The Little Crooked Bookshelf and A GIVEAWAY!!!*

BIKES FOR SALE
by Carter Higgins

Illustrated by Zachariah OHora

(This week’s pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak, who once had a sparkly gold bike with a banana seat and misses it every day. -->)  

What it’s all about …
Maurice rides his bike to his lemonade shop every day. Lotta rides her bike to collect sticks every day. One day, a branch and a lemon peel leads to the end of their bikes. Or do they? BIKES FOR SALE is a sweet story about friends who were meant to meet.

Why I love it …
Maurice and Lotta's tale keeps the reader guessing, and the meet-cute ending is satisfying. OHora's art is as fresh and funny as ever.

Favorite illustration …

From BIKES FOR SALE by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2019 by Zachariah OHora.

Favorite lines ...
Sid knew all about the bikes.
The satchel told stories of sugar.
The bell ding-a-linged of a ditch.
The sprocket remembered lemons, twigs, and mint.

Why will kids love it?

Higgins sees the world through a child's eyes, and offers a relatable experience. Plus, kids will spot lots of humorous details in OHora's exuberant art -- even the endpaper's map is engaging.

After you read the book . . .

Ask your child to describe and draw their dream bike. What does it look like? What makes it special? Where will they ride it?

Where to find/buy …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

ENTER WIN A COPY BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW! DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST BIKE?
Winner announced on twitter on Tuesday, Feb. 26.

About the Author
Carter Higgins is an elementary school librarian and the author of Everything You Need for a Treehouse and This Is Not a Valentine. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit her at Design of the Picture Book. 

About the Illustrator

Zachariah OHora is the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller Wolfie the Bunny, among many other beloved books for kids. He lives and works in Narberth, Pennsylvania. Visit him at his website.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A TREEHOUSE

by Carter Higgins
Illustrated by Emily Hughes

(This week’s #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it’s all about …
This beautifully illustrated story gives whimsical instructions on how to build a treehouse and what to do once you have.

Why I love it …
This book had me at "treehouse." But then it went and included ALL KINDS OF TREEHOUSES! Like garden treehouses and pirate ship treehouses and high-up-in-the-sky treehouses and (gasp) library treehouses!

Favorite lines ...

You can spill secrets and

whispers in a treehouse

cause the wind keeps them

snug with a rustle

which is a hush you can feel

in your bones

that's how you know it's safe.

Sample illustration …

From WHAT YOU NEED FOR A TREEHOUSE by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2018 by Emily Hughes.

Why will kids love it?
Kids can imagine trying out the different treehouses and choosing their favorite.

Why will grown-ups love it?
Treehouses are for everyone. Even grown-ups dream about escaping the real world and creating a space all their own. Also, some might enjoy how this book calls to mind Andrew Henry's Meadow and the art of Gyo Fujikawa.

Where to find/buy EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A TREEHOUSE …

Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Carter Higgins is the author of This Is Not a Valentine and A Rambler Steals Home. She has worked as both a motion graphics designer and a librarian. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Emily Hughes is an internationally recognized author and illustrator. She is the author-illustrator of The Little Gardener and Wild, and the illustrator of Charlie & Mouse. Emily was born in Hawaii and now lives and works in the United Kingdom.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THIS IS NOT A VALENTINE

by Carter Higgins

Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

(This week's pick is from cottager Jamie Michalak.)

What it's all about...

A little boy gives his friend a series of small gifts--a lucky rock, a ring from the gumball machine, and more. But make no mistake: these are NOT Valentines. Or are they?

Why I love it...

This ode to a best friend is full of love, but in the most un-cornball of ways. The specific details the boy shares about his friend, from the color of her best shoelaces to her favorite hiding place, shows how much he's smitten.

Favorite lines...

This is not a valentine,

since those things have

fancy cursive and swoopy spins

on words that sounds like mush.

This one is scraps and rips

and drippy glue that dried funny

and the green marker that was the

only one that worked.

Besides,

the teacher

made us

make these.

Sample illustration...

From This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins. Illustration copyright 2017 by  Lucy Ruth Cummins. Published by Chronicle Books. 

What's the kid-appeal?

Most kids are not huge fans of "words that sound like mush," so this clever and sweet twist on Valentine's Day hits just the right note.

What's the grownup appeal?

This Is Not a Valentine is actually the perfect Valentine's gift for friends and crushes of any age.

Where to find/buy This is Not a Valentine:

Indie Booksellers

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Carter Higgins is an elementary school librarian, book blogger, and graphic designer. She is the creator of the Design of the Picture Book blog. This is her first picture book. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Lucy Ruth Cummins is an author and illustrator, and also and art director of children's books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.