mabel and sam at home

A sweet story that demonstrates how young children use imaginative play to process emotions and understand significant events in their lives.  It’s moving day for Mabel and Sam and they are sailing the high seas as their belongings are packed up and transported to their new home.  Upon disembarking, they’re off to tour their “New House Museum,” with enough time to explore the reaches of outer space before bedtime.  All in a day’s work.  Children possess an innate creativity and allowing them unstructured free time lets them tap into it.  Social learning, cognitive development, language growth and of course joy — all these things take place during play.  “Play is the work of childhood.” — Jean Piaget

Also, the bond between these siblings is so endearing.

Mabel and Sam at Home: One Brave Journey in Three Adventures was written by Linda Urban, illustrated by Hadley Hooper and published by Chronicle Books.  It'll be out on June 5.

a stone for sascha

A Stone for Sascha is about a girl grieving the loss of her dog.  While she and her family are on their annual summer vacation, the girl makes a discovery that invites reflection and becomes part of her healing process.  The book’s epic narrative is breathtaking, thoughtful, poetic and richly layered.  The painterly technique Aaron Becker uses for this story produces expressive and deeply resonant scenes.  A Stone for Sascha is a testament to the fact that picture books are not just for one age group — they share beauty and experiences for all.  Aaron’s hope is that the story will belong to the reader and that they will “discover their own path through the book.”

A Stone for Sascha was written and illustrated by Aaron Becker an published by Candlewick Books.  It’ll be out on May 8.

night out

A mysterious invitation beckons a boy to sneak out through the window of his boarding house bedroom into the hush of night.  Little does he know a beautiful star-filled adventure awaits him.  This magical story and its themes of friendship and transformation gently unfold as we turn its enchanting, luminescent pages.  A lovely note to end the day on.

Night Out was written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares and published by Schwartz & Wade. It’ll be out soon on May 8.

mountains of the world

We were taken aback when we first laid eyes on this cover — it’s arrestingly beautiful.  But wait until you glimpse the interior.  Dieter Braun’s art is perfection.  The book takes on an immense subject matter — mountains and the life in and around them.  It’s of course impeccably produced (as are all titles from Flying Eye), and one you won’t mind leaving out on your coffee table at all—nay, it’s one that deserves that coveted face-out spot on your bookshelves.

Mountains of the World was written and illustrated by Dieter Braun and published by Flying Eye Books.  Out on June 5!

can somebody please scratch my back?

Wednesday seems like a good day for a funny book.  Anyone agree?  Sometimes good help is hard to find.  Elephant knows that feeling all too well.  The poor guy’s got an itch and can’t find any animals who can competently scratch his back.  His day’s been rough and is only getting rougher.  But Elephant’s not giving up quite yet...it’s time for a little ingenuity. 😉

Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? was written by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo and published by Dial Books for Young Readers.