SLJ invites teachers to use Huff & Puff

Exploring Cut Outs. Gather a collection of titles that use cut-outs / die-cut in their illustrations. Include titles such as Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s First the Egg and Lemons are Not Red, Petr Horacek’s Choo Choo, Claudia Rueda’s Huff & Puff, and Lizi Boyd’s Inside Outside. Read through the titles together, discussing what purposes the cut out serve and how they enhance the meaning of each book. Next provide students with a variety of art materials and invite them to play with using cut outs to tell a story or to explain a concept. School Library Journal

A SLJ starred review for Hungry Bunny

«“A first choice for libraries.” –School Library Journal, starred review

This interactive adventure invites readers to assist a very hungry Bunny with a “tummy rumble” as he gathers apples to take home. Large font instructions in colorfully contrasting red text plead with children to “shake” apples and “blow” leaves from a tree, while a helpful attached ribbon of a scarf allows readers to “grab,” “place,” “hold,” and eventually “make a bridge” while assisting Bunny. The way home is filled with additional instructions, propelling Bunny’s wagon faster as children tilt, rock, and turn the book to move him along toward home—just in time to pop through a hole and add apples to Mom’s homemade pie. The simplicity of cartoon images enhanced by graphite pencil shading with minimal use of bold color allows the easy identification of Bunny’s actions, expressions, and important objects on the page. Text separated on facing pages emphasizes action words and invites readers to follow Bunny’s activity through turning ¬pages. VERDICT This engaging title encourages listening, identification of events in the story, and interactivity. A first choice for libraries.

Praise for Teacher Cat

Underwood and Rueda maintain the droll narration and spare visual humor of the previous books ... There’s plenty to giggle over. —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“In a clean-up worthy of The Cat in the Hat, the kittens pitch in to save the day. . . . Cat’s droll expressions and signs are highlights . . . [and] readers may get a kick out of imagining what adventures they might have with their own substitute teachers.” —Kirkus

“Whether new to this series or a seasoned fan, this amusing read-aloud has much to offer the younger back-to-school crowd.” —School Library Journal

Underwood’s clever use of page-turns and comedic timing…deliver a droll story about the joys and challenges of teaching.” —The Horn Book

School Library Journal talks Bunny Slopes

Rueda scores another win with this adorable offering that’s perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.

Cute cartoon Bunny is ready to hit the bunny slopes. Skis on and red scarf knotted, Bunny needs help from his readers to complete his adventure. Large, conversational text greets readers and asks them to join in the fun. First, they are asked to “shake” the book to produce snow and then “tap tap tap” the book to pack it down, followed by “tilt,” “turn,” “jump,” and so forth. The action words are in red, matching Bunny’s jaunty red scarf on the opposite pages. Eventually, Bunny skis into a hole (an actual die-cut hole through three pages of the book) and falls. His mom then greets Bunny with a warm bowl of food and takes him to their den to rest. Only two colors, light blue and bright red, are used, with charcoal lines against a white backdrop. The premise is simple, skiing down a slope, but it is the interaction between the book and readers that makes for a special experience. If the title is read with a small audience, each action could be played out for interactive fun. VERDICT Rueda scores another win with this adorable offering that’s perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.

From School Library Journal

Bunny Slopes preview at the School Library Journal

Chronicle Fall 2016 Preview Shows Off Unique Approaches for All Ages

By Amy Cheney on June 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

It’s fall! Well, at least in the world of Chronicle Books. The publisher recently shared the anticipation of their next season releases with a gaggle of giddy librarians and booksellers.

PICTURE BOOKS

My favorite book of the morning was Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda (Oct., 2016). It’s an interactive book in which readers help Bunny tackle the ski slope, from shaking the book to creating snow to tilting it so that Bunny can gain some traction to get down the hill. As the protagonist gets going a bit too fast, kids need to help by turning the book around.

Designer Amelia Mack reflected that “with so many interactive elements, creating the book often turned into a logic problem. For example, if the book is turned upside down to prevent Bunny from falling, how does Bunny move? Where does he land? Solving these problems often led to contemplating deeper questions, like how a book really works, or what guidance a reader needs in order to move forward.”

Link to SLJ

SLJ review of Here Comes The Tooth Fairy Cat

School Library Journal Review

The colored-pencil and ink illustrations practically tell the story on their own

Cat is back, and this time a lost tooth and the promise of a visit from the Tooth Fairy inspire his shenanigans. His misguided attempt to trick the legendary sprite into revealing herself to him backfires when Cat is recruited by the Tooth Fairy to conduct three difficult exchanges. He receives honorary wings, a tutu, and some "help" from a fellow trickster (Mouse). The reluctant pair first visit a gopher hole, then a squirrel's nest, and finally a bear cave, where only teamwork will get the job done. Once these missions are accomplished, Cat's desire to meet the Tooth Fairy is magically fulfilled—much to his surprise. As in the first two books, the author assumes the role of narrator and commentator, addressing Cat and Mouse directly, and they respond using only placards, body language, and priceless facial expressions. The colored-pencil and ink illustrations practically tell the story on their own, thanks to the extensive use of white space and an absence of irrelevant detail that puts the focus squarely on the characters and their wily behavior. VERDICT Fans of Here Comes Santa Cat and Here Comes Easter Cat (both 2014, Dial) and newcomers alike will ask for this book again and again.—Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, Oak Bluffs, MA

A starred review from School Library Journal

Four Stars for Easter Cat!!

Two Stars for The Easter Cat

Two starred reviews for Here Comes the Easter Cat!

From School Library Journal:The combination of witty text, plentiful white space, and brilliant images make this a truly winning book

From The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: Cat's signs and facial expressions are cheekily amusing.

SLJ Pick of the Day

A Starred Review for Easter Cat!

School Library Journal

★ 01/01/2014
PreS-Gr 2—What happens when a lazy cat decides he wants to take over Easter? Readers meet Cat, who conveys his thoughts with pictures and facial expressions. As the story progresses, Cat becomes more and more convinced he is the perfect candidate to replace the Easter Bunny. Will he get his way? The narrator, who kids will enjoy pretending to be, explains Cat's actions and asks all the right questions. "Clothes? No, you don't need special clothes. Well…the Easter Bunny does wear a very nice vest. Wow. That's very…sparkly." This is a book that will be enjoyed in storytimes as well as one-on-one. The wonderful ink-and-color pencil illustrations depict the characters' expressions perfectly, enabling children to decipher what is happening even without the narrative. The combination of witty text, plentiful white space, and brilliant images make this a truly winning book, especially for libraries looking to expand their Easter collections.—Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI

The book will be out on January 28