Handheld Hilarity 3

Reading a newsletter yesterday written by a soon-to-be-published romance author, who is also a master teacher and friend, two words tied her series of thoughts together.  Those two words, silver linings, ask us to look beyond our current circumstances.  When we seek silver linings, they will reveal themselves to us.  Sometimes they are a tiny sliver.  Other times, they are huge, life-changing moments.  

For many of us, books which make us grin or giggle, or guffaw are the silver linings every time we read them.  They are silver linings which never fail us.  When a character returns to a series of books, it means more fun is in the offing.  We first met him eight years ago in Crankenstein and again in A Crankenstein Valentine.  He has returned in Trick Or Treat, Crankenstein (Little, Brown And Company, August 17, 2021) written by Samantha Berger with illustrations by Dan Santat.  In this newest entry, a beloved holiday is not as it should be.

Do you know what today is?

Crankenstein knows what today is.

It's a day that rhymes with Schmalloween, and

it's Crankenstein's FAVORITE day of the year.

His first inkling the day is awry is a throbbing toothache.  It goes downhill further when his brother fails to recognize his costume identity.  And just when he thinks it can't get any worse, it does.  No one mentions a raging rainstorm was coming.

Every activity at school to celebrate the holiday is off kilter.  What are the chances of someone else having the same costume and standing next to Crankenstein in the parade?  That night in his neighborhood trick-or-treating, someone is handing out toothbrushes instead of candy.  What kind of person does that?

Some other neighbor has a weird idea of frightening decorations. Crankenstein is not happy at being scared.  Back home, finally, his sly brother is swiping his candy.  What has happened to 

Crankenstein's FAVORITE day of the year? 

Wait! Is that the doorbell ringing?  Opening the door, Crankenstein is shocked at what he sees.  He bursts out laughing.  He keeps on laughing when he sees a lot more great minds who think alike.

This author, Samantha Berger, knows comedy.  She understands how delighted readers are in the contrast between the expected and the reality.  AND either through experience or observation, she has included the perfect pairs of opposites.  Initially, she creates a rhythm through the use of the word

EXCEPT

bringing it back to great effect at the close of the story.  She then establishes another cadence which increases Crankenstein's grit-your-teeth frustration and our rib-tickling laughter.  Here is a passage.

EXCEPT---when his brother doesn't know

WHAT he's supposed to be, and laughs till he falls

off the couch.

Crankenstein would say,

MEHHRRRR!

Look at the front, right side of the dust jacket!  Everything screams Halloween and not any ordinary Halloween.  This is a Halloween gone wrong.  There are webs in the title text with a black spider dangling between the K and O.  Bats fly around Crankenstein on an orange background.  The handle on his treat bag is ripped, spilling his collected candy.  His signature reply to his fateful events is carved into the jack-o-lantern.  Crankenstein's face allows for no denying his current mood.  To the left, on the back, in shades of gray is a silhouette of Crankenstein shouting his displeasure.  Across Crankenstein's form is a toothbrush with a jack-o-lantern, TRICK or TREAT tag hanging from the handle.  Adding insult to injury along the handle it reads:

Dr. Spooner DDS 555-9874

On the book case, on a cream background, is Crankenstein.  On the front he is facing us in his 

ROBO AVENGER COSTUME

with all the parts labeled.  On the back Crankenstein has turned his back to us.  Four parts of his costume not previously shown are labeled.

You cannot, I repeat cannot, just glance at the opening and closing endpapers.  Illustrator, Dan Santat, has fashioned a collage of enlarged candy.  Each of the candies have been renamed to depict the spookiness of Halloween.  The wrappers are familiar, but the names are decidedly not.  Have you had

TOOTHROT

It suffices  

or

Original

Skulltills

Imbibe The Spectrum!

Even some of the information on the verso has been "Halloweened." 

Each of the double-page illustrations (and a group of smaller panels) were rendered in Adobe Photoshop.  All the scenes inside Crankenstein's home depict a love of his favorite holiday.  There are ghoulish lamps and lampshades, and Halloween cups, glasses, bowls, placemats, pillows, and blankets.  The exaggerated facial expressions will have you grinning from ear to ear.  For most of the pictures, we are close to the action.  We are a part of this story. 

One of my many favorite illustrations is the only panoramic setting.  Across most of the two pages are hues of green formed into a corn maze. Four costumed classmates of Crankenstein are gleefully running down several pathways on the left.  Across the top of the page is a gray sky with a smattering of darker rain clouds and some parked vehicles on the right.  On the bottom of the image, to the right of the gutter (with one arm crossing the gutter), is a scarecrow.  He is looking grim.  Where is Crankenstein you ask?  Two arms with clenched fists extend straight up in a row on the right.  Above those arms in a speech balloon is a visual of an angry face.  Crankenstein is lost! 

Guaranteed to make you smile at the least and surely laugh out loud, Trick Or Treat, Crankenstein written by Samantha Berger with illustrations by Dan Santat is a feast of fun.  Readers will relate to the mishaps but will be pleasantly surprised by the conclusion.  Treat yourself to a copy for your professional and personal bookshelves.

To discover more about Samantha Berger and Dan Santat and their other work, please visit their respective websites by following the link attached to their names.  Samantha Berger has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Dan Santat has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

Many individuals use meal preparation as an act of love or as an artistic expression.  There are a few others, a very few, harboring an ulterior motive.  One such fellow is found in Chez Bob (Little, Brown And Company, September 21, 2021) written and illustrated by Bob Shea.  This alligator has a voracious appetite but is loath to exert himself.  What he lacks in energy and ambition, he more than makes up for it in ingenuity.

Bob worked very

hard at being lazy.

"Being lazy is making me very hungry,"

said Bob to no one.

Bob hopes his request for birds to fly directly into his mouth will work.  They flee with haste.  He then observes how grass entices birds to it because of its seeds.  Like the proverbial lightning strike, Bob has a plan.

