Synopses & Reviews
They study the night sky, watch chimpanzees in the wild, and dig up ancient clay treasures. They search the beach for rare fossils, photograph old rock carvings, explore the hazards of lead poisoning, and wander into dark caves. And in their watching, digging, and wandering they become discoverers. Young and old, they are women and girls who discover seventy-million-year-old sea lizards, the very origins of counting and writing, Stone Age cave art, mysterious matter in the universe, and how a puddle of water can be sanitized when heated by the sun.
Here is a tribute to the findings and revelations of these remarkable women and girls: to their perseverance, their epiphanies, their wondrous curiosity. Brought to life by stunning collage illustrations, these inspiring stories drawn from primary sources consistently probe into still unanswered questions. Here are discoveries that open our eyes not only to what women and girls can accomplish but also to the astonishing world in which we live.
Review
In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. Their creations are some of the most enduring (the windshield wiper) and best loved (the chocolate chip cookie). What inspired these women, and just how did they turn their ideas into realities?"GIRLS THINK OF EVERYTHING is a wonderful book, as surprising as it is inspiring .... Buy this book for the girl you love today, and she may well become a mother of invention tomorrow." -- Pulitzer Prize winner Natalie Angier, author of WOMAN: AN INTIMATE GEOGRAPHY, 1999 National Book Award finalist
BOX "This very attractive, informative book will find an audience among browsers and report writers alike." and#151;Booklist, boxed review (3/15/00) Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"An outstanding collective biography of women and girls who changed the world with their inventions." and#151;School Library Journal (4/00) School Library Journal
"This book is an inspired ode to women inventors." and#151;Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly
Review
John James Audubon was a boy who loved the out-of-doors more than the in. He was a boy who believed in studying birds in nature, not just from books. And, in the fall of 1804, he was a boy determined to learn if the small birds nesting near his Pennsylvania home really would return the following spring.
This book reveals how the youthful Audubon pioneered a technique essential to our understanding of birds. Capturing the early passion of Americaand#8217;s greatest painter of birds, this story will leave young readers listening intently for the call of birds large and small near their own homes.This winsomely imagined account of an episode when Audubon was 18 years old joins the flocks of commemorative works. Sweet's illustrations soar.
Kirkus Reviews, Starred
Davies related her story with immediacy, evoking Audobon's keen curiosity and the lure of the outdoors as she describes his gradual discovery of some important facts about bird migrations.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
This handsome book makes a beguiling introduction to the painter.
Booklist, ALA
Sweet's relaxed watercolor style and skillful incorporation of collage, plus a lively narration that illuminates Audobon's passion for observation and sets his pivotal insight into context, make this appealing vignette a fine introduction to his work.
Horn Book
Review
And, as Carmine takes off on her bicycle with Rufus, that is just what she intends to do. But Carmine is a dreamy painter, always in search of capturing just the right hue in her drawings, and this drawingand#151;the one she begins in a lovely forest clearing just off the path to Grannyand#8217;sand#151;must be her best yet.
Here is a new, lively retelling of a timeless tale with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very end."A fetching retelling of and#147;Little Red Riding Hoodand#8221; that also works as an effective alphabet book. . . . The fresh and imaginative mixed-media art imitates the sketchbook of a child artist." --School Library Journal,starred School Library Journal, Starred
"For her authorial debut Sweet . . . offers a colorful, abecedarian take on Little Red Riding Hood. Creative details, both visual and verbal, abound."
Publishers Weekly
"The illustrator tries her hand at words and images in this delightful alphabet and fairytale twist. . . . Besides her vivacious paint and collage pictures, Sweet plays with her love of words." --Kirkus Kirkus Reviews
"the sunny mixed-media artand#151;nicely sparked with reds in all their bright varietyand#151;tells the story beautifully." and#151;Horn Book Horn Book
"Reading is believing." New York Times Book Review New York Times Book Review Notable Book
Review
Saturated in Cajun and Creole cadences and sensibilities, this rollicking, multilayered tale is at once lyrical and tongue-in-cheek funny. The playful illustrations are a clever mix of collage and bright watercolors that feature varying perspectives and impressively expressive poultry. . . . The sheer insouciance of both text and art will have readers dancing the two-step and sharing that chicken joy as well.
