The Childrens Book Review » Picture Book – Wordless

One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond

Bianca Schulze — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:22:08 +0000

Add this book to your collection: One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I can’t tell you how much I love this series! Amy, if you read this … I’d be thrilled to interview you!

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Cats, Kitties and More Cats…

Luisa LaFleur — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:21:42 +0000

By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 30, 2010

Not long ago, I reviewed a few books that had mice as the main characters. Well, now the counterpoint to that: books with cats as the main characters!

A Cat Named Haiku

by Mark Poulton (Author), Dexter Weeks (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 42 pages

Publisher: Arcana Studio (2010)

Source of book: Publisher

In A Cat Named Haiku, author Mark Poulton tells us the story of a mischievous cat through the use of haiku, a form of Japanese poetry. The beautiful illustrations perfectly capture Haiku’s antics and the haiku poetry lyrically evokes all the trouble that the cat gets into. It’s a great combination and a perfect way to introduce little ones to different forms of writing and literature.

Add this book to your collection: A Cat Named Haiku

Said the Kitty to the Cat

by Vincent Spada (Author), Steve Whitlow (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Top That! (2010)

Source of book: Author

In Said the Kitty to the Cat, author Vincent Spada tells us of a pair of fluffy cats, one large and one small. The story is told in rhyme and has a lovely, lilting quality–perfect for lulling little ones to sleep.

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Books in Translation

Luisa LaFleur — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:11:38 +0000

By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 29, 2010

A new batch of stories have recently been translated into Spanish. Following are some interesting tales:

Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off

by Pat Stemper Vojta (Author), Esther Szegedy (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Raven Tree Press (2009)

Source of book: Publisher

Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off by Pat Stemper Vojta follows the travails of a poor groundhog in the run-up to Ground Hog Day. He’s tired of all the pressure and tries to get his friends to step in for him instead. But his friends help him find ways to cope.

Add this book to your collection: Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off

Nathan Saves the Summer

by Gerry Renert (Author), Carrie Anne Bradshaw (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Raven Tree Press (2010)

Source of book: Publisher

Nathan Saves Summer by Gerry Renert tells the tale of a hippo that wants to be a life guard. His animal friends try to dissuade him–the pond they’re swimming in just isn’t big enough for Nathan. But Nathan perseveres and proves that size shouldn’t be a determining factor, drive should be.

Mom’s Choice Award (Gold Recipient: Adventure, Adventurers & Heroes)

Add this book to your collection: Nathan Saves the Summer

Grandma’s Pear Tree

by Suzanne Santillan (Author), Atilio Pernisco (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Raven Tree Press (2009)

Source of book: Publisher

In Grandma’s Pear Tree by Suzanne Santillan, Jessie disobeys his grandmother’s order to not play near her pear tree. He gets a ball stuck in the tree and asks his grandfather for help. But his grandfather is busy, so he gives him an idea instead….Jessie ends up in bigger trouble than before. This amusing tale isn’t fully translated into Spanish but some key terms are and it makes for a very lyrical reading!

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How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills

Bianca Schulze — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:20:24 +0000

Add this book to your collection: How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills

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Kindergarten Diary: Author Antoinette Portis Q&A

Bianca Schulze — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:31:25 +0000

Add this book to your collection: Kindergarten Diary by Antoinette Portis.

Antoinette Portis is one of my all-time favorites. If you haven’t read Not a Box and Not a Stick, you are seriously missing out. They are both highly imaginative books that are executed in simple, concrete perfection.

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French Flavored Picture Books: Everybody Bonjours!

Bianca Schulze — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:44:51 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 14, 2010

In honor of Bastille Day, the French national holiday which is celebrated in July 14—La Fête Nationale.

I wish I had time to give my own reviews of each of these books but I’m about to whip up a batch of crêpes for some hungry visitors. I’ve provided the synopsis of each of these French flavored favorites:

Everybody Bonjours!

by Leslie Kimmelman

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (April 8, 2008)

Synopsis: Shop a fancy France-y store. Eat a pretty petit four. Discover! Sightsee! Explore! On this fun and friendly tour, everybody says “Bonjour!” Whether at a soccer stadium (“players scoring”), a crêpe stand (“batter pouring”), or strolling the Champs d’Elysee (where folks “bonjour” in every store), a little girl and her family are welcomed everywhere with the signature French greeting. Jump into these pages and enjoy the trip! Through lilting words and lively images, Everybody Bonjours welcomes young reader-travelers to a Paris that isn’t just for artists, grown-ups, and dreamers–it’s for kids!

