gum

Armed with nine quarters, Danny and James are hoping to coax out the prized silver race car from the gumball machine in Mr. Wright’s store.  Oh, the suspense, as each quarter yields gumballs galore but not quite what their little hearts are pining for.  Wanting something so badly and riding that roller coaster of high hopes followed by acrid disappointment when we don’t get what we’re hoping for, then daring to get back on our feet and give it just one more try is a childhood experience that we remember all too well.  Jeff Newman’s illustrations have a great vintage vibe with an exuberant line that deftly captures kid energy and nostalgia.

Gum was written by Nancy Willard, illustrated by Jeff Newman and published by Candlewick Press.

moon

Britta Teckentrup’s books are quietly beautiful and thoughtful works of art.  She  crafts worlds full of wonder and beauty that deliver a much-needed dose of magic before bedtime and leave a long-lasting impression well into dream world.  Her latest book that brings children closer to nature is Moon: Night-Time Around the World, a collaboration with author Patricia Hegarty.  Its pages with clever cut-outs show the waxing and waning moon in its different phases, shining over different animals all over the world—puffins shivering in the snowy Northern light skies, birds flying south to warmer climate, giraffes resting in cool grasslands.  Patricia’s rhyming words, with their charming cadence, flow in and out of Britta’s otherworldly nocturnal scenes with a lovely ease and serenity.

Moon, was written by Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup and published by Little Tiger Kids.

here we are

Here We Are is a set of notes—a kind of guide to our immense world—that Oliver Jeffers wrote to his son shortly after his birth.  He takes readers from land to sea, to sky, exploring elements of each along the way.  He shares observations about people, animals and the way things work, with sweetness, candor and humor.

“People come in many shapes, sizes and colors.

We may all look different and sound different…

…but don’t be fooled, we are all people.”

Our world, as vast as it is, has so much to it—an overwhelming amount of details.  But Oliver imparts two last pieces of advice to his son at the end, simple and succinct—an encouragement to be kind and a reminder that he is not alone.  With rich, twilight color stories and immersive, gorgeous art throughout, Here We Are is a new classic.

Here We Are, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, was published by Philomel Books and will be out November 14.  Click here to watch a book trailer and to pre-order.  Book tour dates for the US and UK are on Oliver Jeffers’ website.

In honor of the upcoming release of Here We Are, I’m sharing some extraordinary places on earth that I want my kids to visit in their lifetime.

The Algarve in South Portugal — A beautiful place to unwind and breathe in the deep blue Mediterranean.  There are miles of coastline dotted with dramatic cliffs and tiny, hidden beaches.  Some standout local fare — grilled sardines and patéis de nata (incredible custard tarts).

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain — The Alhambra, a sprawling, maze-like palace and fortress built on a rocky hillside in Granada, a enchanting city in the south of Spain.  Plus an amble through the narrow, hilly cobbled streets of the Albaicín, one of the oldest parts of the city, and a stop at one of the neighborhood’s many teterías (tea salons) serving jasmine and rose-scented Mil y Una Noches tea and slices of torta de almendra (almond cake).

Redwood National Park in Northern California — There are countless hikes through the awe-inspiring, majestic redwood trees shrouded in fog and an air of mystery.  There are spots where the forest meets the sea, perfect for sitting on a mound of driftwood or huge, smooth stones for an afternoon of quiet rumination and just taking in the beautiful moment of being there.

Hope you all get a chance to read Here We Are!

Read the Book, Lemmings!

A crew of clueless lemmings strangely jump off their ship, the S.S. Cliff, again and again...and First Mate Foxy and Captain PB are racking their brains trying to figure out why.  Read the Book, Lemmings! is a clever misadventure with a slew of hilarity, riot and word play.  Zachariah OHora’s incredibly fun illustrations have their own story to tell with an unexpected palette that brings the lemmings’ silliness and spontaneity to life.  Also a story about the joys of learning to read.

Read the Book, Lemmings! was written by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Zachariah OHora and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

malala's magic pencil

“My father had always said, ‘Malala will live free as a bird.’”

The powerful and moving story of Malala, whose young voice has made a tremendous impact in her country and the world.  In Malala’s Magic Pencil, she shares her hopes for equality and eradicating war, poverty and hunger; dreams that started when she was a young girl.  Her bravery and boldness to speak out against the injustices in her country have made her an impetus for change and she has only just begun.

Malala’s Magic Pencil was written by Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët and published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.  Click here to watch a book trailer.