So Loud it Hurts

So Loud it Hurts 

By Elaheh Bos

Gus loves almost everything about birthdays, except for the Happy Birthday song.  Gus doesn’t like loud noises and becomes overwhelmed when there is too much going on around him. He suffers from sound sensitivity. Like many children, this type of sensitivity is hard to understand or control.

Gus continues to prepare for his own birthday party thinking about more of the things that he doesn’t want to deal with such as noise from the barking dog, balloons that might pop, children singing or talking loudly. He spends his entire day worrying about the loud noises that he will hear, wondering why other people aren’t bothered by sounds like him. Throughout the story Gus learns that maybe all people don’t get bothered by sounds like he does, but this makes him uniqiue. And being unique is very important.

The author has created a great teaching tool with this story with many wonderful discussions and tips in the back of the book to help children deal with this type of sensitivity. She includes a sound chart, a relaxation plan and tools with the help of a consulting psychologist, Stephanie Margolese, PhD.

Illustrations are a mixture of hand drawing and digitalization. They are bright and colorful pictures with expressive characters. The use of font sizes and color type conveys the play with words and expressions.

This story along with others from the 'plant love grow publishing company' creates books to help children understand, and implement strategies in dealing with sensitivity disorders. This also might include children that fall on the Autism Spectrum as well.

Other books to look for include: A Spot of Blue and The Tiger in My Chest

**Author, Elaheh Bos, has created a wonderful publishing company and website that teaches and encourages and most importantly creates tools and resources for parents, teachers, health professionals and children to guide, nurture, and inspire for change and growth. She deals with many different issues including anxiety, sound sensitivities, anger management, autism, sadness, fear, and many more. With bold digital and hand drawn illustrations, each of her books are unique in that they deal with different issues that speak or resonate to people

Audrey Bunny

Audrey Bunny 

by Angie Smith, Illustrated by Breezy Brookshire

Audrey Bunny isn’t perfect. She has a little hole above her heart. She wants nothing more than to be loved. But is she unworthy of being loved with her hole? When Caroline enters her life and takes her home from the toy shop, Audrey falls in love. But then is conflicted because she is worried that she will lose Caroline’s love when Caroline notices that she isn’t flawless.

Audrey Bunny is a sweet love story that proves nobody is perfect. Written with religious undertones, this story can be read over and over again. Thanks to Angie Smith, the author, for creating a lovable character and story that will touch your heart. Most importantly the message that the author builds on is differences make us unique and special. While there is so much more to this story that can be found on Angie Smith’s website, it is how she created the story and her spiritual closeness with G-d that makes this a gem. You don’t have to be religious to enjoy the story and share it with others. It can be a great tool for discussion with children on many levels and Angie has also included activities in the back of the book to do as well.

This is a love story, of a different sort. Recommended for children ages 4-8. 

Waggers by Stacy Nyikos

Some dogs have the most excitable tail. Meet Waggers, who tries to be good all the time, but his tail just can’t do it! It wags and wags and wags and does a lot of harm. Waggers is an adorable, newly adopted puppy that has been taken home by a special family who discover he has a tail that causes a lot of trouble. What is the family to do when chaos ensues just from a little tail? And how can they make it stop wagging, or can they? But then something special happens and Wagger’s tail does something good, which brings about a great theme in the story, that everyone is good at something.

Stacy Nyikos has written several adorable books for kids. She writes her stories so her young readers can easily relate to her characters. Illustrations by Tamara Anegon captures Waggers with her bright, whimsical illustrations that make readers want to read the story again and again.

This is a highly recommended book for animal lovers and those who love to giggle! A great read-aloud or read-alone. Recommended for ages 4-8. I give Waggers 5 Stars!

Roxy Rogers: Your Destiny is Calling

Meet Roxy Rogers, a young girl with a family full of hall of fame baseball players. While Roxy might have been born to play ball, her dream is to sing. She wants to do something different but she doesn’t know how to tell her family. She is afraid they won’t understand. Her destiny is not baseball.

