Thursday, January 9, 2014

New Board Books from Candlewick Press and Award-Winning Children's Book Author, Mary Brigid Barrett, Sure to Delight Little Ones (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the publisher in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.



What better way to welcome in 2014, than with some great children's books. :-)  And, with the recent cold temperatures that have prevented the girls from going outside to enjoy the recent snowfall, books have come in handy when they grow restless and want something to do.  Yesterday we had a fun book-a-thon, where I let the girls each pick out five books.  Then, while still in our pj's, we settled in on the couch under a handful of blankets, and read each one together.  

After I was done reading all 10 books, I asked the girls which ones were their favorites.  Both of them pointed to the following two board books which were published this month from Candlewick Press and written by Mary Brigid Barrett, who also wrote "Shoebox Sam," which I LOVE:

Pat-a-Cake

Synopsis:

"If you can pat a cake, why not a peach or a cold and bumpy pickle? How about a fuzzy caterpillar crawling on your knee? A well-known rhyme expands into a tactile exploration of a toddler’s world."

All Fall Down


Synopsis:

"From a bright tower made of blocks to a boisterous family playing a game of Ring Around the Rosie, there are many ways to join things together -- and watch them tumble in a delightful heap!
LeUyen Pham’s adorable, vibrant illustrations bring Mary Brigid Barrett’s singsong text to life in a board book for the very young."

About the Author:

Mary Brigid Barrett has written and illustrated many award-winning picture and board books, including Shoebox Sam. In addition, she served as creative editor for Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out and The Exquisite Corpse Adventure, published by Candlewick Press. She is the president and executive director of The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. She lives in Franklin, Massachusetts.

About the Illustrator:

LeUyen Pham is the author-illustrator of Big Sister, Little Sister and has illustrated many other books for children, including the New York Times bestseller Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio. With Candlewick Press, she illustrated God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams and Aunt Mary’s Rose by Douglas Wood. She lives in San Francisco.
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My Thoughts:

These two board books took classic nursery rhymes and turned them upside down in a fun way.  Not only did the girls like the rhyming of words, but the illustrations were so colorful and fun that we couldn't help but linger on each page just to enjoy every detail. 

As you read these two board books to your little ones, don't be surprised if they start giggling and smiling, as the new versions of these classic rhymes really are cute and funny to read out load.  You may find yourself repeating these new versions when reciting "Pat-A-Cake" or "All Fall Down" with your kids. 

Hopefully Mary Brigid Barrett will be adding more books to this series, as we are loving these two which are available to purchase now, and come as a sturdy board book to withstand rough play from little ones, or even the occasional gnawing on the books from teething babies. :-)

Stay tuned as I will be sharing more recent releases from Candlewick Press soon.  Can't wait?  Then head on over to Candlewick Press and browse their current and upcoming selection of children's and young adult books -- http://www.candlewick.com/.


Disclosure: I was sent samples from the publisher in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

1 comment :

  1. These look like terrific board books. My kids had a great collection of board books and we enjoyed reading them all also.
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