Bookmarks

Beat back-to-school blues with these fun new titles

2010-08-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

The approach of a new school year brings mixed feelings. Part of me looks forward to the comfort and rhythm of a routine—not to mention the promise of seven straight weekday hours to work, write, or run errands without children in tow. But the other part isn’t quite ready to let go of all that blissfully unstructured time.

My kids seem to echo these emotions. Letters arriving in the mail with new class assignments spark feelings of excitement, along with a touch of trepidation and wistfulness about the dwindling days of summer vacation.

One way to ease anxieties and embrace this time of transition is to read a fun back-to-school-themed book with your kids. Here are two new titles I highly recommend.

“How Rocket Learned To Read,” by Tad Hills (Random House)

New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Tad Hills (“Duck & Goose”) turns his considerable talents to the story of a furry black and white dog named Rocket, and his “teacher,” a cheerfully persistent little yellow bird.

“Rocket loved to play. He loved to chase leaves and chew sticks. He loved to listen to the birds sing,” begins the story. But when Rocket settles for a nap beside a tree, he is startled by a tiny yellow bird who claims to be his teacher.

A befuddled Rocket is at first more interested in sleeping than learning, but the clever bird lures him in by reading part of a storybook out loud. Rocket returns the following day, eager to know what happens next.

Having hooked her new student, each day, the little bird reads Rocket a new story, and each day she teaches him a new letter—until Rocket begins to form letters into words on his own.

Lessons proceed through the fall, until the weather turns colder and the little bird must fly to warmer locales. Rocket spends his winter practicing what he learned, tracing letters in the snow. In springtime, the little bird returns to find her once-reluctant student back to greet her, tail wagging.

The witty exchanges between Rocket and bird will quickly win over young readers, as will Mr. Hill’s detailed oil and colored pencil illustrations of an expressive Rocket and his tiny yellow teacher. For any preschooler about to launch into an autumn, winter and springtime of learning to read as Rocket does, bird’s chirps of wisdom: “Don’t forget! Words are built one letter at a time!” will surely resonate.

“Dotty” by Erica S. Perl; illustrated by Julia Denos (Abrams)

Growing up can be tough, and school is often the place where growing pains are most keenly felt. Such is the case of Ida, who brings her invisible friend “Dotty” to school. At first, Ida is in good company; there are plenty of other kids who bring imaginary friends to class. But as the seasons of the school year go by, the other children forgo their invisible pals and Ida becomes the object of teasing for continuing with the ritual. Ida wonders if it might be time to leave Dotty behind.

Ms. Perl’s warm and well-written story deftly captures the struggle of those early elementary school years, when children are on the cusp of being “big kids” and must navigate the first signs of peer pressure, while staying true to who they are.

Equally charming are Ms. Denos’ loosely rendered illustrations of school life and a parade of fantastical imaginary friends.

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 8.17.10

Chicken soup in a children's book

2010-08-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

When your child isn’t feeling well, reading books together can be a quiet, soothing activity. And even though it’s more about the time and attention than the book itself, sometimes it helps to choose a story in which the main character is also under the weather, so that children, especially very young ones, can relate and find comfort in knowing that everyone gets sick from time to time.

Here are two books that will lift little ones' spirits when they’re feeling down and out.

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen; illustrated by Mark Teague

Of the numerous books in Yolen’s perennially popular series, this earlier installment is my favorite. The incongruity of Teague’s massive spotted dinosaurs whimpering in the doctor’s office, or curled up with hot water bottles on their heads, are hilarious—and likewise, Ms. Yolen’s rhetorical rhyming questions about dinosaur health-etiquette are sure to garner giggles from tots who’ve had to brave doctors visits of their own.

“What if a dinosaur catches the flu?/ Does he whimper and whine between each ‘At-choo’?/ Does he drop dirty tissues all over the floor?/ Does he fling his medicine out of the door?”

Readers soon learn that the answer is no, and that all good little dinosaurs behave politely – even when feeling a bit icky. But most importantly, no matter what, their mommies and daddies love them and want them to “get well soon.”

Don’t You Feel Well Sam? by Amy Hest; illustrated by Anita Jeram

Although no little bear cub likes to be sick, it can come with a few advantages. In little Sam’s case, the advantage is getting to cuddle up with Mama late in the evening and wait for snow to fall outside their window.

The “Sam” books are among my favorite picture books for young readers. Ms. Hest’s charming, simple language, coupled with the warm acrylic paintings of a mama and her little bear safe and content in their cozy house, make you want to jump right into their world and snuggle up under the blankets.

In this book, Sam awakes with a cough, “Hck, hck.” But he doesn’t want to take his medicine. So Mama coaxes him downstairs with a drink of water and the promise of staying up late to watch for snow. Eventually, when he least expects it, Mama pops the medicine into Sam’s mouth. But Sam hardly makes a fuss, for he’s wrapped up all tight in a chair with Mama as the snow begins to fall.

For any time—but especially when children are not feeling well—reading the Sam books (which also include “Kiss Goodnight” and “You Can Do It Sam”) will make little cubs feel extra special and loved.

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 8.11.10

Barbara Joosse’s new book captures what’s special about visits to Grandma’s

2010-07-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

I’m told that one of the well-earned privileges of being a grandparent is enjoying the grandchildren when they come, and then giving them back to their parents at the end of the visit.

My own mother readily admits to feeling a bit blue in those first few hours after her grandkids leave, when the house seems too quiet. But then, slowly, realization dawns that she can sit and read a good book for as long as she wants, or head out for a late supper, or watch something besides Nick Jr. on TV, and she’s mollified—maybe even a little relieved.

Perhaps it’s this brevity, this understanding that the more grueling work of raising children is, at last, someone else’s, and that their job is simply to enjoy, that makes visits with grandparents so sweet for all parties. Grandparents tend to pull out all the stops, play all the games, pack in all the fun because, well, when it’s over, they can put their feet up and relax!

Recently, I came across a book that captured the playfulness and indulgence of these special grandparent visits perfectly: Barbara Joosse’s “Sleepover At Gramma’s House” (Philomel Books).

A bouncy read-aloud featuring a grandmother and granddaughter elephant, the story begins as the little girl packs her overnight trunk, bids goodbye to her parents, baby sibling, house, and pet fish—for a drive through the countryside to “Gramma’s house.”

When she arrives, the fun begins immediately with silly games, party hats, painting time, and desserts. Then, the two round out the evening with bath time, story time, and at last, getting all snuggled up tight together in bed.

Ms. Joosse’s gift for childlike rhythm and rhyme is on full display in the sing-song beats of her text:

“Snuggled and together/ on the pitter patter porch/ on the ricky rocky swing./ ‘Oooooh!’ watch the lightening sky writing./ ‘Ahhhhh!’ hear the thunder rain rumbling./ This we know—/ the very best way to fall asleep/ is inside a hug./ Oh. We love each other so.”

The author teamed up with illustrator Jan Jutte (the two collaborated on the successful “ROAWR!” in 2009) and once again, Ms. Jutte’s boldly outlined watercolors complement Joosse’s writing style beautifully.

Simply put: Reading “Sleepover At Gramma’s House,” is almost as good as being wrapped up inside one of Grandma's cozy hugs.

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 7.27.10

Local author Peter Mandel talks books, Botswana & burgers

2010-07-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

Providence-based writer Peter Mandel is an adventure travel journalist and the author of nine children's books. His latest title, “Bun, Onion, Burger,” (Simon & Schuster) just earned a spot on this summer’s “Kids’ Next” list—a roundup of inspired reading recommendations from leading independent booksellers across the country.

Mr. Mandel took a moment to chat with Bookmarks about his diverse writing career, what inspires and surprises him, and his love of the all-American culinary classic: A perfectly cooked hamburger on the grill.

Q: You’re an adventure travel journalist and a children's book author. How does one career inform the other?

A: Well, for one thing, several of my kids' books have travel themes: 'Planes at the Airport,' 'Boats on the River,' and 'My Ocean Liner.' So going on trips on assignment for newspapers and magazines helps get me the experience I need to make my children's books feel authentic and, I hope, exciting. On the flip side, the language simplicity and clarity that's needed to write for kids is something I care a lot about, and I try to carry it over into my journalism.

Q: Have you always had the adventure-travel bug? Did you travel a great deal as a child?

A: I can't remember an age or a single day in my life when I didn't have the urge to go somewhere or take part in an adventure. It stuns me when I hear people—both adults and kids—say that they'd just rather hang out around the house. As a kid, my brother and sister and I were lucky that we had parents who loved to go places and take us with them. I grew up in Manhattan, but my dad took a job in London when I was seven and we moved to England for two years. It was a life-changing experience, in part because we sailed over on one of the last real ocean liners, the original Queen Elizabeth.

Q: With all the exciting places you've visited and written about, which destination was the most intriguing to you?
The most surprising?

A: Wow, it's not easy to choose. I guess the most intriguing was a trip I took to Antarctica. Adventure cruise ships and icebreakers go there nowadays, and it's a very rough sail down from the tip of South America. But is it ever worth it. You see things that are hard to describe: immense, blue icebergs floating past, and colonies—cities would be a better word—of penguins. Literally thousands of them on shore. The light is different there, it's ethereal, like being on another planet.

Among the most surprising was a camping safari I did in Africa, in Botswana. We writers camped out in the bush in regular boy-scout style tents and when we first got there we all assumed there would be some sort of protective fence, or guards with guns to keep the lions, elephants and rhinos away. ‘Oh, the animals hardly ever bother anyone who stays in their tent,’ we were told by the locals. What they didn't tell us was that the animals do poke around campsites all night long, snuffling, growling, crunching bones from the fire, and charging around.

Q: What's one place you haven't visited that you'd like to explore and write about?

A: Number one is a place I'm afraid I'll never be able to get to: outer space. Maybe the next generation, or the one after that will. My dad covered the original Mercury and Gemini astronauts for LIFE magazine, and I've always thought of being an astronaut, or a passenger in a spacecraft, as the ultimate adventure.

Q: What do you love about living and working in Rhode Island?

A: It's just right for my wife and me in many ways, because it has so much beauty, but is close to New York and Boston. We're big fans of the East Bay in particular, by the way, Bristol, Little Compton, Newport, and other towns. Also, to us, Providence is like a miniature version of New York. Very miniature, I guess.

Q: Which is your favorite of the children's books you've written and why?

A: They're all different, so it's kind of hard to pick a favorite. Maybe it would be 'Say Hey! A Song of Willie Mays' (Hyperion, 2000) because I'm such a baseball nut and writing it was a way for me to try and capture some of my nostalgia for the way the game was when I was a kid, in the 1960s.

Q: What inspired your latest book: “Bun, Onion, Burger?”

A: I'm not someone who tries to write a book because I think it'll sell, or because I think the world 'needs' or 'wants' it. I pick topics that appeal to me nowadays, or those that were a big deal to me when I was small. And, er, what can I say? For me, at least, there's nothing better than having a burger or two or more on the grill. The smell, the taste, the texture. I'm hoping readers, kids, agree.

Q: You often visit schools and speak to children about writing. What advice do you have for aspiring young writers?

A: Everyone answers this question by saying 'read, read, read,' and I completely agree with that. Read for fun, I say. Comics, cereal boxes, anything you like. Get off the computer and off the cell phone and away from the TV. There are way, way too many screens in our lives. So many that we've begun to think that we can't live without them. A kid who simply enjoys books, gets lost in them, can outstrip one who has all the latest electronic equipment. In short, I don't think a computer is necessary in the least to be literate or to write. In fact, to be blunt, they're huge distractions.

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 7.14.10

Books to share with Dad on Father’s Day

2010-06-16T08:47:00.001-07:00

Last week was grads, this week: It’s Dads!

Here are some of my favorite books that celebrate all the “Papa Bears” we love.

1. “Because Your Daddy Loves You,” by Andrew Clements; illustrated by R. W. Alley
The Daddy in this story knows just what to say, at just the right time. Be it a bad dream or a lost shoe, this book celebrates the singular way dads make it “all better.” Barrington resident, R.W. Alley’s buoyant, breezy cartoon illustrations lend an air of whimsy, without being sappy or overly sentimental.

2. “My Dad,” by Anthony Browne
All little kids believe their dads are heroic in some way, and Browne’s witty play on this concept makes for a fun read and a fitting tribute to fathers everywhere. According to the young boy narrating the story, his dad can do many incredible things, including jumping over the moon and fighting off the big bad wolf! Despite the fact that the Dad in the book never gets out of plaid pajamas and bathrobe, fathers reading it with their children will feel flattered and loved.

3. “I Love My Daddy,” by Sebastien Braun
On a background of vivid greens and warm golden-yellows, two bears—a massive Papa Bear and his tiny little cub—stand nose to nose. Each page contains a single phrase: “My Daddy wakes me,” / “My Daddy feeds me,”/ “My Daddy cuddles me.” Any young child whose papa reads this story will know, for sure: “My Daddy loves me.”

4. “What Dads Can't Do,” by Douglas Wood; illustrated by Doug Cushman
Although this book is written from the perspective of a child, really, it’s the dads who will appreciate the joke. A reptilian preschooler offers up all the things his reptile pop can’t do. "Dads can't pitch a baseball very hard or hit one very far."/ "When dads play hide-and-seek they always get found, but they have a hard time finding you."/ "They aren't very good wrestlers./ "Dads lose at checkers/ and cards/ and almost every other game." With a playful wink, it reminds us how brilliant dads are at making their little lizards feel special.

5. “Daddy Kisses,” by Anne Gutman and George Hallensleben
We received this board book as a gift many moons ago, and the frayed, worn edges of its spine are proof of how dearly we love it. Every spread features a different father animal with his baby, and describes how each daddy gives kisses. “Daddy giraffe gives his calf a kiss on the neck./ “Daddy Rabbit gives his bunny a kiss on the ear./ “Daddy lion gives his cub a kiss on the head.” The illustrations, made with chunky brushstrokes in vibrant oil paint, make it perfect choice for snuggly reading time, followed by plenty of sweet “Daddy Kisses.”

Gift books for grads

2010-06-09T06:10:00.000-07:00

Graduation is an occasion when giving a children’s picture book can be the perfect way to express sentiments of congratulations, love, and hope for the future.

Here are my top 5 gift book recommendations for grads.

1. “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss – People have been giving this book as the quintessential graduation gift for decades now—and with good reason. There’s just something special about Dr. Seuss’s exuberant ode to life’s exciting journey that makes it the perfect “world is your oyster” message for graduates of any age.

2. “So Many Days,” by Allison McGhee; illustrated by Taeeun Yoo - In a spirit similar to Seuss’s classic, but with slightly more abstract poetic language, Ms. McGhee’s lovely little picture book speaks of facing life with curiosity and wonder. “So many doors in all your days,/ so much to wonder about./ Who will you be and where will you go?/ And how will you know?” Ms. Yoo’s muted lino-cut illustrations of a young girl in her raincoat and boots add to the book’s message of dreamy possibilities. A particularly nice choice for young women graduates.

3. “Courage,” by Bernard Waber - Anyone about to embark on a new phase of life is bound to have some trepidation, and that’s why Mr. Waber’s cheerful picture book “Courage” makes an apt gift selection for graduates. From “Courage is being the first to make up after an argument," to "Courage is tasting the vegetable before making a face,” the book features simple scenarios where a good dose of guts is required.

4. “I Can Be Anything!” by Jerry Spinelli; illustrated by Jimmy Liao
For the graduate who may be wondering where his or her career path lies, this book is a great way to say: “Don’t worry, you can do it all!” A young boy asks: “When I grow up, what shall I be? / Of all the many, many jobs, which one will be the best for me?” He contemplates several vocations including: “Pumpkin grower / dandelion blower / paper-plane folder / puppy-dog holder,” but in the end, realizes perhaps he doesn’t have to choose just one. “So many jobs!/ They're all such fun—/ I'm going to choose…/ EVERY ONE!"

5. “All The World,” by Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Marla Frazee- This book is a love song to the basic rhythm of life told in simple poetic phrases. Although in essence it’s about hours passing in a day, many stanzas seem more metaphorical: “Slip, trip, stumble, fall/ Tip the bucket, spill it all/ Better luck another day/ All the world goes round this way.” With beautifully detailed watercolor illustrations and gentle language, it offers a sweetly fitting message for graduates who are about to step into a whole new world of their own.

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 6.9.10.

‘Little Boat’ is a story of bravery and confidence

2010-06-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

“The ocean is a big place, and I am just a little boat,” begins Thomas Docherty’s tale of a tiny boat making its way through a vast ocean.

From the start, it’s clear that the little tugboat’s journey is meant to parallel a young child’s experiences in the big wide world, but Docherty makes the connections in such a sweet and subtle way, children will find themselves simply enjoying the ride while subconsciously relating to the story’s overarching metaphor.

The text is rhythmic, yet spare, with short descriptive phrases. “The sea is always changing, and full of dangers, but I sail on,” says the little boat while skirting the edges of an ominous whirlpool.

Despite “terrible storms, rolling waves, and treacherous rocks,” the tiny boat seems to truly enjoy the adventure, and before long, befriends a whale, octopus, dolphins, and a pair of seagulls.

Docherty cleverly plays with scale—making the tiny tugboat appear miniscule in a sea of blue during the scary parts—and larger when the little boat is traversing a changing seascape accompanied by its ocean pals.

In the end, the boat has traveled quite a long way, past penguins on floating icebergs, and still—in a spirit similar to “The Little Engine That Could,” or "Tuggy the Tugboat”—our hero presses on.

What sets this story apart, however, is that its protagonist, the little boat, seems to have a healthy does of confidence from the get-go. There’s no “I think I can,” in this tugboat’s universe. On the contrary, the little boat declares: “Full Steam ahead, to the edge of the world… because no ocean is too big for a little boat like me.”

Way to go, little boat. Rock on.

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 6.2.10.

‘Lulu the Big Little Chick’ is a funny barnyard twist on a classic theme

2010-05-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

At some point, every little chick wants to fly the coop and venture out into the big wide world on her own. And at some point, all mother hens must let them test their wings.

Such is the case of “Lulu,” in Paulette Bogan’s “Lulu the Big Little Chick.” Tired of being told she’s too small for things like climbing the fence, or playing in the cornfield, Lulu decides she will go “far, far away.”

If you are sensing shades of another classic picture book—Runaway Bunny—in this tale, you’re not far off, but Ms. Bogan offers a funny take on the familiar theme and manages to make it her own original and charming story.

Along her travels, Lulu meets a pen full of pigs, some sheep, and a horse—all of whom heckle poor Lulu, saying she’s too little to be out by herself. But Lulu is undeterred and decides she has not gone quite “far, far away” enough yet.

When Lulu stumbles way out into the cow pasture, all at once she realizes she has gone too far, and that she is, in fact, still a little chick. The scary “caw-caw-caw” of a big black crow sends her running straight back into Momma’s feathers.

Reading it, I remembered the summer my daughter, all bravado, decided to climb up to the high diving board, only to look down at me with a look of “what have I done?” when she reached the edge; then scrambled back down to the safety of my beach towel.

"Momma, next time I go far, far away, I will take you with me,” says Lulu in the end. “Maybe I’ll try it next summer,” whispered my daughter all snug up with me in the towel.

That’s what makes this book so cute for kids and adults. We’ve all experienced our children’s push-pull feelings of wanting to strike out on their own, but being a little afraid to take those first steps towards independence.

With fun barnyard humor and brightly colored illustrations, Ms. Bogan cleverly explores a universal theme.

Incidentally, “Lulu the Big Little Chick” is a finalist in the Children’s Choice Book Awards. These awards are given out during “Children’s Book Week,” which is currently being celebrated in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country.

If you’d like to see more of the nominated titles go to: www.bookweekonline.com. Winners will be announced today, Wednesday, May 12th!

This article was originally published in East Bay Life - a section of the East Bay Newspapers, on 5.12.10.

Celebrate MOMS, with a kangaroo, a llama, and other furry friends!

2010-05-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Eric Carle's book, "Does A Kangaroo Have a Mother Too?" poses an intriguing question to kids — and judging from these fabulous titles, the answer is a resounding: YES!

The following books feature kangaroo mamas, llama mamas, lamb mamas, bear mamas, giraffe mamas, lion mamas and "people mamas" too.

