Synopses & Reviews
A little boy has a toy boat that he made out of a can, a cork, a yellow pencil, and some white cloth. The boy and his boat are inseparable . . . until the day the wind pushes the boat out into the wide lake, and the little boat must face fierce waves, a grumpy ferry, a sassy schooner, and a growling speed boat if he is to find his way home. From Randall de Seve and bestselling artist Loren Long, creator of the Otis series and illustrator of
The Little Engine That Could, comes a child-friendly adventure sure to inspire imaginative toy play.
Praise for TOY BOAT
* "With plenty of buoyant charm and imaginative artwork, this contemporary Little Toot has an abundance of child appeal."--Booklist, starred review
"A resonant tale with wide appeal."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"Familiar theme...positive message about sharing...the spirit of generosity...may be contagious to youngsters after reading this upbeat tale." and#8212;
Publishers Weekly "Another healthy serving of charm and life lesson from the dependable Bunting...amicably depicted in Carpenter's dear, guiless pen-and-ink drawings." and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
"Children will listen intently to this tale...softly colored, uncluttered illustrations...have an old-fashioned charm......will resonate with many children." and#8212;School Library Journal
"A sensitive, affecting story about growing up and leaving favorite things behind...with charming ink-and-paint illustrations...Reassuring and well told." and#8212;Booklist, ALA
Review
"Should be a staple in every spring storyhour."--
School Library Journal"An inspiration for younger children and their parents."--The Boston Globe
Review
"Christelow's watercolor and pencil illustrations show great energy and movement, peppered with just the right amount of silliness." Booklist, ALA
Review
"A joyous lark for story time sharing or for the beginning reader's independent amusement." Booklist, ALA
Review
"This is pure silliness-just the kind kids like. . . . The monkeys are suitably active, and their mess-making skills, as demonstrated in the watercolor art, are impressive, with clothes scattered everywhere and dirty water overflowing the tub. . . . Plenty of fun." Booklist, ALA
"A lively readaloud." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"When five bored little monkeys complain of nothing to do, their mother gladly enlists their help in getting ready for Grandma's visit. In a great scurry, they clean their room, scrub the bathroom, beat the rug, and pick berries for dessert. Unfortunately, when they turn to readying themselves, they undo all their good work and mess and muddy the entire house. Wordless pictures show them cleaning again. . . . This book can be enjoyed one-on-one or at story hour, and all who read it will gain more appreciation for whoever does the cleaning at home." School Library Journal
Review
"Warm and touching story."
Book Links, ALA
"Little Gorillaand#8217;s velvety-soft jungle world seems as comfortably secure as the storyand#8217;s evocation of love and friendship. Each page radiates a quiet drama as one after another, the jungle inhabitants indulgently express their affection for the irresistible baby. . . . Preschoolers will take pleasure in joining the conversely shrinking animal menagerie in wishing the not-so-little Little Gorilla a happy birthday."
Booklist, ALA
"Short and sweet, a song of love which . . . is beguiling. Everybody loved Little Gorilla from the day he was born until one day and#145;something happened . . . Little Gorilla began to grow and Grow and Grow . . .and#8217; And he was big, and everybody came and sang and danced and wished him a happy birthday and still loved him. So the message to the audience is clear: love goes on. The drawings are simple, large-scale [and] they fit the text very comfortably."
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Synopsis
This loveable tale of a little bear who grows too big for his beloved boat teaches children about generosity, sharing, and the struggles of growing up.and#160; Eve Bunting's simple yet lyrical langauge and Nancy Carpenter's charming illustrations are sure to delight youngsters!
Synopsis
Little Bear loves his little boat. But Little Bear soon begins to grow and grow, until one
day he doesnand#8217;t fit in his little boat anymore! All children who experience growing pains
will appreciate Little Bearand#8217;s predicament. And they will smile with satisfaction as the
solution to his problem unfolds in simple, lyrical words and charming pictures from
two award-winning picture-book creators.
Synopsis
The rhyming misadventures of a group of zany sheep on a pirate ship.
Synopsis
A springtime favorite, now in a lap-sized board book edition.
Synopsis
A girl and her father go to the store to buy plants, soil, and a window box for a flower garden that's going places: from the store, to the shopping cart, on the bus ride home, and up the stairs to become aand#160;colorful birthday surprise for the little girl's mother.
Synopsis
In this sturdy board book, the five little monkeys and Mama can't wait to sell their old car and get a new one. But who will buy it? Perhaps those clever monkeys can convince their cranky crocodile neighbors that what they really need is . . . yes, a car!
Synopsis
The five little monkeys and Mama are eager to get a new car. The five little monkeys clean and paint their old car until it sparkles like new. But who will buy it? Perhaps those clever monkeys can convince their cranky crocodile neighbors that what they really need is . . . yes, a car! Lively verse and Eileen Christelowand#8217;s inimitably comic illustrations put the five little monkeys in the driverand#8217;s seat in more ways than one. This sturdy board book edition is perfect for repeat readings.
Synopsis
Can the five little monkeys bake Mama a surprise birthday cake without waking her up? This sturdy board book edition is perfect for repeat readings.
Synopsis
Rooster is spreading the word: "Hurry! Hurry!" The crowd gets bigger, faster, and noisier as all the animals follow Rooster, arriving at the peaceful barn just in time to greet the tiniest member of the farm family as he pecks his way out of his egg.
Now in a board book edition, Eve Bunting's simple, energetic text and Jeff Mack's vibrant illustrations come together in a joyful, welcoming book that's perfect for preschoolers.
Synopsis
With nothing to do, the five little monkeys make the household chores a fun--and messy--adventure in this sturdy board book edition.
Synopsis
When five little monkeys ask for something to do, cleaning the house for Grandma Bessie's visit isn't exactly what they had in mind. But leave it to those mischievous monkeys to find a way to make housework fun . . . and messy!and#160;Features Eileen Christelow's irresistible monkey art in a sturdy board book edition perfect for repeat readings.
Synopsis
A simple rhythmic text portrays Little Gorilla, who is loved by everyone in the jungle as he begins to grow . . . and Grow . . . and GROW.
About the Author
Randall de Sève made her debut as an author with the New York Times bestseller Toy Boat, illustrated by Loren Long. She is also the author of The Duchess of Whimsy, illustrated by her husband, Peter de Sève. Randall lives with Peter and their two daughters in Brooklyn, New York.
To learn more about Randall de Sève, go to www.randalldeseve.com
Loren Long has puff puttedy chuffed his way all over the bestseller lists with such titles as Otis, Otis and the Tornado, Otis and the Puppy, Drummer Boy, The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper, Toy Boat by Randall de Seve, Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna, and Of Thee I Sing by President Barack Obama. Loren lives in a suburb of Cincinnati with his wife and their two sons, all frequent visitors to his studio, where they see the art and hear the stories first.
To learn more about Loren Long and his books, go to www.lorenlong.com or www.otisthetractor.com