Blurb About: The Snail and the Whale - Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

• The Snail and the Whale
• Written By: Julia Donaldson
• Illustrated By: Axel Scheffler
• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 2
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (April 6, 2006)

It comes as no surprise that Julia Donaldson, Author of The Grufflo, is an incredible Children's book writer. She has absolutely done it again with The Snail and the Whale  (Ok, Ok it was 10 years ago, but it's new to me!). The creativity and originality burst through on every page with every twist in the plot and rhyme in the stanza. Donaldson is the champion of wordsmiths in the world of poetry for children. 

Axel Scheffler's Illustrations are perfectly simple where they need to be and more complex and detailed when called for. I particularly love the brush texture added to the waves. 

I do not want to give away too much about the plot as I really hope you pick up this book and find out for yourself, but I will say that it involves a Snail with life goals and a friend who helps him along the way. 

Buy the book HERE
Learn more about the Author HERE
Learn more about the Illustrator Here

Blurb About: Millie Moo - Roger Priddy

• Millie Moo
• Roger Priddy
• Series: Touch and Feel Picture Books
• Board book: 20 pages
• Publisher: Priddy Books (November 5, 2005)

Roger Priddy is no newcomer in the world of picture books although his creations usually fall in the children's reference category with titles like First 100 Words. Millie Moo is the exception to his usual grid layout of point-and-say learning books. 

Millie Moo is a 'Touch and Feel' book with a plot, which is a bit of a rarity. The reader is asked to guess what animal they are feeling before turning the page only to be surprised with a silly unexpected hybrid such as a fish with fingers or multi-colored zebras. So where are all the farm animals? You will have to keep turning the pages to find out. 

In our house, we love to read Millie Moo with a cowgirl accent as if Millie Moo herself, a hyper-color cow, is rounding up her farm full of animals after another hard day on the plains.

Blurb About: Uni the Unicorn - Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Brigette Barrager

Uni the Unicorn
Author - Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator - Brigette Barrager
Age Range: 4 - 8 years

• Hardcover: 48 pages

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (August 26, 2014)

This book, even though as a self publisher I hate to admit it, is a perfect example of why big publishers can absolutely blow the small guys out of the water sometimes. Spot UV printing and a subtle foil title on the dust jacket along with an incredible illustration and layout make it impossible leave alone. I don't even like unicorns and I can't stop staring at this book. Amy Krouse Rosenthal wrote a simple and cute story line which honestly does not need to be anything more because Brigette Barrager's illustrations could carry any text. 

Both Rosenthal and Barranger have a huge portfolio of work which I will absolutely be following after seeing the quality of this picture book. In a word, it's lovely. 

Buy Uni the Unicorn on Amazon.com

Learn more about the Author

Learn more about the Illustrator

Blurb About: Bluebird - Lindsey Yankey

• Bluebird

• Lindsey Yankey

• Grade Level: Preschool - 3

• Hardcover: 32 pages

• Publisher: Simply Read Books (January 26, 2014)

If any book in my children's library could transport me back to Art School, it's Bluebird. Lindsey Yankey meticulously illustrated this book using mixed media with an artists eye and heart. Each 2-page layout is built like an art project in itself worthy of framing. 

This is another book that I so wish my children adored as much as I do, because I could truly look at it every night. 

Buy Bluebird at Amazon.com

Learn More About Lindsey Yankey Here

Blurb About: On The Day You Were Born - Debra Frasier

On the Day You Were Born
Debra Frasier

• Age Range: Baby - 3 years
• Board book: 24 pages
• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers; 1 Brdbk edition (October 1, 2006)

On the Day You Were Born is perfectly constructed for reading out loud and is a true work of poetry. You will find no child-like rhythms or rhymes between these pages, however, it will have you feeling like you are on stage, a piece of lined paper in hand, reading to your fellow poetry fans. 

Honestly, I wish my kids, ages 1.5 and 3.75,  liked this book as much as I do. I keep it around hoping that they will grow into it. 

Buy On the Day You Were Born on Amazon.com

Learn more about Debra Here

Blurb About: So Many Stars - Andy Warhol

So Many Stars - Andy Warhol

• Age Range: 1 - 8 years

• Grade Level: Preschool - 3

• Board book: 20 pages

• Publisher: Mudpuppy; 2 edition (August 12, 2014)

In So Many Stars, Andy Warhol, with the help of his mother Julia, explore the concept of "So". Each 2-page layout in this picture book is well balanced and obviously designed by a true artist. Dark & light, solid & patterned, a balance of colors, and finished with hand written text that adds a sweetness to each page.

Younger children will love the small mirror at the end, as you read the words out loud, "i love you so / So there you are". 

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.

Buy So Many Stars - Andy Warhol on Amazon

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Official Introduction and Submission Policy!

What Do I Do Here?

I write short reviews of short books. I try to be honest, with care. 

Will I Review Your Picture Book?

Sorry, I am currently closed for submissions. 

What Qualifies Me To Review Picture Books?

I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) in 2006 with  Bachelors of Fine Art. While there I created a number of illustrated artist books and dove headfirst into printmaking. 

As a kid, I adored books like Outside Over There. So addicting was the strangeness of that book.... As a teen I devoured comics featuring female heroines, or anti heroines as they were. As an adult I got into graphic novels and then as a parent, picture books. The relationship between the written word and illustrated emotion is something I look for in all Art and Design. 

I also self-published a picture book called Zoo of Emotions. I knew my limitations in illustration and hired Amy Churchwell to create the art featured. I agree that as the Author I may be biased, however, I think it's a beautiful book. 

You can also find me: on my new Author Blog, my Zoo of Emotions About the Author page, Twitter, some of my creative work at Coroflot.com, Amazon Author Page, and Goodreads Author Page. 

Who am I?

I am a coffee addicted mother of two under four, a reader, an artist and an author. I live in Atlanta, GA but grew up in Sticksville, NH where I literally walked a mile, up hill, both ways to school, only after checking the barn thermometer to make sure it was above zero degrees. If it was in fact below zero degrees...I got a ride. Now you know why I live in Atlanta!