His long snout will house a birdseed restaurant.  It will be so successful, other alligators will want to purchase his idea.  He will be wealthy, but most importantly, he will no longer be hungry. 

The first bird at Chez Bob is impressed.  Bob has to let him go rather than eat him.  He is going to spread the word about the delectable meal on the menu.  Chez Bob is an international success.  Before long, a community surrounds Bob and his restaurant.  There is a school for the youngsters and a library for everyone.  As a member, new member, of this flock, Bob participates in a service project.  He joins a book club? Oh, Bob!  

Mother Nature exerts her will.  Bob has a huge decision to make.  Birds or breakfast?  What could possibly be worth more than fame and fortune?

When author Bob Shea pens a story, his keen sense of humor shines in every sentence.  His blend of narrative and Bob's personal voice and thoughts is true and perfectly paced.  The hilarity escalates with Bob acting and saying one thing and thinking about consuming the birds at the same time.  Then, in the best possible manner, a dilemma is presented.  It is a heightened what-if moment.  Readers will appreciate the choices made by both Bobs.  Here is a portion of one passage and the following two sentences.

"Oh, then I will not eat you,"

said Bob.

"What?" said the bird.

"I said, 'So nice to meet you,' "

said Bob.

And he couldn't wait to meet

the bird's tasty friends.

Soon Chez Bob was

the talk of the trees.

Birds flew in from all

over the world to eat

on Bob's face.

(Please note I am working with an F & G.  I was hoping to have a copy this week, but unfortunately, they have been delayed.  The anticipation grows.)

The expression on Bob the alligator's face on the right side of the open dust jacket has me laughing out loud every time I see it.  That smirky grin with one hand attempting to cover it is priceless.  Bob salting the bird as the bird salts its seeds is over-the-top comical.  The choice of the teal canvas makes Bob and the bird shine.

On the left, back of the dust jacket, Bob is seated on a navy background.  Birds are around him, his hat, and his face.  It is movie night.  On the end of his nose is the screen.  Bob is scooping popcorn into his mouth as birds nibble what is on the ground.

On a spring green canvas with short yellow and blue blades of grass, birds of a variety of colors gather on the opening endpapers.  On the far left, a pink worm looks at the group of birds aghast.  With the same background, the closing endpapers tell a different tale.  It is a blur of bicycles, birds, and Bob . . . on a bicycle.  The verso and title pages present a double-page picture of Bob lazily resting on the edge of the water with the jungle flora and fauna around him.

The color palette of blues, greens, purple, yellow, pink and white welcomes readers to the story.  The images, double-page pictures and single-page pictures, are highly animated.  When Bob opens his mouth, he opens it WIDE!  The tiny details in some of the scenes ask readers to pause.  There are birds in lounge chairs around a pond.  There are birds riding on a roller coaster.  There is a tiny bus with two passengers and a capped driver.

One of my favorite illustrations is when Bob is taking his patrons on a sunset dinner.  Among the lily pads, some flowers holding candles, are a frog happily waving as Bob passes and a turtle rowing a boat nearby.  Bob, mostly above the beautifully hued water, is wearing his chef's hat, eyeing his customers, and smiling.  Across his back are tiny tables with red-and-white-checked tablecloths. Pairs of birds are seated, enjoying their birdseed meals and chirping conversationally.

Sometimes when the best-laid plans shift in their results, so do personalities.  Our protagonist in Chez Bob written and illustrated by Bob Shea is a prime example.  Innocence can soften the cleverest and hungriest heart.  If you are looking for a title replete with laughs that lead toward newfound friendship, this book comes highly recommended for both your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Bob Shea and his other work, please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  Bob Shea has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  This title is featured at author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson's wondrous Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  There are many process pieces there to see.  

UPDATE:  Please enjoy this interview with Bob Shea about this title at Max's Boat on September 16, 2021.

Bob Shea Presents CHEZ BOB from LB School on Vimeo.

Book Chat with the Illustrator: Bob Shea for CHEZ BOB from LB School on Vimeo.

BOO!

In most locations around the country schools have either started several weeks ago or have their first day this week.  There are still some that adhere to the policy of classes resuming after Labor Day but it's happening already.  Amid all the back-to-school displays of necessary supplies (which commenced right after the 4th of July), the colors of orange, black and white are appearing, as early as two weeks ago.  Large grocery store chains are stacking bales of hay showcasing pumpkins, ghosts, black cats and mum plants at their outside entrances.  Inside large box stores Halloween decorations and costumes are filling up the shelves and aisles.  According to my calculations the first day of autumn is still thirty-one days away and sixty-nine days will come and go before we celebrate the holiday of Halloween.

In case you think I might be grumbling a bit about how retailers seem to be wishing our lives away, clearly forgetting to stop and smell the roses, this is simply not the case.  A quick glance at my storage bins will reveal I love autumn and Halloween.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year to celebrate reading by handing out books instead of sweet treats.  This year there will be a new title among the stacks.  The Scariest Book Ever (Disney Hyperion, July 18, 2017) written and illustrated by Bob Shea is fabulous fun.

BOO!
I'm a spooky ghost!  Scary, right?

Our new supernatural friend is actually a bit spooked too.  It seems the dark woods we noticed a few pages earlier has him most definitely on edge, although he won't admit it.  His bravado is not quite sincere especially when orange juice is spilled on his white clothing.  It might not have been an accident but does provide an excuse to not visit the dark woods.

He is curious about what we found when we went there.  After our reply he declares dark holes usually yield nothing pleasant.  He invites us to stay with him and participate in his version of scary.  When he finds out what indeed came out of the dark hole, he believes it's a trick to get him to venture into the dark woods.

Each time we readers go back to the dark woods via page turns the ghost asks us what we saw, makes guesses and hardly believes what we say is true.  He then tries to lure us to stay with him offering things like

Spooooooooky doughnuts.

After five visits to the woods with the unseen participant (us) reporting the state of affairs in the dark woods, the ghost agrees to go...to protect us...supposedly.

