I’m constantly delighted by the illustrations in the picture books I’ve been reading. Here are a few illustrators that have really captured my imagination. Dan Yaccarino (Every Friday, Trashy Town) Mark Teague (How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, The Secret Shortcut) David Shannon (No, David, Duck on a Bike) Steve Jenkins (Move, Actual Size) David Wiesner [...]
Books of the Week: Did I mention…
December 7, 2007 – 12:52 pm
My Little Sister Ate One Hare written by Bill Grossman and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Maggie and the Monster written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Tomie dePaola The OK Book written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman Bark, George by Jules Feiffer Click,Clack,Moo: Cows [...]
Books of the Week: Great books, Tough topics
November 30, 2007 – 1:45 pm
There are some topics that it’s impossible to imagine a great picture book about. Until someone does it. Here are a few books that are great stories first, important topics second. As I mentioned in my ‘issue books‘ review, it’s so important to have stories that reflect children’s experiences. But it takes a great writer [...]
Books of the Week: ‘Truck’ Books
November 25, 2007 – 1:49 pm
There’s probably a better name for this genre, but I call them Truck books. It includes any book that kids love because of the big machines, trains, or trucks that vroom and crunch through it. Though I started out a bit disdainful of this necessary, but often boring genre, I’m learning to respect a good [...]
Books of the Week: For the old’uns
November 18, 2007 – 12:41 pm
It’s Day 56 in my journey to 100 Days, 1000 Books. I’ve read 574 books so far and I’m loving it. Mostly. Here are some of the books that are making this adventure a joy. Part II of the best of reads brings my favorite picture books for the sophisticated, jet-setting, caviar munching, seen-it-all 4 [...]
Books of the Week: Issue Books
November 9, 2007 – 3:00 am
Stories are, above all, a way for us to understand the world. When we see a character having the same feelings as us, going through the same experiences, reacting in the same way, we discover we are not alone. Lying, teasing, being frustrated, being jealous of a friend, does not make us a bad person. [...]
Books of the Week:For the Young’uns
November 2, 2007 – 5:00 am
Amazingly, some books have really stuck in my mind even after reading over 400 picture books. They aren’t always the ones I’m immediately ‘wowed’ by, but often the stories that come sneaking out when I’m telling Tony about my day. Or make me laugh later when I’m driving or writing email, from the memory of [...]
Books of the Week:Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad characters
October 26, 2007 – 1:19 pm
“The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another, his mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” so he was sent to bed without eating anything.” – Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are What is it that makes wild, stubborn, grumpy, characters so [...]
Books of the Week: Old Favorites
October 19, 2007 – 5:00 am
When I’m perusing the picture book shelves and come across a favorite book from my childhood, it’s like crawling under the blankets, snuggling up with a stuffed animal, and sipping a cup of cocoa. With mini marshmallows. Those tiny pillows of delight. Spongey icebergs in a sea of chocolate. Morsels of fluffy happiness. Ahem. Reading [...]
Books of the Week: Caldecott Books
October 5, 2007 – 4:30 am
It’s unusual for a book from the 40′s to still be on the bookstore shelves, but Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is an exception. Not just because of its timeless story, but also because of its Caldecott Medal. The Caldecott is given each year “to the artist of the most distinguished American picture [...]
Books of the Week!
September 28, 2007 – 3:00 am
As I mentioned at the beginning of the week, I’m taking on the task of reading 1000 picture books in an attempt to crack the code and uncover the ancient secrets of this minimalist art form. As a result, I’ve read 70 picture books this week. Have I unveiled any secrets yet? I could tell [...]
