Synopses & Reviews
Youd think I learned color from the cardinal or the goldfinch, But no I learned it from the crow.
As a group of crows travels through a small town, everyone has something to say about themfrom the painter whom they inspire, to the pig who enjoys their company, to the birdwatcher who wonders what the crows think of people. Here are 23 poems, in the voices of humans, animals, crows, and other birds, that offer a unique perspective on the American crow, a bird commonly thought of as a symbol of bad luck. Whimsical, varied, and easily accessible, Marilyn Singers well-crafted poetry reveals surprising truths about crows, such as their fondness for games like Pull the Clothespin” and their devotion to family and flock. Linda Saports breathtaking pastel illustrations are a visual treat, celebrating the natural world and our relationship to it. Authors note.
Review
"But without preaching, [Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger] score some important points about the value of patience, persistence, and the pursuit of perfection."—
Publishers Weekly
"Even children who don't share Tallulah's ballet dreams may long for such an idyllic world." —Booklist
"The glittery pink cover and endpaper spreads of the five ballet positions are appealing, and Singer weaves the language of ballet throughout her story."—Kirkus Reviews
"This endearing story teaches children the value of earning something and that the joy of the journey can be just as sweet as the reward....The muted, rosy illustrations create a soft mood and complement the tone of the story beautifully."—School Library Journal
For Marilyn Singer City Lullaby
•Time Magazine's Top Ten Books of the Year
•Parents' Choice Award
•Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List
"Singer smartly leans on dynamic action verbs and delayed rhymes to convey New York's electricity, piling up the onomatopoeic sounds in a way that rewards reading aloud . . . a love song to the city."
—The New York Times Book Review
"A good time for all, especially those under four." —Time Magazine
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
"Singer uses 'reverso"'poems, a form of her creation, to show that there are two sides to every fairy tale (the poems can be read backward and forward)."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A marvel to read . . . A remarkable clever and versatile book."—School Library Journal, starred review
"A visual and verbal feast." —Booklist, starred review
" Through a poetic invention she dubs the reverso, Singer meditates on twelve familiar folktales. " —Horn Book Magazine, starred review
"A mesmerizing and seamless celebration of language, imagery and perspective."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
for Alexandra Boiger Thanks a LOT, Emily Post!
•Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award "A nicely designed, refreshingly offbeat view of etiquette." —Booklist, starred review
While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat
•Beehive Award Master List (Utah)
•Kansas State Reading Circle Primary Title
•Parents' Choice Award
•A JLG Selection
•Book Sense Pick
"Boiger illustrates the burgeoning chaos with a wispy, whimsical elegance reminiscent of Hilary Knight's art, placing a very small, tousled redhead in gracious, upper-crust surroundings, and adorning the array of partyers in Depression-era evening garb."—Kirkus Reviews
"Newcomer Boiger fluidly conveys both the heroine's frazzled feelings and her can-do attitude. The fashions and accessories, such as the party guests' attire and Mama's phone, have a 1920s feel; Rose's home, a quaint Victorian row house, seems to expand inside to accommodate the gala festivities in full-bleed spreads." —Publishers Weekly
Dr. All-Knowing
•Parents' Choice Award
Review
"Children will enjoy the illustrations and language and take pleasure in the thoughts posed in these selections. " School Library Journal
"Singers language is lithe and lively. This is an elegant and evocative collection thats eminently suitable for an outside reading." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Brightly colored, eye-filling outdoor scenes. Singer convincingly demonstrates that crows are well worth the time spent observing them. . .engaging." Booklist, ALA
Review
"This endearing story teaches children the value of earning something and that the joy of the journey can be just as sweet as the reward....The muted, rosy illustrations create a soft mood and complement the tone of the story beautifully."and#8212;
School Library Journal and#160; "Without preaching,and#160; [Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger] score some important points about the value of patience, persistence, and the pursuit of perfection."and#8212;
Publishers Weekly"A nice addition to the recently growing collection of ballet-themed books." and#8212;Booklist and#160; "The glittery pink cover and endpaper spreads of the five ballet positions are appealing, and Singer weaves the language of ballet throughout her story."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Singer writes in infectious, rhyming poetry that scans smoothly ... which is echoed in the busy, densely populated, color-saturated scenes." Booklist, ALA
"Cheerfully over-stimulatinga bit like the city itself." Kirkus Reviews
"A love song to the city . . . In this vibrant, terrific picture book, Marilyn Singer and Carll Cneut summon a hip-hooray and ballyhoo all their own." New York Review of Books
"A good time for all." Time Magazine
This clever counting story would also be a good choice for group storytimes.
