Anthony Browne Bookseller Suzanna Hermans Suzanna recommends customers who love vivid, colorful illustrations those looking for something beyond the plain old concept book monkey fans art enthusiasts (shelve a few in the art section!) kindergarten teachers looking to throw a little evolution into the curriculum Anthony Browne has rescued us from the doldrums of repetitive concept books with his gorgeous One Gorilla. His illustrations of primates are stunning, and there s a great nod to the human-primate connection at the end. This should be shelved in a prime spot in your picture-book section, not hidden away in concepts this is a book that needs to be faced out! One Gorilla: A Counting Book Anthony Browne ISBN: 978-0-7636-6352-0 $16.99 ($20.00 CAN) On sale February 12, 2013 Picture Book Age 3 and up Suzanna Hermans Oblong Books & Music Rhinebeck, NY
Sally Gardner Bookseller Marika McCoola Marika recommends readers ages twelve and older who love dystopian literature teens who feel out of place in school (especially due to learning disabilities or their economic backgrounds) boys looking for a chilling read both teen and adult book groups adults who love 1984 or The Handmaid s Tale adults who read a lot of young-adult fiction The Motherland culls those who are different, unwanted, or independent. Standish is different, and his grandfather has secrets hidden in the basement secrets the Motherland will kill to protect. But once the Motherland notices you, there s nothing you can do to avoid becoming maggot meat except, perhaps, make one last stand. Both chilling and stunning, Maggot Moon is reminiscent of both 1984 and The Handmaid s Tale. Author Sally Gardner has created a haunting tale that deserves applause. Maggot Moon Sally Gardner ISBN: 978-0-7636-6553-1 $16.99 On sale February 12, 2013 Young adult fiction Age 12 and up Marika McCoola The Odyssey Bookshop South Hadley, MA
Grahame Baker-Smith Bookseller Kim Dalley Kim recommends fans of Where the Wild Things Are, Shaun Tan (The Arrival, Lost & Found), Peter Sís (The Conference of the Birds, The Tree of Life), Arthur Rackham, and older classic folktales such as Rapunzel and Snow White parents of imaginative children teens who are trying to understand their parents and who want to continue to dream artists and collectors of children s books with phenomenal illustration art students who want to see a masterful example of Photoshop as a tool in children s book illustration In Grahame Baker-Smith s FArTHER, A Kate Greenaway Award winner for distinguished illustration, a father who dreams of flying does not return home from war, but because he has passed down his dreams, his son makes them come true. The book reads like a dream sequence and begs to be read again and again just to pick up all the symbols in the details of the imaginative artwork. FArTHER is a story with many layers, where sadness ultimately becomes hope and renewal. Kim Dalley Toadstool Bookshop Peterborough, NH steampunk and technology fans who will love the flying contraptions the father designs kids who have lost a parent (especially in Iraq or Afghanistan) anyone looking for a title to feature for Father s Day FArTHER Grahame Baker-Smith ISBN: 978-0-7636-6370-4 $17.99 ($20.00 CAN) On sale February 26, 2013 Picture Book Ages 5 7
Philippa Leathers Bookseller Heather Robicheau Heather recommends teachers of grades pre-k to second grade who are teaching kids to have courage and believe in themselves parents whose young children are nervous or get frightened easily shoppers looking for a great gift for most any child anyone who wants to read a story about facing your fears The Black Rabbit is an adorable, clever book that will entertain kids of all ages. When Rabbit is followed by a huge Black Rabbit, no matter how fast he runs he just can t seem to lose him. Kids will quickly figure out that the Black Rabbit is Rabbit s shadow and will enjoy being in on the joke. A sweet story about fear, friendship, finding courage, and believing in yourself. Heather Robicheau Water Street Bookstore Exeter, NH The Black Rabbit Philippa Leathers ISBN: 978-0-7636-5714-7 $14.99 ($17.00 CAN) On sale January 22, 2013 Picture Book Ages 3 6
Annette LeBlanc Cate Bookseller Broche Fabian is chirping about: Broche recommends bird enthusiasts and animal lovers of all types who will appreciate both the amount of information and the appealing presentation each bird is given a real personality as well as a complete rundown of physical traits nature/environment enthusiasts who are interested in the natural world and will appreciate this discussion of habitats, the environment, and the impact of both birds and humans Introduce children to the feathered wonders around them through this essential birding guide. For the beginning birders in your life, this book answers what we see and hear around us and why it is important to pay attention and it s funny, too! Eye-catching colored pencil illustrations will help children identify their backyard birds, right down to the last little detail. A reference index with author s notes is included for older children wanting more information. Broche Fabian World s Only Curious George Store Cambridge, MA eight- to-fourteen-year-olds who like to read nonfiction or have nonfiction read to them parents going on a vacation in a naturefilled area with their children grandparents with a large backyard who have grandchildren coming to visit Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard Annette LeBlanc Cate ISBN: 978-0-7636-4561-8 $15.99 ($18.00 CAN) On sale March 12, 2013 Nonfiction Picture Book Age 8 and up
Stephan Pastis Bookseller Robert McDonald Robert recommends fans of Stephan Pastis s comic strip series, Pearls Before Swine. parents and educators looking for books for reluctant readers ages nine to twelve everyone who has ever read and enjoyed the Diary of Wimpy Kid and Big Nate series kids who wanted Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to have a tad more surreal humor kids who like detective stories with polar bears (in other words, kids who like their books fast-paced and not too serious) Meet Timmy Failure, the endearingly clueless CEO of one of the best detective agencies in town and the only one run by an inept but well-meaning grade-school kid. Timmy s adventures with friends, enemies, and his polar bear sidekick make for laugh-out-loud reading tinged with a surprising amount of poignancy. Stephan Pastis s illustrations add layers of hilarity to this tale of a lovable misfit. For everyone who has ever read and enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate series. Robert McDonald The Book Stall at Chestnut Court Winnetka, IL Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made Stephan Pastis ISBN: 978-0-7636-6050-5 $14.99 ($14.99 CAN) On sale February 26, 2013 Illustrated Middle-grade Fiction Ages 8 12
Adina Rishe Gewirtz Bookseller Jane Knight Jane recommends Fans of storytellers such as Katherine Paterson, Kate DiCamillo, and Jacqueline Woodson Parent/child book groups looking to facilitate discussion about families, communication skills, and secrecy Middle-grade classroom teachers looking for a read-aloud that will appeal to both genders and that contains essential elements for dynamic group discussion, including fundamental moral dilemmas and themes of courage and identity Students who might struggle with reading, yet seek mature content The story of Annie, Rew, Gran, and Andrew Snow is a self-contained microcosm of perfection it is perfectly composed, perfectly paced, and concocted with the perfect balance of raw emotion, brutality, and redemption. Gewirtz s novel explores the power of blood ties, language, and place, and the power we have within ourselves to forgive. A beautiful debut. Zebra Forest Adina Rishe Gewirtz ISBN: 978-0-7636-6041-3 $15.99 ($18.00 CAN) On sale April 9, 2013 Middle-grade Fiction Ages 9 12 Jane Knight Bear Pond Books Montpelier, VT