droolicious : Books

Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Arriving in August

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Your kids know the planets well enough to make the jump to hyperspace in their sleep, but how well do they understand the geography, astronomy and political lines behind the Star Wars universe? When Star Wars: The Essential Atlas arrives in mid-August, it should help to fill in any such blanks -- because, you know, you've got to study something when school lets out.

Covering the most obscure corners of the Star Wars canon (as well as the big, famous adventures we all know and love), Star Wars: The Essential Atlas fills its 256 pages with maps, charts, data and facts galore on everything from the films to their book, comic and video-game spinoffs. Admittedly, I haven't actually seen a copy yet, but if Father's Day were a few months later, I know what'd be topping my list.

Preoder yours -- I mean your kids' -- copy now for $19.80 from Amazon, and save 34% off the $30 list price.

Make Their Own Book - in a Box

JeanneSager — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

If you're begging your little egghead to put down the book and come up for air, maybe this will convince them: a book they can make themselves.

Eye Can Art's Book in a Box kits are easy peasy (even for the non-Martha moms and dads among us), and come stocked with everything you need to make four different books, all with their distinctive style. So take the summer reading list and make it part art project, part show and tell this summer.

The resealable kits come with scissors, paper, boxes, colored pencils and just about everything else you need (kitchen sink not included and not required). Get one from Eye Can Art for $24 and start reading!

Harry Potter Meets James Herriot

JeanneSager — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:29:00 GMT

His tales of being a country veterinarian were the animal legends we grew up on. Now James Herriot's Treasury for Children is back for our kids, and we can take it on the go.

Jim Dale, the English actor who's won multiple Grammy's for recreating Hogwarts with his voice (146 different characters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows alone!) has finished up work on the audiobook version of Herriot's classics. Like Goldilocks, Dale's got it just right.

Older (he was born in the 30s) and, of course, English, he sounds the part of a simple country vet making the rounds of the village's animals and delighting in their antics. The two CD set is available from St. Martin's Press now, so stock up for all your summer trips on the road.

Maybe your kids will put off begging for that puppy for an extra day or two.

Get the audiobook of Treasury for Children from Amazon for $10.17.

And Check Out Another Audio Fave:

Gwyneth Reads Eric Carle!

Bonding with Books: The Birthday Box

AmandaHill — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Birthday Box is just another fabulous children's book by Leslie Patricelli. The Birthday Box is about a cute toddler that gets a mysterious birthday package from grandma. In the process of finding out what the present is, he has way more fun playing with the birthday box. It would a be a great book for bonding, and it is recommended for ages Baby-Preschool.

Check it out at Amazon.

Bonding with Books: Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

AmandaHill — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Scott Magoon is a beautiful little book about a spoon that feels bad about himself. Spoon's life isn't as excited as other pieces of cutlery like a knife or chopsticks. The book celebrates the individual things that make someone special.

Amy Krouse Rosenthal does such a fabulous job with children's books. Click behind the fold to find out more.

It's a great book to bond with and is recommended from preschoolers-1st graders. Check it out at Amazon.

Gwyneth Reads Eric Carle!

JeanneSager — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:35:00 GMT

What's better than a CD of our favorite Eric Carle books? One of our favorite moms reading the classic stories.

Gwyneth Paltrow lends her acting chops and gentle voice to four of Eric Carle's "what do you see" classics, inclinding Brown Bear, Polar Bear, Panda Bear and Baby Bear in Brown Bear and Friends, a new book on CD from Macmillan Audio Books.

Perfect for popping in the CD changer and handing your tot the book version for car rides, Gwynnie brings these animal tales to life the way a true mom (or dad) always does - by doing all the "voices." Spanish versions of each, plus a copy of Brown Bear voiced by Carle's co-author Bill Martin Jr. help round out the hour-long disc, but in total geek fashion, I have to admit the two best tracks come at the end. They're two parts of an interview with the man himself. Carle talks about finding his way into children's books - beginning with Brown Bear, Brown Bear. With a hint of his German accent still remaining, he sounds like a bit of a cuddly bear himself!

