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....

Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Eric Kaplan

My new job keeps me very busy that I hadn't realized it is over a month since I posted last.  We are getting ready for our big season which is Halloween.  The next month and a half will be lots of late nights and busy days. Lot of Halloween and scary products are in our shops which includes lots of books.  My favorite book that came into the shop, although not a new book,  is today's pick.

Monsters Eat Whiny Children written and illustrated by Bruce Eric Kaplan is the story of some monsters who capture some children but then can't decide how best to "prepare" them for a monster meal.  This is supposed to be a cautionary tale for children but I have sold quite a few to grown ups giving who were going to give it  to other grown ups. I love how the monster's are even whinier than the children. I also love the illustrations which are quirky and fun.  I wouldn't give this to really young children as they might take the monster part to heart but I know a few teenagers I could give this too....

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall

Today is the wonderful illustrator James Marshall's birthday.  He has so many books that can be talked about that it is always hard to pick a favorite.  Most know him because of his marvelous story of two friends George and Martha.  So instead of talking about those books I want to recommend my favorite:

Goldilocks and the Three Bears retold and illustrated by James Marshall.....

I love this book because it isn't just a staid retelling of an old tale but because Mr Marshall injects so much humor and character into the story.  Goldilocks is not the sweet innocent girl that we grew up reading about.  She is more of a rebel and just a little bit "naughty".  I loved reading this to kids because they would really giggle at her antics.  The illustrations are priceless as Mr Marshall gives each characters such great expressions.  No wonder it received a Caldecott Honor for illustrations.  This is a must have book for every child's bookcase.  

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot! by Scott Magoon

I always love a book that has a moral but tells it subtly.  I also love a fractured fairy tale or at least a new spin on an old story.   Such is the case with today's book. 

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot written and illustrated by Scott Magoon is a retelling of the The Boy Who Cried Wolf.   Ben is a boy who tries to convince his family and friends that he has seen Bigfoot.   He goes to great lengths to prove it too.   I loved the illustrations in this book.   The fact that Mr Magoon sets his story in the past is quite charming.   There is plenty of humor for both kids and adults to find enjoyment in.  I especially love his little puppy who is so expressive!  Best of all it teaches a lesson about honesty without being preachy.   The boy learns a good lesson about telling the truth, repentance and forgiveness.   I always feel parables are a great way to learn something.    A must have new book.  

Oh visit the author's website....great background on the book plus famous video of "Bigfoot"! Click below:

Scott Magoon

Goldilocks and Just One Bear by Leigh Hodgkinson

Who doesn't like sequels?   Sometimes sequels are not as good as the original but sometimes they can be a pleasant surprise as in today's book:

  

Goldilocks and the Just One Bear written and illustrated by Leigh Hodkinson is a sequel that totally surprised me.   I have mentioned before and will probably mention again that I love fractured fairy tales.    This takes that idea to a new level.  When I saw this book in the library I was intrigued by the title and the cover art.   I knew it was going to be a "new" version of the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  As I was reading it I realized it wasn't just a new version but the story of what happened to Goldilocks when she grew up. I also recognized the illustrations as being similar to  the Boris books I like so much and was to discover it is the same author. I love the expression's on the bear's face--priceless.  This is a really fun story to read aloud.   I think this is the perfect story time book or bedtime book.   It is the kind of book that is just read straight through but discussed as it is read.   I like all the comparisons to the original fairy tale and the little twist at the end.   Not a surprising twist but one a child would understand.   It really is a clever book.   A must have for the classroom or child's library.   

Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It: False Apology Poems by Gail Carson Levine and illustrated by Matthew Cordell

I can't believe it is April already...spring is such a wonderful time of year.   In honor of poetry month I thought I would start out with a really fun new book by a well loved author.  I have  always liked Gail Carson Levine.  She has a way of stating things in the most sardonic way.  Her new book is no exception.

Forgive Me, I meant to Do It: False Apology Poems by Gail Carson Levine and illustrated wonderfully by Matthew Cordell is a book of poems based on the classic poem "This is Just To Say" by William Carlos Williams.   She even goes so far to credit him by including the poem with an explanation at the end of he book.

Normally I like to teach children to be nice.   I think the best thing we can teach kids today is to be kind to one another.   That being said I know that children tend to have a bit of a mean streak about them.   How many times have we demanded they apology to someone knowing full well that they may say the words....but don't really mean it.   I think this book is a great way to show them we are on to them and that we understand.

 I love how she uses fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters that all kids can recognize, since they aren't real non-apologies then there really is no harm in them.   Knowing that this is a great teachable book, Harpercollins has created a fantastic downloadable Teachers Guide for use in the classroom.

As much as this a great book for teachers to read to kids, I know quite a few adults who would get a kick out of the poems.  The illustrations remind me of Edward Gorey and his  "The Gashlycrumb Tinies"---and I know of one friend who would appreciate that.

So this is a great new book to help celebrate Poetry Month...albeit in a fun and sarcastic way....

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.

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot by Margaret McNamara illus by Mark Fearing

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Mark Fearing is a clever retelling of the Three Little Pigs.....I love stories that have been re-imagined especially when they are done well.   This is a great book to also introduce the planets to children....it isn't a "science" book as stated in the Author's note but the planets are depicted and in a realistic way.  This is the perfect way to also introduce fairy tales to your kids...read this and then go back and read the original.   I would have loved to read this at story time as a new book selection....the activities that can go with it are endless.   This is a fun new book....

Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra illustrated by J. Otto Seibold

What a thrill it was to find another fractured fairy tale with a new spin on an old story.

Tell the Truth, B. B. Wolf by Judy Sierra and illustrated by J. Otto Seibold is a wonderful retelling of the Three Little Pigs.  Here we have the Big Bad Wolf living in retirement.   He gets to go to the library to tell his story but as he is embarrassed by what his past he tries to rewrite history to make himself look better.  Of course he is chastised for not telling the truth and in the end must come clean.   I would have loved to read this at story time....it is such a fun book.    It took me awhile to appreciate J. Otto Seibolds illustrations but now I find them to be comforting ----like visiting an old friend.   This book is a sequel of sorts to Judy Sierra's other Big Bad Wolf story Mind Your Manners, B.B Wolf which I always thought was a great way to teach manners to kids.....these should be must haves on any child's bookshelf.....