picture books – Page 30

Take your baby traveling with Feather Flores’s new picture book series!

Posted on July 14, 2022July 13, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Author and editor Feather Flores is breathing new life into a series of city-based books from Chronicle! Great for touristing families and residents alike, these rhyming looks at popular U.S. cities feature families of color enjoying the sights. Let’s take a look at two of them.

Los Angeles, Baby!, by Feather Flores/Illustrated by Asia Ellington, (Aug. 2022, Chronicle Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9781797207216

Ages 3-5

A family heads out to explore Los Angeles on a bright, sunny day! Mom and Dad buckle their daughter into the car and head out for adventure, visiting such sights as the Pier, famed restaurant The Grove, and the La Brea Tar Pits. At night, they head to historic Olvera Street and take in a show at the Hollywood Bowl. Lively rhyming text and vibrant digital illustration show diverse people enjoying the daily hustle and bustle of the city while pointing out some popular tourist sites. Endpapers feature different landmarks in bright and darker yellow, like Hollywood stars and shopping bags, film reels and the Hollywood Bowl. Start a travel storytime and have your kiddos make their own stars to create a Walk – or a Wall – of Fame at your library, and bust out the tissue paper and your papel picado templates for an Olvera Street-related craft.

Make a travel display or booktalk this to families looking for travel-related books. Consider displaying with Byron Barton’s Airport, Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Airport, Paul and Peter Reynolds’s Going Places, and Barefoot Books’s Amazing Places.

Texas, Baby!, by Feather Flores/Illustrated by David DePasquale, (Aug. 2022, Chronicle Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9781797207223

Ages 3-5

Yee-haw, cowhands! Join a family as they head out on a tour through the Lone Star State! Rhyming phrases, bold text, and a diverse cast of characters are just the beginning of what makes this such a fun and vibrant book for toddlers and preschoolers. A girl and her dad are the main characters here, stopping off at the Fort Worth Stockyards to take in a rodeo, visiting the Space Center at Houston, enjoying a Tex-Mex lunch, and visiting the Alamo. There’s BBQ, western dancing, and bluebonnets to give readers the full Texas experience. Endpapers show a mix of things to discover, from armadillos and ten gallon hats to space shuttles and cactus. Have paper bags and construction paper on hand for cowboy crafts, cardboard tubes for rocket crafts, and crayons for this Texas Bluebonnet coloring page.

Other Travel, Baby! (my own title; I didn’t see a name for the series yet) books in this series include Chicago, Baby! and Washington, DC, Baby! by Feather Flores. San Francisco, Baby! and New York, Baby!, both illustrated by Ward Jenkins, were released in 2012 and are still available.

picture books, Preschool Reads

A goat learns to share in No Nibbling!

Posted on July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

No Nibbling!, by Beth Ferry/Illustrated by A.N. Kang, (March 2022, Roaring Brook Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781250762412

Ages 4-7

Derwood is a goat with a beautiful garden, but he’s always on guard: growing a garden is “risky business”, after all. A sweet – and smart! – bunny named Tabitha appears with a gleam in her eye and a rumble in her tummy. There is so much tasty food growing in the garden! Tabitha loves to chatter away with Derwood, slyly slipping in food-related puns – “Lettuce talk about something else”; Rabbits don’t really carrot one way or another”; “Romaine calm, Mkster Derwood” – and innocently convincing the goat he’s hearing things. The two slowly cultivate a sweet friendship, and Derwood lets down his guard and shares some of his bounty. An adorable story with delightful wordplay; kids will love the lovable curmudgeon and witty youngster. Anna Kang’s digital illustrations are expressive and softly colorful; endpapers feature some of Derwood’s crops, all sporting nibbles, across a green and white-checked tablecloth. The wordplay is colorful and bold, making this a great readaloud choice where you can emphasize the puns as Tabitha spouts them.