Get it from Amazon for $10.99.

Win a Signed Copy of the Book Replacing Twilight

JeanneSager — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:31:00 GMT

Though written for a teen audience, Twilight had the mom audience fully engaged. I'm not in the least bit embarrassed to say I was bitten.

(Embarrassed by the bad pun? Well, kinda). So if you're a mom mourning the end of the Twilight series, I've got good news. Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke has chosen a new project, and the book might be even better than the real thing.

If I Stay is another teen lit pick, but where Twilight reveled in relaying teenage angst, Gayle Forman's short novel tackles sweet teen love without leaving a saccharine taste behind.

Julliard-bound high school senior Mia's life changes forever in the time it takes for her parents car to cross a lane of traffic and collide with another driver. Watching the aftermath from outside of her body, the teenager explores love and loss in flashbacks to her pre-accident life. A cautionary tale for teens of the power they hold when they get behind the wheel, the novel deftly explores teenage passion and family dynamics without preaching.

But even as it lives up to its YA classification, If I Stay is a haunting tale worth a night on the couch for mom - even if she leaves it blubbering over the thought of a child facing life without her parents.

Want a copy? Publisher Penguin is offering signed copies to 10 Babble readers. Shoot an e-mail to babblecontest@gmail.com with the "If I Stay Contest" in the subject line. Please include your name and address. Ten winners will be chosen at random after the contest closes on May 1.

Star Kid: Ginger Spice and Her Little Miss Busy

SunnyChanel — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:33:00 GMT

Geri Halliwell aka Ginger Spice took to the streets with her Little Miss Busy, the book that is. But odds are the book belongs to her daughter Bluebell. This retro styed kid's ode is part of the popular Mr. Men and Little Miss children’s book series (which has been around since 1971). You can pick up your own Little Miss Busy (for age 4-8) from Amazon here for $3.99.

Photo: Via Jezebel!

LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary Leaving Hyperspace in September

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Yeah, I've been on a bit of a Star Wars kick this week, but after stumbling across this upcoming LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary from DK, I can safely say this is the find that tops 'em all.

Even though the book isn't due in stores till Sept. 21, speculation, the DK name and a compelling description at its Amazon product page indicate that we'll have plenty of illuminating close-ups to look forward to when this visual guide arrives.

It's listed at $21.99, but Amazon is offering a Pre-Order Price Guarantee of $14.95. Set down that LEGO Republic Gunship you've been building and preorder yours here.

Spring Reading: The Little Chick

Lisa Estall — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Over the weekend I read my son The Little Chick. It’s a very cute book featuring a curious little chick who asks her loving auntie about the wonders of a carrot, a kite and the starry night sky. My son was captivated by the illustrations and was interested in my reading the story.

The Little Chick's author is Amy Hest and I think she did a good job in narrating the three vignettes because my 3-year-old understood the stories. it's recommended for children ages 2 and up.

Published by Candlewick Press, it is retailed for $17.99.

A DIY Library

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:32:00 GMT

While I’m sure computers and bar codes make tracking books much easier for libraries, I miss the old-school card catalogs, the tiny drawers stuffed full of yellowed, hand-typed cards. Anyone else with similar fond memories may like the Personal Library Kit ($20). The kit includes library tech of yore: adhesive pockets to stick into books, insert cards for checking in and out, plus a date stamp, pad and pencil. It could be used for real book borrowing, but could easily stock any kids’ imaginary library once you swap the ink pad for one that's washable.

SALE: Barnes & Noble Buy 2 Get 1 Free

AmandaHill — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:00:00 GMT

April 2nd-April 5th Barnes and Noble is having a great deal on kid's books. You can buy two Easter books and get one free. So if you celebrate Easter and have a tiny book lover, you should check the sale out.

Click on over to check out the plethora of books being offered.

A New York Inspired Counting Book

Lisa Estall — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:30:00 GMT

As a native New Yorker, I really appreciate the colorful counting book, 123 New York. Count along with your child the colorful symbols of New York City. The Statue of Liberty, yellow taxis, subway cars and pizzas are all represented. My son really is engaged in the graphics and is always interested in reading it with me.

