The Kissing Hand
Written by Audrey Penn
iIllustrated by Ruth E. Harper & Nancy M. Leak
Picture book (Ages 3-8), 32 pages, includes stickers
Hardcover, $16.95
    ISBN-13: 978-1-933718-00-2
    ISBN-10: 1-933718-00-5
Guided reading level: I; Grade level: 1-2; Reading Recovery level: 15-16

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called The Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that touches the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

About the Author:
Audrey Penn takes her one-woman educational program, the Writing Penn, into schools, libraries, and children's hospitals where she shapes and refines her story ideas in partnership with kids. She is also highly sought after as a conference keynote speaker by groups of teachers and other professionals who work with children. Visit Audrey Penn's website. Listen to Audrey Penn's Book Expo America Podcast.

About the Illustrators:
Maryland artist Nancy Leak is a specialist in printmaking. She works and exhibits with a group of seven women called Printmakers Plus, as well as with other local and national organizations. Her hand-pulled original etchings, many of them miniatures, have won recognition all over the United States.

Ruth Harper, born in England, is a descendent of Sir Christopher Wren. Essentially a self-taught artist, The Kissing Hand was her first painting venture As a teen newly arrived in the USA, Ruth apprenticed as a graphic artist and became the art director of an advertising agency. She has been an art teacher, where she wrote an accredited art curriculum, presented seminars on art education, been a guest illustrator at elementary schools, and has donated many works to fund-raising events. Ruth now lives in Michigan with her two children, and actively exhibits and sells her award-winning watercolors in local galleries/shops. Visit Ruth's website at www.rutheharper.com.

Recently published

Wild Rose's Weaving
Written by Ginger Churchill
Illustrated by Nicole Wong
Picture book, 32 pages, Ages 4-8
Hardcover, $15.95
    ISBN-13: 978-1-933718-56-9
    ISBN-10: 1-933718-56-0

Rose's grandmother teaches her how to weave a rug and, in the process, teaches her about creativity, the influence of nature, and the interplay between art and life.

About the Author:
Ginger Churchill's own grandmother is an oil-painter and master seamstress, while her mother crochets, cross-stitches, knits and continually tries new arts-like basket weaving. As a child Ginger came to the conclusion that art is an essential part of life. In fact, she came to believe that life itself is an art form. How we choose to live, the things we say and do, can bring peace and beauty to the world just like Grandma's rug does for Wild Rose. When Ginger was learning to weave on an upright loom, a beautiful little girl named Winter Rose ran through the weavers with her dog, hopping on laps here and there to add her own touch to each rug. Winter Rose's grandmother lamented about the children she knew having little desire to learn their native arts and Ginger's idea for Wild Rose's Weaving was born. It is her hope that each person will find joy in expressing pieces of themselves and their lives through whatever art they choose.

Behind the Book - Weaving:
While the art of weaving binds us together across the world, it also ties us to centuries past. People have woven all around the globe beginning in prehistoric times. There are ancient Egyptian pictures of looms that look just like the one Wild Rose uses in the story. These looms are still used today in many countries including North and South America, India, Turkey, Iran, Liberia, and the list goes on and on.

Weaving is not just for expressing yourself, it's infinitely useful. Weavers make blankets, carpets, bracelets, bags, belts, and fabric for all kinds of clothing. Look around you. Chances are you'll see something woven-maybe a rug or even the denim for your jeans. And you can weave many different materials: wool, silk, sticks, wire and paper to name a few. To learn how to make a loom, visit the author's website: www.gingerchurchill.com.

Is a Worry Worrying You?
Written by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz
Illustrated by Marie LeTourneau
Picture book (Ages 4-8), 32 pages
Paperback, $7.95
    ISBN-13: 978-1-933718-05-7
    ISBN-10: 1-933718-05-6
Guided reading level: N; Grade level: 3; Reading Recovery level: NA

Suppose, just suppose, one hundred elephants come to tea and you discover you don't have any tea bags.
Uh, oh. What will you do with a herd of thirsty elephants?
Now that's a worry!
But you can get rid of that worry by offering the elephants lemonade instead.

Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.

About the Author:
Ferida Wolff is the author of sixteen children's books, including Pink Slippers, Bat Mitzvah, and resides in Cherry Hill, NJ, near Philadelphia. Visit Ferida's website at www.feridawolff.com. Harriet May Savitz is the author of Run, Don't Walk and The Lionhearted among many others and lives in Bradley Beach, NJ. Visit Harriet's website at www.harrietmaysavitz.com.

About the Illustrator:
Marie LeTourneau is a classically trained fine artist, illustrator, and graphic designer, working for a range of clients nationwide. She lives with her husband and two children in East Hampton, NY. Visit her website at www.marieletourneau.com.

Beauty Day
Formerly In Style with Grandma Antoinette
Written and illustrated by Judith Caseley
Picture book (Ages 4-8), 32 pages
Hardcover with jacket, $15.95
    ISBN-13: 978-0-9749303-4-3
    ISBN-10: 0-9749303-4-3
Guided reading level: K; Grade level: 2; Reading Recovery level: 18

Rosie doesn't think spending the day at work with Grandma will be any fun at all. But Rosie has the time of her life as she is initiated into the exotic and adventure-filled world of a hair salon. Girls will love reading about Rosie's adventures at the action-packed salon, from a home hair color gone wrong, to the mystery of a lost boy and a missing wig! Readers get to share in Rosie's fun by picking out their own shades of nail polish, hair styles, and lipstick color and other items shown in the colorful illustrations throughout the book. This story by beloved author and illustrator Judith Caseley will delight girls and their fashionable grandmas everywhere!

About the Author:
Beauty Day is Judith Caseley's thirty-second book for children and youth. Her previously published books include award-winning titles Witch Mama, Mr. Green Peas, Apple Pie and Onions, Three Happy Birthdays, and When Grandpa Came to Stay. Ms. Caseley currently resides with her two children in Glen Head, NY. Visit Judith's website at www.judithcaseley.com.

The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères
by Marie LeTourneau with Danielle Reed-Baty
Picture book (Ages 4-8), 32 pages
Hardcover with jacket, $15.95
    ISBN-13: 978-0-9749303-6-7
    ISBN-10: 0-9749303-6-9
Paperback, 7.95
    ISBN-13: 978-1-933718-18-7
    ISBN-10: 1-933718-18-8
Guided reading level: M; Grade level: 2-3; Reading Recovery level: 20

This story serves up a delightful recipe for a children's book: take one adorable tale of Parisian mice who want to win the prize for the best cheese soup in France, add a full serving of the whimsical illustrations of Marie LeTourneau, mix in a dash of French language and a sprinkling of Parisian café culture, and voilà! We have The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères (Bistro of Seven Brothers).

With many basic French words cleverly woven into the story, readers will absorb the language without even realizing it. There is a pronunciation guide at the front of the book, and directions in the back to this website for the famous cheese soup recipe!

About the Authors:
Marie LeTourneau is a full-time illustrator and graphic artist, with a BA in Fine Arts from Hofstra University's New College on Long Island. Marie illustrated Is A Worry Worrying You? published by Tanglewood Press in 2005. The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères is her first picture book as both author and illustrator. She and her husband Marc live in New York with their two children, Alexander and Hannah, two dogs, Ike and Maddie, and a hamster named Jack-Jack. Visit Marie's website at www.marieletourneau.com.

Danielle Reed-Baty is a New York City based journalist who has written for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Daily News, and the New York Observer. She is a former resident of Paris and is married to French furniture maker Jean-Philippe Baty. They live in New York with their daughter, Julie.

Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket.

Click here to download the teacher's guide.

See spread #1.
See spread #2.