The author has created a wonderful story that speaks about following your passions in life. Roxy Rogers has the courage to not follow in the footsteps of her parents or grandparents in the world of baseball but rather go into the entertainment business as a famous songstress.

The illustrator created whimsical and colorful illustrations that bring the story to life. As Roxy believes in her dreams, the colors transform on the pages and get brighter and bolder. They enhance her dream to sing and show her passion for song, not baseball.

The author has included some great historical baseball facts at the end of the story along with a game of hidden clues to keep kids going back to read the story over and over again!

Roxy Rogers is a fabulous 5 star book recommended for ages 4-8. The author makes the message loud and clear, it is important to do what makes you happy in life! Kudos to the author for creating a wonderful storybook for children.

Sunbird by Joyce Block

What drew me to this book were the extremely vividly bold and bright illustrations. Once I opened up the book and read the story it helped me to understand a little bit more about the world of someone with ASP (Autism Spectrum Disorder). While this book can be for any young reader, it probably speaks more to children with autism or a child who knows someone with autism.

Meet Tommy, a boy with ASP. Tommy absolutely loves the sun. He loves the warm rays, the bright color and is drawn to the sun. It makes him feel good. When he doesn’t see the sun, his days are harder. Embark on a special journey with Tommy as he looks for the sun in unexpected places.

I almost find the attraction to the sun a bit of juxtaposition to the book, because you can see Tommy’s attraction to the light and it’s brilliant rays. To me this is the meaning behind the book. The illustrations and colors that the illustrator uses in the book convey the feelings that Tommy has on a daily basis. When the sun doesn’t shine, Tommy’s mood changes.

I feel there are many different ways to relate to this story. It is a great read-aloud to provide some in-depth discussion about what this boy sees in the sun and about the neuro-developmental disorder that is characterized by interaction and communication with others.

Sunbird is a book for everyone or anyone that looks at the world in a different way. Can’t that be all of us?

Meet Toby!

Toby by Stacy Nyikos and Illustrated by Shawn Sisneros

Meet Toby, a baby sea turtle that has just hatched from his little egg. He is ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime into the vast ocean. How will Toby learn the difference between his predators and his friends? Written in rhyming verse, this sweet story shows the tale of a baby turtle and his many adventures on land and sea.

Come outside and feel the breezes!

Come outside and see the sun!

Come outside and taste the ocean!

Come outside with everyone!

Toby is digitally illustrated with expressive and colorful full pages spreads. The illustrations truly capture the emotions of this adorable little turtle with his big inquisitive eyes and his happy personality.  

This story is complete with an Author’s note at the back of the book, which includes turtle facts. The author has also included a list of several great non-fiction books about sea turtles for those little inquisitive minds that might just want more.

A sweet story recommended for ages 4-8.

This review was written for the blog tour of Stacy Nyikos, June 8-14 and the launch of this fabulous book. For more information please check http://www.stacyanyikos.com/blog.html.

Some fabulous picture books for summer reading!

Summer reading is upon us. Did you know that if children read at least five books this summer they will prevent learning loss, according to a White House study. If children don’t read or engage with stories over the summer they lose about 2-3 months of reading achievement. The best way to keep your children reading through the summer is to sign up for one of the fabulous summer reading programs. Reading is so important! Here are three of my favorite picture books to check out this summer! Recommended for ages 4-8.

Shoe Dog by Megan McDonald and Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson

The beloved author of the Judy Moody and the Stink series has created a fabulous picture book about a dog that loves to chew. What does he chew, but shoes! He isn’t a dog that chews bones, or toys, or smelly socks, but rather shoes. And lots of them! Especially brand new shoes! Clever and lively illustrations by Tillotson, are created with crayon and charcoal and then combined together digitally. An adorable read aloud story especially for dog lovers who understand dogs need to chew!