School Library Journal
Fine turns of phrase, and Sweet's mixed-media illustrations . . . have a bouyancy that elevates the text.
Booklist, ALA
In a text that is at the same time eloquent and hilarious, Martin creates a rousing barnyard tale into which she skillfully interweaves the story of fictional musician Joe Beebee, recounting his childhood love of music and his attempts to fashion his own instrument from a cigar box and an old screen door. . . . [Sweet's] lively illustrations, employing collage and found objects, are the perfect complement to this lyrical Louisiana tale of good music and good friends.
Kirkus Reviews, Starred
*STARRED REVIEW* With its unquestioned animal/human interaction and its repetition, this story, in Martin's quietly lyrical prose, has a folklike flavor. . . . The illustrations are a tasty stew in their own right; line, watercolor, and collage create a quirky world wherein cuddly, globose chickens utter Cajun exclamations in speech bubbles and chat readily with sharp-featured humans; compositions vary inventively, employing techniques such as comic-strip panels and overhead views. . . . There's just something irresistible about a good chicken story.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
"Sweet's beautifully detailed artwork, in watercolor and mixed-media, is packed with feeling and story." Booklist Starred, Jan 1 2008 Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"[A] winsome tale laced with doggy humor...Fans of the popular stray-animal genre will bid her godspeed." Kirkus 3/15/08 Kirkus Reviews
"...crowded scenes in cheery watercolors and mixed media showcase Sweet's unusually expressive canine cast." PW 4/21/08 Publishers Weekly
"...Sweet is a gifted storyteller, working magic in this story." Buffalo News
Review
"Tony Sarg (1880-1942, "rhymes with aargh!"), the man who invented the giant balloons of the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, has found a worthy biographer in Caldecott Honoree Sweet (A River of Words). With lighthearted watercolors, fanciful scrapbooking, and collaged typography, Sweet shows how Sarg, a self-taught immigrant, combined an indomitable curiosity with an engineers know-how and a forever-young imagination.... The rush that comes from inspiration, the cliffhanger moments of creation, the sheer joy of building something and watching it delight the multitudes—Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages"—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
and#8220;Sweetand#8217;s brilliant combination of collage, design, illustration and text give Balloons Over Broadway an amazing richness. . . [no one] will ever see the parade in the same way.and#8221;and#8212;Pete Hamill in The New York Times Book Review
and#8220;Itand#8217;s a history lesson, inventor's sketchbook, and inspirational story all rolled into one marvelous mixed-media masterpiece. Sweet's beautifully rendered true-life tale will have your child's imagination soaring to new heights!and#8221;and#8212;Education.com
"Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sargand#8217;s enthusiasm and joy in his work as well as the drama and excitement of the parade. . .This one should float off the shelves."and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review
and#8220;Tony Sarg, the man who invented the giant balloons of the Macyand#8217;s Thanksgiving Day Parade, has found a worthy biographer in Caldecott Honoree Sweet. The rush that comes from inspiration, the cliffhanger moments of creation, the sheer joy of building something and watching it delight the multitudesand#8212;Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages"and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
and#8220;This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews, starred review
and#8220;A joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"Sweetand#8217;s whimsical mixed-media collages, embellished with little dolls she made herself out of odds and ends, reinforce the theme that, for Sarg, work was play."and#8212; Horn Book, starred review
"Sweet's artwork is as joyous an affair as its subject." --Bulletin
Review
andquot;This quiet, engaging offering celebrates the artistand#39;s vision and her idiosyncratic work.andquot;
andmdash;Booklistand#160;
Review
* andquot;Davisand#39; picture-book bio soars, inspires, and keeps (the pages) ever turningandquot;
andmdash;Booklist, starred review
andquot;The modernist look, inherently interesting topic, and strong documentation...make this title a positive addition.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal
andquot;Kids who take ferris wheels for granted should find this history eye-opening.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus
andquot;Davisandrsquo;s picture-book account of the Ferris Wheel construction does a first-rate job of capturing the many risksandmdash;to civic pride, financial success, and public safetyandmdash;that attached to the first iteration of what most readers have already enjoyed as a local carnival attraction.andquot;
andmdash;Bulletin
andquot;Davis delivers a tense and satisfying underdog story, while Ford creates a stylized 19th-century landscape.andquot;
andmdash;Publishers Weekly
andquot;[An] informative and entertaining account.andquot;
andmdash;Wall Street Journal
Review
