Tag: uncoated paper

Book Review: Alpha By Isabelle Arsenault

This book is one of my prized treasures from last year. I spied an early version of it coming to the US at a book sellers convention and it literally made me halt and gasp. It is a breathtakingly beautiful abecedarian. In a market where alphabet books abound in every manner of cleverness, this book stands out – not only in its physical characteristics with a cloth spine and uncoated paper – but also in its use of the NATO phonetic alphabet combined with unique visuals. Prepare to be captivated by an alphabet book. Here is Alpha by Isabelle Arsenault, 2015.

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Book Review: A Great Big Cuddle By Rosen & Riddell

Poetry is one of those things that I always want to be better about reading for myself, but also sharing with my kids. I loved poetry as a child, and even now as an adult when I remember to read some. Poetry is wonderfully lyrical, imaginative, and memorable. We have started reading some poetry books at lunchtime, when I have finished eating and we are waiting for everyone to be finished. Robert Louis Stevenson collections seem to always be easily found, illustrated by so many favorites. But this book stumbled into my view recently and I rushed to the library to test it out. Chris Riddell is one of my illustration inspirations so that was a major selling point with this book. But I also love that the poems are geared to very little kids. They are silly. They ring true. And they are delightful to giggle over together. Enjoy A Great Big Cuddle: Poems for the Very Young by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Chris Riddell, 2015.

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25 Days – Book 24: Marguerite’s Christmas

I have saved a very lovely and exciting new book for this Christmas Eve post. I spied this one a few months back at a book conference and have been waiting to finally have a chance to see and review it. Originally printed in Canada in 2013, this book has finally made its way to the U.S. thanks to the wonderful Enchanted Lion Books. It is a unique, endearing, slightly bizarre story about an elderly woman spending Christmas Eve in her home. Here is Marguerite’s Christmas by India Desjardins, illustrated by Pascal Blanchet, 2015.

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25 Days – Book 18: A Child’s Christmas In Wales (Ill. Raschka)

We are a week away from Christmas in this picture book countdown. I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted already from the holiday. I’m also behind. So when I sat down today to write this post, I was a bit disheartened to remember I had chosen a very long book. I mean really long, as in, it probably shouldn’t even count as a picture book. But then I sat with it, read through it, and felt myself take a deep sigh. I needed the moment of peace. I needed to be told a story from someone like this whose storytelling reminds me of my grandfather. So I am at peace with today’s book and hope you need something just like it too. Take a moment with A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Chris Raschka, (1954) 2004.

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25 Days – Book 16: Christmas Is Together-Time

Continuing on our Christmas picture book countdown, it is time for some vintage. And who better than Charlie Brown for sentimental, nostalgic, tongue-in-cheek, festive reading? This is one of the small gift books from the 60s and it is hysterical, charming, thought-provoking, smile-inducing, and chock full of Peanuts characters. Add in one color, black ink on bright red and green paper, and I am sold! Here is Christmas is Together-Time by Charles M. Schulz, 1964.

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25 Days – Book 11: The Night Before Christmas Illustrated by Duvoisin

Day 11 of our Advent countdown and it is time to add another book to “The Night Before Christmas” tag. I just cannot resist. And honestly, no offense Mr. Moore, but it isn’t because of the poem. Yes, I appreciate the lovely wording and beautiful imagery he penned; but most fascinating to me in each of these many duplicate-named books is the interpretation by the different illustrators. I especially love when a well-known and beloved illustrator takes their turn with the text. So let’s take a look at the gorgeous, classic, and recently reissued version of that famous poem, The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin, 1954.

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