My apologies on a late start for this year’s Christmas book Advent list. This Christmas season is already shaping up to be even more packed with all the amazing festivities NYC puts on. It is so exciting to be here and seeing it all, but it is even more incredible to be living it with our toddler. It feels like the holiday is once again brand new to her and that means all the books are too! It is so fun to be “introducing” the holiday to her and wondering if she’ll remember anything this time around. I found myself picking out specific books for certain days as a way to build up and explain things as they arrive. What an added joy to this lovely season!
Continue reading “25 Days – Book 1: Christmas is Coming”Author: Caryn
25 Days of Children’s Picture Books for Christmas, 2014
I can hardly believe it is that time of year again. Christmas season has begun! Oh, how things have changed in the past year with our big move, new baby, and even all my new book finds! I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever run out of books to do a picture book countdown until Christmas. It is hard to believe there are so many lovely Christmas-themed picture books out there, and my goodness, there are so many renditions of “The Night Before Christmas!” Getting this in late on December 1, I’m ready to try my hand at another year. I hope you’ll join along! And if you are looking for more Christmas book ideas, be sure to check out my 2012 countdown and 2013 countdown too! Let the Advent season begin!
Book Trailer: Sam & Dave Dig A Hole By Barnett & Klassen
This book looks excellent and the trailer just makes me laugh. I also keep thinking of the digger kids from that old TV show Recess. Anyone else remember that? I can’t wait to spend time with this new collaboration from these two awesome picture book makers. Check out Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, just published in October by Candlewick.
Let’s Read Three: Chicken Picture Books!
I have a slightly odd book-pairing today. All three of these books are so lovely and quite enjoyable that I just had to make a grouping, despite the subject being a bit peculiar. Everybody loves to read about chickens, right? The backyard chicken movement seems to be slowing down in popularity news-wise, but I know many who have awesome egg-laying friends pecking around their yards. And chickens make great picture book characters. Their shape and strut give tons of illustration inspiration and they all seem to sport some great attitude. Let’s read three picture books about chickens!
Continue reading “Let’s Read Three: Chicken Picture Books!”Book Trailer: The Right Word by Bryant and Sweet
Another lovely book trailer for a gorgeous book just released from Eerdmans. Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet have teamed up for a stunning creation about Peter Roget and his Thesaurus. I recently saw an original piece of art by Melissa Sweet for this at Society of Illustrators and it blew my mind. Her collage illustrations are unparalleled. Check it out! The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, 2014.
Book Review: Space Witch By Don Freeman
Now it is time for a little vintage Halloween. I have heard about this book over the years, but had never seen a copy of it until recently. Some love it dearly and remember it fondly, but also remember it as scaring the pants off them as a kid. It is about a witch after all. And it is a witch who delights in frightening people and especially children. This is a classic Don Freeman, which might be surprising to some as he is best known for dear sweet Corduroy. Here is a funny, vintage, spooky story showing a different side of Freeman, but still containing his great illustration style. This is Space Witch by Don Freeman, 1959.
Continue reading “Book Review: Space Witch By Don Freeman”