I really love this book because it’s so different. Duo Press also has published 123 California, 123 Texas, 123 Chicago and 123 USA.

'Sofa Boy' Creatively Nudges Kid Gamers off the Couch

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:30:00 GMT

It might seem a curious topic for a game-industry veteran's first book, but with Sofa Boy, Scott Langteau delivers an inspired motivator for getting kid gamers off the couch.

Equally retro-cute and Tim Burton-esque weird, thanks to Pin-Up Toons mastermind Rion Vernon's illustrations, Sofa Boy tells the tale of a game-obsessed kid who learned too late that he should've taken time to get out in the real world to play. We won't give away the ending, but suffice it to say Langteau's twisted sense of humor shines through the muck of Sofa Boy's universe.

One of the more timid images from Sofa Boy.

Admittedly, the visual story seemed a bit much even for a grizzled dad like me, but despite its seeming shock value, Sofa Boy has quickly turned into one of my boys' favorite books. At its core, it's a valuable lesson told in simple rhymes, and a great way to bond away from the game console before bedtime.

$10.17 (normally $14.95) at Amazon.

Happy 40th to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Now in Pop-Up Form

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:30:00 GMT

If you tried searching for anything via Google today, you might've noticed that the search giant's logo has morphed into imagery from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Besides marking the first day of spring (yay!), it's a nod to the 40th-anniversary celebration of Eric Carle's classic kids' book, which, all these years after its first publication, still sells one copy every 30 seconds. Thanks to a new pop-up edition released last week, that number may be jumping exponentially.

We hate to give anything away, but it's not like you don't know how this one ends -- plus, the pop-up finale in The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book is too lovely not to share. The book, which normally sells for $29.99, is currently around 40% off at Amazon -- pick one up for the kids, and donate a copy to the school library in honor of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day,” which happens to be today.

Also on Babble: Check out our recent field trip to the Eric Carle Museum and our 5-Minute Time Out with Mr. Carle himself.

Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

SunnyChanel — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:00:00 GMT

First off, just take a gander at the above cover art. What do you see? Do you see a duck? Do you see a rabbit? Do you see both? Do you see a Portuguese water dog? If you answered yes to the first three, this book is for you. If you answered yes to the last question, well my friend, you need glasses…stat. But I’d bet most will see the before mentioned duck and rabbit and will be delighted, amused and tickled by the newest offering from Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

Duck! Rabbit! is by the award winning author of Little Pea, Little Hoot and Little Oink. The optical illusion book that is based on a simple drawing of a duck/rabbit will captivate little readers, and big ones too, with the art of seeing something in more than one unique way. There’s always more than meets the eye and this is one of those books that will still bring the fun even after many multiple readings...and trust me, there will be many many readings of this one. $16.99 from Chronicle Books here.

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

Chris Ford — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:30:00 GMT

I almost never write about books on Droolicious (which should probably change come to think of it), and with this book I am probably late to the party, but it is so great I had to evangelize it a bit more. Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth is the story of a panda named Stillwater, and the three short tales he tells children.

The book itself is beautifully illustrated in watercolors, with each of the individual stories illustrated with sort of asian brush-strokes. The stories are simple, peaceful tales not meant to teach as much as show different ways of looking at situations that kids find themselves in all the time. It's rare that my kids and I actually discuss a book after reading it the previous night, but with Zen Shorts we ended up talking about examples in our lives where the stories apply.

It is easily the best book I've bought for my kids in the last year, and I highly recommend it. In fact, the newer book from Jon J. Muth is out now too - Zen Ties. Read about that one on Babble here.

Zen Shorts, $15.23 for the collector's edition from Amazon.com

Bedtime Reading for Grownups

Meredith Broussard — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:45:00 GMT

If you were intrigued by today's interview with Dr. Paul Offit of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, or if you are tempted by Babble's exclusive excerpt from Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for the Cure, you may want to click over to Amazon to pick up your own copy of the book.

