Sophie's Squash

Oh, how we adore this book! A spunky, creative, female main character....tender parents....a heart-tugging ending....fabulous illustrations. Combined, they deliver a story that we have read over and over and over again:

The premise of Sophie's Squash (written by Pat Zeitlow Miller and illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf; Schwartz & Wade, 2013) is incredibly unique: Sophie helps her parents select a squash -- intended for dinner -- from the farmer's market. But as Sophie cradles the squash in her arms, she realizes it is just the right size to love. No turning back, Sophie gives the squash a face and names her Bernice, and Sophie's mother has to make alternate plans for dinner.

As the days pass, Bernice goes everywhere with Sophie, but she starts to get a little soft and blotchy. Her parents warn her that Bernice will soon rot, and they suggest ways to use Bernice before it's too late.

Sophie won't hear of it and, instead, asks a farmer for advice on how to keep squash healthy. She follows his words of wisdom, and in the spring is met with a completely wonderful surprise!

Miller has created a delightful character in Sophie. She is strong and feisty and loyal and so very lovable. But the parents, while minor characters, also play an important role in the heart of the story. Always referring to Sophie in some sweet, foodish way ("Sweet pea," says her mom; "Sugar beet," says her dad), they handle Sophie's odd but completely all-in devotion to Bernice with gentleness and understanding. It is so sweet.

And the ending Miller created? Absolutely perfect!

The story is further heightened by Wilsdorf's sweet, detailed illustrations. With watercolor and ink, they show Sophie's big personality, her childlike room, her mom's fabulous fashion sense, and the tender moments between Sophie, her parents, and Bernice.

This book is an all-around winner. It's one of those books that I wish I had written and would love to emulate in terms of character, pacing, and heart. We just love it.

And for more of Sophie, check out Sophie's Squash Go To School. We've read that one just as much. ;)

Happy reading!

~Jen

The Hallo-weiner

It's OCTOBER!!!

Sing it: It's the most wonderful month... of the year!

It's truly my fave -- the crisp air, blue skies behind colorful trees, the crunch of leaves, pumpkins and of course Halloween!

Eons ago, my sister gifted me what has become one of our favorite picture books on our shelves. We read it throughout the year, but definitely most in October. If you love dachshunds, Halloween, puns, and an underdog story, then you will love The Hallo-weiner!

 

The Hallo-weiner, written by Dav Pilkey (of Captain Underpants fame), was published in 1995 (Blue Sky Press). The story opens with Oscar (who was "half-a-dog tall and one-and-a-half dogs long") going to obedience school. Unfortunately, Oscar was teased by the other dogs, and this upset him. That is, it usually upset him, but it was Halloween and he had excitement on his mind!

 

 

Upon returning home from school, though, Oscar's excitement is snuffed when his well-intentioned mother shows him the costume she got for him:

 

 

He's humiliated, but wears it anyway because he doesn't want to upset his mother. The night continues to unravel, though, as the other dogs in his group take all of the candy at each house, leaving nothing for poor Oscar. (And the puns delightfully abound here.) But then, something scary frightens the group as they are cutting through the cemetary on their way home from trick-or-treating. And because of Oscar's unique shape and size, he is able to save the day.

 

 

Besides being an entertaining read-aloud, this book shines with Dav Pilkey's art. Of course it is hysterical to see mother dogs in pearls kissing their pups and handing out Halloween candy. But the pictures and spreads are full of bright colors and interesting effects. On many pages, Pilkey shows an enormous full moon in the background with colorful swirls in the sky, and you can see the silhouettes of the dogs in their silly costumes. The details create a just-right spooky mood that leads to a heart-warming ending full of furry smiles.

 

 

I love that at over 20 years old, this book is not at all out-dated. The artwork, word count, and story are just as appealing to readers today. Truly, there is much to love about this howl-oween book, and I hope you can get your paws on it soon! (Aw, c'mon -- sometimes the puns just have to come out!)