Plus, if you’re looking to read a story or find a gift perfect for Mother's Day, any one of these marvelous mom-themed books makes a lovely choice.

"Does A Kangaroo Have A Mother Too?" by Eric Carle (Harper Collins)
Eric Carle’s signature collage illustrations and fun read-aloud repetition combine to make yet another classic. The book asks, "Does a kangaroo have a mother too?" and then reassuringly answers: "Yes, a kangaroo has a mother, just like me and you." The question is then joyfully repeated for each of Mr. Carle's colorful creatures.

"Who Loves The Little Lamb?" by Lezlie Evans; illustrated by David McPhail (Hyperion)
Although visually very different, this book also uses a question-and-answer format to express a mother's love. "Who loves the fussy lamb?" it asks. "Who loves the noisy bird? Sing sweetly, please, you'll still be heard. Mama loves her little bird."

The reassuring message for kids is: Even when they're naughty or make mistakes, mothers love them just the same. With gentle rhyming text and detailed watercolors, it's a perfect book for bedtime, or anytime.

“Llama Llama Red Pajama," by Anna Dewdney (Viking)
I just love the "Llama Llama" books. That goofy-faced little Llama and his oh-so-patient Mama make a fetching pair, and Dewdney's humorous rhymes and vibrant oil paintings are a hit with kids - and moms too.

"My Mother Is So Smart," by Tommie DePaola (Putnam)
As a mother of two, any book that starts out, "My mother is so smart," gets my stamp of approval! Mr. DePaola (Strega Nona) offers up a sweet ode to the multi-talents of moms with one little boy's recounting of all the great things his mom can do. From sewing Halloween costumes to standing on her head, readers will sense the heartfelt admiration the little boy has for his mother, and will likely ponder and appreciate their own mothers' special talents too.

Children’s book art exhibits make for a fun family activity

2010-04-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

One great way to introduce children to the art museum or gallery experience is to take them to an exhibition of original artwork created for children’s books. Museum and gallery shows dedicated to picture book art offer a behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating a book, and encourage appreciation for the visual arts within a framework kids will especially understand and enjoy.

Here in Rhode Island, we’re fortunate to have a wide variety of arts and cultural institutions offering such exhibitions, as well as access to museums and galleries in nearby Massachusetts.

Destinations such as Rhode Island School of Design’s Museum of Art in Providence, National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA, are among the best-known venues for viewing children’s book art exhibits, but many local libraries, colleges, private galleries and bookstores showcase original children’s book illustrations as well.

If you have an opportunity to see picture book art up-close and in-person, my advice is: Go! These exhibitions often include otherwise unseen original sketches and an overall glimpse into the artist’s creative process that can be fascinating for both children and adults.

Bookmarks spoke with Barrington-based children’s book author and illustrator, Mary Jane Begin, for her take on what makes seeing the original art from books such a unique experience.

“Looking at a work of art up-close allows for the study of how a piece is created, and gives people a chance to see what the artist really intended—every detail, shift in texture and nuance of expression is clear. Taking the art work out of the context of the printed page also gives it a voice; a way to be seen for it’s own merits, beyond the story.”

Ms. Begin will exhibit her artwork in a show titled “Back to the future: an exhibition of paintings from ‘The Wind In The Willows’ to ‘Willow Buds,’” from May 2-21, at the Providence Art Club on Thomas Street in Providence. The exhibition includes original sketches and paintings, as well as character studies for an animated television series currently in development based on Ms. Begin’s “Willow Buds” books.

Another reason to see original children’s book art up-close, Ms. Begin explained, is that the originals often contain details that are lost in print. “The artwork in a book is often cropped, and so some interesting elements can disappear in the final book version. Also, the color of the printed book is never quite the same as the original art, and seeing the difference can be revealing. The exhibition features the published books as well, so that people can see for themselves how different the painting and the printed form can be!”

This sketch or "turn-around" for animation will be one of many of the development pieces seen in Ms. Begin's 'Back To The Future' exhibition. Image copyright © 2010, Mary Jane Begin.

If you’d like to be among the first to check out Ms. Begin’s show while munching treats and getting your book signed, a kid-friendly opening reception will be held on Sunday, May 2, from 2-4p.m.

So the next time the kids say they’re tired of the same old weekend routine, take them to a gallery or museum featuring original children’s book art for a fun, illuminating family activity.

This column was originally published on 4.28.10 in East Bay Life, a section of East Bay Newspapers.

‘The Quiet Book’ is a new classic for bedtime

2010-04-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

The best bedtime books are gentle, endearing and relatable. There’s a lullaby-quality to the words and pictures that make them just right for sending little pajama-clad sleepy heads off into slumber, peaceful and content.

“The Quiet Book,” written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Renata Liwska, has a subtlety and charm that will very likely earn it a place on your child’s bookshelf alongside “Goodnight Moon,” and “Runaway Bunny.”

With a cast of animals that includes a rabbit, bear, owl, moose, wombat and porcupine, the book explores all the different “quiets” that can fill a day. From “First one awake quiet,” to “Coloring in the lines quiet,” to “Pretending you're invisible quiet,” to “Car ride at night quiet,” this gentle picture book captures the heart and sensibility of a child with perfect pitch.

Ms. Liwska’s muted, matte-colored pencil drawings—on pages that alternate from full bleeds, to spots with plenty of white space—are utterly charming and compliment the lulling repetition of the text beautifully. Even the smaller trim size of the book feels just right for little laps and bedtime rituals.

Like any great bedtime book, this one is sure to garner calls for repeat reading from children who see something of themselves in the adorably rounded, wide eyed furry creatures. Each spread tells a different story and kids will delight in the many small details of Ms. Liwska’s lovely illustrations.

All in all, I’d say “The Quiet Book,” is a must have—and my favorite picture book find of 2010, so far!

This column was originally published on 4.14.10 in East Bay Life, a section of East Bay Newspapers.

Books for a springtime story hour

2010-04-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

After a soggy and treacherous start, it’s now safe to say that spring has officially SPRUNG here in Rhode Island. The forsythia and daffodils are popping, tiny green buds dot the trees, and suddenly, the world around us is awash in a sea of spring color!

Here are a few of my favorite springtime children’s books this season.

"Planting A Rainbow," by Lois Ehlert (Sandpiper)
This large format board book takes the reader through all the steps of growing a garden—from planting autumn bulbs, to ordering seed packets, to sowing the seeds, to watching them grow into a rainbow of beautiful blossoms. Preschoolers will enjoy turning the tactile die-cut pages, and slightly older readers will have fun exploring the names, shapes and colors of a variety of garden plants and flowers.

"My Garden," by Kevin Henkes (Harper Collins)
The little girl in this sweet springtime tale enjoys working in the garden with her mom, but if she had her own garden, she'd grow chocolate bunnies, everlasting flowers, jellybean bushes—and definitely not carrots. In a soft pallet of spring hues, Henkes creates a world that will inspire kids to think up all the silly, creative things they might grow in their own “imagination” gardens.

"We Planted A Tree," by Diane Muldrow; illustrated by Bob Staake (Random House)
"We planted a tree, and it grew up," begins this delightfully simple story of all the wonderful benefits of planting a tree and watching it grow. Trees provide shade, bear fruit, clean the air, make homes for the animals and generally just make us all happy. With sweetly stylized illustrations, this a great choice for “springtime,” "green" or “Earth Day” themes.

"Rose's Garden," by Peter Reynolds (Candlewick)
Rose travels in a teapot to a distant city in need of color. She plants seeds and waits for them to grow. And waits. And waits. But nothing happens. When word of Rose's determination spreads, children from near and far bring paper flowers to adorn her garden. Finally, as if summoned from this outpouring of support and love, real flowers begin popping up. Reynolds ("The North Star"; "The Dot") as always, displays just the right touch with a gentle story, and illustrations that morph from a landscape of inky brown, to a field of brightly dotted color.

This column was originally published on 4.7.10 in "East Bay Life" an East Bay Newspapers publication.

Dispelling the ‘magic money machine’ myth

2010-03-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

“If you could get inside the heads of toddlers or young children today, their original understanding of money might be as the prize in a kind of game involving ATMs. Whenever you find a machine, you put your magic card in the slot, punch in a few numbers and voila! Money pops out. Quite innocently, parents are totally messing with their kids by exposing them to this ‘game’ without providing any context.”

That’s a quote from financial guru, author, and television personality: Suze Orman.

Reading it, I thought: “Ok, guilty as charged.” My husband and I have never really attempted to discuss money concepts, or dispel the “magic money machine” assumption with our kids – mostly because we thought they were too young to really understand.

But according to Ms. Orman, it’s never too early to start teaching kids the fundamentals of how earning, spending and saving works. So, like I always do when tackling tricky subjects with the kids, I looked for guidance in the form of a children’s book.

Here are some helpful, but not too heavy-handed picture books about earning and saving money.

“Pig-Pig Gets A Job,” by David McPhail (Dutton)

When Pig Pig spies some tempting merchandise in a store window, he says to his mother, “‘I want some money. I want to buy something.’" Then Pig Pig’s mother explains, “‘If you want some money, you must do something to earn it.’” In other words, Pig Pig has to get a job.

Pig Pig thinks up all sorts of fun, but unrealistic jobs he might do, such as being an auto mechanic, a house-builder and a circus trainer. Then Mother-Pig tries to subtly steer him towards a better plan.

“‘I have a great idea!’” he says at last. “‘You could give me a job!’” and together, they come up with more age-appropriate jobs, such as fixing lunch and building a birdhouse.

For a gentle early lesson about earning and saving for something special, “Pig Pig Gets A Job,” gets the job done.

“The Berenstain Bears, Trouble With Money,” and “The Berenstain Bears, Dollars and Sense,” by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House)

I almost instinctively look to the Berenstain Bears when it comes to “issues” books, and not surprisingly, there are two good ones about kids (cubs) and money.

The gist of both of books is: Brother and Sister Bear have a great deal to learn about earning and saving money. In the first, the cubs are spending everything they get, and not saving, so Mama and Papa Bear set out to teach them the importance of putting some away for a rainy day. In the second, the cubs continually ask for money to buy things they want, without an understanding that “’money doesn’t grow on trees!’” as Papa exclaims. So, Mama Bear shows the cubs the basics of saving and spending by giving them a checkbook to illustrate how a checking account works.

Though Ms. Orman might criticize Mama Bear for not explaining how the money gets into the checking account to begin with, all in all, both books give practical lessons about saving money, in a straightforward way kids can understand.

Best books for a bad mood

2010-03-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

It’s mid-March, which means spring is coming and birds are tweeting and we should all feel happiness, joy and light—right?

Wrong. Well, sometimes wrong. When the temperature drops back below 30, and I step in a mud puddle up to my ankle on the way to my car, and I have writer’s block and too much laundry to do and I’m overtired—I’m not exactly Snow White singing to the birds and chipmunks as they pleasantly land on my shoulder.

And here’s the thing, we adults often believe we’re the only ones entitled to a bad mood, but kids have their grumpy days too. Days when they must slog to the bus in the early morning drizzle, miss recess, endure cafeteria chili and be expected to spell “supersede” as a third-grader.

The same way “Oscar The Grouch” on Sesame Street exemplified the contrast between positive vs. negative emotions, a picture book about bad moods can help children sort out their own occasional grumpiness.

Here are some of the very best bad-mood books.

“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” by Judith Viorst; illustrated by Ray Cruz (Atheneum)

Perhaps the most classic and best-known of the bad mood books—this is the story of Alexander: A little boy who, from the time he wakes in the morning, to the time he lays his head down on his pillow at night, has lousy stuff happen to him. Not irreparably bad—just low-grade rotten.

On the way to school Alexander doesn't get the window seat in the carpool. At school, his teacher criticizes him. Later at the dentist's he finds out he has a cavity, then he gets in trouble for fighting with his brother. And the day goes on like this, with one mishap after another, until Alexander announces that he’s moving to Australia. The book ends with his mother's assurance that everyone has bad days, even people who live down under.

Ms. Viorst captures a child’s utter crankiness with perfect pitch, while still garnering sympathy for the main character from her readers. Children reading Alexander’s tale of woe will feel reassured that they’re not the only ones who feel grumpy or have a lousy day once in awhile.

A slightly more contemporary version of this theme comes in: “One Of Those Days,” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Rebecca Doughty. (Putnam) More a laundry list of variations on a bad day than a classic narrative, Rosenthal’s litany of misery includes a “Feeling Left Out Day,” a “Nobody’s Listening To You Day,” and an “Itchy Sweater Day.”

Doughty’s quirky illustrations fit the subject matter well, and the book ends on an optimistic (if somewhat predictable) note, that each bad day leads to an opportunity for a better one.

Finally, there’s nothing that will put you in a bad mood faster than a “bad hair day,” and that’s just what happens to Lionel the Lion in Satoshi Kitamora’s “What’s Wrong With My Hair?” (HMH Books)

Lionel is going to a party, so he must do something about his bad hair. He finds a barber who has lots of crazy suggestions for hairstyles, from dandelion hair to octopus hair! Will the disgruntled Lion find the hairstyle that’s right for him? There’s a surprise ending, here, and I won’t ruin it, but I will say that the board book format and silly text-bubbled illustrations will have little readers giggling out loud.

‘The Three Little Pigs’ – a tale of do-it-yourself woe

2010-03-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

In honor of our home improvement issue, this week’s book topic is: “The Three Little Pigs,” a classic fable about how choosing just the right building materials can make all the difference.

Okay, so really, it’s about making smart choices, hard work, and not taking the easy road—but as anyone who’s ever gone with the less expensive flooring or sink fixtures over the advice of a contractor can tell you: These lessons most certainly apply in the realm of home renovation.

You see, if someone had just explained the dangers of cutting corners to Pig number 1 and Pig number 2, they could have avoided a whole heap of trouble!

In that spirit, let us begin with one of my favorite retellings of this classic fable: David Wiesner’s “The Three Pigs.” (Clarion Books)

The book begins in typical fashion with the three pigs setting out to find their fortunes— but Mr. Wiesner surprises readers by alternating illustration styles and playing with perspective. In this version, pigs bounce, fly and even fall out of frame. At one point, the wolf blows one of the little pigs clear off the page into “Bookland.” When he convinces his brothers to follow him, an adventure involving a dragon from a different story ensues, and the pigs rejoin a befuddled Big Bad Wolf on a later spread.

The length and subtle humor in this retelling will appeal to a slightly older audience than is typical of nursery stories (ages 4-9 will appreciate it most) but I highly recommend Mr. Wiesner’s edition for putting a truly fun spin on this well-known tale.

A similarly fractured fairytale can be found in Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.” (Puffin)

As Alexander T. Wolf, the narrator, explains: The whole “Big Bad Wolf” thing was a giant misunderstanding. All that huffing and puffing was actually just an ill-timed sneeze, says Wolf, and he was only stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar in the fist place. When the shoddily built houses accidentally collapsed (through no intentional fault of his own) leading to the demise of two little pigs, well, who can blame him for having a snack?

Scieszka’s witty tongue-in-cheek text paired with Smith’s fantastical illustrations make this book a wonderfully wacky delight!

Lastly, if these slightly twisted tales don’t quite tickle your pigtails and you prefer a more traditional take on “The Three Little Pigs,” try James Marshall or Barry Moser’s version for more classic porcine reading.

This column was originally published on 3.10.10 in "East Bay Life" an East Bay Newspapers publication.

'Winston The Water Dog'

2010-02-24T07:23:00.000-08:00

Mary Korr loves her dogs. You can see the pride on her face when she introduces Maggie and Elvis, her two handsome Portuguese water dogs. But for Ms. Korr—a writer and Rhode Island resident—her dogs have not only provided her family with years of joy and companionship, they became the inspiration for a children’s book series she's creating with another Rhode Island-based artist, Cathren Housley.

“Winston The Water Dog,” the first of three books and one prequel, is based on the true adventures of a boy named Josh (Korr’s son) and his first dog, a Portuguese water dog named Winston.

Thanks to the Obama’s presidential pup, Bo, Portuguese water dogs have been enjoying a great deal of attention these days, and so Korr’s inspirational tale seems especially well-timed.

Set in Barrington, Rhode Island, it is the story of how Winston first comes to the boy, and an account of their early adventures together. The book also contains a mythic component—a simultaneous tale of the water dog’s grandfather, Bravo, who lives in a faraway land across the ocean. Bravo reappears throughout the book as a figure of courage whenever the little water dog becomes frightened.

Housley’s soft watercolor illustrations of Josh and his little pup romping playfully at the water’s edge are cheerful and sweetly drawn; and the juxtaposing of the fuzzy gray dream sequences involving Bravo are effective in telling the parallel stories.

Though the book’s length suggests a slightly older reading audience (5-9 years), Korr essentially creates little vignettes about Josh and Winston, and therefore it can work well as a read aloud to younger children too, especially given all the charming drawings of Winston as an adorable furry puppy snuggled up sleeping or tail wagging, running through the grass.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Josh and Winston have a special bond. So special, they can actually speak to each other and understand.

“‘But do you know what’s really strange? I understand you when you woof.’ He opens his laptop and searches the dog website ‘Dogopedia.’ Wow, listen to this, Winston: Some dogs, especially ancient breeds, speak canis woofus. Children under 12 and those who love dogs can understand it. But only if they listen closely.’”

In addition to creating the next books in the series, Korr and Housley do “Woofin’ Workshops” for children ages 5 and up at local schools, libraries and museums. The workshops teach children how to create characters, thumbnail sketches, book maps and storyboards for a book. And the big bonus: They get to meet Elvis, Winston’s baby brother.

Upcoming workshops:

• March 23: Melville Elementary School, Portsmouth, R.I., classroom visits, 10:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. With Elvis the Water Dog.

• April 23: Barrington Public Library. Winston the Water Dog workshop with author and illustrator, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30. Gallery Room, second floor. Ages 5 and up. Registration required. Limited to 20.

• May 1: Attleboro Museum, 86 Park St., Attleboro, Mass. Workshop, 1 to 3 p.m. With Elvis the Water Dog.

• May 23: Providence Children’s Museum, 1 to 3 p.m. Author/illustrator workshop PJ Library event. With Elvis the Water Dog.

Books with 'vroom!'

2010-02-17T07:04:00.000-08:00

I was visiting a preschool recently, when a small freckled boy I’ll call “Sam,” walked up to me clutching a board book in the shape of a truck.

“Read dis one,” said the confident Sam, holding the book out to me.

“Well, your teacher’s asked me to read this one first,” I said, referring to my own picture book. “How about I read the truck book next; sound good?”

“No. Twucks first,” Sam replied, plopping the book into my lap and plunking down on the rug in front of me.

Never wanting to displease an audience, I began to read the truck book to the class. About 45 seconds later, I was done.

“Now, are we ready to hear the piggy book?” I asked cheerfully.

“Uh-uh,” came the voice of a little curly-headed girl from the rug. “Read that one again!”

Yes, the trucks upstaged the piggies, and if I were an insecure author plagued by the peskiness of ego, I’d be concerned. But I’m also a mom and a story hour host—and therefore, I’m well aware of the universal kid fascination with “things that go.” Be they trucks, tractors, steam shovels, trains, planes or automobiles – children are like moths to a flame when there’s a little “vroom-vroom” in the room.

True, boys especially dig the diggers and such; but many a little girl, too, has been known to alight in the white lightening stripes of “Lightening McQueen” or cheer for that little engine that most certainly could.

Which brings me to this week’s book topic: my favorite car and truck books ever.

And away we go!

“Trucktown” series, by Jon Scieszka; illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon (Simon and Schuster)

This is one of those ideas so brilliant, it begs the question: why didn’t someone think of this before? The brainchild of the incomparable Jon Scieszka (a talented children’s author and the first-ever appointed “Ambassador of Young People’s Literature” by the Library of Congress), these books feature a cast of heavy metal machines specifically designed to reflect the personalities and experiences of 4 and 5 year-olds. Characters including the prankster “Jack Truck,” dependable “Dump Truck Dan,” nervous “Cement Mixer Melvin,” confident and sociable “Gabriella Garbage Truck,” clumsy “Rosie Wrecker,” and firecracker fire truck twins “Lucy Ladder” and “Pumper Pat” (to name just a few) offer something every child can relate to. And with award winning illustrators lending their art to Scieszka’s rhythmic rollicking text—it’s a match made in “truck heaven.”

