minor details

kids always need colouring books

People Will Always Need Plates believes we need architectural colouring books as well!

innovative early learning podcasts

Looking for a book for your mini but don't want to waste money on a book that they might not even like? Perhaps these podcasts can help.

Just One More Book is a thrice-weekly podcast which promotes and celebrates literacy and great children’s books. Each weekday morning, we take a few minutes out of our morning coffee ritual to discuss one of our many favourite children’s books. We also feature weekly interviews with authors, illustrators and experts and enthusiasts in the areas of children’s literature and literacy as well as listener-submiited audio reviews. Through this podcast and its website, we are building a lively, interactive community linking children’s book authors, illustrators, readers (children, parents, educators and librarians) and publishers.

Here is a review on one of my favorites - Iggy Peck, Architect.

(via urban preschool)

memory lane

Dirty Wow Wow and other love stories is a tribute to threadbare companions of childhood written by Cheryl and Jeffrey Katz. With striking photography and personal stories of each companion, this book is a sweet nod to timeless childhood memories. Buy it here.

Here is a piece on "Blankie" : Blankie lives in the liquor cabinet. When Maggie would fall asleep feeling Blankie’s lovely silky edge—a fine thing to do when you’re trying to get some shut eye—she would also suck her two middle fingers. This made Maggie an orthodontist’s dream. One day Blankie disappeared. When, weeks later, Blankie was discovered behind the curtains, Maggie was already weaned from him. Maggie’s mom saw this as an opportunity to let Blankie stay lost and shoved it in the back of the liquor cabinet above the refrigerator. Now, whenever a recipe calls for brandy, Maggie's mother reaches into the cabinet, catches a glimpse of Blankie and feels a pang of guilt, but not $5,000 worth, which was the cost of Maggie’s braces.

a mini toy shop

Mini Spielzeug is open for business in Zurich. They have a pretty eclectic selection of vintage goodies as well as publishing and printing their own books for children.

(via stork bites man. Andy, you have such a great blog!)

color me modern

Do you think 4 is to young to introduce the Modern Home - Idea Journal & Coloring Book or the Creative Interiors Coloring Book?

join the circus

Takao Yoguchi created the book Circus back in 2005 for Naef. Using a series of magic film, the clown juggles and the band plays on while this moving picture book comes to life.

pick me up but do not open

I can totally understand why it would be hard to put down Pick Me Up by Jeremy Leslie and David Roberts. For grade 4-8, this inventive compendium of interesting facts combines elements of an almanac, a trivia book, and the Internet with playful touches of humor. The table of contents, index, and a simple color-coding scheme provide subject access, but the book is not intended to be read from front to back. Each page includes a wide range of information, much of it connected in unexpected ways. Cross-references, which appear in bold with page numbers within the text, approximate the role of hyperlinks and allow readers to follow related topics of interest.

On the flipside, is a book by John Fardon called Do Not Open. This book explores lost worlds, unravels secret codes, and takes the young knowledge seeker for an adventure. They even have an interesting secret agent website.

making science fun

Okido is a new magazine for 2-7 year olds that focus on arts and science. The pages are made of post consumer waste recycled paper with biodegradable ink. Characters such as Squirrel Boy, Foxy and Messy Monster take kids imaginations on educational adventures! Published every 2 months by Microblob.

making mischief of one kind and another

One of my daughter's favorite books is Where the Wild Things Are. As many of you know, they are making it into a film. I have full confidence with Spike behind the wheel! I think the next adaptation of a children's book should be Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!

for those lil foodies and car buffs

If you were asking yourself what to get your lil Julia Child or Dale Earnhardt this holiday, well here is your answer!

the happy mag for kids

"ANORAK is a new unisex magazine made for kids designed to appeal to both boys and girls. Anorak has a unique format consisting of brand new stories written and illustrated by modern authors, fun fashion and style pages and a ‘good stuff’ guide which covers new products for kids. It covers all aspects of a child’s world from fashion to stories, culture to science and sport to food. Encouraging children’s contributions and input, Anorak bridges the gap between a children’s book and character magazine to create a unique new publication. At times, it’s their imaginary friend, at others it’s their mentor. Anorak’s main philosophy is to encourage children to make their own decisions and is here to amplify their voices. It has at the core of its offering a passion for words and images that challenge and stimulate."

The interactive website just launched a few months ago and its packed with games, stories, information and videos. It's nice to finally see a creative force for kids that has nothing to do with plastic toys and television. You can buy a copy here .

color me dynamic

In her debut children's book, Laurie Rosenwald explores color and imagination through clever rhyme and striking collages. The book feels like a nod to past illustrator Abner Graboff and the poetic Dr. Seuss. It's a great first book for Ms. Rosenwald. I'm excited to see what's next!

taro gomi speaks spanish and french

Taro Gomi was asked to participate in the "My body science" book series for children back in 1993. Perhaps that is what put him on the map. However, this clever and wonderful children's book author hit the international circut just after with his books in spanish and french. I must say, his covers for the spanish market are so appealing in a very 50-60's kind of way. Although now he has hit mainstream with his coloring books, here are a few titles that will help him remain "the man" in my book:

in spanish
Adivina que es , 1993
Adivina quien soy , 1993
Hay un raton en la casa, 1993
Escapes , 1997
A moverse , 1997
Mira lo que tengo , 2005
Mis Amigos, 2006
Llego la primavera , 2006

in french
L' ete , 2003
Un, Deux, Trois , 2003

in english
Who Hid It , 1991
Where's the Fish, 1991
Everyone Poops , 1993
Scribbles , 2006
Doodles , 2006
Squiggles , 2007

a homemade treasure

my good friends over at nova clutch are a bank of talent. their blog is lovely and they have an eye for greatness like no other. i am certain that this will not be the last time they show up on this blog. for starters, here is a book that they made for a childs birthday present. such consideration for function and form.

not to be confused with ayn

paul and ann rand created modern, clean and simple books for children. i am a huge fan of sparkle and spin as is my daughter. here is a list of some of their work. (though mostly done as a couple*, ann had her hand on every book below):

i know a lot of things*. 1956
sparkle and spin*. 1957
umbrella, hats and wheels. with jerome snyder, 1961
little 1*. 1962
so small. 1962
edward and the horse. with olle eskell, 1964
did a bear just walk there. 1966
listen listen*. 1970

read me a story

Abner Graboff was an extremely talented illustrator for children's books in the 50's and 60's. His work has been described warm, airy and playfully absurd. i wish this type of bold illustration was in books today. i find that when i read my daughter a bedtime story, im more inclined to pull up to a vintage book that is packed with such consideration, style and grace. its books like these that make you stop in time, study the pages and really see a story.

here is a list of some notable books that illustrates his work:

a tail is a tail. katherine mace, 1957
please don't feed horace. miriam young, 1961
noise in the night. anne alexander, 1960
i want to whistle. anne alexander, 1960
mr, angelo. marjory schwalje, 1960
of course, you're a horse. ruth shaw radlauer, 1959
the hungry goat. alan mills, 1964
i know an old lady. alan mills and rose bonne, 1965
old mcdonald had a farm. abner graboff, 1969