 

Happy reading,

 

~Jen

 

 



Secret Tree Fort

Do you ever judge a book by its cover? I know I do -- literally! And that's what happened with the book I'm featuring today:

Secret Tree Fort, written and illustrated by Brianne Farley (Candlewick, 2016).

The cover and the compelling title of this one jumped out at me -- the green, the curious images in the tree, a bookish girl reading, and a secret -- first hearing it mentioned through posts and discussions, and finally beckoning from the library shelf.

But when I finally cracked the spine and read this with my kiddos -- it was truly magical. This book captures the allure of a tree house -- that enticing place that so many of us dreamt of or imagined -- or had, if we were lucky enough -- and takes it up a notch. Because this is no ordinary tree house.

In the book, two sisters are sent outside by their mother. The older sister brings her book and plunks down at the base of a tree to read (this would have totally been me!). The little sister wants to know what she's doing, and in an attempt to get her sister's attention and interaction, tells her that she has a secret tree fort.

But she does give her sister more clues, and we are along for the ride. This tree house can launch water balloons at attackers, has flags to communicate different messages, has a crow's nest to spy for pirates, and even has an underwater viewing area. Like I said: MAGICAL!

Will Littler Sister be able to get Big Sister's attention? You'll have to read it to find out!

Farley's illustrations are colorful and whimsical and inviting. The creatures and objects that become part of the tree house's story make you remember those childhood longings for adventure and that special hideout. Add to that Farley's ability to express the relatable emotions through the expressions of the main characters, and this book is so very delightful.

I hope you enjoy it!

A Giveaway!

Have you heard of the Midge and Moo series of picture books? Kerry McQuaide is the author and illustrator of six lovable and educational stories featuring Midge and her beloved stuffed animal, Moo. And through June 10, she is hosting a giveaway!

The books:

Midge and Moo are best friends. They came home from the hospital together when Midge was just two days old, and they do everything together. If Midge builds a tower, Moo knocks it down. If Midge tracks mud in the house, Moo gets the blame, too. They are always there for each other, and readers will find that Moo gives Midge the confidence she needs to explore, learn, and grow. I just love the sweet interactions between this little one and her lovie.

With colorful and playful illustrations on each spread, children will get a zoomed-in view of the relatable activities between Midge and Moo. The stories are short and sweet with just a few words per spread -- perfect for repeat reading with kiddos ages 0-5.

The author:

Kerry McQuaide grew up with parents and sisters who believed snuggling and laughing were a part of reading picture books. And now, she hopes to touch lives with her own stories of love, kindness, and friendship.

"When you read to kids, it is magical when you all laugh at the same part.

It is a wonderful way to slow down and bond. And kids are so funny,

they’ll ask the same questions over and over. “Is her mom mad at her?”

or “Why is she sad?” They are processing the world they see

reflected in the books and the human emotions they experience

in their own lives through theses stories."

The giveaway:

Through June 10, Kerry McQuaide is hosting a fun giveaway. You could win all of the Midge and Moo picture books, the brand new Midge and Moo Coloring Books, plus crayons of course (8 books total)!

I think this would be a fabulous way to build or enhance a library for your little one. Snuggle up and read the stories together, and then, the next day, revisit the themes through coloring together.

Enter here! (Scroll down just bit to enter.)

And if you don't win but would still like to enjoy the Midge and Moo books, they are available here.

Happy reading!

~Jen

Fetch! (These 5 Picture Books about Sticks)

Friendship. Loneliness. Family. Imagination. Perseverance. These are a few of the powerful and moving themes found in this darling collection of books featuring sticks. I think that you and your child will find that these common pieces of wood can be extraordinary, indeed. Enjoy!


1. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)

This heartwarming rhyming book begs to be read again and again. Stick and Stone are alone, until they meet each other. They become fast friends, and Stick, well, "sticks up" for Stone when a meanie teases him. Their bond grows, but then there is a frightful storm, and Stick is blown away. Will Stone be able to find him?

