The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and eighty-four

There is no doubt that many children love picture books that feature a bear as the main character. Some of these bears are big and mean, while others are gentle and friendly. Some behave very much like bears, while others behave like humans, living in houses and sleeping in beds.

In 2002, Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman brought us a delightful picture book about a bear who sleeps so soundly that nothing wakes him up until a fleck of pepper touches his nose. Bear Snores On was an instant hit, and all the subsequent Bear books have also been hugely popular. Here is a review of the latest Bear book.  

Bear’s Loose Tooth

Karma Wilson

Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Picture Book

For ages 3 to 6

Simon and Shuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-5855-0

   Bear and his forest friends are eating their lunch when Bear feels that something strange is happening to one of his teeth. The tooth wiggles and wobbles and bear gets very upset. How will he eat if his tooth falls out?

   Thankfully, Bear’s friends know all about loose teeth. Hare takes a look at the tooth and Mouse reassures Bear that “A new tooth will grow / where the old used to be.” The best thing to do is to get the old tooth out so that new one can grow in.

   This sounds pretty straightforward, but when Bear’s friends try to remove the loose tooth, they cannot budge the thing. Who knew that having a loose tooth could cause so much trouble!

   Bear and his friends have delighted readers of all ages ever since the first title in the series, Bear Snores on, came out. Now Bear is back and he has a new problem, a problem that young children will surely appreciate. Having a loose tooth is annoying after all. At first you are afraid that losing it will mean you will have a hole in your mouth forever. Then you are afraid that the loose tooth will never fall out, and that you will be stuck with it.

   With Karma Wilson’s wonderful rhyming text and Jane Chapman’s expressive paintings, this is a picture book that young children will want to read again and again.

Roxie Munro's New Children's app - Roxie's Doors

A very dear friend of mine, children's book author and illustrator Roxie Munro has a new app for the iPad on the market. I asked her to tell us about the new app and to describe what it was like to make. Here is a sixty second trailer about the app

And this is what Roxie has to say about the new app:

Our previous app, “Roxie’s a-MAZE-ing Vacation Adventure,” was a new maze game created from all new original art, which was based upon my 5 published maze books (BTW, an iPhone version will be out by early November). “Roxie’s Doors,” however, was made from a previously published children’s book by Chronicle, the rights of which reverted to me a couple years ago.  When I formally requested the rights back, I had also asked for the scans. Always do that if you can, because it makes it much easier and less expensive to resell, reprint, or reuse the art.  OCG Studios carefully reviewed the book and came up with a creative game plan. It involved making it 3-D, which is quite labor-intensive, but adds greatly to the experience (tilt the iPad to fully appreciate it). So I had to do some more art, primarily working on the backgrounds, which I did directly on the original art, rather than redrawing everything (it did mess up the illustrations somewhat, but keep in mind that this was lift-the-flap paper-engineered book in the first place, so the art was in complicated separate pieces anyway). Here’s a link on how the 3-D part was done by the developers: http://www.ocgstudios.com/roxies-doors/making-of-roxies-doors/

They found all sorts of cool sounds to add - dog barking, phones, sirens, singing, crunching, flushing, tapping hammers, etc. In the refrigerator, for example, the four desserts in parfait glasses (upper left) each have a different note, like a piano - when you touch them, you can play a tune! There are three choices for voice-over: silent (you can read the text yourself); you can have a guy (Dirk) read it; or be read to by the author (me). OCG Studios is in the Netherlands, and we did all the work via e-mail. The VO recordings, however, were done here in the US not far from my studio, and the files sent over. Updates are important (and free to purchasers) so we are now working on a major addition to “Roxie’s Doors,” which will be out within a month or so.

We’ve had great reviews, from SLJ, Kirkus, PW, Moms With Apps, Digital Storytime, Common Sense Media (which gave it the max 5 stars and a valued “Hidden Gem” award), and many more. With children’s apps you must go beyond the usual children’s book review venues, and reach out to web reviewers, many of whom interact directly with moms and dads. The institutional market (schools and libraries) isn’t as important to the app market as printed books are. Web reviews are also available all over the world.  This app is written/spoken in English, which limits the world-wide audience somewhat. It has sold in 40 countries (the maze app, which is wordless, has sold in 63 countries). We are currently making an app from another out-of-print Chronicle book, to be called “Roxie’s Circus,” which we expect to have out early 2012.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and eighty-three

Being rather shy, I am not the kind of person who likes to be on stage front and center. I know a lot of people however, who are not afflicted by my shyness and they enjoy being in the spotlight, and get a kick out of having everyone's attention focused on them. In today's picture book you will be a peacock who takes this need for attention to the extreme. Larry likes the limelight so much that he ends up creating a problem. For himself.

