great gift to new parents.   Just thinking about the beautiful and calming words makes me smile....

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

When I left my last job a few years ago I threw the galley of this book into a box and brought it home.   It has been sitting on my shelf ever since.   Periodically I would read an article about it or hear a discussion and think to myself I should read it but I never got around to it.  Well a few weeks ago I was packing for my yearly sojourn down the Jersey Shore when I impulsively picked it up and packed it with my beach stuff.   The first day on the beach I opened it not expecting to be drawn in as quickly as I was.   I couldn't believe that I had put reading this wonderful book off for so long.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart with illustrations by Carson Ellis is one of the most original books I have read in a long time.   I know I am coming late to the table on this but as they say "better late than never"....this book gave me a feeling of childhood.  It has such a retro feel to it but at the same time is very timely.   I also loved the characters.....Reynie is the kind of kid we can't imagine exists but probably and sadly does somewhere.   Kate, Sticky and even Constance are so intriguing and unique that I wished I could meet them.  It was so great that even while some parts were predictable (which isn't always a bad thing) some parts were totally unexpected.   For all the characters quirkiness they had very real reactions to very strange circumstances.   I also love the illustrations because they have an "Edward Gorey" feel to them which fits the book perfectly.

This is a great book for the reluctant or voracious reader.   It makes a good read along book too....

I can't wait to read the sequels: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey  & the newest one The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma.  

I love when I discover a treasure of a book....especially when it was right before my eyes all along.  

Flashback Tuesday: Watermelon Day by Kathi Appelt illus by Dave Gottlieb

Foodimentary has done it again!   He has informed me that today is National Watermelon Day.   Which of course reminded me of one of my favorite Kathi Appelt books.




Watermelon Day by Kathi Appelt and illustrated by Dave Gottlieb is an early book by this Newbery Honor author.   She is very prolific but never loses sight of her audience.   This is the perfect book for a summers day.   It teaches children patience and also about nature.   This is a great book to read at a story time and then have some watermelon afterwards....kids love watermelon.   Oh and I love the illustrations too....there is that retro feel I love so well.  So go out and buy some watermelon and enjoy this wonderful day!

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.