Author Event and Book Feature - Scribbles and Ink

Today I hopped in my car and drove all the way out to Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in order to see author/illustrator, Ethan Long.  It was definitely worth the drive.

You may recall that I have mentioned several of his books on my blog:

Chamelia - This is a fun story that not only celebrates your individuality but also knowing when it might be good to "fit in". 

Up! Tall! And High!  - This is one of those simple stories that is seriously funny and makes for a great read aloud. 

and one of my absolute favorites - Scribbles and Ink

Here is Ethan reading Up! Tall! And High! to a group of children as part of story time at Mrs. Nelson's.

Ethan also read Soup for One, and here he is reading The Book That Zack Wrote.

After tracing the hand of a child, Ethan created it into a illustration that he autographed for the child.  Everyone there loved this part of the morning.

Though Ethan didn't read Scribbles and Ink, I want to share a few pictures from the book.  For as much as I love so many of his books, this is still my favorite. 

What a great odd couple - Ink (the mouse) and Scribbles (the cat).  They definitely have unique personalities.

And definite opinions about each others artwork.

What I truly loved about the book was the interactive quality of the story - even if it was Scribbles & Ink doing all of the work.

And it begins....

....and it ends!

I don't want to spoil this book, but there is a great spread that opens up and also connections to modern art.  I have been thinking for months about how I want to use this one with students in some kind of creative process but also to introduce some classic art pieces.  

Check out a video of Ethan drawing Scribbles & Ink:



Hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse at Scribbles and Ink.  Look for this one or any of Ethan's books at your local library or pick one up at an independent Bookstore. 

For more information about Ethan Long:  blog | facebook

My Picture Book 10 for 10

This is the 3rd year that Cathy from Reflect & Refine: Building a Learning Community and Mandy from Enjoy and Embrace Learning are hosting the Picture Book 10 for 10 event (#pb10for10 ) on August 10, 2012.  I have no idea how I missed this the past two years considering my love for picture books.  However, I am joining in this year. 

Here is my list of 10 picture books for the 10 for 10 event...

The titles that I can read from memory because I read them so many times when I was first teaching preschool and kindergarten:

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom; Illustrated by Bruce Degen

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, John Archambault; Illustrated by Lois Ehlert

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams; Illustrated by Megan Lloyd

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.; Illustrated by Eric Carle

The book that reminds me of who I would love to become when I "grow" up...

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

The non-Halloween book that can also be read at Halloween or as a bedtime story...

Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi; Illustrated by Gris Grimly

The book that celebrates unique personality traits and is a great read aloud...

Effie by Beverly Allinson; Illustrated by Beverly Reid

The picture books that should have been Caldecott Winners....

Chalk by Bill Thomson

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray; Illustrated by Marla Frazee

The first children's book I ever got signed...

Tomie dePaola's Favorite Nursery Tales by Tomie dePaola

If you are interested in seeing my top 10 picture books of 2012 at the half-way mark, click here.

Don't forget to check out the hashtag #pb10for10 to catch the tweets about other bloggers who are joining in on this event.  Also follow @cathymere and @mandyrobek to also track down tweets about all these great books.

And stop by and leave a comment with some of your favorite titles.

Author Event & Book Feature - When Blue Met Egg

Today I had a chance to meet the wonderful Lindsay Ward, author/illustrator at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena.

 

Lindsay introduces the book When Blue Met Egg to her young audience.  

Children and parents had a chance to hear Lindsay read of When Blue Met Egg.  I enjoy listening to authors read their own books.

Here Lindsay shares with readers that the end pages of the book contain images of all the places in New York City that Blue & Egg visit. 

Lindsay shared with the audience that they could go to her website and download a paperdoll of Blue.   If you take a picture of Blue wherever you are, she would love to see it.  She has a spot on her blog called Where in the world is Blue?

Lindsay explained that she cuts each image out of paper that she has collected.  She searches around for unique and vintage paper to use in her art.  Each of the pieces in the picture above were created from different pieces of paper.  When you look at it from that perspective, the illustrations in this book are even more amazing.  

Here is a favorite picture of mine when Blue finds Egg for the first time and decides he needs to find Egg's mother.

Lindsay also explained that she cuts each piece to scale.  I was hoping the imagine would give readers a sense of how small some of the details are.  These are all really tiny.  I can't believe what it would take to make such a tiny cut-outs.

