Books for Kids

MERCER MAYER

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 22:24:00 -0800

“Mercer Mayer has been writing and illustrating books for children for more than forty years. His most recognized character, the lovable and charismatic Little Critter(R), was born in 1975 in the book "Just for You". Mercer's Little Critter has since starred in more than two hundred books and sold over one hundred and fifty million copies”.

"Most of my books are about things that happened to me when I was a little kid," says Mercer. "Now that I'm a big kid, I write about things that happen now, especially with my own children. They always help remind me of what it was like."

If you want to know more about Mercer Mayer visit this site:

http://www.littlecritter.com/about_mercer_mayer.html

TWO BY TWO Written and Illustrated by Barbara Reid

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:31:00 -0700

TWO BY TWO

Written and Illustrated by Barbara Reid

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 29
Ages: 2 and up

I was in search of a book about Noah when I came across this lovely book by Barbara Reid.

I recognized her Plasticine illustrations immediately.

My Granddaughters and I thoroughly enjoy reading this book and examining the pictures over and over again.

Barbara Reid's art is full of interesting details and vibrant colors. She retells this familiar tale in whimsical rhyme.

******************************

As many of you know, Noah and his family build this humongous boat. Mrs. Noah loads up her arms with seeds of every flower, tree and weed.

The sons and their wives packed in the food. Then all the animals board the arc, TWO BY TWO .

It rained for forty days and forty nights. "Space within was so restricted, Even the boas felt constricted."

The rain stopped and the water recedes.

The arc hits dry land and Noah opens the door and lowered the planks. "With hoot and squawk and squeak and bark, The animals tumbled off the ark."

A wonderful story back dropped with beautiful renditions. We have read and reread this story many times and I am sure we will enjoy it many more times.

******************************

Have you had the chance to read this book? Or perhaps a different version of this story?

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

Bye for now.

Wishing you the best, Darlene

GIFTS Written by Jo Ellen Bogart and Illustrated by Barbara Reid

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 23:34:00 -0700

GIFTS

Written by Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrated by Barbara Reid

Publisher: Scholastic Canada, Limited
Pages: 36
Ages: 3-7

I have to admit that the pictures attracted me to this book.

The award winning plastercine illustrations are beautiful, clean and vibrant.

My granddaughters also love, love the illustrations. A large part about reading this book is discussing the images. Each page is a collage of images that define the geographical area that Grandma is visiting.

My Granddaughters noticed right away that the little girl was getting older and at the end she was all grown up.

My grandma went a-travelling, she said: "what would you have me bring?"

"Not much," said I, "just a piece of sky, and a hundred songs I can sing..."

And Grandma manages to do just that, delivering into a young girl's hands a pack of unusual souvenirs, from "billabong goo" to a sitar's zing. But more important, she brings the enduring gifts of enthusiasm, love and respect for a hundred different places and peoples the world over.

http://www.barbarareid.ca/books/gifts.html

The loving relationship between grandma and granddaughter as each ages is tenderly captured in hugs, smiles and subtle physical changes. ...

Gifts is a treasure to read alone, aloud, to a group, or to give to anyone who loves the unique..." - School Library Journal

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

Bye for now.

Wishing you the best, Darlene

My Perfect Pony

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 22:54:00 -0700

MY PERFECT PONY

Author: Gaby Goldsack

Illustrator: Michelle White

Publisher: Parragon Book Service Ltd
Pages: 24
Ages: 4 - 8

******************************

My four year old granddaughters are fascinated with horses. Two of their favourite movies are Spirit and Black Beauty. I don't know how many toy horses they have. So when Faith saw this book she snatched it up and asked if we could take it home.

This story is about a pony named Pepper and his owner Lucy.

Pepper was not the "most handsome, the smartest, or even the fastest pony, but Pepper did not mind" because "he knew he was the luckiest pony on the farm because Lucy - the sweetest, kindest, most loving little girl that a pony could ever wish to meet - owned him."

The other children laughed at Pepper but Lucy told Pepper that the children were jealous because he was the best Pony on the whole farm.

When Lucy tells Pepper that they are going to enter a horse show. Pepper feels bad. He is afraid to let Lucy down because he thinks all the other ponies are better than him.

Pepper sneaks out in the middle of the night to practice. The other ponies wake and laugh at him.

That night Pepper dreams about the beautiful Great White Horse wearing a silver charm.

The Horse shows the pony images of Pepper and Lucy together and says, "it doesn't matter what happens tomorrow. You are brave, loyal, and kind. You are the perfect pony for Lucy. Just be yourself tomorrow and everything will be all right!"

Lucy and Pepper win a few ribbons. At the end of the show, Pepper wins the blue ribbon and Lucy receives the Lucky Charm Award for best pony in the show.

Pepper is surprised. Lucy's necklace looked exactly like the won the Great White Horse wore!

******************************

This is a beautiful story about a little girl who loves her pony so much that she doesn't see any flaws in him.

And about a pony who learns to accept himself as he is and in doing so accomplishes things he never thought possible.I find the illustrations simple, cute and vibrant.

Please feel free to leave your comments. I would love to hear from you.

What did you think of this book?

MORTIMER

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Thu, 7 Jun 2012 00:41:00 -0700

MORTIMER

Written by Robert Munsch & Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Annick Press

Paperback: 32 pages

Ages: 3 and up

My Granddaughters love this story so much that I am asked to read this story over and over - sometimes twice on one night.

We loved Murmel, Murmel Murmel by Robert Munsch so much that we decided to read more of his books starting with this one.

The cover makes me laugh because I imagine my Granddaughter's face as she sings-shouts with Mortimer. She is too cute for words.

In my opinion this story starts off a little strange. Mortimer's mother opened the door to his room and throws him into bed and says, "MORTIMER BE QUIET."

How rude! Mortimer looks so small in his big fluffed up bed. What kind of mother is she?

But as soon as the mother gets downstairs, Mortimer (and my Granddaughter) sing at the top of their lungs,

Clang, clang, rattle-bing-bang

Gonna make my noise all day.

Clang, clang, rattle-bing-bang

Gonna make my noise all day.

Just look at Mortimer on the book cover singing his heart out just as my little angels sing.

Well Mortimer makes so much noise that his father goes into Mortimer's room and yells, "MORTIMER BE QUIET."

Mortimer is compliant and shakes his head, yes. But as soon as father gets downstairs Mortimer sings his song again. And once again my little Hunny Bunny sings too.

Mortimer's seventeen brothers and sisters tell Mortimer to be quiet. Then the police do the same. But every time he is left alone in his room, Mortimer sings his song at the top of his lungs.

No one knew what to do about Mortimer. Everyone starts to fight with each other. It's their turn to make a lot of noise.

In the meantime, Upstairs, Mortimer got so tired waiting for someone to come up that he fell asleep.

Author and Illustrator Mark Teague

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Wed, 6 Jun 2012 23:21:00 -0700

MARK CHRISTOPHER TEAGUE BIOGRAPHY

Born 1963, in La Mesa, CA; Education: University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., 1985.

Mark Teague and his family live in upstate New York. He worked in a bookstore after college. His job was to set up the books for display. The children's books made him remember his childhood. As a boy, he had written his own stories and drawn pictures for them. Working in the bookstore inspired Mark Teague. He soon began his grown-up career as a writer and illustrator of children's books. Today, he illustrates his own and other authors' books.

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai/teague.html

http://www.scholastic.com/titles/dinogoodnight/moreteague.htm

MORE BOOKS BY MARK TEAGUE

We have not read any of the other books by Mark Teague. I know that if I see one I will pick it up.

