Hot Off the Press! (19)

Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases.  I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore but this week's visit features books from Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne.  

The Unruly Queen
Author/Illustrator: E.S. Redmond
Publisher: Candlewick (February, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Minerva has had 52 nannies in 52 weeks.  Her behavior is so wild and impossible no one will stay. Will nanny #53 be able to tame this spoiled child?  - Lately, I am so frustrated with books that seem to celebrate rude and inappropriate behavior.  However, Redmond gets it and gets it right from beginning to end and all without being preachy or annoying.  I have to say I LOVED this book.  Both text and illustrations work together for the enjoyment of the reader.  

A Bus Called Heaven
Author/Illustrator: Bob Graham
Publisher: Candlewick (March , 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

I am not sure why from the title of this book I thought I wouldn't like the story.  I should have known better since this is a Bob Graham book.  I loved How to Heal a Broken Wing.  In A Bus Called Heaven, a little girl named Stella sees the beauty and potential in a broken down old bus.  Her vision brings together a diverse urban neighborhood in creating a safe space.  Even when that space is threatened, Stella finds a way to save what was created and return a piece of "heaven" to her community.  I loved when the taggers come in the middle of the night that they are told to come back the next day to paint the bus.  And even snails have a special place in this community.

Below is a YouTube video of a bookstore's display for A Bus Called Heaven.   

Red Knit Cap Girl
Author/Illustrator: Naoko Stoop
Publisher: Little Brown Book for Young Readers (June 5, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

An enchanted forest and a little girl with a dream to meet the moon.  The red knit cap girl is curious about the whole forest but she is most curious about the moon.  With the advice of a wise owl and the support of the forest animals, the red knit cap girl seeks to talk with the moon.  However, the girl and her friends discover that it is in the dark and quiet that they will find the moon and that she is there to hear them.  Beautifully illustrated and a wonderful story for both a read aloud or a lesson.
 

I, too, Am America
Author:  Langston Hughes
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (May 22, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

I love the poetry of Langston Hughes and I love the work of Bryan Collier.  Put them together and you have a winner.  Though the words of Hughes' poem I, too, Am America are powerful supported with Collier's mixed media artwork, it is the illustrator's end notes that are extremely powerful.  Definitely a book to add to my collection of picture books featuring Langston Hughes' poems.

Hot Off the Press! (18)

Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases.  I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore and browsing through their wall of new picture books. However, this week, I visited both Vroman's and Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne.  These titles are available at either one or both of the stores.

Zoe Gets Ready
Author/Illustrator: Bethanie Murguia
Publisher: Scholastic (May 1, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Last year, Bethanie Murguia released the picture book Buglette, The Messy Sleeper which I adored.  And Murguia has another one that I really like.  This one made me smile and shake my head.  How many of you have ever dealt with a child that took forever to pick out clothes and get dressed? I am sure that is a lot of you.  Consequently, you will appreciate Zoe's thought process as she tries to get herself dressed on a Saturday morning and also the mounting frustration from her mother who is downstairs waiting for her.  I look forward to future books from Murguia.  Don't forget to check out the official book trailer.

Check out the book trailer for Zoe Gets Ready:

 

No Bears
Author: Meg McKinlay
Illustrator:  Leila Rudge
Publisher: Walker Books (June 1, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

This book is brilliant on several levels.  First, Ruby wants to write a story but her story is not going to have any bears in it.  Frankly, she feels that there are too many bears already in stories and she will not have one in her book.  Unbeknownst to her, our friend the bear is keeping watch on things including saving the princess from the monster.  The second cool thing about this book is the way the story mimics Ruby's own notebook pages providing readers with a reflection of sorts on the writing process.  And finally, there are many cool references to fairy tales in the book which begs for re-reading so that you can find them all.  I highly recommend this book.   