Ferry's sparse use of words and sweet rhythmic verse convey an incredibly moving story of friendship. And the pairing of text and illustrations in this book is touching and meaningful. The reader hears and sees the delight and significance of a good friendship, as well as the power of defending those close to you. And then, wonderfully, the illustrations show reconciliation with that bully at the end. So great. This one is certainly a "10" in my book. ;)


2. Stick Man by Julia Donaldson; illustrated by Axel Scheffler (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2008)

From the author/illustrator duo that brought us The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, Stick Man tells the story of a stick who is taken farther and farther away from his family in a series of mishaps: a dog who thinks he is a fun toy to fetch, a swan who wants to use him in her nest, a family who brings him inside for their fireplace. Will Stick Man be able to survive and return to his family?

Told in the well-paced, rollicking rhyme that is characteristic of Donaldson's storytelling, this is a tale with adventure and tension and lots of heart. The use of repetition gives this story a structure that is captivating for kids, and they can chant along with the refrain: "I'm Stick Man, I'm Stick Man, I'M STICK MAN, that's me, And I want to go home to the family tree!" And you will love Scheffler's endearing, detailed portrayal of this adorable stick. :)

3. Papa Gave Me a Stick by Janice Levy; illustrated by Simone Shin (Star Bright Books, 2015)

 

This is a beautiful book and story. Antonio wants his own guitar (guitarra), like the ones he's seen in the mariachi band. But his papa says they don't have the money for such things. Instead, with a wink, he hands him a stick. In a series of events, Antonio helps animals and people around the town, who in turn gift him little items. When he finds a gold ring lost by a groom, he is gifted the thing he wished for the most.

 

This book is unique and diverse and provides a glimpse at another culture. While children will already relate to the themes of family, love, and longing, they will also be exposed to Spanish terms and Mexican symbols and traditions. A heartwarming story with beautiful illustrations -- I hope you'll check this one out.

4. Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis (Harper Collins, 2008)

In this sparsely-illustrated, minimalist picture book, there exists an unseen narrator who repeatedly warns the main character, a pig, about the potential dangers of the stick he is carrying. Each time, the pig retorts, "It's not a stick!" And for each spread in which the pig tells the reader it is not a stick, the illustrations expose the triumphant imagination of the stick wielder -- for he is imagining the stick is a fishing rod to catch a shark, or a paintbrush for a masterpiece, or a sword with which to fight a dragon. This seemingly simple book is incredibly powerful in concretely revealing the imagination at work -- perfect for reading with children and celebrating the power of imagining. I love it.

5. Stick! by Andy Pritchett (Candlewick Press, 2013)

Another minimalist picture book, this one features a dog with a stick. And he wants someone to play with him. With one word per spread, he tempts the various barnyard animals with "Stick?" but they all have their own entertainment ("Mud!"). Discouraged, he flings the stick away -- but it is thrown back! And now he has a new friend.

It is amazing how a story can be told in such spare wording, but this one will have you rooting for the dog to find a playmate and delighting in the emotions that the illustrations convey. A great book for repeat-reading with kiddos!


Happy reading!

~Jen

Hypnosis Harry

Do you remember, as a kid, your parents saying no to everything? Or, as a parent, do you get in arguments with your children about things they can and cannot do? (I vividly remember morning arguments when my oldest was a kindergartener and I insisted she couldn't wear dresses but needed to wear pants on gym days. Oh, the drama!)

Well, today's book examines what might happen if parents would just loosen up and start saying YES:

Hypnosis Harry by Catherine Bailey (author of Mind Your Monsters), illustrated by Sarita Rich (Sky Pony Press, 2016), tells the story of young Harry, who hypnotizes his parents into saying yes to his every whim. Cupcakes for dinner? Yes! Pet monkeys? Sure! No more broccoli -- ever? Absolutely!