Read and display with some other fun books that play with language. I love Carson Ellis’s Du Iz Tak?, Dear Deer, by Gene Barretta, and David Ezra Stein’s Interrupting Chicken books.

picture books, Preschool Reads

My Dad is a Grizzly Bear sees grown-ups through kids eyes

Posted on July 11, 2022July 11, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

My Dad is a Grizzly Bear, by Swapna Haddow/Illustrated by Dapo Adeola, (May 2022, Red Comet Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781636550114

Ages 4-8

A little boy likens his father to a grizzly bear in this funny look at how we see our parents. Cartoony images show a giant grizzly bear chasing the boy and his sister; eating pancakes by the stack, and singing karaoke with the boy’s friends as the story progresses, in the boy’s voice: “He eats all the honey in the house. It drops off his pancakes and sticks to his whiskers. / He never leaves any for me because he is a grizzly bear”. The boy isn’t always put off by his dad, though – he and his sister giggle with glee as he chases them while the boy wields a water hose; as Dad “catches fish in his teeth” the boy is the one catapulting them from his fork. When the family goes camping and mom tells a scary story, Dad’s the one who saves the day with a big, warm bear hug. Kids will get a laugh as they think of people they know and what animals they could be: does someone hop around like a bunny? Or stretch like a cat? Or roar like a lion? A great book about dads and kids that we need more of: a fun-loving dad who’s there to rescue with a hug. Bright, colorful artwork, repetitive phrases, bold fonts, and a sweet story makes this a good storytime choice. Endpapers are a colorful splash of yellow pineapples on a pink background – just like Dad’s swim trunks on the cover. Download a free activity kit on Red Comet’s My Dad is a Grizzly Bear webpage.

Author Swapna Haddow is a popular, New Zealand-based author whose popular chapter book series include Dave the Pigeon and Ballet Bunnies. Visit her author webpage and join me in hoping more of her books appear on U.S. bookshelves. She’s also got loads of printable and fun activities. Dapo Adeola is a London-based illustrator and received the distinction of illustrator of the year at the 2022 British Book Awards. Follow him on Instagram for more of his artwork.

picture books, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Bustletown moves from seasons to times of day

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

All Around Bustletown: Nighttime, by Rotraut Susanne Berner, (Apr. 2022, Prestel), $12.95, ISBN: 9783791374901

Ages 2-5

Bustletown greeted visitors on American shores in 2019, with the debut of four oversized board books, showing the bustling town (get it?) through the four seasons. The latest Bustletown book shows readers what the town – still bustling! – looks like at night. The wordless seek-and-find book offers seven spreads where readers can see a library sleepover and a cross-section of a home’s residents getting ready to call it a night. Townspeople gather in the park to watch fireworks and a mischievous dog steals a woman’s hat. Familiar characters and locations resurface with yet another point of view, teaching concepts in a fun way. Challenges on the back cover ask readers to look for a nocturnal raccoon, sleeping horses, a neighbor sleeping outside, and more. Each spread reveals new details every time: there are so many things to see! Imaginative readers can look through previous Bustletown stories and tell their own stories about what the neighbors have been doing between each book. Create your own challenges for your readers: see what they’ll find.

Intermediate, Non-Fiction, picture books

I’m a Neutrino – great for science storytimes

Posted on July 10, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

I’m a Neutrino: Tiny Particles in a Big Universe, by Dr. Eve M. Vavagiakis/Illustrated by Ilze Lemesis, (March 2022, MIT Kids Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536222074

Ages 7-9

If you enjoy Chris Ferrie’s Baby University books, and Ruth Spiro and Irene Chan’s Baby Loves Science board books, you’re going to flip for I’m a Neutrino, a rhyming science tale by a Cornell physicist and her illustrator mother. I’m a Neutrino introduces burgeoning young scientists to the neutrino: “I am a particle, like electrons and light / I can pass through you without stopping my flight!” The neutrinos, depicted as bright, colorful, spiky-headed little beings, adventure throughout the story, dancing and playing across the cosmos as a diverse group of kids and adults try to unlock their mysteries. The rhyming text informs with a playful tone, and the accompanying illustrations make science exciting and fun while adding new science terms to readers’ vocabularies. A “Know Your Neutrinos” section in the back matter identifies and gives a little more factual information about the neutrinos we encounter in the story.

There isn’t a glossary of new words in this volume, so consider making some flash cards to hand out, to help readers navigate these new words. You can find more about neutrinos at Kiddle and Academic Kids.

This is the first collaboration between Dr. Vavagiakis and MIT Kids and a natural progression for readers who started reading science board books like Chris Ferrie’s and Ruth Spiro and Irene Chan’s series as toddlers and preschoolers. Great for a science storytime, Junior Discovery Club, or STEM class.

Visit Eve Vavagiakis’s webpage for more about her research and mentoring.

picture books, Preschool Reads

Ahoy! Books about Boats

Posted on July 8, 2022July 7, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

To add some fun to summer reading storytimes, add some stories about boats!