Arthur's Dream Boat
Author/Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

I think I selected this book first for it's beautiful illustrations and second for the imaginative story.  Arthur wakes up and wants to share with his family about the pink and green boat from his dreams.  A very tiny version of the boat appears on Arthur's head when he first awakes.  As he attempts to gain the attention of his family members to tell them about the boat, it seems to be growing larger and larger until it eventually whisks him off on it's own adventure.  Very imaginative and fun.  Children will enjoy watching the boat develop details from the dream and become larger and larger until it envelopes everyone.

Hot Off the Press! (17)

Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases.  I base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore and browsing through their wall of new picture books.

Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat
Author: Susanna Reich

Illustrator:  Amy Bates
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Audience: Ages 6 and up

An interesting selection of a narrator to help children learn about the famous chef, Julia Child.  This story is told from the perspective of Julia Child's cat, Minette.  It is set in Paris and tells of the early years of Child's journey to becoming a chef.  Of course, while Julia Child is whipping up these amazing feasts, Minette is totally preoccupied with the fresh catch of the day (a mouse).  The story does include additional features such as an author's note, bibliography, and actual quotes which can be used by older children.  Thanks to a note, I realized that this is in time for Julia Child's 100th birthday (August 15, 1912). 

Chloe, Instead
Author/Illustrator:  Micah Player
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Audience: Ages 4 and up

I am an older sister and reading Chloe, Instead was a humorous reminder of what it is like to have a younger sister who is nothing like you.  I remember multiple times when I asked myself how we ended up in the same family.  It might have taken me a bit longer to appreciate my younger sister than it takes Chloe, but this is a book that older and younger siblings will relate to and see themselves in the characters.  I really enjoyed the bright illustrations with the oversized features.  The book trailer does a nice job of giving you a taste for the story.
 
Check out the book trailer here:

How to Babysit a Grandpa
Author: Jean Reagan 
Illustrator:  Lee Wildish
Publisher: Random House
Audience: Ages 4 and up

I am so excited that this one is finally out.  I read this as an F & G (folded and gathered) back in November.  I have wanted to recommend it to people several times but always had to remind myself that it wasn't out yet.  And now it is finally here.  This is a fun story about how a grandfather comes over to babysit his grandson, but yet the grandson thinks he is the one in charge and gives tips to the reader about how to manage a grandparent when they come over.  Just a fun book and would make a good read aloud.  Additionally, it would be a good gift to a grandparent or from a grandparent. 

The Lonely Book
Author:  Kate Bernheimer
Illustrator: Chris Sheban
Publisher: Random House
Audience: Ages 4 and up

This picture book actually came out in February, but I didn't want to forget mentioning it.  (The Hot Off the Press Wall was just re-instated a few weeks ago.)  The first time I read this was as an F & G back in September.  It is a lovely story about a new book that at first receives all the attention, but over time becomes worn and lost.  One particularly child continues to search it out finally claiming it at the end. Beautiful story with gentle illustrations that compliment the text.  Any librarian, or book lover is going to like this one. 

Hot Off the Press! (16)

Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases.  I base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore and browsing through their wall of new picture books. Normally I try to select 5 titles but this week I only have 2 from Vroman's to feature.  I do have one additional new release that I found this week that I hope at some point will be available at Vroman's.

Magritte's Marvelous Hat
Author/Illustrator:  D. B. Johnson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Audience: Ages 4 and up

I love picture books that can be used with various ages groups and for various purposes.  Magritte's Marvelous Hat is one of those books.  I could use it with preschool and kinder students with one focus and then pick it up with high school students to represent a different focus.  I was so inspired by this book that I want to use it for a Literacy Café.  The Café would feature surrealist artists from the 1920's and 1930's.  This book would be the center of the Café.  Can't you tell I am excited?  Aside from just being such a creative book (which you can see in the book trailer), I loved the addition of clear film pages to add an extra layer to the story. 

Check out the book trailer for Magritte's Marvelous Hat.