“Katy and The Big Snow” and “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel” by Virginia Lee Burton (Sandpiper)

First published in 1939, Burton’s books are classics that remain in print and continue to capture young readers’ hearts and imaginations. Burton was the master at anthropomorphizing inanimate objects and bringing them to life in charming triumphant tales. In “Katy and the Big Snow,” a little red snow plow saves the town after the city of “Geoppolis” becomes “covered with a thick blanket of snow.” Katy chug-chug-chugs her way through the city, rescuing the mayor, the postmaster and the chief of police among others.

A similar theme of perseverance and heroics can be found in “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,” but with an added comment on not devaluing something just because it is old or old-fashioned—a theme that undoubtedly became the inspiration for contemporary children’s book hits such as Loren Long’s “Otis.”

“I Stink!” and “I’m Dirty!” by Kate and Jim McMullan (Harper Collins) If you haven’t already, you must introduce your kids to these two irresistible tales of wise-cracking trucks in New York City. Featuring a garbage truck and a backhoe loader, the pages snap and pop with hilarious trash talkin', dirt shovelin' jargon. They are among my children’s favorite read-alouds, and always a hit at story hour.

“Cars and Trucks and Things That Go,” by Richard Scarry (Golden Books)

Richard Scarry’s books offer a feast for young eyes, with a plethora of detail and action on each page. In this book, the Pig family takes a road trip to the beach for a picnic. The road is packed with hundreds of cars and trucks, vans and motorcycles, tractors and buses. The Pigs find chaos and adventure on the way to the beach and the opportunity to see vehicles they have never seen before. Another classic car and truck book that will have kids turning the pages to see more!

“Sheep In A Jeep,” by Nancy Shaw; illustrated by Margot Apple (HMH Books) The title alone sold me on this book. I mean, what’s not to like? With a shiny red jeep, a cast of bumbling sheep, and great rhymes such as "Beep! Beep! Sheep in a jeep on a hill that's steep,” you’ve got instant read-aloud fun.

Van Gogh for Kids

2010-02-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

My husband went to art school, and some of his favorite classes were in art history. Therefore, I’ve learned to nod my head in earnest comprehension when he says the finger-paintings of our five-year old have a distinctly “Bonnard feel,” or when he assesses the quality of the line in my eight year old daughter’s pencil drawings as “very Daumier.”

And truthfully, though my own knowledge of art history is a little thin, I love that he spends time talking with our kids about great painters, sculptors and creators throughout the ages. He’s instilling in them an appreciation for visual art in many forms, and encouraging their own artistic exploration by making connections to their work, and the work they see in fine art books and museums.

A children’s book about fine art can have much the same effect.

“Vincent’s Colors” from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Chronicle Books) tops my list as one of the best museum publications for children I’ve ever seen. What makes this particular printed incarnation of Van Gogh’s masterpieces so special is that the editor William Lach has taken Van Gogh's own words from his letters to his brother, Theo, and arranged them into the lines of a poem.

“A yellow sky with yellow sun,/ a jug in squares of blue and white,/ a reddish cap and orange bricks,/ twelve flowers that are light on light.”

Single lines of text on clean white backgrounds juxtapose either full reproductions or details from 16 of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings including Sunflowers, The Yellow House, Irises, and of course, The Starry Night.

With the book’s fittingly high production value, Van Gogh’s paintings shimmer and sing, true to a richness and vibrancy that seems perfect for a children’s picture book, and yet, I have no trouble imagining older readers purchasing this lovely little edition for their coffee or bedside tables. Even the text, which is simple and child-appropriate will hold up for older audiences because of its gentle poetry and the authenticity of it being crafted from Van Gogh’s letters.

The book—which is available in stores and libraries and not just museum shops—includes a brief description about Van Gogh’s art and life, along with an index and thumbnails of the paintings within.

So whether you’re looking for a lovely little picture book, or to jumpstart your own art history conversation with the kids, “Vincent's Colors” is a great choice.

In love with 'Henry In Love'

2010-02-03T16:17:00.000-08:00

Every so often, a children’s book comes along that is so sweet and loveable, it feels like a 32-page Valentine. Sam McBratney’s perennial classic “Guess How Much I Love You,” is one example—the book was even published in a “Sweetheart Edition” specifically aimed at the "not-so-young" readers for whom its message of “un- conditional love” evidently resonated.

This year, that sweet and lovable book is “Henry In Love,” by Peter McCarty (Balzar and Bray). It’s the tale of Henry the cat, the object of his affection—a little girl rabbit named Chloe—and a blueberry muffin.

One morning, Henry’s mother gives Henry, his brother Tim, and their friend Sancho, one blueberry muffin each before they trot off school. The boys play an impromptu game of football when an older rabbit—a high school football player—meets them on their walk. He is the older brother of Chloe, who Henry thinks is “the loveliest girl in the class.”

At recess, Chloe shows off her cartwheeling skills, further deepening Henry’s admiration. But Henry is a little shy—more of a dreamer than a talker—and it’s not until fate intervenes and the teacher rearranges the desks so that his is next to Chloe’s that he makes a bold and romantic gesture: trading his blueberry muffin for her carrot at snack time.

Peter McCarty, who’s award winning books include “Little Bunny On The Move,” and “Moon Plane,” has an incredible talent for creating appealing emotive characters with simple pen and ink drawings. His fuzzy creatures are cute without being cloying, in spare layouts with creamy white backgrounds that give the book a refreshingly open, sophisticated feel for a picture book in this age range.

The text, too, is touching and sweet, but not over the top. It’s a simple cat-meets-rabbit story about a school-age crush, free of cliché or major conflict. Henry gives Chloe his blueberry muffin chivalrously, pleasantly pleased with himself and the world, as she sits nibbling it, and the carrot remains on his desk untouched.

Now, isn’t that what love at any age should look like?

Two children’s books that encourage healthy habits

2010-01-27T18:37:00.000-08:00

First up, a book for little yogis.

It makes sense that young children would enjoy the practice of yoga. The poses are inspired by nature, animals – even kids themselves. And it stands to reason that anything that gets kids moving and stretching is good for them.

Yoga may have other measurable health benefits as well. The Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR) has published findings that suggest children who practice yoga are better able to regulate emotions, manage stress and calm themselves. They also tend to make better eating choices and be more physically active. Yoga may also be beneficial, according to the research, for children with ADD, depression, anxiety or poor body image.

The picture book, “My Daddy is a Pretzel,” by Baron Baptiste; illustrated by Sophie Fatus, (Barefoot Books) is a lovely way to introduce kids to the practice and spiritual philosophies of yoga. Baptiste, an internationally-known yoga teacher and author of several yoga books for adults, cleverly presents the practice of yoga in the framework of parents and their various professions.

“Niki says her mommy’s a gardener. Sometimes, my daddy’s a tree... Emmie says her daddy is a farmer. Sometimes my daddy is a plow… Malachi says his daddy is a builder. Sometimes my daddy’s a bridge.”

Each cheerful vignette is interspersed with an illustration of the pose (tree pose, plow pose, bridge pose, etc.) and a brief description of what the posture is meant to teach, as well as simple step-by-step illustrations and descriptions of how to achieve it.

“The tree pose teaches us to support ourselves with strong roots, so that we can reach high and remain stable, yet be flexible at the same time.”

I love the way Baptiste makes these connections between yoga practices and life practices, and that he does it in such a simple, age appropriate way. Similarly, Fatus’ vibrant watercolor paintings are not only colorful and fun, but clearly illustrate the proper yoga form so that parents and kids can do the poses correctly.

Another great book to encourage healthy habits in kids is Lois Ehlert’s board book: “Eating the Alphabet, Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z.” (Harcourt Big Books)

When it comes to teaching very young ones about nutrition, many experts encourage parents not to “preach,” but to “show.” A chef friend of mine says that the best way to get kids interested in healthy foods is to bring them to the market and let them see and touch all the various colorful fruits and veggies. Lois Elhert’s book is the printed equivalent of that grocery store trip. Her signature watercolor and collage style illustrations are ideal for making veggies and fruits look delectable and enticing.

"Apple to Zucchini, / come take a look. / Start eating your way / through this alphabet book," sings the intro to this colorful feast, followed by pages with large block alphabet letters and their corresponding produce.

It’s a simple concept, but nonetheless, a great way to introduce children who are still too young to grasp food pyramids and other such complexities, to healthy foods.

Capturing that singular sibling bond - in a children's book

2010-01-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

Make Way For Baby! And Baby Makes Four! Yes, Sir, That’s My Baby, er… Brother.

None of these—as far as I know—are actual children’s books, but they could be. Dozens upon dozens of similarly titled books can be found in bookstores and libraries – all of them centered around the common experience of an impending new sibling.

These books can be enormously helpful, if not essential, in guiding children through the mixed feelings and practicalities of having a new baby in the house, so it’s no wonder there are a great many of them.

But what about later – when baby’s not a baby anymore, and a relationship forms that is unto itself? When two, three, four or more (bless those brave parents) must coexist under the same roof, and hopefully enjoy, respect and love one another – as siblings.

With that in mind, I went in search of picture books that capture the unique sibling bond. Here are two that stood out.

“Big Sister, Little Sister,” by LeUyen Pham (Hyperion)

I must admit to having something of an artistic crush on LeUyen Pham. She is talented in the extreme and each book she does is more brilliant than the last. This one, which she wrote an illustrated, is an ode to the big sister-little sister relationship, told from the younger sister’s point of view.

“In this family, we have two sisters. She’s the Big sister. I’m the Little Sister. The Big Sister usually does things first. I’m the Little Sister, I’m always catching up,” begins the book.

But Little Sister is no slouch. She knows there are pros and cons to being the little sister and holds her own with spunk and style. Pham’s spot illustrations of Little Sister trying to match up to Big Sister, and Big Sister sometimes patiently, and sometimes not-so-patiently playing along, are about as charming and funny as it gets. Anyone who is a sister, has a sister, or is the parent of sisters should own this book.

“Adèle & Simon,” by Barbara McClintock (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
When Simon’s older sister Adèle picks him from school, she makes Simon promise to try not to lose anything. But as they make their way home through the streets of Paris, distractions cause Simon to leave something behind at every stop.

I suppose this is not strictly a sibling book, but the way in which Adèle displays simultaneous frustration and nurturing with her forgetful, free spirited younger brother, touched on something uniquely big sister-little brother to me. Add to that McClintock’s detailed watercolor illustrations of Paris landmarks, and I found myself charmed through and through.

And if you’re looking for big sister-little brother books for slightly younger audiences, any of the “Max & Ruby” books from Rosemary Wells will do splendidly.

I want to lastly note that I didn’t really find the Pham counterpart in “brother books” as I thought I would. There are a few nice books about brothers, chief among them the Mercer Mayer paperback, “Just Me and My Little Brother,” but I hoped to find one that captured the spark and quintessential nature of brotherhood the way Pham’s book did with sisters.

If you know of one, readers, drop me a line: at aadenise@verizon.net and I will mention it in an upcoming column!

‘The Berenstain Bears’ help teach kids good manners

2010-01-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it’s because we’re all coming off the over-stimulation and indulgence of the holidays, or maybe it’s the fact that in January, the first real stirrings of cabin fever kick in—but I’ve noticed that this is the time of year my children need a refresher course in manners.

Not a heavy-handed lesson, but a gentle reminder of the importance of always saying “please” and “thank you,” of not interrupting, putting away their toys, using a quiet voice at the dinner table—the basics. To borrow a phrase of my grandfather’s: “Doesn’t matter how well you know your ABC’s, if you can’t mind your P’s & Q’s.”

A children’s book can be a great help in reinforcing the “good manners” message.

My favorite is: “The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners,” by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House).

I’m a huge fan of “The Berenstain Bears - First Time Books” series because it tackles everyday issues families face with straightforward honesty and humor. In this installment, trouble arises in the big tree house when Mama notices her cubs shoving, grabbing, name-calling and just generally lapsing into impolite bear-behavior a little too often.

From someone who has caught herself on more than one occasion shouting at the top of her lungs: “Will you kids stop yelling?!” I especially relate to the passage that describes how at first, Mama bear tries “coaxing,” “complaining,” “shouting,” and “going to Papa” in the hopes of stemming the rudeness.

"She tried going to Papa for help (though it sometimes seemed to Mama that he was part of the problem). Papa banged on the table and shouted as only he could shout. But nothing really seemed to do any good."

Finally, Mama Bear gets the clever idea to create “The Bear Family Politeness Plan,” on which she itemizes all the offenses of rude behavior on one side, and the penalties for such behaviors on the other. The penalties include various household chores.

Brother and Sister Bear fall in line pretty quickly with the prospect of having to do difficult tasks such as clean out the cellar and weed the garden. And most importantly, after awhile, the bears’ polite behavior becomes the result of good habits and the family harmony they feel, vs. a fear of doing chores.

Surprisingly, it’s Papa Bear who has the hardest time with the politeness plan, letting grumpiness and being overtired get the better of his good manners.

(Ah, been there.)

This is exactly why I like these books so much. It would be easy to say, “And they were all nice to each other forever-after, the end,” but that’s just not how life is. In real life, it takes practice and making some mistakes before kids understand these lessons, and as in the case of Papa Bear, oftentimes parents need a refresher course too.

In the end, Papa Bear figures it out, and the Bear Family lives to tackle another life lesson.

With any luck – all of us non-bear families will too.

This article was originally published on 1.13.10 in the "Life" section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Last minute gift ideas for the little readers on your list

2009-12-23T05:38:00.000-08:00

I’m an above average list-maker. I make one heck of a thorough, organized list – written in neat penmanship, with tidy little boxes for checkmarks.

It’s in the checking off of said boxes that I fall short.

Every Christmas Eve, despite my valiant attempts at efficiency, I find myself adrift in some store, frantically searching for the last few gift items I somehow still need.

If this sounds familiar, than my last minute gift to YOU, is something I wish I’d had all those Christmas Eves past: a few really good gift ideas. And in case you’re concerned that a book won’t have sufficient wow-factor, I’ve included a suggestion for a toy or game to go along with it.

“Yummy – Eight Favorite Fairytales,” by Lucy Cousins
This colorful collection of classics is the perfect gift book. Award-winning author and illustrator of the popular “Maisy” books, Cousins brings her signature primary colors and bold lined illustrations to the fairytale realm with simplicity and wit.

Pair it with: Finger Puppet Theatre and Fairytale Finger Puppet sets by Manhattan Toy

“How I Became A Pirate,” by Melinda Long; illustrated by David Shannon
One boy’s tale of being absconded by pirates during a day at the beach, will charm and delight tiny pirate-loving tykes. The book is filled with irresistible high-seas jargon, and a cast of gloriously degenerate-looking pirates.

Pair it with: Piratenschiff or Pirate Fortress by Calafant – a unique build-your-own pirate ship and castle set.

“The Silver Spoon For Children – Favorite Italian Recipes,” from the Editors of Phaidon Press

This quintessential Italian cookbook now comes in an illustrated collection for kids. Recipes such as Pizza Margherita, Tomato Bruschetta, Tuscan Minestrone Soup, Rigatoni with Meatballs, Chicken Stuffed with Marscapone, Foccaccia, and Fruits of the Forest Ice Cream have been adapted just for children from Italy's best-selling culinary bible.

Pair it with: Curious Chef 5-Piece Pizza Kit

“The Curious Garden,” by Peter Brown
A message about greening up the world is always nice at Christmas, and that’s what Brown’s tale is all about. His illustrations have a retro quality, giving the book a timeless feel and making it all the more appealing as a gift book selection.

Pair it with: The Deluxe Gardener in Training Set by Sassafras

“Zen Shorts,” by Jon J. Muth
Not only is this book an age-appropriate introduction to Zen concepts, it is a beautifully balanced and gorgeously illustrated picture book. The main character in the book, a panda named Stillwater, will draw young readers in with his unassuming grace and gentle demeanor.

Pair it with: Mandala Designer by Ravensburger – a kit for children to create their own colorful mandalas – symbols often used for mediation in many Buddhist traditions.

“Wow! The Pop-up Book of Sports,” from Sports Illustrated Kids
This book takes you up-close and personal with some of the greatest athletes and sports moments of all time including David Tyree's miraculous catch for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and skateboarder Danny Way's leap over the Great Wall of China.

Pair it with: Collectible Limited Edition Baseball from TDC Games & Collectibles – the painted ball comes in a display case and features various MLB teams.

“Twilight,” Series by Stephanie Meyer

If you have a preteen or teen girl on your list, she’s probably already read it, and if not, you can always keep it for yourself. (Admit it, you kinda want to, a little.) Teenage angst and longing combine with villainous vampire lore to create the love story which sparked a bazillion books sold and two feature films.

Pair it with: SceneIt Twilight Deluxe Edition – a game that mixes traditional board game elements with DVD clips from the Twilight film. Twilight trivia buff’s hearts will be set aflutter in all the interactive fun.

Two standout holiday children’s books

2009-12-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

Creating a holiday book that’s truly original is no easy feat given the sheer number of books in this category. In our house, we have the classics we read annually (“The Polar Express,” “The Night Before Christmas”) but we also seek out one or two new titles to put us in a festive mood.

Here are two holiday books that stood out among the crowd.

• “Eight Wild Nights – A Family Hanukkah Tale,” by Brian P. Cleary; illustrated by David Udovic (Kar-Ben) Ages 4-8

I’ll admit the title reminded me of the Adam Sandler song, “Eight Crazy Nights” and that may have been why I first picked this book up off the shelves, but as I read the text, penned by humorist and poet Brian Cleary, I was thoroughly charmed and laughing out loud at the rhyming descriptions of one family’s joyfully chaotic Hanukkah celebration.

“Our neighbor Miss Fetter/ Brings her dog in a sweater --/ A shaggy mess stuffed in angora./ He drools and he sheds, / On the sofa and beds/ And nearly knocks down the menorah./ He chases poor Ira, our cat, past Aunt Myra/ Who spills all the applesauce topping…/ ‘The latkes, I deem,/ will be served with ice cream,’/ My mom says while wiping and mopping.”

With each stanza, the author takes readers through more Hanukkah traditions – lighting the candles, exchanging gifts, spinning the dreidel, passing out gelt – and the many silly mishaps that ensue.

Although there is a brief introductory paragraph about the origins and traditions of Hanukkah, if you’re looking for a book that more deeply explores the holiday’s meaning, I would say, this isn’t it. What it does depict – in a lighthearted, whimsical manner – is a modern family’s Hanukkah celebration, and anyone who’s ever experienced big holiday get-togethers with extended family will find something here to relate to.

For a slightly more traditional, but equally enjoyable read, try “Hanukkah Haiku,” by Harriet Ziefert and Karla Gudeon, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards.

• “The Christmas Magic,” by Lauren Thompson; pictures by Jon J. Muth (Scholastic) Ages 4-8

“Far, far north, where the reindeer are, there is a snug little house with a bright red door. And in that house, lives Santa Claus.”

Is that a perfect beginning to a Christmas book, or what?

Thompson’s story about Santa and the quiet preparations he makes leading up to Christmas Eve, captures the very essence of the magic and wonder kids feel about this holiday. Her words sparkle like a delicate glass snowflake on a tree, and Muth’s enchanting watercolor paintings of a long-bearded Santa and a snowy landscape (readers will recognize his artwork from the popular “Zen Shorts”) are soft and inviting.

The Santa Claus of Thompson and Muth’s imagination is a gentle Santa – a benevolent patron of children everywhere, lovingly caring for the reindeer, polishing his sleigh, carefully checking the toy lists he meticulously keeps in his big leather-bound notebook, and then rising in the starry night when the Christmas magic at last makes reindeer fly.

He’s the Santa we’d all like to believe in, and this book captures the holiday we all hope for – one that’s quiet, peaceful and magical.

Kids’ picks for the best books of 2009

2009-12-02T17:57:00.000-08:00

November and December are the months in which respected voices in children’s publishing release their “notable books of the year” lists. With that in mind, I thought perhaps “Bookmarks” should release a list of its own. Rest assured, these selections were compiled in a highly scientific manner by a panel of experts using the strictest of literary and artistic criteria.

