Book Envy: The Day the Crayons Quit

The Day the Crayons Quit
By Drew Daywalt
Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Yet another great book find that we can't put down. In this story, a boy's crayons go on strike, each writing him to tell them why they are so upset. This is such a clever storyline and the supporting illustrations bring it all to life. My little guy giggles every time we get to the peach crayon's plight. Go out and find this book!

Book Envy: Spoon

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Spoon

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustration by Scott Magoon

Really sweet story about a spoon who thinks everyone else has it better. This is one we will keep coming back to. It's a clever story with fun illustration. Check out the author and illustrator's websites for their other great work.

Book Envy: Kate and Nate are Running Late

 

Kate and Nate are Running Late!
By Kate Egan
Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino


We stumbled across another Dan Yaccarino picture book at the library on our last visit. I posted about one of his books, Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly, a few weeks ago. His playful and slightly retro style is so entertaining and keeps us on the lookout for new books. Egan's story rings true about the ups and downs of getting a family ready in the morning. A great pairing of words and pictures.

Vintage: Henny Penny

Henny Penny (c. 1968)
Retold and Illustrated by Paul Galdone

More illustration fun with this vintage retelling of Henny Penny. Love the colorful woodblock feel of these characters and the hand touched title lettering.

Book Envy: Modern Busy Book

Around the World With Mouk: a sticker adventure
by Marc Boutavant

Another great illustrated children's book. So much great detail on each page. It seems to be the modern answer to all the Busytown books, which my little guy can spend so much time 'reading'. I loved books like this as a kid, always uncovering new happenings in every corner of each page. Boutavant's bright characters are so cute and quirky. And the static stickers are a huge bonus. Who wouldn't love placing new characters in different lands?! Another book win in our house!

Book Envy: Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly by Carolyn Parkhurst
Illustrations by Dan Yaccarino

Yet another super cute children's book. It captures the make-believe play of brother and sister. And a big brother's patience with his little sister. The title's typography is bold and has a slightly vintage feel. With cute gestures and colorful illustrations, the characters jump off the page.

Old school interactive

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Love! This! Book!! My husband just bought it for our little guy and I can't believe how much he likes it. The idea is so simple and brilliant. Tullet guides the reader to touch, shake and blow on each page to change the story. It's like an iPhone app without any coding. The design is minimal but effective. I just love how much L giggles everytime he 'makes' the shapes change with every turn of the page. It's worth buying just to hear that.

Book Envy: Being a Pig is Nice

Being a Pig is Nice written by Sally Lloyd-Jones,

illustrated by Dan Krall

What a great library find! A fun little story about manners that my little guy really likes. Mostly because it talks about how you don't need them. The illustration style is so bright, clever and playfully large. Several illustrations span the entire spread with extra gusto. Krall does a great job of capturing the exasperated look of the little girl. Love it!

Vintage: The Golden Circus (Reissued)

The Golden Circus by Kathryn Jackson. Illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen. 1950
My favorite part of this republished Golden Book is the flocked animals on every other page. I imagine that this is the kind of book that would get worn out by kids constantly petting the animals. Great 50's style and color. 

Book Envy: Babylit Series

As if Baby Einstein wasn't enough, you can now ensure your wee one's budding intellect with Babylit Books by Jennifer Adams and artwork by Alison Oliver. Each feature some pretty heavy reading from Romeo and Juliet to Jane Erye. All are skillfully crafted as illustrated Cliff note baby board books. Jane Erye is my favorite with a slightly dark yet playful tone.

The Captain and other curiosities

Sunday was a particularly dark and rainy day so I decided to head to the antique mall to find some inspiration and to stay dry. I was looking for a small vintage bedside lamp but got distracted pretty fast. Mounted insects, a silver liquor dispenser and rainbow Pyrex fridge containers caught my eye but as I dug deeper even more interesting finds popped up.

First off was the early 70's Captain Kangaroo storybook. I remember this book, especially the three-legged race illustration. I loved the personality of the kids' drawings. But it's interesting how the animals seem to be a completely different style than the children. Yet I kind of like it that way. Next up, I spied a 60's wooden Japanese doll bank. So colorful and graphic, I was having a difficult time deciding if I should buy it. Nearby, a 60's gold tree wall hanging was peeking out from a table by my foot. After much deliberation, the tree came home with me. I've yet to figure out where to put it or whether or not it will remain gold but that is for another day.

Book Envy

As a designer, one of the fun things about having a 3 year old is that you get to hunt for really great children's books on a regular basis. There is nothing like the thrill of finding one that has amazing illustration, storyline and crazy cool printing techniques.

Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara has all of the above and keeps us coming back for more even though it's way past Halloween. The clever storyline turns the ghosts into everyday objects. And I love how the overprint white ink adds a chalky transparent feel to the ghosts throughout. Throw in the spot varnished blacks on the cover and I'm hooked.