{Not} Living Vicariously

For the Love of Picture Books - Stowell

Illustrator Adam Stower has published his first (that I can find) title he has also written: Silly Doggy (9780545373234). One day Lily sees something absolutely wonderful in her garden, something with four legs, a tail, and a big, wet nose, something she has always wanted: a dog(!?!) When one is extremely optimistic, it is easy to confuse a bear with a dog, right? Even though Doggy can’t do dog tricks, doesn’t obey Lily, and won’t eat his dog food, Lily is in love. However, Mommy says Lily needs to put up a Lost Dog poster. It turns out there is a hole in the fence at the zoo, some animals have escaped, and the zoo keeper comes looking. However, Lily’s luck holds out as the next morning she discovers a Kitty in the garden. How wonderful to have such a positive outlook on life. 

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

Thoughts on Pinterest

Confession: I am addicted to blog hopping. I love to surf from blog to blog and have several that are in my Google Reader feed. Most of the blogs I cruise contain crafty ideas for things I’d love to do or make someday, I just don’t know when. However I’m always bookmarking specific blog posts of things I want to emulate.

About two years ago I had a fleeting thought (I was trying to clean out an overfull email account) about how wonderful it would be to have a clean way to organize all these URLs in a visually stimulating way so that I could quickly find specific projects I might want to “do now” when I had some time to be creative. Like many of my thoughts, it floated away because I did not have the time, energy, or technical know-how to accomplish such a task. How very funny that around that time Pinterest got a start. I was not part of the beta test group but I did start hearing about it sometime in 2010. Then, when it became open to others to use, just by requesting an invite, I was very excited to try it out. Imagine my dismay to find out you had to be on Facebook or Twitter to join. Not that I am opposed to either Facebook or Twitter – I just hadn’t joined either of them because I was worried about how much time I might find myself wasting on these sites. I hemmed and hawed for weeks over what to do until I realized that all that time I was worried about wasting, was already being used enjoyably by feeding my blog hopping habit and attempting to keep ideas/projects/etc. organized. So I caved in and joined Twitter just so I could accept my Pinterest invitation. There have been zero regrets since.

As for me on Pinterest? Well, I’m still slowly migrating all those saved ideas from my hard drive to my Pinterest account. Until that project is complete, I’m trying really really hard to not do too much surfing inside the Pinterest site. But boy do I find some lovely ideas every time I open it up and some of them do end up on my own boards. Now if I could just find the time to tear myself away from the boards long enough to actually create some of the items I’m pinning I’d feel just a little bit better about the time I’m spending enjoying the service. (The flip side of that statement is that living vicariously through others has always been a weakness of mine – which might be why I have more fun finding things to do than actually doing them – how’s that for honesty?)

Ben and Team – thanks for creating a place for me to keep all my ideas organized and indulge my dreams! Happy Pinning indeed.

For the Love of Picture Books - Patricelli

Yay for Leslie Patricelli and another adorable story with her unnamed little girl. Following up on Higher! Higher! (9780763632410), Faster! Faster! (9780763654733) has Little Girl and Daddy back in the park. When Daddy gives her a ride on his back, she asks for Fast! An active imagination offers Daddy as a slew of animals from dogs to eagles to dolphins always going faster and faster. However when poor Daddy wears out and becomes a turtle, the little girl gives her Daddy a break. “You’re fast, Daddy!” With the repetitive text Patricelli does so well, eager toddlers will “read” this one along with you and then be happy to home to “read” it to you and others. Cheery acrylic illustrations carry well. Bottom line is, if you have a toddler and don’t know Leslie Patricelli’s work, you owe it to yourself to take a look. You will have a new friend.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

Visiting old friends - Garion and company

Even though I firmly agree "there are so many books" and "so little time" I can't help but revisit favorites from years past on a regular basis. Recently I've been back in the world of The Belgariad and The Malloreon. While these books are not considered Fine Literature, the world building done by David and Leigh Eddings was well done and the characters are quickly and competently drawn. While most of my adult friends will only admit to "having liked it back when I was young" and "this is a good entry for young teens to the genre" even they tend to agree that they enjoyed watching the characters move along this story. (They also admit that yes they did read all ten books in the original series PLUS the additional ones that came after about the world.)

I don't bring this up only to talk about the characters and world building though. A certain passage caught my eye this time around that I had to laugh about. This one comes from King of the Murgos, book two of The Malloreon. Belgariad and Garion end up in a library looking for a piece of information and Belgarath compliments the librarian, Master Jeebers.

"I'll have to admit that he's a very competent scholar." "Isn't he just a librarian?" Garion asked, "somebody who looks after books?" "That's where all the rest of scholarship starts, Garion. All the books in the world won't help you if they're just piled up in a heap."

In a world in which we don't know where books are going or what the landscape will look like when we get there, I do know these two things: All the information available in the world will do no good if we don't know how to use it. and There will always be a place for storytelling in our lives.

So I shall continue to re-read favorites from years past . . . while finding new treasures as well.