School Library Journal
Review
andldquo;Childrenandrsquo;s doctorsandrsquo; visits should receive a clean bill of health with this engaging and informational treatment. . . . Prescribe this child-centered offering to all nervous young patients.andrdquo;andmdash;Kirkus Reviews
Review
"In this upbeat picture book, a dozen kids get together to build a neighborhood clubhouse." Booklist, ALA
"The book's enthusiasm will be contagious." Horn Book Guide
Review
"Both words and art, which shows Manhattan's skyline, delightfully capture a toddler's idea of a festive day as they celebrate a father-daughter relationship." Booklist, ALA
"Singer (On the Same Day in March) sets her upbeat tale on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a walkway that borders the East River and offers a prime view of the lower Manhattan skyline. On a Sunday morning, frisky Didi and her (possibly single) father take in the sights and sounds of the bustling Promenade, "the best place on earth." They variously pretend to be trucks and boats, dance to the music of street musicians and romp in a playground with another dad and daugther. The author sticks to brief phrases, as when the duo spot pets: "'Puppy!' says Didi. 'Little yellow puppy.' 'Dog!' says Daddy. "Big black dog.' " Gays' (Stella, Star of the Sea) animated, inventively detailed watercolor and pen-and-ink pictures capture Didi's effervescence and introduce an entertaining supporting cast in the other spirited visitors to the Promenade. And kids familiar with the book's locale will enjoy identifying such landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center towers." Publishers Weekly
"Singer (On the Same Day in March) sets her upbeat tale on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a walkway that borders the East River and offers a prime view of the lower Manhattan skyline. On a Sunday morning, frisky Didi and her (possibly single) father take in the sights and sounds of the bustling Promenade, "the best place on earth." They variously pretend to be trucks and boats, dance to the music of street musicians and romp in a playground with another dad and daugther. The author sticks to brief phrases, as when the duo spot pets: "'Puppy!' says Didi. 'Little yellow puppy.' 'Dog!' says Daddy. "Big black dog.' " Gays' (Stella, Star of the Sea) animated, inventively detailed watercolor and pen-and-ink pictures capture Didi's effervescence and introduce an entertaining supporting cast in the other spirited visitors to the Promenade. And kids familiar with the book's locale will enjoy identifying such landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center towers." Publishers Weekly
The ending will make listeners want to run out and play in the puddles.
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A preschooler drags her father from his comfy bed for adventures on the landmark Brooklyn Promenade. Well-known as a tourist magnet for its striking views of Manhattan from across New York City's East River, the Promenade is also a haven for the urban residents. Singer's (The Circus Lunicus, 2000, etc.) well-chosen spare sentences describe the simple joy of early childhood. "What will she see today?/ A blue car?/ A yellow car?/ A ship with a flag?" Delightful interactions of father and daughter, " 'Vroom! Zoom!' roars Didi./ 'Wide glide,' says Daddy./ Side by side they pretend to ride." Singer masterfully captures the young girl's short attention space from page to page: vehicle spotting, petting puppies, listening to birds, cars and music, dancing, meeting friends, sliding, playing in the sandbox all of this on a ribbon of pavement built above the Brooklyn/Queens expressway. Parents will recognize the knowing refrain "Didi go slow!'/ But Didi says, 'No!' " The watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations capture the distinctive qualities of each inhabitant enjoying the day, from the movement of the street musicians to the multitude of dogs, in addition to portraying the uniqueness of place the wind blowing inland, the light on the river. Small details reflect a knowing eye while giving readers lots to examine. The sweeping panoramic views are strikingly reproduced on double-paged spreads and those who know the area can spot familiar sites from the Statue of Liberty to the twin towers on down to the Brooklyn Bridge." Kirkus Reviews
The rhythmic text flows smoothly, and the double-page bright, pastel illustrations depict the light mood of the story.
School Library Journal
The energy of the cartoonlike watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations is infectious, while the text repeats the pattern of looking, enjoying, and racing on.
Horn Book Guide
Review
andquot;Penny and Jelly are sure to warm the hearts of both future talent-show contestants and readers who have similarly close canine friends.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus
Review
This fantastic counting book will strike a chord with young children and has all the right stuff to become an interactive storytime classic when used with small groups. . . . .The illustrations are laugh-out-loud funny. . . .The simple text rhymes nicely and boasts a wonderfully rhythmic cadence.
School Library Journal
Synopsis
Didis in a hurry to take her father to the best place on earthto the Brooklyn Promenade! Will she see dogs out for a walk? Will she hear a trumpet tune? One things for sure, there are plenty of surprises in store for Didi and Daddy as they spin, swirl, and twirl down the dizzy, busy, perfect Promenade. Here is a book that captures not only the sights and sounds of one of New Yorks main attractions but also the playful relationship between a spirited little girl and her dad. Marilyn Singers bouncy, rhythmic text is paired with Marie-Louise Gays vibrant illustrations, making this an ideal choice for preschoolers.
