Tag Archives: out of print

Cinderella

Posted on March 3, 2014 | Comments Off on Cinderella

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This is the version of Cinderella I remember from my own childhood; I never forgot the golden dress and was thrilled to find this copy. My youngest loves fairy tales and we enjoy reading them together. This retelling hits all of the notes you would expect (pumpkin, fairy godmother, transformation) while leaving out the gory bits (we’re going to be waiting a number of years before reading the Grimm Brothers’ version). Most importantly, this book is so beautiful he doesn’t miss Disney’s talking mice.

Author: Eveyln Andreas/The Grimm Brothers/Charles Perrault
Illustrator: Ruth Ives

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The Complete Brambly Hedge

Posted on February 20, 2014 | Comments Off on The Complete Brambly Hedge

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This book is a compilation of cozy, old-fashioned stories about a community of mice in England.  (It really feels quite British, at least to this American.)  There is lots of loving discussion of food and games and activities (the creation of a beautiful ice hall to have a Snow Ball in is a favorite).  But the sweet stories may just be an excuse for the tremendously detailed, wonderful illustrations.  The many cross section pictures (like the one above) are particular favorites.

Author:  Jill Barklem
Illustrator:  Jill Barklem

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The King of Pizza

Posted on February 15, 2014 | Comments Off on The King of Pizza

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The king of Naples has everything he could possibly want, but nothing satisfies him.  Only when he leaves the palace and learns to share with others is he able find true happiness.  Fortunately, a spoonful of sugar (or slice of pizza) helps this message go down very easily.

The boys enjoy “ewwwwing” at the the endless weird fancy dishes the king eats (glazed jellyfish in octopus ink sauce garnished with twinkling starfish, anyone?) and they greatly enjoy hearing about the glories of the pizza that inspires him to change his ways.  This book is fairly long for a read aloud, but their attention never waivers.

Author: Sylvester Sanzari
Illustrator: John E. Hurst

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Ice Cream Everywhere!

Posted on February 13, 2014 | Comments Off on Ice Cream Everywhere!

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This very simple early reader has sweet pictures and rhymes that are not forced.  But the biggest draw, of course, is that it is about one of the boys’ very favorite subjects.

Author:  Marjorie Blain Parker
Illustrator:  Stephanie Roth

 

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Usborne Touchy-Feely series

Posted on February 3, 2014 | Comments Off on Usborne Touchy-Feely series

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This series is nothing if not predictable.  A little white mouse says “That’s not my [robot/monster/train/etc.]” over and over, explaining why the item on each page is not the one he is looking for (usually based on their textures or colors).  At the end of each book, the little mouse exclaims “That’s my [robot/monster/train, etc.]!” and then explains why.  (For example, “Its antennae are so sparkly.”)  These books were very popular through the toddler years–we had the robot, monster, and train versions and there were lots more at daycare.  Strangely, the whole series is now out of print.

Author:  Fiona Watt
Illustrator:  Rachel Wells

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Baby Cat Nicky 123

Posted on January 26, 2014 | Comments Off on Baby Cat Nicky 123

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When my oldest was a young toddler, Baby Cat Nicky 123 was his favorite book.  He loved having it read to him.  (Was it the cats?  The rhythm?  The bright colors?)  And he loved chewing on it so much that we had to buy another copy.  This came as a complete surprise; I had bought the book on a whim to compliment the (excellent) Nicky’s Jazz for Kids CD (which is still in regular rotation in my car).  Although this book is no longer in demand, well over four years later, I still have its text completely memorized.

Author:  Carol Friedman
Illustrator:  Carol Friedman

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I Love You, Mister Bear

Posted on January 13, 2014 | Comments Off on I Love You, Mister Bear

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Continuing our mini-trend of children and beloved toys, this is a sweet and quiet book about a girl who finds a worse-for-wear bear at a tag sale.  She purchases him (with some help from dad), repairs him (with some help from mom), bathes him, and loves him.  When my oldest was a toddler, this was his very favorite book for a long, long time.  I read it to him over and over and over again.  Now he barely seems to remember it (and his little brother has not taken much of an interest in it).  But I suspect this book will live with us forever.

Author:  Sylvie Wickstrom
Illustrator:  Sylvie Wickstrom

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The Big Pets

Posted on December 21, 2013 | Comments Off on The Big Pets

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The girl was small and the cat was big.
And on certain nights
she rode on his back
to the place where
the Milk-Pool was.

Another simple and beautiful bedtime tale.  This has role reversals, great illustrations, and lots of creativity.  Perfect for  a quick and cozy read before bed.

Author: Lane Smith
Illustrator: Lane Smith

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The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate

Posted on December 9, 2013 | Comments Off on The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate

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A fierce little woman’s solitary life (filled with knitting, playing the bagpipes, and fishing) is suddenly interrupted by a self-proclaimed wicked pirate with an adorable parrot and an utterly unexpected, dark, secret.  A spirited standoff ensues with an surprising and very satisfying outcome.

The boys particularly love the parrot and pirate.  I’m partial to that fierce little knitting woman.  But we all love the very happy ending.

Author:  Joy Cowley
Illustrator:  Sarah Davis

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The Chocolate Cat

Posted on December 1, 2013 | Comments Off on The Chocolate Cat

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Who can resist a chocolate cat?  Not us.  This sumptuous book begins by introducing a chocolate maker who lives in a “drab little place,” has nearly no friends (or customers), and has forgotten how to smile.  His only companion, a chocolate-colored cat, is rather lazy and grumpy.  But then–

One day, for no particular reason, the chocolate maker made something different.  Suddenly, there were chocolate mice with crunchy pink-sugar tails everywhere.

And everything begins to change.  This book inspires rapt attention and much wide-eyed dreaming as we watch an inspired cat transform an entire town.

Author:  Sue Stainton
Illustrator:  Anne Mortimer

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