look for ladybug in plant city

Joining Daisy and Basil the detective on their hunt for Daisy’s missing pet ladybug (who’s a bit mischievous), we search for the things listed in capital letters all over verdant Plant City, “where plants grow and ladybugs hide.” An extra set of challenges awaits readers in each of their stops.  You’ll find us noshing on noodle bites and root pizza in our favorite part of Plant City—the restaurants. ;)  A fresh, inventive and all-around fun look-and-find.

Look for Ladybug in Plant City was written and illustrated by Katherina Manolessou and published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

kate, who tamed the wind

The wind is getting to be a problem for a man who lives atop an extremely blustery hill.  Kate, a little girl living in the town at the bottom of the hill, hears his cry for help and gets to work on a plan to solve his problem.  She knows she can’t tame the wild wind—she’ll have to find a clever way to work with it.  We love the wonderfully rhythmic text and ruddy autumnal palette in this story about friendship, innovation and science.

Kate, Who Tamed the Wind was written by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Lee White and published by Schwartz & Wade.

search-and-find alphabet of alphabets

This is neither your average search-and-find nor is it your run-of-the-mill abecedarian primer.  It’s a complete A to Z filled to the brim with things to find from birds to creepy-crawlies to inventions.  Yellow things is the penultimate group before readers’ last stop at the zoo.  On certain pages, look out for the extra things you’re asked to spot—with a few more surprises in store throughout.  heaps of new words to learn—including unusual ones—make this book a really engaging one.  This one would be a hit with little alphabetarians learning those 26 all-important symbols of the English language.  Categorically clever. 

Search-and-Find Alphabet of Alphabets was written and illustrated by Allan Sanders and published by Wide Eyed Editions.  Out soon on March 1!

Little Lit Book Series: Creativity

Where's Your Creativity? | Little Lit Book Series: Creativity | Avery and Augustine
Where's Your Creativity? | Little Lit Book Series: Creativity | Avery and Augustine
Where's Your Creativity? | Little Lit Book Series: Creativity | Avery and Augustine
Where's Your Creativity? | Little Lit Book Series: Creativity | Avery and Augustine

We’re looking at the theme of creativity this month for #littlelitbookseries.  Creativity is not just for artists—it’s a backbone of everyday life, and is the foundation of innovation and problem-solving, which are important processes that are necessary and fundamental for a thriving society.  Creative moments arise when we ask ourselves the question, “What if…” or give ourselves free time to be curious, wonder and wander (sometimes all at the same time!).

We’re sharing some books this month that ponder what creativity is, what it means in our lives, what it looks like and how to foster it in our children.  We’ll also be sharing picture books in which writers and illustrators take a highly creative approach in crafting their written or visual narrative.  Follow along all month at @littlelitbookseries.

Where's Your Creativity? shows us that creativity is all around us and it’s more present in our lives than we tend to think—it’s not just found in ideas or pictures but in our dreams, the way we move, dress, the buildings in our neighborhoods.  The book also offers readers ways to seek creativity right where they are—without moving from their little spot in the world.  Loved this one from cover to cover, and highly recommend it.  Leaving you all with a fantastic quote from it:

“Even before you woke up this morning, you were already being creative.  While you were asleep your brain was busy jiggling your memories like a box full of puzzle pieces.  In your dreams the pieces fit together in surprising new ways.  Turn your dreams into story and write like you dream — without any rules.”

Where's Your Creativity? was written by Aaron Rosen and Riley Watts, illustrated by Marika Maijala and published by Tate | Abrams. It’s out now in the UK and publishes on April 10 in the US.

Do check out the creative shares that are happening today with the hashtag #littlelitbookseries on Instagram. 

bloom

A biography of Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli by one of our favorite author/illustrator teams.  As a child, from the very start, Elsa is expected to conform to conventional, canonical ideals of beauty.  But as she gets older, her views of beauty become more expansive and she realizes that “ideas are everywhere.”  She finds inspiration in her environment and everything around her.  Her vision as an artist grows from there.  Her love for fashion design is sparked at the age of twenty-two on a brief trip to Paris.  Kyo Maclear’s beautiful words and Julie Morstad’s gorgeous art tell the story of this forward-thinking artist.  Julie Morstad’s palette is all at once dreamy, modern and unexpected.  Kyo’s narrative is smart, sharp and above all, breathes life and inspiration into its readers, young and old.  Don’t miss this one!

Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli was written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Julie Morstad and published by HarperCollins in the US and Tundra Books in Canada.  Out very soon on February 6.