Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (see our review here) hurled Sherri Rinker’s star into the picture-book firmament. Accepted by the first publisher she submitted it to, the cheerful tale of five construction vehicles settling down for the night went on to become one of the top-selling picture books of 2011. Now the same talented team (Sherri [...]
It’s National Poetry Month! Who cares, right? Well, YOU should care. Not because it’s “National Poetry Month,” per se, but because poetry is worth enjoying and learning more about. Why? Well, for one, Scripture is full of poetry–and not merely in the Psalms, either. Poetry is often an expression of deep, intimate emotion or experience, [...]
I’m honored to be contributing to Redeemed Reader! It seems fitting to start off with a “Librarian’s List” of sorts. Megan and I called these “Weekly Round-ups” on Literaritea; essentially it’s a list of great books on a similar topic, often ranging in age/reading level, with one general introduction. Our Easter list last week was [...]
What could be more appropriate for Holy Week than a survey of children’s Bibles and Bible storybooks? That’s what I foolishly thought, but this project became a version of The Blob the deeper I waded into it. Amazon.com has over 100 pages under the heading “Children’s Bibles,” though many of those are storybooks. Christianbook.com lists [...]
One month ago was “Oscar night for Librarians,” when the American Library Association announced their “best of” picks for children’s literature. We’ve given some space to reporting on some of these awards, while waiting for the winners I reserved at my local library to trickle in. The oldest and most coveted award is the Newbery, [...]
I’ve heard that aside from William Shakespeare, more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than any other historical figure. That makes it difficult to come up with a fresh angle, but Lane Smith has succeeded, and Russell Freedman has at least written a readable history that opens up a few windows for fresh air. [...]
Early this week, I called your attention to some recent picture books worth passing on to the lap-sitter set (ages 2-5). Today we wrap it up with some noteworthy picture books that kids can enjoy into their upper-elementary dotage: The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau, by Michelle Markel, Illustrated by Amanda Hall. Eardmanns, 2012, 32 [...]
A post for grandmas out there: when we go to the bookstore at this time of year to pick out something with no plastic in it, we’re certain to be bombarded with the latest movie-franchise offering or celebrity vanity-stoker. Better books are doubtless tucked away behind the splashy displays, but time is limited and who [...]
Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday, by Mike Allegra, illustrated by David Gardner. Whitman, 2012, 32 pages. Age-interest level: 4-up As our story opens, Sarah Hale is gathered with her five children around the Thanksgiving table. No one looks happy, and no wonder: “They had just returned from their father’s grave and [...]
In a campaign season, especially a big general election like this one, parents and teachers want to give the kids a clue what’s going on. We’re also supposed to be training responsible citizens who will someday take part in the political process. If you’re checking the library for books on the subject, it’s best to [...]
The picture book is alive and well, to judge by the way the publishing industry keeps pumping them out. Here are some of the more recent (and one more that’s not so recent) offerings, all recommended: Jonah’s Whale, by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. Eerdmans, 2012, 32 pages. “God made Whale. God gave Whale [...]
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