Book Review - Doctor Who: Where's the Doctor

Illustrator/Creator: Jamie Smart
Publisher: Penguin Group (UK) (Release date: July 31, 2012)
Audience:  Ages 4 and up
Source: Personal Copy

Description from GoodReads:
Where is the Doctor? The time travelling Time Lord could be anywhere in time and space in these incredibly detailed intergalactic images. Search through the Cybermen, dig through the Daleks and ogle the Ood to find the Doctor and his friends!

My thoughts on the book:
During my first visit to Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in Redondo Beach, I discovered that there is a play on Where's Waldo? featuring Doctor Who.  I first discovered Doctor Who years ago when my mother started watching the original series.  I always found it interesting that my non-geek, non-Science Fiction loving mother watched Doctor Who.  The few episodes I watched with her were interesting albeit very campy but I could see the reason for a cult following.  In more recent years, Doctor Who has been revamped to be a bit more appealing to a whole new audience.  I will admit that though I have watched a number of episodes and do have some favorites I am no where near an expert as some of my friends.  The reason I share this information is that I want readers to know why this will be a more picture oriented review than lots of text. I would hate to offend a true fan of Doctor Who.  


So here goes...


Do you think this Doctor Who caricature is David Tennet or Matt Smith or some combination? My vote is Matt Smith. 




Seriously, a table of contents?! This is for those of us who cannot accurately identify all of the aliens and creatures.  It is like our own personal cheat sheet.




Not only are you searching for The Doctor, but you have to find The Tardis, Amy and Rory, plus a few others items.  I personally love that Amy and Rory are included in this.




The Daleks!!!! In my opinion, there is no way that you can have a Doctor Who book and not include The Daleks. 
  


Don't you just love Jamie Smart's illustrations?  I wonder if he can do a Doctor Who graphic novel for young children? I'd buy it.




In case there isn't enough of a challenge looking for The Doctor, The Tardis, Amy and Rory, there is a checklist at the end for each two page spread.




The final page has one of those "Spot the Difference" comparison pictures.  I bet you can spot one of the differences even from the small picture above.


Thank you Penguin UK for publishing Where's The Doctor? I already have friends wanting to pick up copies of this book.  When looking to purchase a copy of the book, don't forget to support your local Indie Bookstores when possible.   

 


Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - July 18, 2012


As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year.  Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews.

Here is a review of an upcoming release:


The Boston Tea Party
Author: Russell Freedman
Illustrator: Peter Malone
Publisher: Holiday House (August 1, 2012)
Audience: Grades 2nd to 5th
Source: Personal Copy
NonFiction * American History * Picture Book


Description from Publisher's Page:
More than any other event the Boston Tea Party of 1773 has come to stand for the determination of American colonists to control their own destinies. From the arrival of the ships full of controversial taxed tea in Boston Harbor through the explosive protest meetings at the Old South Church to the defiant act of dumping 226 chests of fine tea into the harbor on December 16, Freedman captures this exciting story in vivid prose. In lush, intricately detailed watercolor paintings, Peter Malone artfully depicts the colonial era and the charged atmosphere of Boston during these pivotal developments that ushered in the Revolutionary War. Source notes, a bibliography, a time line, an afterward, a note about tea, a historical map, and an index are included in this opulently designed volume.

My thoughts on the book:
Most of us that live in the United States, and especially those growing up in New England, grow up with some knowledge of the Boston Tea Party.   However, I realized just how little I recalled about this event in history as I read through Freedman's picture book The Boston Tea Party

Freedman begins with a two page introduction that provides the reader with the basic information needed to understand what will unfold on the following pages.


Freedman's text is straight-forward.  Though you know you are reading a picture book and a story, there is still a strong sense that you are reading history.  As I read through the book, I never felt that Freedman had moved into a fictionalized account of this important event.  Instead, I sensed he was working to provide young readers with the same quality of historical information, as an author might for an adult audience.

Peter Malone's paintings provide a visual story for readers and allows them a sense of what Boston would have looked like during that period of history. 


At the end, Freedman includes some author's notes, a bibliography, and a timeline which are helpful resources for students looking for additional information or for a teacher interested in sharing more facts with his or his students. 

