Book Review: Creepy Crawly Calypso

I enjoyed reading Tony Langham's book Creepy Crawly Calypso. I discovered many fascinating facts about lots of creepy crawlies of the Caribbean. This delightful paperback book comes with its own CD. You'll enjoy dancing along with the sounds of a calypso band! Plus you'll see vibrant, colorful illustrations by Debbie Harter.

Jump and jive with this funky band of mini-beasts, as they play their cool calypso beats! Introducing guitar-strumming ladybugs, trombone-blowing dragonflies and piano-tinkling centipedes, the catchy CD which accompanies the book will have everyone singing along enthusiastically. The counting theme throughout helps young learners with their numbers up to ten, and there are lots of creepy-crawly facts at the back of the book, in addition to information about the Caribbean and calypso bands.


Meet Tony Langham

Tony Langham wrote his first poem at the age of seven. During his career he has worked as a steel-worker, construction worker, nurse, advertising copywriter and primary school teacher.

After thirty years Tony decided to become a full-time writer and now writes stories, plays and poems for children of all ages and travels around the UK giving performances in schools. He is married with small children and lives in Yorkshire.

Meet Debbie Harter

Debbie Harter was born and raised in England, and she currently lives in Falmouth, Cornwall. She has participated in all kinds of artistic ventures, creating jewelry, textiles, ceramics, mirrors and candles. Now Debbie works primarily in book illustration, and with her bold and vibrant style, has created many of Barefoot Books' most successful titles, including
Herb, the Vegetarian Dragon (1999), The Animal Boogie (2000) and the best-selling Bear series.

Recent praise:

"Kids can count their way through the rainforest to a Caribbean beat." - Publishers Weekly

"As a fun counting book, "Creepy Crawly Calypso" features a few common insects in dashing attire playing a contagious Caribbean beat. From fireflies to spiders to butterflies to cockroaches, Debbie Harter's delightful and humorous illustrations fit perfectly with the jolly rhyming text. This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of musical instruments."
-Picket News

Product Details:

Written by: Tony Langham
Illustrated by: Debbie Harter
Read Alone: Ages 4-9
Read Together: Ages 0-4
Paperback; Full-color illustrations; 32pp;
10.25 x 10 inches
Item No. 9781846861338

Paperback $6.99 and Paperback with CD $9.99

What a wonderful way to learn how to count and discover the world of musical instruments in Creepy Crawly Calypso. 5+ stars! Order yours today!

Listen, Listen Book Review

Listen carefully to all the wonderful sounds of the different seasons, from summer's sizzling sun to winter's crunching snow. I am delighted to share with you a new lap book I've discovered. Phillis Gershator is the author of Listen, Listen and you'll find breath taking illustrations by Alison Jay. This book will open your child's eyes and ears to the world around them!
When I look at the magnificent artwork throughout the book, I am immediately transported to Italy. There is such a European country charm woven throughout this wonderful book. You will learn about all the animals that come with summer. Then there's the sounds of birds and squirrels with fall approaching. We go into the winter season with mistletoe and a mouse but then once again spring arrives with flower bulbs, bunnies and rainbows. A wonderful, educational and very visual book for $14.99 I highly recommend this book. 5+stars!


Phillis Gershator has written more than twenty-five books for children. She has worked as a children's librarian and enjoys cooking, gardening, and especially reading. Phillis lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands with her husband and frequent co-author, David.

You can visit her website at

http://www.phillisgershator.com

"Listen, listen...what's that sound? Insects singing all around!"--Listen, Listen
* Product Details:
Written by: Phillis Gershator
Illustrated by: Alison Jay
Read Alone: Ages 4-7
Read Together: Ages 0-4
Hardcover; Jacketed; full-color illustrations; 32pp;
10 x 10 inches
Item No. 9781846860843

