Synopses & Reviews
A warm debut novel about friendship and first love, from a popular picture-book author. Marleys life is as precarious as an overfull water balloon—one false move and everything will burst. Her best friends are pulling away from her, and her parents, newly separated, have decided she should spend the summer with her dad in his new house, with a job she didnt ask for and certainly doesnt want. On the upside is a cute boy who loves dogs as much as Marley does . . . but young love has lots of opportunity for humiliation and misinterpreted signals. Luckily Marley is a girl who trusts her instincts and knows the truth when she sees it, making her an immensely appealing character and her story funny, heartfelt, and emotionally true.
Review
"A lively story about family loyalty and love of the game, pulled from the sidelines of baseball history."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "A family's love and devotion to each other and to the game of baseball, depicted lovingly."--Kirkus "This story of a real American family whose bond was the game is brought to vivid life through illustrations."--Horn Book
Review
"I was lucky to play in the big leagues with my brother as a teammate and my dad as our manager. It was a very special time. The story of the Acerra brothers brought those memories back. It is a wonderful illustration of what a great game baseball is and how it brings families together on many different levels.
Brothers at Bat is a story any baseball fan will enjoy and one that we all should know."--Hall of Famer
Cal Ripken, Jr. "A captivating story, impeccable layout, and glorious illustrations make this historical account an unqualified winner." --New York Times Book Review
"With a sense of humor, Audrey Vernick tells the true-life story of the 12 Acerra boys of Long Branch, NJ, who formed a team coached by their dad." --USA Today
"A remarkable story." --Wall Street Journal
"A lively story about family loyalty and love of the game, pulled from the sidelines of baseball history." --Publishers Weekly, *starred review*
"A delight not to miss." --School Library Journal, *starred review*
"[A] story of brotherly--and baseball--love." --Booklist, *starred review*
"Vernick's wry and rousing narration is perfectly matched by Salerno's mixed-media pictures."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, *starred review*
"Employing descriptive, conversational language in a matter-of-fact tone that doesnand#8217;t sentimentalize, Vernick tells of a remarkable family . . . Salernoand#8217;s lively drawings, rendered in black crayon, gouache, watercolor and pastel with digital color added, complement the action, striking a balance between detail and expansiveness.A family's love and devotion to each other and to the game of baseball, depicted lovingly." --Kirkus Reviews
"This story of a real American family whose bond was the game is brought to vivid life through illustrations." --Horn Book Magazine
"For those who love baseball, history and family stories, this book hits a home run."--Shelf Awareness, *starred review*
"Striking black crayon, gouache and watercolor paintings enhanced with digital color provide a solid backup to the tightly written narrative. A very pleasing slice of American history." --Cleveland Plain Dealer
A NewYork Times Notable Book for 2012
A 2012 Booklist Editor's Choice
Review
"Kids struggling with the challenges of identifying what changes are necessary and paying the price for those thrust upon them will be glad to see an author who gets it."
—Bulletin, starred review “An achingly honest story about love, family, friends, and non-friends. (Spoiler alert: There's also an adorable boy with sky blue eyes . . . )”—Lauren Myracle, New York Times best-selling author of
ttyl and
Shine “Vernick's writing is beautiful, her characters well-rounded and believable, and the coming of age situations and emotions are spot on.”—Kathryn Erskine, author of the National Book Award winner Mockingbird “Tender and true, anchored by heartbreak and buoyed by love, Water Balloon is a sweet summertime celebration of the unforgettable moments that change everything. ”—Cynthia Leitich Smith, New York Times bestselling-author of Tantalize, Eternal, and Blessed “A funny, poignant, beautifully written story about family, first love, and the joy and pain of girls friendships, reminiscent of Lynne Rae Perkins All Alone in the Universe. I was really caught up in the world Vernick created; in Marley's own words, ‘it is amazingly, fantastically real. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!”—Joanne Rocklin, author of One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street “Tweens will relate to this heartfelt story of a girl who is struggling to navigate the many changes in her life that seem to greet her at every turn.”—Lisa Schroeder, author of Its Raining Cupcakes “Marley Baird is a lovely protagonist with an engaging voice, and readers will wish they could be her best friend and help her cope with all of lifes uncertainty, aggravation, and heartache. They will recognize their own struggles in Marleys and cheer her on as she finds her way.”—Gina Willner-Pardo, author of The Hard Kind of Promise “Water Balloon is breathtakingly luminous. From the start, readers will root for Marley, an unforgettable and authentic heroine; we *know* this girl, our heart breaks with hers, we laugh with her, and we want to be her friend for life. Vernick's lyrical and astonishingly perceptive prose tells this captivating story of friendship, love, and resilience with honesty, grace, and power. This book is the real thing—I want to hug it daily!”—Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of 8th Grade Superzero “Vernick makes a very auspicious fiction debut here with her breezy, briskly paced tale, well-portrayed characters, authentic relationships and keen ear for realistic dialogue. . . . preteen female readers will eat this up and learn a wise and wistful thing or two about friendships, including when and how to walk away and start new ones. . . . a harbinger of more good novels to come from this author.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Put this book on your "must-have" list. It wont stay on the shelves long."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Vernick conveys Marley's uncertain navigation of new experiences and conflicting emotions with sincerity and keen perception."—Publishers Weekly
Review
"Learn 32 Spanish words in this merry romp about a trip to the supermercado with Mama and Bebe.andnbsp; Northern California author Susan Middleton Elya writes in bouncy rhymes that naturally accomodate both English and Spanish and some chaos too.andnbsp; Clue:andnbsp; No display is safe." --San Francisco Chronicle's Best Books List (November 19, 2006)
Review
* (starred review)andnbsp; "Introducing a young child to Spanish has never been as attractive in this shopping romp... The text carefully, and delightfully incorporations Spanish words into the rhyming text...andnbsp; Salerno is a master at getting motion into his pictures, and his spreads rumble and tumble, especially when the baby's animal crackers grow large and alive."andnbsp; --Booklist (February 15, 2006)
Review
*"[Elya's] rhyming bilingual text demonstrates a skilled storyteller who is clearly comfortable with both languages... Salerno packs the supermercado with such fiesta-bright hues, cartoons, and canned goods, it's no wonder Bebe can hardly keep his hands to himself...andnbsp; This delightful tale turns an everyday chore into a lively adventure, brimming with entertainment and enjoyment for all."
