Maw Books » A-D Author

Broom, Zoom! by Caron Lee Cohen, Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

Natasha Maw — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 06:01:15 +0000

Broom, Zoom! by Caron Lee Cohen, Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier is a book for the youngest of children.

A little witch with a big red pointy hat wants to take a late night flight on a broom but discovers that goblin is using it to sweep up spilled flour. After going back and forth about each needing the broom, the little witch helps goblin clean it up. Afterwards, she takes goblin on a broom ride.

The text is very simple. Most lines are only a few words.

“I want the broom.”
“I need the broom.”
“I want it.”
“I need it.”

Many spreads just have a single word. Makes for easy reading for those with the shortest attention spans. The illustrations are also simple with large swaths of flat color. I wasn’t in love with the character illustrations but a story of friendship and working together which the youngest children should enjoy for it’s simplicity.

Links of interest: Sergio Ruzzier website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. August 10, 2010.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 1416991131
Source: Review copy for 2010 Cybil’s nomination for which I am a 1st round panelist.
Broom Zoom is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Ollie’s Halloween by Oliver Dunrea

Natasha Maw — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:49:06 +0000

Ollie’s Halloween by Oliver Dunrea is just about the cutest Halloween picture book that I have read. Oliver Dunrea’s popular characters Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, BooBoo and Ollie all make an appearance in what can only be called an adorable tale.

Gossie is a wizard. Gertie is a chicken. Peedie is a dragon. BooBoo is a bunny. And Ollie is a mummy. It’s Halloween night and the goslings are all on the prowl. They hoot, they howl, they creep, they scare and they stalk. It’s Halloween night, a night to beware. But most important, it’s a night about sharing.

I love Oliver Dunrea’s books and this one also hits the mark. Love the characters, love the illustrations, love the story. If you have little ones in your house this Halloween, don’t miss picking up Ollie’s Halloween. You’ll want to add it to your permanent collection. It’s just too cute to miss.

Links of interest: Oliver Dunrea website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. September 6, 2010
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 0618532412
Source:Library. A 2010 Cybil’s nomination for which I am a 1st round panelist.
Ollie’s Halloween is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Hush, Baby Ghostling by Andrea Beaty, Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre

Natasha Maw — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:30:46 +0000

Hush, Baby Ghostling by Andrea Beaty and ilustrated by Pascal Lemaitre is the perfect bedtime Halloween book for the much younger set and one that won’t leave them frightened at all.

Mama ghost sings her sweet baby ghostling a soft bedtime lullaby:

Hush, Baby Ghostling.
The haunting hour is past.
The bats have ceased their swooping
and the dawn is coming fast.

So nestle safe beside me
in our happy haunted home,
And dream a dream of darkness
where the wild monsters roam.

Mama leaves a bit of darkness in the hall, in case he’s scared of the light and will reassure baby ghostling that the songs and laughter is just the wind outside. She’ll search the closet for that little boy with ten pink toes, blue eyes and golden hair who might give him a fright.

She sends him to bed with sweet kisses and dreams of hisses, howls, screeching owls, of bats and banshee cries. “Now dream a little nightmare while the ghoulies dance and sway. Dream a dream of darkness where the wild monsters play.” The book ends with hugs, kisses, and the whisper of I Love You.

Although I like Pascal Lemaitre’s illustrations in Andrea Beaty’s other books like Firefighter Ted and Doctor Ted, I’m not a huge fan of the illustrations here. It’s as though everything glows. And maybe it’s supposed to? But all in all, I can see past the illustrations to a cute bedtime lullaby. Great for those kids who will understand the turnabout of the words and how baby ghost is more scared of us than we are him!

Links of interest: Andrea Beaty website, Pascal Lemaitre website, Maw Books reviews of Firefighter Ted, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry. August 4, 2009
Hardcover 32 pages. ISBN 1416925457
Source: Review copy for 2009 Cybil’s nomination for which I was a panelist.
Hush, Baby Ghostling is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Bear in Underwear by Todd H. Doodler

Natasha Maw — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:50:52 +0000

I had to mention Bear in Underwear by Todd H. Doodler here on the blog because as many of you may remember we are thick in the middle of potty training around here (uh . . . for about a year actually). With a three day weekend here and with no plans to go anywhere we decided to hit it full force again. When I saw this book on the Cybil’s fiction picture book nomination list (for which I’m a panelist) I knew that it was one that I wanted to look at early on.

