Toddler Reads – Page 23

Animal Fiction, Early Reader, Fiction, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Black Cat & White Cat: Friends Forever!

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Black Cat & White Cat, by Claire Garralon (June 2016, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), $7.99, ISBN: 978-1-4926-3781-3

Recommended for 0-4

I just spotlighted Black Cat & White Cat yesterday, but today’s where I get to talk about actually reading and testing the book out at storytime. The story is simple and very sweet: Black Cats live in white houses. White Cats live in black houses. Black Cat and White Cat want to meet up and play, but Black Cat disappears when he goes to White Cat’s house, and vice versa. What can the two friends do to find a place that lets them have a great playdate? Strike out in search of a place that’s not too black or too white, naturally!

I LOVE this book. It’s perfect for a mixed storytime like my baby storytime, which ends up having a healthy combination of baby and toddler siblings all together. I explained to my parents that high contrast, black and white books are great for infants; they can best see these images. Older siblings get to enjoy a fun story about two friends in search of the perfect playdate while the littlest lapsitters enjoy the cutest images of cats and houses. The use of negative space is wonderful, especially when the friends try to visit one another – parts disappear! We see hind quarters and tails and cat feet; window cut-outs and stark trees add to the lonely atmosphere the cats feel as they try to make the most of a hide and seek playdate. When they finally arrive at a place just for them, it’s a surprise, a revelation, like stepping into Oz from Kansas. Beautiful, bright colors await the reader and the cats, and make for a very happy ending. My babies and my toddlers love this book, my 4 year-old loves this book, and I love this book.

For collections that see a lot of storytime action, particularly for babies and toddlers, this is a must-add. Put together a baby read-aloud with high contrast titles like Hello Animals, Hello Ocean Friends, and Hello Baby Animals for a fun, animal-friendly storytime with tons of fingerplay and song potential.

Animal Fiction, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Spotlight On: Black Cat White Cat by Claire Garralon – and a giveaway!

Posted on June 5, 2016June 3, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Sourcebooks has been killing it this year! There are so many great books in the Jabberwocky kids’ line, with adorable books like Too Many Moose and I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur. Next up is this too-cute board book for little ones: Black Cat & White Cat.

Black Cat & White Cat, by Claire Garralon
June 7, 2016; Board Book, ISBN 978-1-4926-3781-3

Book information

Title: Black Cat & White Cat

Author: Claire Garralon

Release date: June 7, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

About the Book

Black Cat & White Cat is an appealing black-and-white board book about friendship from French author Claire Garralon.

Black Cat and White Cat want to be friends, but in a world of black and white, someone is always hard to see! Can they find a way to play together without someone disappearing? In the face of adversity, friendship prevails, and Black Cat and White Cat set off to find a place where they can play happily together.

The high-contrast words and shapes are perfect for the youngest eyes, and the fun story will keep children engaged.

Find it on Goodreads.

Buy the Book

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1X1CgKM

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1XmqtHR

Books a Million: http://bit.ly/1WyHhuw

!ndigo: http://bit.ly/1WyHw8O

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1TYG2RV

About the Author

Claire Garralon is a graphic designer and illustrator. She is the author and illustrator of numerous books in France, where she lives.

Don’t miss your chance to win a copy of Black Cat & White Cat! Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
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Early Reader, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Follow a fish’s journey to the sea in The River

Posted on March 22, 2016March 22, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

The River: An Epic Journey to the Sea, by Patricia Hegarty/Illustrated by Hanako Clulow (March 2016, Kane Miller), $12.99, ISBN: 978-61067-468-3

Recommended for ages 3-6

A little fish begins her journey in the snowcapped mountains, traveling downriver and passing through forests, past animals going about their days and nights, until finally reaching the sea in this rhyming tale with a little something extra to capture little eyes and minds: the book is die-cut, with a lenticular window that gives the illusion of a three-dimensional swimming fish!

Beautifully illustrated by Hanako Clulow, each spread depicts a different scene in nature, progressing through the seasons as the fish makes her journey. We see the wildlife, weather, and surroundings change, and the gentle, rhyming text sets the reader in each location; whether watching geese fly overhead, beavers scamper, and an owl, hooting softly in the moonlight. The moving fish is a constant, ever swimming toward her destination.

The pages are sturdy and will hold up to multiple readings, which is a good thing – I’m pretty sure this book will demand it! This book has entered my 3 year old’s regular rotation, and we’re at the point where he now “makes the fish swim” by holding the book as I read. I’ll be bringing this to my toddler storytime this Thursday, where I’m sure it will get rave reviews: anything to hold their attention!

