Synopses & Reviews
Beep! Beep! Beep! Meet Blue. A muddy country road is no match for this little pick up--that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they're willing to whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road. Filled with truck sounds and animals noises, here is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others.
Review
"Schertles (All You Need for a Beach) rhyming stanzas are succinct, and she gives readers plenty of opportunities to chime in with animal and vehicle noises; colored, standout fonts highlight these sounds for extra effect. McElmurrys (Mad About Plaid) gouaches recall the heyday of Golden Books in their combination of vividness, naïveté and sweetness, and her rich palette achieves verisimilitude that is no less satisfying for being nostalgic." --Publishers Weekly, starred review (4/28/08) -- Publishers Weekly
Review
* "Outlined in a thick, curly halo of split ends, a and#8220;boulder-big bear with shaggy, raggy, brownbear hair everywhere . . . except on his no-hair noseand#8221; bounds happily through a seasonal round in this outdoorsy gambol. Schertleand#8217;s patterned language sets up a playful cadence that Phelan captures perfectly in his soft-lined, buttery-yellow pastels. Whether splashing after salmon in spring, fearlessly sticking that no-hair nose into a bee tree in summer, lounging at purple-stained ease amid a patch of blueberry bushes or chowing down on a hoard of acorns as squirrels chatter angrily above, the portly protagonist positively radiates doggy good cheer. Until, that is, winter sets inand#8212;then itand#8217;s time for a good scratch on a rough tree trunk and a sleepy retreat to a cave where and#8220;shaggy, raggy, very hairy bearpawsand#8221; can protect that sensitive nose from the cold wind. Heand#8217;s a bear of rare appeal, and itand#8217;s hard to resist the urge to snuggle down next to him." (starred review)
Review
"Christelow's watercolor and pencil illustrations show great energy and movement, peppered with just the right amount of silliness." Booklist, ALA
Review
". . . big, swooshing street sweeper; the taxi with screeching brakes; the busy police car; the frowning bus. The angry traffic standoffs and the small truckand#8217;s triumph will be welcome fuel for many preschoolersand#8217; imaginative play."--Booklist and#160; "It's in the fusion of the old-fashioned with the modern-eclectic--one man in the crowd listens to an iPod--that the book's artistry shines."--Publisher's Weekly
Review
andquot;The thin, swirling lines of Phelanandrsquo;s soft pencil-and-gouache illustrations enhance the stirring narrative, often depicting people against their natural environment; his powerful use of shadow and light emphasizes Washingtonandrsquo;s struggles and victories. Overall, a dynamic examination of one of Americaandrsquo;s first leaders.andquot;andmdash;Kirkus Reviews
andquot;[A] welcome new picture book biography of George Washington . . . This is an ideal introduction to the man for younger readers and listeners: nicely paced, admiring but not adulatory, and clear about his importance in history.andquot;andmdash;Horn Bookandquot;Rockwell gives us a whole man, from shy boy to country gentleman, reluctant battlefield hero to legendary leader, and Phelanandrsquo;s bold, dynamic paintings capture the nuances. In an afterword, the author considers the andquot;stain on the new nationandrsquo;s flag,andquot; approaching Washingtonandrsquo;s treatment of his slaves with candor and honesty. A fine biography that respects its audience as much as its subject.andquot;andmdash;Booklist and#160;andquot;Rockwelland#39;s smooth storytelling and knack for economically rendered military episodes should connect well with elementary-grade children . . . Phelanand#39;s rough line and gouache pictures . . . are sophisticated enough to draw and retain the attention of independent readers.andquot;--Bulletin
and#160;
Review
"Brightly colored, cartoon-style artwork, done in mixed media, spreads across wide pages, capturing the exuberant antics of the mischievous critters. A nice bit of fun." School Library Journal
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
Synopsis
Everyoneand#8217;s favorite hairy bearand#8212;now appearing in a board book edition. A year in the life of a lovable, hairy bear who spends his sunny days fishing for salmon and enjoying the sweet tastes of honey and berries. But when winter comes, his very chilly, not-so-hairy nose is the only thing that stands between this endearing bear and a really great nap. A cozy companion for naptime or bedtime!
Synopsis
A little blue truck finds his way out of a jam, with a bit of help from his friends.