What he and his black cat see elicits a shriek of horror.  If a ghost could die twice, this one would have been scared into a grave...another grave.  His feline friend comes close and whispers the truth to him.  Surprise! Surprise! Spooky surprise!


The specific word choices by Bob Shea used to create this first person narrative by the ghost will have you bursting out loud with laughter.  The back and forth banter between the ghost and those traveling to the dark woods supplies tension, contrast and loads of comedy.  The ghost's guesses at what is seen and his idea of scary will have readers of all ages delighting in the hilarity.  Here is a sample passage.

You can stay here and help me with the
haunted housework.  We'll tell spooky 
stories and clean the bathroom.

That's scary, right?


It's not very often readers see a ghost looking worried but our narrator shown on the front of the opened dust jacket is very concerned.  His constant cat companion is reserving judgment.  To the left, on the back, on a canvas of yellow are the dark woods.  Among the trees are the whites of eyes gazing right at the reader, as if the very trees are alive.  Next to the ISBN in the lower right-hand corner stand a very spooked ghost and his cat.  I love how this duo is positioned.

The book case is done entirely in an orange background.  On the front are miniature scenes using characters in the story.  They are participating in activities which are the farthest thing from scary.  On the back of the case the cat is sipping milk from a saucer.

On the opening endpapers Bob Shea starts his story with the ghost first peeking through an open doorway and then climbing a staircase.  With a page turn he is cautiously looking out an upstairs window on the left at the dark woods on the right, the title page.  The verso and dedication pages continue the pictorial story with the ghost leaving in fright and hiding behind a chair.

Bold bright backgrounds in pink, yellow, blue, and white work well with the black canvas which serves to highlight facial and body features and text.  This limited color palette showcases Bob Shea's fine lines and cheery details.  The use of varnish to draw attention to the naked ghost (remember he spilled orange juice on his white clothing) adds to the laughter factor.  Bob Shea uses large areas of color and double-page wordless images to excellent effect.

One of my many favorite illustrations is on a black canvas.  The ghost is hovering at the top.  His body is shown in black varnish.  We can see his eyes and mouth.  Extending from the sides of his body are yellow rubber gloves, worn when cleaning the bathroom.  He has just dropped a white scrub brush.  (I can't even write about this without laughing.)


Early this afternoon I had the pleasure of reading aloud The Scariest Book Ever written and illustrated by Bob Shea.  My friend and her two children ages, two and almost five, and I were seated on my quilt-covered sofa.  With every page turn we were howling with laughter.  Bob Shea has a gift for writing stories which generate laughter within all of us.  As I finished the girl jumped up and yelled out loud, "I love this book!"  There is no better recommendation than that.  Please make sure to have copies of this title on your professional and personal bookshelves.

To learn more about Bob Shea and his other work please visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  Author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson features Bob Shea, his art and this title on her blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  Here's the almost five-year-old holding Bob Shea's The Scariest Book Ever. 

A Parade Of Poetry

It's hard to believe the 20th anniversary celebration of National Poetry Month has nearly come to a close.  It's been twenty-nine days of showcasing poetry, reading and writing poems, creating spine poetry thanks to promoter teacher librarian Travis Jonker, blogger at 100 Scope Notes, and the true-blue fun of Poem in Your Pocket Day.  Although any day of the year is a great day for poetry, this month's focus wins more readers and writers to this literary form.

It's a time to direct attention to beloved favorite poems, classic collections and spotlight wonderful new titles. On March 8, 2016 three books were released.  The first of these, Wet Cement: A Mix Of Concrete Poems (Roaring Brook Press) is written by Bob Raczka.

In the introduction Raczka explains concrete poetry to readers with an emphasis on using words to literally paint a picture on a page.  The words in a concrete poem form the item being described in the poem.  In this collection he takes it further by using the letters in the poem's title to depict that word.

Twenty-one poems, shown in black on white and white on black, help us to soar if only for twelve seconds, play games, search the night skies and peer into our closets. We pause at the baseball diamond, run after tiny creatures of the night and marvel at the miracle of our planet in the cosmos.  We enjoy the best of two seasons, gasp at a summer storm's display and let a possession sail the air waves.

Bob Raczka asks us to vary our pattern of reading.  We find ourselves not only reading left to right but in a circle, bottom to top, connecting words as if in a puzzle, around curves, holding the pages in front of a mirror, right to left and sideways and following a maze.  The poems' titles, as well as the poem itself, are placed to coordinate a complete image.  Here is a sample poem with a title.

For younger readers and those young at heart Guess Who, Haiku (Abrams Appleseed) with words by Deanna Caswell and pictures by Bob Shea is a lively look at the ancient Japanese poetic technique. Using the five syllables, seven syllables and five syllables format for three lines of poetry, readers are invited to guess the animal being described.  Ten poems playfully portray creatures of all sizes.

Here's a haiku just for you!

new day on the farm
muffled mooing announces
a fresh pail of milk

Can you guess who from this haiku?

With a page turn we discover the answer in two words.  For the next poem the previous animal sends out the request for us to use our thinking skills.  This pattern continues until the final poem.

With this repetitive sequence Deanna Caswell supplies a pleasing, beckoning rhythm.  In an author's note at the back she defines a portion of the word haiku as an explanation for her particular poems.  She cheerfully requests readers to try reading the lines of the poems with one of the lines removed, asking us how or if this will change the results.


Using a palette of pastel colors with bright accents, Bob Shea's images charmingly enhance this gathering of haiku fun. Portions of some of the animals appear on the front book case.  On the opening and closing endpapers small circular hues feature black drawings of nine of the animals in a repeating design.

The text for each haiku poem is displayed in a different colored font on white with a pictorial clue pictured below.  With a page turn Shea has placed the animal on a vivid canvas usually including something from the clues in this illustration.  You can't help but smile at these pictures.



In their third collaboration (Step Gently Out and Sweep Up the Sun) poet Helen Frost and photographer, painter and illustrator Rick Lieder explore another marvelous aspect of our natural world. Among a Thousand Fireflies (Candlewick Press) takes us to an evening when two beetles seek to find each other.  The combination of these two artists' talents creates a breathtaking illuminating view.