President Taft is Stuck in the Bath by Mac Barnett and Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

We have read about George Washington and his teeth and Abraham Lincoln and his top hat, but what about President Taft. Did you know that he got stuck in the bathtub?  A clever, silly but yet true story of how the 27^th President got stuck in his bathtub and how they got him out. The illustrations are expressive, bold and quite colorful. These gouache caricatures add silliness to a true story. A great Author’s note with facts pertaining to President Taft can be found at the back of the book along with an archived picture of the bathtub in the White House with President Taft and four men from his cabinet.

Share by Sally Ann Garland

Sharing isn’t easy; in fact most kids don’t like to share. Bunny is no different but when her cousin comes to visit she realizes just how much she doesn’t like to share. But her cousin wants to do everything like bunny and bunny doesn’t understand why. A sweet rhyming story that helps children understand the importance of sharing and why it can be so hard. Illustrations are digitally created with a soft pastel palette. This is a great read aloud or bedtime story. It also can be a  useful tool in teaching the importance of sharing.

Max Makes a Cake

Introducing a Passover PJ library book!

Meet Max, who wants to bake a surprise Passover birthday cake for his mom. Max is a big boy, he can almost tie his shoes, and he even knows the four questions for Passover in Hebrew and English. But everyone knows that baking a cake during Passover is not so easy and one must get really creative. So Max gets to work, only he really needs the help of his dad to pull this off. But dad is too busy with Max’s fussy baby sister and so Max decides to take matters into his own hands. And that is exactly what Max does, starting with the frosting first, just in case dad makes it down in time to help.

“Why is this cake different from all other cakes?” asks Max at the end of the story. The author ties this question in beautifully with the importance of the Four Questions during the Passover Seder. This is a sweet and clever story about baking a cake with lots and lots of matzah as well as capturing a moment when a young boy realizes he can be independent. The author, Michelle Edwards, includes Max’s ingenious cake recipe along with a very brief description of the Passover Story.

Illustrations by Charles Santoso are adorable with warm and cheerful animated expressions. The illustrations were rendered with pencil on paper and then scanned and colored digitally.

Max Makes a Cake is a wonderful story that is perfect for story time during the Passover holiday and welcome in any Jewish library as well as Public libraries collections too. Recommended for ages 3-6.

What is PJ Library®?  It’s a program that mails FREE, high-quality Jewish children’s books and music to families in the San Francisco Bay Area (and across the country!) on a monthly basis.  Sign up here: http://pjlibrary.org/Communities/Enroll-in-a-Community.aspx?id=12 to enroll.  More info at www.pjlibrary.org

Exclamation Mark!

 

Exclamation Mark! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

This is a story about an exclamation point, really? It is about learning how to fit in, stand out, help others, as well as find your way in life. It is a fabulous picture book that is cleverly written by a bestselling dynamic duo team with simple illustrations that really relay the story perfectly. Read this wonderful picture book in the classroom as a grammar lesson. Read this picture book as a read aloud, or as a story to help children learn about their own unique qualities.  I recommend this story for all ages! Run, don’t walk to your nearest library and check this fabulous book out!

Cloudette

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld

Nothing is wrong with being small. Meet Cloudette, a small little cloud that wants to make a difference in the world. Follow her on some adventures to do some greatness and the friends she meets along the way.

A wonderful story about accepting who you are, no matter what your size is and that everyone can make a difference in the world. The whimsy illustrations are done in ink, pastel colored pencils and watercolors. This is a fabulous read aloud that will make for many great discussions.

Recommended for ages 3-7 yrs. old.

Check out some other great books illustrated by Tom Lichtenfeld:
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Exclamation Mark!
Duck! Rabbit!
Shark vs. Train 

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

It is 1934 and Mrs. Harkness has never seen a panda, not many people have. Her husband has just set out to bring the first panda back to the United States from China. Unfortunately during his expedition he dies trying to find one. Mrs. Harkness then decides she must go to China to bring home the first panda and finish what her husband had started. Read this remarkable story about a strong-willed woman on a mission that actually shapes American attitudes towards wildlife.

