I walked into Vroman's Bookstore this morning for my weekly visit and was so excited to see the Hot Off The Press wall was back! Yay! I nearly did a happy dance right there. I did collect a stack of books.
Bookstack #1
I then went over and told Kayce that I was thrilled to have the wall back, and promptly started grazing through all of the wonderful new titles. When Morgan arrived, I repeated my appreciation for their bringing back my favorite wall. I am glad Morgan and Kayce know me and don't think I am some crazy customer.
Bookstack #2
I even had time for a second bookstack. Unfortunately, I didn't have time for a third bookstack so I will definitely need to visit again...soon.
Here are some of my favorites from today. Now go read them.
Crafty Chloe by Kelly DiPucchio; Illustrated by Heather Ross (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
C.R. Mudgeon by Leslie Muir; Illustrated by Julian Hector (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
Kali's Song by Jeanette Winter (Random House Children's Books)
I am hoping that Hot Off The Press will return as a Sunday feature. And for readers who live near enough to visit Vroman's in person - don't forget to stop in and see all of the great new books available and maybe even buy one of the above titles.
This is a feature that I try to do weekly called Hot Off The Press! based on my visits to Vroman's Bookstore and checking out their wall of new picture books. Here are the 5 new releases that stood out from the pile this week:
Jonathan And The Big Blue Boat Author/Illustrator: Philip Christian Stead Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (June 7, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
According to Jonathan's parents, he has become to old for his stuffed friend. Jonathan discovers a boat and a way to search for Fredrick. He meets a goat, an elephant, and a whale along the way. His journey eventually leads him to a beautiful understanding and a special ending. Some books are unique and beautiful and powerful both in text and illustrations. As I read through this book, and savored the story and pictures, I knew I was holding something special in my hands. If this doesn't get on some award lists, I will certainly be shocked.
Below is the book trailer for this book. Happy Watching!
Prudence Wants A Pet Author: Cathleen Daly Illustrator: Stephen Michael King Publisher: Roaring Brooks Press (June 21, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Prudence wants a pet. Her parents have reasons why they don't want to get her one. Prudence doesn't let this discourage her. She finds a branch, and then a twig, and then various other objects that she attempts to turn into a faithful pet. Even her baby brother isn't safe from becoming a potential pet. I nearly fell out of my chair in a fit of a laughter when Prudence feeds him grass. I smiled, I chuckled, and I just plain enjoyed this one. A feel good story with a fun ending that is perfect for any child who is looking for a special pet.
A Good Knight's Rest Author: Shelley Moore Thomas
Illustrator: Jennifer Plecas Publisher: Dutton Juvenille (June 9, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Parents planning to set out on a vacation trip in the car with their young ones might want to read this for fun. The Good Knight sets off seeking a vacation of rest and relaxation which is waylaid when 3 young dragons join in. It isn't long before there are choruses of "Are we there yet?" and "I need to go." The Good Knight does the right thing until at one point he just can't take it any more and his young friends realize it is their turn to do the right thing. Lots of chuckles in this one. A good summertime picture book.
Detective Blue Author: Steve Metzger
Illustrator: Tedd Arnold Publisher: Orchard Books (July 1, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Little Boy Blue has grown up and is now Detective Blue. His assignment - to find Miss Muffet. All of your favorite Nursery Rhyme characters are grown up and make an appearance in this film noir style twist on some classic stories. Adults can have fun helping young children make a connection between the characters and their original stories. Tedd Arnold's illustrations add just the right touch to this book.
Who's There? Author: Carole Schaefer Illustrator: Pierr Morgan Publisher: Viking Juvenile (June 9, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
There comes a time when every child seems to have a moment of fear about going to bed. In this version, little rabbit wonders what is making the bumps and thumps outside his door. His active and creative imagination comes alive with Morgan's illustrations. Of course, in the end there is a perfectly good reason for all that scary noise. A fun addition to the "bedtime fear" category.
June has been an incredibly busy month with Open House, Spring Musical, Fifth Grade Promotion and winding down the school year. I apologize that my Hot Off the Press! posts have been MIA. But it is back and this week's books were featured on the New Picture Book wall at Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop. I recently took a little road trip out to LaVerne to pick up some signed copies of The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma and I stayed to check out the new picture books.
Here were my top five:
The Big Wish Author/Illustrator: Carolyn Conahan Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 4, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
There are some stories that just seem to touch you as you read them. The Big Wish is certainly one of those books. Conahan pares a story of a young girl's belief in the power of a wish - a really big wish - with beautiful illustrations. The spirit of this book really reached in to grab me. Molly's desire for the biggest wish unites a community and teaches them what a wish is truly about. This would be a lovely gift book for a teacher.
Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots Author: Rebecca Janni Illustrator: Lynne Avril Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (June 9, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
It really isn't easy to pull off an effective companion book/sequel with picture books. Often times, the first one is fun and original and subsequent books lose some of the wonderfulness of the first book. However, Janni actually succeeds with this companion book to Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse. Just enough pink for that preschool/kinder girl in your life who also has a no nonsense streak in her. I know just the little girl who needs of copy of this for her birthday.
Doggy Whys? Author/Illustrator: Lila Prap Publisher: North South Books (May 1, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 8 (and the adults who will read it to them)
The cover illustration drew me to this book. I'm not much of a dog person, more of a cat person really. But Prap had me right from the beginning. Each two-page spread begins with a dog questions and a list of somewhat humorous responses. However, the real facts are included in an informative yet clever manner. There is also a small fact box for each type of dog shown. This would be a great addition to a non-fiction section of a school or classroom library.
