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    The Children's Book Review

    Dover Books Pack | Book Spotlight

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze8 Mins Read General
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    The Children’s Book Review | June 1, 2017

    Timeless Stories, Everyday Value, Summer Reading with Dover!

    About the Books

    The Girl in the White HatThe Girl in the White Hat

    Written by W. T. Cummings

    Publisher’s Synopsis: While Grandmother’s asleep, Annabelle creeps out of her room and up the stairs to the dark and mysterious attic. Among the jumble of curious items packed away in the gloom is a big white hat with a floppy brim. Annabelle can’t resist trying it on and thinks, “If I were a bird and this hat were my wings, I could fly. I wish I could fly!” And she does! New hardcover edition.

    About the Author: W. T. Cummings (1933–2009) wrote and illustrated four remarkable picture books, of which The Girl in the White Hat was the first. A painter of note, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University in 1962. Lauded by The New York Times as one of the ten best children’s books of 1959, this now-rare volume is available in a lovely new hardcover edition, ready to charm a new generation of readers and imaginative hat-wearers.

    Too Many MittensToo Many Mittens

    By Louis Slobodkin and Florence Slobodkin

    Publisher’s Synopsis: A beautifully illustrated single-volume edition of three classic children’s tales: A wintertime tale of lost and found, Too Many Mittens finds the twins Ned and Donny in Grandma’s care while Mother and Father are off on a trip. Word gets around when Donny loses a mitten, and soon everyone — teacher, postman, milkman, grocer — is finding lost mittens and delivering them to the twins’ house, until Grandma has a great idea. In A Good Place to Hide, Susan wants to get away from her persistent brothers, who are determined to show her the spider they’ve trapped in a jar. But everywhere she goes, from the tool shed to Rover’s doghouse, someone finds her — until she finds a secret place where she finally can be alone. Everyone knows that mermaids have long golden hair and sweet singing voices — except when they don’t! In The Little Mermaid Who Could Not Sing, red-haired Cynthia can swim and ride seahorses but she cannot sing a note. Cynthia’s terribly discouraged until she discovers that she has a hidden talent of her very own.

    About Louis Slobodkin and Florence Slobodkin: At the age of 15, Louis Slobodkin (1903–75) entered the Beaux Arts Institute of Design, where he studied drawing, composition, and sculpture. In the course of his six-year studies, he won more than 20 medals and was awarded the Louis Tiffany Fellowship. Slobodkin illustrated nearly 90 books, 50 of which he wrote, and in 1944 he received the Caldecott Medal for his illustrations for James Thurber’s Many Moons

    Poet and author of children’s books Florence Slobodkin (1905–94) collaborated with her husband on five books, including the classic Too Many Mittens.

    The Golden BasketThe Golden Basket

    By Ludwig Bemelmans

    Publisher’s Synopsis: On a cobblestoned street in the ancient city of Bruges, a hotel with a golden basket on its roof admits a trio of weary travelers: a father and two little girls, Celeste and Melisande. The next morning, the sisters awake to the thrill of discovering a new country and meeting new friends, including Jan, the innkeeper’s son, and Monsieur Carnewal, the hardworking, warmhearted maître d’hôtel. The girls discover a world of imaginative fun within the hotel itself as well as in the picturesque city of medieval buildings and towers, where graceful swans swim in the canals and a lamplighter makes his daily rounds. Inspired by a trip to Belgium, author Ludwig Bemelmans drew upon his youthful experiences at his family’s Austrian inn to perfectly recapture the setting of an Old World hotel. A brief cameo by a mischievous French schoolgirl — the first appearance of the author’s iconic character, Madeline—offers a hint of the joys to come.

    About Ludwig Bemelmans: The recipient of both the Caldecott and Newbery awards, Ludwig Bemelmans (1898–1962) is best remembered as the creator of the Madeline books. He grew up in Austria, emigrated to America in his youth, and became a U.S. citizen after serving in World War I. In addition to dozens of books for adults as well as children, Bemelmans wrote movie scripts and was an internationally renowned gourmet.