However, getting his every desire isn't always satisfying, and things are kind of a mess. Harry soon realizes that when his parents would say no, it was truly for his own good. But wait -- what happened to grandfather's pocket watch?

Bailey's story is truly delightful. You can imagine all of the fun and messy ideas that a child might cook up, but then she examines the unintended consequences of some of those choices. She gently but clearly shows the loving boundaries that parents provide when they don't give their children everything they want. And the ending is just perfect -- satisfying and humorous all at once. :)

And Rich's illustrations do what illustrations ought -- they add another layer to the story. Her colorful and playful pictures show heaps of child-like wishes come true, and they build upon the author's words. I love that a child can listen to this story being read, while their eyes perceive new levels of meaning through the illustrations.

This author-illustrator pairing has produced a fun and meaningful book that children and adults will enjoy reading over and over again.

For further reading:

Catherine Bailey Books

 Sarita Rich
Catherine's PiBoIdMo success story!
An Interview with Bailey and Rich

Enjoy!

~Jen

One Special Book

I don't want to say too much about today's book because, well, it doesn't "say" anything at all! It is a wordless picture book that is both visually exhilarating and emotionally powerful:

 



The Snow Rabbit by Camille Garoche (Enchanted Lion Books, 2015) uses only illustrations to tell the story of two sisters. It opens with the sisters looking out of a window of a cabin in a snowy wood. One sister finds a rabbit in the snow, and an adventure ensues. Beyond that, I don't want to say too much about the plot, except to say that there is one page-turn in particular that is incredibly powerful.

How the artist is able to tell such a moving story without any words is fascinating, but Garoche nails it. As you can tell by the cover, the artwork is spectacular, and the pages are filled with dreamy scenes that seem to move beyond the page.

The dimensions of the illustrations give a 3-D appearance, and you feel like you are in the snowy scenes. Children can enjoy this book with a caregiver or on their own, and each page turn keeps the reader guessing at what is going on. It is certainly a unique reading experience.

I hope you enjoyed the brief glimpse into this story today. I encourage you to acquire this book and have your heart moved by this touching story!

~Jen

I Loathe You (and a podcast)

We all know the story of Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare from Guess How Much I Love You. Their story of one-upping the expanse of their love for each other is a classic. Well, have you ever considered how monsters express their love for one another? You haven't? Then run out and grab this book immediately:

I Loathe You, written and illustrated by David Slonim (Aladdin, 2012), tells the heart-warming story of Big Monster and Little Monster and the expanse of their loathing. With the typical pre-bedtime "I loathe you" uttered, Little Monster begins a series of questions about how much Big Monster loathes him. Big Monster has plenty of answers ready:

More than fuzzy mold on cheese,

more than fever or disease!

Picture lobsters pinching me...

I loathe you more -- now do you see?

 

Little Monster is reassured. But wait -- now he's worried that he might do something to diminish his father's loathing for him!

If I blurt out "THANKS," or "PLEASE"?

Or take a bath and kill my fleas?

If I should slip and just obey

then would your loathing go away?
 

Big Monster once again calms Little Monster's worries and assures him that his loathing will never go away.

What a hoot! I love a book with a twist, and this once certainly makes you feel warm and fuzzy about family loathing. :) Slonim's storytelling in rhyme is fun and well-paced, and he employs just the right amount of monsterly description to make you say "ew..." And his illustrations are equally important to the story: you feel for Little Monster with his snaggle-toothed lovey, and the colorful scenes have action and comedy and excellent framing.

I hope you enjoy!

* * *

In other news, I have really been enjoying the treasure trove of ideas and wisdom that I've found in the newly-launched All the Wonders podcast (previously named the "Let's Get Busy" podcast).

I'm training for a trail run at the beginning of June, and, rather than listening to music while I run, I love listening to podcasts. It's killing two birds with one stone to be training AND absorbing information and inspiration. I know it won't all stick, but certain nuggets will. So thankful for this resource!