"What a con job!and#160;I mean that in the best possible way.and#160;Vic was tricky but so is Greg Pizzoli. His storytelling and mixed-media artwork is rendered with expert sleight of hand."and#8212;Lane Smith, author/illustrator of It's a Bookand#160;andand#160;and#160;the Caldecott Honor bookand#160;Grandpa Green
"It's hard enough to make a well-told story out of real-life thingsand#8212;itand#8217;s almost unfair that he could also make it this pretty."and#8212;Jon Klassen, author and illustrator of the Caldecott Medal winner This Is Not My Hat
* "An appealingly colorful, deadpan account of a remarkably audacious and creative criminal."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Elementary-school kids impressed by brazen acts of skulduggery will be snowed by this well-told true story."and#8212;Booklist
"A fascinating story, with quirky, retro-style, mixed-media art that will appeal to readers."and#8212;School Library Journal
Review
"Sweets exuberant collages add both information and visual energy to lively profiles of more than a dozen female adults or children who have Found Something Significant
Thimmesh makes a convincing case for the idea that the thrill of discovery is a feeling anyone can have." Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"The lively design and the mixed-media collage artwork is a creative delight, and the intricate ink-and-watercolor borders, inventive paintings, and childlike pictures will draw readers in. The best thing about the book, however, is Thimmesh's sparkling writing style, which celebrates women's curiosity and skill." Booklist, ALA
Review
andquot;This quiet, engaging offering celebrates the artistand#39;s vision and her idiosyncratic work.andquot;
andmdash;Booklist
andquot;The illustrations combine watercolor with digital painting, collage, and vintage papers, resulting in a soft palette and an uncomplicated, accessible drawing style. Children will delight in the whimsy of the art pieces and their placement in the garden as well as the participation of Maryandrsquo;s dogs, Sassafras and Basil, in the discovery process.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal
andquot;The Kanduuml;glers use watercolor, digital painting, collage and vintage papers to portray Maryand#39;s world and sculptures...A friendly chronicle of an offbeat artist.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus
andquot;Chalky mixed-media collages are punctuated by items of significance...a quiet homage.andquot;
andmdash;Publishers Weekly
andquot;The authors embellish their picture-book biography of artist Mary Nohl (1914andndash;2001) with touches of whimsy...The illustrationsandmdash;digital collages of scratchy, affectionate paintings on an assortment of papersandmdash;mirror this sense of wonder.andquot;
andmdash;Horn Book Magazine
andquot;An appealing and kid-friendly introduction to Nohland#39;s art.andquot;
andmdash;Bulletin
Review
"A stirring, uplifting, and elegantly packaged saga."--Publishers Weekly, starred Publishers Weekly, Starred
"More than a first biography of picture book icons, this is a fine introduction to the period for young children, a model of documentation, and an exceptionally inviting and well-designed book." --Horn Book Horn Book
Synopsis
Everyoneand#8217;s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macyand#8217;s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these "upside-down puppets"? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to Americaand#8212;the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macyand#8217;s Parade. Winner of the 2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award.
Synopsis
A Sibert Medal-winning picture book biography and perfect Thanksgiving Day read about the invention of the first balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade From Caldecott honor artist Melissa Sweet.
Everyone's a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when people from every corner of the country rise early or tune in to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. In Balloons Over Broadway, Caldecott honor artist Melissa Sweet brings the inspirational story of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a wildly creative dream that invented those balloons, to life.
The story takes readers through every step of Sarg's journey-- from his childhood love of creating marionettes, to the moment this brilliant idea was born in his head, all the way up to the invention of these enchanting floating balloons. Sweet brilliantly captures the essence of Sarg through her signature collage illustrations and thoughtful storytelling. Balloons over Broadway will capture the hearts of all ages sitting around the dinner table, on Thanksgiving Day and every day.
Synopsis
From Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet comes the perfect Thanksgiving Day read, the story of Tony Sarg. Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Melissa Sweet, author of Girls Think of Everything, brings to life the inspirational story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Caldecott Honor artist brilliantly captures the essence of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.
The collage illustrations coupled with Sweet's storytelling portrays Sarg's joy in his childhood inventions and his ingenious balloon creations that still bring delight to viewers around the country. This nonfiction illustrated book will capture the hearts of all ages sitting around the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day.
