The Trees Say it is Fall

Trees are an obvious reminder of the changing seasons, a perfect visual example of the movement of time and weather. So reading a book to your little one about trees is a lovely way to share Autumn's entrance, almost as nice as going outside and playing under trees.

BOARD BOOKS

One Tree
A perfect book for the "green" family, it is printed on 98% post-consumer recycled materials with soy-based inks. AND IT IS CUTE TOO! Simple text describes the animals that live in and around the tree and how the tree changes with the changing seasons. The back two pages offer ecological tips to parents and children.



Leaves
Eyelike makes spectacular books with crisp clear photos that jump of the page. This board book shows different children playing with leaves; jumping in leaves, collecting leaves, turning leaves into masks.... It is perfect for toddlers that love looking pictures of other toddlers and babies.






EARLY READERS


The Autumn Leaf
Basic text with short sentences tells the story of two children that help the last leaf on the Oak overcome it's fears to fall to the ground. A very cute level 1 (or really a pre-reader, meaning it is easier than level 1)early reader and I give it bonus points for actually telling a STORY while describing the change in seasons. I actually wish it was in board book format, because I'd like to read it to my son Oscar, but at this stage in his life he would eat it, and the paper format wouldn't last a week.




The Secret Life of Trees
A science-focused level 2 reader, this means that it has real sentences, but the words are simple. I like that they talk about broad-leaf and deciduous trees. This is a good cheap read for any child that really wants to know ABOUT trees.






PICTURE BOOKS (STORIES)


Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
This is one of my all-time favorite books. Fletcher wants to help the tree keep it's leaves, but in the end he learns about he seasons. The final page has "flocking" which is book language for glitter, and actually it is very cute.








The Busy Tree
This is a new hardcover with beautiful illustrations and very simple text. I actually think the text is a bit young, suitable for ages 2-4 but too young for a five year old, but if you like beautiful artwork this is a book for you.






PICTURE BOOKS (SCIENCE)

Sky Tree
This is a fascinating and beautiful book that uses art to teach science and vice-versa. The artwork is gorgeous, and the idea is unique and original. Each page shows the tree in different weather in different seasons with sparse text. In the back there is a paragraph for each picture with instructions on what to look for artistically and scientifically.





Oak Tree
If you want to know all the scientific details about trees, photosynthesis and more (in a picture book format) this is the book for you. There is basic knowledge written in regular sized print at the top of the page, and more scientific follow-up knowledge in smaller print at the bottom of the page. I have to admit the two print sizes are somewhat distracting, especially when the bottom scientific half takes up more than half the page, but it is still a worthwhile book, one the scientifically minded child (and adult) will enjoy.


Because I am full of indecision, all the above mentioned tree books will be our "Book of the Week" this week, even though I should say book of the month, or book of whatever time period works for me at any random moment. I apologize for my inconsistency. But at least now store shoppers have eight books that are 20% off!

Falloween!

Here are some fun new titles for

Halloween and beyond!

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz
Just like the Ugly Duckling the Ugly Pumpkin just doesn't fit in, even the trees throw their apples at him. Actually the trees throwing their apples at him is one of my favorite illustrations. Finally, however the Ugly Pumpkin learns that he is a SQUASH! He makes other squash friends and enjoys a Thanksgiving feast. The rhyming text makes this book fun to read out loud.


Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
Well the adult parody on Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Bush by Gan Golan and Erich Origen had been on the Indie Bestseller list for over a month, so why not try a different sort of parody for kids with Goodnight Goon? The truth is the original Goodnight Moon is such a classic for all ages, these parodies work really well. Kids 4 to 9 will who like gross and gnarly Halloween images will love Goodnight Goon.

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
Okay, so sometimes I feel a bit like a one pony show, and I know I've written about it before, but this book is truly spectacular. INCREDIBLE illustrations, great text. The book can be read to kiddies year round, but the bats and darkness of nighttime do make it perfect for the upcoming haunted season. It is on the bestseller list, so it is 20% off at our store. I'm a bit annoyed with locals for not buying it as often as I think they should.

Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex
Great for the kids 7 to 12! Adam Rex's poetry is hilarius and snarky, and if you don't think kids like snarky you may not have noticed how well books like A Series of Unfortunate Events do in bookstores and on film. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich was a bestseller last year, and on the cover flap of Frankenstein Takes the Cake Adam Rex has a poem about his incentives for making this second Frankenstein book. Snarky, very snarky. Click here to see a you-tube video of Adam Rex reading the poem.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
written by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
I haven't been in the book selling business that long, just about three years, so I am giving myself a pat on the back for picking this title for our store BEFORE it went on the Bestseller list. It is a fall book, but it ends in winter, so it can be read in both season. The plot is super sickly sweet, but it touches even cynical me. Fletcher tries to help the tree keep its leaves, and feels badly when it can't be done. But then the snow comes, and when Fletcher sees the beautiful snow on the tree's branches, he realizes everything is okay.