Showing posts with label Kara LaReau. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kara LaReau. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay



Hello Lighthouse
by Sophie Blackall

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
On the highest rock of a tiny island at the edge of the world stands a lighthouse, which withstands the elements and the passage of time as it beams its light out to sea. All the while, its keeper works and writes, and changes await.

Why I love it...
Being a New England gal, I have a thing for lighthouses, and Sophie Blackall's latest masterpiece is the ultimate tribute.

Sample illustration...





What's the kid-appeal?
Fascinating illustrations and a detailed narrative reveal the inner workings of the lighthouse and the ins and outs of its keeper's daily life.


What's the grownup appeal?
Like a certain lighthouse, this story's classic, comforting feel offers a steadfast refuge and a happy, hopeful beacon.


Where to find/buy Hello Lighthouse
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Sophie Blackall is the illustrator of many picture books, including Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, winner of the Caldecott Medal. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay



The Great Dictionary Caper
by Judy Sierra
illustrated by Eric Comstock

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
The words have escaped the dictionary! Before Noah Webster and Peter Mark Roget set things straight, check out the onomatopoeia marching band, the showy action verbs, the tangoing homophones, and more!

Why I love it...
In my house, we're big fans of irreverent books that shake up the order of things, and of course, WORDS — so we think Judy Sierra's playful text and Eric Comstock's graphic, lively illustrations are, dare we say, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Sample illustration...




What's the kid-appeal?
Kids will love knowing that words need to break for recess sometimes, just like they do!


What's the grownup appeal?
Great examples of homonyms, antonyms, rhyming words, propositions, and other parts of speech (also defined in a handy glossary at the back) allow for some learning amidst the wonderful wordplay.


Where to find/buy The Great Dictionary Caper
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Judy Sierra is the author of many award-winning books for children including the bestsellers Antarctic Antics, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey; Wild About Books, illustrated by Marc Brown; and The Secret Science Project that Almost Ate the School, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Her books have received seven Children's Choice Award from the International Reading Association, two Aesop awards from the American Folklore Society, and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Prize from the Association of Booksellers for Children. She lives with her husband in Portland, Oregon. Visit her online at JudySierra.net.

Eric Comstock's first picture book was the debut Charlie Piechart adventure, Charlie Piechart and the Case of the Missing Pizza Slice by Marilyn Sadler. He lives with his family in Austin, Texas. Visit him online at ericcomstock.us. 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay




Search-and-Find Alphabet of Alphabets
by A.J. Wood and Mike Jolley
illustrated by Allan Sanders

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
It's a compendium of 26 different illustrated alphabets — D is an alphabet of dinosaurs, H is an alphabet of hats, N is an alphabet of a neighborhood, etc etc.

Why I love it...
My kiddo loves anything alphabet-related, and he loves books he can pore over. It's as if this title was made for him!

Sample illustration...




What's the kid-appeal?
It's a book you can read over and over again, and notice fun, new details each time. (And at the back, you can find even more search-and-find prompts!)


What's the grownup appeal?
It's guaranteed to keep your kiddos occupied and engaged, and it doesn't have a screen!


Where to find/buy BE KIND
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

A.J. Wood is a published author, editor, and an illustrator of children's books. Among many other titles, A.J. is the co-author of Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders of Nature, illustrated by Owen Davey.

Mike Jolley has worked as an Art Director in children's books for over 25 years. He also sells artwork made from found objects, under the name 'Box 2'. It was during one of his many junk shop visits that the idea of using midcentury school information charts for Curiositree first took shape. He lives on a cliff overlooking the English Channel.

Allan Sanders is an artist and illustrator based in the UK. His books for children include Perfectly Perilous Math, Little Explorers, and How Machines Work.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay


Tilly & Tank
by Jay Fleck

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
At first, Tilly thinks Tank is an elephant. Tank thinks Tilly is a tank. After a series of BOOM-ing encounters, the two embark on a blooming friendship.

Why I love it...
I LOVE Jay Fleck's artwork, and my little one loves elephants, so this was a no-brainer — plus, the themes of peace and friendship here are universal and timely.

Favorite lines...
Slowly and carefully,
Tilly tiptoed closer...
and closer...
until she was close enough to...
*BOOP*
...give the green elephant a friendly tap.


Sample illustration...




What's the kid-appeal?
Fans of animals and big machines (and loud noises!) will find a lot of crossover appeal here.


What's the grownup appeal?
A sweet, gentle story with a lovely lesson: Sometimes our enemies are merely friendships waiting to blossom.