I love this book and would love to see more in a series for little ones. It’s a great way to introduce nature and nonfiction in a fun, interactive way. I am a little worried about how this would hold up in circulation, because of the die-cut and the lenticular fish, because the kids at my library are very enthusiastic readers. That said, I’m going to give it a shot and order a couple of copies to test the waters. I think it will be a great read-aloud for my class visits, too; the teachers I’ve seen lately have asked for more nonfiction books during the read-aloud portion of the visit, and I think this would be a fun, educational read for the Kindergarteners.

Enjoy the book trailer for The River, and consider adding this one to your collections.

Illustrator Hanako Clulow’s webpage has more of her illustrations, links to her Etsy shop, and a cover reveal for her upcoming book, “Above and Below”.

Early Reader, Fantasy, Fiction, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

How to Catch a Leprechaun tries… but they’re awfully sneaky!

Posted on March 12, 2016March 12, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

How to Catch a Leprechaun, by Adam Wallace/Illustrated by Andy Elkerton, (Feb. 2016, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), $9.99, ISBN: 978-1492632917

Recommended for ages 3-7

Do you think you’re ready to catch a leprechaun? It doesn’t matter how long you’ve planned or what you think you’ve got ready for him, this is one wily leprechaun!

Told in rhyme from the leprechaun’s point of view, we see various houses all ready for him, determined to trap him and find the secret place where he keeps his gold, but we also see how easily he foils each attempt. The story’s light, fun, and quickly paced, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day storytime. There’s a great event kit from Sourcebooks, with activities and printouts, that I’ll be incorporating into my storytime on Thursday!

A fun addition to your holiday shelves!

Early Reader, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Am I Big Enough? Empowers kids!

Posted on March 9, 2016August 24, 2019 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Am I Big Enough?: A Fun Little Book on Manners, by Julia Pinckney/Illustrated by Timothy Young (Jan. 2016, Schiffer Publishing), $16.99, ISBN: 9780764350535

Recommended for ages 3-6

A little boy named Finn watches his family as they go about their daily activities and wonders if he is big enough to do the same things. Finn knows his hands are smaller than his daddy’s, but they are big enough to do lots of things on their own – and he invites other kids to see how big they are, too!

Each spread poses one of Finn’s questions: Am I big enough to say please? Am I big enough to be quiet in the library? On the right hand side of the page is a handprint where children can place their hands to see if, like Finn, they are big enough to handle the task at hand. Bold fonts and colors exclaim, “I AM BIG ENOUGH!” With every spread, both Finn and the readers gain confidence because they’re big enough to do a lot more than they may think.

For toddlers and preschoolers that may be hearing about all the things they aren’t allowed to do because they’re too little, a book like Am I Big Enough? shows them all the things they are big enough to do; they’re big enough to share, big enough to shake hands, and big enough to show everyone around them how fantastic they are. It’s an empowering book for little ones that could work in a smaller story time, where each child gets a chance to find out if he or she is big enough. I read this with my 3 year-old and he LOVED it. It’s gone into our daily storytime rotation, and now he’s got no problem letting our family know that he’s big enough to do “LOTS OF THINGS”.

A good addition to collections for a toddler and preschool population, and a good recommendation for anyone who needs empowering books for their little ones.

Have a look at more pages from Am I Big Enough?

Early Reader, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Calling All Cars – Fun for Storytime, Fun for Anytime!

Posted on March 4, 2016February 26, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Calling All Cars
Written by Sue Fliess, Illustrated by Sarah Beise
March 1, 2016; 10×10 Hardcover, ISBN 9781492618812
Also available in 8×8 Hardcover, ISBN 9781492638353

Book information:
Title: Calling All Cars
Author: Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Sarah Beise
Release date: March 1, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

This month, I’ve got a spotlight on Sue Fliess and Sarah Beise’s adorable transportation book, Calling All Cars! This brightly colored salute to all kinds of cars is a great addition to libraries who enjoy storytime rhyming books.

Transportation books are huge with toddler and preschool audiences, with good reason: they’re fun! Calling All Cars takes readers on a trip with all sorts of cars: clown cars, trip cars, dogs in back cars, and more! The bold, black text makes for easy storytime reading; the text is as playful as the art, going up hills and through the snow next to their vehicles. The pictures are bold, with fun geometric shapes and cartoony drivers that kids will enjoy.