* Alison Jay
Alison Jay lives and works in London, England. A graduate in illustration from the London College of Printing, Alison has been illustrating children's books for ten years. To create her unique style, she uses alkyd oil paint on paper with a crackling varnish, which gives her illustrations an antique, nostalgic quality.
Recent praise:
"Jay’s stylized pictures, with the texture of ancient frescos, are a window into a world in which the buzz of an insect and the whoosh of the wind lend surprising emotion. Illustrations filled with snowmen, anthropomorphized animals, and people running through a leaf-swept field will make children long to discover what is just over a hill or around the next bend. Capturing a summer idyll reading in a hammock with the same care as a warm evening by the fireplace, Jay invests each image with both joy and melancholy. This jewel of a book will draw children back again and again"—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
"In this ode to the seasons, the sights and sounds of a picturesque country village are artfully evoked. Under the summer sun, 'Leaves rustle, hammocks sway. Splish, splash, children play.' In autumn, 'Pumpkins ripen, quick, quick. Apples, corn—pick, pick.' During winter, 'Crunch, crunch, boots clomp. Grown-ups shovel, children romp./Skaters spin, skiers glide. Zip, zoom, slip, slide.' When spring arrives, 'Pop, pop, bulbs sprout. Leaves grow, flowers shout.' Jay's crackled-varnish paintings have a nostalgic, folk-art quality. The rhyming, onomatopoeic text wraps around the busy scenes, and the words and art together provide a smooth transition between the seasons: 'summer's gone' is illustrated with a swarm of insects buzzing off the page. An appended 'can you see' game encourages close examination of the changing landscapes. Children will be inspired to 'listen, listen' in their own environments."—School Library Journal

Ship Shapes - Board Book Review

Image via Wikipedia

In this new board book version, see how many everyday shapes you can spot while sailing the open sea in search of jewels and treasure! Children will ride the waves to a faraway island in this lively, shape-filled ocean adventure, with appealing fabric art from Siobhan Bell.

"Children will enjoy searching the briny depths for the little fish and sea creatures hidden there."—School Library Journal
My first impression of this delightful board book is its simplicity in rhyme and quilt artwork. I love the blue colors of this book and the wonderful story line. Who wouldn't want to sail the open seas with Stella Blackstone and Siobhan Bell?!


What shape is this green submarine?

* Product Details

Written by: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated by: Siobhan Bell
Read Alone: Ages 4-7
Read Together: Ages 0-4
Board Book; Full-color illustrations; 24pp;6.5 x 6.5 inches

Item No. 9781846861574

$6.99

* Stella Blackstone
On good days, Stella Blackstone lives east of the sun and west of the moon. On less good days, she lives at the bottom of a well. She finds ideas in all of these places and turns them into songs, poems and rhymes. She has read and written poetry for as long as she can remember, and her favorite books include Louis Untermeyer's A Child's Treasury of Poetry, which was a constant companion throughout her childhood, Paolo Coelho's The Alchemist, everything by T.S. Eliot, and William Buck's translation of The Ramayana. She lives in southwest England, and enjoys walking and working in her garden as well as doing nothing whenever she has the chance.

* Siobhan Bell
Siobhan grew up in Somerset and after leaving school, traveled for many years. She has lived in many different places all over the world including Ireland and Spain. Siobhan's previous jobs include making and selling jewelery and clothing, fire breathing, busking and waitressing. Siobhan returned to Somerset three years ago where she lives with her young son. She began selling her pictures and artwork five years ago and now works as a full time textile artist, selling through various galleries. Siobhan exhibits her art and also works on private commissions.

* Recent praise:
"Blackstone takes a welcome departure from rhyming in her latest, a look at shapes. A boy and girl go to sea on a raft to see how many different shapes they can find...Bell's artwork is a phenomenal display of needlework. The ocean is a patchwork quilt in shades and patterns of blues; bright colors abound and youngsters will especially enjoy the variety of sea creatures. An addition to the concepts shelf that stands out for its unique artwork." - Kirkus Reviews

"In this simple concept book, two youngsters and a Dalmatian set out on a raft, calling readers: "All aboard! Come along with me!/Let's see what shapes we can find on the sea." They come across many exotic scenes-including a pirate ship, a fantastic sea monster, and a green submarine-and invite children to search for nine basic shapes. The directions are consistently straightforward...children will enjoy searching the briny depths for the little fish and sea creatures hidden there. - School Library Journal

Order book at Dena's Book Nook

Happy Summer Reading!
~ LadyD

Preschool Book Review- I Dreamt I Was A Dinosaur

If you're looking for an adorable book for preschoolers, I found it for you! I have enjoyed reading I Dreamt I Was A Dinosaur to my 13 month old Grandson. This adorable book takes you on a journey to dinosaur land. Which one would you like to be? I was familiar with many types of dinosaurs except for a new one, Parasaurolophus.