Synopsis
Here is a picture book perfectly suited to tool-crazy youngsters. Marilyn Singer's short, snappy verses invite young readers to participate in the building of a clubhouse, from drawing a plan to brushing paint on the walls. In addition to the poem, there are facts on each spread about each tool and how to use it. Many of the tools will be familiar to children, such as the hammer and the wrench, but this book also introduces some less familiar tools, such as the plane, square and level. This is a unique and fun-filled picture book that will engage even the youngest child who dreams about having a space of their own.
Synopsis
Its a quiet night in the woods, and a group of campers is asleep. That is, until one frog, two owls, three geese, four fish, and a host of rambunctious animals get together to create a symphony of soundsand enough mischief to wake even the soundest of sleepers. Honk-honk, whap-slapwhat a noisy night! This cumulative counting book adds up to plenty of fun, as young readers look for the cleverly hidden critters within each lively illustration. Full of zany humor, Quiet Night offers a fresh and funny look at the great outdoors.
Synopsis
Ice cream truck jing-a-linging Nine phones ringing, ten horns beeping In the stroller Baby's sleeping.
Will anything wake up that snoozing baby? Follow the red stroller through the cacophony of the city and find out! Rhythm, rhyme, and lots of noisy onomatopoeia from premier children's poet Marilyn Singer, coupled with chaotic, colorful art from an acclaimed European illustrator, make this a rowdy read-aloud, with plenty of things to find and count on every spread.
Synopsis
Tallulah just knows she could be a great ballerina--if only she had a tutu. She signs up for ballet class with great anticipation, only to be disappointed when tutus aren't handed out. When she learns that one must
earn a tutu in dance class, she quits in a huff. But everywhere Tallulah goes, things keep reminding her of ballet. Her neighbor's basset hound always stands in second position, and Tallulah always does a plie when patting him. And she can't pass a store window without doing a beautiful finish, or hear music over the grocery store intercom without performing. In the end, Tallulah returns to dance lessons because she can't stay away, and, after working hard all year . . . she gets
her tutu.
Synopsis
Tallulah just knew she could be a great ballerina, if only she had a tutu. So she starts ballet class. When she does not receive a tutu, she quits. But everywhere she goes, things keep reminding her of ballet. Her neighborand#8217;s basset hound always stands in second position. The kitchen clock performs perfect ronds de jambe. And Tallulah canand#8217;t seem to stop doing ballet, either. A park bench makes a perfect barre, and what better way to pet the dog than with a graceful pliand#233;? This well-told, funny story with a smart new character will satisfy girlsand#8217; cravings for pretty and pink, but also shows that ballet is about more than just the tutu.
Synopsis
It's natural to feeland#160;a little nervous about going to the doctor.and#160;But this book's concrete and kid-friendly approach will put everyone's fears to rest. Join threeand#160;children and their parents as they visit their pediatricians for a typical checkup, and learn all about the different tools doctors and nurses use.and#160;Upbeat illustrations featuring aand#160;diverse cast of characters are paired withand#160;a breezy rhymed textand#160;that reassures young readersandmdash;and their grownupsandmdash;by guiding them through a physical examination step by step. Includes an author's note.
Synopsis
This young and funny picture book showcases the soon-to-be star of her school talent show: Penny. With a little help from her dog Jelly,and#160;Penny realizes that she and Jelly have a uniqueand#160;talent to share--unlike any other in the show.and#160;Readers of Pinkalicious and Ladybug Girl will swoon over Penny and Jelly.
Synopsis
This young and funny picture book introduces the soon-to-be star of her school talent show: Penny. Despite her desire to knock everyoneand#39;s socks off, Pennyand#39;s having a tough time deciding on what talent she might have. With a little help from her dog, Jelly, Penny tries out various talentsandmdash;from dancing to unicycling, fashion designing to snake charmingandmdash;with disastrous results. That is, until she realizes that she and Jelly have a talent to share thatand#39;s unlike any other. Readers of Pinkalicious and Ladybug Girl will swoon over the talent of Penny and Jelly.
Synopsis
It takes more than plies and pirouettes to be a ballerina -- it takes patience,and#160; practice, and perseverance, as little Tallulah discovers in this delightful story filled with pink leotards, ballet slippers, and ultimately, a tutu!
About the Author
It's natural to feeland#160;a little nervous about going to the doctor.and#160;But this book's concrete and kid-friendly approach will put everyone's fears to rest. Join threeand#160;children and their parents as they visit their pediatricians for a typical checkup, and learn all about the different tools doctors and nurses use.and#160;Upbeat illustrations featuring aand#160;diverse cast of characters are paired withand#160;a breezy rhymed textand#160;that reassures young readersand#151;and their grownupsand#151;by guiding them through a physical examination step by step.Includes an author's note.Marilyn Singer is a renowned childrenand#8217;s poet who has written more than eighty books for young people. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, Connecticut. To learn more about Marilyn Singer, visit www.marilynsinger.net.and#160;David Milgrim has written and illustrated more than twenty books for young readers. He lives in Northampton, Massachusetts. To learn more about David Milgrim, visit www.davidmilgrim.com.and#160;