I’ve been receiving a plethora of newly released children’s books and have I got a treat for you! I’ve skimmed from my stack and selected my favorite new releases (thus far) for 2010 and not only do I get to share a little bit about them, but I have a copy of each to giveaway to one of you! Check these out!
Where Is Catkin?
Catkin belongs to Amy (or maybe it’s the other way around?) and is sitting outside with her in the garden one day when he decides to hop off her lap and go exploring. The entirety of this children’s picture book concerns Catkins explorations in the garden. Each page spread is covered in bold illustrations. Your eyes will not get bored when ou look at this book, that’s for certain! It’s full and rich in its scenery. Young kids can try to guess what Catkin will find next by first being given various animal sounds. Catkin hears a “Garrump. Garrump.” What’s that? A frog! And so on and so forth until Catkin finds himself trapped at the top of a tree! How will he get down? Luckily Amy is very sympathetic. This is a cute, fun book which is quite cheerful in nature.
Captain Small Pig
Old Goat and Turkey take Small Pig out for a row, despite their original declaration that goats and turkeys do not ride in boats. Small Pig is quite excited by this adventure, and spends his time (in the pond, mind you!) looking for whales and wondering what he might find. Small Pig begs to be allowed to row and meets with enthusiastic but disastrous results and finally tuckers out. This is a story about two elderly animals who are taking the young fry (pardon the “SPLOOOOSH!” in the end! Super cute.
Reach for the Stars
Got an upcoming graduate and looking for a special gift book to give to them? You might be thinking of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” but you also might want to consider Reach for the Stars. The illustrations in this book are a combination of photographs and pen and ink drawings. This is an inspirational and encouraging picture book which is good for any age but the message probably couldn’t be grasped until around the age of 8. It starts out:
“You’ve got your whole life ahead of you! Sometimes it’ll be smooth sailing, but other times it’ll be a bumpy ride, with many forks in the road.”
On this page spread you see our little unnamed guy floating on a paper sail boat. The sailboat is photographed and then the little guy and his faithful dog drawn into the picture. This is a very cute book with a positive message. Definitely one to keep an eye out for, especially to any person needing a little encouragement.
Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff
Walk into Dustpan, Texas and everything will look pretty much like you expect it to. It’s a sleepy little town where the Sheriff is so bored, he takes up babysitting “just to pass the time.” Then one day a rattler enters town. Now, everyone knows that rattlesnakes are dangerous things and the Sheriff, being proud and protective of his town, tries to shoo it out of town. But this rattler, Diamond Jim Dandy, just doesn’t want to leave. The people of Dustpan are in agreement. Diamond Jim is one of the most interesting characters ever to visit this town. Sheriff is insitant though. No good can come of a rattler. Or can it? Do you like westerns? Check out Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff
Ooh La La Polka-Dot Boots
Do you like shoes (specifically polka dot boots?) How ’bout bright colors? Quite the contrast to Dustpan Texas, this one will make you want to let out a very vibrant, “Ooh La La!”
“Hot hats, Cold hats, Silver hats, Gold hats, are snazzy with polka dot boots!”
I’d be tempted to say that this book is “plain good fun” but that’s not the case at all. Each page feels like a party. The page spread kind of reads like a Dr. Suess book (and reminds me of Old Hat, New Hat in some respects.) But then – there is a half page which you can turn over to “put the shoes on” the children’s feet and suddenly any outfit becomes much more festive with its own set of polka dot boots! I would be remiss not to include this book in my top favorites (so far) for 2010 because I think it’s unique and snazzy and worth some attention. Loved it, loved it!
The Falling Raindrop
Disarmingly simplistic in its presentation, we really enjoyed this story of a raindrop. This book explains the water cycle by giving one tiny raindrop a whole lot of personality. The book opens on a stormy day. Suddenly, one raindrop begins to fall.
“I’m alive!” he shouted.
I thought that one simple sentence gave the entire book life and personality and we enjoyed every moment of travel with our little friend. He lands in a campfire which is an initially frightening experience. However, as he rises as steam, he feels ‘light and airy’ and takes delight in his shape as he drifts back up into the sky. This is a great way to introduce children to the concept of a water cycle. I’m very happy with this book.
Would you like to read any or all of these new releases? Leave a comment below and you will be entered to win a prize package including ALL of the above books – new picture book releases for 2010! I’m excited about this contest because I really think that these books are fantastic! To win? Simply leave a comment below. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only.