Mark Teague has delighted young readers with more than 20 picture books, and he has written many of them himself, including the popular Pigsty, Baby Tamer,and One Halloween Night. He is also the illustrator of Cynthia Rylant's beloved Poppleton series for beginning readers. Mark and his wife live in Coxsackie, New York, with their young daughter Lily, who had a great time watching her dad paint the dinosaurs in How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

Check out this site to learn more about this author,

http://www.scholastic.com/titles/dinogoodnight/moreteague.htm

I have created links, shown in blue to Amazon where you can see the cover of the book, preview a few pages and see other reader reviews. I use to avoid clicking on links thinking I was going to be taken to a site which would charge me or give my computer a virus. For newbies, don't be afraid to click on the links.

Writings Self Illustrated

· TheTrouble with the Johnsons, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1989.

· Mark Teague (Photograph by Laura Teague. Reproduced by permission of Mark Teague.)

· Moog-Moog,Space Barber, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1990.

· FrogMedicine, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· TheField beyond the Outfield, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· Pigsty, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1994.

· HowI Spent My Summer Vacation, Crown (New York, NY), 1995.

· TheSecret Shortcut, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1996.

· BabyTamer, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

· TheLost and Found, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

· OneHalloween Night, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1999.

· Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

· DetectiveLaRue: Letters from the Investigation, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

Illustrator

· What Are Scientists, What Do They Do?, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· Adventures in Lego Land, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· Chris Babcock, No Moon, No Milk!, Crown (New York, NY), 1993.

· Dick King-Smith, Three TerribleTrins, Crown (New York, NY), 1994.

· Tony Johnston, The Iguana Brothers,A Perfect Day, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1995.

· Audrey Wood, The Flying Dragon Room, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1996.

· Dick King-Smith, Mr. Potter's Pet, Hyperion (New York, NY), 1996.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1997.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton and Friends:Book Two, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1997.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton Forever, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1998.

· Audrey Wood, Sweet Dream Pie, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1998.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton Everyday, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1998.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton in Fall, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1999.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton in Spring, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1999.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton Has Fun, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2000.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton in Winter, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2001.

· Cynthia Rylant, The Great Gracie Chace, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2001.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode One, Horus's Horrible Day, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2001.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode Two, The Problem with Pelly, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode Three, Nergal and the Great Space Race, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode Four, Tera, Star Student, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

· Anne Isaacs, Pancakes for Supper!, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2006.

ILLUSTRATOR; "HOW DO DINOSAURS" SERIES

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs SayGoodnight?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2000.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs GetWell Soon?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2003.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs CleanTheir Rooms?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2004.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Countto Ten?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2004.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs EatTheir Food?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2005.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs LearnTheir Colors?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2006.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Playwith Their Friends?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2006.

This is not a complete list of Mark Teague books.

Read more: Mark Teague (1963–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Member, Honors Awards, Writings, Sidelights - Review, York, Scholastic, and Blue - JRank Articles http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2316/Teague-Mark-1963.html#ixzz1w8jabfDL

FUNNY FARM

Written and Illustrated by Mark Teague

Scholastic Inc.ISBN 978-0-439-91499-4 HC

32 Pages

Ages 4-8

While researching other books by Mark Teague, I came across this one and thought I would share it with you. It looks pretty funny to me and I am sure my granddaughters would giggle at the pictures. There is nothing more endearing and infectious than hearing a small child giggle.

This is the description for the book. Join Edward as he pitches in with the chores on his first visit to Hawthorne Farm – where the pigs play practical jokes, the sheep brush their teeth before heading out to graze, and the mice churn their own butter.

It is a day that Edward will never forget – a funny day on a funny farm.

http://scholasticcanada.ca/titles/funnyfarm/

MURMEL MURMEL MURMEL Written by Robert Munsch

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sun, 3 Jun 2012 16:11:00 -0700

MURMEL MURMEL MURMEL Written by Robert Munsch & Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Annick Press Ltd.
Pages: 32
Ages: 2 and up

This is another one of those books that I do not remember where it came from. I do know that it has been here for a long time. I wonder if my daughters remember?

This story begins when Robin goes out to her backyard and finds a huge hole in her sandbox. She yells down the hole, " ANYBODY DOWN THERE?" Something calls back to her, "Murmel, Murmel, Murmel." She pulls out an adorable baby.

Robin quickly decides to find someone to take care of the baby because she is only five years old.

Off Robin goes on her quest to find someone to take care of this little baby. Unfortunately she has trouble as she comes across one unlikely candidate after the other. She meets a women who is being chased by seventeen diaper sales men, an old woman with seventeen cats, a business woman surrounded by seventeen secretaries, nine messengers and a pizza delivery man.

Exasperated Robin sits down on the curb. She doesn't know what to do. She can't find the right person to take care of the baby.

Then a truck driver walks up to Robin and looks at the baby. She asks him if needs a baby. The baby says, "Murmel, Murmel, Murmel." The truck driver decides he does need the baby and he walks off down the street with the baby in his arms.

Robin yells out to the truck driver - you forgot your truck. He replies that he already has seventeen trucks. "What I need is a baby . . . "

My granddaughters think the baby is so cute. They think the different characters in the story are silly and they are glad Robin finds a home for the baby. They also think Robin looks silly driving the great big truck.

TEENY WITCH GOES TO THE LIBRARY

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sun, 3 Jun 2012 15:08:00 -0700

TEENY WITCH GOES TO THE LIBRARY
(Teeny Witch Series) \Written by Liz Mathews & Illustrated by Carolyn Loh

Publisher: Troll Communications (January 1991)

Pages: 45
Ages:3-6

I can't remember exactly how old my granddaughters were when I first started reading to them but it is a bedtime ritual that can never be skipped. We don't just read at bedtime but it is our favorite way to end the day.

I love the fact that they love to sit and look at their books to have some quiet time or pretend to read to one another.

When I take them out, they run to the book section grabbing books and throwing them in the kart. Before we leave the store, we go over to the books and narrow it down to five or less.

My three year old Granddaughter picked this book out all by herself. She saw the picture of Teeny Witch on the cover, reminding me that she was a witch for Halloween and threw it in the kart.

This story begins with Teeny Witch looking out the window at the rain. She is bored. What child hasn't been bored on a rainy day?

Teeny has done everything there is to do in her house so her Aunt Icky suggests a trip to the Library.

Teeny Witch finds out there is so much more to do at the library than books and reading. She visits the Library's pet exhibit, the puppet show and of course she finds a couple of good books to read.

My granddaughters relate this story. They have made many trips to the library with their Aunt and Great Grandma for preschooler activities. They make crafts, listen at story time, sing and participate in other activities.

When Teeny Witch got home, she found her Aunt Vicky and Aunt Ticky on the porch. You gotta get a kick out of the Aunts' names! They wanted to know where she had been on the awful rainy day.

Teeny Witch smiled. "I saw a pet exhibit," said Teeny. "I saw a puppet show. I picked out three books all by myself. I rode on a horse named Lucky. Lucky and I even jumped over a fence."

Aunt Vicky and Aunt Ticky were more puzzled. They thought she just went to the Library.

"I did," laughed Teeny Witch. And she went into inside to read her new library book.

Author & Illustrrator Jonathon London

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 11:12:00 -0700

JONATHON LONDON BIOGRAPHY

"My ideas for stories come from experience I've had, or from dreams or leap right out of my head - from my ever-active imagination," explains Jonathan London, who burst on the children's book scene in 1992 with the publication of three picture books.

"There are worlds of possibility within our own imaginations from which we can create stories that can make someone want to cry or laugh, play a saxophone or make a snowman. This act of writing, for me, is a part of my celebration of life, a way to give back a little for all that I have been given. Kind of thanks."