OK, so they’re books my children and storyhour kids liked this year. But, honestly, theirs are the voices I trust most when it comes to determining what books truly are the best.

So, if you’re looking for gift book ideas as we head into the holiday shopping season, these suggestions are from the real gift experts — kids themselves.

• “Duck Rabbit,” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (ages 4-8)

Publisher’s synopsis: A clever take on the age-old optical illusion: Is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it.

What kids love about it: The bright, graphic illustrations, cool illusions and cute story to go along with it.

• “Otis,” by Loren Long (ages 3-7)

Publisher’s synopsis: Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. But when Otis is replaced with the big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn, unused, unnoticed until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond and Otis proves his metal.

What kids love about it: Long’s expressive characters and the triumph of the dependable, trusty old Otis.

• “The Curious Garden,” by Peter Brown (ages 4-8)

Publisher’s synopsis: One boy’s quest for a greener world ... one garden at a time.

What kids love about it: The message of respecting nature and all things green, the appealing retro-style illustrations and that it comes with a packet of seeds.

• “All the World,” by Liz Garton Scanlon; illustrated by Marla Frazee (ages 4-8)

Publisher’s synopsis: Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky.

What kids love about it: The gentle language and detailed illustrations.

• “Princess Hyacinth,” by Florence Parry Heide; illustrated by lane Smith (ages 4-8)

Publisher’s synopsis: Princess Hyacinth has a problem: She floats. And so the king and queen have pebbles sewn into the tops of her socks and force her to wear a crown encrusted with the heaviest jewels in the kingdom to keep her earthbound. But one day, Hyacinth comes across a balloon man and decides to take off all her princess clothes, grab a balloon and float free. Hooray! Alas, when the balloon man lets go of the string ... off she goes. Luckily, there is a kite and a boy named Boy to save her.

What kids love about it: The quirky concept and witty illustrations.

• “Little Oink,” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Jen Corace (ages 3-7)

Publisher’s synopsis: From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow who wants to clean clean clean all day. But Mama and Papa won’t have it! They say in order to be a proper pig he has to learn to make a proper mess.

What kids love about it: The humorous twist on a universal concept they can relate to.

• “Robot Zot!” by Jon Sciezka; illustrated by David Shannon

Publisher’s synopsis: Robot Zot is determined to conquer planet Earth. The only problem is that the earth he lands on is a suburban kitchen and he is only three inches tall. The fearless and unstoppable warrior leaves a trail of destruction as he encounters blenders, toasters, and televisions.

What kids love about it: The action-packed silliness of the robot adventure and Shannon’s signature over-the-top imaginative illustration style.

This article was originally published on 12.2.09 in the "Life" section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net.

'Moon Rabbit' a delightful, random discovery

2009-11-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

There’s this great little game I like to play at bookstores called “Books at Random.” Basically, it entails me quickly scanning the spines of picture books lined up on a shelf, waiting until one catches my eye (either because of color or title) and plucking it from the stacks to see if it’s something I’m interested in. I’ve stumbled upon some lovely gems playing this game and I’ll admit it gives me a measure of satisfaction knowing I’ve discovered the book on my own, and not because the publishers and marketers have directed me towards it by placing the book on an end-cap, or giving it a fancy tabletop display.

“Moon Rabbit” by Natalie Russell (Viking) was a recent “Books at Random” selection and it delighted me so thoroughly—from the perfect pared-down language to the beautiful and delicately balanced screen-printed illustrations—I just had to let “Bookmarks” readers know about it.

“Little Rabbit liked living in the city. She had her own place to stay, her favorite café, and so many things to see and do,” begins the story.

But Little Rabbit is a touch lonely all by herself in the big city, and longs for a friend. While reading a book in the park one day, she dozes off, awakening to the moon, some lovely-sounding music, and to “Brown Rabbit” who is softly strumming his guitar.

“As Brown Rabbit played, Little Rabbit danced. Then Little Rabbit told tales of the city and Brown Rabbit listened. Together they watched the changing moon until the birds sang songs to the morning sun.”

Eventually, Little Rabbit begins to miss home, and so she bids her new friend farewell, returning to the city with a newfound appreciation for her urban dwelling place and the knowledge that she now has a friend with whom she can trade visits.

And that’s really it. If there’s a moral, then it’s probably something to do with the grass is always greener, or there’s no place like home, but that’s not what makes it this book special. It’s just a sweet little tale of two rabbits and friendship, discovered randomly while browsing through the shelves. No fancy tabletop display needed.

This article was originally published on 11.18.09 in the "Life" section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net.

It's not too early to put an 'Elf on the Shelf'

2009-11-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

While strolling passed the bins of discount candy yesterday, a glint of something shiny caught my eye. Wait, is that tinsel? I thought incredulously. Indeed it was. Retailers have a habit of moving from Halloween directly to Christmas and Hanukah, essentially bypassing Thanksgiving and jumping right into the holidays with “bling.”

The experience got me thinking, if retail stores can feature sleigh bells and snowmen in the first week of November, then by golly, so can “Bookmarks!” Only our topic this week is: the Elf. In particular, the sort that sits on a shelf and magically watches over little boys and girls to see who’s being naughty and who’s being nice.

This is the concept behind “Elf On The Shelf,” a book that has become something of a phenomenon due its clever idea and unique packaging. When I heard one of the co-authors Carol Aebersold would be appearing at Barrington Books this week, I decided to take a peek at the book – and the elf – everyone’s talking about.

The inspiration for “Elf On The Shelf” came from Aebersold’s longtime family tradition of placing an elf on a shelf in her own home during the weeks leading up to Christmas. The elf, as the story went, watched over the children's behavior throughout the day, and each night after the kids went to sleep, he flew to the North Pole and reported his “naughty or nice” findings back to the big guy – Santa. Each morning the children awoke to find the elf in a new location or vantage point.

“My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position,” said Aebersold of her years playing the game with her family.

Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, both teachers, designed a gift set around the concept so that other families could adopt this festive tradition as their own.

The set includes a hardcover rhyming storybook, “Elf On The Shelf: A Christmas Tradition” – co-written by Aeborsol and Bell, and illustrated by Coë Steinwart – as well as a pixie elf toy that families can use to begin their own elf tradition.

In the book, all the specifics of the “Elf On The Shelf” folklore are revealed including the rules for making the magic work. For instance, you must name your elf for the magic to begin, and though kids can speak to the elf, they can’t touch it or the spell will be broken. The book explains how the elves are actually “scouts” dispatched by Santa to watch over children by day and report back to the North Pole each night—a detail parents will no doubt find invaluable for its behavior modification potential.

It’s easy to see why “Elf On The Shelf” has taken off. It combines magic and ritual—two things kids find irresistible, particularly when it comes to Christmas. Add to that a charming storybook, a cool toy and a way to get your kids to stop arguing at the dinner table, and it’s a winner with parents too.

Besides, with all that leftover Halloween candy tempting the kids to sneak “just one more piece,” the watchful eye of an “Elf On The Shelf” could really come in handy.

(Ms. Aebersold will be reading and signing copies of “Elf On The Shelf” at Barrington Books, on County Road in Barrington, Thursday, Nov. 5 at 11am.)

This article was originally published on 11.4.09 in the Life section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact: aadenise@verizon.net

‘The Crow’ is ‘a not so scary story’ that’s perfect for young readers

2009-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

The last thing I’d ever want is a child waking in the dead of night yelling, “That story hour lady gave me nightmares!” So come Halloween season, I’m on the lookout for books to read that are festively spooky, without being truly frightening.

Alison Paul’s “The Crow – A Not So Scary Story,” fits the bill.

It’s a fun read-aloud, appropriately building tension as a young child spies someone mysterious creeping outside his window and imagines it to be all manner of rogue or villain.

“One morning I woke up sleepy,/ came downstairs to something creepy. Outside the window sat something freaky/ my eyes had never known.”

Ms. Paul’s text is a riff on Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven,” and she deftly echoes Poe’s cadence, yet offers more whimsy as the story unfolds from the little boy’s perspective. Her cut-paper collage illustrations — presented in a rich palette of purples, golds, deep blues, browns and black — pair beautifully with the evocative atmospheric language of the poem.

“So am I watching him,/ or is he watching me? I feel I’m not alone. As I pull the curtain back,/ to make a bigger crack,/ what is it I see?”

While crawling behind furniture and peeping through keyholes, the boy imagines the intruder to be a wizard, a burglar, a pirate and a king – only to realize in the end that it’s only a harmless little crow.

“That’s it—/ I’m not hiding any more… I’m opening the door… I’m telling him he has to go!/ Oh, it’s just a crow.”

Maybe because she was born (as the jacket flap notes) on Halloween, Ms. Paul was able to create this well written, gorgeously illustrated, “not so scary story” for young readers. Or maybe it’s just because she’s enormously talented. Either way, “The Crow” is a must-read for this leaf-crackling, witch-cackling time of year.

The author, as it happens, is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, and a resident of Providence. She will be signing copies of “The Crow” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Barrington Books (184 County Road in Barrington) on – you guessed it – October 31.

This article was originally published on 10.28.09 in the Life section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact: aadenise@verizon.net

Wild anticipation for the film proves the power of this classic picture book

2009-10-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Oct. 16, millions of moviegoers will walk into screenings of the much-anticipated film adaptation of “Where The Wild Things Are” holding a collective breath, all thinking something along the lines of: “Please let them not have screwed this up.”

It’s the comment I’ve heard again and again from fans of Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book, and a sentiment I share — hope that the film honors the quiet spirit of the book, while still being wildly entertaining. As readers, we’re protective of this beloved piece of our childhood, but as parents who just paid 50 bucks for four movie tickets and some popcorn, we also want it to be a good movie.

A friend recently admitted to me that she’d never read the book as a child and so she didn’t quite understand what the fuss was all about concerning the film. “Why do people care so much?” she wanted to know.

On the surface, this may seem like an easy question to answer, but it got me thinking: how does a simple 38-page picture book capture the hearts of children and adults so thoroughly? What is it about “Wild Things” that catapulted it to cult status and has made its film adaptation fraught with nervous expectation?

Many scholarly volumes have been written about Sendak’s contribution to children’s literature and the importance of this book. But to answer the question simply, I closed my eyes and tried to conjure my 6-year-old self, reading it for the first time.

“The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind…”
(Turn the page.)
“and another,”
(Turn again.)
“his mother called him ‘WILD THING!’ and Max said ‘I’LL EAT YOU UP!’ so he was sent to bed without eating any supper.”

I remember looking closely at Max’s scowling face in his wolf suit, at the moon in the window of his neatly appointed bedroom, and relating to him — to his audacity, to his independence and bravery. The pictures of Max’s bedroom morphing into a forest at night seemed truly like magic to me. I never tired of looking at the artwork — at the penned cross-hatches of the drawings, at the big yellow eyes and “terrible claws” of the strange beasts.

“Max said ‘BE STILL!’ and tamed them with the magic trick of staring into their yellow eyes without blinking once, and they were frightened and called Max the most wild thing of all…”
(Turn the page.)
“and made him king of all wild things.”

Through Max, I experienced this fantastical world where the wild things are. Through Max, I could command the monsters. I could be brave like him.

And like Max, though the longing to set sail on my own would often take hold, the warmth of all things familiar — my room, my toys, my parents — comforted me and called me home.

“Max stepped into his private boat and waived good-bye…”
(Turn the page.)
“and sailed back over a year and in and out of weeks and through a day”
(Turn again.)
“and into the night of his very own room where he found his supper waiting for him…” (Turn to last page.)
“and it was still hot.”

That’s why we care so much for this book, because it resonates. Sendak gave us a story that gives voice to our childhood feelings, while entertaining us wildly. It’s a tall order, but if the filmmakers can pull it off as successfully he did with his brilliant book, then buying that movie ticket will be money well spent.

This article was originally published on 10.14.09 in East Bay Life, East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

This "quiet little book" speaks volumes

2009-10-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

Most children’s book agents and editors aren’t wild about the phrase: “Quiet little book.” How do I know this? Because I’ve described a manuscript or two of my own in this manner to the sound of static on the telephone line, or crickets chirping in the conference room.

Nothing displeases the publishing “powers that be” more than the word, “quiet” when it comes to qualifying a project they’re expected to champion (except maybe “wordless,” which for many editors, can be down right terrifying). The reason for this is, while “quiet” often translates to “subtle and charming,” it can also mean “forgettable.” As in: “The book quietly slipped out of print, never to be heard from again.”

Liz Garton Scalon’s new release, “All The World,” (Beach Lane Books) is one “quiet little book” worth reading. In gentle verse, it takes readers through the course of a day with a collection of family and friends in a country setting. Though the title suggests grander subject matter, it’s really the stringing together of life’s smaller moments that the author explores here, with the help of Caldecott-winning artist Marla Frazee’s signature soft-hued illustrations.

Scanlon’s simple language is well-suited for young children: “Tree, trunk, branch, crown/ Climbing up and sitting down/ Morning sun becomes noon blue/ All the world is old and new.” Yet, even though the book is, in essence, about hours passing in a day, some stanzas seem more metaphorical: “Slip, trip, stumble, fall/ Tip the bucket, spill it all/ Better luck another day/ All the world goes round this way.”

Mostly though, it’s about poetry – both written and visual. “Spreading shadows, setting sun/ Crickets, curtains, day is done/ A fire takes away the chill/ All the world can hold quite still.”

Simple. Quiet. And anything but forgettable.

This article was originally published on 9.23.09 in the Life section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net

Float away with 'Princess Hyacinth'

2009-09-30T18:45:00.001-07:00

Autumn is the season for children’s books. It’s when the publishers unveil many of their marquee titles, and it’s always exciting to see what’s new. So for the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite Fall 2009 releases in picture books.

First up, the tale of a floating princess.

"Princess Hyacinth,” by Florence Parry Heide; illustrated by Lane Smith (Schwartz & Wade; Ages 3-8)

"Princess Hyacinth had a problem. Well, you're saying, everyone has a problem. But this was an unusual problem. Oh, she didn’t look unusual, that wasn’t it. She had two eyes, with a nose between them and a mouth under that—you know, the usual things in the usual places. In fact, if she wasn’t all dressed up in her Princess clothes, you’d think she was just anybody.

So what was the problem?

Princess Hyacinth floated."

So begins the topsy-turvy tale of this very unique little princess, and what happens to her when she forgoes the weights that the King and Queen have sewn into all her clothes and floats “up, up, up” in her royal underwear.

There’s so much to like here. First, the text is witty without being overly snarky or clichéd. As a read-aloud, it works extremely well with passages that exclaim: “Poor Princess Hyacinth!” and plenty of repetition and alliteration to please the preschool set. Yet the story is interesting enough to hold the attention of slightly older children.

The illustrations are Lane Smith (“James & The Giant Peach;” “John, Paul, George, & Ben”) and he just never disappoints. Smith uses a mixed media technique of watercolor and digital painting that makes for lush scenes and beautiful lighting, but with a modern storybook quality that is perfect for the intended age group of this book.

Even the book’s design—full-bleed illustrations beside white pages with text blocks in alternating muted colors and varying type sizes—make it not only aesthetically pleasing, but easy to read. Readers won't realize how much text is there, because the designer Molly Leach (who did such a fine job that she’s given a name credit on the title page just below the author and illustrator) has laid out the book so expertly; and because the pacing of the writing is spot-on.

One last piece to note: although it’s the story of a princ-ess, it’s not just a book little girls will enjoy. A young boy, aptly named “Boy,” plays a pivotal role in this quirky tale, and other than a breathtaking scene of Princess Hyacinth floating free through an early evening sky, there’s hardly a drop of pink in the entire thing.

For boys or girls, “Princess Hyaninth” is a fantastic book for “floating away” with their imaginations.

This article was originally published on 9.30.09 in the "Life" section of the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net.

My Top Five Bear Books

2009-09-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else a fan of “Top 5” lists? Like John Cusak’s character in the film “High Fidelity,” I’m forever creating Top 5’s in my head. It’s a great way to pass time in traffic, waiting at the pediatrician’s office, or on line at the DMV.

In my recent adventures reading to children at story hour, I realized that the most popular and perennially favored animal in picture books has to be the bear. There are bear books aplenty on library and store shelves everywhere. It seems we just can’t get enough of the big furry lugs.

So, I thought a “Top 5” list was in order. And here it is.

# 5: “Can’t You Sleep Little Bear?” by Martin Waddell; illustrated by Barbara Firth (Candlewick Press). This book did for cuddly bears what Margaret Wise Brown did for the moon. Waddell is a master of rhythm and alliteration, and his stories capture the essence of what little children think and feel. Barbara Firth’s emotive watercolor bears are perfect paired with his text. It’s one of my all time favorites.

# 4: “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr.; illustrated by Eric Carle (Macmillan) Though not solely about bears (many animals appear in this rhyming classic) Carle’s iconic collage brown bear makes it essential for any “Top 5 Bear Books” list.

#3: “Going On A Bear Hunt,” by Michael Rosen; illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Simon & Schuster) As far as read-alouds go, there are precious few as successful as Rosen’s “Bear Hunt.” Kids love the “Splash, Splosh”-ing through puddles, and the wonderful buildup of tension as the bear gives chase near the end. Incidentally, an anniversary edition has just been published.

#2 “Bear Snores On,” by Karma Wilson; illustrated by Jane Chapman. (Simon & Schuster) I call books like this one: “big yummy books.” The language is pleasing and descriptive: “In a cave in the woods,/ a slumbering bear/ sleeps through the party/ in his very own lair;” and the illustrations of the animals are warm, saturated and inviting. Read in a group or one-on-one in a lap, kids always fall head over hind legs in love with Wilson’s fabulous bear books.

And my all time # 1 bear favorite is (drumroll…)

“A Visitor For Bear,” by Bonny Becker; illustrated by Katy MacDonald Denton (Candlewick Press) Clearly, I’m not the only one who adores this book. It’s a New York Times’ Bestseller and has won several prestigious book prizes including the coveted “E.B. White Read Aloud Award.”

I included it on my list, however, because of one simple fact: it cracks me up. I love the “Odd Couple” contrast of the big grumpy bear vs. the persistently cheery “bright eyed” little mouse, the sweetly entertaining illustrations, and because whenever I read it to a group of little ones, it makes them all smile. And if I were to create a “Top 5” list of reasons to read to kids, that would make No. 1 every time.

This article was originally published on 9.16.09 in the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net

‘Me With You’ captures the special bond between a grandparent and grandchild

2009-09-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

My mother will call me after she reads this column. And that's because I'm going to tell you something about her I shouldn't: She didn’t play with me much when I was little. Don’t get me wrong; she’s a terrific mother—the best. She was just busy and exhausted most of the time like so many moms I know (myself included). She worked a full time job, shopped, cooked, did laundry, shuttled me back and forth to sports, play practice, made sure homework was done, teeth were brushed—only to wake up and do it all over again the next day.

There just wasn’t a whole lot of time for quilt making or decorating my Barbie’s apartment.

Here’s the thing, she does this brilliantly and near constantly with my children when she’s with them. She plays with them, and I mean, plays, in that get-down-on-the-floor, you-have-my-full-attention kind of a way kids adore. She also bakes, does art projects, takes them to amusement parks, movies, museums, and basically spoils them silly which none of us need be reminded, is a grandparent’s prerogative.

But beyond all that, and what I love most about watching my daughters with their Grammie, is seeing the distinctive relationship they have with her. It’s special; something set apart, and all theirs.

If there was ever a book that captured this unique bond with pitch-perfect sentiment, it’s Kristy Dempsey’s “Me With You.” It’s one for Grandpas, Grandmas, Pop-Pops, Grammies, Nanas, Papas, Mimis, Umpies and Omas everywhere.

Maybe it’s illustrator Chris Denise’s expressive Grandpa Bear in his wide suspenders, or the dear little Granddaughter Bear dancing at the piano (I’ll admit it, my own kids were the models) or Dempsey’s lovely text: “We’re a pair beyond compare/ A rare and special two/ In all the ways that I am me/ And you’re completely you,” but this book has the warmth and sweetness of a homemade chocolate chip cookie baked by Grandma.

