The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book One

Happy New Year and welcome to the first day of the TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration. A few years ago I reviewed a book called Willow, which charmed me. I was therefore delighted to find out that the author and illustrator who created Willow have worked together again to bring us another book featuring their delight main character. Here is my review of this new title. 

Willow and the Snow Day Dance

Denise Brennan-Nelson

Illustrated by Cyd Moore

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2011, 978-1-58536-522-7

   Willow has just moved to her new home, and she wastes no time getting busy. Soon Willow and her mother are planting a garden, but then they discover that they don’t have enough plants to fill their garden space. Willow decides to write to her neighbors. She asks them if they can help her fill her garden by donating a plant or two.

   By summertime, Willow’s garden is flourishing, and she delivers flowers to all her neighbors, including Mr. Larch, who lives next door. Mr. Larch is old, crabby, unneighborly, and anti-social, but Willow doesn’t know this. She takes him flowers anyway, and she asks him and all the other neighbors if they have any “scraps” to donate for her garden art projects. Soon her garden is full of old junk that Willow turns into interesting works of art.

   In the fall, Willow shares the vegetables from her garden with all the neighbors, including Mr. Larch, and she asks everyone to donate to the annual hat and mitten drive at her school. Can it be that Mr. Larch’s cold heart is starting to thaw, warmed by Willow’s friendship?

  This delightful book brings back the character who charmed readers in Willow. Once again, the little girl with the wild hair shows readers how a little creativity and a big heart can make the world a much happier place. 

Happy New Year!

Please join the TTLG Picture Book Celebration in 2011. One picture book review for every day of the year!

A delightful trio of apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch

I imagine that some of you bought or received a new iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch over the holidays, and I want to tell you about some wonderful children's book apps that work with these devices.

PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit is an interactive version of Beatrix Potter's wonderful story. It is a joy to look at, and children will love the way some of the illustrations move. Children can read their book on their own or have it read to them (with highlighted words). Here is a small video to show you what it looks like.



It can be purchased through your device in the interactive children's book category for just $1.99!

There is also a collection of twelve Beatrix Potter books for the iPad that is called Beatrix Potter Collection - Premium Talkie Book. There are not interactive elements, but children can have the books read to them. The titles in the collection are: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, The Tale of Tailor of Gloucester, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies, The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, and The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes. Though there are no bells and whistles on this one, the artwork looks beautiful, just like in the print books, and this app would be wonderful to have during a car ride or plane journey. Costing only $0.99, this is a good deal. You can find it in the children's book category or by using the search.



Another interactive book that I was thrilled to see was the Alice in Wonderland for iPad. The illustrations are beautiful and the interactive elements will hook children on this deliciously bizarre story. You can try the book out for free in the Lite version. Here is a movie to show you what it looks like. The full version costs $8.99



I will have some more children's book app recommendations for you next week. Enjoy!

Storybird - A website for readers, writers, and illustrators.

For those of you out there who like to write or illustrate, I have a treat for you. Take a look at Storybird, a website where you can write stories, or create art for stories. You can write by yourself, or collaborate with other people. You can even have the stories you created printed in book form. Or, if you don't feel like creating, you can read and look at other people's creations. Here is a little video about Storybird.

And here is a quick tour describing how to use Storybird.

I am going to try this out myself very soon. What a great idea!

Merry Christmas!

We wish you a very merry Christmas!

Random House releases a new app for the iPad

RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND SMASHING IDEAS RELEASE

FIRST BOOK-BASED CHILDREN’S APP FOR iPAD

Wild About Books for iPad available in iTunes store on December 16th

Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids), together with leading digital media agency Smashing Ideas, today announced that Wild About Books for iPad will be available in the iTunes store on December 16th. Based on the New York Times bestselling children’s picture book Wild About Books, by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Marc Brown, the app retails for $7.99, but is available now for a special introductory price of $4.99. This is the first product in the partnership between Random House, Inc. and Smashing Ideas, with more interactive digital books based on key properties such as pat the bunny, Little Golden Books^®, and others scheduled to follow in the coming months.

“Wild About Books for iPad is packed full of delightful interactive elements and sound effects that will encourage kids to explore each page and come back to the app time and again," said Chip Gibson, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books. “Every scene of the story uses the iPad screen and capabilities to deliver new experiences for readers.”