The Woods Author/Illustrator: Paul Hoppe Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 6, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
I like books with quirky illustrations and just the right twist. A young boy discovers some surprises about being afraid. When his bunny goes missing at bedtime, he must goes in search and what he discovers along the way is both humorous and touching. A perfect story for talking with young children about their bedtime fears.
Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India Author/Illustrator: Gerald McDermott Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (May 23, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Monkey is hungry for mangoes, and Crocodile is hungry for Monkey. This tale of fast thinking and cunning deception is deftly handled by master storyteller, Gerard McDermott. I have used so many of McDermott's books in my classes over the years and this one belongs right up there with the others. Very reminiscent of Anansi The Spider (also one of McDermott's re-tellings) but one that children will love for it's own unique qualities. The mixed media illustrations perfectly enhance the text.
This is a feature that I try to do weekly called Hot Off The Press! based on my visits to Vroman's Bookstore and checking out their wall of new picture books. Here are the 5 new releases that stood out from the pile this week:
Blackout Author/Illustrator: John Rocco Publisher: Hyperion (May 24, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7 (and the adults who will read it to them)
As soon as I saw the book trailer, I knew I had to see this book. I was so excited to find it on the display shelf this week and immediately sat down to look at it. Based on a 2003 New York neighborhood blackout, Rocco tells the story how one community learned something new about family and friends and neighbors from an unexpected event. I have included the book trailer below for readers to check out.
Are You Awake? Author/Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR (May 10, 2011) Audience: Ages 3 to 6 years
Though I indicated that the audience was for children ages 3 to 6 years, I want to say that this one may more likely be for every parent who has been awaken in the middle of the night or way to early in the morning by a small child who is all too eager to chat. The dialogue was so real and I had to chuckle to myself as I read this one. I love Blackall's illustrations as well. My only complaint - Why did the publisher not release this one a few weeks earlier? This would have been a lovely picture book to gift to a mother of a toddler for Mother's Day.
Here is a link to a blogpost that Sophie Blackall wrote about how she came up with the concept for the book, click here to read.
Here is a video of Sophie Blackall talking about her illustrations:
Earth to Clunk Author: Pam Smallcomb Illustrator: Joe Berger Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (May 12, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7 (and the adults who will be reading it)
I looked all over the place for a book trailer or some inside peeks or other information on this book and I found so little which is a shame since this book deserves at least a fun book trailer. I have to admit that when I looked at the cover I didn't have the highest expectations (Yes, I know - shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Shame on me!). But by the time I got to the part where the main character mails his older sister to his alien pen pal, I was giggling aloud. This book takes the concept of pen pals to a whole new place and I found myself loving the quirky illustrations and how they worked perfectly with the text which completely changed my attitude about the cover by the end of the book.
Hopper and Wilson
Author/Illustrator: Maria Van Lieshout Publisher: Philomel (June 9, 2011) Audience: Ages 4 to 7 years old
There are some friendship books that are charming and delightful, and Van Lieshout's Hopper and Wilson fit that description. I hunted for a book trailer for this one as well and was disappointed not to find one. I can truly imagine these two friends in their paper sailboat bobbing along with just the right musical accompaniment. One blue elephant in search of a staircase to the moon, and a yellow mouse in search of an endless supply of lemonade set out in a paper sailboat. Yet, as typical in life, the two friends find something more important. If you are a fan of Oliver Jeffer's books, then I would strongly encourage you to check this one out.
Tweak, Tweak Author: Eve Bunting Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier Publisher: Clarion Books (May 23, 2011) Audience: Ages 2 to 6 years old
I adore Eve Bunting. She has created so many wonderful picture books that I have used over and over again in my years as a teacher. So, I am always excited to see what new book she has released. After reading this one, I was bummed that Clarion hadn't chosen to release it earlier in the year. It falls in that perfect "mommy & toddler" book category but with a release nearly two weeks after Mother's Day, there was a lost marketing/gift-giving opportunity.
I will say that I loved how this Mother and Baby Elephant's excursion is well told. When Baby Elephant wants to fly like the birds, or hop like a frog, Mother Elephant has just the right response. The illustrations are whimsical and gentle and compliment the text.
Reading Rockets did an interview with author, Eve Bunting.
This is a feature that I do weekly called Hot Off The Press! based on my visits to Vroman's Bookstore and checking out their wall of new picture books. Here are the 3 new releases that stood out from the pile this week:
Buglette: The Messy Sleeper Author/Illustrator: Bethanie Murguia
Buglette is a tidy bug by day but when her dreams take over she becomes a very messy sleeper. This is a concern for her family especially because it may put them at risk of attracting unwanted attention. A nice twist on the theme of being different and how that might just help her family. Sweet watercolor illustrations really made this book extra special for me.
Wordless picture books sometimes require more than one reading to fully appreciate them. When I first flipped through this book, I thought "hmmm, interesting", but it was on the second closer viewing that I really began to appreciate the visual perspective of the various illustrations. Bee rides on Bird's head and as they fly from one spot to another there is some fore-telling of what is to come from looking at parts of the pictures. The book has a nice wrap-up for the story.
How To Get A Job By Me The Boss
Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones Illustrator: Sue Heap
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (May 10, 2011) Audience: Kinder to Second
I couldn't help but laugh out loud when reading this one. An interesting perspective on how to get a job from the eyes of a child as told to her baby brother. Loved the part where in the interview she reminds him "You shouldn't EVER bite the Boss when he is talking to you. Or sit in his lap. Or fall asleep." Young children will enjoy this a lot and parents will get a kick out of it as well.