Review
"To the retro-sixties line and colors popularized by such artists as Mo Willems and Bob Shea, Salerno adds an anarchic, very contemporary energy thatand#8217;s all his own."--Horn Book
Synopsis
The amazing true story of the Acerra family from New Jersey, whose 12 boys formed their own semi-professional baseball team in the 1930s. The team was the longest-running all-brother team in historyand#160;and is honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Synopsis
Full of action, drama, and excitement, this never-before-told true story is vividly brought to life by Audrey Vernick's expert storytelling and Steven Salerno's stunning vintage-style art.
The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the 1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball team . . . with three on the bench
The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother team in baseball history. They loved the game, but more important, they cared for and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way could stop them.
Synopsis
"A wonderful illustration of what a great game baseball is and how it brings families together. Brothers at Bat is a story any baseball fan will enjoy and one that we all should know."--Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.
"A captivating story, impeccable layout, and glorious illustrations make this historical account an unqualified winner."-- New York Times Book Review
The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the 1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball team . . . with three on the bench They loved the game, but more important, they cared for and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way--not even a World War--could stop them.
Synopsis
The Acerra family had sixteen children. Twelve of them were boys, and they all played baseball.
It was the 1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball team... with three on the bench! The Acerras loved the game, but more important, they cared for and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way could stop them.
This is their amazing story.
Synopsis
The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the
1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball
team . . . with three on the bench! The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother
team in baseball history. They loved the game, but more important, they cared for
and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way
could stop them.
Full of action, drama, and excitement, this never-before-told true story is vividly
brought to life by Audrey Vernickand#8217;s expert storytelling and Steven Salernoand#8217;s stunning
vintage-style art.
Synopsis
An inventive poetry collection that shows the wild side of first- and second-graders at school.
These 18 funny and imaginative poems observe students in their natural habitat and reveal their unusual behavior, crazy communication, and very healthy appetites. Whether theyand#8217;re in the classroom, on the playground, or in the cafeteria, school brings out the animal in all of them. And if you look carefully as you turn the pages, you may even glimpse some of the wild side in yourself!
Synopsis
In this companion to the acclaimed Beband#233; Goes Shopping, Beband#233; gets into plenty of mischief at la playa!
Synopsis
Mama leaves the shopping behind to spend a relaxing day at the beach. But sweet Bebe won't sit still! He toddles after the waves, chases a bouncing
pelota, and even surfs on a sand sculpture. When Bebandeacute; finally tuckers out, Mama gets her chance to soak up el sol.
Mama and Bebe spiced things up in their first book together, Bebandeacute; Goes Shopping--and now they're at it again!
Includes a glossary of Spanish words.
Synopsis
Mamand#225; and Beband#233; take a trip to the grocery store--bilingual style.
Synopsis
A quick trip to the
supermercado? Not with Bebe in the shopping cart. Snatching the grocery list and picking out chocolate-covered pickles, he's not being very helpful. Just as Mama is ready to throw up her
manos, she gives sweet Bebe a box of animal cookies. A
dulce at last! He finds a camel, nibbles on a giraffe . . . eats an
oso. Then they're off to the checkout line, smiling all the way.
Susan Middleton Elya's tender yet feisty story and Steven Salerno's vivid art are perfect for budding English- and Spanish-speaking readers.
Includes a glossary of Spanish words.
Synopsis
Harryand#8217;s gonna MUNCH, and CRUNCH, and eat everything in sight!
Blueberries are a fine snack for some babies. But not this little guy. Harry is hungry! His tummy grumbles and rumbles. Momma asks him to wait just a minute. But Harry canand#8217;t, Harry wonand#8217;t. Off he goes to munch the flower bed, the neighborand#8217;s house, the school! Will nothing stop this hungry baby?
Steven Salernoand#8217;s entertaining illustrations and spirited story transform a universal experience into a feast of fantasy that readers of all ages will relish.
Synopsis
The jungle can be a scary place, but there is one creature who is the fiercest of all: it grabs, it pulls, it cries, it poopsandmdash;itandrsquo;s the WILD CHILD! All the animals live in fear of this nasty baby who cannot be tamed or soothed. No matter what the animals try, the wild child just gets wilder! Can the animals join together to bring peace back to the jungle and make the wild child a mild child?
About the Author
STEVEN SALERNO has illustrated many popular picture books for children, including
Beband#233; Goes Shopping, by Susan Middleton Elya, which was a
Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Book of the Year. He lives and works in New York City.
www.stevensalerno.com