Freedman's The Boston Tea Party would be a solid resource in a classroom or school library.  Look for this book at your local indie bookstore or school and/or public library.  Though the book is slated to be released on August 1, 2012, it is available through some booksellers at this point. 
 

I encourage those of you who have been participating in the NonFiction Picture Book Challenge to add a link to your recent reviews. Thanks for participating.

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (31)

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

This week was a much stronger reading week. I went through a stack of 34 picture books.  Many have yet to be released and since there were so many good ones in there, I want to make sure I feature them as they get closer to their release dates.  Instead, I have listed below some of the other books I read this past week.   

Here are my favorites from my the past week's reading adventures:


Carmine: A Little More Red by Melissa Sweet - I really like Sweet's illustrations.  I enjoyed this twist on Little Red Riding Hood and the typical ABC book. 


Melvin Beederman Superhero: The Fake Cape Caper by Greg Trine; Illustrated by Rhode Montijo - This early chapter book is a fun spoof on super heroes.  I actually want to read the first one in the series to see how they all compare but 2nd and 3rd graders will find it this an enjoyable series.


Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest; Illustrated by Heather Malone - A tender, touching story about a young girl and her father as they adjust to life without their mother/wife. 


Babymouse for President by Jennifer L. Holm and Matt Holm- The newest Babymouse is out and is simply fabulous.  Babymouse promises "a cupcake in every locker".  I'd vote for her.


Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead - There are many engaging books out there but some leave an emotion imprint on your life in a way that others never will.  Stead's latest book (release date 8/12) touched me and I would highly recommend it to others.


Obsidian by J.L. Armentrout - The new vampire are aliens.  Obsidian will appeal to fans of YA Paranormal Romance.   

So, what are you reading this week?
Here is what I am currently working on....


Letters to Leo by Amy Hest; Illustrated by Julia Denos - The follow up to Remembering Mrs. Rossi.


Small Medium At Large by Joanne Levy - I have heard such good things about this book and I simply love the title. 


Remarkable by Lizzie K. Foley - And another one that I have been meaning to read and excited to finally get to.

Love to hear what you are reading? 





Hot Off the Press- Well Almost!

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

Description from IndieBound.org:
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:

The Creepy Carrots Zone from Peter Brown on Vimeo.

Book Review: Squid and Octopus Friends for Always

Author/Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Publisher: Penguin (June 28, 2012)
Audience: Preschool to Age 7
Source: Personal Copy
Friendship * Early Reader * Humor * Picture Book

Description from GoodReads:
A friend for always is someone who... knows how to cheer you up when you're feeling droopy, usually sees things your way, and never lets a quarrel get out of hand. As you'll see in these endearing, silly stories, a friend for always is the very best thing in the deep blue sea.

My thoughts on the book:
LOVE.  I am in love with this book.  When I first read this as a F & G back in February, I knew I had to have it.  Imagine your favorite early reader friendship pairs - Mouse & Mole, Frog & Toad, Elephant & Piggie - now add in Squid and Octopus. This not exactly a regular picture book and not truly an early reader will appeal to the audience who loves all those other great friendships. I love this quirky, hilarious pair and I already want more.


As with any early reader, the story of Squid & Octopus is told in four shorter stories.  And they are all great.


I am a little partial to The Quarrel where Squid and Octopus argue over socks and mittens.  



I loved the simplicity of the color theme that flows throughout the book but there is incredible detail in Nyeu's artwork.  I also really enjoyed all of the little side comments sprinkled throughout the book. From above: Fish 1 - Do you think that is carrot cake? I love carrot cake. Fish 2 - I prefer pumpkin pie.



In The Dream, guess who is lurking behind the flip page - Bear and the bunnies from Bunny Days



The Hat was another one of my favorite short stories in the book.  The conversations among the diners at Yum Yum's is hilarious.  



And here are my little fish friends again as they try to figure out what is on the heads of Squid and Octopus.   

I am hoping that you can see from both the text and illustrations why Squid and Octopus Friends for Always is one of my top picks for this year.  I want more Squid and Octopus and hope that Nyeu isn't finished writing about these two friends. 

If you haven't seen Squid and Octopus, you need to head over to your favorite Indie Bookstore to pick up a copy or local library, or order it from IndieBound.org

For more information about Tao Nyeu: websitepublisher's page


Check out the book trailer for Bunny Days: