droolicious : picture books

Picture Book: Higher! Higher!

Lisa Estall — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:38:00 GMT

This picture book called Higher! Higher! tells the story in drawings about a little girl on a swing who ends up swinging so high she reaches outer space and does a high five with an alien.

What I like about this book is the illustrations by Leslie Patricelli, who also is the writer. However I do think the story falls short and left me with a... question mark. I really wanted to read more. With that opinion expressed, this is a picture book recommended to girls and boys 2-5 years old and perhaps your little one might like it.

It’s retailed at $15.99 and published by Candlewick Press.

'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.

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.

How Do You Say Goodnight?

SunnyChanel — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:30:00 GMT

I love a book that is interactive. And when there are hugs, kisses and cuddles involved, then I really love it. Now How Do You Say Goodnight (HarperCollins 2008) by Raina Moore isn’t really an “interactive” book but when the puppies, piglets and kittens featured in the tale give their Mommies snuggles, embraces and pecks on the cheeks, it’s hard not to follow their cues.

The soothing images and simple pace of the book is perfect for bedtime and a perfect end to the nighttime story ritual and hopefully one that will lull them off to dreamland. You can pick one up from here for $16.99.

The Only Book You'll Need This Season: David Shannon's 'Too Many Toys'

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:04:00 GMT

As the holiday shopping season and its attendant financial panic draw near, let us all reflect on the greatness of David Shannon's new book Too Many Toys, which finds the young character Spencer surrounded by more toys than he can play with in three lifetimes. (Sound familiar?) The last straw comes when Mom and Dad can't walk for fear of stepping on another piece of plastic junk, and Spencer is forced to make some hard decisions. He fills a carton to overflowing but in the end realizes he'd rather have this plain old box than any new store-bought toys -- and so our little hero learns the very grown-up joy of living simply.

$16.99 (with 20% off if you buy online) from Barnes & Noble.

7 Days of Summer Reading: No, David!

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:30:00 GMT

If David Shannon's award-winning 1998 picture book No, David! looks and reads like the handiwork of a hyperactive 5-year-old, that's because Shannon drew from his own childhood experience -- and most everyone else's, for that matter -- in writing it.

Bounding from one mischievous act to another, little David just wants to have fun, but at each turn of the page, it seems the only words he hears are "No, David!" Still, despite all her scolding, David's mom never gives up on her little rapscallion, and in the story's last few pages she reminds him with a big, warm hug, "Yes, David, I love you."

No, David! has been a longtime favorite with all three of my sons, and even as the tales on our oldest's bookshelf have gotten wilder and more grown-up, he'll pull out this classic every few months for a reminder that there's a little bit of David and his mom in all of us, and that's all right.

No, David! is on sale now for $11.55 from Amazon.

Do You Know What Mo Willems' Pigeon Wants?

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:25:00 GMT

Me neither. That didn’t stop me from ordering Caldecott-winning Willem’s next installment of his Pigeon picture books. Online, the title only appears as The Pigeon Wants a … . However, the flock of fans should find out what Pigeon has his heart set on today. Not only is it the official book release, it’s also Pigeon’s birthday. Sounds like it’s time for a hot-dog party!

Updated: I know what Pigeon wants.

A puppy.

Purchase it at Amazon, $14.99.

Telling 'The Truth About Easter Rabbits'

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:48:00 GMT

The truth about Easter rabbits, of course, is whatever you want it to be. But if you're not opposed to furthering the Easter Bunny myth and are looking for a novel way to re-spin the yarn in the days leading up to March 23, The Truth About Easter Rabbits ($17.95 from Nico & Zoe) makes a great jumping-off point. Illustrated with images collected from vintage picture books and postcards, the book gives the back-story on these magical rabbits' family lives, their egg-coloring traditions, and the logistics of just how they manage to deliver all those goodies to children around the world each year.