Author: TCBR Contributor

If you’re scouting for a nice Halloween treat for your little witch, ladybug, ghost, or cowboy, I found all of the following new picture books to be very impressive: Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex Reading level: Ages 3-6 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (August 14, 2008) Synopsis: Goodnight monsters everywhere, in this parody romp with its own special twist! “Goodnight tomb. Goodnight goon. Goodnight Martians taking over the moon.” It’s bedtime in the cold gray tomb with a black lagoon, and two slimy claws, and a couple of jaws, and a skull and a shoe and…

Flutter Link Definition: A link that causes a state of discomposure. In this case for the good … Link: I just learned, via Chicken Spaghetti, that director Wes Anderson is making an animated movie of Roald Dahl’s, Fantastic Mr. Fox (Release date: November 6, 2008). Better yet, the voice of Mr. Fox will be George Clooney, and Cate Blanchett will be Mrs. Fox. Other cast members include: Bill Murray and Anjelica Huston, who regularly feature in Wes Anderson films. To learn more be sure to visit Chicken Spaghetti. Special note: Make sure you have your children read the book before…

Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee break with a good piece of cake … Link: The 20 best picture books for children – a list of (completely subjective) books, posted on the School Gate, Times’ Education blog, just in time to celebrate the UK’s, Children’s Book Week. I had to share this because it contains a bunch of my favorites: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett Kitten’s First Full Moon by…

A couple of weeks ago, I went to an independent book store – Politics and Prose – that was hosting author, Graeme Base. He is currently touring the US and Canada promoting his latest book, Enigma. If you have read some of my earlier posts, you will know that I grew up reading and enjoying his books, so to be able to have a book signed for my daughter was a real treat. I introduced myself as a fellow Aussie, gushed a couple of compliments, and then gave Graeme my business card. Which happily led to the following interview, which…

Disclaimer: I’m Australian, therefore I can’t vote in the 2008 US election! I first came across this poster, by Picture Book People for Obama, via A Fuse #8 Production. It has been designed to share – printed, used as a desktop image, sent via email, or downloaded to your blog or website. Here is a list of the contributing illustrators: Marissa Moss Thacher Hurd Paul Meisel Elizabeth Gomez Elisa Kleven Barbara Lavallee Maria van Lieshout Daniel San Souci Jane Wattenberg Laura Cornell Christy Hale Katherine Tillotson Lisa Brown Julie Downing Teri Sloat Karen Barbour Roni Shepherd Arthur Dorros M. Sarah…

If you are American, you probably know Mem Fox by her book, Time for Bed. If you are Australian, then most definitely you know her by Possum Magic – one of my all time favorites. Her latest book, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, was released yesterday (October 1st) – I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Mem has teamed up with well known illustrator, Helen Oxenbury, so this book is sure to be a huge hit with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Great news for anyone in the DC area … Links: There is also a…

Hip Hop Speaks to Children with Audio CD: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat (A Poetry Speaks Experience) by Nikki Giovanni Reading level: Ages 7-12 Hardcover: 80 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Har/Com edition (October 1, 2008) Just as the title suggests, Hip Hop Speaks to Children is a celebration of poetry with a beat, and will open up a new world for boys and girls alike. It gives a great starting point for encouraging an appreciation of poetry through music Nikki Giovanni – a National Book Award nominee, Spoken Word Grammy nominee and New York Times best-selling author -…

Enigma by Graeme Base Reading level: Ages 5-10 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2008) As someone who doesn’t remember many books from her childhood, I still have fond memories of sitting in the playground at school, reading best selling author Graeme Base’s Animalia. I was forever searching for the little boy hidden in the amazing alphabetic illustrations. Since Animalia (1986), he has had many successful titles that are now considered classics. With his latest book, Enigma, he has maintained his captivating style, using mystery, rhyme, and amazing illustrations. Enigma is a wonderful story, that…

South by Patrick McDonnell Reading level: Ages 3-6 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 1, 2008) South is very charming. As a flock of birds fly south for the winter, one little bird is woken as the last leaf falls from a bare tree. When he discovers he is all alone, an unlikely friend – Mooch the cat – helps him find his way. South contains no words, yet manages to tell a very moving and compassionate tale of friendship, helping others, and saying goodbye. My favorite page shows Mooch’s paw reaching out to offer help to…

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger Reading level: Ages 3-6 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Greenwillow (August 26, 2008) This book is so gorgeous – visually and emotionally – it gave me the “warm and fuzzies”. With fall on the way, the anticipation of falling leaves comes also. Carin Berger, with her award-winning style, has written and illustrated the story of a little yellow leaf who is not yet ready to fall. It’s a story designed for people afraid of facing the unknown, the power of friendship, and sharing moments. As the seasons change around the little leaf, he clings…