Jonathan London started writing poetry in his late teens. Although he received a Masters Degree in Social Sciences and never formally studied literature or creative writing, he began to consider himself a "writer" about the time he graduated from college. After college he became a dancer in a modern dance company and worked at numerous low-paying jobs as a laborer or counselor.

However, during this twenty-year period, London continued to write. He wrote poems and short stories for adults, earning next to nothing despite being published in many literary magazines. "It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I became a writer for children," he explains. "It all started with telling them stories when they were very young. I wrote down one of these stories, and it became The Owl Who Became the Moon, my first picture book sale (though it was my fourth to appear in print). Now I am finally making a living as a writer. A dream come true!"

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,0_1000019743,00.html

MORE BOOKS BY JONATHON LONDON

(With Joseph Bruchac) Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons, illustrated by Thomas Locker, Philomel Books (New York, NY), 1992.
The Lion Who Had Asthma, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott, Albert Whitman (Morton Grove, IL), 1992.
Froggy Gets Dressed, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1992.
Gray Fox, illustrated by Robert Sauber, Viking (New York, NY), 1993.
(With Lanny Pinola) Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale, illustrated by Sylvia Lang, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1993.
The Owl Who Became the Moon, illustrated by Ted Rand, Dutton (New York, NY), 1993.
Into This Night We Are Rising, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Viking (New York, NY), 1993.
Voices of the Wild, illustrated by Wayne McCloughlin, Crown (New York, NY), 1993.
The Eyes of Gray Wolf, illustrated by Jon Van Zyles, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1993.
Hip Cat (picture book), illustrated by Woodleigh Hubbard, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1993.
A Koala for Katie: An Adoption Story, illustrated by Cynthia Jabar, Albert Whitman (Morton Grove, IL), 1993.
Let's Go, Froggy!, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1994.
Liplap's Wish, illustrated by Sylvia Long, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1994.
Condor's Egg, illustrated by James Chaffee, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1994.
Honey Paw and Lightfoot, illustrated by Jon Van Zyles, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1994.
Froggy Learns to Swim, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1995.
The Sugaring-off Party, illustrated by Gilles Pelletier, Dutton (New York, NY), 1995.
Like Butter on Pancakes, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
Master Elk and the Mountain Lion, illustrated by Wayne McCloughlin, Crown (New York, NY), 1995.
Where's Home (young adult novel), Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
Jackrabbit, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray, Crown (New York, NY), 1996.
Froggy Goes to School, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1996.
The Village Basket Weaver, illustrated by George Crespo, Dutton (New York, NY), 1996.
Red Wolf Country, illustrated by Daniel San Souci, Dutton (New York, NY), 1996.
What Newt Could Do for Turtle, illustrated by Louise Voce, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
Fireflies, Fireflies, Light My Way, illustrated by Linda Messier, Viking (New York, NY), 1996.
Let the Lynx Come In, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me, illustrated by Peter Fiore, Viking (New York, NY), 1996.
Ali, Child of the Desert, illustrated by Ted Lewin, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1997.
Old Salt, Young Salt, illustrated by Todd L. W. Doney, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1997.
If I Had a Horse, illustrated by Brooke Scudder, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1997.
Phantom of the Prairie: Year of the Black-footed Ferret, illustrated by Barbara Bash, Sierra Club Books for Children (San Francisco, CA), 1997.
Little Red Monkey, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Dutton (New York, NY), 1997.
Dream Weaver, illustrated by Rocco Baviera, Silver Whistle/Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1997.
Puddles, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
Moshi Moshi, illustrated by Yoshi Miyake, Millbrook Press (New York, NY), 1998.
At the Edge of the Forest, illustrated by Barbara Firth, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1998.
Froggy's First Kiss, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
Hurricane!, illustrated by Henri Sorensen, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1998.
Tell Me a Story (autobiography), photographs by Sherry Shahan, Richard C. Owens (New York, NY), 1998.
The Candystore Man, illustrated by Malcolm Brown, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1998.
Ice Bear and Little Fox, illustrated by Daniel San Souci, Dutton (New York, NY), 1998.
Wiggle, Waggle, illustrated by Michael Rex, Silver Whistle/Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1999.
Froggy Plays Soccer, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1999.
Froggy's Halloween, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1999.
Baby Whale's Journey, illustrated by Jon Van Zyles, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1999.
Shawn and Keeper and the Birthday Party, illustrated by Renée Williams-Andriani, Dutton (New York, NY), 1999.
What Do You Love?, illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt, Harcourt Brace (New York, NY), 2000.
Snuggle Wuggle, illustrated by Michael Rex, Silver Whistle (San Diego, CA), 2000.
Who Bop, illustrated by Henry Cole, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2000.
Shawn and Keeper: Show and Tell, illustrated by Renée Williams-Andriani, Dutton (New York, NY), 2000.
Panther: Shadow of the Swamp, illustrated by Paul Morin, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2000.
Mustang Canyon, illustrated by Daniel Van Souci, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2000.
Froggy Goes to Bed, illustrataed by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
Froggy Bakes a Cake, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY) 2000.
Froggy's Best Christmas, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
Froggy Eats Out, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2001.
Froggy Takes a Bath, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2001.
(With Aaron London) White Water, illustrated by Jill Kastner, Viking (New York, NY), 2001.
Where the Big Fish Are, illustrated by Adam Gustavson, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2001.
Sun Dance, Water Dance, illustrated by Greg Couch, Dutton (New York, NY), 2001.
Park Beat: Rhymin' Through the Seasons, illustrated by Woodleigh Marx Hubbard, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2001.
Gone Again Ptarmigan, illustrated by Jon Van Zyle, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2001.
Crocodile: Disappearing Dragon, illustrated by Paul Morin, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2001.
Crunch Munch, illustrated by Michael Rex, Red Wagon Books (New York, NY), 2001.
Count the Ways, Little Brown Bear, illustrated by Margie Moore, Dutton (New York, NY), 2002.
Zack at School, illustrated by Jack Medoff, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.
What the Animals Were Waiting For, illustrated by Paul Morin, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.
Loon Lake, illustrated by Susan Ford, Chronicle Books (San Francisco, CA), 2002.
Froggy Plays in the Band, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2002.
Froggy Goes to the Doctor, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2002.
When the Fireflies Come, illustrated by Terry Widener, Dutton (New York, NY), 2003.
Giving Thanks, illustrated by Gregory Manchess, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2003.
Froggy's Baby Sister, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2003.
"Eat!" Cried Little Pig, illustrated by Delphine Durand, Dutton (New York, NY), 2003.
Zack at the Dentist, illustrated by Jack Medoff, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.
Froggy's Day with Dad, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2004.
Sled Dogs Run, illustrated by Jon Van Zyle, Walker (New York, NY), 2005.
Froggy's Sleepover, illustrasted by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2005.
Do Your ABC's, Little Brown Bear, illustrated by Margie Moore, Dutton (New York, NY), 2005.
A Truck Goes Rattley Bumpa, illustrated by Denis Roche, Holt (New York, NY), 2005.
Contributor of poems and short stories to periodicals, including Cricket, Us Kids, Child Life, and Short Story International. Also author of In a Season of Birds: Poems for Maureen, sometimes under the pseudonym Jonathan Sherwood.
London's work has been translated into Spanish, German, Greek, Dutch, Danish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/jonathan-paul-london#ixzz1w8cJS3Q6

FROGGY'S BABY SISTER

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 11:06:00 -0700

"FROGGY'S BABY SISTER" Written by Jonathan London

Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Cover

Publisher: Penguin/Viking, 2003)

Pages: 32

Ages: 2 to 6

Yes we love Froggy. And who doesn't love Babies? Right? Just look at her! She is just so cute.