Where to find/buy Tilly & Tank
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Jay Fleck is a designer and illustrator based in Shorewood, IL. He is the illustrator of the picture books Double Take!Black Belt Bunny, and Everything You. His artwork has been featured on products at the GAP, on Threadless and on the front page of Society6.com, as well as a number of other brick-and-mortar and internet stores. Tilly and Tank is the first picture book he has both written and illustrated.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Mr. Pig Live ... with Magique & Hugo Fromage! PLUS AN UNCANNY GIVEAWAY!*

Hello, friends! It's time for an all-new episode of MR. PIG LIVE -- a talk show of scintillating interviews with your favorite children's book characters, hosted by me, MR. PIG!

Today, we have TWO special guests joining us. Please give a warm welcome to the colorful characters of Kara LaReau's latest Bland sisters adventure (out today!!!), The Uncanny Express . . .



Magique and Hugo Fromage!
<<applause>>

Thanks for visiting! I must say, you two are my most mysterious guests. Will you reveal your full names? 
M: Magique, darling! Or, if you like, you can call me the Queen of Magic.
H: I am the great detective, Hugo Fromage. *bows* So pleased to make your acquaintance, Monsieur Pig.

What three words best describe you?
H: Brilliant, perceptive, and of course, humble.
M: Mysterious, marvelous, and of course, MAGICAL. 

I hope this isn't too personal, but ... do you have a belly button?
M: I prefer to leave that a mystery, like just about everything else about me.
H: Excuse moi?
All images copyright Jen Hill.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you bring?
M: My Disappearing Cabinet, in case I need a change of scenery.
H: A magnifying glass. Hugo Fromage is always on the case!

When do you feel the happiest?
M: When I’m pulling off a really good illusion. And of course, when I’m hearing applause.
H: When I am able to bring the guilty to justice!

Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible? (Or can you already fly or be invisible?)
H: I would prefer to be a fly…on the wall, to truly observe my suspects.
M: I can do both, darling. I am a magician, you know!
All images copyright Jen Hill.

If you have a pocket, what is in it right now? 
M: Magicians never reveal what’s in their pockets, or up their sleeves!
H: I do not carry anything in my pocket, mon petit lardon. Everything I need is up here, in what I call my brain stew. *taps a gloved finger against exceedingly-round head*

Do you have any siblings?
H: There is no other Fromage but Hugo. When they made me, they broke the mold, as they say.
M: Hmm…I don’t like to reveal spoilers, so you’ll have to read THE UNCANNY EXPRESS to learn more!
All images copyright Jen Hill.

What was it like working with Jaundice and Kale Bland?
M: I’m afraid they don’t have a dramatic bone in their bodies, the poor dears. But they were surprisingly effective as my assistants.
H: I must agree with you, Mademoiselle, Magique. In the end, they proved themselves worthy of my esteemed company.

What was it like working with my cottager roomie Kara LaReau?
M: Talk about a magician — she conjures characters and stories out of thin air! Though she really could use some flair in her wardrobe. I’d suggest more capes, caftans, and turbans.
H: Much like a good detective, Mademoiselle LaReau keeps her eyes and ears open. 
M: And she was the one who brought you and me together. Let’s not forget that. 
H: Her instincts are, as they say…uncanny.
M: I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Thank you for making us the first stop on your tour, Magique and Detective Fromage! And for those of you at home, the fun doesn't end here. Add a comment below to enter to win an uncanny . . .

* GIVEAWAY!!! The prize includes signed copies of The Uncanny Express and the new paperback of The Jolly Regina with snazzy bookmarks, a pack of Jolly Regina postcards, and an official Hugo Fromage mustache!
Winner announced on Tuesday, January 16.


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The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters
The Uncanny Express

by Kara LaReau
illustrated by Jen Hill
(Amulet, 2018)

An inventive story in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient ExpressThe Uncanny Express has all the whimsy and humor that readers who are looking for an anything-but-bland adventure will love.

"Fans of Dame Agatha’s whodunits will enjoy catching the sly riffs." -- Booklist

"LaReau has a lot of fun with her Agatha Christie homage, filling her book to the brim with requisite gags and puns...Move over, Holmes and Watson. There's a new detecting pair in town, and the name's Bland." -- Kirkus


The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters
The Jolly Regina 
(Amulet, 2017)

In the spirit of A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series, The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters will captivate middle-grade readers looking for humor, hijinks, and a swashbuckling good time. Meet Jaundice and Kale Bland, two sisters who avoid excitement at any cost. Together, they patiently await the return of their parents, who left on an errand years ago and have never returned.


