Count Dagmar! The infamous vegetarian vampire is back counting from 1 to 10 Billion. Dagmar is a charming young count that rhymes the verses and counts from 1-10.
This book features 10 fun flaps to raise as you count funny little bats, spiders, monsters and many more spooky little ghostly objects.
Get in the true Halloween spirit and count with Dagmar. Renowned artist, J. Otto Siebold does a terrific job with the illustrations. Almost every spread has it's own beautiful color theme. Illustrations are vector drawn. The text is entertaining to the youngest of readers and would also be ideal for beginning readers.
J. Otto Seibold has illustrated, and in some cases written, more than a dozen books for children, including Olive, the Other Reindeer, Vunce Upon a Time, Penguin Dreams, Other Goose and the Mr. Lunch books.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Zeal of Zebras
Have you ever seen an embarrassment of pandas?
A kaleidoscope of butterflies? A leap of leopards?
A Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns
by WOOP Studios
Published by Chronicle Books, ISBN: 978-1-4521-0492-8
A Zeal of Zebras caught me off guard! It's not your standard children's picture book, which is why I like it! As far as the artistic look and design of the book goes, it is a very contemporary and "fashion / design" forward book! It was a real surprise to receive in the mail! The illustrations are a collaboration of layers of luscious layers created in photoshop. These layers have been beautifully laid down in almost a subtle grunge. Some of the layouts boast a bright and bold entrance, while others are cooler in the color palette.
The author has chosen to write interesting facts about twenty six animals. Perhaps these are common facts, but in some circumstances, not so. As an adult, I was very entertained with both the writing and the graphics. This book is perfect for 4-8 year olds. I feel it is a very fresh spin on the infamous alphabet book.
It is the perfect children's coffee table book for young readers and old alike!!
A kaleidoscope of butterflies? A leap of leopards?
A Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns
by WOOP Studios
Published by Chronicle Books, ISBN: 978-1-4521-0492-8
A Zeal of Zebras caught me off guard! It's not your standard children's picture book, which is why I like it! As far as the artistic look and design of the book goes, it is a very contemporary and "fashion / design" forward book! It was a real surprise to receive in the mail! The illustrations are a collaboration of layers of luscious layers created in photoshop. These layers have been beautifully laid down in almost a subtle grunge. Some of the layouts boast a bright and bold entrance, while others are cooler in the color palette.
The author has chosen to write interesting facts about twenty six animals. Perhaps these are common facts, but in some circumstances, not so. As an adult, I was very entertained with both the writing and the graphics. This book is perfect for 4-8 year olds. I feel it is a very fresh spin on the infamous alphabet book.
It is the perfect children's coffee table book for young readers and old alike!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Welcome Back!!
I'm Back! I had to take a break for a bit. Life's little lessons taught me that for a brief moment in time, while the children are small, to soak in that time. Don't waste it - because when they are gone to school, life takes on a different form.
As a result, I'm proud to report my little angel went to school reading at nearly a third grade level! I so valued the time (on so many different levels) that I got to spend with her. Now it is the schools job (during the day) to carry on the learning that I so boldly began.
If this has taught me anything, reading to children from infancy is utmost important! That point there has made all the difference in my mindset and intentions around creating quality children's books that will not only interest them, but also inspire them to read on their own!
I will be blogging about many fun books that I have up my sleeve! I have found some favorites in the past two years. I can't wait to share them all with you.
I also will be blogging about my experience in putting together my second children's book. This one is a little different from the first, however I have written and will be illustrating it over the coming months! I can't wait to share all of that with you too!
Blessing on your day -- and stay tuned!
As a result, I'm proud to report my little angel went to school reading at nearly a third grade level! I so valued the time (on so many different levels) that I got to spend with her. Now it is the schools job (during the day) to carry on the learning that I so boldly began.
If this has taught me anything, reading to children from infancy is utmost important! That point there has made all the difference in my mindset and intentions around creating quality children's books that will not only interest them, but also inspire them to read on their own!
I will be blogging about many fun books that I have up my sleeve! I have found some favorites in the past two years. I can't wait to share them all with you.
I also will be blogging about my experience in putting together my second children's book. This one is a little different from the first, however I have written and will be illustrating it over the coming months! I can't wait to share all of that with you too!