Page 1

Froggy wakes up on this day hoping it is the big day. He flops - flop flop flop out to the kitchen . . . .

Page 3

. . . where he finds his Mother. "Wow, Mom! said Froggy. "Your tummy is huge!"

Page 4

He is excited! He wants to have a baby brother. Froggy daydreams about all the things he can teach his little brother.

Finally it's time. Mom and Dad go to the hospital. Much to Froggy's disappointment, they return with a baby sister. "A girl? cried Froggy. "Yuck!" "Her name is Pollywogilina! said Mom. "But you can call her Polly for short."

Froggy's disappointment is short lived. As soon as Polly cries he gets excited to make her burgers and fries. Mom feeds Polly a bottle of cream of mush - slurp slurp slurp.

Froggy is eager to help take care of Polly but he has to wait until her legs are all grown in and she loses her tail. Spring ends then summer. He wants to teach her so many different things but it is taking too long for Polly's legs to grow in. Surprise! Mom unwraps Polly and she has legs and her tail has fallen off. Yippe! Now can I take care of her?"

So Froggy and Polly go out to the yared to spend time together. Polly cries and her big brother shows her how to catch flies. She cries again and Froggy sniffs her diaper. "Yikes! cried Froggy, holding his nose. "Pollywogilina! You stink!" Oh my how this makes my granddaughters laugh. So Froggy changes his sister's diaper. He is so proud, he holds his little sister up to show his Mom when the diaper falls off and lands on the floor. "OOps!" cried Froggy, looking more red in the face than green. And my Granddaughters laugh out loud.

Later that night, Polly won't go to sleep and she calls out for her big brother. And Polly went to sleep in Froggy's arms.

FROGGY LEARNS TO SWIM

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 11:04:00 -0700

FROGGY LEARNS TO SWIM Written by Jonathan London & Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Cover

Publisher: Penguin/Viking, 1995)

Pages: 32

Ages: 2 to 6

Page 1

We loved reading “Let’s Go Froggy!” so much that we had to find another Froggy book. This is the second book from the Froggy series to join our library.

So what is Froggy up to this time. It is a hot day and Mom and Dad decide to go for a swim in the pond.

Page 2

Oh, oh. Look at Froggy's face. I wonder what is wrong?

There's nothing wrong with Mom and Dad. They just dive right in.

You gotta love Mom's watermelon bathing suit. I know my granddaughter wants one just like it.

Page 3

So where is Froggy?

FRRROOGGY!" called his mother.

"Wha-a-a-at?"

Froggy's parents want him to join them in the pond but Froggy has something else in mind.

Page 3

"Whee!"

Froggy loves his swing. I haven't met a kid who doesn't enjoy swinging so high that they almost touch the sky.

He goes so high that he winds around the crossbar then unwinds like a spring. I don't know about you but I remember as a kid imagining swinging so high that I could wind around the crossbar. zzzziiiinnnnngggggg-

Whether Froggy wants to swim or not he lands in the pond with a splash.

I wish I had a preview of the next couple of pages because they are just priceless. Froggy cries out to his Mother for help because he believes he is drowning. His Mother asks, "What are you do-o-o-ing?" She tells her son that frogs are born in water and they are great swimmers. At this point Froggy is climbing right up on top of his Mother's head. It is hilarious! It makes me and my granddaughters laugh. Froggy's one hand is holding onto his mother eyelid and her eye is wide open looking up at him. Froggy's other hand has forced his Mother's other eye shut.

Froggy tells his Mother that he can not swim. "Oh fiddlesticks!" responds his Mother. "I'll show you how."

Froggy's Mom teaches him how to swim using this little song to help. "Bubble, bubble, toot toot. Chicken, airplane, soldier." My Granddaughters chyme in and sing along with me the swimming rhyme.

Now he loves swimming so much that he won't get out of the water even after it gets dark. My little sweethearts love the water. The summer they turned three, they were swimming under the water across our round pool. If they had it their way, my Granddaughters would stay in the water like Froggy.

HUGGLY'S HALLOWEEN Written and Illustrated by Tedd Arnold

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 10:51:00 -0700

HUGGLY'S HALLOWEEN

Written and Illustrated by Tedd Arnold

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 24
Ages: 3-8

The people child's mother gives them some candy because she thinks they are children dressed up for Halloween.

So, Huggly and his friends decide to go out trick or treating.

They find themselves in a "haunted" house and can't wait to get out of there.

Author & Illustrator Tedd Arnold

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 10:47:00 -0700

TEDD ARNOLD BIOGRAPHY

Tedd Arnold like many writters/illustrators has an internet site for you to check out.

He shows you how he creates his water colour and pencil crayon illustrations; step by step.

http://www.teddarnoldbooks.com/author.html

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS AND WRITING

The story is written simply and in rhyme which is always a delight for us to read. Of course it is a mystery why Wilma is green. There is a surprise ending. So enjoy!

Tedd Arnold has a very unique style. He layers colour over colour in watercolour paint. He does it this way to create vibrant multi-dimensional colour. Once he has the colour the way that he wants, he adds texture by "scribbling" on top of the paint with coloured pencils.

But it isn't just the colour and texture that make his work recognizable. His characters all have those round bulging white eyeballs, (that word, eyeballs, always make my Granddaughters laugh) with the small black dot in the center.

OTHER BOOKS BY TEDD ARNOLD

Children's books written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold

Hi! Fly Guy
Super Fly Guy
Shoo, Fly Guy
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy
Fly High, Fly Guy
Hooray for Fly Guy
I Spy Fly Guy"
Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl
Buzz Boy and Fly Guy (Cartwheel Books (September 1, 2010)) ISBN 978-0-545-22274-7
Fly Guy vs. the Flyswatter
Huggly Goes to School
Huggly's Big Mess
Huggly Gets Dressed
Huggly's Pizza
Huggly's Trip to the Beach
Huggly's Snow Day
Huggly Goes Camping
Huggly Takes a Bath
Huggly's Halloween
Huggly's Thanksgiving Parade
Huggly and the Toy Monster
Huggly's Christmas
Huggly's Sleep Over
Huggly's Valentines

Bialosky's Bedside Books collection of the following books
Bialosky's Bedtime
Bialosky's House
Bialosky's Bumblebees
Bialosky's Big Mess

The Simple People
No More Water in the Tub!
The Signmaker's Assistant
Five Ugly Monsters
Green Wilma
Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
The Twin Princes
No Jumping on the Bed!
My First Drawing Book
I'm Falling to Bits
My First Play House
My First Play Town
Sounds
Opposites
Actions
Colors
Ollie Forgot
Mother Goose's Words of Wit and Wisdom

[edit]Illustrator, or collaboration only

Axle Annie and the Speed Grump by Robin Pulver
Lasso Lou and Cowboy McCoy by Barbara Larmon Failing
My Dog Never Says Please by Suzanne Williams
Giant Children by Brod Bagert
My Working Mom
Looking for Zebra: Hotel Zoo: Happy Hunting from A to Z by Ron Atlas
Inside a House That Is Haunted by Alyssa Capucilli
Tracks by David Galef
My First Gamebook by Katy Dobbs
My First Baking Book by Rena Coyle
My First Computer Book by David Schiller, David Rosenbloom
My First Camera Book by Anne Kostick
Inside a Zoo in the City by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, and Alyssa Satin Capucilli
The Roly Poly Spider by Jill Sardegna
Inside a Barn in the Country: A Rebus Read-Along Story by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? Harry Bliss, David Catrow, Marla Frazee, Jerry Pinkney, Chris Raschka, Judy Schachner, David Shannon, Mo Willems Jon Agee
Dinosaur Dig: Cooperative Game-In-A Book by Liza Schafer, Vincent Ceci, Jacqueline Swensen
Guy Write For Guys Read by Jon Scieszka

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tedd_Arnold#Children.27s_books_written_and_illustrated_by_Tedd_Arnold

GREEN WILMA

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 10:45:00 -0700

GREEN WILMA

Written and Illustrated by Tedd Arnold

Publisher: Puffin, 1998-01-01

Pages: 32
Ages: 3-8

This lively coloured book caught my eye quickly.