Sunday, September 13th is Grandparent’s Day. Don’t forget to let the grandparents know how truly grand they are. A handmade card or a phone call goes a long way. If they are close by, bring a book over (any book, it doesn’t have to be this one) and let the kids snuggle up with them and read. There will probably be cookies, and there were certainly be plenty of love to go around.

* Author Kristy Dempsey and illustrator Christopher Denise, creators of “Me With You” will be at Barrington Books’ Story Hour reading and playing games this Thursday September 10th at 10:30am.

Laughter is the best medicine for back-to-school jitters

2009-08-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

My youngest daughter is starting kindergarten. With a mid-August birthday, she made the age requirement by a few short weeks. She seems, well, I’ll just say it: impossibly little to be mounting the stairs of that big yellow school bus. And although I’ve made a vow to face my kids’ major milestones with an outward exuberance befitting cheerleaders and "Dancing With The Stars" contestants, the truth is, inside, I’m a big old soggy puddle.

So this week, I’m going to offer up a little advice to those seeking the best back-to-school books: Go for the funny. Frankly, an attempt at “The Kissing Hand,” might just do me in, so I’m sticking with Katie Davis’ “Kindergarten Rocks!” for our first day of school fodder. It’s witty, endearing, and most of all, it handles kindergarten concerns with a good dose of giggles.

In it, we meet Dexter, a little boy who is not at all worried about starting kindergarten — or so he says. He learned everything he needs to know from his older sister Jessie, who reassures him: “Don’t worry, kindergarten rocks!” Dexter’s not concerned for himself, he explains, but rather for his stuffed dog Rufus, who is feeling a little scared.

Soon, Dexter’s bravado breaks down, and we discover he does actually have some practical concerns such as, “What if my teacher is mean?" and "What if I have to go #2?" Eventually, Dexter figures it out and begins to enjoy himself as he partakes in cool kindergarten activities like coloring, cooking and playing. Dexter even weathers the crisis of misplacing Rufus at one point during the day.

Davis’ cheerful spreads and wry humor will reassure first timers that it’s okay to be a little scared, and that in the end, it all turns out alright — an excellent point for jittery kids, and mushy moms to remember.

This article was originally published on 8.26.09 in the East Bay Newspapers online edition. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Designer of 'Finding Nemo' characters also writes children's books

2009-08-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Carter Goodrich, who has Rhode Island roots, chats about his latest release.

If you’ve watched any of the most popular animated films of the last decade, then you’ve seen the work of Carter Goodrich. He has designed characters for enormously successful movies such as "Finding Nemo," "Monsters Inc.," "Open Season" and "Ratatouille," to name just a few, and his illustrations have graced 16 New Yorker covers over the years.

And lucky for all of us, he also does children’s books!

His most recent title, “The Hermit Crab” was released in June. The book is worth reading for the exquisitely drawn illustrations alone, but the story, too, is charming and original. It chronicles the accidental heroics of a reclusive little hermit crab who is mistaken for a “brave champion” when he dons the top half of a superhero toy for a shell, and appears to “save” a flounder who is caught under a lobster trap.

Mr. Goodrich now resides in Los Angeles but once upon a time, he lived and worked here in our little state. Recently, he took some time out of his schedule to chat with “Bookmarks” about his new book, variations on a lobster trap, and what he misses most about Rhode Island.

How did the story of this reluctant, reclusive hero emerge in your imagination?

“Some years ago I began to play with the idea of a Hermit Crab finding a large, spiky, crazy looking shell that would fool his fellow undersea creatures into thinking he was something, or someone, he wasn't. That idea evolved into a doll's head, with waving hair. But that image proved to be a little too spooky, so then I came up with the upper half of a superhero toy. Once I settled on that, the story pretty much told itself. No two personalities could be further from one other; a shy Hermit Crab and a superhero.”

You have roots in New England. Can we assume that’s a cold-water lobster trap in the story?

“Yes, it is. I decided to use the old fashioned, rounded off wooden type. Visually, they're far more interesting than the new box-like metal traps. Nowhere in the book is the word 'lobster trap' used, which was intentional, but I sometimes wonder if little kids in the middle of the country are scratching their heads in confusion, and asking their baffled parents: 'What is this thing, anyway?'”

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? In other words, is the tale of "The Hermit Crab" in any way autobiographical?

“Many of my friends have commented that it's an autobiography. I suppose there might be some truth to that. It's funny. I once had an art teacher who told me every time we draw a face, we end up doing some sort of self portrait, like it or not. I guess some version of the same thing happened here (only with a story). Hopefully, I don't look like the Hermit Crab.”

You’re well-known for your New Yorker covers. Which do you find more challenging: coming up with a single image, or a series for narrative work?

“I would say the series for a narrative work is far more challenging than the single image, since you have to concern yourself with the collection of images effectively working as a whole, as well as each individual piece standing on its own. So creatively, I try to approach each single piece as though it were part of a mosaic. And then there's the story telling aspect of the thing. In a children's book the image has to describe far more than the written word that accompanies it.”

How has working on films such as "Finding Nemo," "Ratatouille," and others influenced your work on books?

“I imagine I've learned a little bit about visual story telling by watching so many gifted artists who create scenes with storyboards, and then act them out in meetings where they put the actual movie together. As far as the design of the characters in my books go, I'd say I'm too impatient to begin working on the book to spend the same amount of time developing the character that I take on a movie. And that's not good. I know from experience that it helps to explore the look of a character before you settle on the final design. But I guess I'm lazy that way.”

The color and lighting in "The Hermit Crab" is stunning; will you share just a little bit about your medium and technique?

“That's nice of you to say. I feel like some pages work much more effectively than others. But that's always the case. I use colored pencils over a watercolor painting on very heavy watercolor board. The pencils help create texture, and also correct a lot of things I do wrong in the painting. I can change a color, blur a line, or create a certain focus I want with the use of colored pencil. Of course in a way it's a cheat, because one should be able to do all those things with paint alone. But I'm not that good a painter.”

I think most would disagree! I love that you work in traditional materials, even though you do character design for animated films that use cutting edge technology. What has influenced your decision to stay with hand drawn and hand painted techniques?

“That's easy. I'm afraid of all this amazing technology, and know nothing about it. Every day I wake up, I thank my lucky stars that the job of designing characters can still be done with good old paper and pencil. I guess the thing that worries me about these new digital tools is, it's almost like having a paint box with nine million different colors. No matter what you do, or how successful the piece turns out, there's this nagging feeling that there are all these tools you could have used to make the thing even better.”

Los Angeles is pretty cool, but do you ever miss Little Rhody?

“All the time. I miss the lush green of the trees — those beautiful broad leaf trees. I miss the clean, rich air. I miss the seasons, and even more, the change of seasons. I miss thunder storms and I miss the Atlantic ocean. I could go on and on. But I better not.”

This article was originally published on 8.19.09 in the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Odd idioms explained in this clever book

2009-08-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

I’ll never forget the day of my daughter’s first dance recital when I asked her, “Do you have butterflies in your stomach?” and she clutched her midsection and looked at me alarmed.

“I don’t think so,” she said earnestly.

“It means: Are you feeling nervous and excited?” I explained. Realization dawned.

“Nah,” she answered, breezily.

“So, you’re cool as a cucumber,” I declared. At which point she shrugged, gave me a quick hug and pirouetted away.

I realized, then, that as an adult, my speech is sprinkled with idioms and expressions I never think twice about, but to my delightfully literal 5-year old, I probably sound a little nuts! Which is why the book “Raining Cats & Dogs” by Will Moses is such a brilliant idea.

As the title states, the book is “A Collection of Irresistible Idioms and Illustrations to Tickle the Funny Bones of Young People.” Mr. Moses, who happens to be the great grandson of Anna Mary Robertson Moses—better known as “Grandma Moses”—sheds light on an idiomatic phrase by giving a clear definition, using it in a sentence, and illustrating the example with funny, folk-art style vignettes that will not only make kids giggle, but actually help them to grasp the expression’s true meaning.

The phrase, “operating on a shoe string,” for instance, shows two surgeons behind an operating table standing over a worried-looking life size shoestring. The caption underneath reads: “Ever since the hurricane hit the hospital, the poor doctors had to operate on a shoestring.”

With plenty of mischief and pleasing Americana-inspired illustrations, Moses hits just the right note for the grades K-3 set. “Raining Cats & Dogs” makes a nice gift choice for kids curious about language and those who enjoy a good joke book.

This column was originally published on 8.12.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

This author understands what kids love about summer

2009-08-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

Having just returned from a three-week trip to the Adirondacks where we bunked with relatives, attempted several nature hikes, and sent the kids off to day camp on a lake, I have a special appreciation for Marla Frazee’s Caldecott-winning book, “A Couple of Boys Have The Best Week Ever,” because it does such a fine job of capturing the way kids experience a summer vacation adventure.

Plus, it’s really funny.

When James and Eamon go to stay at Eamon's grandparents' beach house to attend Nature Camp, they find the best parts of the week are eating banana waffles, jumping on the blow up mattress and even playing video games. Oh, they eventually get outdoors to troll the seashore and build sculptures out of mussel shells, but what makes this the boys’ “best week ever” is not the structured (boring) activities of Nature Camp, but the silly, romping, carefree moments they spend just hanging out with each other. Clearly, Frazee gets what makes little kids tick – and little boys, in particular.

The main text of the book is often hilariously contradicted in the pictures and the back-and-forth text bubble banter of the boys. An opening page describes James as being “very sad when his mother and father drove away” while the illustration underneath shows him smiling and waiving happily with an enthusiastic “Bye!” in the text bubble.

Bill and Pam, aka. Grandpa and Grandma, are shown earnestly and good naturedly attempting to get the boys excited about various activities (Bill is a nature buff and a nut for the penguins of Antarctica) while the boys are depicted running around, wrestling, devouring an ice cream sundae, or spacing out in front of the TV.

With humor, Frazee’s book reminds us that the best-laid plans of adults are often thwarted by the independent and exuberant nature of children, and that there is no better time to savor the simple pleasures of an unstructured day, and childhood friendship, then a summer vacation.

This column was originally published on 8.5.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Creating a children’s book takes planning, patience

2009-07-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

I used to think writing a children’s book would be easy. I wrote press releases and snappy ad copy for a living; how hard could it be to create a simple little children’s story?

So, with enthusiasm, I sat down to give it a try. A few ideas seemed promising, but each time I tried crafting one into the charming, witty narrative of my imagination, it ended up a muddled and meandering mess! Looking back on those early attempts, I realized that I had not yet grasped many of the fundamental concepts of creating compelling books for children.

Fortunately, I found fabulous mentors in my editor Patti Gauch, my husband Chris, and my good friend Uri. (Ok, so I haven’t actually met Uri Shulevitz, but after reading his book “Writing With Pictures” four times, I feel I know him well.)

Another one of my mentors, local resident Mary Jane Begin — who was featured in a Bookmarks column earlier this year — agreed to provide a brief “backstage” look at how she creates her award-winning children’s books. Incidentally, Ms. Begin has also taught classes in book making, color theory, and the nuances of storytelling to students at the Rhode Island School of Design for more than 17 years, so all aspiring authors and illustrators out there should grab a pencil and take notes!

Writing the manuscript

• Coming up with an idea: I think, think, think, think ... nothing. It’s just as I start to fall asleep when ... SWOOSH! The ideas flow like a gurgling river.

• Working it through: I work through ideas while driving, shopping, cooking or taking the dog for a walk. If you see me, and I look like I’m talking to myself ... really, I’m just taking notes!

• Writing it down: When the story is fully formed, I get it on to the computer, just to get it out of my head. I usually review it over and over, research, edit and then let it rest for a few days. When I think it’s “cooked” long enough, I send it off to the publisher — usually, with a few images for style reference.

Then of course, I wait. And wait, and wait ... and wait. Publishing is a slow process with plenty of hang time between sending your stuff off and hearing back. If a publisher wants it, there’s negotiations, a contract and then ...

Book design/illustrations

• Thumbnail sketches/creating a dummy: I paginate the text (separate the text by page number), and then start sketching the book in to a very small layout or “thumbnail dummy.” The dummy is sent to the publisher/editor for approval.

• Research/reference-photography: I spend time in the library, on the Internet and with my camera to get as much visual reference as I can. Expressions, body gestures, costume, architecture, landscape, painting styles of particular artists are all helpful in executing a finished sketch, as well as the paintings.

• Finished sketches: The linear drawings are cleaned up and finalized then sent to the publisher.

• Transfer to a surface: After approval, the sketches are transferred to a paper surface — either printed on or redrawn.

• Paint: Depending on the book, acrylics, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil are used for the finished paintings, applied in layers to achieve volume and a sense of light.

• Deliver to the publisher: In many ways, this can be the best part of the process! The artwork is hand delivered or mailed to the publisher and reviewed before printing.

• Review galleys: The publisher sends galley “proofs” or test prints of the book, unbound, for review. This is to sure the color looks correct and the positioning of the art with the text works well.

• Final bound book: The author and illustrator get a first copy before the book hits the stands.

• Hope for sales and good reviews!

If you would like to ask Ms. Begin more about her process and books, she’ll be hosting a special program “Where do Ideas Come From?” Thursday, July 16, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Barrington Books’ story hour. Ms. Begin will show how she comes up with ideas for stories and pictures by playing a drawing game, showing her sketches and paintings, drawing with the kids and reading from her “Willow Buds” series.

This article was originally published on 7.16.09 in the East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, please contact aaadenise@verizon.net.

'Celebrate the 4th of July and Narragansett Bay with these children’s books'

2009-07-01T05:10:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July is a great time to be on the East Bay of Rhode Island—from the marvelous extravaganza in Bristol, to small neighborhood wagon parades and backyard barbeques—the fourth is a festive time of food, family and fireworks!

To get kids into the spirit of the day, check out the following titles.

“Happy Birthday America!” by Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Peter Catalanotto

Young readers may recognize a familiar scene in this book as a family of eight, including mom, dad, brothers, sisters and Grandma and Grandpa celebrate the fourth by attending a parade, munching on popcorn and pizza, hearing a reading of the Declaration of Independence, listening to live music and watching the fireworks.

The book does a nice job of capturing the spirit of a community celebration while providing some historical context on the meaning and significance of the holiday. (See also, Marsha Chall’s similarly titled book for another fine depiction of a sweet small town celebration.)

“The Bay Gull,” by Emerson M. Colwell Jr.

And speaking of community celebrations, check out this new cleverly titled, independently-published kids book about a sea gull who finds a bagel in Bristol and shares it on his travels. While the illustrations are fairly rudimentary pencil drawings, the concept and nod to familiar Narragansett Bay landmarks such as Prudence Island, the Newport Bridge, and the Castle Hill and Point Judith Lighthouses make it hard to resist. The book includes a fun map for kids of the flight path of the gull, from Bristol, all the way down to the southeastern tip of Block Island.

It’s clear that for Colwell—a Bristol-native—the project was labor of love, paying homage to his home state and the community in which he grew up. (He now resides in Arizona with his wife and three children.)

The author gets back to the East Bay once every year with his family and will be visiting local bookstores to promote his book this week. When asked what he missed most about life in Rhode Island, Colwell naturally said, the bay! “I love the ocean and living by the water.”

Mr. Colwell will be at Barrington Books on County Road in Barrington, Rhode Island: Thursday, July 2 at 10:30 am reading and signing copies of his books.

This column was originally published on 7.2.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Summer reading nods from a local expert

2009-06-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

Want to know the all-time best resource for finding great books for your kids? (Well, besides this column, of course.)

Your child’s school librarian!

Yes, folks, right under your noses, she (or he) has been there all along—a fountain of knowledge on the best books for children; and not just children, in general, but your child, specifically.

A school librarian sees your kids interact in the library regularly; she knows what kinds of books get them excited, what’s best for their reading levels and what books will pique their curiosity and imagination to instill a lifelong love of reading.

Since school is officially out for most of us on the East Bay, I took the liberty of interviewing Cherylann Bertoncini, Library Media Specialist for Nayatt Elementary, to find out her best bets for summer reading.

How long have you been teaching?
“19 years. Five of those years I taught just part-time while my girls were little. Most of my teaching years were at the kindergarten level.”

How long have you been the Nayatt Library Media Specialist?
“Two fun years! Going back to school to become a Library Media Specialist was a positive decision.”

How did you come to that decision?
“Since I am an avid reader and spend most of my time immersed in books, becoming a librarian seemed like a logical idea. So, I began the journey of attending what my daughter's used to call ‘Library School.’ I took one class at a time and loved every moment of the program at URI. Now I am surrounded by books and enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for reading with the entire school community. To quote Walt Disney: ‘There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.’ The library is my own little treasure island!”

What’s the best part about your job?
“I am delighted to help students find books that they are interested in reading. I love when readers tell me they could not stop reading a book that was recommended. Everything about being a librarian is enjoyable. (Laughs) Except sending overdue notices home to students.”

Who are some of your favorite authors and illustrators?
“Some of my favorites include: Eric Carle, Mem Fox, Cynthia Rylant, Andrew Clements, Charise Mericle Harper, and Kate DiCamillo.”

Here are Mrs. Betoncini’s must read summer book recommendations by grade level, up to grade three.

Preschoolers
• “Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes,” by Mem Fox and Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Kindergarteners
• “Chicken said, ‘Cluck!”” by Sue Truesdell
• “Llama Llama Misses Mama,” by Anna Dewdney

First Graders
• “Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator,” by Sarah C. Campbell
• “A Visitor for Bear,” by Bonny Becker; illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

Second Graders
• “The Talented Clementine,” by Sara Pennypacker
• “Ivy and Bean,” series by Annie Barrow
• “End of the Beginning,” by Avi

Third Graders
• “The Lemonade War,” by Jacqueline Davies
• “No Talking,” by Andrew Clements
• “Pale Male,” by Janet Schulman

For higher grade level recommendations, see your local school and/or public librarians (wink)!

This column was originally published on 6.24.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Minikin Press makes its mark with award-winning novelty books

2009-06-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Jill Lamere of Barrington had dozens of ideas for picture books floating around in her head. As a graphic designer and former bookbinder, she knew just how these intricate concept books would come together. The trick was finding a publisher.

Ms. Lamere received several enthusiastic responses—which anyone who has ever pitched, queried and pounded the publishing pavement knows—is a feat in itself.

Finally, one editor seemed to be ready to take her idea to the next level. They went through the typical back-and-forth rounds of edits, suggestions, art direction and critique. She obliged, making all the necessary changes, hoping the book would get the green light for the next list.

But as frequently and often inexplicably happens in the book publishing industry, the editor called to say she wanted to take the project in a different direction. Lamere had two choices: She could agree to change her vision for the book, or start the query process all over again.

Faced with a decision between two imperfect scenarios, Lamere did something gusty: she founded Minikin Press—an independent publisher specializing in concept or “novelty” books—and published the book herself.

That is one of the many reasons the author/illustrator/small business owner found it so gratifying when Minikin’s premiere publication, "Upside Down" won the IPPY (Independent Publishers Award) for Best Children’s Book in the year of its release.

"Upside Down" is a story about a young girl who wishes the world was upside down, but after considering the repercussions, talks herself out of it. The book was designed to be read forward then flipped around and read in the other direction, echoing the about face of little girl’s feelings towards a topsy-turvy world.

With its impressive debut, "Upside Down" put Minikin on the map, and Lamere went on to publish two more titles, "The Wishing Star," and "The King’s Crown" to solid reviews.

Minikin’s story is a triumphant one, for sure, but don’t be fooled; self-publishing is not for the feint of heart. Independent publishers must do it all—from finding talent, to printing, to distribution, to marketing and publicity—all with a fraction of the resources of the larger publishing houses.

Ms. Lamere admits to getting burnt out sometimes on the hustle it takes to keep Minikin’s titles top of shelf and mind with storeowners. "You have to be dedicated and resourceful to get your books seen and out there,” said Lamere. “I’ve often wished I had a sales force to help place my books, but all in all, I’m pleased at what I’ve been able to accomplish on my own.”

Ultimately, it is the creative process that keeps Lamere interested. She also designs fine papers and websites. “ I like to change it up and try new things to keep it fun. After the trilogy of books was completed, I found myself asking, 'What’s next?'

As a big fan of Lamere’s work, I certainly can’t wait to find out.