Happy Monday!

~Jen

Interactive Picture Books

Over the past few months, William and I have come across some books that have had him so engaged and asking to read them over and over. These books are highly interactive and hands-on, but they aren't lift-the-flap or touch-and-feel books. These are geared toward an older audience and obliterate the wall between author and reader. Today, I want to highlight three of these books and urge you to run out and get them for your preschooler or early-grade kiddos pronto. :)

1. Press Here

Press Here by Herve Tullet (Chronicle Books, 2011) is an impressively simple book that had William extremely excited. Full of gentle commands to "press the yellow dot" and "tip the book to the right," the simple primary-color dots react to each action at the turn of the page. They multiply, or get all jumbled up in a corner, and young readers will laugh and push your hand out of the way so they can do as prompted. In the end, the dots build to full-color excitement and the text urges the reader to do it all again. Which they do!

2. Please, Open This Book!

Please, Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt (auth) and Matthew Forsythe (ill) (Simon & Schuster, 2015) features a cast of animal characters imploring the reader not only to open the book, but to never close it again! Someone once closed the book, and, well, they will show you what happened then. With each turn of the page, the animals get more panicky that you are about to close the book, and they are very disappointed in you. With delightfully engaging illustrations and playful text, this is another book that will have your child asking to do it all again.

3. Welcome to Mamoko

Welcome to Mamoko by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski (Big Picture Press, 2013) is a feast for the eyes. Truly, your child can enjoy this book unaided (but you may enjoy the adventure just as much!). There is trouble in Mamoko, and a large cast of animal and alien characters, and the reader is urged to "follow the adventures of each of these characters in every scene." Each page is densely packed with illustrations and winding paths, and the reader follows the antics of each character with their eyes to reveal the story. It is truly a unique and exciting way to discover and enjoy the unraveling of a story. Brilliant!


If you enjoy these books, other hands-on titles include: Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter, Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson, and Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg.

And other titles of books that break the fourth wall include: the pigeon books by Mo Willems, The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak, and Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) by Julie Falatko.

I hope that you and your child can bond over these interactive books. Are there any other unique, must-read interactive books that you'd recommend?

Happy Wednesday!

~Jen

The Dead Bird

The Dead Bird by the beloved Margaret Wise Brown (author of Goodnight Moon), was originally written in 1938, with text renewal in 1965. Reissued in 2016 with contemporary illustrations by Christian Robinson (award-winning illustrator of Last Stop on Market Street, Leo: a Ghost Story, and Gaston, to name a few), this book tells a sweet story of children who find a dead bird in the park.

The text and story in this book is simple and relatable. I'm sure most of us have had the experience of coming upon a dead animal, and the story is told by someone with an obvious grasp of how children think and process.

Wise Brown gently explains what happens when something living has died, and what people do to honor someone's passing. The things that the children do in the book are playful and sweet -- and also realistic ("And every day, until they forgot, they went and sang to their little dead bird and put fresh flowers on his grave.").

Truly as powerful as the text in this book are the illustrations. Robinson's simple, whimsical and tender pictures depict the children as truly childlike. They have a kite, and a dog, and some costumes, and their lives are pure and innocent. They learn a tough lesson when they encounter death, and Robinson shows their innocence and concern. Even their dog companion shows sensitivity to what is going on. But just as children do, they are able to be distracted by play and joy in the midst of a somber situation.

I think it is the combination of text and illustration in this book that so powerfully hit me. The simplicity and subject of the text set a solemn mood, but the colorful, playful illustrations help to bring levity. And for reading this with children, that is so very important. I highly recommend reading this visually appealing, gentle approach to dealing with death with your children. 

~Jen

Sentimental Dr. Seuss

Happy World Book Day! And happy birthday (yesterday) to Dr. Seuss! I'm sure you can ask most anyone what their favorite Dr. Seuss book is, and they will have an answer. Or a memory of a book from their childhood. Or just an overall feeling from how his work made (makes?) them feel.