Old Wood Boat, by Nikki McClure, (May 2022, Candlewick Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536216585

Ages 4-8

An old boat gets a new lease on life in this distinctive story by award-winning artist and author Nikki McClure. The Old Wood Boat sits, floating in a drydock, remembering “the wind… islands and a sea of green” as she houses raccoons and blackberries grow across her decks. One day, a family arrives and purchases the boat, and set about making her sea-worthy again. Once the work is done, they set off for new adventures, and the boat keeps her new family safe and comfortable. It’s a lovely story of renewal and potential, with Nikki McClure’s trademark spare prose and striking cut-paper artwork. Back matter includes a glossary of nautical terms introduced in the story. A glorious summer story. Consider pairing with Nikki McClure’s counting book, 1 2 3 Salish Sea. Visit Nikki McClure’s website for more about her books.

Lily Leads the Way, by Margi Preus/Illustrated by Matt Myers, (May 2022, Candlewick Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536214031

Ages 4-8

Lily is a small sailboat who is so excited to greet a fleet of visiting tall ships! She races out to the harbor entrance and blows her horn – “Meee-me?” – to ask the bridge to lift and let her through, but bigger ships blast their horns so much louder and their wakes rock and roll poor Lily as they rumble past. When she finally sneaks through and spots the tall ships, she’s thrilled: until she realizes that the bridge will have to lift to let them pass, but these ships are silent! Will good manners and a determined little sailboat save the day? Crisp oil illustrations bring a charming anthropomorphic touch to the realism of this summery story. Illustrated Matt Myers captures the beauty of the water, with shades of blue communicating depth and movement against a summer sky with puffy, light clouds. The ships and land are colorful, set off against the blues, to bring this seafaring story to life. The boats don’t sport cartoony facial expressions, but they are there for those who look: the downcast eyes of a huge vessel as he trundles by Lily; a somber and focused coast guard cutter zips past Lily. Kids will love Lily’s sweet attempts to be seen, and be captivated by the sight of the regal tall ships as they approach the harbor. Lily Leads the Way is a story about determination, and carries a sweet message about being polite. An author’s note offers more information about bridges and boats. A wonderful storytime pick. Make sure to invite the kids to make their own boat horn noises!

Visit Craft Play Learn for fun boat craft ideas for a storytime activity. I love cork boat craft and the craft stick craft.

Margi Preus is the Newbery Honoree author of Heart of a Samurai (2010). Visit her author website for more about her books, and free downloadable resources, including reading guides. Matt Myers is the illustrator of the Infamous Ratsos book series. Find more about his work at his website.

picture books, Preschool Reads

Bloom: Let the jellyfish lead you!

Posted on July 7, 2022July 6, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Bloom, by Julia Seal, (March 2022, Sunbird Books), $12.99, ISBN: 9781978833586

Ages 4-8

Inspired by true events and climate change, Bloom is the story of climate change and activism from a jellyfish’s point of view. Luna, a young jellyfish, returns from travel and discovers a very different seascape from the one she left: her friends are missing from their reef, and the area is warmer, and there is litter everywhere! Even her friend Hermit’s “new shell” is made of debris! One little jellyfish may not be able to garner a lot of notice, but an entire bloom of jellyfish will sure get notice!

Julia Seal tells the story of a plucky, determined jellyfish while calling attention to the very real problems of pollution and climate change. Her art is cheerful and colorful, wish soft lighting and around her sea life, particularly the jellyfish. The upbeat artwork highlights how marine life can often confuse pollution for part of their environment: the turtle thinks a plastic bag is strangely flavored food; Luna mistakes pollution for fish and fellow jellies. Luna and her jellyfish friend band together to make their statement, even spelling out “Save Our Oceans” off the shore of a beach, where humans can see it. It reinforces strength in numbers and positive activism. (Just make sure to tell kids that if they see jellyfish massing in real life, it’s probably not a great idea to go near them!)

Great for the Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading theme, and great for discovery/STEM clubs and your climate change collections. Talk to kids about the problems with plastics and our oceans. NatGeo Kids has an excellent webpage that lists numbers and posts photos. Kids can learn more about jellyfish at this NatGeo Kids’ webpage, too. Visit publisher Sunbird Books’s Bloom book detail page and download free activity sheets.

picture books, Preschool Reads

The Pout-Pout Fish returns!