This column was originally published on 6.17.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Wordless, wonderful 'Wave'

2009-06-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

If every picture book were as successful as Suzy Lee’s “Wave,” I can tell you this: I’d be out of a job. Using simple color, bold line and not a single word, the artist tells the story of a curious little girl, a sunny day, and a playful wave.

This book captured my attention when it first hit shelves in late spring of last year. The moment I spotted its cover among the new releases—depicting a girl on a beach facing a cerulean blue ocean, framed in chalky type and abundant white space—I was captivated by Lee’s evocative summer tableau. Flipping through the pages once again, it seems the perfect way for my daughters and I to welcome summer back, and the promise of warm breezy beach days to come.

In loosely drawn charcoal pencil and bold splashes of blue, gray and white watercolor, a little girl tiptoes, dances and eventually bounds her way into the water, getting braver and braver as seagulls circle overhead. With the unconscious exuberance of a child in ankle deep frothy waves, she splashes mightily. The wave rears up in a playful answer, and she goes racing back to safety.

After a smug hand-on-hips, tongue-out display, the wave drenches her from head-to-toe, but not without leaving her a gift of seashells and starfish in the sand. She is thrilled with her treasure, and so are the seagulls.

At days end, Mom comes with her beach umbrella over her shoulder to collect her little one and they walk down beach together hand-in-hand, endless blue in the foreground, the hint of dunes in the distance.

The little girl turns, smiles and waives to the waves—until next time.

And we, the readers, are caught up in this perfect picture of an essential summer afternoon.

This column was originally published on 6.3.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books that make kids say, ‘Yippie-kah-yay!’

2009-05-14T04:52:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I took my girls to the “oldest weekly rodeo in the US.” It’s not in Texas or Montana, as you might expect – it’s at the The Painted Pony Dude Ranch in the Adirondack region of New York, approximately, 3 hours and 50 minutes from Rhode Island.

Aside from the wide selection of hot dogs, popcorn and candy, nothing about the rodeo impressed my kids more than the women’s barrel racing competition.

“Mama,” said my 4-year-old, wide-eyed. “They’re girls!”
“Yep, cowgirls,” I replied, and watched as the exciting implications of my words sunk in.

Since then, thanks to some nifty cowgirl hat souvenirs and these cowgirl and cowboy-themed books, the fascination continues. So, if you, too, have some wee cowpokes at home, why not try these rootin’- tootin’ reads on for size?

“Cowgirl Kate & Cocoa,” by Erica Silverman; illustrated by Besty Lewin (Harcourt)

This series of beginning reader chapter books follows the adventures of Cowgirl Kate and her talking horse Cocoa. Silverman’s language is simple and accessible and the stories are told with enough humor and fun cowboy and cowgirl jargon to charm a young audience from their Stetsons to their spurs. Likewise, Lewin’s loosely drawn watercolor illustrations lend the perfect air of whimsy to these sweet, home-on-the-range tales. Though Cocoa is part pal, part pet, the subtle lessons of friendship in the book are universal.

“The Gingerbread Cowboy,” by Janet Squires; illustrated by Holly Berry (Harper Collins)

A clever Texas twist on a classic nursery tale, “The Gingerbread Cowboy” serves up some terrific read aloud fun. In it, the rancher's wife, tired of baking her husband biscuits, makes a gingerbread cowboy instead. When chased by cattle and coyotes, the Gingerbread Cowboy—donning his western vest, hat and boots—hollers the (somewhat) familiar refrain: "Giddyup, giddyup as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!”

“Giddy Up, Cowgirl,” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Viking)

I always appreciate a children’s book that caters to my own sense of humor while also appealing to my kids. It’s a delicate balance, and not every author who makes the attempt gets it right, but in “Giddy Up Cowgirl,” Krosoczka nails it.

When a well-meaning little Cowgirl tries to help Momma with her errands, the “help” often turns into unintentional hindrance. Any parent who has toted their toddler to the grocery store, dry cleaner or post-office—and has been forced to close their eyes and take a deep breath or two in the process—will relate to these misadventures. In the end though, Momma shows great patience and love with her feisty little Cowgirl, understanding that the point isn’t to be the perfect helper, but the thoughtfulness behind giving it a try.
This column was originally published on 5.13.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books that celebrate Mom

2009-05-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

It’s true that on Mother’s Day, moms are supposed to be the one getting gifts from their children, not the other way around. But reading a book with your child (in between breakfast-in-bed and the spa treatment) is a lovely Mother’s Day tradition—especially if it’s one of these fine titles.
“Mommy’s Best Kisses,” by Margaret Anastas; illustrated by Susan Winter (Harper Collins)

This book has been a favorite of my girls since they were toddlers. Each spread features a different Mama animal with her baby, as it describes all the ways Mommy gives kisses to her baby at bedtime.

The animals are fittingly chosen and sweetly drawn in each vignette. In the opening spread, we see two chipmunks all nestled in leaves reach for one another as the text reads, “I kiss your small heads as you reach for my face.” Flip the page to reveal a Mommy giraffe nuzzling her baby giraffe as the verse continues: “I kiss your sweet neck— it’s my favorite place.”

For sure, Moms and Dads will relate to their own bedtime rituals of snuggling and tucking in little sleepy heads when they read: “I kiss your plump tummy as round as can be,/ I kiss your belly button as you grin up at me,” beside full page spreads of rounded pink piggies and fluffy white polar bears.

A cute twist comes at the end when a human mommy and her little baby are revealed, and the baby is shown cuddled up with toy animals that echo the ones on the previous pages.

Everything about this book—from the gentle text, to the soft pencil drawings—captures the affection between a mommy and her little one just so, that no matter how grown up my kids may seem, it still tugs at my Mama Bear heartstrings every time I read it.

“Motherbridge of Love,” illustrated by Josèe Masse (Barefoot Books)

The illustrations were what first grabbed me when I saw this beautiful book from Mother Bridge of Love – a UK-based charity that seeks to connect children adopted from China with their homeland. Artist Josèe Masse’s brightly hued acrylic paintings pop off the page, drawing you in to a satisfying world of textured reds, blues, greens and golds.

I was even more pleased to discover the poem within, which was anonymously written for the charity by an adoptive parent. It’s a touching and lyrical ode to the love of a birth mother and that of an adoptive mother.

“Once there were two women who never knew each other./ One you do not know./ The other you call Mother./ Two different lives shaped to make you one.”

The poem makes the point that both mothers are important and special in their own way.

“The first one gave you life, the second taught you to live it./ The first gave you a need for love; the second was there to give it./… One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears./ One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.”

Though the book was clearly created with adopted children in mind, I think any person who has experienced the love of more than one mother or mother-figure in his or her lifetime would appreciate its message and the beauty of this little gem of a book.

This column was originally published on 5.6.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

‘Toy Boat’ sets sail to the imagination

2009-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

A boat is a wonderful literary device. It can serve as a backdrop for a great adventure, a symbol of an important journey or transformation—even a metaphor for the soul.

Plus, boats are just cool.

They have personalities as wide and varied as the people who captain them. It’s no wonder, then, that they appear prominently in children’s books, often serving as central characters in stories.

“Toy Boat,” written by Randall DeSève and illustrated by Loren Long, is one of my recent favorites.

Here, a boat plays metaphor to a boy’s first pangs of fear and longing for independence. It’s a toy boat, handmade by the boy from “a can, a cork, a yellow pencil, and some white cloth.”

The boy and his boat are inseparable, until, on a stormy day, the boy loses hold of the string and the toy boat is carried out into the wide lake. After encountering fierce waves and the giant rolling wakes of a grumpy ferry, a sassy schooner and a shark-shaped speedboat, the tiny toy boat finds itself frightened and forced to face the night alone.

DeSève’s simple text seems to hit just the right tone for this quiet coming of age tale, and Long’s deeply saturated acrylic paintings fill out the pared down language perfectly. Long (“The Little Engine That Could”) imbues the boats with distinct personalities and effectively communicates the toy boat’s vulnerability in the shadow of the larger looming vessels with sharp angled perspectives.

At last, in the light of day, a friendly little fishing boat helps guide the toy boat back to shore, making for a happy ending and a reassuring adventure for young readers.

This column was originally published on 4.29.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Have a budding young writer at home? Try these books on for size

2009-04-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

I'm frequently asked about the best way to foster a child’s interest in creative writing. My answer is simple: Read! The most successful writers are always voracious readers. From memoirs to mysteries, to poetry, to polemics — there is no better way to spark and nurture your own writing than to explore the words of others.

So, although a how-to manual on writing isn’t strictly necessary for kids (I think “Harold And The Purple Crayon” or “The Magic School Bus” would do quite nicely for inspiring a child’s imagination), books that encourage children to write their own stories can be useful and fun.

Here are a couple I’d suggest:

• “Write Me A Story” series by eBoo (eBoo Toys)
This series of activity books focuses on storytelling. Though the company is more toy-maker than book publisher, eBoo’s products are learning-oriented and feature the artwork of well-known children’s book illustrators.

Using stickers as guides, kids create stories around a theme. Children choose and place the stickers in the space provided, and either on their own, or with the help of a parent (depending on age and writing skill level), they devise words to go along with the pictures, allowing even little ones who are not yet reading to be the authors of their own stories.

These books get a big thumbs-up for their clever concept, whimsical artwork and perfect “rainy day” appeal.

• “Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem,” by Jack Pretlusky (Harper Collins)
Poetry is a great way for children to discover their own creativity. Silly poems, especially, tend to tickle their funny bones and encourage them to try writing a few wacky verses of their own.

For this reason, former children’s poet laureate Jack Pretlusky’s primer is the perfect choice. Pretlusky is an expert on silly poems and the author of several award-winning poetry collections for children. This book is geared for a slightly older audience (grades 3-6 will get the most out of it) and includes tips on writing verse, haiku and concrete poetry.

Beyond just the mechanics, though, Pretlusky infuses the lessons with anecdotes of his own adventures in writing, and encourages young poets to pull from their interests, families, pets and friends when writing.

The book will help kids understand the practice and process behind creative writing of any kind, by encouraging them to find inspiration in their unique life experiences — an important first-lesson for budding authors of any age.

This column was originally published on 4.16.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

These titles will help you ring in spring

2009-04-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

On the whole, New Englanders are practical about the weather. We readily accept that although we’ve flipped past the first official day of spring in our calendars, winter can be a tad tenacious in these parts, and so we brace ourselves for the fact that March may not go out quite like the lamb that we’d hoped.

And yet, a glimpse of a crocus here, the feel of a mild breeze there, and a shift happens – a subtle yet perceptible altering of our collective consciousness to something warmer, brighter, greener, happier.

Children tend to mark this occasion with gusto! You can see the glimmer in their eyes and bounce in their steps as they shed winter coats for the first time in months. There is something exhilarating about this seasonal transition, and kids seem especially attuned to its magic.

Recently, I came across a few children’s books that capture the spirit of springtime renewal perfectly. These books will leave you feeling the warmth of spring sunshine, even on days when a stubborn New England chill still lingers in the air.

“The Curious Garden,” by Peter Brown (Little, Brown)

Inspired by the true story of a garden which grew on the west side of Manhattan in a retired patch of raised railway called the Highline, “The Curious Garden” chronicles the tales of Liam, a young boy who finds a patch of wildflowers growing in his own city.

“There once was a city without gardens or greenery of any kind,” begins the story. But then, Liam discovers his wildflowers and begins caring for them – watering, feeding, weeding and even singing to them. Soon, the garden grows and flourishes.

“Most gardens stay in one place. But his was no ordinary garden. With miles of open railway ahead of it, the garden was growing restless. It wanted to explore.”

With satisfying retro acrylic paintings and gentle text, children will want to explore the wonders of this book and maybe even plant a garden of their own after reading it.

“Little Chick,” by Amy Hest; illustrated by Anita Jeram (Candlewick Press)

From the winning team who brought us the best-selling, “Kiss Goodnight” comes this an all-new collection of springtime stories featuring a fetching little chick and her “Old Auntie,” the chicken.

The stories, which include: “The Carrot That Would Not Grow,” “The Kite That Would Not Fly,” and “Starry Night,” are deliciously simple but not at all simplistic.

Hest’s charming writing-style combined with Jeram’s signature washed, water color illustrations and gift for infusing humor in her characters with sweet poses and subtle body language, will undoubtedly awaken the hearts and minds of young readers to the songs of spring.

“Lady Bug Girl and Bumblebee Boy,” by David Somar and Jacky Davis (Dial Books)

A follow-up to the first hit, “Ladybug Girl,” I chose this book because there’s something inherently fabulous about the story’s main character, Lulu in her ladybug wings, red tutu and spotted ladybug boots. She’s my favorite kind of storybook little girl: feisty, smart and imaginative.

In this installment, she meets her match: Sam (aka, “Bumblebee Boy”), on the playground, where they must agree upon which game to play. Eventually, they decide on “Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy,” and proceed to enjoy a stunning adventure, which includes saving Lulu’s dog Bingo from the “scary monster” – a squirrel.

The insect-inspired heroes of this story, the colorful and emotive illustrations by the artist, and the lighthearted lessons of playground dynamics, make this book a fun, festive choice for springtime story hours.

Some fresh takes on fairy tales and fables

2009-03-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

In every story group, there are one or two children who will ask questions like, “Why didn’t she just run away from her evil stepmother?” or, “How come he didn’t wish for another three wishes?” I appreciate these kids, because I can relate to them. At five or six years old, when it came to most fairy tales, I was, well – skeptical. Sometimes, they just didn’t add up.

This is why I so appreciate a fable with a modern twist. It’s tough to take a classic story with archetypal characters and make it relevant to today’s young readers, infusing freshness and humor to such well-mined literary territory.

Here are two examples of truly talented authors and illustrators who have made it look easy.

“There’s A Wolf At The Door, Five Classic Tales,” retold by Zoe. B. Alley; illustrated by R.W. Alley (Roaring Brook Press)

Barrington’s own Zoë and R.W. Alley teamed up to create this riotous collection of well-known fables, irreverently retold and illustrated in an oversized, graphic novel format.

The author cleverly ties all five tales together with our main character, the dapper but devilish Wolf, who first appears in the “Three Little Pigs” and then works his way through the remaining four stories.

Ms. Alley has a keen ear for dialogue and her characters’ quips and snappy retorts give the stories a modern flavor and broad appeal. As the mother of a very fashion-conscious 4-year-old, the story of Rhonda, or “Little Red Riding Hood,” in particular, gave me a chuckle.

“’I know, I’ll wear my cute Red Cape with the hood to protect my curls! What a great purchase that was!’/ Ignoring Rhonda’s ridiculousness, her mother persisted. ‘Now, honey, go straight to your granny’s cottage and don’t talk to any strangers. / Doesn’t this the ribbon on my basket totally complete my look?’”

Mr. Alley’s detailed pen and watercolor illustrations fit well with the snappy dialogue and though there is quite a bit of action packed onto the spreads, the stories move along nimbly and readers will find themselves turning the pages, eager to know what happens next.

“The Paper Bag Princess,” by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Michael Martchenko (Annick Press)

Though this book is more than 20 years old, for me it still falls under the category of “modern fairy tale.” The story’s heroine – a princess who is forced to wear a paper bag after a dragon burns up her castle and all her expensive clothes with his fiery breath – is far feistier and loads more resourceful then her damsel-in-distress counterparts.

When the dragon steals away with her betrothed, rather than pout in the top room of a tall tower or fall asleep for 100 years, the Paper Bag Princess tracks down the mean old dragon, outsmarts him and rescues the prince, herself.

And nothing is more modern than the book’s ending. When the prince tells her to comb her hair and put on some princess-appropriate clothing, instead of thanking her for rescuing him, she tells him that she’d rather live happily ever after, without him.

“Your clothes are really pretty, and your hair is very neat. You look like a real prince, but you are a bum.”

You go girl!

This column was originally published on 3.25.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' turns 40

2009-03-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, caterpillar! Yes, that little green guy of Eric Carle’s beloved classic, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” is turning 40! He looks great for his age, as does the author, who is also celebrating his 80th birthday in the anniversary year of the book’s publication.

Mr. Carle has written and illustrated more than 70 books for children and has sold 88 million copies of his books worldwide. He is, by all measures, a megastar of the children’s publishing world, and yet, everything you read or hear about Eric Carle suggests he is a down-to-earth fellow who enjoys life’s simple pleasures.

Visit Mr. Carle’s Blog, for instance, and you’ll find tidbits about his travels, musings on the beauty of his home in the mountains of North Carolina, and photos of him enjoying his favorite food: blackforest honey.

So, just what is it about Carle’s caterpillars, crickets, fireflies and other creatures in nature that young readers find so captivating? For an insider’s answer to that question, I went to my editor, Patricia Lee Gauch—a celebrated children’s author in her own right—and the current editor-in-chief of Philomel Books, the imprint that published several of Mr. Carle’s bestsellers including, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

“Kids have always related almost magically to his art, as if Eric is one of them, creating art like they do,” said Gauch. “His books also have a human line to them, so the caterpillar transforms, the cricket finds a love, the spider works hard and is rewarded, and so on. His lessons are simple, but lessons they appreciate. They always cheer for the little creature.”

When I asked Ms. Gauch if Philomel had any idea, prior to publication, what a phenomenon the book would become, she said, no. At the time, the editorial and art departments were focused on overcoming the challenges presented by the book’s unique design.

“It was a tough book to create because dye cutting was brand new,” recalled Gauch. “Eric had created the holes with a hole-punch, but how did that translate into printing a book? Of course, taking these digressions meant it was more expensive, so that was a problem for the traditionalists in production.”

In the end, making Carle’s innovative ideas work in book form paid off. Today, more than 12 million copies of the original, full-sized edition have been sold.

This explains why Mr. Carle refers to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts as, “the house the Caterpillar built.” Founded by the artist and his wife, Barbara, it’s the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art. The museum houses original work from many classic and contemporary children’s book artists, as well as Mr. Carle’s own sketches, book-dummies, photographs and collages.

My daughters and I visited this museum for the first time in February, and were dazzled by the stunning grounds and gorgeous light-filled corridors of the museum’s modern interior. There is also a studio where children can take art classes and attend workshops, as well as a lovely reading library, theatre, café and several exhibition galleries.

As a lifelong lover of children’s books, it sent tingles up my spine to see the cross hatches of an original Beatrix Potter sketch up close, or gaze upon the hand-painted paper collage of the giant butterfly who emerges triumphantly at the end of Mr. Carle’s story.

In preparation for anniversary day (officially, March 20th), the museum is planning a host of festivities, as are bookstores and libraries across the globe. Right here on the East Bay, Barrington Books plans to host a special story hour, Thursday, March 19th at 10:30a.m., featuring the unveiling of the all-new pop up edition of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” along with caterpillar readings, games and crafts.

The excitement around the book’s anniversary underscores what a truly remarkable thing it is that all these years later, Mr. Carle’s pictures and stories continue to enchant young readers (and older ones, too) in more than 45 languages!

Ms. Gauch summed it up beautifully: “If you take a look at all of Eric's work, you will notice that he enables children. They succeed with him: they find their work, they find their new selves, they find their mates and friends, and they find their loves. Children love him; not only for his bold and colorful art, but for the permission he gives them to be more fully human.”

Now, that’s something to celebrate!

For more information on Eric Carle and the 40th Anniversary of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” visit www.eric-carle.com.

This column was originally published on 3.18.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books help make summer camp seem less scary to kids

2009-03-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

With temperatures hovering in the 30’s and 40’s and patches of snow still on the ground, it may seem a little premature for this week’s book topic, but just after February break, parents who have had their kids home for a week begin to think seriously about summer camp.

If this year marks the first summer camp adventure for your children, consider one of the following children’s books to help get them excited about the prospect, and hopefully, ease any fears they may have about embarking on this school-age rite of passage.

• “Froggy Goes to Camp,” by Jonathan London; illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

In this book, a frog family gets their little “Froggy” ready for an adventure at “Camp Run-A-Muck.” Though children in the age group for this book (3-6 years) are not likely to be heading to sleep-away camp, there are some relatable concepts explored such as remembering to pack what you need, making new friends, helping, participating and learning new activities.