"LaReau serves her humor dry, adding some serious swashbuckling for good measure...Meanwhile Hill's pen-and-ink cartoons give the book precisely the right strange and silly tone." -- Kirkus

"Filled with puns, intrigue, and ample evidence that women make excellent—and ruthless—pirates, it’s a promising introduction to the Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters series." -- Publishers Weekly


"Replete with puns, gags, and life lessons, this transgressive voyage may “ketch” fans of envelope pushers like Barry Yourgrau, Alan Katz, or Roald Dahl." -- Booklist



Kara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, and NO SLURPING, NO BURPING! A Tale of Table Manners, illustrated by Lorelay Bové; an award-winning chapter book series called The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and a middle-grade trilogy called The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill.  Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and son and their cat.









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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay



No More TANTRUMS (a Big Kid Power book) 
by Maria van Lieshout

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
You thought I was going to pick a holiday book, didn't you? Well, this is a holiday book — or, at least, one that will help you and your little ones get through the winter break, and beyond!

Why I love it...
Every book in this Big Kid Power series spotlights a toddler milestone. Their book I Use the POTTY was indispensable in our house! (My review of it here.)

Favorite lines...
When I was little and I didn't get my way, I cried.
"I want to go home!"
"I DON'T want to go home!"
"I want a CUPCAKE!"


Sample illustration...




What's the kid-appeal?

It conveys all the emotions and details of this milestone experience with gentle humor and bright, fun illustrations. 

What's the grownup appeal?

Um, the title says it all!

Where to find/buy NO MORE TANTRUMS
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Maria van Lieshout is the author-illustrator of several picture books, including Backseat A-B-SeeFlight 1-2-3, and the first two titles in the Big Kid Power series, Bye-Bye Binky and I Use the Potty. Born and raised in Holland, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The Little Cooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay



SMOOT: A Rebellious Shadow
by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Sydney Smith

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
As a shadow to a boy with a "yawn-colored" life, Smoot yearns for "sky blue-colored freedom." Then, one day, with a *pop*, he breaks free, and his adventure begins!

Why I love it...
I can't resist a book with "rebellious" in the title, especially this inspiring tale by Michelle Cuevas, with lovely, lively illustrations by Sydney Smith.

Favorite lines...
Other shadows watched Smoot.
The sight made them brave.
"If he can follow his dreams, we can too."


Sample illustration...



What's the kid-appeal?

What child (of any age!) doesn't yearn to break free like Smoot, and go a little bit wild?

What's the grownup appeal?

It's also a story about being bold and brave, and following your dreams.

Where to find/buy SMOOT!
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Michelle Cuevas graduated from Williams College and holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Virginia. She lives in Massachusetts.

Sydney Smith was born in Nova Scotia and has a BFA in drawing and printmaking from NSCAD University. He is an award-winning children's book illustrator whose work can sometimes also be found in magazines and on festival posters and album covers. Sydney also plays a little banjo, stands on his hands, and can ride his bike really fast. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife and baby son.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf on Reviewsday!



PIZZA! An Interactive Recipe Book
illustrated by lotta nieminen

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
The second title in this interactive recipe series (I reviewed the first title here), this is a reading AND cooking experience that allows readers to make pizza prom scratch — mixing ingredients, kneading dough, and spreading sauce, all while following a simple recipe.

Why I love it...
My little one loves to cook — this book allows him to make one of his favorite foods by engaging a series of ingenious (and super-fun) wheels, flaps, and levers!

Sample illustrations...




What's the kid-appeal?
All of the fun of cooking without needing any parental supervision!

What's the grownup appeal?
All of the fun of cooking without needing any parental supervision!

Where to find/buy Cook in a Book: PIZZA!
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Lotta Nieminen is an illustrator, graphic designer, and art director from Helsinki, Finland, now running her own New York-based studio. In 2014, she was nominated for Forbes magazine's annual 30 Under 30 list. In 2010, she received the Art Directors Club Young Guns award. Her client list includes Google, New York Times, and Vanity Fair, among many others.

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Escargot

story by Dashka Slater, pictures by Sydney Hanson







This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.


What it's all about
Oh là là! Escargot very much wants to be your favorite animal. You might think snails are slimy, or shy, or slow, but au contraire! Escargot is here to set you straight, mon cher. And he very much wants to share his beautiful salad with you, though he is not quite sure about those carrots...