In a summer meadow
near the river,
as night's first stars
blink on,
a firefly
steps
into a flower.

She waits and watches surrounded by more lights blinking on and off than would be possible to count.  She is searching for one particular cadence, a secret code.  It hardly seems possible she will find it.  But she does.

She answers with her own series of glowing beats, matching what she has seen.  She seeks acknowledgment.  He approaches.

Helen Frost with word choices and punctuation replicates the flashing of fireflies with her phrases.  If you read the text aloud, it's almost as if you are seated outside on a balmy summer's night, watching these tiny creatures work their mating magic.  You hardly dare breathe for the beauty her words carry.


When you open the dust jacket two photographs, on the back across the spine to the front, blend to become a single moment.  So exquisite is the detail and lighting you wonder how many pictures were taken to capture these exact visuals. A single shade of blue covers the book case.  On the front a pair of fireflies is embossed in the center.  On the opening and closing endpapers two more photographs reveal the intricacies of these delicate beings.

You will find yourself gasping at the splendor seen on every new page.  Rick Lieder varies his perspectives bringing us close to the fireflies and then stepping back to show us how they move and light the night.  The style of softening the background leaving only certain portions highly focused is a highly sensory experience for readers.



These three titles, representative of three distinctive types of poetry, Wet Cement: A Mix Of Concrete Poems written by Bob Raczka, Guess Who, Haiku written by Deanna Caswell with illustrations by Bob Shea and Among a Thousand Fireflies written by Helen Frost with photographs by Rick Lieder have one thing in common.  They are all brilliant.  I highly recommend adding them to your personal and professional collections.  Pause on every page.  Read them aloud.  Repeatedly.

To learn more about Bob Raczka, Bob Shea, Helen Frost and Rick Lieder please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  At the Candlewick Press website you can view an interior image from Among a Thousand Fireflies.  Enjoy the book trailer.

Pals' Playful Pursuits

There are those who would do the same thing day in and day out committed to pursuing their passion or working toward perfection.  There are others who would alter their daily deeds in the belief variety is the spice of life.  Each individual looks at the big picture through their unique perspectives.

When two friends with differing beliefs try to reach a decision it can be a little bit tricky.  Ballet Cat:  The Totally Secret Secret (Disney Hyperion, May 5, 2015) written and illustrated by Bob Shea follows the best of buddies as they plan their day of play.  The art of compromise is stronger in one than the other.

What do you want to play today, Ballet Cat?
You pick, Sparkles.

Excitedly Sparkles suggests they work on crafts.  At first Ballet Cat is thrilled with this idea. She quickly decides it would be risky to leap with scissors in hand.  Never one to give up, the pony pal has another proposal.

A game of checkers would be fun for the two of them.  Now this is something Ballet Cat would enjoy but how would they be able to kick without ruining the game.  Sparkles demeanor is starting to wilt.

In a last ditch effort, the equine chum, perhaps thinking when life gives you lemons, recommends a business venture.  With her usual initial enthusiastic response, the feline friend falters wondering how they will be able to spin.  When Sparkles questions the necessity of spinning, Ballet Cat assumes it's a joke.

Before you can even think leap, kick and spin Ballet Cat has twisted the choice toward her favorite thing which the two of them play every...single...day.  After several attempts the astute cat notices the lack of eagerness on the part of the pony.  Pressing him for a reason, he confesses he has a

secret secret.

Sparkles is fearful about sharing this particular confidence.  A promise is made.  After the big reveal, decidedly shaken, Ballet Cat has a confession of her own.  This is a day for declarations of the very best kind.


More than once this reader stopped during the story, told entirely in dialogue, to burst out laughing.  Bob Shea's choice of words and pacing elevate the laughable level to supreme hilarity.  His technique of blocking the portions of the story in three-part segments is done with excellence.  When a special section of dialogue bridges these elements both characters are further defined by their conversation.  Here is a sample passage.

Ballet? There is an idea!
Leaping, yes. Kicking, yes, yes. Spinning,
yes, yes, YES!
Great idea, Sparkles.
How did you ever think of it?

We play ballet every
day, Ballet Cat.

Oh, right.


Right away readers will notice the raised blue and orange sparkles on the pony and the white finishing touches on the cat as they run their fingers over the book case. The bright yellow on the front and the pink on the back provide a vivid canvas for the pals.  Astute readers will notice Sparkles' less the sincere grin on the front.  The opening and closing endpapers are done with a spring green background and a pattern of blue and orange large dots.  Black, white, purple and pink hues are used to feature Ballet Cat on the initial title page.  Another shade of green on the more formal title page highlights portions of the cat and pony looking at each other warily.

A variety of background colors create liveliness in the flow of the narrative and the characters' actions.  The wide expressive eyes and mouths on both Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony leave no doubt as to their current moods.  Shea's lines are filled with animation.  Cadence is controlled with the size of the characters and the number of times they appear on a given page.  We are keenly aware of the intonation of the voice of each character by the size of the font within the speech bubble.

One of my favorite illustrations of many is when they first start to play ballet.  Eyes closed, mouth wide open, Ballet Cat merrily exclaims while moving about

Dance, Sparkles, dance!

Standing as still as a statue, nearly limp, eyes half-closed, Sparkles, barely utters,

Whee.


Read silently alone this title is guaranteed to provide an abundance of grins and giggles.  If Ballet Cat:  The Totally Secret Secret written and illustrated by Bob Shea is read aloud to a few or many at story time, listeners will be rolling on the floor gasping for breath due to extreme laughter.  These two friends are destined to entertain for many years.

To discover more about Bob Shea and his work, please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  For further insights into the process for this book, loads of sketches and art and an interview, visit Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast hosted by author and blogger, Julie Danielson.  This title is featured at teacher librarian blogs as a review at 100 Scope Notes by Travis Jonker and as a reflection at The Styling Librarian by Debbie Alvarez.