“Uh-oh! Froggy held the kayak paddle like a canoe paddle and dug in./ ‘Y-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-kes!’ And over they went—splash! / ‘Oops!’ sputtered Froggy, looking more red in the face then green.”

The simple story provides a nice way to introduce children to the kinds of activities they can expect at camp, and portrays the whole affair as a light-hearted, pleasant experience that any child would enjoy.

Similar books include: “Danny and The Dinosaur Go To Camp,” by Syd Hoff and “The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp,” by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

• “Sipping Spiders Through A Straw: Campfire Songs For Monsters,” by Kelly DiPucchio illustrated by Gris Grimly

For slightly older audiences (7-9 years) who have perhaps already been on the summer camp bandwagon, there is this irreverent collection of campfire classics. The book features 18 spooky gross-out songs sung to well known tunes such as “The Farmer in the Dell,” and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The lyrics are choc full of enough sick, silly stuff to delight and entertain pre-adolescent campers everywhere.

“For he’s a stinky old fellow
He’s got teeth that are yellow
He reeks of a horrible-smell-o…
One whiff of his breath and you’ll die!”

Everybody, now!

Since laughter is often the best medicine, these songs will go a long way to calming the jitters that can accompany heading off to camp. The Tim Burton-like illustrations are also terrific. Kids who tote this book to their bunks are sure to be more popular than s’mores.

• “Lost In The Woods,” by Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick
If your child is attending camp in a woodland or nature setting, then “Lost In the Woods” is a wonderful book to share. It follows the story of a newborn fawn whose mother, in the natural order of things, leaves her baby alone in the woods for a time, as it learns to stand and walk on its own.

Via stunning nature photography and charming, descriptive language, the action unfolds as various animals—a red-winged blackbird, a mouse, a chipmunk, a cardinal, a group of goslings, a tree frog, a little raccoon, and others—happen upon the fawn and inquire as to whether it is lost, or simply waiting. Readers discover, through the text and further explanation on the jacket flap, that a newborn fawn is born without a scent, and a mother doe will leave her baby in the woods to protect it, so that her scent does not attract predators.

“I have to leave so trouble’s nose cannot find you,” says Mother Doe when she returns briefly. “Stretch your legs, make them strong, but don’t go far. Soon it will be your time to follow me.”

This book is a nice choice because of its beautiful photographs of woodland creatures against the background of a lush green forest, but also for its message that although the mother leaves her fawn for a time, so that it can learn and grow and stand on its own legs, she does return – a sentiment that will be particularly reassuring to children going off to brave their own adventure.

This column was originally published on 3.11.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Kids' cookbooks make for culinary fun

2009-02-25T15:32:00.000-08:00

Until recently, children’s cookbooks represented a very small and specialized part of the marketplace – one that could barely be called a niche. But today, as tiny chefs tote their whisks into the kitchen to whir and stir alongside their parents, the choices are far more varied and a whole lot more fun.

Because I love the idea of cooking with kids, but am by no means an expert on the subject, I consulted my good friend Melina Rosenholm, talented chef, food writer and the mother of three little ones, ages 2 to 5.

Rosenholm makes cooking a big part of her children’s lives, and does so with such success and ease, that I asked her to share some of her secrets, as well as what she looks for in a children’s cookbook.

What recipes are the best for introducing little ones to cooking?

“The best recipes are the ones that the caregiver is most comfortable making. I think ease in the kitchen is the most important element for introducing youngsters to cooking, so whether you’re simply making a box of macaroni and cheese, or creating something more complex like a soufflé, being in the kitchen should be as much fun as coloring a picture or reading a story together.”

What do you look for in a kid’s cookbook? Which are some of your favorites?

“My kids are all under 5, and I have been cooking all kinds of things with them since they could walk, so a cookbook specifically geared to a young child isn't always necessary (since they cannot read yet). However, since I enjoy food and cooking, I tend to buy books with a gastronomy theme. I absolutely love the Amy Wilson Sanger board books ("Yum,Yum Dim Sum," "Mangia, Mangia," "Hola Jalapeno.") They're colorful, linguistically creative and a great way to introduce kids to global cuisines.”

How important are the illustrations in a children’s cookbook?

“Vivid illustrations in a kid's cookbook are very important. They should excite the reader and tempt their taste buds. One should be able to virtually taste – and most importantly, want to bake – that mile high chocolate fudge cake with the bright red maraschino cherry on top.”

What are some tricks for getting young kids interested in cooking?

“Since cooking and eating go hand and hand, let your kids take part in menu planning. Show them cooking magazines and ask them what they'd like to eat. Let them choose some produce with you while shopping, introduce them to different colors and textures, and let them touch the ingredients while you’re putting your groceries away. The most important thing to remember is, while they may enjoy helping you cook (and, of course, making the mess) they may not always like the final product right away. Don't give up, and keep things varied. Try not to make the same type of thing every night of the week. I always keep my kids guessing, so when they ask for pasta, they never know what to expect and are more apt to try the new things that appear on their plate.”

What is a good age to begin cooking with kids? Can very little kids, say, 2 or 2 ½, really help in cooking?

“It's never too late and never too early. Obviously, the younger the child, the lower your expectations (and their attention span) will be, but by all means let them crack an egg or hold the mixer every once in a while; just be prepared to be patient with their budding skill level and clean up some spills and splatters on the way.”

Ms. Rosenholm also recommends the following children’s cookbooks with storybook themes. Each cookbook contains age appropriate recipes, deliciously whimsical illustrations, and entertaining stories to read while you wait for the “ding” of your oven timer.

• “Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers & Eaters,” tales retold by Jane Yolen; recipes by Heidi E.Y. Stemple; illustrations by Philippe Béha. (Crocodile Books)

• “Fanny at Chez Panisse: A Child’s Restaurant Adventures,” by Alice W. Waters; illustrated by Ann Arnold (Harper Collins)

• “The Redwall Cookbook,” by Brian Jacques; illustrated by Christopher Denise (Philomel Books)

Recipe Courtesy of Philomel Books
From “The Redwall Cookbook,” by Brian Jacques

Cheerful Churchmouse Cherry Crisp
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Fruit:
2 cups (12 ounces) fresh or frozen (thawed cherries), stoned
1 ½ tablespoons sugar

Topping:
¾ cup rolled oats
¼ cup Demarra (raw) sugar
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
4 teaspoons honey, warmed until runny

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
2. Place cherries in a pie plate, sprinkle the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water over them, then bake until the cherries begin to soften, about 10 minutes
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together the topping ingredients. Sprinkle this mixture over the cherries and return dish to the oven until the topping is crisp and golden, 10 to 12 minutes.

Melina Rosenholm is a chef and food writer. For more of her cooking tips and recipes, visit her website at www.theinspiredtable.com.

This column was originally published on 2.25.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Some of the best books you're not reading

2009-02-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

Part of the fun of writing about children’s books is introducing readers to titles that are slightly under the radar. And with hundreds of new books flooding the marketplace each season, it’s easy see how a few gems can go overlooked.

The following books do not come with a licensed plush toy, nor have they inspired an animated television series (at least not yet), but they are charming, funny, artfully created, and every bit as worthy of our attention.

“Little Pea,” and the follow up book: “Little Hoot,” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Jen Corace. (Chronicle Books)

Both books turn a familiar family concept on its ear. In the first, Little Pea is a happy pea, rolling down hills and playing with his friends. The only part of his day he dislikes is dinnertime, when he must force down all of his candy piece by piece, before he’s allowed his favorite dessert – spinach.

In the follow up, Little Hoot is by all accounts a contented owl. He spends his day practicing “pondering,” “staring,” and doing all the things little owls do. The only thing Little Hoot would like to do that he cannot, is go to bed to early. “If you want to grow up to be a wise owl, you must stay up late,” his parents tell him.

Rosenthal’s subtle wit and Corace’s hip, hilarious ink and watercolor illustrations – served up with plenty of white space in uncluttered page layouts – make these two titles simply irresistible.

“Miss Twiggley’s Tree,” By Dorothea Warren Fox
(Purple House Press)

Originally published in 1966, this book fell out of print after about a decade. Years later, as childhood fans of the book began wanting to read it to their own kids, it became the subject of many an online search, often fetching hundreds of dollars for a used a copy. This response, and the desire of the author’s four children to pay tribute to their mother, prompted a reprinting of the book in 2002.

In charming verse, Fox tells the story of a sweet but shy old lady, Miss Twiggley, who lives in a willow tree. She prefers the company of her dog and her friends, the bears, to the townsfolk, for the animals never find it odd that she lives in a tree or sleeps in her hat.

“Funny Miss Twiggley/ Lived in a tree/ With a dog named Puss/ And a color TV. / She did what she liked,/ And liked what she did,/ but when company came/ Miss Twiggley hid."

On the day that a hurricane hits and rain floods the entire town, Miss Twiggley overcomes her introverted nature and offers shelter to all the neighbors. In a light-handed lesson of tolerance, Miss Twiggley discovers she rather likes the company, and the townsfolk realize that living in a tree is not as odd as they’d imagined.

“Leonardo the Terrible Monster,” by Mo Willems
(Hyperion)

A Mo Willems book you’re not reading? Impossible! True, Mo Willems is one of the best known children’s book authors on the planet right now, but one of the side effects of having numerous award-winning books published to wild success is: Occasionally, you outshine yourself.

In other words, your children have likely read, “Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus,” and “Knuffle Bunny,” so many times, they may have missed this book. And it’s really too good to miss.

Leonardo is a monster who isn’t very good at scaring anybody. When he decides to find one boy, “and scare the tuna salad out of him,” to no avail, Leonardo decides he’ll just be a good friend instead. It is vintage Mo Willems with hilarious drawings and wacky, witty text.

Note to readers: As this article went to press, I discovered there actually is a plush toy Leonardo, but it has been discontinued. So, I suppose the book still ekes in as an “under the radar” classic. If, after publication, however, I find out Leonardo is leading the lineup on Noggin, then I promise, I will formally retract.

Somehow, I don’t think Mr. Willems will mind.

This column was originally published on 2.11.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books to read with your little Valentine

2009-02-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

“Love” may possibly be the best and broadest children’s book theme of all time. There are perhaps as many books on the timeless topic of “amore,” as there are ways to say, “I love you.” From the love between a parent and child, to the love of a grandparent, sibling, teacher, color, pet, insect… you name it, there is a book about it!

Maybe it’s because the simple act of sitting and reading with a child is, in itself, an act of love. Beyond the benefits of enhancing early literacy and instilling a lifelong love of reading, books are bridges of connection. When you read with your child, you’re saying, “I am making time for you,” and “you matter to me.”

With that in mind, here’s a quick round up of some delightful Valentine’s Day reads. And just remember, any book read together with your child, says, “I love you.”

• “Love, Splat,” by Rob Scotton (Harper Collins)
In a very funny follow up to “Splat the Cat,” Splat has fallen in love with “Kitten.” But Kitten “pulled his ears and poked his belly, tied his tail and called him smelly,” whenever Splat went near her. Splat’s experience is reminiscent of many a grade-school crush, when it turns out, she actually likes him!

• “Never Too Little To Love,” by Jeanne Willis; illustrated by Jan Fearnley (Candlewick Press)
Cuteness and clever book design combine, in this tale of a mouse named “tiny Too-Little,” who finds himself lovesick over someone "way up there." He climbs on a series of objects in order to attract her attention, until at last, his ladylove – a great big tall giraffe – is revealed.

• “My Penguin Osbert In Love,” by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel; illustrated by H.B. Lewis
(Candlewick Press)
Osbert and Joe—from the first “My Penguin Osbert” book—return for a plucky adventure. On their way to the South Pole in Joe’s helicopter, Osbert falls beak-over-feathers for a girl penguin named Aurora.

• “The I Love You Book,” by Todd Parr (Little, Brown)
Young children can’t get enough the pleasing primary colors, simple text and positive messages of Todd Parr’s books. This book is sure to make any a child feel happy and loved.

• “If I Could,” by Susan Milord; illustrated by Christopher Denise (Candlewick Press)
Mama raccoon offers a gentle ode to all the little loving things she’d do for her tiny toddler. Full journalistic disclosure: yes, I am married to the illustrator. Fun fact to make up for nepotism: the illustrations are inspired by scenes of the East Bay, and local beachgoers are sure to see scenes they recognize.

• “The Day It Rained Hearts,” by Felicia Bond (Harper Collins)
A young girl named Cornelia makes Valentines cards for her friends after it begins raining hearts. And since no two hearts are alike, each special friend gets a unique valentine.

• “I Love You Stinky Face,” by Lisa McCourt; illustrated by Cyd Moore (Scholastic)
Providing a refreshing dose of silly to the sometimes-saccharine genre of “how much do you love me?” books, a child asks his parents if they’d still love him if he were, say, a swamp creature, or a smelly skunk. The parents assure him that they will always love him, no matter how swampy or stinky.

• “Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine,” by Barbara Park (Random House)
In the young reader chapter book category, there are few more endearing heroines than Junie B. Jones. In this installment, Junie B. must discover who her secret admirer is, after receiving a mystery card for, as Junie puts it, “Valentime’s Day.”

Kids-Heart-Authors Day in New England

This Valentine’s Day, over 40 independent bookstores and 150-some authors and/or illustrators are teaming up to make V-Day 2009 an unforgettable one for New England families.

Bundle up your brood and head to your community bookstore on Saturday, February 14th, where local authors and illustrators will gather from 10 a.m. to 12noon to sign books for kids and teens.

Bookstores will provide bunches of books, and authors and illustrators will personalize them and answer any and all questions about writing and drawing. To learn more, visit www.kidsheartauthors.com.

This column was originally published on 2.4.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books can teach healthy eating, fitness in a fun way

2009-01-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

I may be dating myself as a child of the 80’s by writing this, but my earliest recollections of health and nutrition lessons are those silly Saturday morning PSA’s. Remember “Timer,” the little yellow guy who “hankered for a hunk o’ cheese?” Or the singing pills that warned: “This is serious, we can make you delirious!”

Although I admit to having felt a ripple of nostalgic joy while re-watching some of those classic spots on YouTube, I’m thankful that today, there is an entire category of children’s books dedicated to teaching kids about making healthy choices.

Here are a few I’d recommend.

“The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food,” by Stan & Jan Berenstain
(Random House)

If you’re going to tackle the subject of healthy eating with your kids, it’s helpful to do it with characters they know and love – such as the perennially popular “Berenstain Bears.” When Mama Bear notices her cubs and their Papa looking a bit chubby from snacking on far too much candy, soda and chips, she announces that they will replace the sweets and goodies in their pantry with wholesome and nourishing food.

“‘What sort of healthy, nourishing food?’ Papa asked Mama as she sewed up his overalls./ ‘Vegetables right out of the garden, of course—and fruit from our orchard…’/ ‘And what are we supposed to drink?’ asked Papa./ ‘Try this,’ she said. ‘It’s called water.’”

Clearly, Mama is not without a sense of humor.

The Berenstain Bears make a trip to the grocery store to buy nutritious items such as whole grain bread, cereal, fresh fruit and milk. After that, it’s off to the doctor’s office where the Bear family is treated to a lesson on “Good Food For Healthy Bodies.” This part of the book illustrates the systems of the body and the importance of healthy food, in a fun, easy way kids will understand. The doctor also mentions the importance of exercise to the Berenstain Bears, and at the end of the story, the family participates in the annual Bear County “Three-Mile-Run.”

The book can be a great help if you too are planning a “health and fitness” intervention with your family. As you haul out the last of your holiday chocolate and stroll on past the Skittles in the candy aisle, you can say, “See? Just like Mama Bear did.” Or, if you simply want a way to brush up on the basics of healthy living with little ones, this book provides a good place to start.

“The Busy Body Book: A Kid's Guide to Fitness,” by Lizzy Rockwell
(Random House)

As Rockwell explains in an afterword to parents and teachers, “It's easy to see that children love to move. How many times have you had to ask a child to sit still—in the car, at school, or at the dining table? Being physically active makes kids feel good.”

Seems like common sense, right? Yet so many kids spend the bulk of their free time inside watching television and playing video games – an average of four hours a day, according to Rockwell.

This book celebrates all the ways kids can get up and get moving, and teaches them in simple, age appropriate ways, how the human body works and why healthy habits are so important. In it, children run, skip, skate, swim, bike, fly kites, play soccer, practice yoga and do many other active, joyous activities.

“Busy bodies bounce up/and down./They stretch from side to side and run all around./They catch and throw. They push and pull./They pedal, they paddle, they roller-skate, too./When you get busy, what do you do?"

The illustrations are cheerful and exuberant, and the diagrams and descriptions of how the bones, muscles, brain, lungs, heart, blood vessels, stomach and intestines all work together give a child context for why they should eat veggies, drink water, get enough sleep and play outside – and not just because their parents nag them about it.

“Peaceful Piggy Meditation,” by Kerry Lee Maclean
(Albert Whitman & Company)

As parents, we frequently walk the line between enriching and over scheduling with varying degrees of success. Books like I mentioned above, tell us it’s healthy for children to play soccer, do ballet, gymnastics, fencing, tennis, Cub Scouts and karate. But add school, homework and play dates to the mix, and the pace can sometimes feel a little frenzied.

This book, written by a meditation therapist, teaches meditation techniques as a means for helping kids feel calm and happy.

"Sometimes the world can be such a busy, noisy place./ Sometimes it feels like you always have to hurry, hurry hurry./” That's why "it's good to meditate,” explains Maclean, alongside sweet illustrations of blissful little piggies.

Maclean keeps it simple with basic information about sitting still and breathing. She also includes tips for parents on encouraging and practicing meditation with children, and shares her experiences teaching meditation to families. It’s an excellent book for parents wishing to begin this healing art with young ones.

This column was originally published on 1.28.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

A chat with children’s author and illustrator Mary Jane Begin

2009-01-22T05:38:00.000-08:00

Mary Jane Begin is the award-winning author-illustrator of the “Willow Buds” series and “R is for Rhode Island Red.” She is also a teacher in Rhode Island School of Design’s prestigious illustration program, as well as a national lecturer on creating books for children. Recently, she sat down with me for a chat about her creative process, what she’s been working on, and how she really feels about all those Dr. Seuss movies.

Writing or illustrating, which comes more naturally?

“That’s an interesting question. Until about a year ago, I would have answered ‘illustrating,’ but have since found that my mind goes as easily to the words as to the pictures. When I’m formulating a story, I see images of the characters, then start constructing the plot in my mind. I’ll bounce the story ideas off the heads of my kids, Gates and Liam, and my husband Mark. The words then tumble out onto the computer, and as I write, the pictures bubble up to the surface. Once a manuscript is complete, and accepted by a publisher, then I get to the juicy part – creating the world visually. It’s very exciting to bring words to life in pictures, especially your own.”

Your artwork is so meticulously detailed. How do you achieve that look?

“On a technical level, the details are achieved by painting layers of color on top of each other, as ‘strings’ of pigment, applied closely together to create an illusion of dimension. I use acrylics mixed with watercolor for some paintings, and pastel and watercolor for other works. The detailed style is a reflection of how I see the observable world, and my attempt to invite others into my imagined world of the story.

“Research, both written and visual, helps to bring the images to life. I find references at the Barrington Library, in bookstores, and I take photos. By gaining understanding about anatomy, light, textures, atmosphere, symbols, costumes, cultural references, etc. I’m able not only to create detailed pictures, but also to lend a deeper context and a sense of conviction to the pictures or books that I’m working on.”

What inspired you to do Willow Buds?

“While illustrating an edition of Kenneth Graham’s classic, ‘The Wind In the Willows,’ printed by Chronicle Books in 2002, a question that would pop up for me periodically was, ‘How did these incredibly diverse characters ever become good friends?’ The answer finally came to me: they must have been childhood pals! ‘Willow Buds’ explores the early friendships of the ‘The Wind in the Willows’ characters.”

As someone who is both an author-illustrator and an educator, what advice do you have for inspiring a love of books in children?

“I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the importance of nurturing a love of books and reading, right from the start. I began reading board books to my daughter Gates when she was 4 months old, and found that the object itself was an endless source of fascination for her. We’d sit all snuggled in a rocking chair together, and the sound of my voice seemed to please her; it was always a favorite activity. My son Liam loved it too, but was a bit more squirmy, so we acted out stories with stuffed animals and puppets – making story telling an active part of reading.”

