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.
Today I hopped in my car and drove all the way out to Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in order to see author/illustrator, Ethan Long. It was definitely worth the drive.
You may recall that I have mentioned several of his books on my blog:
Chamelia - This is a fun story that not only celebrates your individuality but also knowing when it might be good to "fit in".
Up! Tall! And High! - This is one of those simple stories that is seriously funny and makes for a great read aloud.
Here is Ethan reading Up! Tall! And High! to a group of children as part of story time at Mrs. Nelson's.
Ethan also read Soup for One, and here he is reading The Book That Zack Wrote.
After tracing the hand of a child, Ethan created it into a illustration that he autographed for the child. Everyone there loved this part of the morning.
Though Ethan didn't read Scribbles and Ink, I want to share a few pictures from the book. For as much as I love so many of his books, this is still my favorite.
What a great odd couple - Ink (the mouse) and Scribbles (the cat). They definitely have unique personalities.
And definite opinions about each others artwork.
What I truly loved about the book was the interactive quality of the story - even if it was Scribbles & Ink doing all of the work.
And it begins....
....and it ends!
I don't want to spoil this book, but there is a great spread that opens up and also connections to modern art. I have been thinking for months about how I want to use this one with students in some kind of creative process but also to introduce some classic art pieces.
Check out a video of Ethan drawing Scribbles & Ink:
Hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse at Scribbles and Ink. Look for this one or any of Ethan's books at your local library or pick one up at an independent Bookstore.
For more information about Ethan Long: blog | facebook
If you are interested in seeing my top 10 picture books of 2012 at the half-way mark, click here.
Don't forget to check out the hashtag #pb10for10 to catch the tweets about other bloggers who are joining in on this event. Also follow @cathymere and @mandyrobek to also track down tweets about all these great books.
And stop by and leave a comment with some of your favorite titles.
The Nonfiction Detectives and I are hosting a Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge.
My goal has been to kick off the month with the new nonfiction picture
book release titles. Here are the August titles that I have found so far, but I know there are more. Please share with me titles that you have found.
The links for the above books will take you directly to the
IndieBound.org book page for purchasing information, unless otherwise
noted. Please note, I do not make anything off these links or profit in
anyway from posting the links. I know that I am still searching for August releases and will likely do an update in September. If you know of a
book that should be
included in this list, please include the title and author in the
comments section and I will update the list.
Feel free to link your nonfiction picture book reviews to the Mr. Linky below.
If you are like me, you have been eagerly anticipating the release of the latest Tom Angleberger book - The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee. This is the third book in the Origami Yoda series.
Here is a video of Tom Angleberger teaching readers how to fold their own Fortune Wookiee.
The other much anticipated book that is finally arriving in stores is Newbery Winner, Rebecca Stead's Liar & Spy.
I had a chance to read an early copy of this book and loved it. I am excited to share this with children at school this year.
Here is a video of Rebecca Stead talking about her book When You Reach Me.
Look for both of these books at your local school or public library or independent bookstore. Happy Reading!!!