This video on drawing Ballet Cat is adorable.

Taming Of The Wild West

The story area is filled with boys and girls restlessly waiting.  The teller strides in; the heels of her boots thudding across the floor.  Sitting squarely on her head is a well-loved Stetson, pulled down a tad bit on her forehead.  Around her neck a large kerchief hangs low but not so low as to cover the shiny sheriff badge fastened to her vest.  Black jeans and a button-down chambray shirt complete her outfit.

Pausing she looks each member of the audience straight in the eyes.  "Are you ready to hear a story that is going to knock your socks off?" she yells out.  After shouted replies of "Yes!" she settles down to begin Kid Sheriff And The Terrible Toads (Roaring Brook Press) written by Bob Shea with illustrations by Lane Smith.  "Wait a minute", one child says.  "Did you say terrible toads?"  "That I did", she replies. "They're so horrible people in town are quivering in fear."  Silence fills the room.

Drywater Gulch had a toad problem.

Now you might think the narrator is talking about the amphibious creatures of land and water.  If so, your thinking would be mistaken.  These toads begin with a capital T as in the Toad brothers; three of the nastiest varmints walking the West.

Mayor McMuffin is beside himself with worry.  Who knows what treasure will be taken, livestock smooched or chili slighted when they strike next?  But...wait a minute...someone is riding into town...someone riding on a tortoise. 

When the mayor greets and questions the stranger, he finds himself in the presence of their new sheriff.  Of course the only skill at which the youngster excels is his vast expertise on dinosaurs.  In the next moment a resounding 

BOOM!

fills the air. 

Robberies are happening left and right.  As Kid Sheriff starts tacking up wanted posters, minus the Toad trio's portraits but featuring a variety of prehistoric land giants, the criminals appear voicing their complaints.

 Dineysaurs

didn't commit those crimes.  Misters Mean, Weird and Ugly want credit given where credit is due.

The lawman matter-of-factly continues preparations for the detainment of the dastardly reptiles.  Three outraged, sputtering outlaws make a serious error in what little judgment they possess.  You never know when a passion for dinosaurs will save the day.

Bob Shea really understands kids and he loves making books for them.  It's obvious with every single word chosen and sentence written in this book.  He has the teller of this tall tale speaking precisely as much as necessary in the beginning before his crisp dialogue laden with the language of the locale picks up the story.  A single sentence spoken by the original voice concludes the book brilliantly.  Here is a short sample.

"A hole this big means one thing---T. rex," said the sheriff.
"Or dynamite," said the mayor.
"T. rex don't need no dynamite.  Largest predator of the Cretaceous period," said the sheriff.
"Wow, you're good," said the mayor.


From the minute you open the matching dust jacket and book case, you will be hard pressed to not burst out laughing.  (The best part is the whole book is like this.) On the left you have the three outlaws stacked together sneering at our young hero clad in white, boot resting on his trusty stead...er...tortoise.  On the back Kid Sheriff is riding into town across a desert scene on top of his four-footed, shelled pal.  Plain warm brown opening and closing endpapers continue the thematic color palette used throughout of rich browns, reds, deep golden yellows, black and cream.  It's like looking at an old photograph album filled with sepia-tone pictures.

Lane Smith fills single pages, double pages and crosses the gutter with his images without borders.  The layout of each visual gives readers a true feel not only for the story but the place in which it is set. The prominent elements in each picture are bolder and darker with those in the background lighter.  I can only imagine how much fun he had adding all the historic details; those more noticeable like the clothing and buildings or those much smaller like the stolen money.  Be sure to notice Kid Sheriff's belt buckle.

One of my favorite illustrations is when Kid Sheriff is measuring the size of the doorway into the jail.  He is holding one end of the tape and his tortoise is holding the other end.  We readers are seeing this through three sets of legs; those of the terrible Toad brothers.  The perspective is fantastic.


Kid Sheriff And The Terrible Toads written by Bob Shea with illustrations by Lane Smith is a rootin' tootin' rip-roaring outrageously fun read.  No matter how many times I've read this, I still laugh out loud with the line stated as Kid Sheriff comes into town and when he and the mayor are engaged in their original question and answer conversation.  So step back into the Wild West created by this dynamic collaborative team and get ready for your children to beg you to read this over and over again.

For more information about either Bob Shea or Lane Smith, follow the links embedded in their names to access their websites.  Hilarity ensues in this Q & A with Bob Shea and Lane Smith at Publishers Weekly about this title.  Follow this link to the publisher's website to view more illustrations including a portion of my favorite.  At Watch. Connect. Read. hosted by teacher librarian John Schumacher, Lane Smith is interviewed.  He talks about his process in creating the illustrations for this book.  Bob Shea was a guest interviewee at educator Colby Sharp's blog, sharpread.  Then head on over to the Nerdy Book Club to read Bob Shea's guest post, Stop what you are doing right now, and burn all your books. (Or how to tell if a picture book is good simply by reading it).

See You In September #1

I've been collecting some new titles with a common theme; stacking them up hoping to do a top ten post combining them with past favorites.  Two things made me decide to do a separate post for each one; they are all special in their unique story line and signature illustrations plus this tweet appeared in my feed yesterday.

#bookaday Dinosaur vs. School by @bobshea http://t.co/xlWiHXKScf. Roar! Roar! Roar! This book wins!
— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) July 10, 2014

For the next few weeks get ready to read about fun-filled new titles set within and outside the walls of schools and classrooms.

Did you see a flash of red?  Did you hear an earth-shattering sound?  Did you catch a whiff of victory in the air?  If so you must be in the presence of Bob Shea's boisterous bundle of get-up-and-go grinning and roaring his way through his latest escapade, Dinosaur vs. School (Disney Hyperion Books).

ROAR!
I'M A DINOSAUR!

Clad in plaid our bold hero is off to school for the first time.  Even though you would hardly label him as shy, he isn't quite sure if he will make any new friends.  Wait a minute.  Yes!