Blessing on your day -- and stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Secrets of a Christmas Box: Part 3
Secrets of Christmas BoxWritten by Steven Hornby
Color Illustration by Justin Gerard
Chapter Illustration by Gabriel Hordos
Published by Ecky Thump Books, Inc 2009
248 pages / 56 illustrations / for ages 8 and up
The Synopsis
Enter the magical, festive world of the Christmas 'Tree-Dwellers' , as Larry, a Christmas Snowman, wakes up after a long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing. Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry, along with his girlfriend Debbie, a newcomer Splint, and Larry's companion Tinsel, break the laws of the 'Tree-Elders' and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues. Away from the safety of the tree and in the unfamiliar world, the Dwellers stumble upon a dark and sinister secret that threatens their entire world. Can Larry and the group make it back to the tree in time to warn the others, and finally uncover the truth behind the 'Secrets of a Christmas Box'.
The Review
This is a sparkling tale that is a magical adventure! I particularly enjoyed the fact that it had a "Honey, I shrunk the kids" feel. This gives the audience a fresh perspective from the ornaments point of view. I could just picture the characters on a journey across the living room floor.
I liked Steven's writing style. The text had a terrific flow which made it easily and effortlessly read. Steven gives you point by point in his story telling leaving nothing to chance. He paints a beautiful picture of a family's anticipation of Christmas. Sitting in the family room with a warm cup of wine or cider, enjoying the twinkling lights, aroma of food, and the total ambiance, makes me want Christmas to come early!
The book was written for children, however it was written to appeal to either the young or old. I felt there was something in for everyone. The ending was left wide open leaving room for a fantastic new sequel.
From an Illustrators Point of View
The cover art is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! I feel like I am looking right onto a branch from my own tree right now! The media chosen has been handled in quite a delightful way. The brightness of the lights on the tree capture the ambiance of Christmas perfectly! The personalities of the characters come blazing through on the cover as well. I love it!!
The chapter illustrations are spontaneous and very active little graphite sketches. I think they are perfect for the book. I love illustrated novels! In fact, I can't figure out why all novels aren't illustrated. The drawings were truly dazzling and supported the text seamlessly!
Overall, the book exudes those kind of magical Christmas feelings that you only get that time of year. I loved the book and I am looking forward to reading the sequel. (I can only hope they make a motion picture film!)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Secrets of a Christmas Box: Part 2
Steven Hornby Biography
Steven Hornby is a multi award winning animator and has been storytelling for over 15 years in visual effects and animated movies. He was born in Preston, England and attended Lancaster University for Design Communication. After working on a set of commerials in Europe and Australasia and his own short film, "Zzz Night", Steven joined the animation crew in 2000, on the Academy Award winning "The Lord of the Rings" film in New Zealand.
He is best known for his award winning animation, bringing to life J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional character, Gollum, on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
He has since worked as a lead animator on "I, Robot" (2004), "King Kong" (2005), Disney's "Meet the Robinson's" (2007) and "Glago's Guest" (2008), and more recently Dreamwork's "Kung Fu Panda" (2008), and "How to Train Your Dragon" (In Theaters 2010).
In 2009, Steven finished his children's fantasy novel, "Secrets of a Christmas Box" to be released September 1, 2009. He initially planned 'Secrets of a Christmas Box' as a screenplay after spending several years having the story running around in his head, but instead turned it into his first children's novel.
Steven is currently working on the sequel to his Christmas novel. He lives in Burbank, California with his family.
Steven Hornby is a multi award winning animator and has been storytelling for over 15 years in visual effects and animated movies. He was born in Preston, England and attended Lancaster University for Design Communication. After working on a set of commerials in Europe and Australasia and his own short film, "Zzz Night", Steven joined the animation crew in 2000, on the Academy Award winning "The Lord of the Rings" film in New Zealand.
He is best known for his award winning animation, bringing to life J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional character, Gollum, on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
He has since worked as a lead animator on "I, Robot" (2004), "King Kong" (2005), Disney's "Meet the Robinson's" (2007) and "Glago's Guest" (2008), and more recently Dreamwork's "Kung Fu Panda" (2008), and "How to Train Your Dragon" (In Theaters 2010).
In 2009, Steven finished his children's fantasy novel, "Secrets of a Christmas Box" to be released September 1, 2009. He initially planned 'Secrets of a Christmas Box' as a screenplay after spending several years having the story running around in his head, but instead turned it into his first children's novel.
