10 Great Picture Books for Holiday Gift-Giving

I stopped by my local NBC affiliate and promoted some of my favorite new picture books on Mass Appeal. Have some kids that you still need to shop for? Get some book recommendations in the video above!

You should totally go out and get a copy of Joey Weiser's graphic novel, Mermin Vol. 1: Out of Water

For the past few years, Joey Weiser has been crucial to my meeting my deadlines. A graphic novelist in his own right, Joey has been assisting in coloring and shading the Lunch Lady books starting with book 5, and also the first Platypus Police Squad book. His self-published Mermin books, which are beyond awesome, have now been bound up in full color by Oni Press! These books will be a huge hit with young comic readers.

I'm not plugging Joey's book because he's helped me out, I'm plugging it because it's a superlative kids' graphic novel.

Learn more about Mermin, the fish-boy who yearns to live on land, at Joey's website: http://tragic-planet.com!

Dan Santat's SIDEKICKS

Dan sent me a PDF of his near-complete graphic novel debut and I read it with my jaw open. It's gorgeous, it's fast paced and it is just so incredibly good. I cannot wait to own a copy of this book.

In the meantime, I'll need to up my game, as will we all.

Mr. Santat is running a cool campaign through his website where he's supporting his local indie and giving an e-book on the making of SIDEKICKS. Check it out. 

Joey Wieser - get his books

I'm plugging away on the Lunch Lady books at a brisk pace while working on my picture books and a new chapter book series. So as you can imagine, I've been busy as of late. I needed some help with the coloring of the Lunch Lady books and I am very lucky that cartoonist Joey Weiser was game. He has been an invaluable help, replicating the look that I established in LL 1-4. Joey colored LL5 and is currently coloring LL6. You should check out his books, too. They are very good!

Joey's website is www.tragic-planet.com. Here are some of his books and mini-comics:

And all of Joey's comics can be ordered right from his website.

The "Get This Book" Series

Timothy Basil Ering has a new book out today! It's called Necks Out for Adventure: The True Story of Edwin Wiggleskin and Tim's not only illustrated this one, but wrote it as well. Tim is the illustrator of many fine books, most notably The Tale of Despereaux and Frog Belly Rat Bone (which he is also the author of). Necks Out is so much fun and the illustrations are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The paintings in the book are to behold! I would say they rival J.M.W. Turner in terms of skill in depicting light and water. This is a story about clams... I mean wigleskins... and a brave young hero called Edwin who shucks his shell to save his family. This book will be a must have and should be on the top of all the award savvy list keepers' lists. I had the pleasure of seeing the galleys for Necks Out months ago in Mr. Ering's studio and I can't wait to add this fine book to my library. Stop what you're doing, order the book now and marvel at it once it arrives.

The "Get This Book" Series - geeking out edition

I've been waiting very patiently, but the 4th volume in the Scott Pilgrim series has just been published. If you just read that and said, "What's Scott Pilgrim?" Man - you are missing out! Written and illustrated by Bryan Lee O'malley and published by Oni Press, the Scott Pilgrim books are nothing short of brilliant. 23 year old Scott live in Toronto, is a bit of slacker and is in a band. He falls for a girl named Ramona and that's when things start to shake up. In order to date her, he needs to battle her 7 evil X-boyfriends. It's a comedy, drama, action-adventure story, video game, music video all in a comic book. If you're a fan of comics and all things awesome, I couldn't recomend this book series enough. Bryan has an extensive preview section here.

(Just an FYI - if you're a librarian serving the very young, these books have mature themes.)

The "Get This Book" Series

Hey gang- it's been a while since I posted any book recommendations here. I've been meaning to, time has just escaped me! Wedding, book touring, etc - you know the everyday things that just mount up.

There's been a picture book that I've been intending to post about because the illustrations are just awesome. If you haven't read The Secret Life of Walter Kitty by Barbara Jean Hicks (words) and Dan Santat (pictures) you just need to. Dan Santat is the man - in both skills and heart. I first came across Dan's work at a Society of Illustrators show years ago when his book The Guild of Geniuses was on display. And I thought "Oh man - this stuff is cool!" Then a few years later I got to meet Dan while in LA. And I thought - "Oh man - this guy is cool!" All of us East coasters wished he lived on this side of the states.