I recognized the illustration style of Tedd Arnold and knew this book would be a winner.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Back of Book

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

Bye for now.

Wishing you the best, Darlene

Author & Illustrator Mercer Mayer

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 10:42:00 -0700

MERCER MAYER BIOGRAPHY

If you want to know more about Mercer Mayer visit this site:

http://www.littlecritter.com/about_mercer_mayer.html

I WAS SO MAD Written & Illustrated by Mercer Mayer

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 10:37:00 -0700

I WAS SO MAD Written & Illustrated By Mercer Mayer

Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc., 2000-11-01
Pages: 24
Ages: 0 to 4

Page 1

Little Critter stars in this picture book about feeling angry. Critter’s family says no to everything he wants to do. He wants to keep frogs in the tub but his Mom won't let him.

Page 2

Page 3

This time Dad won't let him play with his little sister's doll house.

Page 5

Grandma won't let him play in the sheets.,

Little Critter gets so frustrated and angry that he decides to run away. Just as he is leaving the house, Little Critter's friends stop by to ask him to play baseball. He asks his Mom for permission and she says yes. His mood changes quickly and he runs off with his friends, telling himself he can run away another day if he is still so mad.

I JUST FORGOT Written and Illustrated by Mercer Mayer

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 10:30:00 -0700

I JUST FORGOT Written & Illustrated By Mercer Mayer

Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc., 1988-10-01

Pages: 24
Ages: 0 to 4

Poor Little Critter really tries to remember what he is suppose to do but it can be very difficult when you're little.

Page 1

This book has Little Critter's mouse in it. I thought the mouse was his friend but I read somewhere that it is actually his pet. Pet or friend, it is fun to search and find the mouse on each page.

Page 2

When the girls were around one to two years old, I just read the book to them. As they got older we searched for the mouse and talked about the pictures. Here, Little Critter is making a big mess with the toothpaste!

Page 3

Oh, oh, Little Critter is in trouble. Look at Mom's face. She is very angry.

Where is the mouse?

I think the mouse is trying to help out with making the bed.

Page 4

At least he remembered to put his dishes away.

But Mom is angry again because he left the milk out.

Page 5

Page 6

Look! A cute little spider. A preview of future books. A new friend for Little Critter.

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 2 Jun 2012 00:20:00 -0700

TACKY THE PENGUIN

Written by Helen Lester & Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Publisher: Sandpiper

Pages: 32

Ages: 4 and up

Lately my girls have been intrigued with penguins. We have a more serious book about penguins so it was about time to get a humorous one.

Page 1

Tacky's home was a nice icy land that he shared with his companions.

Of course his companions names were Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect. They were perfect little gentlemanly penguins wearing little bow ties.

Page 2

Tacky wore a colourful Hawaiian shirt. He was an odd bird.

The little penguin cliché greeted each other everyday politely and quietly.

Tacky greeted them with a slap on the back and a loud "What's happening?"

Page 3

The conformists marched properly . . . 1-2-3-4 but Tacky marched 1-2-3, 4-2, 3-6-0, 2 1/2, 0.

The group dove into the water gracefully but Tacky did a cannonball.

The group sang pretty songs but Tacky sang loud strange songs and played the accordion.

Page 4

One day the penguins heard the thump...thump...thump of feet in the distance.

This could mean only one thing.

Hunters had come.

The hunters were looking for pretty penguins to capture and sell to get rich.

Tacky stood brave face to face with the hunters while his companions hid behind an iceberg.

Page 5

He slapped the hunters on the backs and asked them "What's happening?"

He showed them his quirky march and splashed them with his cannonball.

When he started his loud dreadful songs, his companions joined in. The hunters covered their ears and ran away.

Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect hugged Tacky. Tacky was an odd bird but a very nice bird to have around.

This is a good story to explain that it is okay to be different.

Bad Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:27:00 -0700

I don't like to give a bad review or write badly about someone's work. So you may have noticed that so far my Granddaughters and I have enjoyed every book that I have posted about.

Please let me know if you would like to see the books that my Granddaughters and I have read but they have never asked to read a second time or seldom have asked for.

Nursery Stories and Rhymes

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Mon, 28 May 2012 22:06:00 -0700

3-MINUTE NURSERY STORIES

Author: many different authors

Illustrators: many different Illustrators
Publisher: Publications International Ltd.
Pages: 160
Ages: 0 and up

******************************

I loved nursery rhymes when I was a child and I wanted to share the with my daughters. Now I want to share them with my granddaughters.

I had to find a book of nursery rhymes. I checked out a lot of books and decided to pick this one up because it has several of my favourite rhymes.

Plus the illustrations are vivid and cheerful. There is nothing worse than looking at a child's book that is dark and dismal. We want happy. We want jovial.

Plus I like the idea of three minute stories - good for kids when they are very young.

Excuse the poor quality of the picture - it doesn't show the true beauty of the illustrations.

There are several Mother Goose rhymes featured in this book such as: There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Little Bo Peep, Humpty Dumpty, Peter Pumpkin Eater and The Cat and the Fiddle.

In addition there are also some classic children's stories such as: Rooster and Fox, Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together (an african folklore), Two Ways to Count to Ten, and Hen and Frog.

Also included in this book are several original stories such as: Harmony Farm and Good Night Baby.

My Granddaughters love the nursery rhymes and short stories in this book.

The illustrations are bright and colourful.

The font size is large which makes it easy for us old folks to read. LOL

A whole page is dedicated to each nursery rhyme which makes reading it to youngsters easier. They aren't constantly asking you which one you are reading now.

My Granddaughters are almost four now. They know the rhymes by heart. I just say the first part and they finish it for me. You should see their faces glow with pride as they repeat the nursery rhymes - they pretend they are reading to me!

LET'S GO FROGGY! Written by Jonathon London

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:19:00 -0700

My Granddaughter, Faith and I were searching for something new to read when we came across a Little Froggy book by Jonathon London. She and her cousins have laughed at this ridiculously funny little green neon frog so many times.

"LET'S GO FROGGY!" Written by Jonathon London

& Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

Cover

(Penguin/Viking, 1994)

Pages: 32

Ages: 2 to 6

This is the first Froggy book that we added to our little library. The girls love Frank Remkiewicz's cartoon illustrations of Froggy and his family but it is the sound effects that make them laugh.

Page 3

This story featuring our little hero Froggy, begins with him waking up. He looks out his window and sings, "Hurray!" "I want to go out and play!"

Froggy's father hears him from the other room and asks Froggy if he would like to go for a bike ride and picnic.

Page 4

Of course Froggy wants to go but he has to get dressed first. With a zap and a zip, Froggy pulls on his underwear and shorts.

Frank Remkiewicz creates visual variety by placing Froggy on a white background on this page.

Whenever I look at Froggy the word silly pops in my mind. The image of him pulling up his underwear just makes me want to laugh and his big grin is contagious.

Page 7

Now that Froggy is all dressed, his father reminds him that he needs his bicycle helmet.

I'm glad Froggy wears his helmet. He is such a good role model! LOL

Page 8

Froggy tells his father that he does not know where his helmet is. His dad responds,

"It's wherever you left it!"

"I forget!"

"You have to look for it!"

Froggy looks in the most absurd places for his helmet.