Posted on July 7, 2022July 6, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry Worry Whale, by Deborah Diesen/Illustrated by Dan Hanna, (June 2022, Farrar, Straus & Giroux), $18.99, ISBN: 9780374389307

Ages 3-6

The Pout-Pout Fish is back and helping a friend overcome anxiety in the newest Pout-Pout story! Pout-Pout is off to a party when he meets his friend, Willa Whale. Willa, who’s also supposed to be going to the party, is petrified with anxiety. What if there are too many guests? What if she doesn’t know what to say, or if no one wants to play with her? There is so much to worry about, but Mr. Fish is ready with some easy-to-follow tips to relieve her stress and get her to the party, where he checks in with her and makes sure she’s having a good time and feeling supported. The tips are great for Willa, and for younger readers who may need some coping tips for anxiety, too. Rhyming text and familiar, friendly faces will draw readers in right away. Kids may relate to Willa’s dilemma and appreciate seeing others with the same worries and ways to overcome them.

The Pout-Pout Fish books fit nicely into the CSLP Summer Reading “Oceans of Possibilities” theme. Visit the Pout-Pout Fish website for a look at all the Pout-Pout titles and free downloadables. Pair and display with Guido van Genechten’s Little White Fish books. For more about breathing exercises to relieve anxiety for children, visit this page on The Children’s Bureau’s website.

picture books, Preschool Reads

Blog Tour: Pink is Not a Color

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Rosemary Kiladitis

A day late, and I apologize, but trust me, it’s worth the wait: Lindsay Ward is back with another crayon in the crayon box! Two years ago, she told us about all the great ways we can use the color gray, with her book This Book is Gray; now, it’s all about Pink!

Pink is Not a Color, by Lindsay Ward, (July 2022, Two Lions), $17.99, ISBN: 9781542026864

Ages 4-8

Lindsay Ward bring us back to the group of crayons we met in This Book is Gray (2019), where the crayons are getting ready for a Rainbow Extravaganza! Pink sees all the planning and fun, but… why wasn’t she invited? The Primaries and Secondaries are all there, after all. Pink asks why she’s never heard of the Extravaganza before, and the uncomfortable truth is revealed: she’s not in the rainbow, so… she’s not really a color? How can that be? Luckily, the Tints are there to save the day: colors mixed with white, like Coral, Mint, Buttercup, Lavender, and Sky are all there to welcome Pink into the fold, and Gray even makes an appearance with some sage wisdom and friendship.

What a great story! Pink is going to be an instant hit with readers, with her adorable unicorn horn headband and pink Western boots. (She reminds me of my adorable niece, which makes me love her even more.) She has a cheery room, with ballet slippers, her best friend, a pink flamingo named Phil, pink-tabulous artwork on her walls, even a pink microscope! The colors all have such vibrant personalities: purple has a tutu and an antenna headband; blue sports a backwards baseball cap; yellow wears sunglasses. The story is told in word balloon dialogue, making it easy for a Reader’s Theatre summer reading activity and for illustrating dialogue over narration. Have a Rainbow Extravaganza of your own and invite your kiddos to choose what color they would be: and then ask them to illustrate themselves! Make sure to check out the color glossary at the beginning of the book; there are great explanations of color groups that make for an excellent color theory sorting activity for preschoolers. Endpapers give readers more of a glimpse into Pink’s character..

Pink is Not a Color is perfect for storytime and colorful programming. I really hope we get more Crayon Box stories from Lindsay Ward!

Make sure to visit Lindsay Ward’s website!

“Ward’s cast of colors, pink-cheeked and wearing accessories, speak in color-coded speech bubbles; appropriately, pink hues dominate the exuberant art. A rosy take on selfhood.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Lindsay Ward is the creator of the Dexter T. Rexter series as well as Between the Lines, Scooper and Dumper, Rosie: Stronger than Steel, This Book Is Gray, Brobarians, Rosco vs. the Baby, and The Importance of Being 3. Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play. Lindsay lives with her family in Peninsula, Ohio with her husband, three boys, one dog, and eight ducks. When she’s not drawing, Lindsay loves to bake. Pink-frosted cupcakes are her favorite. Learn more about her online at www.lindsaymward.com.

Twitter: @lindsaymward
Instagram: lindsaymward