The award-winning picture book now roars to life in 16 animated and interactive scenes where kids can tilt, swipe, and tap their way through Judy Sierra’s rollicking rhymed story. Readers can choose to listen or turn off the narration and read at their own pace. Whether they’re making monkeys flip, beach balls bounce, animals stampede, or bears burp, parents and kids are sure to laugh, learn, and get wild about books together.

“Wild About Books for iPad capitalizes on a groundbreaking 3-D interpretation,” said Ben Roberts, Director, ePublishing, Smashing Ideas and co-creator of Alice for the iPad. “Marc Brown’s gorgeous illustrations are linked to iPad movements so that each page becomes a scene in a 3-D world that you can twist and turn to intimately navigate and explore.”

Wild About Books, Judy Sierra’s funny animal tale about librarian Molly McGrew, who introduces animals to reading, was published in 2004 to critical acclaim, winning the coveted E. B. White Read Aloud Award. With playful art paintings by Arthur creator Marc Brown, it was also named an ALA Notable Children’s Book and a Book Sense Book of the Year. Having sold nearly 500,000 copies to date, it has found a permanent place on bookshelves in libraries and homes across the country.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, eBooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s website, Kids @ Random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless, and more have called upon the company to develop engaging, online, ITV, and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the U.K.

Five days of Seasonal and Holiday book giveaways - Day Five

For the last day of the five days of seasonal and holiday book giveaways, I have a title that is sure to make readers of all ages smile. If you would like to enter this giveaway please send me an email. 

Santa’s Eleven Months Off

Mike Reiss

Illustrated by Michael D. Montgomery

Picture Book

Ages 5 to 7

Peachtree Publishers, 2007, 1-56145-421-4

   We all know that from December first until Christmas Santa Claus works “his rear off” making sure that every good girl and good boy in the world gets their due on Christmas Day. Not surprisingly, the good man is pretty worn out after all this hard work, and for the rest of the year he takes a good rest. Mind you, this does not mean he does nothing for eleven months. Dear me no!

   In January he goes on an exercise binge, presumably to make up for all that fruitcake and eggnog he consumed the month before. Thankfully this state of affairs does not last too long, and in February he goes to Hollywood from some sunshine and fun. For a complete change of scene he visits Japan in May to participate in some sumo wrestling. Needless to say he wins “each match – no draws.”

   Then in June there are the Summer Reindeer Games to attend, and in July Santa is a super-spy. In September he, as usual, goes back to school. He is such a conscientious fellow you see. As for October – well just keep a look out for a bearded Easter Bunny at Trick-or-Treat time. Santa is a huge Halloween fan.  

   This is the perfect book for children who ask “What does Santa do after Christmas is over?” With wonderfully humorous rhymes, which will have readers giggling in not time, and delightful artwork, this picture book will give readers something a little different to read during the holiday season.  

Five days of Seasonal and Holiday book giveaways - Day Four

Today's giveaway is a prefect gift for a child who is beginning to doubt that Santa exists. If you would like to enter this giveaway, please email me.

Santa’s Last Present

Marie-Aude Murail and Elvire Murail

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Picture Book

Ages 8 to 12

Peachtree, 2003, 156145319-6

    Julian thinks that it is about time for him to stop writing letters to Santa. After all, isn’t he getting a little too old for Santa now? But his parents seem keen on the whole Santa business, so Julian writes to Santa asking for a really expensive present – a fancy video game system.

   On Christmas Day Julian finds that he has been given his requested gift, but he has also been given something else, a small wooden train. It would seem that Santa accidentally dropped the train when he visited the house on Christmas Eve. Julian soon figures out that the train is very special indeed (magical even) and he becomes quite devoted to it. In fact he seems to prefer the train to the state-of-the-art video gaming system.

   There is a problem though, for if the little train was lost, it can only really belong to Julian if he keeps it for a year and a day after he found it. What if Santa wants the train back? Julian puzzles and puzzles about what he can do to convince Santa not to reclaim the train that he has become so fond of.

   For all those youngsters who are beginning to doubt the Santa really exists, this wonderful little book, with its quirky illustrations, is a gift and a treasure. They will see that it is wise not to doubt the magic of Christmas, for you do you may miss out on something truly special.

Blog Book Tour - Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins, and Other Nasties.

If you are interested in fairies, elves, goblins, and other magical creatures, I strongly suggest that you get yourself a copy of Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins, and Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate. Yes I know that you have read a veritable library of books about fairies and their relatives, but I assure you that this book is a must for anyone who feels the need to know all there is to know about magical beings. In fact this a book we should all read so that we better understand the creatures we share our planet with. 