Add this book to your collection: Everybody Bonjours!

Adele & Simon

by Barbara McClintock

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (September 5, 2006)

Synopsis: When Adele walks her little brother Simon home from school he loses one more thing at every stop: his drawing of a cat at the grocer’s shop, his books at the park, his crayons at the art museum, and more.

Note: This book is set in early 20th century Paris.

Add this book to your collection: Adele & Simon

This is Paris

by Miroslav Sasek

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 64 pages

Publisher: Universe (April 24, 2004)

Synopsis: This is Paris, first published in 1959, brings Paris, one of the most exciting cities in the world, to life. There are famous buildings, beautiful gardens, cafés, and the Parisians-artists, concierges, flower girls, and even thousands of cats. Take a tour along the banks of the Seine, through the galleries of the Louvre, and to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

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Leave us a comment: Which books do you think best appease a true Francophile?

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Must Have Picture Books

Bianca Schulze — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:03:59 +0000

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Pelé, King of Soccer/Pelé, El rey del fútbol en español

Bianca Schulze — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:31:31 +0000

In honor of the 2010 World Cup final …

Pele, The King of Soccer/El rey del futbol from Monica Brown on Vimeo.

Pelé, el rey del fútbol en español from Monica Brown on Vimeo.

Add this book to your collection: Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol by Monica Brown

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The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (Big-Time!)

Bianca Schulze — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:15:32 +0000

Add this book to your collection: The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big Time) by Troy Cummings

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Independence Day Books for Kids

Bianca Schulze — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:38:20 +0000

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review

Published: June 25, 2010

July 4th is upon us again. This years Independence Day book selections are both lively and rich in heritage. Don’t be afraid to take a story-time break from all of the festivities—it might just be the thing that gets you and your family all the way through to the fireworks!

Imogene’s Last Stand

by Candace Fleming

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (October 13, 2009)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Self-reliance, United States history

Imogene loves history. So much so, she quotes famous people (Davy Crockett, Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt—to name just a few) and has been doing this since she was a baby. These famous quotes help carry the story of Imogene’s discovery of an abandoned Historical Society building in her quiet, New Hampshire based town. She takes it upon herself to clean up and restore this historic gem and open it up for tours. Unfortunately, no one comes. Then, the icing on the cake, she finds out that the building will be demolished and replaced with a shoelace factory— a factory, that according to the town’s people, will put them on the map. Just when things look bleak, she discovers a letter written by George Washington that states that he had slept in the very building that was about to be torn down. The story peaks with self-reliance and perseverance as Imogene notifies a historian and then takes her stand on the front porch of the building, blocking the way of the wrecking trucks. The town’s people end up joining the crusade and the historian turns up with the President—who happens to be depicted as an African-American woman—and Imogene gets to save the building.

Candace Fleming has written a clever and engaging story that will appeal to both boys and girls. And, I have to say, it’s always a pleasure to read books that showcase girls with a strong sense of self. The illustrations, which are rendered in pen-and-ink and digital media, really add an authentic tone to the story—as well as a touch of humor. It’s really a great, little, history-lesson conversation starter. Different facts will interest different kids depending on their age and the previous introductions they’ve had to history; however, putting aside the historical emphasis, it’s an engaging and entertaining story.

Add this book to your collection: Imogene’s Last Stand

The All-American Jump and Jive Jig

by M. P. Hueston

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 24 pages

Publisher: Sterling (June 1, 2010)

Source: Publisher

What to expect: Rhyme, Dance, United States

This selection is all about energy and vibe. Using dance, author M. P. Hueston bands the people of the United States together. Each mentioned state has its own special and unique dance which is described through rhyming text and characterized with vibrant and upbeat watercolor illustrations. The All-American Jump and Jive Jig embraces differences and shows that although we are all unique we are also all one. An effective delivery of an important message, and a great book for an up-lifting and full-of-life story session—kids will be jumping, jiving, wriggling and giggling!

Add this book to your collection: The All-American Jump and Jive Jig

You may also enjoy this book list: 5 Honorable Books for Independence Day

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