Synopsis
From Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet comes the perfect Thanksgiving Day picture book. Let's have a parade
Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Melissa Sweet brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual parade celebrating Thanksgiving. The Caldecott Honor artist brilliantly captures the essence of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.
The collage illustrations coupled with Sweet's storytelling portray Sarg's joy in his childhood inventions and his ingenious balloon creations that still bring delight to viewers around the country. This nonfiction illustrated book will capture the hearts of all ages.
Synopsis
It's playtime at the amusement park, and there are
lots of hugs to go around. From the spinning twirly hug to the playful catch-you hug--and even to the long good-bye hug when nobody wants to leave--each one is a celebration of a friendship and of a special moment.
In this companion book to Won't You Be My Kissaroo?, Joanne Ryder's sweet, lyrical text and Melissa Sweet's snuggly illustrations deliver the perfect book to share with all your favorite hugaroos.
Synopsis
They study the night sky, watch chimpanzees in the wild, search the beach for rare fossils, and wander into dark caves. And as they explore, they become discoverers. Young and old, they are women and girls who discover the origins of counting and writing, Stone Age cave art, mysterious matter in the universe, and how a puddle of water can be sanitized when heated by the sun.
Synopsis
Baby Bear knows that big bears get to have
all the fun. They get to stay up late, live in toy stores, go exploring by themselves, and eat dessert . . . all day long!and#160;Baby Bear plans to do each of those things--and more--when he grows up. But at the end of the day, even the biggest bearsand#160;still get to come home to telland#160;of their grown-up adventures.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;This third Baby Bear collaboration between Jane Yolen and Melissa Sweet is a wonderful tribute to imagination and perfectly captures the spirit of youngsters who wish they could make all the rules.
Synopsis
Carmine is a painter, always in search of just the right color (especially anything in the red family) to add to her paintings. So when she and her dog Rufus set off on their bike to Grannys, she is too easily lured by a lovely meadow full of poppies. And, as she begins painting, she is too oblivious to danger lurking along the path.
Synopsis
What's the best time of day for reading? Well, for Baby Bear it's all day long. From the first wild wake-up book to the last gentle sleepy-time book--and all the adventures in between--each book takes Baby Bear somewhere new and exciting.
and#160;and#160;In this companion to Baby Bear's Chairs, bestselling author Jane Yolen and award-winning illustrator Melissa Sweet have created a celebration of little bears everywhere, their beloved books, and their carefree imaginations.
Synopsis
Baby Bear is the littlest bear in his family, and sometimes that's not so easy. Mama and Papa Bear get to stay up late in their great big chairs. Big brother gets to play fun games in his middle-sized chair. And Baby Bear only seems to cause trouble in his own tiny chair. But at the end of the day, he finds the one
perfect chair that's comfier and cozier than all the rest.
Bestselling author Jane Yolen and popular illustrator Melissa Sweet have come together to create a lyrical bedtime tale about a baby bear trying to find his place in a family. With a playful rhyming text and adorable, fun illustrations, here is a book for parents and their own baby bears to treasure.
Synopsis
There are lots of different kinds of kisses--from sticky breakfast kisses to playful "gotcha!" kisses to special birthday cake kisses--and this charming story celebrates them all! Now in a sweet new board book edition, this is just the thing for sharing with
your favorite kissaroo.
Synopsis
In 1940, Hans and Margret Rey fled their Paris home as the German army advanced. They began their harrowing journey on bicycles, pedaling to Southern France with childrens book manuscripts among their few possessions.
Louise Borden combed primary resources, including Hans Reys pocket diaries, to tell this dramatic true story. Archival materials introduce readers to the world of Hans and Margret Rey while Allan Drummond dramatically and colorfully illustrates their wartime trek to a new home.
Follow the Reys amazing story in this unique large format book that resembles a travel journal and includes full-color illustrations, original photos, actual ticket stubs and more. A perfect book for Curious George fans of all ages.
Synopsis
In this inviting picture book biography of Mary Nohl, we meet the artist as a young girl, just discovering her talent, and watch as her front yard sculpture garden comes to life.
