pocket full of colors: the magical world of mary blair

Mary Blair is most well known for designing It’s a Small World, but the scope of her work encompasses much more than that magical iconic Disneyland ride.  She was an illustrator, designer and animator for Walt Disney Studios at a time when the field was dominated by men whose work was formulaic and predictable.  Many of Mary's ideas were rejected because her work was considered  unconventional and too modern.  But she never let go of her brilliant color stories.  Her intrinsic understanding of color and charming, child-like sensibilities made her one of Walt Disney’s favorite artists.  And she left an indelible mark on the art world.

Brigette Barrager's bold colors, energy and vibrant illustrations are mesmerizing, and bring to life Mary's spirit, determination and perseverance.  An informative author's note about Mary's life is included in the back matter of the book.  Children will learn about her life, from her joyful childhood to her prolific career as a celebrated artist, learn color names they never knew existed and leave with pocketfuls of inspiration.  Click here for a preview of the interior.

Pocket Full of Colors was co-written by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville, illustrated by Brigette Barrager  and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.  Out on August 29!

goodbye autumn, hello winter

An incredibly lovely ode to the changing of the seasons and a follow-up to Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn.  We join a pair of siblings on an amble through their town as they engage in conversation with its animal inhabitants and the environment.  Kenard Pak's textured, layered and otherworldly landscapes are filled with quietly beautiful and nostalgic details.  Color plays such a significant role in the art of Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.  It's almost like another character and is the one that you'll think about when you close this sublime book.

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter was written and illustrated by Kenard Pak and published by Henry Holt and Co.  Out on September 5.

when's my birthday?

"When's my birthday?"  Is there a more oft-asked question from children?  That seemingly long wait and frenzied anticipation for one's birthday is a yearly  rite of passage in early childhood, producing simultaneous anguish and joy.  And when the day finally arrives, oh, happy day!  Julie Fogliano's words are lovely and exuberant and Christian Robinson's work is, as always, an absolute delight.  Click here for a preview of the interior.

When’s My Birthday? was written by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson and published by Roaring Brook Press.  Out soon on September 5.

the only fish in the sea

Sadie is a girl with a plan.  Together with her pal Sherman, she sets out to save an abandoned goldfish that she names  Ellsworth (because “every fish deserves a proper name”).  Armed with fishing gear, twenty-one pink balloons and a strange band of monkeys clad in striped shirts, our scrappy heroine and her first mate embark on their rescue.  The clever visual humor will produce more than a few chortles whilst reading The Only Fish in the Sea.

Written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell and published by Roaring Brook Press.  Out on August 15!

lifetime: the amazing numbers in animal lives

A fascinating look at numbers in the lives of animals.  A caribou will grow and shed 10 sets of antlers in its lifetime. A male seahorse will carry and birth 1,000 tiny seahorses in a lifetime!  More detailed information about the animals mentioned in the book awaits the reader at the end, along with how the writer used math to write Lifetime.

Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animal Lives was written by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal and published by Chronicle Books.