Limelight Larry

Leigh Hodgkinson

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Tiger Tales, 2011, 978-1-58925-102-1

   Meet Limelight Larry. He is a peacock who thinks that he is “amazing” and “fantastic,” and that he therefore should be “famous.” Larry believes that this whole book should be about him, and only about him.

   The problem is that Larry isn’t alone for long. Soon Mouse is standing at the corner of one of the pages looking at Larry. Mouse is thrilled that he is in a “real live book.” Larry isn’t. Larry thinks that Mouse’s presence is making the page “all messy!”

   Then Bird arrives, and Bird is also very pleased to be in a book. He even offers to “do something funny on the next page.” Larry is getting more and more miffed. If anyone is going to do something funny it is going to be him and only him.

   In the pages that follow, more and more animals arrive on the scene. Elephant suggest that the book should have a “BIG surprise at the end.” Wolf brings a scary forest with him, and Bear arrives with a tea party in a basket. Soon the page is “cluttered” with animals, a forest, and a tea party. It is all too much for Larry, who decides that everyone needs to “get lost” so that he can have his book to himself.

   In this unique and deliciously funny book, Leigh Hodgkinson uses a very arrogant and self-centered peacock to demonstrate the fact that being famous is all very well, but it is not much fun if you are all alone. With her distinctive collage style art and her outrageous main character (who tries to hog the pages), Leigh Hodgkinson gives children a very special bookish experience. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and eighty-two

Let's face it. Most of us, not matter how old we are, don't like to admit that we have messed up. We don't like to talk about the mistakes or errors we have made. Some of us even try to cover up our screw ups. Not surprisingly children also have a reluctance to fess up when they have done something they shouldn't, or when they have lost or broken something.

Today's picture book addresses the whole 'it is better to fess up than to cover up' issue with humor and sensitivity.

Don’t worry Douglas!

David Melling

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Tiger Tales, 2011, 978-1-58925-106-9

   Douglas the bear’s father has given him a wonderful red woolly hat. It has three white pompoms on it, and Douglas dashes outside, eager to show his friends his present. Happily Douglas does a series of cartwheels in front of his sheep friends. By the time Douglas has completed his cartwheels, something dreadful has happened to his hat. It has turned from a hat into “one long string of spaghetti.”

   Poor Douglas is terribly upset. What will his father say when he sees what Douglas has done to his brand new hat? Douglas’ friends all have ideas about what Douglas should do with his unraveled hat, but none of these ideas work for Douglas. It looks as if there is only one thing that Douglas can do.

   Fessing up when you have broken or lost something is never easy, especially if you are a young bear who doesn’t want to disappoint his dad. In this delightful Douglas title we see how Douglas deals with a very common problem. With laugh-out-loud funny illustrations throughout, this picture book is a must for young children.

   Readers who like this title are sure to enjoy David Melling’s first Douglas book, Hugless Douglas.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and eighty-one

I have reviewed a lot of books about cats. It would seem that many children's book authors are cat lovers  who cannot resist creating stories about felines. For today's title I have a graphic novel featuring a rather plump cat called Binky who has a vivid imagination, and who also believes that he is destined for great things. I am inclined to agree with him. 

Binky the Space Cat

Ashley Spires

Graphic Novel

For ages 8 to 10

Kids Can Press, 2009, 978-1-55453-309-1  

   Binky the cat is very excited because he is now a card carrying Certified Space Cat. He is no longer an “average cat” who sleeps, plays with toys, catches mice, and washes itself. Binky “has a purpose,” and his purpose is to go into outer space one day to “explore unknown places,” and “battle alien creatures.”

   Though Binky has big ambitions, he has actually never left his house. He has never been outside because outside is “outer space” and everyone knows that “outer space isn’t safe for an ordinary cat.” To be able to go into outer space Binky is going to need to build a space ship.

   Of course Binky does not let his mission distract him from his duties defeating aliens (bugs) who have managed to infiltrate his house (space station). His whole life Binky has been a vigilant alien catcher. He has figured out that aliens and bugs are one and the same thing, and he has always done his best to protect his humans from these insidious enemies.

   Though he is able to build his rocket ship (in secret) and protect his humans from aliens, Binky forgets one very important thing. It is only when he is about to blast off into outer space that Binky realizes that there is something that he cannot leave behind.

   In this deliciously funny graphic novel, readers will meet a cat who has takes himself very seriously. Readers will find it not to laugh out loud when they see how this…er…well padded feline struggles to do his duty and achieve his ambitions at the same time. Clearly being a cat means that you have to deal with having a very complicated life.

Poetry Friday - A review of Rumble in the Jungle

Not long ago I reviewed Commotion in the Ocean, a board poetry book that grownups can let even their youngest children explore without having to worry that the book might get damaged. I like the fact that Tiger Tales has created books of poetry that are suitable for very little children. True, children who are between the ages of three and five usually cannot read on their own, but why shouldn't they have a book of poetry that is just for them. They can look at the pictures, pick out a familiar word or two, and know that poetry is for everyone, big and small.