I read this one with my 3 year-old, who played along with his own toy cars. Could be a great storytime activity: let the little ones drive some cars of their own around after storytime, or let them color in car pictures (I always have a Word document with about 10-15 of Disney’s Cars characters ready to print). There are some great transportation songs and fingerplays on the Web, too – explore!

Enjoy the spotlight on Calling All Cars – thanks to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky!

Praise for Calling All Cars:

“Each double-page spread offers a surplus of amusing sights: three pigs in a convertible, a kitten chauffeuring a royal pair of lions, love-struck snakes hugging and tugging their cars too close together. Beise’s digital illustrations pop with vivid colors…. [Fliess’] rhyming couplets bounce off the page.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This successful collaboration combines brisk and spirited writing with bold, effervescent pictures and will have wide appeal to young readers. Fliess’s punchy rhymes mimic the speed and energy of the cars being described, making for a lively read-aloud… Young car enthusiasts will enjoy the ride through this zippy, robust picture book.” —School Library Journal

About the Book
Big cars, small cars, let’s call ALL cars! This bouncy text explores the wonderful world of cars zipping up, down, fast, and slow. A perfect basic concept books for eager young learners from the author of Tons of Trucks. Then cruise into bedtime!

Rest cars, Hush cars
No more rush, cars.
Cars pull in, turn off the light.
Sweet dreams, sleepy cars…goodnight!

Filled with vibrant art, adorable animal characters, and cars of all kinds from love bugs to the demolition derby, Calling All Cars is for every child who loves to read about things that go! Surprise bonus—follow one long road throughout this vividly imagined world and don’t miss the hidden clues in the artwork!

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27015390-calling-all-cars

Buy the Book
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WHmpgX
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QZwx0q
Books a Million: http://bit.ly/1SRWipt
!ndigo: http://bit.ly/1WHmzFf
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1SRWuVL

About the Author
Sue Fliess is the author of more than a dozen children’s books, including the popular Tons of Trucks and Robots, Robots Everywhere! Her background is in copywriting, PR, and marketing, and her articles have appeared in O, the Oprah Magazine; Huffington Post; Writer’s Digest; and more. Her article from O, the Oprah Magazine was chosen for inclusion in O’s Little Book of Happiness (March 2015). Sue lives with her family and a Lab named Charlie in Northern Virginia. Visit her online at www.suefliess.com.

Connect with Sue Fliess!
Website: http://www.suefliess.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sue.Fliess.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suefliess
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/suefliess/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4484623.Sue_Fliess

About the Illustrator
Sarah Beise, a graduate of Minneapolis College of Art and Design, is an innovative illustrator and designer who loves to create fun and unique characters that help tell stories. Originally from Matthews, NC she now makes Kansas City her home along with her two dogs, Maxwell and Mazzie May. For more info visit http://www.SarahBeise.com.

Connect with Sarah Beise!
Website: http://www.colordotstudio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sarah-Beise-Art-Design-LLC-233477983374912/

Calling All Cars Giveaway: Runs March 1-31 (US and Canada only)! Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
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Early Reader, Fiction, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Our Love Grows: Perfect for Moms and Dads to read-aloud!

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Our Love Grows, by Anna Pignataro (April 2016, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), $16.99, ISBN: 9781492634188

Recommended for ages 2-6

Pip is a sweet little panda who can’t wait to grow up. He asks his mother, “When will I be big?” and his mother reminds him that he’s already grown from when he was a baby. The story takes place as Pip’s mother remembers important moments: his tiny paw prints in the snow, his blanket covered all of him, playing hide and seek and the passing of seasons; how his tiny face fit in her hands. As she goes back over how Pip has grown, Mother Panda reminds Pip that as he’s grown, so has her love for him.

This is the sweetest book. Pip is actually not assigned a gender in the story; I think of Pip as being a little boy because I have three of my own, and reading this story reminded me of many similar moments in my own children’s lives. Snuggling with my toddler as I read this, I remembered when his blanket covered all of him – the same blanket that his feet now stick out from under; I remember he and his brothers fitting so snugly in my arms; I remember how little their snow angels looked in the winter; and yes, I may have gotten a little teary-eyed. My little guy didn’t notice it, but I did get an extra tight hug when I read the line about my love for him growing as he grows.

Our Love Grows is one of those books I recommend for parents, because it’s a parent’s eye-view of our babies growing up. It’s bittersweet, yes, but books like this remind us of the sweet moments, and when we’re lucky enough to still have the little ones that sit on our lap when we tell stories, books like this also let them know that they’ll get big, eventually – don’t rush it. And we’ll be right there with them.