Reviews

"The lure of fairies never fades, and the idea that they lurk nearby, waiting to be found, is still exciting to children. And Unzner's (Princess Me) use of photographs (some of which feature fairy-seeking kids) as backdrops for her delicate fairies drives that notion home..Text and art work in tandem to create gentle suspense-scenes, such as one in which fairies retrieve a lost slipper just behind the retreating shoes of the searching children, will prompt giggles, and the promise of a fairy encounter is sweetly fulfilled at the end...readers should be enticed by the idea of magic infusing the natural world. Ages 4-8."—Publishers Weekly

"This story informs readers that fairies are just about everywhere, if they know how to look. The art is composed of photographs juxtaposed with cartoonlike drawings of the magical creatures. For example, an image of a field of tulips, with fairies peeking out here and there, is accompanied by text that reads, "Fairies love flowers. These tulips would be just right for playing hide-and-seek. Curled up inside, a fairy could not be spotted by anyone." Paquette encourages readers to help the sprites by doing things like blowing dandelion fluff to make a pillow or moving a rock to make a pool. A positive quality of this book is that it seeks to inspire children to notice the magnificent natural world in their own backyard or neighborhood."—Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA, School Library Journal

"With a delightful mix of photos and illustrations, The Tiptoe Guide To Tracking Fairies is a wonderful way to get your imagination in gear for your own fairie spotting adventure."—Fairy magazine

See sprd. #1.
See sprd.#2.

Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket.

Reviews

"This story is so well crafted that it is sure to become one of your children’s favorite books. Very highly recommended."—myshelf.com

"This book is well-written and beautifully illustrated. There is a balanced mixture of sight words and words which require decoding, so the beginning reader may need some help at times. Ultimately, though, the story is enjoyable and will prove fun as either a read-aloud book or a story to read on one’s own."—Sacramento Review

See pgs. 4-5.
See pgs.6-7.

Reviews

"The right audience is sure to get a laugh."— School Library Journal

"If there is one subject that reduces all children to giggles, it is farting. In this imaginative picture book, inspired by a second grader's question, McKy explores what would happen if everyone and everything farted at once...McKy's book focuses on a topic that adults usually find embarrassing, annoying or try to ignore. For a child however, little is as amusing as that sound. While this may not have universal appeal, for a reluctant reader (in particular the boys) this may be just the right choice. Tracy Hill's full page, colorful and cartoon-like illustrations are just perfect for the story."— Barnes and Noble Children's Literature, Sharon Oliver

See pgs. 6-7.
See pgs. 10-11.

Reviews

"This is just so silly it is irresistible. By the way, have you ever seen a llama in a tennis outfit? You will in this book!"— Bookviews.com

"The illustrations are bright, fun, witty. The painterly art has a gentle goofiness. The colors are vibrant and there is a great deal of attention to the fine detail in the clothes the animals are wearing. In addition each page has a lot going on. Highly recommended."— Preschoolentertainment.com

"I love silly picture books. The more they make my daughter laugh, the more I love them. You Can't Milk A Dancing Cow was a three giggler in our house...There are absolutely no life lessons in this one, but plenty of laughs; it's a great book to share with a group. Once you've seen cows and horses dance, you'll never be the same."— MyShelf.com

"Low-key droll humor resonates throughout this wacky tale about a farmer's wife who clothes the farm's animals. Boldly genius illustrations capture the perfectly frustrated moods of Farmer Picket and the wild freedom of the animals - all in the oversized eyes. Dunsmuir's highly imaginative story begs repeated readings."— Copley News Service

"(The) dilemmas Mrs. Picket creates for Farmer Picket when she begins creating animal fashions will leave children laughing out loud! . . . Enhanced with Brian Jones' energetic and memorable illustrations, this original and highly recommended picture book story will be read over and over again by generations of new and appreciative young readers."— Midwest Book Review

"This is a fun and silly look at farm life and farm animals. The illustrations are whimsical, colorful, and inviting. Laugh with your children as you read about barnyard animals dressing up in You Can't Milk a Dancing Cow. I did."— ArmchairInterviews.com

"The illustrations are wonderfully silly. This story is full of creative ingenuity."— WeeOnesmag.com

See pgs. 8-11.

Click here to download a hi-resolution jpeg of the book jacket.