Otis by Loren Long

As a little girl one of my favorite books was The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton so I was pleasantly surprised to discover this sweet book by Loren Long called Otis. As soon as I saw this book it reminded me of a Virginia Lee Burton type of book. I was amazed to read on the flap that she was indeed an inspiration to him.

Otis is the story of a little tractor who becomes friends with a new born calf. They play together and comfort each other. Then a new tractor comes along and pushes little Otis aside but it is Otis who saves the day. This sweetly illustrated book is wonderful and a joy to read aloud. It will be fun for children to discover. I love the illustrations which have a very nostalgic feel about them.

The first time I discovered Loren Long he had illustrated a new version The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. I knew he had potential and I am so happy to see how far he has progressed. This is by far his most wonderful work.

This is a perfect story to read aloud at storytime or bedtime. I know so many children who love tractors that this should be a hit with them. This is what I call an instant classic. A treasure to behold. Savor it!

Flashback Tuesday: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum

I saw in the news today that The Wizard of Oz is coming out in Blue Ray HD. Not sure what that means because I do not have a HD TV but apparently they remastered the movie to look even better. It has been 70 years since the move has come out and it is still as timeless as ever. I have always loved this movie to the extent that I am always disconcerted when people make fun of it. I remember going to see it when it was re-released to the movie theaters when I was little.

Since I have always loved the movie it was always hard for me to read the book. I never read it because I didn't want to be disappointed or have the book take away my experience of the movie. I was really really wrong. The book is wonderful---no pun intended.

I was working in the bookstore one night when I picked the book up and started to peruse it. Needless to say it was a quiet night with not alot of customers. So quiet in fact I pretty much finished it that evening. I couldn't believe I had waited so long to read this classic. I was amazed about how much of the book was actually in the movie. Don't get me wrong there are differences and omissions but they are understandable and do not take away from either experience. The big thing that got me was that the movie presents the story as a dream and the book states the world of Oz is real. I like that....it really defines the difference and makes me appreciate both.

A few weeks ago I wrote about Robert Sabuda's Pop-up version, today I want to suggest reading the original. I am also excited because Imagine Books will be coming out with a book called "Over the Rainbow" in Spring of 2010.....a beautifully illustrated version of the song from this favorite movie, sung by Judy Collins. When it comes out I will be talking about it again.

So go read the original story, heck read the whole series ..... then watch the movie and be transported to a magical place. Enjoy!!

The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

While I was perusing new children's books I came across the new Jerry Pinkney. He is one of the most prolific illustrators and has won numerous awards and accolades over his 40 year career. He also seems like a nice person. (There is a great video on the publishers website that shows how he created this book at www. hatchettebookgroup.com/kids ) I have always like his artwork because it is warm and inviting.

The first thing that struck me about his new wordless picture book is the beautiful face of the lion on the cover. I have always loved lions.....there is something about the strength and the warmth of a lions face. I have wondered what it would be like to hug one.

The Lion & the Mouse is a beautiful version of the Aesop Fable we all know. Since it is wordless the illustrations are all the more important to tell the story. This is a great wordless book to "read" at story time because it makes the children do the "reading" and the "telling" of the story. It is to be enjoyed by all!

Reference Sunday: Ripley's Believe It Or Not!: Special Edition 2010

I remember watching Jack Palance on the old syndicated show "Ripley's Believe it or Not" back in the 80's. I was fascinated by the stories and the photos of the strange collection of Robert Ripley. I always cringed at the gory photos but loved the interesting facts.

When I was a book buyer every year Scholastic would come in with a new special edition version of Ripley's Believe it or Not! We would all look at it and wonder how they could top the gross cover of the year before. The editors at Scholastic seem to go out of their way to find the goriest or most disgusting photo. Of course they know what they are doing, they have their fingers on the pulse of every child imaginable. These books are popular with kids because every story and photo is picked with them in mind. Now not every child likes all things weird or disgusting but there are enough out in the world to make books like these big sellers. So for every kid who loves the macabre or the weird this new edition is for them. I know some adults who still love these kinds of things too!

Johhny Appleseed born September 26, 1774

Tomorrow is Johnny Appleseed's birthday~well actually it is John Chapman's birthday but he is better know as Johnny Appleseed. I have always loved the fact that Johnny Appleseed was based on a real person. In a way he was our first environmentalist. He cared about conservation and preservation. It is interesting to note that he didn't really sow seeds around the states but planted apple trees which he protected and nurtured. I also found it interesting that his birthday is in September, the start of the autumn season and the time when apple picking is at its height! So in honor of his birthday tomorrow I thought I would list some books that tell his story and the story of apples.

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Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale Retold by Steven Kellogg

Johnny Appleseed: A Poem by Reeve Lindbergh

Johnny Appleseed by Carol Ottolenghi

Johnny Appleseed: The Legend & the Truth by Jane Yolen

Apple books:

Apples by Gail Gibbons

How Do Apples Grow by Betsey Maestro

Apple Picking Time by Michele B. Slawson

So every time you eat an apple think of the man who brought them to the world and who really lived!

Happy National Punctuation Day!

I found out that today is National Punctuation Day! Being the sister of a former school teacher and now a published author has always been interesting. In a way it was great because since she was an English teacher all the papers I wrote would always get edited before I handed them in. Even now when I write something I usually send it to her to look at so she can edit it for me. I can't always send her stuff as she is busy writing but I always have her voice in my head explaining things to me. Ann has always been into grammer and language, she is the only person I know who actually liked to diagram sentences. So since today is really her day I am going to list some fun books that help not just kids learn to puctuate correctly. Needless to say she will read this and want to edit it. ;)

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Punctuation Celebration by Elsa Knight

Punctuation Takes a Vacation by Robin Pulver

Eats, Shoots, & Leaves: Why Commas Really Do Make a Difference by Lynn Truss

Alfie the Apostrophe by Moira Rose Donohue

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Enjoy!!!

Animal Books

A teacher friend of mine asked me the other day for some ideas about animal books that she could use in her classroom. I through out some ideas and thought I would share them on my blog as well. Most kids like animals. Through the years there have been many types of animal stories. There have been fictional series as well as non-fiction series. I think books about something most kids like is a good way to get them into reading. So here is the list I gave my friend plus some.

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Animal Rescue Club Series by John Himmelman

50 Awsome Ways Kids Can Help Animals by Ingrid Newkirk

Do Squirrels Swarm? by Michael Dahl

Animals Like Us by Dk Publishing

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett

What Do You do With a Tail Like this? by Steve Jenkins

Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays by Peg Kehret

What Do You do With a Tail Like This by Steve Jenkins

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Two great Read Alouds from Eric Carle:

Eric Carle's Animals Animals ~ Poetry about animals

Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth

These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to animal books but they are a great start!