Today's wonderful book is an oldie but goodie from the early 1990s, written and illustrated by one of children's picture book greats, Lane Smith. Lane first came to fame in the children's book world after illustrating The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf (written by John Sczieska). This book broke all sorts of new ground in it's shifting of the point of view, ironic voice, and innovative illustrations. Since then Lane has gone on to write quite a few wonderful books including this one and illustrate many more.

Here's what I particularly love  about this book - 1) the art  2) the beautiful lyrical language  3) the engaging characters,  4) the way the language is like a lullaby 5) the art.

I think you'll love it as much as I do.

Hullo - I've been doing these videos for quite a while now and finally remembered to do a video on one of my own books. Doh!!!  Here I get to share all sorts of insider information like why authors and illustrators rarely meet or communicate during a project, how I made the art, how illustrators tell their own stories in the art, and much more. Originally told by TeAta, then retold by Lynn Moroney, and illustrated by moi - Mira Reisberg, this Chickasaw teaching tale has been referred to as a classic many times. Take a peek and see what you think. Some of you may have grown up with this book :)

PS - I'd love it if you really loved this book and bought Baby Rattlesnake from one my friends' independent book stores - the delightful Dante DiGenova  www.northtownbooks.com/book/9780892392162
or the equally wonderful Luan Stauss
www.laurelbookstore.com/book/9780892392162

PPS If you can take a second and Like or Tweet this, that would also be extra lovely :)

Roxie Munro has been in the business of writing and illustrating children's books for a very long time and this expertise shows in her work, particularly in this book, Busy Builders, about different insects who build nests and tunnels and other things like communities. Combining fabulous up-close and cut-away illustrations with tons of information about these insects, this book is a great addition to libraries everywhere. Also with the recent adoption of Common Core Curriculum requirements for expository texts (information-based stories) this book is a must have for contemporary schools. It might end up winning the prestigious Bank Street College award or a Jane Adams award (I hope so). I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do.

There are so many wonderful children's picture books out there. This book is one of them. You Are Stardust is a non-fiction concept book that shows kids their connections with the universe, living creatures, science, time and space, and all sorts of other nature and science related things using beautiful lyrical language that is both comforting and inspiring. Artist Soyuen Kim's unusual diorama illustrations seal the deal to make the book a great addition to any bedtime-story book library.