Here is another Tiger Tales board poetry book.

Rumble in the Jungle

Giles Andreae

Illustrated by David Wojtowycz

Board Poetry Book

For ages 3 to 5

Tiger Tales, 2011, 978-1-58925-864-8

   It is morning in the jungle, and the animals are starting to wake up. We can hear “a whisper in the trees” and “rustling in the leaves.” Let’s go into the jungle to “see what we can find.”

   The first animal we meet is the chimpanzee. There they are, swinging through the trees and looking for things to eat. We find out that if chimps cannot find nuts to dine on, they “munch each other’s fleas!”

   Further along in the jungle we meet a zebra. Some people might think that the zebra’s appearance is a bit odd, but this zebra clearly thinks that he is very lucky to have stripes because his “ladyfriend” thinks that his stripes make him look “handsome and cool.”

   All in all this book contains fifteen poems, thirteen of which are about exotic animals that children are naturally drawn to, such as lions, tigers, giraffes, snakes, and gorillas. With amusing rhymes, bright illustrations, and sturdy board pages that will withstand enthusiastic handling, this book will provide little children with an entertaining poetry experience.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and eighty

I am always fascinated to see how resilient people can be. Something seemingly calamitous happens and we despair; until we realize that our new situation is really not that bad at all. Then we find creative ways to make the best of things.

Today's picture book is about two individuals who fall on hard times, and who find a way to make the best of a bad situation in a very special and incredibly sweet way. 

Lovey and Dovey

Elle van Lieshout and Erik van Os

Illustrated by Mies van Hout

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Lemniscaat, 2009, 978-1-59078-660-4

   Lovey and Dovey are a pair of robbers who stole a pair of blue socks and who are now in a “dismal dungeon.” Though they feel lucky to have each other, Lovey cannot help wishing that they had a better view. Because he loves Lovey so much, Dovey squeezes through the bars of their cell (he is very thin) and he brings his lady love a view of “sun and sea.”

   In the days that follow this first escape, Dovey leaves the cell regularly to bring his beloved other things that will make their cell more pleasant. Soon the cell contains the moon and some stars, an apple tree, a pond, and a haystack. Lovey and Dovey are “pretty snug” in their cell.

   Then the robbers are released into a cold, gray, and damp world. If only they were back in their cell.

   This warm and delightfully unique picture book will give readers a delightful respite from the everyday world. Not only is the story quite charming, but the illustrations are sprinkled with clever little vignettes that children will enjoy looking at. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and seventy-nine

The moment when a child realizes that he or she is connected to others in many different ways is often quite dramatic. I remember when my daughter decided that she couldn't be bothered to pick up her legos (after I asked her to do so). Later that day I slipped on the legos and fell down. When she saw the cut on my leg and the bruises on my arm my daughter was horrified, and she tearfully promised never to "do that again."

In today's picture book you will meet a little boy who does whatever he pleases for much of the day, until he is made to see that being a pest and a nuisance is not cute or funny. In fact, it can really upset people. 

When I woke up I was a hippopotamus

Tom MacRae

Illustrated by Ross Collins

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Andersen Press USA, 2011, 978-0-7613-8099-3

   One morning a little boy wakes up and instead of being a little boy, he is a large sleepy and sluggish hippopotamus. Since hippos “don’t get up in the morning,” the little boy doesn’t get up even when his mother warns him that he is going to be late.

   At the breakfast table the little boy is a robot, a robot who is not programmed to eat and who cannot eat cornflakes. Though his father tells him to “Come on! Eat up!” the boy (in his robot form) cannot understand what he is saying.

   In school, the boy is a monkey who not only climbs on a table, but he also talks back to his teacher when she chastises him for misbehaving.

   As his mood shifts from moment to moment throughout the day, the little boy changes from being a monster to a rocket, and from rocket into a giant, until he goes just too far. Which is when he gets a dose of his own medicine.

   All too often children do not realize that their actions impact others. They blithely go through their day doing whatever they feel like until something happens that shows them that their actions have a ripple effect.

   With delightfully funny illustrations and a bouncy rhyming text, Tom MacRae and Ross Collins help young children to better understand that they need to be aware of others as they go about their day.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and seventy-eight

In almost every group there is that one person who is "out there." This person does what he or she pleases, which often makes other people feel a little uncomfortable or even embarrassed. We don't know how to react when he or she is in full flow, and sometimes we even behave in an unfortunate way that is hurtful. 

In today's picture book you will meet a raven who is definitely the odd bird out, and who has to find his own special place in the world. 