DINOSAUR
WINS!

Next he and his pals head over to the treasure trove provided for pretend, trying on everything to get the right look.  Coming up is crafting at the art center.  (His teacher might need to re-stock her supply of googly eyes.)  Snack time offers more opportunities for creativity and munching on a delicious treat.

Musical instruments for everyone!  It's time to feel the beat.  It's a symphony of sizzling sound.

Pals, dress-up, gooey glue, tasty goodies and home-made melodies are adding up to the winningest day this little guy has ever known.  What's that you say?  Oh.  This is not part of any plan these school chums imagined.  This could spell defeat for our daring dinosaur's future.  Win or lose, they need to choose.


As in the previous titles in this series, (Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, Dinosaur vs. The Potty, Dinosaur vs. The Library and Dinosaur vs. Santa, Bob Shea addresses everyday situations with clarity and care.  Boys and girls attending school for the first time can be apprehensive about who they will met, what they will eat, and how they will spend their day.  Shea turns each situation into a win with readers feeling like they can roar their way to success.  His use of the same repetitious phrases from the previous titles provides a comfortable cadence for his young audience; like spending time with a best friend.

Red, bright yellow and shades of blue boldly beckon to readers on the dust jacket and matching book case.  The background of a piece of enlarged lined writing paper pairs well with the theme and the snazzy coat Dinosaur is wearing.  Take note and laugh out loud at Dinosaur's lunch box; these tiny details add to the overall distinction of this title.  On the back Bob Shea highlights a lively group of students laughing together.  Opening and closing endpapers in the hoped-for argyle pattern foreshadow the story's end.  On the title page all the characters are introduced to readers resting in colorful squares before they begin their school day.

A kaleidoscope of hues heightens the spirited classmates enjoying every activity.   A checkered pattern and real objects add variation to the vivid backgrounds.  Once Dinosaur is in the classroom Shea introduces each challenge with a line of one or more friends following him, ready to participate.  Given all the happiness and smiling faces in the first five portions of Dinosaur's day, it makes for perfect comic contrast when the final request is asked.  The expressions on the little cat, fox, pig, cloud, horse and Dinosaur are hilarious.

One of my favorite illustrations is of Dinosaur and his classmates gathering their musical instruments and playing them.  The combination of complimentary colors evokes a sense of music.  Shea includes all the words for the sounds each instrument makes as part of his design.


Written and illustrated by Bob Shea Dinosaur vs. School is an exceptional title in an already well-loved series.  Readers and listeners alike will be hard-pressed not to roar along with Dinosaur and company. (I don't care how old you are.)  Who wouldn't want to be a part of a classroom with this guy?

For more about Bob Shea and his other books please follow the link embedded in his name to access his website.

I encourage you to get a copy of this delightful book at your favorite indie book store.  I got mine at McLean & Eakin in Petoskey.  Or visit your local library.

What's That You Say?

Raise your hand if you've ever been told "Don't play with your food!"  I'm not necessarily talking about the same type of fun as the little rascal twelve pages into No David! by David Shannon has.  I'm thinking how you might be moving your peas off to the side of your plate as you gaze off in the distance dreaming of hot fudge sundaes or swirling around your mashed potatoes as you envision the twister in The Wizard of Oz.  At my house we never really played with our food much because it meant eating a meal would take longer.  This translated into not being able to go back outside to play until dark snuffed out the daylight.

Author illustrator Bob Shea takes this activity to a whole new level.  Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play with Your Food! (Disney Hyperion Books) introduces readers to the most monstrous monster of all.  What this grumpy guy cannot know is he is about to meet his match, a whole bunch of crafty cottontails.

Rahhhhh!
Don't make me come
up there, mountain!


Look out!  Flowers, trees, the lake, birds and the sun are all victims of this vile creature's verbal wrath as he strolls about the countryside. Uh, oh!  It's three sweet rabbits playing checkers.

Buddy the monster is hungry.  Buddy the monster is going to gobble up those bunnies.  Buddy the monster is stopped in his tracks.

It would seem the happy hoppers are just about to make cupcakes.  Having a fun-filled game of hide-and-seek as they bake to perfection is exactly what the foursome does.  Full to bursting Buddy, after nine of these delicious delights, promises to come back tomorrow to devour these clever chefs.

To Buddy's surprise it is much too hot to jump into his mouth the next day.  It's off to the local swimming hole for giggles and grins.  Tuckered out from all the frolic and floating, this monster softly walks away from the sleeping hares.  Perhaps another time would be better for keeping his vow.

A Stripey-Stripe Club and a visit to the carnival are Buddy's final undoing.  When he visits the bunnies again they deliver the fateful phrase.  Down in the dumps, Buddy ponders his position and makes a startling discovery.


There are words in stories, dialog and descriptions, which can be read silently with great effect but to be truly enjoyed they beg to be read aloud.  This book is one of those times when you will find it hard not to give voice to the narrative before you've even turned the title page.  Bob Shea's notable use of language shines forth as strong as Buddy's booming voice and personality.  His knack for knowing exactly what the child's ear wants to hear is exceptional.  Here's an example.

"No, please, no!
We were about to make cupcakes!"

CUPCAKES?
"What kind of monster do you
think I am?" said Buddy.
"Cupcakes first.
Bunnies for dessert."


You have to admit the large-eyed, orange-striped, horned monster feeding a cupcake into his cavernous mouth, as bunnies merrily hop among others on the front jacket and cover, is a definite draw.  On the back your curiosity is peaked by the peaceful scene of the same creature blissfully asleep as five rabbits cuddle around him.  On the opening endpapers among a forest of tiny triangular trees Buddy is roaring his way toward three smiling bunnies playing badminton.  (At this point I'm laughing already.  Badminton?) Traveling along he gives the mountains a piece of his mind.  He growls out the title.  On the verso and dedication pages his obvious distaste for flowers is shouted out among a field of blossoms.