Sadly, as has been shown in my earlier posts about other potty training books, my sons love of potty training books does not necessarily translate to success on the potty. I wish he had has much enthusiasm for the potty has he does reading his books. I read Bear in Underwear three times back-to-back today with cries of “Again! Again!” We would have kept going if I wasn’t sick and my voice gave out. My husband also told me he read it a few times this morning as well. I did notice my five-year-old pick up the book later and read the text to himself from memory (to clarify: he’s not the one in need of help, that would he his little brother).

In Bear in Underwear, Bear is playing with his forest friends when he finds a backpack full of underwear. He tries on each pair looking for the perfect fit but they are either too big, too small, too loose, too silly, too girly, too dirty, or too itchy. It isn’t until he tries on a pair of tighty whiteys that he finds the perfect fit.

What you can’t tell from the cover illustration is that the underwear on the cover is plush. My boys thought that was hilarious. But their most favorite part of the story is seeing a back shot of Bear’s bum. They would laugh and laugh over that one a good long while. Overall, a good book for my boys. I told my youngest later, “Hey, you’re wearing underwear just like Bear!” to which he responded proudly, “Yes, I am!” A nice success until I found him in his bedroom slyly changing that wet underwear into a new dry pair. Sigh . . . off to hunt for another puddle somewhere.

Links of interest: Todd H. Doodler is a pseudonym for Todd Goldman (no surprise there – as soon as I saw the last name Doodler for a children’s author, I figured it was too good to be true). More book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Blue Apple Books. March 1, 2010
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1609050169
Source: Library copy. A 2010 Cybil’s nomination for which I am a 1st round panelist.
Bear in Underwear is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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The Widow’s Season by Laura Brodie

Natasha Maw — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 05:26:27 +0000

The Widow’s Season by Laura Brodie has a great first line, “Sarah McConnell’s husband had been dead three months when she saw him in the grocery store. He was standing at the end of the seasonal aisle, contemplating a display of plastic pumpkins, when, for one brief moment, he lifted his head and looked into her eyes.”

Did he fake his death? It could be possible. After all, he died in a freak flash flood and his body was never found. Was it his way out of their marriage? Or is she simply going crazy and imagining all of their encounters and conversations. Has her grief become so consuming that she no longer can tell reality from vision?

I was so anxious to get to the end of this book. No, not for it to be over. This is a haunting beautiful book. It could easily be called a ghost story but it’s so much more than a simple ghost story. It’s a story of marriage, of grief, of love, resolution, discontentment, starting over, loyalty, and the questioning of one’s sanity and reality.

I was anxious to get to the end of this book because Brodie perfectly convinced me, just like Sarah, that one can not be so sure about the realities they are experiencing. Was Sarah’s husband David really dead or was he really alive? As a reader, I honestly no longer knew. I wanted to believe that yes, he was really dead – a figment of Sarah’s imagination. But then the next chapter Brodie would easily convince me that he was really alive. A great depth and complexity of the characters and their relationships with each other. I love character driven novels and this one certainly is that.

I remember reading the ending of the book sitting on the couch with my husband, closing the book and then saying, “Ah! I can’t believe this book! “ And that was in a total good way.

I loved the widow’s support group that Sarah attended:

She had almost come to accept David’s appearances as a sign of mental breakdown, a delusion sparked by her isolation. But here were these women insisting that she wasn’t crazy, she was normal. Somehow the idea didn’t soothe her; a touch of insanity was preferable to the status quo.
She glanced over at Margaret, who was leaning against the kitchen doorway. “What do you think?”

Margaret hesitated, apparently choosing her words more carefully than usual.

“I think it’s going to be hard for you to have any closure until David’s body is found.”"

“Which means you think this is all in my head?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you don’t believe in ghosts?”

Again Margaret hesitated.

