Tickly Toes, a bedtime board book written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Barroux, was released from Kids Can Press on August 1. The book has received praise from Kirkus Reviews, which calls the book, “a lovely addition to the bedtime storybook shelf.” The review commends Barroux’s illustrations, writing: “In an 8-inch-square format, Barroux’s large-scale, double-page spreads appear almost life-size, and the baby seems to be looking directly out at the readers. Rendered in acrylic and outlined in pencil, the deceptively simple cartoons perfectly match the action and convey all the emotions of this happy family.”
Kate Merritt‘s collage artwork is featured in two new installments of the Indestructibles series from Workman Publishing, Baby Night-Night and Baby Peekaboo. The Indestructibles series is uniquely designed for babies’ active and often messy lifestyle. The sweet and simple stories are enhanced by Kate’s adorable artwork. About the Indestructibles series from Workman Publishing: Indestructibles are the books built for the way babies read. They are 100 percent baby-proof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and drool-proof. Printed on a unique nontoxic, paperlike material that holds up to anything babies can throw at it—gumming, spilling, dragging across the floor— Indestructibles are the little books that could. They’re indestructible. And if they get dirty, just throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher. Visit the Workman website to order copies of the books for your little one.
Sarah Dillard’s First Day at Zoo School Hits Shelves August 1! July 31, 2014 First Day at Zoo School, the latest picture book from author-illustrator, Sarah Dillard, will hit shelves tomorrow nationwide. The perfect back-to-school book, Zoo School tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Alfred the alligator and Amanda the panda. Alfred is nervous about school, whereas Amanda couldn’t be more excited, and their clashing personalities make for an interesting first day at school. Kirkus praises the illustrations, saying “Dillard’s illustrations, a mix of spots and comic panels, deftly express the characters’ thoughts and feelings.” Publishers Weekly, too, finds Sarah’s comic-book inspired illustrations to be the book’s strongest point, saying “Dillard makes excellent use of comic-book elements like sequential panels and speech balloons in this witty, well-observed story.” Learn more about the book and purchase your own copy on Sleeping Bear Press’s website, here.
New reviews are in for London Ladd‘s latest. School Library Journal enjoyed the message the book conveyed and called Lend a Hand “a gentle book that will add value to any classroom or library collection.” A reviewer for Booklist wrote: “Though perhaps not likely to spark changes in behavior on their own, in conjunction with home or classroom discussions about social responsibilities, waging peace, or bullying, these instances of individual and collective giving may serve as inspiring models.”
