Il Sung Na’s Welcome Home, Bear and Betsy Snyder’s I Can Dance make Amazon’s Best Books of 2015

November 16, 2015

Il Sung Na’s Welcome Home, Bear and Betsy Snyder’s I Can Dance made it to Amazon’s list of Best Books of 2015! Welcome Home, Bear and I Can Dance were both included as one of the best books of the year for the baby to age 2 category. Congratulations to Il Sung Na and Betsy Snyder! You can buy Welcome Home, Bear here and I Can Dance here.

Great Review from Kirkus for Betsy Snyder’s I Can Dance and I Can Play

October 12, 2015

Kirkus gave a wonderful review to I Can Dance and I Can Play, toddler board books written and illustrated by Betsy Snyder. Both books feature cut-outs where children can subsitute their own fingers for dancers’ legs and arms. Kirkus writes, “This is an appropriately brief, appealing title with a simple bit of interactivity that toddlers will appreciate.” The books are described as, “Encouraging activity on multiple levels, a good choice for toddler board-book collections.”

Check out the full review for yourself here!

You can order your own copy of I Can Dance here and I Can Play here.

I Can Dance Selected for Amazon’s Best Books of the Month: Baby-Age 2

September 1, 2015

Betsy Snyder’s inventive new board book, I Can Dance, has been picked by Amazon as a Best Book of the Month for Baby-Age 2.  This adorable novelty book includes two die-cuts for little fingers to dance along with the book’s characters.

Order a copy for your favorite budding reader here.

Watch the video tutorial here.

Watch the Demo Video for Betsy Snyder’s I Can Dance and I Can Play

August 24, 2015

Race Car Count, illus. by Michael Slack, Chosen for the 2016 Texas 2×2 Reading List

February 5, 2016

Every year, the Texas Library Association chooses a list of 20 books to recommend for children age 2 to grade 2 in order to encourage reading. This year, Race Car Count, written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Michael Slack, was chosen as one of the twenty books. Race Car Count is a counting book for children age 3-6 featuring Michael Slack’s brightly colored, expressive race cars. Congratulations, Rebecca and Michael!

The 2016 Texas 2×2 Reading List can be found here, and you can order Race Car Count here.

Booklist Praises Race Car Count, illus. by Michael Slack

November 20, 2015

Race Car Count, written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Michael Slack, received praise in a Booklist review! Race Car Count shows the story of a high speed car race to help teach children to count. Booklist writes of Michael Slack’s race car illustrations, “Full of power and personality, each car has its own color, look, and attitude, created with its eyes (in the windshield area) and mouth (the grill).” In all, they call the book, “A fast-paced, fun counting book.”

You can read the full review in Booklist’s November 12^th issue, and you can check out Race Car Counts here!

Race Car Count, illus. by Michael Slack, made Amazon’s Best Books of the Month for November

November 6, 2015

Race Car Count, written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Michael Slack, made Amazon’s November Best Books of the Month for ages 3 to 5. Race Car Count is available online here!

Race Car Count Makes Amazon’s Top Picks for Fall Reading

August 26, 2015

Race Car Count, written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Michael Slack, was included on Amazon’s Fall Reading Preview for Baby-Age 2. The book will be released on October 27, and can be pre-ordered now.

See the full list of Amazon’s Fall Books Preview for Children.

Race Car Count Receives Glowing Review from Publishers Weekly

September 8, 2015

Race Car Count, illustrated by Michael Slack and written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, received a great review in Publishers Weekly. They write, “The book’s bouncy rhymes and Matchbox-worthy vehicles (spoilers and bulging hot-red engines abound) combine to create a lively race with some tense back-and-forth moments.” You can pre-order a copy of the book here.

More praise for Race Car Count: 

“The flash and thrill of the race car track-it’s all here in a zippy counting book just right for the toddler set. . . .When the cars line up for another race, children will cheer.” – Kirkus Reviews

 

Kirkus Praises the Latest Frog and Friends Book, illus. by Josee Masse

August 13, 2015

Frog and Friends Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, the eighth book in the reader series from Sleeping Bear Press, comes out September 1st. Josee Masse’s illustrations will delight fans as usual, in this latest foray into Frog’s world. Kirkus Reviews writes, “The stories are quietly entertaining and cleverly humorous with solid plots, subtle lessons, and a cozy sense of community among the group of friends…Charming illustrations are thoughtfully integrated with the text.” Pre-order a copy for your budding reader’s collection here.