The art is sedate and intimate, with Pip, Mom, and Pip’s stuffed bird the main focus of the book, surrounded by nature. The text is a plain black font that doesn’t call attention to itself, making the characters the central point of attention.

A good choice for new parents, toddler parents, and preschooler parents whose little ones are desperate to be big, when we want them to stay small for just a little longer.

Anna Pignataro is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. Visit her author webpage to find out more about her books and artwork.

Early Reader, Fiction, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Don’t Touch This Book! More interactive fun from Bill Cotter

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Don’t Touch This Book!, by Bill Cotter (March 2016, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), $16.99, ISBN: 9781492632245

Recommended for ages 3-7

Larry, the monster from Don’t Push the Button! returns with another interactive book that fans of Herve Tullet will love. Larry shows off his new book, complete with his picture on the cover, but warns you: Don’t Touch This Book! He relents a bit, offering to let readers drag a finger down the page, which delights Larry – and the reader – when the page changes color! Larry leads readers through more fun interactions including stirring the colors, flapping their arms to help him escape a dinosaur, and talk like robots.

Books like these are great for storytimes, because you get the kids in there with you from the beginning. If your storytime is small enough, you can have individual children take one of the actions; larger groups, you can have the kids sit on their spots and play along. I found books like this really helpful with special needs audiences; the hands-on interaction captivated them and focused their attention on the storytime.

The art is great for toddler and preschool audiences, with a friendly, brightly colored monster, fun fonts, and active movement in the pictures. Go crazy with this book; it’s the perfect way to get the kids reading along with you!

Early Reader, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Downward Dog With Diego is more yoga fun for kids!

Posted on February 11, 2016August 24, 2019 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Downward Dog with Diego, by Pamela Prichett (Apr. 2-16, Blue Apple Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9781609055288

Recommended for ages 3-6

Diego’s a little boy who’s learning yoga, and he’s inviting you to learn with him by following the animals! Stretch like a cat; crouch like a frog; bow down like a dog; balance like a bear; lie down like a crocodile; curl up like a rabbit; stand like a cow; rise like a cobra; roar like a lion, and flutter like a butterfly – the pictures show you how.

This is a great introduction to yoga for toddlers and preschoolers. The bold, bright colors are eye-catching, and the images of animals used in yoga, paired with Diego, posing inside the animal’s outline, illustrates how the pose relates to the animal and makes it easier for kids to recreate the pose on their own. Rhyming text and alternating spreads introducing the action and animal, then revealing the pose with its description on the next page, give readers a sense of excitement as they wait for each pose to be revealed. Bold text that travels across the page adds to the fluid movement of the book and makes for a fun read aloud or read-alone. A spread at the end of the book depicts poses with names, outlines of a person doing the pose, and the benefits of each pose.

This is a visually interesting book that will keep audiences interested. Go through a read-aloud twice: read through the book once, and then move through the series a second time! I’ve been adding more yoga books to my picture book collection after having a great yoga storytime this past weekend; I can’t wait to read this one with my toddlers and see how they enjoy it (my review copy was digital). Kids love recreating animal poses, and books like You Are a Lion! And Other Fun Yoga Poses, plus videos like Yoga Kids, speak to this by concentrating on animal poses and facial expressions. Learning animals sounds is one of the first things we teach our kids, so it’s a great way to continue learning about animals, while giving them the benefit of exercise and the calming practice of yoga. A fun addition to your fitness and storytime collections.

Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads, Uncategorized

Clap, Clap! Fun with sounds!

Posted on January 11, 2016August 24, 2019 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Clap, Clap!, by Madalena Matoso (March 2016, Nobrow), $14.95, ISBN: 9781909263826

Recommended for ages 2-5

This is a perfect read-aloud book. It’s a book about sounds, where YOU make the sound. Clang along with a pair of symbols, flap your butterfly wings, or give a huge hand clap! Bright and bold colors and characters invite kids to sizzle, bong, and woof along with them throughout the book.

Clap, Clap! is an interactive book that works great for toddlers or young, school-age kids. Get them up, get them moving, and talk about all the great sounds they can make! Just like it says on the back of the book: “Help tell a story of noise and sound—no batteries required, just your hands on each side of the cover.”

I love the books coming out of Nobrow – the designs are so bright, eye-catching, and just make you feel good. Younger kids will love these books; I can’t wait to get them all over my library. Add this to your storytime shelf!

Madalena Matoso is part of the Planeta Tangerina illustration and graphic design collective. You can see more about Clap there, and watch a little video!