Steven is currently working on the sequel to his Christmas novel. He lives in Burbank, California with his family.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Secrets of a Christmas Box: Part1
This is the first of a few posts in light of a new, FANTASTIC book being released! I had the joy of reading the book early in order to prepare this review series. Today's post is information I received in the publicity packet.
The Synopsis
Enter the magical, festive world of the Christmas 'Tree-Dwellers' , as Larry, a Christmas Snowman, wakes up after a long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing.
Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry, along with his girlfriend Debbie, a newcomer Splint, and Larry's companion Tinsel, break the laws of the 'Tree-Elders' and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues.
Away from the safety of the tree and in the unfamiliar world, the Dwellers stumble upon a dark and sinister secret that threatens their entire world. Can Larry and the group make it back to the tree in time to warn the others, and finally uncover the truth behind the 'Secrets of a Christmas Box'?
About the Author
Steven Hornby grew up near Preston in the north of England and has been in the entertainment industry for nearly 15 years, working on heartwarming animated and award-winning visual effects films. After years of bring classic stories to life on screen, Hornby has written his own Christmas novel destined to be a family classic.
"Growing out of my childhood, I remember trying to hold onto those magical feelings only I got a Christmas time, the warm fuzziness in my stomach and the giddy excitement of knowing Santa Claus would soon be arriving. But those feeling faded and in their place completely new developed; equally as good mind you, just different. So I wanted to create a world that captured those magical feelings I had as a child, but also include a sense of what Christmas means to me today, every time I open up that wonderful Christmas box." - Steven Hornby
The Synopsis
Enter the magical, festive world of the Christmas 'Tree-Dwellers' , as Larry, a Christmas Snowman, wakes up after a long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing.
Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry, along with his girlfriend Debbie, a newcomer Splint, and Larry's companion Tinsel, break the laws of the 'Tree-Elders' and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues.
Away from the safety of the tree and in the unfamiliar world, the Dwellers stumble upon a dark and sinister secret that threatens their entire world. Can Larry and the group make it back to the tree in time to warn the others, and finally uncover the truth behind the 'Secrets of a Christmas Box'?
About the Author
Steven Hornby grew up near Preston in the north of England and has been in the entertainment industry for nearly 15 years, working on heartwarming animated and award-winning visual effects films. After years of bring classic stories to life on screen, Hornby has written his own Christmas novel destined to be a family classic.
"Growing out of my childhood, I remember trying to hold onto those magical feelings only I got a Christmas time, the warm fuzziness in my stomach and the giddy excitement of knowing Santa Claus would soon be arriving. But those feeling faded and in their place completely new developed; equally as good mind you, just different. So I wanted to create a world that captured those magical feelings I had as a child, but also include a sense of what Christmas means to me today, every time I open up that wonderful Christmas box." - Steven Hornby
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My Reaction
I wrote my last post to "The Graveyard Book" without completely finishing the book, I have to admit! So now, I can properly comment! I cried at the end! I loved it! What a beautiful, spooky, yearning, funny, creepy, adventurous, perfect book!!! As I read my way through the book, I really began to identify with the main character, Bod (short for Nobody Owens). There was something special about Bod that made him so different from anyone else -- he lived in a graveyard since he was about a year and a half and was raised by spirits. Many souls in the community taught him about many different aspects from the time periods they lived. I thought this was a very unique point of view!
In the last chapter, I was truly touched by how the spirit world began to fade away and everything was changing for Bod. In a sense, life was gently tell him that it was time to move on and experience the world for what it is. Live freely and experience everything you can.
The last line of the book: "But between now and then, there was life; and Bod walked into it with his eyes and his heart wide open." -Neil Gaiman
I wrote my last post to "The Graveyard Book" without completely finishing the book, I have to admit! So now, I can properly comment! I cried at the end! I loved it! What a beautiful, spooky, yearning, funny, creepy, adventurous, perfect book!!! As I read my way through the book, I really began to identify with the main character, Bod (short for Nobody Owens). There was something special about Bod that made him so different from anyone else -- he lived in a graveyard since he was about a year and a half and was raised by spirits. Many souls in the community taught him about many different aspects from the time periods they lived. I thought this was a very unique point of view!
In the last chapter, I was truly touched by how the spirit world began to fade away and everything was changing for Bod. In a sense, life was gently tell him that it was time to move on and experience the world for what it is. Live freely and experience everything you can.
The last line of the book: "But between now and then, there was life; and Bod walked into it with his eyes and his heart wide open." -Neil Gaiman
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