The two latest books in Elise Gravel’s Disgusting Critters series are now available from Tundra Books. Elise investigates the lives of rats and slugs with humor and plenty of nasty factoids, showing that while they may be absolutely disgusting, that’s no reason to dislike these friendly creatures! Rats, slugs, worms, flies….what next!?
Tickly Toes, a bedtime board book written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Barroux, was released from Kids Can Press on August 1. The book has received praise from Kirkus Reviews, which calls the book, “a lovely addition to the bedtime storybook shelf.” The review commends Barroux’s illustrations, writing:
“In an 8-inch-square format, Barroux’s large-scale, double-page spreads appear almost life-size, and the baby seems to be looking directly out at the readers. Rendered in acrylic and outlined in pencil, the deceptively simple cartoons perfectly match the action and convey all the emotions of this happy family.”
Kate Merritt‘s collage artwork is featured in two new installments of the Indestructibles series from Workman Publishing, Baby Night-Night and Baby Peekaboo. The Indestructibles series is uniquely designed for babies’ active and often messy lifestyle. The sweet and simple stories are enhanced by Kate’s adorable artwork.
About the Indestructibles series from Workman Publishing:
Indestructibles are the books built for the way babies read. They are 100 percent baby-proof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and drool-proof. Printed on a unique nontoxic, paperlike material that holds up to anything babies can throw at it—gumming, spilling, dragging across the floor— Indestructibles are the little books that could. They’re indestructible. And if they get dirty, just throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher.
Visit the Workman website to order copies of the books for your little one.
Michael Slack’s Wazdot?, about a young alien exploring Earth for the first time, was released by Disney-Hyperion on July 29. Pick up your copy today!
July 31, 2014
First Day at Zoo School, the latest picture book from author-illustrator, Sarah Dillard, will hit shelves tomorrow nationwide. The perfect back-to-school book, Zoo School tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Alfred the alligator and Amanda the panda. Alfred is nervous about school, whereas Amanda couldn’t be more excited, and their clashing personalities make for an interesting first day at school.
Kirkus praises the illustrations, saying “Dillard’s illustrations, a mix of spots and comic panels, deftly express the characters’ thoughts and feelings.” Publishers Weekly, too, finds Sarah’s comic-book inspired illustrations to be the book’s strongest point, saying “Dillard makes excellent use of comic-book elements like sequential panels and speech balloons in this witty, well-observed story.”
Learn more about the book and purchase your own copy on Sleeping Bear Press’s website, here.
New reviews are in for London Ladd‘s latest. School Library Journal enjoyed the message the book conveyed and called Lend a Hand “a gentle book that will add value to any classroom or library collection.”
A reviewer for Booklist wrote: “Though perhaps not likely to spark changes in behavior on their own, in conjunction with home or classroom discussions about social responsibilities, waging peace, or bullying, these instances of individual and collective giving may serve as inspiring models.”
Check out the trailer for Michael Slack’s latest picture book, Wazdot? The book will be released on July 29th. Click here to pre-order a copy.
Timeless Thomas, by Gene Barretta, was included on We the People! Scholastic Parent & Child’s list of Great American Picture Book Biographies. The books selected for the list, according to Scholastic Parent & Child, “aren’t just books that share facts; they will immerse the reader into the amazing lives and choices that these men and women made.” Timeless Thomas certainly fits the bill! In humorous cartoon illustrations, Gene presents the inventions of Thomas Edison in side-by-side comparisons with their modern counterparts, creating a fun and memorable learning experience.
The praise keeps coming in for Katheryn Russell-Brown’s and Frank Morrison’s picture book, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. The book was a School Library Journal selection as a Top Picks for Children’s Books for the month of July, and received two more starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal!
From the School Library Journal starred review:
“Music lovers will enjoy this picture-book biography of Melba Liston (1926-99), child prodigy and virtuoso trombonist who collaborated with most 20th century jazz greats. An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story…Morrison’s distinctive illustrations, stretched out like a slide trombone, draw the eye across each spread to the page turn.”
Publishers Weekly:
“Morrison’s oil paintings practically sway with a jazz beat, though somber moments crop up, too: the shadows on Liston’s face signify the trials of life on the road. A final image showing long-limbed Liston in profile as she plays under the glow of stage lights is exquisite.”
Little Melba and her Big Trombone, written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Frank Morrison, has received a Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews. The book chronicles the life of legendary jazz musician, Melba Doretta Liston. From the review:
“Morrison’s sinuous, exaggerated lines are the perfect match for Melba’s story; she puts her entire body into her playing, the exaggerated arch of her back and thrust of her shoulders mirroring the curves of her instrument. In one thrilling spread, the evening gown–clad instrumentalist stands over the male musicians, her slide crossing the gutter while the back bow disappears off the page to the left.”