    Simon in the Land of Chalk DrawingsSimon in the Land of Chalk Drawings

    By Edward McLachlan

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Simon enters the Land of Chalk Drawings, where his doodles spring to colorful life and join him in adventures that challenge his wits as well as his imagination. This exclusive collection comprises all four of author Edward McLachlan’s Chalk stories, which served as the inspiration for the popular PBS and Nickelodeon animated shorts. In the Land of Chalk Drawings: An unfinished stick figure asks to be completed and introduces Simon to a host of other drawings that need his attention. Simon and the Chalk Drawing Army: Some soldiers have invaded the Land of Chalk Drawings and are making everyone drill to the point of exhaustion. With quick thinking, Simon finds a way to keep the soldiers busy, and the other drawings get a treat. Simon and the Moon Rocket: Simon flies to the moon, where he’s forced to solve a mountain of sums. How can he finish them all and get away? Simon and the Dinosaur: All the children and animals have disappeared from the Land of Chalk Drawings ― they’ve been eaten by a dinosaur! Simon must rescue them and help the hungry dinosaur, too.

    About Edward McLachlan: Hailed as “the cartoonist’s cartoonist,” Edward McLachlan has contributed cartoons to Punch, Private Eye, the London Evening Standard, New Statesman, Playboy, and many other periodicals. He has also worked for several book publishers, has drawn advertisements, and has designed and written more than 300 commercial advertising films for clients including Renault and Alka-Seltzer.

    Sam and EmmaSam and Emma

    By Donald Nelsen and Edward Gorey

    Publisher’s Synopsis: A kind hound and a critical cat venture beyond their garden gate for a look at how other animals live in this winsome tale, which is charmingly illustrated by Edward Gorey. Emma the cat scorns the lunch offered by a trio of friendly beavers and laughs in the faces of a pair of porcupines, much to Sam the dog’s consternation. Along come a couple of raccoons. Emma allows that they resemble cats, so they’re not ugly, but decries their nocturnal habits. “Not even a dog would live like that,” she declares — and now she’s insulted long-suffering Sam, too. She didn’t mean him, of course. Sam offers his feline friend a more balanced perspective and a gently irresistible appeal for tolerance, bringing this thought-provoking fable of friendship to a warm conclusion. Hardcover edition.

    About Donald Nelsen and Edward Gorey: Indiana native Donald Nelsen has lived and worked in New York City for more than 50 years. In 1959 he was awarded a Fulbright grant to study painting in Paris, and upon his return to the United States he joined a design studio and began creating textile and wallpaper designs as well as painted wood carvings of everyday objects. Several of his oil paintings are on display at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

    American author and artist Edward Gorey (1925–2000) combined whimsy and dark humor in such illustrated books as The Doubtful Guest, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and four Amphigorey anthologies. His distinctive style, featuring characters in Victorian dress in surrealistic settings, achieved wide recognition with his opening-sequence animation for the PBS Mystery! series.

    I Need a New ButtI Need a New Butt

    By Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird

    Publisher’s Synopsis: A young boy suddenly notices a big problem — his butt has a huge crack! So he sets off to find a new one. Will he choose an armor-plated butt? A rocket butt? A robot butt? Find out in this quirky tale of a tail, which features hilarious rhymes and delightful illustrations. Children and parents will love this book — no ifs, ands, or butts about it! “I can assure you right now that your kids will love this book. They will giggle, they will laugh, and they will want this book to be read over and over again because it is just plain silly and funny … the perfect kid-combo.” — Storywraps

    About Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird: Dawn McMillan writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and storybooks for children. She is also the author of Woolly Wally and Holy Socks. She lives in Waiomu, New Zealand.