London Ladd Interviewed About Frederick’s Journey on James Preller’s Blog

January 19, 2017

London Ladd recently participated in blogger James Preller’s “5 Questions” interview series, in which he interviews authors and illustrators on one of their recent books. In this case, Preller interviewed London Ladd on Frederick’s Journey, the biographical picture book written by Doreen Rappaport that London illustrated, which tells the life story of the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. James and London discussed London’s artistic process, diversity in children’s books, and London’s upcoming projects. London reveals details about his careful sketching process,d detailed research, and even the way that he works to understand a character by growing out his hair! Anyone who enjoys London’s work and wants to learn more about how he creates his beautiful paintings should make sure to check this detailed interview out.

The full interview can be found on Preller’s blog here. Frederick’s Journey can be ordered online here.

Frederick’s Journey, Illus. by London Ladd, Included on the Horn Book’s List of Recommended Picture Book Biographies

December 12, 2016

The Horn Book, a site that publishes information and recommendations about books for children and young adults, included Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, on a list of recommended picture book biographies. Frederick’s Journey, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, is a biography of the life of famous American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The Horn Book praises the book’s ability to synthesize Douglass’s complex life into the short form of a picture book, and writes that London’s illusrations, “alternate between moments of violence and times of reflection — all resulting in a portrait that is fiery yet dignified.”

To see the full review and the Horn Book’s other recommended biographies, check out their site here. You can order Frederick’s Journey online here.

London Ladd, illustrator of Frederick’s Journey, Interviewed by Good Reads With Ronna

February 25, 2016

Good Reads With Ronna, a blog dedicated to reviewing children’s books, interviewed illustrator London Ladd on his recent book, Frederick’s Journey, written by Doreen Rappaport. Good Reads described Frederick’s Journey as an “expertly crafted crafted picture book,” and asked London questions ranging from what medium he likes to work in to his research for this book to the importance of art in general. To read the interesting interview, check out Good Reads’s post about it here. You can order Frederick’s Journey online here.

Frederick’s Journey Named an ALA Notable Children’s Book of 2016!

January 13, 2016

Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, has been named a 2016 Notable Children’s Book: Middle Reader by the American Library Association. The full list can be viewed here.

Congrats London on this terrific honor!

New York Public Library includes Frederick’s Journey and One Plastic Bag on List of 2015 Recommendations

December 17, 2015

Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by London Ladd, and One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia, written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, both made the New York Public Library’s list of recommendations for 2015! The NYPL recommended one hundred children’s books from 2015, and Frederick’s Journey and One Plastic Bag both made the list for non-fiction children’s books. Congratulations!

Frederick’s Journey can be purchased here and One Plastic Bag can be purchased here. Check out all of the NYPL’s recommended books for the year here!

Frederick’s Journey, illus. by London Ladd, makes the Kids’ Indie Next List

November 5, 2015

Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, illustrated by London Ladd, made the Winter 2015-2016 Kids’ Indie Next List – “Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers.” Congratulations! Frederick’s Journey can be bought online here!

Starred Review from Kirkus for Frederick’s Journey

August 12, 2015

The latest installment in Disney-Hyperion’s critically-acclaimed Big Words series, Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, is already garnering attention for its spotlight on the historical figure, and London Ladd’s stunning illustrations. The book received advanced praise in a Kirkus starred review: “Ladd’s powerful and dramatic full-bleed art is richly textured and detailed…A fittingly inspirational tribute to a most praiseworthy man. ” The book comes out from Disney-Jump At the Sun on November 3rd, and is available for pre-order now.

Charlie Piechart Makes Amazon’s List of Best Books of the Month for Ages 6-8

September 3, 2015

Amazon named Marilyn Sadler’s and Eric Comstock’s Charlie Piechart a Best Book of the Month for Ages 6-8. The book is available now online and in bookstores near you!

Charlie Piechart Book Trailer Now Online!

August 24, 2015

Get ready for Pizza Night at Charlie Piechart’s house. Can you help Charlie and friends solve the case of the missing pizza slice?

Watch the trailer here, and start sniffing for clues!

Charlie Piechart, by Marilyn Sadler and Eric Comstock, Featured in the NY Times!