Thank you Peachtree Publishers, Sterling Publishing, and Tricycle Press (division of Crown Publishing) for your amazing generosity!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.
My kids would go crazy for these books!!!
We’d love to win! Thanks for the chance!
Enter me! : )
We LOVE new books!
Always looking for new book recommendations for my preschooler – she would love to win these books! 🙂
This looks like an interesting site! I’m stopping over from the 5 Minutes for Mom blog party. I’m a preschool teacher and going back to school for my masters in special ed. The Falling Raindrop sounds interesting! Wish I had had it last month for our unit on weather! Blessings!
Love your reviews of the newest picture books! As new grandparents of a one-year-old boy, we make books a priority for his enjoyment. Look forward to when he will be able to skype with us and read books aloud to him!
They look so cute! I can’t wait read them!
What a great collection of picture books. My son and I recently read REACH FOR THE STARS and DIAMOND JIM DANDY AND THE SHERIFF and we loved both of them! I agree that REACH FOR THE STARS would make a fabulous graduation gift.
Thanks for sharing!
Great collection of books…I’d luv to win them, thanks.
One of my favoritist things to do is to read to children. Last year I worked in the schools as bilingual specialist and got to do that for my job nearly every day! I also have grandchildren in all age groups. One of the preschoolers is so eager to learn, trying to read, loves books.
I have been blessed twice already by your giveaways, and don’t want to hord all the goodies, but this collection would be wonderful to have.
Would love to win these!!
I love the sound of all of them, but especially Where is Catkin? and Reach for the Stars.
Oh, pick me! My little girl (18 months) is becoming fascinated with shoes. I’ll definitely have to pick up that one! Thanks!
I love children’s books and especially those published by Peachtree Publishers!!
these look great…would love to win
Winning those great books would be absolutely terrific! Maybe I’ll get lucky!
These all look like terrific children’s books! Thanks for the chance to win.
We’re always ready for more kids’ books around here! Please enter me.
This is an absolutely awesome giveaway. I’d love to win.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
You can never have too many picture books with the little ones around! What a wonderful giveaway! Glad I found you from UBP10!
we love new books here too.
From your descriptions, these are true picture books…where the pictures draw you into the story and enhance an already good storyline. I’m not sure which one sounds the best, but I can totally see my 3 year old needing to where her rain boots everywhere after reading Oh La La Polka Dot Boots! They all sound fabulous though. Thank you for your generosity and the publishers!
I have 3 little granddaughters who would just love having these books at Grandma’s house! 😉
Oooo! I want to win! 🙂
Wow,I would love to hace all of these books, especially Where is Catkin?!
wow – my kids would love these books. I haven’t read any of them and it’s always fun to check out new books!
My kids and I would love these books we are huge readers
my godson would love these books.
I can’t believe I am now just visiting this site!! We love books, and Reach for the stars sounds like a wonderful gift for my nephew who is graduating High school! Hope I Win!
I think we’d definitely like to check out those western themed books. 🙂 And I’m sure Ellie would be all for polka dot boots!
My children would love these… and so would I!
My daughter is studying to be a teacher and works at an after school program. I would love to win this package for her!
Please enter me~my grandson would love this book!
They all look wonderful. I love children’s books. Polka-dot boots looks extra cute.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
These books would be great additions to my kids library! Thanks
These books look wonderful! Thanks for the chance
Would love this collection for my daughter!! She would love it.
I am librarian who because of economic conditions, hasn’t been able to buy books for 2 years. We would love to add these to our collection. I will be checking out “Reaching for the Stars” from the public library for our 5th grade promotion ceremony. Thanks introducing us to these titles.
These books would be awesome to read to my Charlotte and share with my blog readers =) Thanks for doing this!
I would love to win for my great-niece in Alaska. I’m her book auntie! I’ve started her out young, young, young! I sent her mom a ton of books before she even arrived 🙂 I’ve been sending them periodically, along with magazine subscriptions, for three years. I also ask her mom to donate any she outgrows (that have survived) to local area charities. Keep those books moving! I want her to love reading as much as I do. Thanks for this opportunity!
My kids would love these books. They would really like Captain Small Pig.
My great granddaughter will be able to recognize pictures soon. thank you for the chance.
Thanks for this great giveaway!