Synopsis
While the rest of her classmates were making pastries in cooking classes, Mary Nohl was making artandmdash;anything she fancied out of anything she could find. Inspiration struck Mary even when she wasnandrsquo;t looking for it. Mary used common objects to make uncommon art. And one day, her garden was a gallery.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Mary Nohl passed away in 2001 at the age of eighty-seven. Her famous garden gallery is located in the front yard of her Fox Point, Wisconsin, home to this day.
Synopsis
Science, history,and#160;andand#160;engineeringand#160;combineand#160;in thisand#160;uplifting non-fiction picture book about the invention of the world's most iconic amusement park ride, the Ferris Wheel. and#160;
Synopsis
Capturing an engineerand#8217;s creative vision and mind for detail, this fully illustrated picture book biography sheds light on how the American inventor George Ferris defied gravity and seemingly impossible odds to invent the worldand#8217;s most iconic amusement park attraction, the Ferris wheel.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; A fun, fact-filled text by Kathryn Gibbs Davis combines with Gilbert Fordand#8217;s dazzling full-color illustrations to transport readers to the 1893 Worldand#8217;s Fair, where George Ferris and his big, wonderful wheel lifted passengers to the skies for the first time.
Synopsis
In the early 1900s, Robert Miller, a.k.a. and#147;Count Victor Lustig,and#8221; moved to Paris hoping to be an artist. Aand#160;
conand#160;artist, that is. He used his ingenious scams on unsuspecting marks all over the world, from the Czech Republic, to Atlantic ocean liners, and across America. Tricky Vic pulled off his most daring con in 1925, when he managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to one of the cityand#8217;s most successful scrap metal dealers! Six weeks later, he tried to sell the Eiffel Tower all over again. Vic was never caught. For that particular scam, anyway. . . .
and#160;
Kids will love to read about Vic's thrilling life, and teachers will love the informational sidebars and back matter. Award-winner Greg Pizzoliand#8217;s humorous and vibrant graphic style of illustration mark a bold approach to picture book biography.
Synopsis
When people danced to Joe Beebeeand#8217;s music they forgot about bad knees, tight shoes, backaches, blisters, and beetles . . . They forgot sickness, sadness, and sin. Joe Beebeeand#8217;s music, folks say, will take you up so high, your problems look small enough to stomp on. But, worries a plain brown hen, can it make a quiet rooster sing? Can it save her best friend from becoming Quiet Rooster Stew? Will Joe Beebee even play for chickens?
With art as fun as waltzing on the moon and with words as lively as a fiddle, this book captures the power of music to heal and of friendship to endure.
Synopsis
In this sequel to WON'T YOU BE MY KISSAROO?, there are plenty of hugs to go around!
Synopsis
Award-winning author/illustrator Melissa Sweet introduces Tupelo, an abandoned dog, who must find a new home for herself and her sock toy, Mr. Bones. With creative language and brilliant illustrations, Melissa shows how home is sometimes found in the most unexpected places.
Synopsis
Baby Bear has BIG dreams of being all grown up
Synopsis
There are many kinds of kisses to share.
Synopsis
With books and his imagination, there's no telling where Baby Bear can go!
Synopsis
In this sweet, bedtime story, Baby Bear discovers that Papa's lap is the best chair of all!
Synopsis
Who says pigs donand#8217;t dance? They do if theyand#8217;re determined to foil the plans of an evil witch who wants to cook two little girls and eat them for dinner. Bestselling author Judy Sierra turns this Balinese Hansel and Gretel story into a boisterous adventure complete with a graceful dancing pig, an ingenious talking mouse, a melodious frog band--and a frightful witch who gets her just desserts!
About the Author
Everyone's a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.and#160; Who first invented these "upside-down puppets?"and#160; Tony Sarg -- puppeteer, illustrator and legendary prankster who once declared, "I never worked a day in my life."and#160; In brilliant collage illustrations, award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of this puppeteer, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America -- the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy's Parade.Like Tony Sarg, Melissa Sweet loved to figure out how to make things move as a child.and#160; (At age 6 she even took apart her marionettes to figure out how they worked.)and#160; Today she still plays with simple materials and constructions in her brilliant mixed-media collage illustrations, for which she has won a Caldecott Honor and two NYTimes Best Illustrated citations.and#160; She has also created many popular paper and baby gifts produced by eeBoo and recognizably Sweet.and#160; She and her husband and dogs live in the charming seaport town of Rockport, Maine.and#160;