“I believe there is a lot more going on in this world than we can comprehend. Whether or not that includes ghosts, I don’t know. But I’ll say this much – if you are really seeing David, there must be a reason. Either he is somehow trying to reach you, or you are trying to reach him. Most likely the latter. There’s probably something unresolved in your mind.”

I really liked The Widow’s Season. Feels like the perfect book for the fall. I’d highly suggest reading this one curled up on the couch with a quilt on hand. And if you’re like me you won’t be able to put it down. I read the second-half of the book in one sitting.

Links of interest: Laura Brodie website, more book blogger reviews,
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Berkley Trade. June 2, 2009.
Paperback, 320 pages. ISBN 0425227650
Copy source: Review copy sent from the author
The Widow’s Season is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Adam Rex

Natasha Maw — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:45:59 +0000

In Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Adam Rex, Billy’s troubles begin when his mom says: “Billy Twitters, clean up your room, or we’re buying you a blue whale.” But Billy’s not worried, after all, it’s not like you can just have one delivered to your house overnight. They are the biggest animals in the world, ever.

But the next morning, there is a blue whale blocking the front door and it’s his responsibility to take him wherever he goes. So he takes him to school where Mr. Wembley notices and launches into a lecture on blue whales. His blue whale makes his life difficult on the playground. At home he has to wash and wax the whale, and check him for barnacles according to The Blue Whale Owner’s Manual. And let’s not think about trying to feed it. Billy really doesn’t care much for his blue whale, it is an awful lot of work. But then things begin to look up when Billy realizes that the blue whale just might be the answer to all of his problems.

I always pay attention to the end flaps of picture books. Most admittedly are boring and I love it when extra attention is paid here. The end flaps are old fashioned ads are funny and each tells a story on their own. The illustrations by Adam Rex are very entertaining. I do admit though that Billy Twitters looks very sickly.

Many of the spreads are wordless which just enhances the story while children take on part of the storytelling. This book is full of whale facts which kids will enjoy but they are seamlessly woven into the story. The illustrations also convey a lot of facts as well: size comparisons and a baleen explanation (you’ll just have to read the book or know a thing or two about blue whales for an explanation of that one).

A very unique picture book. Well worth taking a look at.

Links of interest: Mac Barnett website, Adam Rex website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Hyperion Book. June 23, 2009
Hardcover, 48 pages. ISBN 0786849584
Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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My Goldfish by Barroux

Natasha Maw — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 03:00:01 +0000

If you are a parent of young children and don’t currently have a goldfish in your house then I would not recommend My Goldfish by Barroux. After you read this book together they will beg you for a goldfish of their very own. Every time you go to the store, they will beg you to go to the fish display. They will be very upset when you just look at the fish as opposed to immediately summing a clerk over right away to pick out which fish you will naturally take home.

But if you have a fish at home and perhaps are looking for a way to get rid of that fish, oddly enough My Goldfish will help you in that area as well. This book just happens to end with the very old goldfish jumping out the bowl and leaving. Where too? To swim with the great white fish of course (perhaps they’re white because it’s fish heaven).

I love the big thick lines and bold color in the illustrations for My Goldfish. The fish bowl is front and center in each picture. And the fish is quite talented as it’s proud owner would love to tell you. He’s strong. He loves to dress up for Halloween (my boys favorite picture spread), he loves to sing, he even goes on vacation and comes back sunburned. Some days he lives like a pig and must have his bowl changed everyday, other days he acts like he might be in love.

A fun look at pet ownership although I suspect that reading this book would actually be more entertainment than watching a goldfish. So for now (and hopefully forever) you will find no fish at our house.

Links of interest: More book blogger reviews.
Genre: Picture Book,, Fiction. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. January 20, 2009
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 080285334X
Copy source: Review copy for 2009 Cybils picture book nomination for which I was a panelist.
My Goldfish is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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First Come the Zebra by Lynne Barasch

Natasha Maw — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:00:48 +0000

Kenya is the beautiful location for a great migration of animals coming in from neighboring Tanzania. Each animal including the zebra, which comes first, the wildebeest, and the gazelle’s take just what they need from the land. By sharing the land there will be plenty for all and peace among the grazers. It is this analogy which is the basis of the story in the picture book First Come the Zebra by Lynne Barasch.

