The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Fifty-Three

I know that some people hate mice. I had a friend who could face a charging rhino (she was that kind of person), but who completely lost it if she saw a mouse. I am one of those people who quite likes mice, and I have reviewed a lot of picture books that have mouse characters in them. Here is a new title that I was quite charmed by. Who could resist the baby mouse in this picture book.

Hide and squeak

Heather Vogel Frederick

Illustrated by C.J. Payne

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-0-689-85570-2

   It is time for mouse baby to go to bed, and his daddy is looking for him. It is time for games of hide-and-squeak to end, but mouse baby is still full of beans, and he has no intention of making it easy for his father to catch him.

   Around the garden mouse baby “dashes,” with his father in hot pursuit. Through the mouse hole in the back door mouse baby runs. Mouse baby hangs from the table lamp cord, he perches on the little hand of the clock, and he jumps into the bubble filled bathtub. Doggedly Daddy follows, catching a glimpse of a tail here, and the tips of whiskers there. How long will it be before this mousey game of hide-and-squeak comes to an end?

   With its clever rhyming text and its cunning illustrations, this is the perfect book to share with a child at bedtime. Children will instantly bond with the little mouse child, and parents will appreciate the mouse father’s patience and tenacity.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Fifty-Two

I have reviewed several wordless books over the last few weeks, and I have another one for you today.  Today's book features Polo, an incredibly sweet dog character who will quickly endear himself to young readers.

Polo and the Magic Flute

Regis Faller

Wordless Picture Book

For ages 4 to 7

Roaring Brook Press, 2003, 1-59643-495-3

Polo the little dog is going fishing. He puts on his backpack, swings into his boat (which saves him getting his paws wet) and soon he is standing on his boat with his line in the water. Polo greets a flying fish when it jumps over his little boat. He is horrified when an angry looking orca also decides to jump over his boat. The whale makes a huge splash, and Polo’s boat is carried far away on the crest of a huge wave.

  The wave is so enormous, that Polo and his boat are deposited on the top of a tall hill in a distant land. A mysterious bear gives Polo a flute, and then it disappears into thin air. What follows is a series of increasingly bizarre events.

   In this delightful Polo adventure, the little dog takes a journey that is unusual, interesting, and magical. Children will quickly fall in love with Polo, and they will want to ‘read’ the rest of the books in the series. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Fifty-One

Search-and-find books are hugely popular these days, and with good reason. They keep young readers busy and engaged for quite a while. The Where's Waldo books are particularly good search-and-find titles, and today I have a review of the first book in the series.

Where’s Waldo?

Martin Handford

Picture book

For ages 4 to 9

Candlewick Press, 2007, 978-0-7636-3498-8

Waldo is off “on a worldwide hike,” and he would like you to join him. He is taking everything he needs with him, and he is also taking Woof, Wenda, Wizard Whitebeard, and Odlaw along. Waldo and his travel companions are rather careless with their things, so keep an eye out for Wizard Whitebeard’s scroll, Waldo’s key, Woof’s bone, Wenda’s camera, and Oldlaw’s binoculars. Then there will be twenty-five Waldo-watchers to meet, each of whom will appear only once in the places that Waldo visits.

   Waldo begins his journey by going to the seaside. He sends us a postcard telling us that he saw “this girl stick an ice-cream cone in her brother’s face.” He also saw something else that sounds too fantastical to be true. Our job is to look at the picture of the beach Waldo visited to find Waldo, his friends, their possessions, and the Waldo-watcher.

   Waldo’s next destination is completely different, and a lot colder. Waldo is in the mountains on the ski slopes. There is chaos everywhere, and Waldo tells us, in another postcard, that somewhere on that mountain he saw a young man giving his girlfriend a bunch of flowers.

   Readers are sure to enjoy the twelve large format one-of-a-kind search-and-find illustrations in this book. The author has illustrated busy and incredibly detailed double page spreads for every one of Waldo’s destinations. Young readers will be able to easily spend several hours exploring the artwork, laughing at the funny situations that Martin Hanford put into the illustrations, and looking for Waldo and his chums.

   This is one in a series of books about Waldo.

            

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Fifty

A few years ago a very unique character called Scaredy Squirrel stepped onto the picture book scene. I quickly fell in love with the multi-phobic squirrel who is afraid of just about everything. Here is a review of his newest book.

Scaredy Squirrel has a birthday party

Melanie Watt

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 8

Kids Can Press, 2011, 978-1-55453-468-5

   Scaredy Squirrel is a very cautious animal, which is why he has never had a proper birthday party. Every year he celebrates “alone quietly up in his tree,” because he does not want to have a party on the ground and risk “being taken by surprise.” After all, everyone knows that the ground is a dangerous place.