Dr. Offit has also written other popular books about vaccines and safety, including an informational book called Vaccines: What You Should Know and two dramatic narrative nonfiction books about vaccines, Vaccinated: One Man's Quest to Defeat the World's Deadliest Diseases and The Cutter Incident: How America's First Polio Vaccine Led to the Growing Vaccine Crisis.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that vaccine controversies aren't new, and that vaccine issues offer interesting insights into how scientific knowledge is created

Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for the Cure, $16.47 at Amazon.

SALE: Barnes & Noble Kid's Sale 40% Off

AmandaHill — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Sometimes quality children's books can be expensive. Today through March 4th, Barnes & Noble is having a Kid's Sale. All kid's products are up to 40% off: Books, toys, DVDs and even music. They also have a deal going on for fast and free delivery in just 3 days.This might be the perfect time to purchase a fantastic book for your little one.

Click on over to Barnes and Noble to check it out.

Send Your Eco Scout Out With the Right Gear

Heather Kuldell — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:23:00 GMT

Going green is more than buying reusable materials or the latest eco-chic water bottle. The Idbids Scout Eco-Friendly Set ($39.99) comes with a little knowledge. Scout, a stuffed white cloud, comes with an organic cinch-top back pack and a story book that includes 10 steps kids can take to help protect the environment. They may be baby steps to a more environmentally friendly life, but you gotta start somewhere.

Happy Presidents' Day: Kids' Letters To President Obama

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT

While you're celebrating Presidents' Day with a house full of hyper, free-from-school kids, take time to smile with Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids' Letters to President Obama. Collecting real letters to #44 from kids all across the U.S., the book offers a wealth of advice -- some of it more sensible than side-splitting -- as only kids can deliver it on subjects ranging from the pressing (the economy, race relations) to the donwright cute (dinosaur projects, snow cones). Some examples:

"If I were president, I would help all nations, even Hawaii."
— Chad Timsing, age 9, Los Angeles

"I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though."
— Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle

"1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter. 2. Walk in. 3. Wipe feet. 4. Walk to the Oval Office. 5. Sit down in a chair. 6. Put hand sanitizer on hands. 7. Enjoy moment. 8. Get up. 9. Get in car. 10. Go to the dog pound."
— Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago

$12 from the McSweeney's Store.

Wooden Book Holder

AmandaHill — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:00:00 GMT

While book shelves are nice, sometimes book holders like this are often easier and more accessible that shelves. The book holder featured above is so charming. It's 10 1/2" tall, 15 1/2" wide, and 9" deep. Click behind the fold to read more.

This fabulous little book holder is available from Giggle Brush Designs.

Don't Let This Pigeon Drive the Bus

SunnyChanel — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:30:00 GMT

There are many things we teach our children. Look both ways before crossing the street, brush your teeth after meals and don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. Okay, maybe not all of you pass on that last bit of knowledge, but for families that are fans of Mo Williams’s Caldecott Honor Award Winning book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, you know what I’m talking about.
For those little pigeon lovers out there, this plush toy is for you. This soft chenille doll says “Let Me Drive the Bus!!” when squeezed in Mo William’s own voice. You can get your own pigeon pal here direct from the toy maker Yot Toy here for $22.

Bonding with Books: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.

AmandaHill — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore and Illustrated by Amy Wummer is a board book that uses around 200 words to describe the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. to young children. The beautiful illustrations capture vignettes of King's life. Click behind the fold to read more about this great book for children.

Using the simplest terms, the book explains the end of segregation in America to young children. If you are looking for a book that discusses Martin Luther King, Jr. for your children, this one has received fabulous reviews for both the stories and illustrations. Click on over to Amazon to order yours.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Picture Book

AmandaHill — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

This Martin Luther King, Jr. picture book by David A. Adler and illustrated by Robert Casilla would make an interesting addition to any child's library. It introduces the life and legacy of King to children, emphasizing his childhood and family. Click behind the fold to read more.

The illustrations are amazing watercolor paintings that detail King's life. The book ends with a list of important dates in his life. Click on over to Amazon to order this book today.