The girls tell me Froggy is silly for looking in the fridge for his helmet and then they giggle. But once again it is the sound effects that make my granddaughters laugh. BONK!

Once Froggy finds his helmet, his father tells him to find his butterfly net then the ball grandpapa gave him, then the peaches Auntie Loulou gave him.

Now that they are all ready to go, Froggy's Father can't find his red backpack. Froggy gets to tell his his father that "It's wherever you left it!" Turns out it is on his back. Both Froggy and my granddaughters point and laugh.

Now they are truly ready to go but Froggy announces that he is hungry so the pair eat their picnic on the patio.

With their tummies full, Froggy and his father "peddled into the sunset - wee!"

From School Library Journal

Preschool - Grade 2-A fun-for-all, tongue-tangling, giggle-getting, "flap," "bonk," "slam" of a rousing read-aloud. Froggy and his father prepare for a bike outing and picnic. Froggy says, "'I don't know where it is!'" about each item, and his father replies, "'It's wherever you left it!'" After much searching, complete with sound effects, the pair are too hungry to proceed, so they have their picnic on the patio, and then set off on their bicycles. Spirited, bright watercolor illustrations drip with Froggy greenness and the background is awash with wonderfully intense, saturated tones and accent colors that have a neon brightness. Cartoon frogs in flipper-shaped sneakers pedal off into the sunset with their helmets securely in place. Rich with opportunities for audience participation, Let's Go, Froggy! should be a story-time favorite with innumerable theme possibilities.

Jody McCoy, Casady School, Oklahoma City

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS AND WRITING

The reader "will surely laugh out loud," commented a critic for Publishers Weekly in a review of Froggy Gets Dressed. A versatile and engaging writer for children, London blends bouncy, alliterative verse rhythms and clear, understated prose to create books for young children that make a difference.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/jonathan-paul-london#ixzz1w8bbBtyd

From School Library Journal

It's now summertime for the hero of Froggy Gets Dressed (Viking, 1992). When an overzealous swing ride tosses him into a pond, his patient mother assures her terrified son that all frogs are great swimmers, and she teaches him how. He is still reluctant until he puts on his flippers, mask, and snorkel. Then he won't get out of the water?all night! Vivid watercolor cartoons add to the humor, showing the comical facial expressions and hilarious beachwear. Froggy's childlike dialogue and the sound words?"zook! zik!"; "flop flop...splash!"?make this story a wonderful read-aloud. Pair it with Marc Brown's D.W. All Wet (Little, 1988) to promote discussion about overcoming fears.?Betty Teague, Blythe Academy of Languages, Greenville, SC

http://www.amazon.com/Froggy-Learns-Swim-Jonathan-London/dp/0140553126

A Story About A Boy's Messy Room

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:32:00 -0700

PIGSTY

Written & Illustrated by Mark Teague

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 32
Ages: Preschool to Grade 2

At first I couldn't remember where we got this book then it came back to me in a flash. It was part of a book order that one of my daughters had way back when they were in grade school.

I chose this book because I could relate to Wendall Fultz's Mom. I use to refer to my daughter's bedroom as a pigsty and I was hoping my messy little girls would learn the same lesson as Wendall.

The story begins when Wendall Fultz arrives home from school on Monday afternoon.

His mother tells him that his room is turning into a pigsty and he has to clean it up.

Once in his room, Wendall finds a real pig sitting on his bed, reading a magazine and munching on chips.

Wendall starts to tidy up his room but decides to take a break.

When Wendall's mother returns to inspect his work the pig hides but the mess is still there. (Try to find the pig's feet under the bed.)

She says, "if you want to live in a pigsty, that's up to you."

Wendall doesn’t mind the pig and the pig doesn’t mind the mess so he decides to just leave it.

Then Tuesday when he returns home from school, he finds a second pig and an even bigger mess.

But that is okay. Wendell has loads of fun with his new friends the pigs.

They play monopoly and leave the pieces on the floor, have pillow fights and use his bed as a trampoline.

Before long, more pigs move in and the mess keeps growing.

That night Wendell finds that "The pigs ....rolled up in his blankets and hogged his pillows, too."

On the following day, Wendall finds hoofprints on his comic books, bites taken out of his baseball cards, and his basketball squished.

Wendall has had enough.

He goes downstairs and begs his mother for help but she says, "Sorry, but your room is your responsibility" and she hands him a broom.

Wendall finds the mess overwhelming but then decides to organize a cleaning crew.

The pigs help him clean and scrub until Wendell pronounces his room clean.

The pigs find the room too clean and decide to move back to the farm.

Happily, Wendall has learned his lesson. He keeps his room clean, except for those evenings when his "friends" visit to play Monopoly.

PIGSTY: ILLUSTRATIONS AND WRITING

Pigsty is beautifully illustrated in acrylic paint with vibrant colours, clean lines and full of detail. The pigs are just so silly and cute.

This isn’t an original theme but Mark Teague has executed it in his unique style. It reminds me of a time before video games and DVDs - a time when we jumped on the bed and played board games.

MARK CHRISTOPHER TEAGUE BIOGRAPHY

Born 1963, in La Mesa, CA; Education: University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., 1985.

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai/teague.html

http://www.scholastic.com/titles/dinogoodnight/moreteague.htm

MORE BOOKS BY MARK TEAGUE

We have not read any of the other books by Mark Teague. I know that if I see one I will pick it up.

Check out this site to learn more about this author,

http://www.scholastic.com/titles/dinogoodnight/moreteague.htm

Writings Self Illustrated

· TheTrouble with the Johnsons, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1989.

· Mark Teague (Photograph by Laura Teague. Reproduced by permission of Mark Teague.)

· Moog-Moog,Space Barber, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1990.

· FrogMedicine, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· TheField beyond the Outfield, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· Pigsty, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1994.

· HowI Spent My Summer Vacation, Crown (New York, NY), 1995.

· TheSecret Shortcut, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1996.

· BabyTamer, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

· TheLost and Found, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

· OneHalloween Night, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1999.

· Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

· DetectiveLaRue: Letters from the Investigation, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

Illustrator

· What Are Scientists, What Do They Do?, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· Adventures in Lego Land, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1991.

· Chris Babcock, No Moon, No Milk!, Crown (New York, NY), 1993.

· Dick King-Smith, Three TerribleTrins, Crown (New York, NY), 1994.

· Tony Johnston, The Iguana Brothers,A Perfect Day, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1995.

· Audrey Wood, The Flying Dragon Room, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1996.

· Dick King-Smith, Mr. Potter's Pet, Hyperion (New York, NY), 1996.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1997.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton and Friends:Book Two, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1997.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton Forever, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1998.

· Audrey Wood, Sweet Dream Pie, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1998.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton Everyday, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1998.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton in Fall, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1999.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton in Spring, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 1999.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton Has Fun, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2000.

· Cynthia Rylant, Poppleton in Winter, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2001.

· Cynthia Rylant, The Great Gracie Chace, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2001.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode One, Horus's Horrible Day, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2001.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode Two, The Problem with Pelly, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode Three, Nergal and the Great Space Race, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

· Shana Corey, First Graders fromMars: Episode Four, Tera, Star Student, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

· Anne Isaacs, Pancakes for Supper!, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2006.

ILLUSTRATOR; "HOW DO DINOSAURS" SERIES

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs SayGoodnight?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2000.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs GetWell Soon?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2003.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs CleanTheir Rooms?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2004.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Countto Ten?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2004.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs EatTheir Food?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2005.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs LearnTheir Colors?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2006.

· Jane Yolen, How Do Dinosaurs Playwith Their Friends?, Blue Sky Press (New York, NY), 2006.