Backgrounds in retro shades of green, orange, pink, blue, gold, rosy red (and black) highlight his vivid, bold and lively illustrations.  Heavy black lines accentuate Buddy's ravenous nature and form in contrast to the dainty white shapes of the (cough) innocent bunnies. Extra attention given to details elevates the already humorous tale; tee-hees appearing as ears pop up from behind a turtle or out of a hole, bunny grins wearing cupcake frosting, or Buddy holding a drink as he drifts in an inner tube.  You have to wonder what particular tune might be spinning on the record player as gazillions of be-bopping bunnies surround a high-stepping Buddy on the closing endpapers.

One of my favorite two-page spreads is Buddy riding The Whip with seven other bunnies.  He's looking a tad bit queasy.  They are looking pretty pleased with themselves.  The background is black with bright blue, green, red and yellow splashes of color shooting off like fireworks around the spinning cars.  A texture similar to block printing shines through in some of the elements.


Who would have thought the food you are not supposed to play with is alive?  Author illustrator Bob Shea imagined it, bringing loads of laughter to any readers of Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play with Your Food!  If you think your listeners are going to be content to hear this only one time, think again.  I can already hear the chorus of "Read it again!"

For more information about Bob Shea and his work please follow the link embedded in his name above.  To hear the pronunciation of his name follow this link to TeachingBooks.Net.  Julie Danielson hosts Bob Shea and artwork from this book at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  Enjoy the video below where we get a look at the process involved in creating this title.

Appreciating The Good

Oh, sometimes it's so hard to not to listen to the green-eyed monster as they whisper in your ear.  You look at one person or another focusing on what they can do or have; abilities, qualities or objects which they posses and you do not.  You forget the importance of each individual, the necessity of all to be a part of a larger whole.

As you dwell on what they have, your confidence, your self-esteem, sinks lower.  Before you know it, the green-eyed monster has taken up residence in your heart.  Written and illustrated by Bob Shea, Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great (Disney Hyperion Books) takes a good look at jealousy, envy, so you know exactly what to do the next time it tries to wiggle its way into your thoughts.

Things are a lot different around here since that Unicorn moved in.

Goat was feeling mighty good riding his bike to school. Like a balloon getting stuck by the proverbial pin, his feeling good left in a flash when Unicorn flew, yes flew, right over his head.  Let's compare this...riding a bike to school or flying to school. Hmmmm....

Goat's plate of marshmallow squares looks pathetic when Unicorn makes it rain, yes rain, cupcakes.  No wonder Unicorn is surrounded by adoring friends.  Perhaps Goat can regain some attention with his talent show dancing.  Nope.  Unicorn looks like the latest winner of Dancing With The Stars. How can Goat's coin trick compare to Unicorn turning things into gold?  Yes, readers, he turns things into gold.

Goat sinks into a verbal fit of despair, frustration and resentment.  Quite frankly, who can blame him?  Sitting down to eat his favorite slice of pizza, you-know-who comes strolling up to investigate.  From then on, the other side of the coin is revealed.

Unicorn is absolutely over-the-moon with the smell and taste of pizza covered in goat cheese.  Unicorns don't have cheese.  In fact Unicorn starts to point out other qualities Goat has that Unicorn lacks.  From dreams of superhero rescues to a fast friendship Goat and Unicorn figure out they are like two pieces in a perfect puzzle.


From his astute observations of people and his ability to be direct, Bob Shea's narrative has purposeful appeal for the intended audience.  From the time I opened the cover, until I turned the final page, the smile on my face got bigger and bigger.  He puts into words exactly how children feel, what they say and think.  Goat's telling of this tale is true to life, lively and filled with language sure to elicit laughs in abundance.  Here is an excerpt.

Whoa! What is up with your hooves?
Those things are
 out of control. 

Oh, these?
These bad boys
are "cloven."
It means they're 
split at the end.


The matching jacket and cover, front and back, foreshadow the extent of Goat's attitude toward the neighborhood newcomer.  The bright colors, as varied as the rainbow which seems to follow Unicorn, placed on the pure white background throughout much of the book, add to the overall attraction.  The rows of vibrant cupcakes on the opening and closing endpapers not only showcase Unicorn's gifts but offer the possibility of a happy resolution to the story.  The illustration on the title page might be my favorite; a smiling, cheerful-eyed rain cloud with a tiny heart sprouting out, looking at Unicorn dancing in a yellow circle as rain falls every place else, including on a disgruntled-looking Goat.

The shapes of Bob Shea's characters in a variety of bright hues, with his black lines added to distinguish personalities and individual traits, are expressive and downright endearing.  The altered, bold backgrounds are reflected in opposite pages; a clever design technique.  The contrast between Goat's efforts and those of Unicorn are pictured so well, all readers will respond to the hilarity.  Despite Goat's original mood all the elements of this title work together to create an uplifting whole.


The single factor about Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great written and illustrated by Bob Shea, found in those children's books which have stood the taste of time and more than a few titles this year, is the care given, the details addressed in words and pictures.  Bob Shea loves what he does and it shows.  Whether reading with a few children or a larger group, this title is a winner.  Reading it aloud is a joy.

Please follow the link embedded in Bob Shea's name above to his official website.  This link is to an interview at babble.  Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, interviews him at Kirkus here.  Enjoy the trailers.

Roaring Into Christmas

When a kitten, puppy, bright red dinosaur or new baby enter our lives, it's a welcome reminder of all those firsts we may have forgotten.  To watch them experience rolling in the spring grass, jumping in a mud puddle, the sound of thunder, wading through a pile of leaves or running into a snow drift is like stepping back in time.  Our everyday activities taken for granted are completely new adventures for them.

Wait a minute!  Bright red dinosaur?  Yes, the toothy toddler is boldly back, flashing his irresistible grin roaring after each and every victory.  He has met and matched bedtime, the potty and the library (Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, 2008), (Dinosaur vs. the Potty, 2010) and (Dinosaur vs. the Library, 2011)(reviewed here).  Whether the folks at the North Pole are ready or not, Dinosaur vs. Santa written and illustrated by Bob Shea clearly reveals our prehistoric pal is as rambunctious as ever.