The author of this exceptional book has very kindly written to us to tell us how and why she wrote her book. Here is her letter.

Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Miss Edythe McFate, and once you’ve read my practical guide to modern fairies, you will never see the world around you in the same way again.

I recently had a letter from the Looking Glass Children’s Book Review, asking me what on earth compelled me to write such a book.

Well, frankly – it was necessary.  There is simply nothing else out there like it.  And modern children need it.  Not just to learn how to glimpse the fairy realm that surrounds everywhere and every day -– but also to learn how to protect themselves against these creatures, who run the gamut from charming-and-sweet to charming-and-nasty.

All fairy breeds have magical powers that can be used to do something nice for you -- or ruin your life forever.  Some fairies are shape-shifters or curse-wielders; others are hypnotists and kidnappers.  Sometimes you can outsmart them, but nine times out of ten, they’ll get the better of you.

Today’s children were pretty defenseless until I decided to create this guidebook, in which they could find heaps of practical advice on how to tell a good fairy from a bad one, how to spot a ‘fairy ring,’ and so on.  In its pages, readers can learn the difference between dwarves and trolls (one species is far deadlier than the other), and how to defend themselves against fairies who would do them harm. 

I’ve also included eight cautionary stories about children your age who’ve had some astonishing encounters with fairies.  Each of these tales deals with a different type of fairy, and I’m warning you: some of the stories aren’t pretty.  In fact, several are quite terrifying.  But every single one of these stories is true, so I’d advise all of my readers to pay close attention, in case they find themselves in similar situations. 

Forewarned is forearmed, I always say.

The bottom line: no one knows more about the wayward natures, properties, and habits of fairies than me, and I’ve chosen to share this information with the world.

Read this book all at once or a few chapters and entries at a time; carry it with you to reference it on the run. 

By the book’s end, you too will be an expert on the modern fairy world.

-          Miss Edythe McFate

December 2010

Here is a trailer of the book:



Please visit the other stops on this blog tour.

Monday, December 13^th – Random Acts of Reading

http://randomactsofreading.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, December 14^th – Library Lounge Lizard

http://www.libraryloungelizard.com/

Wednesday, December 15^th – Through the Looking Glass Book Review Blog

http://lookingglassreview.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 16^th – Book Divas

http://bookdivas.com/

Friday, December 17^th – The Children’s Book Review

http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/

Saturday, December 18^th – The Book Faerie

http://bkfaerie.blogspot.com/

Sunday, December 19^th – The Reading Zone

http://thereadingzone.wordpress.com/

Monday, December 20^th – SUVUDU

http://suvudu.com/  

Five days of Seasonal and Holiday book giveaways - Day Three

A few years ago Harry Horse created a picture book about a little rabbit, and since then other stories have been added to the Little Rabbit collection. Little Rabbit is, without a doubt, one of my favorite rabbit picture book characters. Here is a review of Little Rabbit's Christmas story. If you would like to enter this giveaway, please email me.

Little Rabbit’s Christmas

Harry Horse

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 6 (Series)

Peachtree, 2007, 1-56145-419-2

   It is Christmas Eve, and Little Rabbit is out walking with Papa when he sees a beautiful red sled in a shop window. Little Red Rabbit is so taken with the red sled that he cannot get it out of his mind. He cannot even get in the mood to help his brothers and sisters decorate the Christmas tree. As he is being tucked into bed that night, Little Rabbit wonders if the Christmas Rabbit will be able make a sled fit into his stocking.

  The next morning, Little Rabbit joins his brothers and sisters, opening his presents and  hoping that the next one will be the red sled. He looks everywhere for that precious sled but it is nowhere to be found. Then, out of sheer disappointment Little Rabbit starts to cry. It would appear that the Christmas Rabbit has not brought him a sled after all.

   And then Little Rabbit’s parents tell him to look outside and there, in the snow, lies the red sled! Little Rabbit is thrilled. Indeed he is so thrilled that he is determined that no one will use the sled – except for him.

   In this delightful new addition to the Little Rabbit series, Harry Horse has his charming little character learn a very simple yet valuable lesson. Even the most wonderful present in the world is no fun to play with if you are all alone. Furthermore, the real joy of  Christmas is being able to share your gifts and blessings with your family and friends.

   With a simple story and thoroughly delightful and unique illustrations, Harry Horse has created a bunny world that readers of all ages can enjoy.