August 24, 2015

Eric Comstock’s and Marilyn Sadler’s Charlie Piechart was featured in the New York Times !  Check out their nice write-up below and pre-order your copy here!

Advanced Praise for Charlie Piechart, by Eric Comstock and Marilyn Sadler

July 9, 2015

Charlie Piechart and the Case of the Missing Pizza Slice won’t be released until September 1st, but it received its first review this month from Kirkus. Kirkus only had praise for Comstock’s and Sadler’s ingenious math detective tale: “The authors find sneaky ways to seamlessly add more and more fractions to the tale while at the same time upping the humor…Kids will have fun following Charlie as he solves the mystery and reinforce their fraction skills along the way.” Read the full review here.

Can’t wait to get your hands on a copy? Pre-order here and ensure you receive Charlie PieChart the day it comes out.

BCCB Reviews Constance Lombardo’s Mr. Puffball

December 3, 2015

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (BCCB) wrote a great review of Constance Lombardo‘s middle school illustrated novel, Mr. Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars, which tells the tale of a young cat’s journey to become a famous actor. The BCCB praised the story’s humor, writing, “Lombardo positively revels in loading on the cinematic clichés and topping them with a generous sprinkle of cat-themed wordplay…and Mr. Puffball’s breathless, straightfaced delivery of one droll line after another adds to the fun.” Lombardo both wrote and illustrated the book, and the illustrations are praised too: “The numerous comical black and white line drawings continue the jokes, with plenty of speech bubbles…and amusing visual details adding another layer of fun.”

Mr. Puffball can be ordered here!

Watch the Mr. Puffball Book Trailer!

August 24, 2015

Watch El Gato, legendary actor, sit down with James Catnip of “Inside the Actor’s Cat Box” here.

Publishers Weekly Praises Constance Lombardo’s Mr. Puffball

July 6, 2015

The verdict is in: Mr. Puffball is a star! A Publishers Weekly review called  Mr. Puffball a “quirky, humorous debut.” Featuring Constance’s hilarious black-and-white illustrations, the book chronicles one ambitious cat’s journey from New Jersey to Hollywood and his humorous attempts to break into showbiz. Publishers Weekly wrote, “Emotions run high and dramatic moments are many, but Mr. Puffball’s positive attitude and growing understanding that good friends are what matter most light up the pages.”

The book doesn’t release until September, but you can pre-order a copy now!

Barroux’s Where’s the Elephant Out Now

April 20, 2015

Barroux’s Where’s the Elephant was released by Egmont UK last week, just in time for Earth Day.  The Guardian featured the near-wordless picture book in an article titled, “Which books deal with climate change for younger children?” The article’s writer says that the book “powerfully demonstrates the devastating effects of deforestation as Elephant, Parrot and Snake find their simple game of hide and seek is no longer possible as the trees of the forest have been cut down to make way for houses, road and cars.”  Barroux’s beautiful illustrations paint an important message about climate change for young readers. Where’s the Elephant isn’t to be missed.

Il Sung Na’s Welcome Home, Bear and Betsy Snyder’s I Can Dance make Amazon’s Best Books of 2015

November 16, 2015

Il Sung Na’s Welcome Home, Bear and Betsy Snyder’s I Can Dance made it to Amazon’s list of Best Books of 2015! Welcome Home, Bear and I Can Dance were both included as one of the best books of the year for the baby to age 2 category. Congratulations to Il Sung Na and Betsy Snyder! You can buy Welcome Home, Bear here and I Can Dance here.

A Starred Review for Il Sung Na’s Welcome Home, Bear

April 16, 2015

Welcome Home, Bear by Il Sung Na won’t be available for purchase until July, but Kirkus is already singing its praises in a Starred Review.  They write, “The text is spare, usually only a sentence on each spread, but carefully and engagingly written. Listeners can’t help but sympathize with Bear in his frustration and rejoice when he finds the place that’s ‘just where he wanted to be.'” Look out for this sweet new story from the inimitable Na, in stores this summer.

Origami Playhouse Now Available from Chronicle Books!

April 16, 2015

Huy Voun Lee‘s activity kit, Origami Playhouse: Fold, Play, and Display, is on sale now! A do-it-yourself dollhouse for folding enthusiasts, Origami Playhouse is fun craft for families to work on together. The kit comes with beautiful papers and patterns to equip your own playhouse with furniture and accessories. Available for purchase here.