The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Three

I am always on the look out for wordless picture books, and the ones created by Pat Schories, which look at the life of a little dog called Jack, are delightful. Here is a review of the latest book in this series.

When Jack goes out

Pat Schories

Wordless picture book

Ages 4 to 6

Boyds Mills Press, 2010, 978-1-59078-652-9

   Some time ago, Jack the dog met some very odd but charming alien visitors, and they are back. This time they turn up when Jack is chained to his doghouse at night. The little visitors are delighted to see Jack again, and they soon release him from his chain.

   Soon Jack and the little aliens are having a great time playing in the sandbox and swimming in the pond. They have such a wonderful time in fact, that the aliens decide that they want to take Jack home with them!

   This is the fifth wordless book that Pat Schories has created which features Jack the dog as the main character. Young children who don’t yet know how to read will love the fact that they can ‘read’ this book all by themselves. Children who can read will enjoy the detailed and rich illustrations, and they will love the surprising and satisfying ending.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Two

Three and a half years ago, on our farm in Virginia, we had two ducks who waddled around, eating insects in the vineyard and terrorizing the dogs. Though Scout and Jemima were not very brainy, they were very funny, and Jemima very generously laid eggs for us that we all enjoyed eating. I would like you to meet Duck and Goose, a pair of wonderful little birds created by Tad Hill. Every time I see a picture of these two I am reminded of my own ducks.

Duck and Goose

Tad Hills

Picture Book

Ages infants to age 3

Random House, 2006, 978-0-375-83611-4

   One morning Duck sees a large round thing lying in the grass. It is covered with colored spots, and Duck immediately decides that he has found an egg. Goose sees the same round thing, and he too decides that the object is an egg. Both birds then lay claim to the egg. Duck says that the egg is his because he “saw it first.” Goose insists that the egg is his because he “touched it first.”

   Soon a full-scale argument is raging around the egg, and after a lot of “fussing,” “slipping and sliding,” “honking and quacking,” the two birds manage to seat themselves on top of the egg. They are not getting along mind you, and the only thing they can agree on at first is that they “mustn’t disturb the little one” who is inside the egg.

   This charming picture book shows to great effect how two very different personalities can overcome their differences and find a common ground. Both Duck and Goose are strong willed and stubborn, and neither one wants to give in. Thankfully, something comes along that unites them in a very special way.

   This is one in a series of books about Duck and Goose. 

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.