The illustrations are creative and very unique. The illustrator, Melissa Sweet, used mixed media with exuberant watercolors and collages. In fact she used a collection of papers that she actually purchased on a trip to China. She also included real photographs of Mrs. Harkness and the panda she brought home, Su Lin (which means, 'a little bit of something very cute').

The author, Alicia Potter, includes a Chronology of Events as well as an Author's Note in the story which explain the history of Mrs. Harkness's expedition. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Author Greg Foley

Meet Bear

Greg Foley, a creative author and illustrator has created a set of books about a little bear. In these four books, the author’s theme for his stories is about the importance of friendship. Since I’m a librarian, I don’t purchase a lot of books. I check them out and read them over and over again from the library. But if ever there were books to purchase, these would be the ones to have on your child’s bookshelf, all four of them in fact. They are wonderful!

Who is Greg Foley, he is a young guy who grew up in Austin Texas. He comes from a family of educators and is also one himself. His first picture book, Thank you Bear, won the prestigious Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in a picture book. His background is art and his illustrations are done in line art, which are then digitally rendered from pencil sketches. While they are so simple and there isn’t a lot on each page, they are very sweet and really tell the story.

Thank you Bear  (Published in 2007)

Thank you Bear was Greg’s first book introducing the character bear.  Bear is a sweet little simple fellow. He finds a small box that he thinks will be perfect for his friend mouse. Unfortunately he gets a lot of criticism from his other friends about the box not being that great. It’s a box. But once mouse sees the box, he loves it. In this story we learn about the importance of true friendship. 

Don’t worry bear (Published in 2008)

In his next story bear befriends a caterpillar that is busy making her cocoon. Bear doesn’t understand the importance of the cocoon and worries about the caterpillar because he can’t see her while she is inside of the cocoon. She tells him not to worry, that he will see her again soon. But he just doesn’t understand. Will he ever see his friend the caterpillar again? Once again, the author has created another simple but lovely story about friendship. 

Good luck Bear (Published in 2009)

In Foley’s third story, Good luck Bear, we learn about luck. Bear is trying to find a four-leaf clover because he knows that will bring him luck. But none of his friends are willing to help him look for it, except of course mouse. Who in the end finds something even better than the four-leaf clover? You will have to read the story to see.

Make a wish bear (Published in 2012)

In Foley’s last installment of Bear, the importance of friendship is stressed yet again. Bear makes a wish upon a star and waits for his wish to come true. Try to guess what that wish might be. It has to do with all of his friends.

Truly these stories are just fabulous and I’m eagerly awaiting more bear books from this talented author and illustrator, Greg Foley.

If you want to know more about him check out his website at:

www.thankyoubear.com

Personally I can’t wait to see what Greg Foley creates next…

Creatrilogy Set by Peter Reynolds

Check out this beautifully boxed set of three hardcover picture books that celebrate the power of original thinking!

The Dot – Is the first book in this wonderful little series by Peter Reynolds. Meet Vashti. Vashti, isn’t an artist, she can’t draw. But her art teacher wants her to create something on a piece of paper. But Vashti insists that she can’t draw. Instead she places a dot on a piece of paper. That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey into self-discovery.

Ish – The second book in the series is about a little artist, Ramon who loves to draw. It is what Ramon does best. But suddenly he loses confidence in his drawings until his sister, Marisol, shows him that value of doing something and it doesn’t always have to be just perfect!

Sky Color – The third book in the Creatrilogy series is a story about a young girl, Marisol, who needs to paint the sky for a class mural but she can’t find the color she is looking for. Doesn’t the sky have to be blue? Not necessarily.

This set is a must for every little artist or non-artist. Because really it is about the power of the creative mind and the ability to just try. It is all about the creative process and not the end result. Thank you author/illustrator Peter Reynolds for helping us to teach our children how to express themselves and learning that there is an artist in us all.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Available on Amazon or in local bookstores:

http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reynolds-Creatrilogy-Box-Color/dp/0763663271/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358971653&sr=8-2&keywords=sky+color

When No One is Watching

I was lucky to receive an advanced copy proof of this adorable book that is expected to come out in February. 