    Ross Kinnaird has illustrated such children’s books as 50 Body Questions and the animated poem “Smaller,” winner of the People’s Choice Award at the World Parkinson’s Congress. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

    Available Here: www.doverpublications.com/summerreading

    Learn More

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    What to Read Next:

    1. My Butt is So Silly, by Dawn McMillan | Book Spotlight
    2. My Butt is SO CHRISTMASSY! | Book Spotlight
    3. Dawn McMillan and Ross Kinnaird Discuss My Butt is So Silly
    4. Teaching Children Compassion with Books

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Dawn McMillan Donald Nelsen Dover Publications Edward Gorey Edward McLachlan Florence Slobodkin Louis Slobodkin Ludwig Bemelmans Ross Kinnaird Summer reading The Awareness Tour W. T. Cummings
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    105 Comments

    1. Sharon Kaminski on June 8, 2017 9:15 am

      My favorite thing about summer reading is being able to read outside on the deck which is very relaxing. I am most excited about the book “Sam and Emma.”

      Reply
    2. Carol Luciano on June 9, 2017 12:33 pm

      I’m so happy that my children and most of my grandchildren love reading and visit the library frequently. Summer is such a great time to relax and read during beautiful weather .

      Reply
    3. rosemary on June 10, 2017 1:05 pm

      My kids would love to read these books.

      Reply
    4. Linda G. on June 10, 2017 3:36 pm

      What a great collection to keep kids engaged this summer.

      Reply
    5. Rania R on June 10, 2017 10:23 pm

      I love reading to my kids at the park. We get to relax and enjoy the breeze.

      Reply
    6. Leisa Hunt on June 11, 2017 4:45 am

      My favorite thing is reading with the kids and their later reenactment of the stories we’ve read!! I love to see them love to read like I did!!!

      Reply
    7. Stacy Renee on June 11, 2017 5:31 am

      My personal favorite place to read is while laying in my hammock outside but these days it’s in bed with my toddler reading picture books. She’s obsessed with dinosaurs right now and I grew up with the Dinotopia show so I’m definitely excited for those books! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Vicki Wurgler on June 11, 2017 5:40 am

      I would be most excited about the book Too Many Mittens

      Reply
    9. Donna Rueth on June 11, 2017 10:14 am

      Long, lazy days of reading… ah, summer! Finally a chance to immerse ourselves in a book and read uninterrupted until the final page.

      Reply
    10. Sab Edwards on June 11, 2017 4:23 pm

      The girl in the white hat is going to be fun to read!! I love to read when we go camping…read a book yesterday “Carve the Mark”
      thanks for the chance

      Reply
    11. Virginia on June 11, 2017 9:28 pm

      I love summer reading because I associate it with escape! Ever since I was a little girl, and we made weekly trips to the library to get new books through the summer, I’ve loved that summer was a time I could read what I wanted to read. This year I’m busy reading a lot of required reading for grad school, but I’m hoping to sneak in a couple of “just for me” books!

      Reply
    12. Sandy Reis on June 12, 2017 5:31 pm

      I love summer reading because its something I do with my grandkids during the summer.I love to read anywhere and everywhere!! My little ones like the Ivy and Bean series.

      Reply
    13. Kimberlin Hurson on June 13, 2017 12:49 pm

      Catching up on what I can, spending lots of time with favorite characters!

      Reply
    14. tara Kosing on June 13, 2017 1:41 pm

      I am excited about the dinotopia books.. my 9 year old is an avid reader and he would spend the whole summer just reading if he could.

      Reply
    15. Lisa on June 13, 2017 6:11 pm

      I most excited to read The Girl in the White Hat. I like classic children’s stories, but I have never read this one. All of the books listed above sound really good, however. My favorite place to read in the summer is anywhere that it is cool and quiet.

      Reply
    16. Becky Tucker on June 14, 2017 2:45 am

      Reading is a perfect way to quiet down after time at the pool!

      Reply
    17. icefairy on June 14, 2017 6:04 am

      My favorite place to read is in the cozy reading corner in my home.

