Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases. I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore but this week's visit features books from Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne.
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Publisher: Candlewick (May 8, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Often times, we forget that Saturday soccer games may be difficult for some parents or guardians to attend given work schedules. In this book, Sierra loves soccer, but she would love for someone to be there to shout out her name. However, Sierra's aunt works in a restaurant and isn't able to get away on a busy Saturday. When the one game that Sierra's aunt is able to attend is rained out, Sierra comes up with a possible solution. I really liked the message in this story. It presents the challenges that a working single guardian faces in order to attend the Saturday soccer games of her niece. Not preachy and not negative...loved the final resolution.
Author/Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (June 28, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7
Squid and Octopus join the ranks of Mouse & Mole, Frog & Toad, Elephant & Piggie as friends that children will want to read about. Part picture book and part early reader, Tao Nyeu infuses the story with fabulous illustrations and just the right amount of humor I love the hat, and scarves, mittens and socks worn by our two friends. The story is fun but the little side notes are almost funnier. For example, on the side, two little fish are watching an underwater sea cruiser. Fish One: X-ray vision! Now wouldn't that be grand? Fish Two: Grand Indeed. And yes, Squid and Octopus are "grand indeed".
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Publisher: Hyperion (June 5, 2012)
Audience: Ages 5 to 8
Our protagonist from Oh No! is back. This time in an effort to improve her History grade she creates a time machine to go back into history to change the facts so that her answers will be correct. Of course, nothing is ever that easy. As with the first book, Santat's illustrations take Barnett's illustrations to a new level.
Check out the official book trailer here:
Author: Alain Serres
Translator: Helen Mixter
Illustrator: Aurelia Fronty
Publisher: Groundwood Books (June 12, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7
In 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of a Child. Ratified by 193 countries, the United States and Somolia have still not adopted it. This is the second book that I have seen which seeks to share what the rights are in a child friendly format. The text is simple and clear and the illustrations are bright, and fun.