Early one morning Abaani, a young Maasai boy wakes up early, as he does each day, to take his cattle out to graze for the day. He discovers along the road a new vendor stall tended by a Kikuyu boy. Knowing that the Kikuyu have begun to farm on the grasslands needed for the Maasai’s cattle, he begins to hurl insults at the boy. Haki, the Kikuyu boy, indignantly returns the insults.

But when a nearby baby wanders to close to three warthogs in the area, both boys act quickly and together to safely return the child to his mother. Each begin to think that the other boy must be all right but yet they each go home and say nothing. Each day Abaani continues to herd his cattle and pass Haki’s stall. Each are reluctant to speak with each other. Finally, they both overcome their apprehension and begin to play mancala together each day. They even realize that they could benefit from trading Haki’s fruit and vegetables for Abaani’s milk.

Just as the zebra, the wildebeest and the gazeel share the grasslands, the boys hope that the Maasai and the Kikuyu will also find their own peaceful way to share the land.

A very touching book about overcoming prejudices, forging friendships and looking beyond conflict towards the hope of a peaceful coexistence.

At the back of the book are some excellent resources including an authors’s note about the people of Kenya, how to play the game mancala, a map of the area and where Kenya is located in Africa. There is also a pronunciation guide and glossary for the words that children would be unfamiliar with in the story including the tribe names, sayings, animals such as gazelle, warthog, and wildebeest. It is always attention to these kinds of details and resources that takes a picture book to the next level for me.

Links of interest: Lynn Barasch website, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Lee & Low Books, July 1, 2009.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1600603653
Source: Review copy for a 2009 Cybil’s nomination for which I was a panelist.
First Come The Zebra is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear by David Bruins and Hilary Leung

Natasha Maw — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 05:09:25 +0000

Ninja’s, cowboy’s and bears. What more could two little boys want? I mean really. That’s all you have to say.

Ninja’s.

Cowboy’s.

Bears.

That’s it. End of story. End of review.

(Wait. Really? End of review? Let’s at least squeeze the name of this adorable picture book in here somewhere: The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear by David Bruins and Hilary Leung. Did I say adorable? Take that back. Really adorable.)

Now it’s the end of review.

Links of interest: Hilary Leung blog, more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Kids Can Press. September 1, 2009.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 1554534860
Copy source: Review copy for 2009 Cybil’s nomination consideration for which I was a panelist.
The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars

Natasha Maw — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:05:12 +0000

Winner of the 1971 Newbery Medal, The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars is the story of the longest day of 14-year-old Sara’s life. Her summer has already been awful and boring, she thinks that her feet are too big and she’s jealous of her beautiful older sister Wanda. Sara, her sister and their little brother Charlie, who is mentally handicapped (the book written in the ’70’s labels him as retarded – I would suspect some type of autism), live with their Aunt who has been taking care of them since their mother died six years ago. Their father, who only visits on weekends, has become a distant figure in Sara’s life.

Sara is fiercely devoted to Charlie but also feels as though she can never get a moment alone without him. One night, after having watched the swans at the nearby lake, Charlie goes missing. That next morning a desperate search takes place to find him, and Sara is certain that he’s gotten lost when trying to find the swans again. The story centers around Sara’s search for Charlie. The Summer of the Swans has a rather simple story line but around it revolves a story of family dynamics and coming-of age-angst.

As I’m attempting to read all of the Newbery books, I’m glad to have read The Summer of the Swans but I doubt I’ll be holding on to this one. I wanted to know what happened to Charlie and if they’d find him but otherwise, not much else stood out for me. If anything, I enjoyed the process of reading a children’s book written in the ’70s and getting a kick out of all the TV show’s that Sara watched. That, and taking notice of how an author treated a character with a disability at a time when not much was understood about them. Certainly, not a favorite Newbery but not particularly terrible either. Meh.

Links of interest: more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Puffin. 1981. Originally published 1970.
Paperback, 142 pages. ISBN B000OJ5ZLQ
Source copy: Own
The Summer of the Swans is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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