Synopses & Reviews
The magic of mixing colors, in a joyous story by a master colorist Zena's world lacks color, so she sets out to find some. On her walk, she first finds one primary color, then another. But red, blue, and yellow aren't enough—Zena wants more colors! Out pops an orange lion, a green frog, and a purple dragon, a combination of the colors she has seen. Zena and her friends then do some color mixing themselves, creating more colors and a bright painting using them all. Vibrant illustrations and simple text make Monica Wellington’s latest a perfect pick for budding young artists and for fans of classics such as The Color Kittens and Mouse Paint.
Review
"Charming and cheery, Wellington's story makes a great read-aloud."
Review
Rich in application and enjoyment. (School Library Journal)
[A] terrific introduction to the life cycle of plants and a good choice for young gardeners everywhere. (Kirkus Reviews)
Review
"This picture book embeds a lesson in primary and secondary colors into a simple narrative." -
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for Apple Farmer Annie:
"...it has much to offer both the eyes and the mind. Wellington, perhaps best known for All My Little Ducklings, has outdone herself with the bursting, ripe brightness of her illustrations." - Kirkus Book Reviews
"Charming and cheery, her story makes a great read-aloud. The illustrations seem to step right out of a coloring book with simple shapes, objects, and bright, crayon-box colors." - School Library Journal
"The illustrations, bright, colorful, and detailed, have a pleasant, childlike quality, and recipes for applesauce, muffins, and cake make for extra fun." - Booklist
Praise for Gabby and Grandma Go Green:
"This upbeat picture book is charming and attractive. The rounded simple shapes give the art a childlike feel, and the many things to look at can turn the book into an interactive experience as adults ask children what they spy. A delightful way to introduce "going green." - Booklist
"Wellington energetically weaves an optimistic green message into an urban backdrop." - Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
As sweet and satisfying as holiday baking, here is a beautiful update of Monica Wellington's Mr. Cookie Baker. In this book, youngsters can follow the process of measuring, mixing, baking, decorating, and eating cookies. With six new full-color pages, a handsome new jacket, educational tie-ins, and more recipes, this is the perfect supplement to early math units on sequencing, sorting, measuring, and telling time. The simple, straightforward behind-the-scenes view of a bakery makes it a splendid addition to Monica Wellington's other nonfiction for the very young, such as Zinnia's Flower Garden. Yummy in any season!
Synopsis
Tom drives a big rig. He gets an order and picks it up. As he drives across the country, past construction sites and on roads being repaired, he joins other vehicles, big and small. Wherever he goes?through towns and cities, on busy highways, over bridges and mountains?he sees all kinds of trucks that are also carrying important goods to people. In scenes both panoramic and detailed, Monica Wellington has painted over sixty different vehicles in her signature bright colors. In this addition to her nonfiction series for the very youngest about people and jobs, she invites readers?especially boys?for a ride on the open road.
Synopsis
A delicious treat about America's favorite fruit is now available in a Spanish bilingual format. Ana grows and sells apples, and she makes cider and applesauce and muffins. A glossary helps kids learn the names of Ana's delicious ingredients in both languages. With tie-ins to math and science curricula and units on autumn, this book will be especially welcomed by teachers. Truly the pick of the crop!
Synopsis
Sally the pizza maker makes pizza. She grows tomatoes in the community garden for the sauce. She gets cheese in the shop down the street. She buys flour from the mill for the dough. Festive artwork shows all her tasks as Sally prepares, mixes, and bakes delicious pizzas. The perfect tie-in to elementary school lessons about where food comes from, this book will be embraced by teachers. It’s a delightful addition to Monica Wellington’s nonfiction for the youngest readers, and it comes complete with a recipe so kids can make pizza with Sally.
Synopsis
Apple cider, applesauce, apple muffins, cakes, and pies! Annie is a very busy apple farmer. She bakes yummy treats with the apples she picks and saves her best apples to sell at the market. Follow Annie through her apple-filled day of picking, counting, sorting, baking, and selling, and then try making some of her simple apple recipes.
Synopsis
Bright pictures of a firefighter and his big red truck make this board book perfect for the very youngest. In twelve eye-catching spreads, Frank shows scenes from his day, from cleaning the truck to putting out a fire. With lots to look at, this book is sure to be a favorite of every truck-loving tot.
Synopsis
Springtime is here, and Zinnia cant wait to plant her seeds and watch them grow. She carefully takes care of her garden, watering her plants, weeding, and waiting patiently for something to sprout. And soon enough, the first seedlings appear! With art just as colorful as a garden in bloom, young readers will enjoy watching Zinnias beautiful garden grow, and may even be inspired to start one of their own.
Synopsis
When Gabby and Grandma get together, "Green Day" means "Fun Day." From sewing their own cloth bags and buying vegetables at the Farmers' Market to recycling their bottles, these two know how to have a good time while doing good things for the earth.
The illustrations in Monica Wellington's popsicle-bright palette-enhanced with myriad shades of green-result in a perfectly "green" addition to her books for the very young.
Synopsis
Apple cider, applesauce, apple muffins, cakes, and pies! Annie is a very busy apple farmer. She bakes yummy treats with the apples she picks and saves her best apples to sell at the market. Follow Annie through her apple-filled day of picking, counting, sorting, baking, and selling, and then try making some of her simple apple recipes.
Synopsis
The magic of mixing colors, in a joyous story by a master colorist Zena's world lacks color, so she sets out to find some. On her walk, she first finds one primary color, then another. But red, blue, and yellow aren't enough—Zena wants more colors! Out pops an orange lion, a green frog, and a purple dragon, a combination of the colors she has seen. Zena and her friends then do some color mixing themselves, creating more colors and a bright painting using them all. Vibrant illustrations and simple text make Monica Wellington’s latest a perfect pick for budding young artists and for fans of classics such as The Color Kittens and Mouse Paint.
About the Author
Monica Wellington was born in London and lived in Europe until she moved to the United States at age seven. As a child she always loved to draw and paint, but it wasn't until she went to college that she realized she wanted to be an artist for her profession. She went to the University of Michigan's School of Art to earn her BFA and studied pottery, painting and printmaking. After art school, while traveling and living in a number of different countries, she had various art related jobs, which were all good background and preparation for doing children's books. She has both written and illustrated the majority of her books. She says, "I usually start a book visually, with an idea of what I want to paint pictures about. The pictures may come first before the words for me. Both the pictures and words go through many revisions, and I am often still working on the final words after I finish the pictures." She says that doing children?s books is great. "I get to have a job where I spend my days doing totally what I love to do. And it is very gratifying that my work goes out into the world and is shared with other people. I feel incrediably lucky for all this!" Since 1994 she has taught illustration at the School of Visual Arts. She lives in New York City with her daughter Lydia.