      Reply
    18. Maureen Blatz on June 14, 2017 7:56 am

      This is a wonderful giveaway for our children

      Reply
    19. Julie Lundstrom on June 15, 2017 1:37 pm

      I like to read on the deck in the early evenings when it is cooler.

      Reply
    20. Anne Marie Carter on June 15, 2017 1:38 pm

      I am most excited to read Too Many Mittens… I love to take my grandchildren to our local library, to find special books to read.

      Reply
    21. Regina Z on June 15, 2017 2:41 pm

      My favorite place to read is on my back porch under the gazebo

      Reply
    22. Linda Davidson on June 15, 2017 5:14 pm

      I love the peaceful summer reading on the back deck. Too many mittens sounds cute.

      Reply
    23. Sherry Ann Abrams on June 15, 2017 9:17 pm

      Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway of fine books! My granddaughter , an emergent reader heading to the first grade after this summer, would greatly enjoy these stories!

      Reply
    24. Jane Goldsberry on June 16, 2017 10:58 am

      My great nieces an nephews love books even if they can’t read yet. Sometimes they pretend to read and make up their own story with the book open,

      Reply
    25. Schmeka Legree on June 18, 2017 10:43 am

      ALL!!!!!

      Reply
    26. Azeem on June 18, 2017 1:51 pm

      My niece would love these books

      Reply
    27. Lindsay Bade on June 18, 2017 7:32 pm

      We love reading outside! We go to the park or lay down on the trampoline or even in the playhouse to read a book together.

      Reply
    28. rachel on June 18, 2017 11:10 pm

      favorite thing about summer reading is finally can do it outside

      Reply
    29. Shelly Van Dyne on June 19, 2017 3:13 pm

      We enjoy reading outside and enjoying a good picnic Dinotopia seems pretty exciting.

      Reply
    30. Kristin C on June 19, 2017 7:36 pm

      I think my son would really like Dinotopia. Now that it’s summer, we can read it on the deck.

      Reply
    31. Connie Saunders on June 20, 2017 10:12 am

      As a child, I loved that I could read later at night. No early lights out because of school. Now, I just enjoy having a book to read on my porch during the summer months. Thanks for this giveaway. I am hoping to share with my granddaughter.

      Reply
    32. Jonnie on June 21, 2017 1:35 pm

      My favorite place to read is in the bath tub.

      Reply
    33. tracee on June 23, 2017 11:27 am

      The best thing about summer reading is being able to sit outside in the warm sunshine

      Reply
    34. shelly on June 25, 2017 12:21 pm

      I love to read at the beach!

      Reply
    35. apple blossom on June 27, 2017 5:06 pm

      love reading outside during the summer

      Reply
    36. LeAnn Harbert on June 27, 2017 8:59 pm

      My favorite place to read is in my recliner with my granddaughters.

      Reply
    37. Sunnymay on June 28, 2017 7:07 pm

      My grandson loves reading about trains and all forms for transportation. His favorite place to read is on the couch with Mom, Dad or Grandma helping. His favorite book would be Sam and Emma with all those animals.

      Reply
    38. Jana Leah on June 29, 2017 9:38 am

      If it’s not too hot outside I like to read by the pool or at the beach.

      Reply
    39. Pamela Tessmer on June 29, 2017 9:55 am

      I love to either sit on our porch and read and on really nice days, lay out in the yard and enjoy the sun

      Reply
    40. Kris M on June 30, 2017 8:40 am

      I love to read under the tree and enjoying the fresh air (and shade)! 🙂

      Reply
    41. Nicole Lancaster on June 30, 2017 9:44 am

      I am most excited to win the 20th Anniversary Editions of the Dinotopia book series. I know my son would love the I Need A New Butt book.

      Reply
    42. bill norris on June 30, 2017 12:52 pm

      Best thing about summer reading is that inside the house is the last place to read a good book.

      Reply
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