For the Love of Picture Books - Wolff

Bright colors? Check. Detailed illustrations? Check. Cozy creatures? Check. Exploration of the world at the level of a toddler? Check check check check!!!! Ashley Wolff’s newest title, Baby Bear Sees Blue (9781442413061) takes a mama and baby bear throughout their day in which Baby Bear sees and enjoys all the colors nature has to offer. With picture perfect questions and answers, we get to go along. “In the den’s dark wall, an opening slowly fills with light. A glow creeps in. ‘Who is warming me, Mama?’ asks Baby Bear. ‘That is the sun,’ Mama says.” And with the turn of a page “Baby Bear sees yellow.” With the cozy relationship between mother and child, I kept thinking about McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal. Imagine my delight when reading the author’s note I realize Sal was an inspiration for this delightful gem. I'm recommending this one for ages 2 to 5.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

For the Love of Picture Books - Dunrea

Anyone looking for some good books? Oliver Dunrea does it again. I am a huge fan of his geese books (starting with Gossie back in 2002) and this coming February he will be bringing out his newest star: Gideon. Gideon is a ruddy gosling who plays the lead in not one but two new books in that familiar 6 by 6 inch format. Gideon (9780618436613) likes to play and does not like to take naps . . . until he is ready. Gideon & Otto (9780618436620) explores the relationship between a toddler and his/her favorite toy . . . which might just not be where it was left. These will definitely be added to my personal bookshelf. After all, I need a complete set!

Some other friends of Gossie are Gertie, Peedie, Ollie, and BooBoo. Give them half a chance and they'll be friends of yours as well.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

Red Sled Update

As mentioned here, Red Sled is a favorite of mine - in fact I have declared it my favorite picture book of 2011. Now, granted, I'm just one children's librarian who happens to love picture books and I don't claim to have any influence over awards (or any clairvoyance when it comes to what titles will win said awards). However, I'm pleased to report that it is up to THREE starred reviews and will also be mentioned in some upcoming non-industry magazines such as People. The only problem is that it is doing so well it is out of stock at most places. I'm just lucky I got my copies early and have been giving it away like mad!

For the love of picture books - Long

Up, Tall and High (9780399256110) by Ethan Long

I have been a huge fan of Ethan Long’s work since I first discovered him back in 2005 with Tickle the Duck (9780316001021). Unfortunately, many of his titles are on the fragile (or obnoxious) side for me to recommend them to libraries – although I love that many libraries do choose to purchase them on their own. Luckily some of his newer stuff is sturdier and appropriate which means I am recommending it for both personal and professional purchasing. His newest title, Up! Tall! And High! (but not necessarily in that order.) (9780399256110) is just such a title. Three short stories about birds with his characteristic art are just long enough to enthrall a small child. Each story also contains a flap feature for a surprise ending. I’m feeling the love here – thanks Ethan Long for the library friendly work.

PS: how wonderful is it that this pubs on my birthday. What a lovely gift!

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

For the love of picture books - Vail & Tankard

Piggy Bunny (9780312649883) story by Rachel Vail, pictures by Jeremy Tankard

Everyone knows one – the stubborn child who wants to be something or someone s/he is not. In this case, there is a perfectly wonderful piglet who wants to be the Easter Bunny. Misunderstood by his parents and siblings, Liam (and this does not reference my nephew at all!) practices being a rabbit: he hops, eats salad, and delivers eggs. Well meaning parents repeatedly tell him that he is perfect at being a piglet and can’t be a bunny. Confused siblings tell him he is a piglet and to deal with it. Liam stands his ground and says he is dealing with it and is a piglet who wants to be the Easter Bunny. Luckily Liam’s grandparents come to visit and know just how to encourage their Liam. With some determination and individuality, everyone comes to believe in Liam and his dreams after all.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.

For the love of picture books - Fogliano & Stead

and then it’s spring (9781596436244) written by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Many times a Caldecott is won by someone known to the industry. It might be surprising, such as in 2008 when Brian Selznick won with The Invention of Hugo Cabret (a 533 page highly illustrated novel) however rarely is the name not known by children’s librarians. This made the 2011 winner a delightful discovery for me of someone new to watch for: Erin E. Stead. I don’t know what work she might have done before A Sick Day for Amos McGee (9781596434028) and I haven’t seen her work anywhere else since – until now. A new book is coming out in February and it is illustrated by Stead. Written by Julie Fogliano, and then it’s spring (9781596436244), is about the joy and frustration of planting a garden and waiting for something . . . anything . . . to grow. The detailed illustrations by Stead, created using woodblock printing techniques and pencil in muted palate, are absolutely delightful to pore over. I especially appreciate one in which the boy and a bunny rabbit are both ear to ground listening for the “greenish hum” of the plants starting to grow. With boy, dog, turtle, bunny, and various other animals above and below ground, I can spend quite some time appreciating each fine detail. Definitely keep your eyes open for this one.

Standard disclaimer: I get to see advance copies of books through my job, however this review was unsolicited and unpaid for . . . opinions are completely my own.