Synopsis
A boy from Virginia becomes the first president
Before he was the face on the dollar bill, George Washington was a shy boy with a hot temper. But George had character and adaptability. He taught himself courage and self-control. At an early age, and without really realizing it, George Washington gathered the qualities heandrsquo;d need to become one of the greatest leaders America has ever known.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Anne Rockwellandrsquo;s prose is dignified, Matt Phelanandrsquo;s illustrations are striking, and the details they reveal about George Washingtonandrsquo;s early days are fascinating, sometimes tragic, and always moving.
Includes an authorandrsquo;s note.
Synopsis
Zooom! Wooeeee . . . ! "Make way!" The big city sure is a speedy, noisy place for a country truck like Blue. Everywhere Blue looks, he sees buses, police cars, taxis, vans, a street sweeper, and even the mayorand#8217;s limousine. With everyone pushing to be first, soon thereand#8217;s a giant traffic jam! But even a wrangle-tangle is no match for Little Blue Truck, who comes to the rescue in true Blue style. and#160; Brimming with bright colors, sounds, and city energy, this new adventure makes working together and taking turns more fun than ever.
Synopsis
A heart-warming tale for young children about a very hairy bear who can't seem to take a nap because his not-so hairy nose gets cold. A charming introduction to the seasons by acclaimed poet Alice Schertle and Scott O'dell Award-wining illustrator Matt Phelan.
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
All through the year, this shaggy, raggy, rumbly, bumbly bear faces down whatever comes his way: bee stings and scolding squirrels, cold rushing rivers and prickly bushes. And he does it all with a spring in his step and a smile on his face. Thereand#8217;s just one thing he can't abide. Luckily, he knows exactly what to do about it.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;Season by season, Alice Schertle and Matt Phelan lead us through a year in the life of a charming, resourceful, and quite hairy bear.
Synopsis
Little Blue Truck is back!
Synopsis
Four million wasps invade Itching Down, so the villagers make a giant jam sandwich to trap them.
Synopsis
It's a dark day for Itching Down. Four million wasps have just descended on the town, and the pests are relentless! What can be done? Bap the Baker has a crazy idea that just might work . . .
Young readers will love having this lyrical, rhyming text in an accessible board book format as they watch the industrious citizens of Itching Down knead, bake, and slather the biggest wasp trap there ever was! John Vernon Lord's bright ink and crayon illustrations fill the pages with humorous detail.
Synopsis
In this sturdy board book, theand#160;five mischievous monkeys go on a picnicand#160;and discover that it is unwise to tease Mr. Crocodile while their mother takes a nap.and#160;
Synopsis
When the Five Little Monkeys go to the river for a picnic with Mama,and#160;they discover that it isn't very nice to tease Mr. Crocodile . . . it might even be dangerous! The follow-up to the bestselling classic Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, featuring Eileen Christelow's irrestistable monkey art in a sturdy board book, perfect for repeat readings!
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
While their mother takes a nap, five mischievous monkeys discover that it is unwise to tease Mr. Crocodile.
About the Author
When Flora and her pesky little brother, Crispin, are whisked away by a swirling and swooping wind, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to give her brother away. With tempting offers from a dragonfly, the man in the moon, and even the wind itself, she will find it difficult to choose. But Flora would do anything to get rid of Crispin, wouldnand#8217;t she?and#160;Jeanne Birdsalland#8217;s utterly charming picture book debut takes flight in Matt Phelanand#8217;s twisting, twirling watercolors, brimming with wit and whimsy.
"The story's sense and wit are most fully expressed in the text, but the character's actions and emotions are most memorably portrayed in the artwork... A fine picture book with a fierce, bold, and (deep down) compassionate heroine."and#8212;Booklist
"Emotionally true from cover to cover."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review
"Birdsall's crisp and delightful first picture book....believable characters, a tightly constructed story line, and a nod to past children's literature."and#8212;Publishers Weekly
"This gem of a book will resonate with older siblings everywhere."and#8212;School Library Journal
and#160;Jeanne Birdsall is the National Book Award-winning author ofThe Penderwicksand its sequel,The Penderwicks on Gardam Street(Knopf), both of which were alsoNew York Timesbestsellers. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts withand#160;her husband, three insane cats, and a stubborn Boston terrier named Cagney.and#160;Visit her website atand#160;www.jeannebirdsall.com.and#160;Matt Phelan is the illustrator of the Newbery Award winnerThe Higher Power of Luckyand#160;and its sequel,Lucky Breaks(Atheneum), both by Susan Patron, as well as the Harcourt booksVery Hairy Bearby Alice Schertle andBig Georgeby Ann Rockwell. He lives in Philadelphia. You can visit his website at www.mattphelan.com.