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
My son is a big fan of read-alouds that feature funny voices (as is his mama), and he happens to love salad. Voila! Dashka Slater and Sydney Hanson's picture book features both, as well as a protagonist who happens to be tres charming.

A sample illustration…





Why kids will love it…
This talking snail will steal the hearts of young readers, and will surely leave them asking for another read (and maybe even a second helping of salad).

Why grown-ups will love it…
As a read aloud, it is magnifique, and as a tale for picky eaters, it is simply mwah *chef kiss*!

Monday, April 17, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Count Your Chickens

by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Lori Joy Smith







This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.


What it's all about
Talk about fowl play! All the chickens are going to the county fair — you can count on them (literally) for some fine-feathered fun!

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
It's a clucking adorable book, especially for little ones (like mine) who love counting and cute animals.

A sample illustration…




Why kids will love it…
Get ready to enjoy chickens on planes, trains, slides, and Ferris wheels, thanks to the delightful illustrative stylings of Lori Joy Smith, along with playful rhyming text from Jo Ellen Bogart. It's poultry (er, poetry) in motion!

Why grown-ups will love it…
A guide at the end offers kids a chance to practice their counting skills — and don't worry, parents, there's an answer key, too!

Thursday, April 6, 2017

COVER REVEAL! The Infamous Ratsos Are Not Afraid

Lucky reader, behold! You're the first to feast your eyes on the cover of THE INFAMOUS RATSOS ARE NOT AFRAID! 

In this follow-up to the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book The Infamous Ratsos, written by our very own Kara LaReau and illustrated by Matt Myers, Louie and Ralphie Ratso set out to transform a cluttered lot into an arcade, they end up conquering a few surprising fears along the way.



Creeping your way September 2017!

Louie and Ralphie Ratso have a genius idea: if they clear out the lot down the street, they can use all the junk lying around to build makeshift games for a Big City FunTime Arcade! With their friends to help, they’ll be able to recycle all the old abandoned stuff into whack-a-mouse, a high-striker, a fortune-telling booth, and more. Everyone says the house next to the lot is haunted, but if Louie just pretends it’s not there, maybe he can ignore the goose bumps he gets every time he looks at it. Ralphie’s head’s not exactly in the game, either, because of some rumors that have been swirling around school. But they’re Ratsos, and like their dad, Big Lou, Ratsos aren’t afraid of anything — right? 

Kara LaReau and Matt Myers team up for a second surprisingly touching chapter book proving that sometimes the things you fear the most aren’t at all what you thought — and might be exactly what you need to feel better.

Monday, March 27, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

WORDS

by Christoph Niemann







This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.


What it's all about
More than three hundred words are brilliantly (and wryly) portrayed in this book by master illustrator, designer, animator, and author Christoph Niemann.

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
My almost-four-year-old is OBSESSED with letters and words. And my husband and I recently (and gleefully) binged on the new Netflix series, Abstract: The Art of Design, which features Mr. Niemann, among other renowned designers. So this is a book we can all enjoy!

A sample illustration…




Why kids will love it…
It's a world of words to pore over, in a style that's colorful, graphic, and fun.

Why grown-ups will love it…
Niemann's word and image pairings convey both the simple and the complex, and encourage readers of all ages to take the time to consider (and celebrate) our language.

Monday, March 6, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

bunny slopes

by Claudia Rueda 







This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.


What it's all about
Want to join Bunny for a ski day? You'll just have to shake the book to make it snow, tilt the book to make him go downhill, and turn the book to keep him from falling. With a little help, skiing can be as easy as carrot cake!

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
Catia Rueda's winsome illustrations and interactive text make for a super-fun day on the slopes.

A sample illustration…




Why kids will love it…
Readers are part of the action, as they help Bunny navigate the twists and turns and hills and holes  on the trail!

Why grown-ups will love it…
This fun read-aloud ends on a sweet, warm note — just like a cup of Mama Bunny's hot cocoa.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

The Storm Whale in Winter

by Benji Davies 







This week's pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.


What it's all about
When Noi's father doesn't come home on an icy winter night, Noi goes out looking for him, and finds himself stranded. Who will save him? Might he find himself reunited with a familiar friend?

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf…
The Storm Whale (the prequel to this book) is an all-time fave in our house (as is anything by Benji Davies, tbh), and this lovely new story does not disappoint!

A sample illustration…




Why kids will love it…
It features an intrepid boy, a daring rescue, and of course, whales.

Why grown-ups will love it…
It's a beautiful tribute to friendship and family, and a perfect bedtime story for these cold winter nights.