FUNNY FARM Written and Illustrated by Mark Teague

Scholastic Inc.ISBN 978-0-439-91499-4 HC

32 Pages

Ages 4-8

It is a day that Edward will never forget – a funny day on a funny farm.

http://scholasticcanada.ca/titles/funnyfarm/

FROGS Written by Andrea Wayne von Königslöw

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:19:00 -0700

FROGS Written by Andrea Wayne-von Konigslow and Illustrated by Michael Marchenko

Book Cover

Publisher: Harper Collins Canada Ltd.

Pages: 32

Ages: 3-8

Page 2

You know, I don't remember how this book ended up in our collection but we are glad it did. We have enjoyed this book many times and I am sure we will enjoy it many more times.

Page 22 (Can you find Lucy?) My Granddaughter thinks the prince's
tongue rolls up to fit back in his mouth

The story begins with Lucy sitting by the pond, a big grin on her face staring down at some very silly looking frogs which are are all looking back up at her.

Lucy loved frogs. She loved penguins, anteaters and hippos too, but frogs were special. Besides, she could find them in the pond behind her house. Hippos were much harder to come by.

Page 24 (Awww! Why are the prince's so sad?)

Lucy and her little sister, Lenore like to collect frogs and bring them home to play with then send back to the pond.

Sometimes the frogs are allowed to have a sleepover because they have that kind of Mom. On one such night, Lucy decides to give a frog a kiss goodnight on top of his head. Magically, the frog turns into a prince. Mom calls everyone she knows plus the police and the fire department.

Page 26 (Just look at that silly frog. Big round eyes and grin. Toes
spread wide. No wonder the prince wanted to kiss it.)

Soon all the towns people are picking up frogs from the pond and kissing them. Lucy and her sister take a few frogs home for safe keeping but soon the town is overrun with princes. Lucy notices the princes acting like frogs and gathering back at the pond. She realizes the princes want to be frogs again but how is that going to happen?

Lucy gets an ideal. Lucy and her little sister go home and get the frogs which they kept for safe keeping. One of the princes, kisses a frog on top of the head and he magically turns back into a frog. Before long, all the princes pick up a frog to kiss and the pond is full of frogs once again.

Lucy did find a hippo a few years later, which her Mom after a lot of begging, let her keep for a few weeks . . .

. . . but she never, ever kissed him.

I don't know about you but I have always had trouble getting my daughters to release the little critters that they have captured. They always wanted to keep it as pet whether it was a butterfly, a june bug or a frog. My granddaughters like to collect little critters too but they are easily convinced to release them so they can go back to their homes, back to their families. I wonder if this book has anything to do with that?

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS AND WRITING

Michael Martchenko's vibrant, action filled illustrations are just as visually silly as the story itself.

Andrea Wayne-von Konigslow Biography

Born: Toronto, Ontario, 1958.
Married. Three children.

As a child Andrea lived n Mexico, where she learned to speak Spanish and eat raw chili peppers. She went to an arts high school in Toronto, Thornton Hall, received a B.A. in psychology from Queen’s University, and cartooned for the Whig Standard in Kingston. After marrying Rainer von Königslöw in 1978, she moved to Montreal where she taught art to children at the Centre d’Education par la Musique et les Artes. She has always written and painted and has had exhibits in Montreal and Toronto. When she was pregnant for the first time she found her new figure so comical that she began to draw herself and started a line of greeting cards that sold all across Canada at Shirley K. Maternity stores. Andrea has three children, two girls and a boy who are her pride and joy – Alexis, Tai, and Keir. She also has three cats – Grizabella, Whoopi Goldberg, and Nebbish.

http://www.snafustudios.com/

OTHER BOOKS BY ANDREA WAYNE VON KONIGSLOW

TOILET TALES

Publisher: Annick Press (February 1, 1985)
Ages: 1 and up

Pages: 24

This is toilet humor in the most literal sense--a lighthearted, encouraging book that takes the anxiety out of the business of toilet training.

Product Description

Silly animals, toilets are for kids!

With its lively cast of critters and gentle humor, Toilet Tales has been helping youngsters feel at ease in the bathroom for more than 20 years. Now this giggle-inducing favorite returns with vibrant new watercolor illustrations and a few new creatures, too.

Page by page, young readers will delight at the antics of animals on the commode. Of course, a giraffe could never even fit through the bathroom door. A seal would slip right off the seat. And a sitting elephant would simply crush the potty to pieces. After many such comical bestial blunders, the story concludes that animals can never use toilets because toilets are meant for "big kids like you."

Featuring more than a dozen animals -- including kangaroos, an octopus, and even an orca whale and written with child-friendly wit, Toilet Tales is guaranteed fun for any toilet-ready toddler.

http://www.amazon.ca/Toilet-Tales-Andrea-Wayne-Konigslow/dp/1554511321

ILLUSTRATOR MICHAEL MARCHENKO

To learn more about Michael Marchenko go to his site:
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/947/Martchenko-Michael-1942.html

THE BUGLIEST BUG Written by Carol Diggory Shields

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:51:00 -0700

THE BUGLIEST BUG

Written by Carol Diggory ShieldsIllustated by Scott Nash

Publisher: Scholastic, 2002-04-01

Pages: 32

Ages: 3 to 7

I was looking through a pile of books trying to find something new to read to by granddaughters when I came across this cute little bug story.

The girls loved The Roly Poly Spider by Jill Sardegna and this book has a similar rhythm.

Page 6

I did a quick flip through the book and found a myriad of bugs rendered in lively colours.

The first page roped me in and makes the girls giggle.

My granddaughters are intrigued by bugs; moving rocks to see the potatoe bugs scramble; plucking critters off the plants in the garden, so I knew this book would be right up their alley.

Page 7

Scott Nash's cartoon illustrations of bugs: caterpillars, flies, mosquitoes, lady bugs, bees, dragon flies and stink bugs are fun to look at and to talk about. (The mosquito's belly is big and red as it must have had a nice drink of blood recently.)

Sometimes it is difficult to finish reading this book because the girls are so busy pointing at the bugs and talking about them.

All of the insects are making their way to the Bugliest Bug Contest.

They are so busy performing for the judges that they do not notice that the judges have wings tied to their backs with gossamer strings.

But young Damselfly Dilly has spied the strings. She gets a closer look and realizes that these are impostors.

She tells all the bugs that the judges are arachnids in disguise. They have planned this contest to trap a tasty treat.

Dilly instructs the insects to do what each insect does best. The army ants march, the mantises pray, but in the end it's the stink bugs that force the spiders to flee.

It is a happy ending for everyone but especially for Dilly. She thought she didn't have a chance to win the contest because she was not clever or frilly but her heroic actions awarded her the title of the bugliest bug!

Dilly crept closer

as the biggest judge grinned.

"Sweet little bugs,

let our contest begin!"

"How odd," Dilly thought.

"Those judges have wings

That are tied to their backs

with gossamer strings."

CAROL DIGGORY SHIELDS BIOGRAPH

Carol Diggory Shields was inspired to write SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP after "being called a Nagosaurus by my five-year-old," she admits. "I started playing with the idea of partying dinosaurs who were scientifically accurate (more or less), and somehow in the prehistoric ooze of my brain, SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP took shape."

Her rocking prehistoric party proved a hit with both young readers and critics. "Witty and imaginative, the poem has a rhythm that makes cumbersome multisyllable dinosaur names roll off the tongue," said KIRKUS REVIEWS.

Currently a children's librarian, Carol Diggory Shields has also worked with children as a recreational therapist and at one time was a designer of stuffed toys. Her years of being around children have no doubt helped her get a feel for the fun-but-factual stories that kids love, told in animated verse with an infectious beat. After successfully collaborating with illustrator Scott Nash on SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP, she teamed up with him for MARTIAN ROCK, "the true story of how a meteorite from Mars arrived on Earth," she quips.

