Sleepy Kittens: Despicable Me
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 1, 2010
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 Read more
The Squirrel’s Birthday and Other Parties: Toon Tellegen and Jessica Ahlberg
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 23, 2010
The Squirrel’s Birthday and Other Parties
by Toon Tellegen (Author), Jessica Ahlberg (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5-8
Hardcover: 156 pages
Publisher: Boxer Books (November 3, 2009)
Source of book: Publisher
What to expect: Birthdays, Animals, Friendship Read more
Jim Dale reading the Exposition from Return to the Hundred Acre Wood
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 24, 2009
In anticipation of the release of Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus, which goes on sale October 5th, I want to share this video of Jim Dale reading the exposition from Return to the Hundred Acre Wood during the recording of the audio book. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood is the first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard’s classic books, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner to be written in over eighty years!
Revisiting Favorite Fall Books
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 23, 2009
Before I post my 2009 list of books that celebrate or embrace the fall season, I thought I would take this opportunity to revisit two of my favorite selections from 2008.
by Patrick McDonnell
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 1, 2008)
Review: South contains no words, yet manages to tell a very moving and compassionate tale of friendship, helping others, and saying goodbye. Read more …
Add this book to your collection: South
by Carin Berger
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow (August 26, 2008)
Review: This book is so gorgeous – visually and emotionally. Read more…
Add this book to your collection: The Little Yellow Leaf
Good Night, Gorilla & Good Night Moon Videos
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 3, 2009
Good Night, Gorilla and Goodnight Moon are two of my all-time favorite bedtime books. There is also a pretty good chance that they are also two of your favorite bedtime books. And if they are your favorite bedtime books, then there is also a very good chance that they are your children’s favorite bedtime books. And if they are your children’s favorite bedtime books, then i am sure they will have fun watching these videos with you. Goodnight Moon is read by Susan Sarandon!
Chasing away the nighttime blues
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 24, 2009
Little ones having trouble sleeping? Afraid of what lurks in the shadowy corners of their rooms? That puny night light isn’t enough? Then fear not! Two recently published books purport to help our little ones sleep soundly in the peace and comfort of their own beds. What sleep-deprived parent wouldn’t be interested in these? Especially given that both books were created with the help of developmental psychologists and other childhood experts. I know I was quick to try them out!
I Love You Stinky, Face & Yummiest Love
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 9, 2009
Lisa McCourt is well-known for her cheeky Stinky Face titles, but whether you have a stinky face or a snugly bear for a child, she has stories that will draw a crowd, wild or tame.
by Lisa McCourt (Author), Cyd Moore (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Board book: 16 pages
Publisher: Scholastic (March 2004)
What to expect: Love, Animals, Parent and child, Fiction
McCourt has masterfully managed to be playful and energizing in this distinguished bedtime story. How can you put playfulness and energy into a bedtime story? By using a soothing and reassuring tone.
Mama, what if I were a big, scary ape? Would you still love me then?
“If you were a big, scary ape, I would make your birthday cake out of banana, and I would tell you, ‘I love you, my big, scary ape.’ “
A great way to wind down from a busy day of play is to smile, giggle, snuggle, and read. This book offers all of that and more. Unconditional love is one of the most important parts of developing a secure, and emotionally healthy child; I Love You, Stinky Face delivers that message loud and clear. While this is a book that both boys and girls enjoy, it will certainly strike a chord with the dudes. It’s a winner!
Add this book to your collection: I Love You, Stinky Face
by Lisa McCourt (Author), Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (January 1, 2009)
What to expect: Love, Bears, Parent and child, Fiction
Yummiest Bear is delightfully sweet, just as its title depicts. The book beholds the wonderful magic of love that is created by the natural foundations of a parent-child relationship that strengthens on an everyday basis. McCourt’s writing is energetic without being loud, and captures regular moments and makes them all special by proclaiming a parents unconditional love. The illustrations have a gentle, angelic charm, and re-enforce the mutual admiration between parent and child. The pictures are fairly gender neutral, which makes the book work for any family combinations. I believe this book also helps parents to be able to laugh at the more mundane situations that are a part of parenting.
Like when you hate broccoli.
Then it’s your favorite.
Then you hate it.
