Hot Off the Press is fairly regular feature focusing on picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore or Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne. The following titles can be found at either bookstore (variability of titles may vary from week to week).
Here are some of the recent picture book releases out in the wild....
Insomniacs by Karina Wolf; Illustrated by Brothers Hilts - I definitely love the illustrations in this book. They remind me of a Tim Burton movie. The transition the family makes to being nocturnal is fun.
Here is the official book trailer for Insomniacs:
Oh No, Little Dragon by Jim Averbeck - Little Dragon's spark was snuffed out by some water play in the bathtub. So what is a young dragon to do? After Little Dragon thinks of things he could possibly do, he seeks out his mother and learns that a mother's kiss just might fix everything.
Mr. Zinger's Hat by Cary Fagan; Illustrated by Dusan Petricic - I love books that can be used on multiple levels. This one works well both as a read aloud for younger children but as a way of discussing storytelling and learning about telling a story with older students. The illustrations work well with the text. Overall, I really liked this one and it would be a great addition to a classroom library.
Hot Off the Press is fairly regular feature focusing on picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore or Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne. The following titles can be found at either bookstore.
Here are some of the recent picture book releases out in the wild....
Pat the Zoo (Pat the Bunny) by Golden Books, LV Studio - Fans of the original Pat the Bunny book can have a new adventure - this time a trip to the zoo. Though larger in format than the original book, there is still a lot of fun with this interactive touching book.
Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham - This book is actually quite funny despite hitting every vampire cliche. I even
enjoyed it more than some other ballet/ballerina picture books
that have come out this year.
Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis, Jane Yolen; Illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins - This dark and somewhat macabre picture book pairs the death of various animals with some great poetry. I can see this one being a hit with upper elementary age kids.
Hot Off the Press is fairly regular feature focusing on picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore or Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne. The following titles can be found at either bookstore.
Here are some of the new picture book releases out in the wild....
I try to do a Hot Off the Press! post on Sundays featuring newly released picture books. Unfortunately, the last couple of weeks, I haven't found that many that I wanted to feature in this space. However, I did just go through a stack of F & G's (folded & gathered - think Advanced Reader Copy but for picture books) and thought I would highlight an upcoming August release. Creepy Carrots was so much fun to read and I hope that you consider pre-ordering it.
Author: Aaron Reynolds | blog Illustrator: Peter Brown | website Publisher: Simon & Schuster Release Date: August 21, 2012
The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch in this clever picture book parable about a rabbit who fears his favorite treats are out to get him.
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially Crackenhopper Field carrots.
He eats them on the way to school.
He eats them going to Little League.
He eats them walking home.
Until the day the carrots start following him...or are they?
Celebrated artist Peter Brown’s stylish illustrations pair perfectly
with Aaron Reynold’s text in this hilarious picture book that shows it’s
all fun and games…until you get too greedy.
Check out this great video of Peter Brown talking about his inspiration for the illustrations of Creepy Carrots:
Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore but this week's visit features books from Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne.
Happy Like Soccer Author: Maribeth Boelts Illustrator: Lauren Castillo Publisher: Candlewick (May 8, 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Often times, we forget that Saturday soccer games may be difficult for some parents or guardians to attend given work schedules. In this book, Sierra loves soccer, but she would love for someone to be there to shout out her name. However, Sierra's aunt works in a restaurant and isn't able to get away on a busy Saturday. When the one game that Sierra's aunt is able to attend is rained out, Sierra comes up with a possible solution. I
really liked the message in this story. It presents the challenges that a
working single guardian faces in order to attend the Saturday soccer
games of her niece. Not preachy and not negative...loved the final
resolution.
Squid and Octopus join the ranks of Mouse & Mole, Frog & Toad, Elephant &
Piggie as friends that children will want to read about. Part picture book and part early reader, Tao Nyeu infuses the story with fabulous illustrations and just the right amount of humor I love the hat, and scarves, mittens and socks worn by our two friends. The story is fun but the little side notes are almost
funnier. For example, on the side, two little fish are watching an underwater sea cruiser. Fish One: X-ray vision! Now wouldn't that be grand? Fish Two: Grand Indeed. And yes, Squid and Octopus are "grand indeed".
Our protagonist from Oh No! is back. This time in an effort to improve her History grade she creates a time machine to go back into history to change the facts so that her answers will be correct. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. As with the first book, Santat's illustrations take Barnett's illustrations to a new level.
Check out the official book trailer here:
I Have the Right to be a Child Author: Alain Serres Translator: Helen Mixter Illustrator: Aurelia Fronty Publisher: Groundwood Books (June 12, 2012) Audience: Ages 4 to 7
In 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of a Child. Ratified by 193 countries, the United States and Somolia have still not adopted it. This is the second book that I have seen which seeks to share what the rights are in a child friendly format. The text is simple and clear and the illustrations are bright, and fun.