Here is part of the bridge scene that is a 3 page spread that opens up.  Lindsay admitted that it was a challenge to create the bridge from one piece of paper.

Blue and Egg go on lots of adventures throughout New York City.  They even take a ride on the subway. 

Blue and Egg is a story of friendship and adventure.  It is a delightful book and one that is in my top 10 picture books for the year.  If you haven't had a chance to read When Blue Met Egg, I encourage you to seek it out at your local library or independent bookstore.   


For more information about Lindsay Ward: website | blog | facebook | etsy | twitter

Book Review - Zoe Gets Ready

Author/Illustrator: Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine (May 1, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Source: Personal Copy
Fiction * Dress-Up * Imagination

Description from GoodReads:
A story where getting dressed inspires big dreams!

Each day is full of possibilities, and Zoe wants to be ready for everything this one might bring. But that makes getting dressed really, really hard! If it's a twirling day, she'll need to wear the purple skirt. But if it's a cartwheeling day, she'll want the polka-dot tights. Or it might be a hiding day, perfect for the flower crown that will help her blend into the garden . . . or a flying day, which demands butterfly wings! As the clothes pile up and Mama tells her it's time to go, there's only one way Zoe can be sure she's prepared for all the adventures ahead -- a solution that will have parents laughing in recognition and kids nodding in satisfaction. ZOE GETS READY is perfect for all those little girls who wouldn't have things any other way.

My thoughts on the book:
This past Sunday I attended an event hosted by SCIBA (Southern California Independent Booksellers Association) and Mrs. Nelson's Book.  I love the events that they do but I specifically went so that I could actually meet Bethanie Deeney Murguia.  I fell in love with her first book, Buglette, the Messy Sleeper and with each book she releases I am becoming a huge fan.  It is also wonderful when you meet the author and she is just as fantastic as her books.

This title page is great.  It reminds me of both of my nieces as they try to decide what to wear.  More of it ends up on the floor than on them as clothes to wear.

Zoe gets to chose what to wear on the weekends.  How will she ever decide?

Murguia takes the reader through several dilemmas as Zoe tries to figure out what she is in the mood for.  Each two page spread provides readers with a sense of Zoe's creativity and wonder with life.

Obviously, Murguia gets this dilemma on a personal level.  Here is Zoe as she struggles to decide and that other little character with the pants on her head is her younger sister.  I swear I have seen this same image when I have spent the weekend with my nieces.

Throughout the story, the readers experience Zoe's mother's personal frustration as she waits on Zoe.  First the "don't take all day" type response, to the "I hope you aren't making a mess" to "Zoeeeeee! Now!"

Success at last - Zoe finally decides (well sort of) what to wear!

Can't forget the wings!!!!

Murguia's text and illustrations perfectly capture this very familiar experience in the lives of parents and young children.  Zoe Gets Ready will make the perfect gift for a special little girl in your life.  I know that my niece is currently enjoying her signed copy of Zoe Gets Ready. Thanks Bethanie!

Borrow Zoe Gets Ready from your school or public library.  Or check with your local independent bookstore. 

Watch the official book trailer:



For more information on Bethanie Deeney Murguia: website | blog | twitter | facebook

Hot Off the Press- Well Almost!

I try to do a Hot Off the Press! post on Sundays featuring newly released picture books.  Unfortunately, the last couple of weeks, I haven't found that many that I wanted to feature in this space.  However, I did just go through a stack of F & G's (folded & gathered - think Advanced Reader Copy but for picture books) and thought I would highlight an upcoming August release. Creepy Carrots was so much fun to read and I hope that you consider pre-ordering it.

Author: Aaron Reynolds | blog
Illustrator: Peter Brown | website
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: August 21, 2012

Description from IndieBound.org:

The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch in this clever picture book parable about a rabbit who fears his favorite treats are out to get him. 

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots.
He eats them on the way to school.
He eats them going to Little League.
He eats them walking home.

Until the day the carrots start following him...or are they?

Celebrated artist Peter Brown’s stylish illustrations pair perfectly with Aaron Reynold’s text in this hilarious picture book that shows it’s all fun and games…until you get too greedy.

Check out this great video of Peter Brown talking about his inspiration for the illustrations of Creepy Carrots:

The Creepy Carrots Zone from Peter Brown on Vimeo.