Who are some of the authors and illustrators you admire?

“I’m a huge fan of illustrators Arthur Rackham, Beatrix Potter and N.C. Wyeth – all members of the Golden Age of Illustration. In the contemporary realm, I think that William Joyce, (‘Rolie Polie Olie’) is both a brilliant storyteller and illustrator, with a distinctive blend of retro sensibility and modern appeal. I also love Nancy Elkholm Burkett, who did the illustrations for Raold Dahl's ‘James and the Giant Peach’, as well as Lisbeth Zwerger, and one of my heroes, Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss).”

What did you think of the animated film version of "Horton Hears A Who?"

“I think that Dr. Seuss is best left in its elegant, original and more lyrical form, rather than the 3-D animation and live-action films which seem ill-fitted for those stories. I love animation, but am not convinced that animation is the best art form for every story.”

What's in store for us next from Mary Jane Begin?

“Ironically, one exciting piece of news I can share is ‘Willow Buds’ is being negotiated for an animated television series! A company approached me after seeing ‘Willow Buds, The Tale of Toad and Badger’ and is interested in having me develop the episodes, create the style guide and oversee production.

“I’m also at work on the third in the ‘Willow Buds’ series, ‘Willow Buds, Lost & Found,’ along with an original fantasy fable, ‘The Dancing Stones,’ and an historical tale, ‘Revolution,’ based on the journey of a young French-Canadian girl who must leave school to work in the textile mills during the Industrial Revolution.”

For more information on Mary Jane Begin and her many beautiful books for children visit www.maryjanebegin.com.

This column was originally published on 1.21.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Try these sensationally silly books for kids

2009-01-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

Is there any better sound in the world than the full-on, unrestrained belly laugh of a little kid? Just try standing in room full of preschoolers giggling their silly little heads off without smiling – it’s next to impossible.

As a children’s author, I can tell you, it’s no easy feat for a book to garner giggle-out-loud responses from the under-7 set. It has to be smart, it has to witty, and above all, it has to be unabashedly, unapologetically SILLY!

Here are a few titles that are sure to tickle a funny bone or two.

“The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales,” by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
(Viking)

Any book with “stinky cheese” in the title is pretty much guaranteed to be silly, and the winning team of Scieszka and Smith do not disappoint! It is a collection of 9 “fairly stupid tales” (stupid in a good way, trust me) that are basically, irreverent retellings of classic fable and fairy tales. They include: ‘Chicken Licken,’ ‘The Princess and The Bowling Ball,’ ‘The Really Ugly Duckling,’ ‘The Other Frog Prince,’ ‘Little Red Running Shorts,’ ‘Jack’s Bean Problem,’ ‘Cinderumplestiltskin,’ ‘The Boy Who Cried Cow Patty,’ and of course, ‘The Stinky Cheese Man.’

“By and by the Stinky Cheese Man came to a river with no bridge./ ‘How will I cross this river? It’s too big to jump, and if I try to swim across, I’ll probably fall apart,’ said You-Know-Who./ Just then the sly fox (who shown up in a lot of stories like these) poked his head out of the bushes./ ‘Why, just hop on my back and I’ll carry you across, Stinky Cheese Man.’/ ‘How do I know you won’t eat me?’/ ‘Trust me,’ said the fox.”

If you’re looking for stories with such pesky elements as “morals,” this is not the book for you. But if you’re in the mood for a delightfully devilish, kookily clever, sensationally silly book to entertain both you and your child, then “The Stinky Cheese Man” tops the list.

“Silly Sally,” by Audrey Wood
(Harcourt, hardcover/ Red Wagon Books, board book edition)

“Silly Sally” is a classic of rhyme and absurdity, always a winning a combination. “Silly Sally went to town/ walking backwards upside down.” Along the way, Sally, a vision of goofiness in a bright purple dress with pantaloons, meets animal friends who join in her unusual parade.

Wood’s wordplay is infectious: “Dance a jig with a silly pig./ Play leapfrog with a silly dog.” Young children will want to hear the story again and again, and will likely memorize its humorous passages.

The author’s brilliance is that within this simple rhyming book for the very young, she manages to weave a fine story arc, complete with conflict (albeit silly conflict) engaging characters, and a sunny, satisfying resolution.

If you like “Silly Sally,” pair it with “The Napping House,” also by Wood, along with “Sheep In A Jeep,” by Nancy Shaw, for a sensationally silly story hour.

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” by Judi Barrett; illustrated by Ron Barrett
(Antheneum, hardcover/ Aladdin, paperback)

I love a good book title. How could you not pick a book called, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” up off the shelf? And this book delivers the goods: an inventive, original story, irresistible illustrations and lots of laughs.

In the town of Chewandswallow, meals - rather than rain or snow - fall from the sky:

“It rained soup and juice. It snowed mashed potatoes and green peas. And sometimes the wind blew in storms of hamburgers.” But when a thick fog of pea soup rolls in, giant pancakes hail down, and the town is plagued by a “tomato tornado,” all bets are off. The residents of Chewandswallow must evacuate to a locale with more typical precipitation.

Rumor has it, Sony Pictures will release an animated film adaptation of Barrett’s deliciously ridiculous tale this year, so if you haven’t already read “Meatballs,” do so right away! I’m a firm believer in reading the book before seeing the movie – but perhaps I’m just being silly.

This column was originally published on 1.14.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Kids’ books that are like ‘peas an’ carrots’

2009-01-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

In the 1994 film Forrest Gump, Forrest (Tom Hanks) describes the childhood bond he had with Jenny, his very best friend.

“Jenny and me, was just like peas an’ carrots,” says Forrest, in his quirky, endearing southern twang. In other words, they were a perfect pair — always together, different, yet in many ways the same.

So, with a nod to Mr. Gump, I’ve named this week’s book selections: the ‘Peas an’ Carrots’ books. They are the best of the buddy books, each with a “perfect pair” to entertain young readers, while teaching them subtle and important lessons about friendship.

“Toot & Puddle,” by Holly Hobbie
(Little Brown)

Meet Toot: adventuresome world traveler. Meet Puddle: happy-go-lucky homebody. Toot takes off to tour the globe for a year, visiting exotic locales such as Antarctica and Nepal, while Puddle is content to enjoy life in his cozy hometown of Woodcock Pocket.

The story unfolds via monthly postcards from Toot, juxtaposed with scenes of Puddle going through the seasons at home. A postcard from Toot reads, “Egypt is awesome. The pyramids are the greatest. Wish you could meet me at the oasis." Meanwhile back home, Puddle wishes "Toot were there to taste the pancakes." Despite their different temperaments, the affection Toot & Puddle have for one another shines through, and ultimately, the friends come back together in companionable co-habitation at year’s end.

Much of Toot & Puddle’s genius lies in Hobbie’s witty watercolor illustrations and simple, humorous text. The other, subtler part of the book’s appeal, is the lovely yin- yang quality of these two porcine pals. The characters are balanced, which in turn, lends itself to a well-balanced book. The fact that they are so different, yet so aptly suited in friendship, is what makes them such endearing, enduring characters, and what makes the Toot & Puddle books so special.

“Frog and Toad,” by Arnold Lobel
(Harper Collins)

I have to imagine that without a Frog and Toad, there might not be the Toot & Puddles of today. Lobel, and his anthropomorphized amphibians, paved the way for all friendship books that came after, and to my mind, he set the gold standard.

As a child, the Frog and Toad books (“Frog and Toad are Friends,” “Frog and Toad Together,” “Frog and Toad All Year,” “Days with Frog and Toad,”) were among my absolute favorites. I can hear echoes of my mother’s voice reading Lobel’s words to me whenever I read Frog and Toad with my daughters. More than 30 years after they were originally published, Frog and Toad continue to captivate children and parents alike.

Perhaps it’s because the author had such a keen understanding of how to write for children, using an economy of language, pattern and repetition, drama, and silly humor to draw the reader in. Each Frog and Toad book contains several short stories written in clear, concise sentences for early readers, and although the stories are simple – they are far from simplistic. Lobel’s tales are funny, quirky and creative, with illustrations that reflect the simple charm and droll humor of the text

So, in short, if “Frog and Toad” aren’t already your friends, they most certainly should be!

“Amos & Boris,” by William Steig
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Amos is a good-hearted mouse with a desire to travel. He builds a boat, names it "Rodent" and sets off on his first voyage. While at sea, Amos accidentally falls off the boat and finds himself fighting for his life in deep water, until he is rescued by a giant whale named Boris. Through this harrowing experience, the two form an unlikely bond and become friends. Eventually, after a long separation, an opportunity arises for Amos to save the life of his massive mammal friend, in return.

It is a simple tale, beautifully written. The story offers insights into the importance of helping others, of tolerance, and the meaning of true and lasting friendship.

What I love most about this book, and Steig on the whole, is his use of sophisticated vocabulary and lyrical prose.

“One night, in a phosphorescent sea, he marveled at the sight of some whales spouting luminous water; and later, lying on the deck of his boat gazing at the immense, starry sky, the tiny mouse Amos, a little speck of a living thing in the vast living universe, felt thoroughly akin to it all. Overwhelmed by the beauty and mystery of everything, he rolled over and over and right off the deck of his boat and into the sea.”

That’s not your average picture book passage! And although I’ve heard some parents worry their kids will not understand the mature language, in my experience reading it to children—through context, pictures and poetry—they not only understand, but very much enjoy Steig’s earnest and profound tale of friendship.

This column was originally published on 1.07.09 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books to cozy up with over winter break

2008-12-26T05:53:00.000-08:00

After a busy pre-holiday season spent shopping, wrapping, addressing, cooking, baking and otherwise running yourself ragged, it’s nice to find a little time to relax and enjoy a quiet moment with family. And, nothing encourages quiet repose quite like a good book. It may not blink or buzz or improve your tennis game, but it will give you a reason to cuddle up under a blanket with little ones and discover the magic of far away places, right from the comfort of your own cozy couch.

Here are some of my favorite books to read, all snuggled up inside on a chilly winter afternoon.

“Owl Moon,” by Jane Yolen; illustrated by John Schoenherr
(Philomel, hardcover/ Scholastic, paperback)

For anyone who has ever had the pleasure of a moonlit walk through peaceful, snow-covered country, "Owl Moon" is certain to stir the soul. And even if you haven’t—after reading Yolen’s beautifully evocative descriptions of a New England winter night—you’ll feel as though you have.

"Owl Moon" is the story of a father and daughter who set out at night in search of the Great Horned Owl. It is one of those rare perfect picture books where all the elements: the language, the deep inky blue watercolor illustrations, the arc of the narrative, and the book’s gentle sentiment come together as one gratifying, harmonious whole.

Then we came to a clearing in the dark woods./ The moon was high above us./ It seemed to fit exactly over the center of the clearing and the snow below it was whiter than milk in a cereal bowl./ I sighed and Pa held up his hand at the sound./ I put my mittens over the scarf over my mouth and listened hard.

Be sure to ask children to find the fox, bird, field mouse, raccoon and deer hidden in the shadows of the nighttime woods.

“Wild Child,” by Lynn Plourde; illustrated by Greg Couch
(Simon & Shuster)

This is the story of Mother Earth putting her wild child Autumn to bed. But Autumn’s not ready. She requests a song, a snack, PJs and a kiss before going to sleep (sound familiar?). Mother Earth finally gets Autumn to bed, only to be awakened by another child, Winter, bouncing on the bed.

Plourde’s text “snaps and crackles like the leaves of fall,” to quote the jacket flap. Her playful, descriptive verse is sure to elicit responses of “read it again” from your own wild child.

And Mother Earth said, NOW are you ready for bed?/ ‘Not for awhile,’ said her wild child./ A bite first, I need a bite,/ A little snack before taking a nap./ So Mother Earth gave her child a snack…/ Crunchy, munchy, chewy chestnuts./ Plumpy, lumpy pulpy pumpkins./ Snapperly, dapperly, cidery apples,/ Puckery, smuckery, crimsony cranberries.

Equally delicious are Greg Couche’s soft, stylized acrylic paintings, which go from warm autumn tones of red and gold, to cooler blues and silvery whites as winter approaches. Kids will enjoy noticing the ways in which the artist blends elements of Mother Earth and her children in with the landscape, as slippers become leaves on trees, and a snow covered pine tree doubles as Mother Earth’s nose.

“From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” by E.L Konigsburg
(Antheneum)

Vacations are great time to begin a chapter book together with your child. I especially recommend books with a little mystery and intrigue like this Newbery award-winner.

The story revolves around Claudia Kincaid, a precocious 12-year old girl who convinces her brother Jamie to run away with her and live clandestinely among the art and artifacts of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One such an artifact – a statue of an angel – presents a mystery that the siblings set about unraveling.

Children will be enchanted by the clever ways in which Claudia and her brother manage to go undetected in the museum and their resourcefulness in uncovering the secret of the statue.

The novel is intended for 9-12-year-olds, but if reading aloud, children as young as 6 or 7 will likely enjoy the story.

For slightly younger audiences, try “Stuart Little,” by E.B White, “The Mouse and the Motorcycle,” by Beverly Cleary or “Mrs. Piggle Winkle,” by Betty MacDonald.

This column was originally published on 12.23.08 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Great books for the little readers on your list

2008-12-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

Dashing through the snow
In a 4-door wagon-gray
O’er the malls we go,
Rushing all the way!

Off to buy a book,
Don’t know what to choose,
With these tips, I promise you,
Dear reader, you can’t lose, OH…
Jingle bells, Jingle bells…

Okay, so, this is why I write newspaper articles – not song lyrics. That said, here are a few gift ideas for the little readers on your list.

“My Penguin Osbert,” by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel; illustrated by H.B. Lewis (Candlewick Press, $16.99)

In this hilarious, be-careful-what-you-wish-for tale, a little boy named Joe asks Santa for a real penguin from Antartica – and Santa delivers! Osbert, the penguin, arrives on Christmas morning, just as Joe requests. But the realities of penguin ownership soon become clear, and Joe finds himself eating cold creamed herring for breakfast (instead of his favorite chocolate chip waffles) and enduring ice cold baths.

Kimmel’s story is filled with fabulous tongue-in-cheek humor and H.B. Lewis’s soft watercolor and pastel illustrations are pure magic. Children will love reading this book around the holidays, and all year long.

Pair it with: an Osbert the penguin plush toy.

“Peter Pan: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up,” illustrated by Robert Sabuda
(Little Simon, $29.99)

Master paper engineer Robert Sabuda turns his exceptional talents to Neverland, in a retelling of the classic story, “Peter Pan.” As fans of Sabuda have come to expect, his latest book reaches new heights of innovation and imagination in the pop-up category, with intricate three-dimensional London nightscapes, a flying Tinkerbell, and an astonishing pop-up pirate ship – complete with swaying masts and plummeting pirates.

Though very young ones may be too rough on the delicate pages, anyone from 4 to 44 on up will marvel and delight in Sabuda’s latest pop-up masterpiece.

Pair it with: “Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter's Companion,” by William Lubber

“The Snow Globe Family,” by Jane O’Connor; illustrated by S.D. Schindler (Penguin Group, $16.99)

All kids love snow globes. It’s true. There’s just something about shaking up little figures submerged in water and seeing flakes of fake snow swirl about that charms them silly! So, when I came across this book from Jane O’Connor (author of the popular Fancy Nancy series) about a little family living inside a snow globe, I was instantly intrigued.

On the mantle of a Victorian family home, sits a snow globe. Within the snow globe, lives a little family. The family inside longs for the family outside to shake the globe and make it snow, so that they may, at last, go sledding. But the snow globe sits untouched. Eventually, Baby discovers the globe and finally, inadvertently, grants their wishes, just as snow begins to fall outside the big family’s window as well.

Children will enjoy Schindler’s vibrant, whimsical illustrations, as well as comparing the action in the big family’s world, to that of the tiny universe contained within the snow globe.

Pair it with: a snow globe, of course!

Here are some more book suggestions, grouped by age:

2-5 years
• “A Good Day,” by Kevin Henkes ($16.99)
• “If I Could,” by Susan Milord ($15.99)
• “Merry Un-Christmas,” by Mike Reiss ($15.99)
• “Mother Goose's Little Treasures,” illustrated by Rosemary Wells ($17.99)
• “The Wishing Star,” by Jill Lamere ($16.95)

4-8 years
• “Great Joy,” by Kate DiCamillo ($16.35)
• “Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Hanukkah,” by Deborah Heiligman ($15.95)
• “Mercy Watson,” by Kate DiCamillo (3-Book Gift Set, $27.99)
• “The Way We Work,” by David Macaulay ($35.00)
• “The Wind in The Willows,” by Kenneth Graham; illustrated by Mary Jane Begin ($19.95)

9-12 years
• “Highway Cats,” by Janet Taylor Lisle ($14.99)
• “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” by Brian Selsnick ($22.99)
• “Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem,” by Jack Prelutsky ($16.99)
• “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” by Kate DiCamillo ($18.99)
• “The Arrival,” illustrated by Shaun Tan. ($19.99)

This column was originally published on 12.10.08 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.

Books for children that say, 'thank you'

2008-11-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

For my children, as far as holidays go, Thanksgiving rates somewhere just above Flag Day in its excitement-generating potential. At 6 and 4, they pretty much see it as day in which the grownups are preoccupied in the kitchen, and the kids are forced to sit still for a very long meal consisting of food they don’t particularly like. Thanksgiving lacks the “bling” of other holidays. There are no costumes, presents, treasure hunts, or sugary sweets.

I, on the other hand, love Thanksgiving. Not just for the excuse to feast on cornbread-sausage stuffing or homemade pumpkin pie, but for the camaraderie that comes with preparing a delicious meal all together, for the renewed connection with friends and family, and for the ritual of recognizing the things for which I am truly grateful.

So, if you, like me, are looking for ways to inspire this spirit in your little ones, here are a few books that will help them to embrace the “attitude of gratitude” this Thanksgiving, and well into the holiday season.

"And Here’s To You!" – David Elliot, illustrated by Randy Cecil
(Candlewick Press)

"And Here’s to You!" is a fun, read aloud romp of a book in which Elliot celebrates different creatures in nature. In playful rhyme, the author offers an ode to various living beings including leggy bugs and feathered birds “Here's to the birds! / The Feather People! / Birds! / Here's to the who-o-o ones, / The cock-a-doodle-doo ones, / Their breasts as red as fire ones, / The sitting on a wire ones. / Oh, I love the birds!

He brings it home, by bringing it back to the reader. "And here's to you!/ The You Person!/ You! / Here's to the sweet you,/ The messy and the neat you, /The funny-way-you-eat you-./ The total and complete you.”

Both the text and the bright oil paintings that accompany it can be summed up in one word: joyous! It’s the perfect book to inspire affirmation and appreciation of the uniqueness of all living things.

"I’m Thankful Each Day" –PK Hallinan
(Candy Cane Press)

Recently, my daughter and I plucked this unassuming little board book from our bookshelf and re-discovered its simple, sweet phrasing and positive message. The book has definite religious undertones, but is written in a way that seems applicable to a variety of faiths and beliefs. Its theme, of a little boy’s delight in all the simple wonders of his world, give it universal appeal.

“I’m thankful each day for the blessings I see,/ And for all of the gifts God’s given to me/ And counting the stars at the edge of the sea/ I can’t help but feel they were put there for me.”

Likewise, the illustrations, in cheerful autumn hues of orange and yellow, seem just right for this time of year.

"I’m Thankful: A Collection of Thoughts for Bedtime, for a Lifetime" - Sue Lundquist (Halo Publishing International)

Though I’m Thankful is more journal than picture book, it’s an enchanting concept and the book’s beautiful black and white photographs add to its charm. The journal is designed for parents and children to fill out together each night. It asks, “What was your favorite part of the day?” and “What are you most thankful for?” Lundquist also includes inspirational sayings at the bottom of the journal entry pages along with some of her own children’s responses to the questions.

Gratitude journals are nothing new, but this one, which encourages families to share their thoughts about love and gratitude daily, provides a unique twist. For that reason, this book would be a lovely addition to any child’s bookshelf.

This column was originally published on 11.25.08 in East Bay Life - East Bay Newspapers. For story reprints, contact aadenise@verizon.net.