Sleepy Kittens (Despicable Me)

by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (Authors), Eric Guillon (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Board book: 10 pages

Publisher: LB Kids; Brdbk edition (May 19, 2010)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Kittens, Rhyme, Lullaby

Sleepy Kittens is a board book based on a book featured in the 3-D animated film Despicable Me. The story is about three little kittens who cannot fall asleep. Mama Cat appeases their restlessness with a calmness and ease that lulls the kittens off to sleep. It’s short and utterly sweet. It has a wonderful rhythm and rhymes effortlessly. The illustrations are playful but not over stimulating; and the three attached kitten finger puppets compliment both the pictures and story and add their own tactile appeal. This book is not to be confused with the average novelty book produced to tie in with a hit movie. What can I say? This book is lovely!

Add this book to your collection: Sleepy Kittens (Despicable Me)

Enter to win: Despicable Me Prize Pack

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Exciting news: Eric Carle’s classic story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is available as a BILINGUAL First Book Marketplace Special Edition exclusively through the First Book Marketplace—an online store selling high-quality children’s books and educational materials at deeply discounted prices to registered organizations serving children from low-income families.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a school and home library staple. ”As a tiny green caterpillar eats his way through the book, he is transformed into a beautiful butterfly.” From the scientific wonder of caterpillar-to-butterfly, the critter’s voracious hunger for many familiar foods, the tissue-paper illustrations, and the creative design of the pages; it’s no wonder that this ravenous caterpillar has been touching hearts for decades—including mine! I’m thrilled that this book is available in such a useful format, I just had to let you know.

If you’re a registered organization you can purchase this exclusive bilingual edition from the First Book Marketplace.

Otherwise, you can purchase the Spanish or English edition from our affiliate store: La oruga muy hambrienta or The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

It was 49 years ago, today, that Jane Yolen had her first book, Pirates in Petticoats, published. That day was her 22nd birthday—what a great birthday present. In honor of Jane Yolen’s 71st birthday and the 300+ books that she has written—winning awards for many—we are celebrating by sharing with you some of her more recent picture books and board books. Happy Birthday, Jane Yolen. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Valentine’s Day is close—in fact, Cupid is shining his bow and washing his favorite diaper. The following rhyming books are both about love, making them the perfect choice for the romantic holiday or any other day you want to feel warm and fuzzy.

Come to the Fairies’ Ball

by Jane Yolen(Author), Gary Lippincott (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Wordsong (December 2009)

This is a love story about a fairy who is running late to the ball because her dress is too torn from hanging on a thorn—the plot is somewhat reminiscent of Cinderella. The old-world characters with new-age attitudes, the sprightly but traditional watercolor illustrations, and the inspiring and poetic use of words make this a really fun fairytale.

“And then what a tizzy, a flap, and a pother,

A terrible fooforaw, swivet, and bother,

A twitter, a dither, oh my! what a rumble,

A fret and a fuss and a fidget and grumble.”

Add this book to your collection: Come to the Fairies’ Ball

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?

by Jane Yolen (Author), Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 0-6

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; First Printing edition (October 6, 2009)

Yolen’s infamous dinosaur characters always carry the true energy and emotion of toddlers and preschoolers,  Teague’s illustrations match perfectly. A reminder to both adults and children, alike, that love is unconditional. Dinosaurs are a great delivery system for such messages—especially for young boys.

“Off in the car, you kept kicking my seat …

and when we got out, you were dragging your feet.

But you held my hand tight when we walked in the store.

I’ll love you forever, my dinosaur.”

Add this book to your collection: How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?

Talking about dinosaurs … oh, and cats and dogs … these two board books are a great way to introduce concepts on the right and wrong ways to treat pets:

How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Cats?

by Jane Yolen (Author), Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 0-4

Board book: 14 pages

Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; Brdbk edition (January 1, 2010)

It’s short and mostly sweet—ending with the positives, of course.

“She loves her dear kitty, and does every chore,

strokes its fur, hears it pur—good dinosaur!”

Add this book to your collection: How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Cats?

How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Dogs?

by Jane Yolen (Author), Mark Teague (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 0-4

Board book: 14 pages

Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; Brdbk edition (January 1, 2010)

The illustrations are comical.

“He throws it a stick or a bone or a ball,

and rewards it whenever it comes to his call.”

Add this book to your collection: How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Dogs?

Onto an animal of a different kind …

An Egret’s Day

by Jane Yolen (Author), Jason Stemple (Photographer)

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 30 pages

Publisher: Wordsong; 1 edition (April 1, 2009)

Remarkably absorbing is this wonderful telling of an Egret’s day. The accuracy of the poetry and the sharpness of the beautiful photography are mesmerizing. For the astute mind, each page of poetry is paired with intriguing scientific facts about this alluring bird.

“I am a tower

of strength,

a bird

of great length.

I am tall,

of much height,

a long arrow

in flight.”

Add this book to your collection: An Egret’s Day

Three more beautiful books, all unique in their own special way:

The Seeing Stick

by Jane Yolen (Author), Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Running Press Kids; Reprint edition (September 22, 2009)

This tale is rich in so many ways. The daughter of an Emperor can not see, until the day that a wise old man with a seeing stick  teaches her seeing can be done with more than just the use of one’s eyes. The illustrations are sensational—vibrant and toned, detailed and glossy—some of the best I’ve seen.  A simply beautiful book.

“Hwei Ming turned to her father, the emperor, who sat straight and tall and unmoving on his great throne. She reached out and her fingers ran eagerly through his hair and down his nose and cheek and rested curiously on a tear they found there.”

Add this book to your collection: The Seeing Stick

Pumpkin Baby

by Jane Yolen (Author), Susan Mitchell (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Key Porter Books (July 1, 2009)

This is a fabulous concept. All the wonder that must go through the mind of a soon-to-be big sister is captured in this brilliant telling. Yolen’s text is engaging and sweetly complimented by Mitchell’s delightful and revealing illustrations.

“When I was three years old, old enough to know better, Mama took a ripe pumpkin from Auntie May’s patch of land.”

Add this book to your collection: Pumpkin Baby

The Scarecrow’s Dance

by Jane Yolen (Author), Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (August 25, 2009)

I’m completely partial to scarecrows—especially those with a brain. This particular scarecrow goes on a journey, not for a brain, but, a journey of self-actualization and purpose. As usual, Yolen’s rhyme is effortless and astute.The acryl gouache and watercolor illustrations set the scene with the dusk colored hues and harmonious connection to the text.

“An autumn eve,

The moon was high,

As yellow as

A black cat’s eye.

Out in the field,

Stiff and forlorn,

The scarecrow stood

And watched the corn.”

Add this book to your collection: The Scarecrow’s Dance

Leave us a comment: Tell us about your favorite Jane Yolen book or leave Jane a birthday message.

Source of books: Publicist

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.