GREEN

Book: Green

Author/Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Pages: 40

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Rating: 5 Stars

Do you know how many different shades of green there are? Laura Seeger explores the world of this color, and sends you on a journey from the forest to the jungle, your front yard, and everywhere in between! This is a masterful concept book that purely celebrates the varieties within a color.

The illustrations in this book are so impressive, that even if you hate the color green you still may fall in love with this picture book. There are cut outs on every page that accentuate certain details, and if you look closely you will see them make an image on the next page doing the same thing. This is something different than a typical picture book, and it isn’t a pop-up or lift the flap which children can destroy and will appreciate just as much. Each illustration and background is colored so vividly, it makes you wonder if this book could be written (and give off the same impression) about a different color. In my opinion, this book is 100% Caldecott Winner or Honor worthy. I hope it wins this year!

ONE COOL FRIEND

Book: One Cool Friend

Author: Toni Buzzeo

Illustrator: David Small

Publisher: Dial

Pages: 32

Grade Level: Kindergarten and up

Rating: 5 Stars

Elliot, a polite and proper boy, goes with his father on a trip to the aquarium. When he is there, he discovers penguins, which stand up straight and look like they are wearing suits, just like him. He asks his father if he can have a penguin who gladly gives him money (since they are obviously sold at the gift shop). However, Elliot takes home a live penguin, and what a bonding experience it creates between Elliot and his father!

Everything about this picture book is hilarious. The text, the pictures, and the formatting are all screaming “this book must be read again and again”! The punch line at the end really brings the story together, along with a father and son. Small’s color scheme, and choice to strategically use scarce color on every page is masterful, highlighting the black and white of the penguin and Elliot’s proper world. This picture book is a must for every library. Children of all ages will love and appreciate it.

EXTRA YARN

Book: Extra Yarn

Author: Mac Barnett

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 40

Grade Level: Kindergarten and up

Rating: 5 Stars

Annabelle lives in a black and white world, when she suddenly comes across a box of string. With it, she knits herself a sweater, and before long begins knitting for everyone (and everything!) in town, as the box of yarn is endless. Annabelle successfully brings color to her plain universe, and no can stop her, not even a threatening Archduke!

When I first read this book, I wasn't so impressed with it overall. The story was fine, the pictures complemented the text beautifully but it was a book that I passed over and placed right on the shelf (at the library). When I picked it up to read a second time months later, I really fell in love with it. If you look closely at the pictures you can truly see texture that emulates a real knit. Annabelle’s individuality shines on every page, as she dares to color a black and white world. If one is familiar with Jon Klassen's illustrations (ex: I Want My Hat Back, 2011), you will definitely notice some familiar faces popping up on these pages. This book will definitely be enjoyed by young readers, but I believe that older children would have a wonderful time deciphering deeper meanings in the pictures and text of this picture book. 

Project Runway/Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I apologize for not posting in months, but I was so busy at work, creating at my library my own version of the TV show Project Runway, that all my free time seemed to have disappeared! Here are some links to the press about my Runway event, as well as pictures. It was such an awesome experience!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91798781@N08/

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121221/pomonok/project-runway-inspired-fashion-contest-coming-queens-library

http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-01-02/Features/Queens_Library_At_Pomonok_Has_Own_Project_Runway.html

Have no fear, I have been reading all this time, and will have some reviews up for you soon!