When No One is Watching by Eileen Spinelli & Illustrated by David Johnson

This is a sweet story about a shy little girl who loves to do many things when others aren’t looking. She likes to dance, growl and cheer, she even likes to play basketball and shoot the ball into the hoop. But when everyone is watching she hides behind the couch like a cat, she passes the basketball to her friend, and she won’t sing but rather hum.  This is a story about being shy and knowing that nothing is wrong with it at all. Written in rhyme with wonderful ink drawing illustrations with watercolor and some digital manipulation. You begin to fall in love with this little girl with the wild curly hair. I know I did.

Books for Children on Death and Dying

Death is a hard topic to talk about yet a really important one. Whether your child is dealing with the death of a family pet, a grandparent or family member, a friend, neighbor, teacher; here are some wonderful books to share together that talk about the process of death. These books also have answers to questions that your children might have. The books with ** are my favorites. 

Books for Children on Death and Dying

** Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen

This is my favorite book to use with children ages 4 and up that explains death in a caring and beautiful way. It shows us through illustrations that dying is as much a part of living as being born. Ages 4 and up

The Goodbye Boat by Mary Joslin

This book describes death through pictures and words and about saying goodbye. Ages 4 and up

When Dinosaurs Die by Laurene Brown

This isn’t a story about death but actually deals with chidlren’s fears of death by answering basic questions. Ages 5-8

I Miss You: A first look at Death by Pat Thomas

Written by a psychotherapist and counselor this books helps children deal with understanding death. Ages 4 and up

Where are you? A Child’s book about loss by Lauren Olivieri

Ages 5 and up

Why do People Die? Helping your child understand with love and Understanding by Cynthia MacGregor

This book is a great comfort to children and adults and answers the questions that are often asked when someone dies. A straightforward book for ages 7 and up.

I had a friend named Peter: Talking to children about the death of a friend by Janice Cohn

When Betsy learns about the death of a friend she begins to learn about dying, funerals and the burial process. Ages 5 and up

When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers

A Mr. Rodgers book about coping with the death of a pet. Ages 5 and up

**My Pet Died by Rachel Biale

A wonderful ‘let’s make a book together that you can do with your child when dealing with a pet loss. 

Some great pictures books to share with your child with death as a main theme are: 

**The Tenth Good Thing about Barney by Judith Viorst

**Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinee Demas

The Accident by Carol Carrick

**I remember Miss Perry by Pat Brisson (dealing with the death of a teacher)

Jim’s dog Muffins by Miriam Cohen

Ada’s pal by George Ella Lyon

**Sammy in the Sky by Barbara Walsh

**Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley

**Harry and Hooper by Margaret Wild

Two wonderful stories about friendship

Vernon the toad has met a new friend, a small blue bird. But bird doesn't seem to be happy and Vernon isn't quite sure why. He asks little blue bird, but bird doesn't talk. He thinks that bird is lost from his home so he decides to introduce bird to his friends and try to discover where little blue bird's home really is. 

As the reader, we know from the start that the little blue bird has fallen out of a moving truck where he lived in a cuckoo clock. While Vernon doesn't know this, he tries everything to discover where little bird's home is. 

A very tender and thoughtful tale of friendship written by Caldecott winner, Author/Illustrator Philip Stead. The story is not only creative but the illustrations are richly colored in mixed media and truly display the emotions of Vernon and little blue bird. 

"Bird is shy," said Vernon, "but also a very good listener." Isn't that what friends are? A wonderful story that can be read over and over again. A story that can encourage discussions of what true friendship is and the importance of a home. 

