Book Pics - Children's Picture Books

Hugs on the Wind (by Burbank author Vernise Elaine Pelzel and Marsha Diane Arnold) is rich with cheerful images of spring and rebirth, from the "River babbling merrily" to "sprinkles of sunlight".  However, the book is a layered one, from the pastel watercolor washes on top of appealing pencil drawings to the multi-faceted text.  The text is light and playful, but imbedded within is the story of how Little Cottontail misses his Grandfather, who has gone far across the "Great Green Meadow".  The reader's imagination is engaged as Little Cottontail and Mama Cottontail discover symbols in nature that help them stay connected to a loved one far away.  

The soft, serene illustrations of award-winning artist Elsa Warnick merge seamlessly with the lyrical story and hopeful spirit of Little Cottontail to make this book a perfect selection for story and bedtime reading at any time of the year.

Once Upon A Time, The End is a humorous rendition of favorite fairy tales, one page each--for parents who want their children to go to sleep in 60 seconds!  Teachers have LOVED this book. 

That New Animal. (by Emily Jenkins, illus. By Pierre Pratt) A humorous story about a new baby coming home, told from the viewpoint of the two dogs who live there.

Rembrandt and Titus is a stunningly beautiful book for young readers, with a different Rembrandt painting on each page and a story about the famous painter and his son Titus who learns to see the world with the same attention that his father has.  Written by Madeleine Comora with illustrations by Thomas Locker.

Karate Hour combines striking illustrations, poetic text, and story with lots of information about this sport, from the meaning of the colored belts to the kinds of movements, kicks, and stances, and honors the values underlying the practice of karate.

 Zen Shorts – by Jon Muth.  This new title has become one of my all-time favorite books.  You must read the delightful book about a simple panda giving life lessons as a series of zen-like riffs.  A true delight!

-Last Updated March 26, 2006-