   Scaredy is all ready to mail his birthday party invitation to himself (and only himself), when he discovers that Buddy has sent him a birthday card. Touched by Buddy’s kindness, Scaredy decides to invite him to his birthday party.

   Buddy is a dog, so Scaredy is going to have to move his party from his nice safe tree to the ground below. This is going to require careful planning, and he sets about making sure that his party is not ruined by the arrival of bigfoot, ants, clownfish, ponies, porcupines, and/or a superfluity of confetti. He also works on safe topics of conversation, the dos and don’ts of partying, and a detailed party schedule. Scaredy is sure that he has got all the bases covered, but it turns out that he has failed to take one very important possibility into consideration.

   This hilarious Scaredy Squirrel title will have readers chuckling in no time. There is no doubt that Scaredy, with his fear of anything that is not planned and under control, is a character who is both appealing and loveable. Young readers will enjoy looking at the unique format that Melanie Watts uses, and they will love the way the story takes a very unexpected turn.

You can find out more about Scaredy on his Facebook Page (no I am not kidding) and his YouTube page (I'm still not kidding.)

Poetry Friday - A review of Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku

For today's poetry title I have a collection of haiku that are unique and often very funny. As they read through this book, children will enjoy exploring this interesting poetry form .

Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku

J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Poetry Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Little Brown, 2006, 978-0316607315
If you are expecting simple and elegant haiku about matters of great importance and meaning, then you will have to look elsewhere, for in this book you will find nonsense senryu that are full of wit, wordplay and outlandish humor. The poets who created these funny flights of fancy write about things that are ridiculous, things from everyday life, and things that are completely improbable.

   For example, on one page we read about a boy whose sister gets a "complete makeover," and then on the next we read about some children whose "freedom vanishes" when the babysitter comes over. These are everyday situations that we can all identify with.

   Then, at the other end of the spectrum - in the realm of the fantastical - there is the poem about a mother hippopotamus and her baby who sit in front of the TV eating French fries. On another page we see a the old grumpy bear who listens to "Mom and Dad snoring." These are completely improbable and deliciously amusing situations to imagine.

   To go with these unique poems, Tricia Tulsa has created a wonderful series of illustrations that are full of humor, outlandishness, and charm. The combination of the poems and the artwork tickles the funny bone, and readers will see that poetry does not have to be serious to have an impact.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Nine

When my daughter was little, she used to 'play' with Reeka, one of our dogs. Reeka is a very gentle soul, and she tolerated my daughter's attentions with stoicism and good grace. Today's picture book is about another dog who has to put up with a loud and rambunctious little girl.

Merci Mr. Dash

Monica Kulling

Illustrated by Esperanca Melo

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Tundra, 2011, 978-0-88776-964-1

Mr. Dash is a dog who has not one, but many pedigrees. In short, he is a mutt. Despite that fact that he does not have a very grand lineage, Mr. Dash is always a very gentlemanly dog. His manners are exemplary, and he is a dapper dresser. Mr. Dash is also the kind of dog who likes a quiet life. He lives with Madame Croissant, and together they enjoy their days in Madame Croissant’s gift shop, and their evenings at home snoozing (Mr. Dash) and looking at stamps (Madame Croissant.)

   Unfortunately, on Sundays Mr. Dash’s quiet life is shattered. This is the day when Daphne, Madame Croissant’s rambunctious granddaughter, comes to visit. Daphne is a “little dynamo,” and Mr. Dash does not like her. Whenever he sees that Daphne is coming to visit, Mr. Dash heads to the park so that he can “read the papers in peace.”

   One Sunday, Dash does not make his getaway in time, and Daphne gets her hands on him. Despite the fact that Madame tells Daphne that Mr. Dash “is not a toy,” Daphne proceeds to treat Mr. Dash as if he is…well…a toy. Poor Mr. Dash is humiliated, his dog house is turned upside down, and then, as if this is not bad enough, Daphne washes Mr. Dash and wraps him in a blanket, pretending that he is “a cute baby.” Then something happens that demonstrates that Mr. Dash is not only the most patient and gentlemanly of dogs, but he is also “a hero.”

