Show Me a Story: Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators
If you love picture books, old or new, you will love this book of interviews with picture book illustrators. They are all here, all the artists you love, from Robert McCloskey to Mo Willems. Fabulous.
New Kid on the Block
I’ve read all the short holiday Jack Prelutsky poetry books...It’s Halloween!...It’s Valentine’s Day...It’s Christmas! But I’ve never taken on one of the longer books. And, I say to myself now, what was I waiting for? I can unabashedly recommend this book now. It’s right up there with Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends for silliness and delight. Trust me. Need poetry for kids? This is a sure thing.
Write This Book: A Do-It-Yourself Mystery
Yes, go ahead. Write this book. You can do it. P. Bosch will help you. It will be fun. Maybe more fun than reading a book. Go ahead. Write it.
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book III: The Unseen Guest
When you have been raised by wolves, you tend to be a bit incorrigible. That’s okay. It gives you a bit of strong-minded-ness that is often lacking in our milktoast world. Like the story. Like the illustrations.
My Little Pony: Under the Sparkling Sea
If it says Disney, you get Disney. If it says My Little Pony, you get My Little Pony. Disney is roughly equal to My Little Pony. If you like Disney, I suspect you will like this book. If you like My Little Pony, you will love this book.
This Is Not a Book
This is Not a Book, and This is Not a Review. This is a Dance. This is a After-Dinner Mint. This is a Cupcake. But This is Not a Book, and This is Not a Review.
The Nargun and the Stars (Puffin Books)
The Nargun isn’t happy and that’s is not good. Men are tearing up the lovely forest and the Nargun will not put up with this. A lovely ecology-minded tale from Australia.
Calling Invisible Women
It was that phrase “invisible women” that made you pick up this book, wasn’t it? Yes, and I suspect that you know what that means. I do. I think all of us women of a certain age knows what it is like to be visible and then slowly become invisible. It’s difficult. So much of what we as women are is what we appear to be. And that will inevitably fade. Sigh.But there are consolations, and this book is one of them. Quietly, without anyone seeing us do so (of course), we can read this little book and wash ourselves in the knowledge that, though we may be invisible, and we can silently, invisibly, laugh at it all.
Taronga
The apocalypse has happened and Ben has survived. He has a gift; he can whisper to animals. Somehow, he makes his way to Taronga Zoo where he discovers a world gone mad, but where he can use his gift to survive and thrive. For all fans of Hunger Games.
Hitler's Daughter
What if Hitler had a daughter? And what if this daughter was born with imperfections? And what if this daughter was hidden away from the public? Anna tells the story of Hitler’s daughter each morning at the bus stop to her friends, and the friends are captivated. Mark, especially, is intrigued, and the story provokes Mark into questioning many of the things he has always assumed.Ignore the trite cover. Ignore the scary title. This is a book that will encourage thoughtful discussion, I think.
Snapper
It’s a confusing world. Nathan Lochmueller drifts into professional birdwatching, earning just enough money to make it each day. In his work, Nathan encounters not only quirky and intriguing birds, but a whole planet of quirky and intriguing people. Unexpectedly delightful.
Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe
You probably know this story. A young woman loses her job and decides to try what she does best and open a cupcake cafe. You know there will be a Bad Boy and an almost unseen Love Interest. You know this poor woman is going to struggle to run the cafe. But you know that Good will triumph and that this woman is going to find Love and Happiness at her cafe and that’s why you will read it this summer and love it, despite its predictability. You will, I assure you. You will love it.
The Vile Village: Book the Seventh (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
Oh, the voice in this story! Snarky. Clever. Delicious. Perfect.
Wonder
I’ve been wanting to read this book for months. I’ve seen its mysterious cover on tens of blogs. I’ve read tens of reviews of it, all of them raves.And now I’ve finally gotten around to it. Wow. All I can say is, If you want children to understand what it’s like to be different, share this book with them. Powerful story.
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Giants Beware!
This graphic novel takes traditional giant-battling knight stories and turns them on their heads, throwing in a powerful giant-battling girl and a giant or two that may surprise you.
Maya Was Grumpy
Maya was grumpy. We all get grumpy sometimes. But then we get over it. Good book to share with children.