Throughout the book, the illustrator, Clare Beaton, will delight you with her fabric creations. The volcano with the sequins for lava is especially creative.

Author, Stella Blackstone continues to impress me with her rhyme writing style. Toddlers and preschoolers will safely land in bed to find "it was only a dream!" What I especially love with this particular book is that there is a surprise cleverly woven throughout each page! You will find no evolution here!

I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur by Stella Blackstone and Clare Beaton

If you could be a dinosaur, which would you be? Would you roar like the ferocious T-Rex? Or soar overhead like the pterodactyl? In this playful early-learning book, Stella Blackstone's lyrical, rhyming text takes readers on an unforgettable Jurassic journey, while fabric artist Clare Beaton recreates the prehistoric world of dinosaurs using a colorful array of felt, sequins, beads and buttons.




* Product Details

Written by: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated by: Clare Beaton
Read Alone: Ages 4-9
Read Together: Ages 0-4
Hardcover; Full-color illustrations; 32pp;
10.25 x 10 inches
Item No. 9781841482385

$15.99 Also in Board Book $4.99

I dreamt I was a dinosaur.
You should have seen me romp and roar!



Children will be introduced to many colorful illustrated dinosaurs such as:

* Sammy Stegosaurus

* Kay Camarasaurus

* Jess Triceratops

* Paolo Parasaurolophus

* Toby Pterodactyl



* Hilary Hadrosaur



* Rex the Wrecker

* What Others Say:
"This is easily one of the most adorable dinosaur books out there for the preschool- primary crowd."—School Library Journal

I highly recommend this book for the little ones and the price is right for a very cute, durable book... $4.99 To order book,

http://www.mybarefootbooks.com/LadyD

Celebrate Father's Day with June Special Offers!

Celebrate Father's Day with June Special Offers!

Father's Day Favorites
From a crazy shopping adventure to an all-ages introduction to yoga, these specially discounted books are all great to share with Dad!

Here are your Special Offers for June:

* Shopping with Dad £8.99 HB/ $13.99 HC



* My Daddy is a Pretzel £4.99 PB/ $12.99 HC




* Yoga Pretzels £7.99/$13.99

Image via Wikipedia

* Yoga Planet £7.99/$13.99
* Journey Home from Grandpa's £2.99 PB/$3.99 PB



Young travelers will delight in this colorful journey. Along the way from country to city, they'll learn about different colors and modes of transportation, and sing along with Fred Penner to the catchy road-trip song.

* Bear's Busy Family £3.99 BB/$4.99 BB



As young readers follow Bear around his home, they will learn about all kinds of different household activities! With many first learning themes, an easy-to-memorize rhyming text, and a useful family tree, Bear's Busy Family offers many opportunities for interactive projects with young children.
* The Beeman £3.99 PB/$5.99 PB
* The Barefoot Book of Pirates £6.99 PB w CD/$11.99 PB w CD



* The Barefoot Book of Monsters! £8.99 HB/$15.99 HC
* The Story Tree £6.99 PB w CD/$15.99 HC w CD



This delightful collection of tales from around the world includes favorites like "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" (Norwegian) as well as less familiar stories such as "The Blue Coat" (Jewish) and "The Sweetest Song" (African-American). Hugh Lupton's engaging narrative quickly draws young readers into each story, while Sophie Fatus's quirky illustrations will have children laughing in their seats, ensuring hours of entertainment.
* Jack and the Beanstalk £7.99 HB w CD/$6.99 PB w CD



* Grandfather Mountain

* Grandfather Mountain US ONLY $12.99 HC



A delightful companion volume to our bestselling Grandmothers' Stories, Grandfather Mountain explores what it means to be a grandfather. Our grandfathers are the tellers of stories, passing on the knowledge they have accumulated over the years, and sharing the lessons they've learned from the grandfathers who have gone before them, who in turn received them from their elders.

This is a unique anthology, which presents adventures of well-known gods and heroes taken from cultures all over the world, and explores the quests that challenge all males as they take the step into manhood.

Image via Wikipedia

* Journey home From Grandpa's



To order Books, visit


http://www..mybarefootbooks.com/LadyD