ROAR!

I'M A DINOSAUR!

ROAR!

I'm getting ready for Santa!

Coming in from the snowy cold our fearless friend first tackles his letter to Santa.  It's a win for Dinosaur.  Next up is decorating, followed by presents for Mom and Dad; both wins.  

Oh, oh...this might be a problem.  Can he resist the cookies and milk left out for Santa?  Or even more challenging, trying to sleep on Christmas Eve?  

Restless he hears the sound each and every child longs to hear, the jingle of bells.  Don't go downstairs, Dinosaur.  Santa might see you.  Did Santa see you?  Sleep and Christmas morning tell the tale.

With a pattern readers have come to appreciate Bob Shea's spare narrative proposes a task amid a a series of roars, followed by a flurry of activity with a tremendous single roar and then those two triumphant words, 

DINOSAUR WINS!

The most enjoyed (and tempting) moments in preparation for Christmas at home, letter writing, decorating the tree, hand-crafting gifts for parents, setting out the cookies and milk and the anticipation of Santa's arrival are written with great care for the intended audience by Bob Shea. Word choice captures the exact state of affairs; for cookies and milk it is Dinosaur versus...being extra good!  The series of segments when Dinosaur is avoiding sleep are hilarious as is the trip down and back up the stairs when he hears Santa.

Readers are treated to a seasonal front and back jacket and cover, the one a green background with Dinosaur decked out for the holidays, a foiled candy cane stripe down the left side, the other red as Dinosaur kneels in front of the tree on Christmas morning.  Endpapers, opening and closing, are in a three-hued yellow green argyle pattern with a grinning, dancing, Santa hat-wearing Dinosaur in the center of some of the diamonds.

Combining traditional drawing with digital, Shea's bold painted lines are filled with bright colors.  The addition of actual items, crayons, Christmas ornaments, a tube of glitter, Christmas cookies, printed papers, are part of his unique, inviting style.  Tiny details set his work apart; the pinpoint white breeze lines when Dinosaur leaves the door open, the different Christmas sweaters he wears, when he puts his letter in the mailbox to Santa he remembers to wear his boots, the glass holding the milk is a Christmas glass or the small pink heart near his Dad when he opens his gift from Dinosaur.  

Every DINOSAUR WINS! is different in color, pattern and font but reflects the event.  As each set of circumstances is captured in text, the illustrations elevate the moods, happiness, caution, indecision, fear and joy.  You can't help but grin when he is or feel empathy, especially those last four facial expressions before he drifts off to sleep.

Bob Shea has penned and pictured an outstanding addition to his Dinosaur series, Dinosaur vs. Santa.  Make sure you share this book with one or many, using your best roaring dinosaur voice.  Everyone wins.

By following the link to my previous review you can gain further insight into Bob Shea's process in creating his illustrations.  The link embedded in his name will take you to his website as well as his Facebook page.  Tucked in the back of this book is a very special piece of paper for readers to write their letter to Santa.  

A Rip Roaring Roar of a Read

That riotous, red, rascal, starring character in Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and Dinosaur vs. The Potty, has returned.  Gleaming, sharp-toothed grin spread across his face, as he sits surrounded by books, announces his newest adventure, Dinosaur vs. The Library.  Dinosaur is leaving home to go to his favorite place, (and mine) the library.

Diamond shapes, in vivid, spring green, argyle-style, frame two small graphics of Dinosaur sitting amid books, reading and carrying a stack of books on both the front and back endpapers.  Clearly he loves books and reading.  Now that's my kind of Dinosaur.

Turning to the first double page layout readers are greeted with a shiny bright red page on the left and on the right an equally big, bright red Dinosaur arms outstretched yelling out loud,

ROAR!
I'M A DINOSAUR!

Readers can't help but grin as he is, proclaiming that he is roaring his way to the library extending an invitation for all to roar right along with him.  He roars down the steps and across the yard until it's Dinosaur versus a cow!

 Mooing as a cow should Dinosaur hollers his challenging roar but cow's attempts at roaring don't measure up and Dinosaur wins.  No surprise there, Dinosaur is a champion roarer.  He leaves cow happily roaring away next to a jar of chocolate syrup, spoon on the ground and Dinosaur---carrying a glass of chocolate milk.  (Ahhh...the memory of making all those glasses of chocolate milk as I was waitressing my way through college for hoards of children that came to the restaurant.)

Peeping chicks, a shy turtle and a sad owl are no match for our prehistoric hero as he happily rambles toward his destination, the library.  No one has ever roared in the library before.  Dinosaur lets loose a

ROAR!
ROAR!
ROAR!

An unseen voice implores him to use his inside voice.  Can he do that?  Will Dinosaur be able to not roar during story time?  Can he keep quiet for a entire tale?  Who will win?

Shea's thick, simple black line drawings colored with brilliant, primary colors speak to the heart of the child that maintains residence in all of us.  Varied font styles in alternate hues declare DINOSAUR WINS! adding to the visual appeal.  Tucked among the shelves at the library is a copy of his book, Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith.  An earlier publication, New Socks, is the selection for story time. 

It's the attention to the added details, vibrant colors and spare text which speaks volumes elevating the overall appeal of this title; that and the perfect ending of course.

In response to an email I sent, Shea graciously described his illustrative process:

I work both traditionally and digitally. I am constantly sketching in my notebook. That’s how I work out how the page will look. Then I draw the illustrations larger and trace them to make them neat. Then I take that neat sketch and draw it again in ink with a brush.

Then I scan that ink drawing into the computer and color it in and add details. I like to add all sorts of things to my illustrations. A photograph, a scanned texture, whatever it takes to tell the story.

Bob Shea has a personal web site, a page on Facebook and his Dinosaur books have a wonderful place at Disney. At the Disney site is information about each of the books, loads of videos and printables.  Have fun and welcome abroad the fan train for Dinosaur vs.......