One of my favorite Dr. Seuss books is a sentimental one for me.

I Wish That I Had Duck Feet (Random House, 1965) was penned under the name Theo LeSieg and was illustrated by B. Tobey, rather than Geisel, himself. In it, a boy wishes for duck feet because of all the fun and special things he could do with them that nobody else could. But then he realizes the problems that could arise from having duck feet, and wishes for other things instead: a whale spout, a long, long tail, horns on top of his head... But they all have their problems, too. In the end, he realizes that being himself is really best of all.

This book isn't just special to me because of its cute story, the rhyme, or the pictures. It's because it is one of the few books I vividly remember my dad reading to me as a kid. When I hear the words and see the pictures today -- even when I pass this book displayed on a stand in a bookstore -- it takes me back. I can see the illustrations and remember how I felt seeing them as a child. I can hear the words, and it's my dad's voice reading them. It feels like I'm laying in bed in my green childhood bedroom, ready to drift off to sleep with nary a care in the world.

This may sound a bit dramatic, but it's true. I can't think of another book that takes me back to my own childhood like this one.

As I grew up and moved away to college, I didn't think much about this book. Then, one birthday, my dad gifted me with my own copy! I was so surprised that you could even still get this book, because I had never heard of anyone else reading it. Now, I see it all the time in bookstores and read it to my own children.

Is there a book in your life that takes you back like this?

~Jen

Those Darn Squirrels!

Well, this book tugged right at my heart. An old man...his love for birds...his loneliness...and fuzzy little geniuses. Add 'em together and you've got one adorable little story:

I know -- Those Darn Squirrels! was published in 2008 (Clarion Books) -- but I just now read it for the first time! Old Man Fookwire is a grump, but he loves birds. He loves to paint them in the summer ("Fookwire's paintings weren't very good, but the birds never said anything."), and grows sad when it is time for them to fly south. So he constructs beautiful birdfeeders to keep them around longer. Only there's one problem: those darn squirrels! The squirrels are eating all the food, and Fookwire is not happy -- until a very sweet gesture unites them all.

Adam Rubin has a talent for creating a heart-warming story with a lot of hilarity thrown in. From the names of the birds, to the squirrels' nighttime snack, to the strategizing of those clever geniuses, the story is so entertaining. And Daniel Salmieri's charming illustrations make the story alive and endearing: the crooked old man, the fuzzy-tailed squirrels, the ensemble at the end. It's truly a work that will make children smile. Just looks at those adorable squirrels:

If you haven't read this one with your kiddos, yet, I highly recommend it. Other books by this team include New York Times bestseller Dragons Love Tacos, Secret Pizza Party, and newly published Robo-Sauce. They make a great pair!

Enjoy!

~Jen

How to Be a Wildflower

Do you know artist Katie Daisy? Do you love her as much as I do? We have three of her prints in our house already, and I would love to add more. Her art captures the beauty of nature, with eye-pleasing images and color combinations, and is often accompanied by a quotation. This print and my favorite quote by author Henry David Thoreau hangs in Vivy's nursery:

More of Katie's art in our house:

Well today, her first book is being released! How to Be a Wildflower: a field guide (Chronicle Books) is filled with 200 full-color pages that inspire discovery of the beauty in the world through meditations, adventure prompts, recipes, identification charts, and quotes. Divided into sections to Wander, Gather, Savor, and Ponder, she encourages each of us to reflect on where we feel most alive.

How to be a Wildflower Book Trailer from Gabriel James on Vimeo.

Katie has a beautiful spirit that I'm just sure is captured in these pages. She is a nature lover through and through, and her use of color, lettering, and placement is something I adore. Her book looks so centering and inspirational.

This book would be a wonderful gift for a friend or loved one who seeks out the beauty of nature or who wants to reconnect with some lost simplicity. After all, "the more you search, the more you find."

Enjoy!

~Jen