Then it’s your favorite.”
Slightly more mellow than I Love You, Stinky Face, Yummiest Bear is a calm and expressive book for the sentimental — sure to produce sweet dreams.
Add this book to your collection: Yummiest Love
You may also like: It’s Time for School, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt, Would They Love A Lion? by Kady McDonald Denton, and Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown.
When papa Comes Home Tonight: Eileen Spinelli
Published: June 21, 2009
When Papa Comes Home Tonight
by Eileen Spinelli (Author) and David McPhail (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 1- 5
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (April 28, 2009)
What to expect: Father and child, Rhyme, Bedtime
The smooth rhyming narration which tells the story of a papa’s promises to his child, make this the perfect gift for any dad. So, no surprises that this review falls on Father’s Day! When Papa Comes Home Tonight is Eileen Spinelli’s beautiful sequel to When Mama Comes Home Tonight. Having a parent who works late regularly is a pretty common household occurrence; Spinelli helps relieve the anxiety that this can cause by highlighting all of the wonderful moments that can be shared when Papa does come home. It’s a very gentle narration that makes for a very soothing story time. The illustrations, which are rendered in watercolor paint, pencil, and pen and ink, are warm and inviting for little eyes. A beautiful book.
Publisher’s synopsis:
“When Papa comes home tonight, dear child,
(I promise – not too late)
you’ll hear me whistling up the road.
You’ll meet me at the gate.”
It can be hard waiting for Papa to come home, but it’ll be worth it because you’ll both have so much fun when he does! From singing songs and making dinner to playing all the way until bedtime, just hanging with Papa is one of the most joyous ways to end the day.
Eileen Spinelli’s highly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, complete with gorgeous illustrations from David McPhail, is a soothing celebrtion of simple moments shared between parent and child.
About the Author: Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch,
an IRA/CBC Children’s Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie’s Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Add this book to your collection: When Papa Comes Home Tonight
You may also like: Up! by Kristine O’Connell George. Take a look at George’s “Happy Father’s Day” video which includes artwork and text from her book:
Bedtime Sing to Me: Diane C. Ohansesian
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 17, 2009
by Diane Ohanesian (Author),
Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrations), Mary Ann Schaub (Vocals)
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 11 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk/Com edition (January 1, 2009)
What to expect: Sing-a-long, Bedtime, Nursery Rhymes
A wonderful collection of new nursery rhymes written to a nice combination of original tunes and classic favorites. Songs like Twinkle, Twinkle, Count with Me (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”) and Who Is Sleeping? (to the tune of “Frere Jacques”) catch the attention of preschoolers easily. Others, like Blanket Friends (An original calypso song), are imaginative and fresh – a couple of the songs are remindful of Laurie Berkner’s sound. The illustrations match well with the words, allowing for emerging readers to connect with the rhymes when listening. This book has been a huge hit at our house and in the car. Thumbs-up!
Add this book to your collection: Bedtime Sing to Me: With CD!
Nico & Lola: Kindness shared between a boy and a dog
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 9, 2009
Nico & Lola: Kindness shared between a boy and a dog
by Meggan Hill (Author), Susan M. Graunke (Photographer)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Nico and Lola; 1st edition (April 2009)
What to expect: Dogs, Relationships, Kindness
Nico and Lola is a heartwarming tale about a boy and a dog–a simple premise that has been the basis for stories since time immemorial. Dogs, descendants of wolves, were domesticated some 15,000 years ago in Central Asia. According to anthropological studies, it is believed that the emigration of our forebears from Asia to North America across the Bering Strait might not have been possible without the use of sled dogs–so they’ve been an integral part of human life for ages, as pets, workers and aides. It comes as no surprise, then, that so many touching stories have dogs as main characters. Nico and Lola is one such tale.
The story centers around the relationship between Nico, a young boy, and Lola, a pug, and the bonds they build over the course of a weekend. The story contains lessons of kindness and compassion and is filled with photographs that perfectly complement the author’s sincere tale. It’s sure to please parents and children alike–the lessons are ones that are important for kids to learn and the story reinforces them nicely.
More information can be found at www.nicoandlola.com.
Add this book to your collection: Nico & Lola: Kindness shared between a boy and a dog