Odd bird out

Helga Bansch

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Gecko Press, 2011, 978-1-877467-08-0

   Robert is raven who really does not behave like a raven at all. He is “chirpy,” cheerful, and he loves to dress up, crack jokes, and sing. For a while the other ravens tolerate Robert’s outrageous unravenlike behavior, but eventually the day comes when they decide that enough is enough, and they tell Robert to “Skedaddle” and that he is “a scandal.”

   Poor heartbroken Robert packs his bag, he says goodbye to his family, and he flies off. Far from home and feeling quite worn out, Robert takes a rest in a tree and he sings “a lonely song” to himself. Birds start turning up to listen to Robert, and soon the natural performer is telling them stories, singing songs, cracking jokes, and delighting his audience with his colorful clothes. Robert is a huge hit! Back at home though, the ravens discover that though everything is as it should be, something is just not right.

   In this splendid book, Helga Bansch celebrates those people (and ravens) who are different. She celebrates the people who break the rules and who make the world brighter, happier, and more colorful.

   With unique illustrations and a meaningful story, this is a picture book that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Blog Book Tour - The Cheshire Cheese Cat - With a book giveaway

All the reviewers and bloggers I know do what they do because they love the written word, and I am proud to say that I am an inveterate book collector and an unapologetic lover of words. For this reason, I was delighted to participate in the Peachtree Publishers Cheshire Cheese Cat blog book tour. The book in question is about a cat to be sure, but it is also about a literate mouse and an author who is suffering from writer's block. Here is my review of the book.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale

Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright

Illustrated by Barry Moser

Fiction

For ages 9 to 12

Peachtree Publishers, 2011, 978-1-56145-595-9

   Skilley is an alley cat who lives in London and who has a secret that he has never shared with anyone. He knows that his reputation will be in tatters if any of the other alley cats find out what his secret is.

   Tired of life on the streets, Skilley decides to try his luck at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, an inn where the best cheese in London is sold. Not surprisingly, the inn has a dire mouse problem, and Skilley is sure that the innkeeper will be glad to have a good mouser on the premises.

   Sure enough, the innkeeper is delighted to have Skilley living at the inn, and the barmaid is even happier because she has a mortal fear of mice. What neither of these people know is that Skilley has no interest in catching and eating the mice, the reason being that he does not like to eat mice! Instead, Skilley likes to eat cheese.

   Soon after arriving at the inn, Skilley makes friends with a very well educated mouse called Pip. The cat and the mouse put on a performance for the humans at the inn to give them the impression that Skilley is doing a great job catching mice. In return for his protection, the mice give Skilley some of the delectable Cheshire cheese that is sold at the inn. There is one person who visits the inn, Mr. Charles Dickens, who begins to realize that all is not what it seems, but he is having trouble with his new book so he does not bother investigating.

   Skilley’s arrangement with the inn mice goes very well until the barmaid brings another cat to live at the inn to help with the mouse problem. Pinch is an evil tomcat who loves to dine on mice, and he is determined to eat every mouse in the inn. Skilley is justifiably frightened of Pinch, and he has no idea how he is going to protect the mice and his reputation at the same time.

   In this clever novel, the authors tell the story of a relationship between a mouse and a cat, and at the same time they also tell the story of a writer who has writer’s block, and a raven who needs to go home.

   It is fascinating to see how Skilley comes to terms with his own identity, and how he struggles to do the right thing for himself and for those who depend on him. Readers will be delighted to see how, in the end, the mouse, the cat, and their allies triumph in more ways than one.

I was curious to find out more about Pip and why he loves words so much, so I wrote him a letter. Being such   courteous mouse, he wrote back to me. Here is his letter:

Dear Marya:
Why do I love words, you ask? What is inconceivable to this mouse is that one could do verbal battle in this world (as is often necessary if one is to right a wrong, woo a heart, or win back one’s cheese) without the armamentarium that is a good vocabulary!
What? In plain English, you say?
Mmmm.
Very well, then.
Have you ever had a great thought? No. A truly great thought. A thought that was bigger than yourself and clear as glass in your mind’s eye, but slippery to describe? And did you, hearty soul that you are, nonetheless try to explain this notion of yours to someone, only to find yourself stumbling about for the right words…only to find your listener looking at you as though you were speaking monkey gibberish?
Maddening, isn’t it?
Well, dear friends, that is why words are so important.  
With my best wishes,
Pip


Well, there you have it. The words of an exceptionally intelligent mouse. If you want to find out more about Pip, his world, and the book, take a look at the Cheshire Cheese Cat website


Please visit the other stops on this wonderful book tour. They are:


10/3 A word's worth
10/3 From the mixed up files of Jennifer Bertman
10/4 There's a book
10/5 Booktalking
10/5 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
10/6 Not just for kids
10/7 Peachtree Publishers

Last, but by no means least, I have GIVEAWAY!! If you would like to be entered to receive a copy of this delightful book, please email me, telling me why you love words.