Now, I have to admit, I'm not much of a cat person. But Walter Kitty has won me over. He's helped me look at the world from a cat's perspective - and if cats can be pirates, explorers, astronauts and superheroes, they're cool with me.

If you don't trust me, trust the editors at Amazon, because Walter Kitty was just put on their list of the best picture books of '07 - coming in at #2!!! Congratulations to Barbara and Dan!

PS - If you need any further proof of the coolness of Santat - the dude's got his own show on the Disney Channel (The Replacements) and he illustrated the '06 Macy's Day Parade poster!

The 'Get This Book' Series

I just put down Aaron Renier's Spiral-Bound and I have to tell you - it is INCREDIBLE! I stumbled upon it on the Top Shelf Comics website a few weeks back and made a blind purchase. I'm glad I did. This book is smart, funny and charming. In a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, our hero Turnip (an insecure elephant) lives in a small community that fears the monster suspected to live in the lake. Aaron Reiner gives us an animal indie band, a sculpture studio run by a whale and secret underground passageways that would make the Fraggles envious.

The pacing is pitch-perfect, I found that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. And the design is outstanding. The book itself is even made to look like the spiral bound notebook that Ana (a head strong bunny) carries around. For those librarians out there who are starting to build their graphic novel collections, this is one all ages will appreciate.

This is Aaron's first book and I will now wait patiently to see what he delivers next!

The "Get This Book" Series

I first found an Oliver Jeffers book a few years back. I love all of his books, but I think that my favorite is Lost and Found. It's a story about a penguin who turns up at a boy's doorstep and their journey to the South Pole. Though, it runs much deeper than that on an emotional level. Lost and Found, like Jeffers' other titles are of another world. They are like modern-day folk tales and the pacing of the story juxtaposed to the pictures is pitch perfect.

If you're not familiar with Jeffers' work, hop on it. He's a bit of an international superstar. Make sure you stop by his website - www.oliverjeffers.com to check out all of his artwork, not just his stuff for picture books.





PS - A special thanks to the '7 Impossible Things' Blog for encouraging my occasional recommendations!

The "Get This Book" Series

Cowboy Ned and Andy by David Ezra Stein is a beautifully illustrated and charming book. I first saw this book last summer and then soon after met David himself at the
big SCBWI conference. Cowboy Ned and Andy is a story about the friendship between a cowboy and his horse and the cowboy's impending birthday. The expressions, gestures and movement found throughout the book are stellar. I love the colors and the painting technique that David has here and in the rest of his work. Do check out this book and while you're at it, his website - www.davidezra.com. He has some forthcoming titles that I am sure will not disappoint!

The 'Get This Book' Series

I know, it's been a while, but the 'Get This Book Series' is back from hiatus. Ugly Fish, written by Kara LaReau and illustrated by Scott Magoon, is brilliant. The pacing, the writing and the illustrations are all top notch. You should totally get this book.

I found it in at the Union Sq B&N in New York City this past fall. Being that I was traveling, I didn't want to buy the book then and there because the book would get all messed up in my travels. So I took out my phone and emailed myself the website of the illustrator. Of course for me, I am always attracted to the illustrations first. But when I read the book, I was equally amused and entertained by this clever story. Scott Magoon, the illustrator, is a talented guy and from what I see on his website he has some great books coming out on the horizon. Be on the look-out! And - he's also a fellow Massachusetts-ite. I think there's something in the water up here...

The Get This Book Series

Jeff Newman is a new author/illustrator on the scene and his first book with Little Brown has just been published. It's called Hippo! No, Rhino and I highly suggest that you get it. It's hysterical. Jeff is sparse on words and let's the majority of his story be artfully told by his pictures. The illustrations are rich and are very much an homage to funky illustrations from the late 60's and early 70's. Jeff is a fellow central-Massachusetts-ian, but he is now a Midwesterner. If all works out, I should be meeting the talented Mr. Newman while on my fall book tour. Take my advice - get this book!

The Get This Book Series

So I am starting a new series on my blog. I want to give shout outs to friends who have new books out and I want to suggest books that I just think are neat. The innagural book for the JJK "Get this Book" Series
is....(drum roll please)....

Chowder by Peter Brown . Peter let me take a look at the proofs for this book a few months back and I have to say - it's great. Great story and amazing illustrations. If you didn't see Peter's first book - Flight of the Dodo - check it out. Pete will be around in this biz for a long time!