A must for children ages 3 and up

Another very endearing tale of friendship. Meet Bear who is getting ready to go to sleep for the winter. Yet, he has a very important story to tell and he can't seem to find a friend who isn't getting ready for winter to stop and listen. He goes from friend to friend eagerly wanting to tell a story, but each time he gets more tired and each time his friends turn him away as they are busy getting ready for winter too.

Mouse is setting up his food supply in a tunnel, duck is getting ready to journey south for the winter, frog is seeking warm shelter, and mole is already fast asleep. As bear finds his spot for the winter he goes to sleep without ever telling his story.

Written by Philip Stead and illustrated by his wife, Erin, the Caldecott duo have done it again. The illustrations are done in pencil and watercolor and truly show the change in seasons. A wonderful story about friendship as well as the importance of patience. Ages 3 and up.

Little Cub

This story is not only tender and heartwarming but it is perfect for parents and children that make each other feel whole. This book is about a lonely old bear and a lonely little cub who find each other one day. Both don't like being alone yet they are. As they go through their days of eating and finding food, something is clearly missing. A friendship. And once they find each other they realize what they had been missing all along, each other.

One of the sweetest books I have ever read. This one is to be shared with your favorite little friends over and over again. An absolute must check out or even purchase!
Ages 2 on up!

The Bear in the Book

This story actually sums everything up that I have been saying about the importance of picture books. Right here in this book, the author has actually recreated a scene of reading a story to a child but incorporating the story within a story. It is brilliant! The story begins with, "Once there was a book..."

It is bedtime and a little boy chooses his favorite book on the shelf for his mother to read to him. A story about a bear, a big black bear who goes to sleep for the winter. As the mother is reading the story, the little boy turns the pages and asks questions about the bear. The fabulous rythmic text is brought to life by Georg Hallensleben's vibraint paintings.

We get a glimpse as a reader about the interplay between a child and his mother during their bedtime ritual of reading a story. The author has created a perfect model of how a mother and child share a book together, right down to the cuddling on the bed, looking at the pictures, and talking about the concepts in the book. And just as the bear is waking up from his long winter's sleep, the little boy begins to close his eyes for the night. Once again a picture book that truly shows the power that books have in connecting books to readers.

This could easily be one of the Caldecott winners for 2012. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

The Biggest Kiss of All

This is one of the most adorable read-aloud story about kisses. Big kisses, small kisses, wet kisses, kisses on the noses, kisses on the toes-es, high kisses, low kisses, all sorts of kisses. When I first read this story I thought of the beloved Dr. Seuss. This book could of been written by him. This story has such charm and such colorful, lively illustrations, you will want to read it over and over again. Everyone always needs kisses, kisses are so important. So what could be more important than a book on kisses for everyone! You will want to cuddle up with your favorite little person and read this story  again and again. A great bedtime story! Or an anytime story. Recommended for ages 3-8.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

This is a book that everyone should read. Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper is a compelling read about an 11 year-old child with Cerebral Palsy. Melody isn’t like most kids, she can’t walk and she can’t talk, but she can think. But nobody really knows what goes on in her mind, but we do as readers. Written from the point of view of the character the author shows us the life of a child with a terrible disease. While Melody isn’t mentally challenged like most people think. She is a fifth grader with normal thoughts and feelings. Melody has determination, she is funny and she is full of love. Melody is intelligent but nobody knows it because she can’t talk, she can’t complain, she can’t share her feelings, or answer the questions in class. She can do it in her head, but the words don’t come out of her mouth. That is until she receives a special computer that can talk for her. Once she learns how to the use the keyboard her thoughts come flying out and she suddenly goes from being the stupidest girl in the school to the smartest. But not everyone is ready to see how much she knows. 

This is truly a wonderful story about a young girl that you will never forget; a story of both heartache and hope. It can also be a wonderful story as a read aloud to a class to talk about differences. Another wonderful read about what it is like to be different. Sharon Draper wrote this story as a testament to those with disabilities, those who are misunderstood and to all the people out there that take care of these types of people.  A recommended read for Grades 5-8