The Cat and the Bird: A Children's Book Inspired by Paul Klee
Author/Illustrator: Géraldine Elschner
Publisher: Prestel Publisher (Random House)
Audience: Ages 5 and up

The theme for this week's new releases just may well be surrealist art inspired books.  The beautifully bold and bright colors of this book simply made me happy.  The story is one where a cat dreams of being free like the bird.  With the bird's help, the cat does get a chance to escape and to play.  The book finishes with a reproduction of Klee's Cat and Bird.  Works well with Magritte's Marvelous Hat. 

Step Gently Out
Author: Helen Frost
Photographer: Rick Lieder
Publisher: Candlewick
Audience: Ages  4 to 7

Yesterday, I posted a review of Nasty Bugs by Lee Bennett Hopkins.  I then found this book.  First, I love the novels in verse by Helen Frost.  Think of Step Gently Out as a picture book in verse.  Beautifully done with photographs of insects that are simply lovely. At the end, there is a reference section that explains each of the insects featured on the pages of this book.  Where as there is a certain aspect of humor featured in Nasty Bugs, the opposite would be true of Step Gently Out.  I think the two books would partner well as part of a science unit or to celebrate National Poetry Month.     

Hot Off the Press! (15)

I am so happy that this feature is back.   It is a weekly feature of picture books that are Hot Off The Press! and I base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore.  Their new picture book wall is back and here are the 5 new releases that stood out from the pile this week:

The Cloud Spinner
Author: Michael Catchpool
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Publisher: Random House Children's Books (March 13, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

With the feel of a classic fairy tale, Catchpool tells the story of a young boy who is able to weave cloth from the clouds.  Beautiful cloth in the colors of gold, white, and crimson.  The young weaver creates a scarf and catches the attention of the king who wants a whole wardrobe from this special cloth.  The boy warns the king, but his greed is great.  As with any fairy tale or fable, there is a lesson to learn with modern consequences.

The Hero of Little Street
Author/Illustrator: Gregory Rogers
Publisher: Roaring Brook/Macmillan (March 27, 2012)
Audience: Ages 5 to 8

Wordless picture books can be simple or complex.  In either format, there is a story to be told.  I had one image in mind when I saw the cover of this book and was surprised to find out that the book was wordless.  To escape a group of bullies, our boy hero jumps through the frame of a picture in a museum.  The adventure begins with a romp through art and time.  With a nod to Vermeer, readers get a chance to experience 17th century Holland.  This is one book that will require multiple readings in order to grasp all of the details of the story and the illustrations. 

Green

Author/Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Publisher: Roaring Brook/Macmillan (March 27, 2012)
Audience: Ages 5 to 8

Green.  All types of green.  Seeger explores variations on the color green in the outdoor world with the help of die-cuts.  The text leads reader to anticipate what is presently before their eye and what is coming on the next page.  Brilliantly executed, and fascinating to explore.  I found myself searching for the die-cuts (which at times are quite small) and trying to imagine what would be on the following page.  Well done by the woman who knows how to do concept books. 

Falcon
Author/Illustrator: Tim Jessell
Publisher: Random House Children's Books (March 27, 2012)
Audience: Ages 5 to 8

A young boy imagines what it would be like to be a falcon.  He describes what he would do and where he would go as a falcon. Jessell's illustrations make the reader feel like they have indeed transformed into this awesome winged creature.  May favorite scenes were the ones where the falcon dives between buildings skimming right above the people and cars and then sharply returning to the air.  The illustrations would be beautiful as wall art.

Leo Geo and His Miraculous Journey Through the Center of the Earth
Author/Illustrator: Jon Chad
Publisher: Roaring Brook/Macmillan (March 13, 2012)
Audience: Ages 7 to 12

I truly have no clue how to classify this book. Graphic Novel? Sort of.  Nonfiction? Not completely. Science Fiction? Partly. Humor? Yup. This book is horizontally long, but the narrator suggests that the reader turn it vertically.  Makes sense when you think you will be drilling to the center of the earth.  The simple line drawings with speech bubbles take you on an adventure where the reader encounters strange creatures, and some twists and turns.  However, a careful reading will also reveal that this book is filled with a ton of geological facts.  Who says adults can't learn something from children's books.