   This wonderfully amusing picture book serves as a tribute to all the many dogs who have had to suffer at the hands of little children. With his courtesy and gentle ways, Mr. Dash is the poster dog for good manners, and in the end, he shows even Daphne that dogs should be treated with respect. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Eight

I love people watching. When I was a child, I used to go to town with my father and we would sit in a cafe and make up stories about the people who walked by. We would wonder where were they going, and what were they doing in town. Now I play this same 'game' with my daughter. We find that airports and cafes are great places to people watch. Today's picture book is about a little girl who is watching the world go by from her balcony.

Passing By

Yona Tepper

Illustrated by Gil-Ly Alon Curiel

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Kane Miller, 2010, 978-1-935279-36-5

Yael is a little girl who likes to stand on the balcony of her home. From the balcony on the second floor, she can look into the street and watch the world go by. Here comes a little dog who is wagging his tail. Busily he jumps, turns around, and barks. Then the little dog trots down the street, and Yael wonders where the little dog has gone.

   Later on, Yael sees something else coming down the street. She “peeks between the railings” and she hears someone whistling and ringing a bell. Who is it Yael wonders, and then she sees a man riding a bicycle. He is wearing boots, and he has a basket and a fishing pole on the back of his bicycle. Yael wonders where the man is going and what he will do when he gets there.

   This charming picture book shows young children how interesting it is to observe the world around them. The narrative encourages them to try to guess what the animals and people that they see in the story are up to. Where are they going and what will they do next?

  With wonderful, brightly colored illustrations throughout, this is a picture book that young children are sure to enjoy.  

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Seven

Today's picture book is the kind of book that adults as well as children will appreciate. It conveys a message that is relevant to readers who are 7 or 17 or 27 or... I think you get the idea. It is the kind of book that gives you something new to think about every time you read it.

So Many Days

Alison McGhee

Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Picture Book

For ages 6 and up

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4169-5857-4

As you go about your days, you will discover that there are so many doors that lead to somewhere, and there is so much “to wonder about.” You don’t know who you will be, nor do you know “where you will go.” Life is so full of unknowns.

   Notice all the wonderful things around you and enjoy them, take pleasure in the journey and know that, “You are stronger than you know.” Even when you are buffeted by a wind and tossed about by a storm, you will find a way to keep going because “You are braver than you know.”

   In this remarkable book, Alison McGhee’s lyrical text is perfectly matched to Taeeun Yoo’s multimedia art to help young people to see that everything they need to make their way in the world is within them. In their hearts, they will find courage, strength, hope, and love, all the tools that they will need during their journey to somewhere.

   This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is embarking on a journey of some kind.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Seven

Today's picture book is the kind of book that adults as well as children will appreciate. It conveys a message that is relevant to readers who are 7 or 17 or 27 or... I think you get the idea. It is the kind of book that gives you something new to think about every time you read it.

So Many Days

Alison McGhee

Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Picture Book

For ages 6 and up

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4169-5857-4

As you go about your days, you will discover that there are so many doors that lead to somewhere, and there is so much “to wonder about.” You don’t know who you will be, nor do you know “where you will go.” Life is so full of unknowns.

   Notice all the wonderful things around you and enjoy them, take pleasure in the journey and know that, “You are stronger than you know.” Even when you are buffeted by a wind and tossed about by a storm, you will find a way to keep going because “You are braver than you know.”

   In this remarkable book, Alison McGhee’s lyrical text is perfectly matched to Taeeun Yoo’s multimedia art to help young people to see that everything they need to make their way in the world is within them. In their hearts, they will find courage, strength, hope, and love, all the tools that they will need during their journey to somewhere.

   This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is embarking on a journey of some kind.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Six

Life can be hard when something about us looks different, when we don't look like everyone else in some way. We went to fit in, and we feel that our differentness is a liability or a trial that we have to bear. This picture book take a look at how one little cat discovers, with a little help from her friends, that being different isn't that bad after all.

Square Cat

Elizabeth Schoonmaker

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4424-0619-3

   Eula is a square cat, and more than anything she wishes that she was round like her friends Patsy and Maude. Eula’s squareness makes it impossible for her to fit in mouse holes, and when she tips over, she has a terrible time getting back up. Eula’s square shape makes it hard to her to find clothes that fit right or that look nice, and Eula gets so unhappy that she loses her purr.

   Thankfully, Eula has two wonderful friends. Patsy and Maude are determined to cheer Eula up. At first they try to help Eula to feel as if she is round, but when that doesn’t work, they come up with another idea.

   In this charming debut picture book by author and illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker, we meet a cat who is different, and who does not like the fact that she is different. With a little help from her loyal friends, she discovers that there are times when being different is actually an asset.

   This heartwarming story will put a smile on reader’s faces, and it explores an important issue in a clever and thoughtful way.