More recently, the pair worked together again on THE BUGLIEST BUG, a wacky tale of an insect talent contest threatened by hungry spiders (disguised as judges) and a brave little Damselfy who saves the day.

"Insects are awesome!," the author enthuses. "Every human invention, from catapults to jet propulsion, had already been invented and used by bugs for millions of years. And that's why to be 'bugly' is the ultimate compliment."

The author of several books for children, Carol Diggory Shields lives in northern California

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3429.Carol_Diggory_Shields

MORE BOOKS BY CAROL DIGGORY SHIELDS

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE DINOSAUR STOMP

Written By Carol Diggory Shields
Illustrated by Scott Nash

Publisher: Candlewick Press,
1997-10-06
Pages: 32
Ages: 3 to 5

Dancing dinosaurs Reading aloud has never been so much fun.

What did the dinosaurs do for fun?

What really happened when the Jurassic gang wanted to let off some steam?

They danced, of course. They rocked and rolled; they twirled and tromped They had themselves a Dinosaur Stomp

With illustrations by Scott Nash that leap off the page like a raptor doing the fandango, Carol Diggory Shields tells dinosaur devotees all about reptilian revelry with a foot-tapping, tail-whacking beat.

ILLUSTRATOR SCOTT NASH

Author and illustrator of TUFF FLUFF: The Case of Duckie's Missing Brain, Nash is the illustrator of more than 30 children's books, including the Flat Stanley series by Jeff Brown, Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp and The Bugliest Bug by Carol Diggory Shields.

If you would like to know more about Scott Nash check out his site.

http://scottnash.com/

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

Bye for now.

Wishing you the best, Darlene

THE POLAR BEAR SON AN INUIT TALE Retold by Lydia Dabcovich

noreply@blogger.com (Darlene Nemeth) — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:30:00 -0700

THE POLAR BEAR SON AN INUIT TALE Retold and Illustrated by Lydia Dabcovich

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1999-03-29 - Pages: 40
Ages: 4 and up

There was something about the book cover that drew me into this Inuit tale.

"Illustrated in muted pastel colors, the pictures capture this stark, yet beautiful,winter world." - School Library Journal

An old Inuit woman who had no family or sons to hunt for her finds an orphan polar bear and takes him home.

She takes care of him and shares what little food she has with him.

He grows strong and big enough to fish and hunt for her. Soon she has plenty of food and furs. "And, as is the custom of the Intuit, she shared every good catch with the bear and the whole village."

The villagers take the food but soon the hunters become angry and jealous and decide to kill the polar bear saying that he is too dangerous. She pleads for her son's life but no one will listen. She goes to her son, the polar bear to tell him to leave and not look back. "Sadly, the old woman and the children watched him disappear into the distance."

The old woman once again finds herself alone and hungry. She goes out onto the ice and calls for her son. She doesn't have to wait long for Kunikdjuaq (pronounced koo-nick-joo-uck) to run and meet her. She checks him over carefully for injuries. He brings her food which they eat together and she takes the rest home.

"This went on for many years. And, up to this day, the Inuit tell the story of the faithful bear Kunikdjuaq and the old woman who brought him up."

My granddaughters and I love this heart warming story about a mothers love for her adopted son.

Please feel free to leave your comments. I would love to hear from you. What did you think of this book?

LYDIA DABCOVICH BIOGRAPHY

While researching on the internet for a picture of Lydia Dabcovich I came across her obituary. My heart dropped.

"Mrs. Lydia (Duenias) Dabcovich, an award-winning author and illustrator, died Tuesday, March 20th (2012) after a long period of declining health from complications of Lewy Body disease. Mrs. Dabcovich, a resident of Brookline, was 76."

This is the site, if you wish to investigate: http://hosting-tributes-24123.tributes.com/show/Lydia-Dabcovich-93480325

Lydia authored/illustrated more than 30 books, including;

"From Publishers Weekly Dabcovich's stories could serve as models for preschool picture books. With minimal text peppering her refreshingly unpretentious illustrations, she creates compelling, fully realized tales that are perfectly tuned to the youngest audience. Here, mother duck is teaching her offspring to fly. Everyone cooperates except the runt (easily spotted by his pinfeathers), who is too interested in the sights and sounds of his river home to pay attention. While his brothers and sisters sail off skyward, the little one paddles contentedly downstream, where, in a triumphant conclusion, an unexpected obstacle leaves him no choice but to try his wings. Like Robert McCloskey before her, Dabcovich ( Sleepy Bear ; Mrs. Huggins & Her Hen Hannah ) manages without anthropomorphizing to imbue her ducks with expression and personality. Ages 2-4. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc."

POST A COMMENT

I love to read your opinions and comments. It makes my day.

My apologies, all anonymous comments are deleted due to an excessive amount of spam.

Bye for now.

Wishing you the best, Darlene

Books for Kids

MERCER MAYER

TWO BY TWO Written and Illustrated by Barbara Reid

TWO BY TWO

Written and Illustrated by Barbara Reid

GIFTS Written by Jo Ellen Bogart and Illustrated by Barbara Reid

GIFTS

My Perfect Pony

MY PERFECT PONY

MORTIMER

MORTIMER

Author and Illustrator Mark Teague

MARK CHRISTOPHER TEAGUE BIOGRAPHY

Writings Self Illustrated

Illustrator

ILLUSTRATOR; "HOW DO DINOSAURS" SERIES

FUNNY FARM

MURMEL MURMEL MURMEL Written by Robert Munsch

TEENY WITCH GOES TO THE LIBRARY

TEENY WITCH GOES TO THE LIBRARY

(Teeny Witch Series) \Written by Liz Mathews & Illustrated by Carolyn Loh

Author & Illustrrator Jonathon London

MORE BOOKS BY JONATHON LONDON

FROGGY'S BABY SISTER

FROGGY LEARNS TO SWIM

HUGGLY'S HALLOWEEN Written and Illustrated by Tedd Arnold

HUGGLY'S HALLOWEEN

Publisher: Scholastic Pages: 24 Ages: 3-8

Author & Illustrator Tedd Arnold

OTHER BOOKS BY TEDD ARNOLD

Children's books written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold

[edit]Illustrator, or collaboration only

GREEN WILMA

GREEN WILMA

Author & Illustrator Mercer Mayer

I WAS SO MAD Written & Illustrated by Mercer Mayer

I JUST FORGOT Written and Illustrated by Mercer Mayer

TACKY THE PENGUIN

Written by Helen Lester & Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Bad Reviews

Nursery Stories and Rhymes

3-MINUTE NURSERY STORIES

LET'S GO FROGGY! Written by Jonathon London

"LET'S GO FROGGY!" Written by Jonathon London

From School Library Journal

From School Library Journal

A Story About A Boy's Messy Room

PIGSTY

Written & Illustrated by Mark Teague

PIGSTY: ILLUSTRATIONS AND WRITING

MARK CHRISTOPHER TEAGUE BIOGRAPHY

Writings Self Illustrated

Illustrator

ILLUSTRATOR; "HOW DO DINOSAURS" SERIES

FROGS Written by Andrea Wayne von Königslöw

OTHER BOOKS BY ANDREA WAYNE VON KONIGSLOW

TOILET TALES

THE BUGLIEST BUG Written by Carol Diggory Shields

THE BUGLIEST BUG

CAROL DIGGORY SHIELDS BIOGRAPH

THE POLAR BEAR SON AN INUIT TALE Retold by Lydia Dabcovich

Please feel free to leave your comments. I would love to hear from you. What did you think of this book?

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 24
Ages: 3-8