Abundant Love Before Breakfast

JANE PORTER's THE BOY WHO LOVED EVERYONE, illustrated by MAISIE PARADISE SHEARRING, offers valuable lessons to teach children about managing their emotions, as JULES explains. Also: "HERE COMES THE SUN," a short but welcome Spr...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Baby Penguins Everywhere!: A Chat with Melissa Guion

I welcome new-to-the-field illustrator MELISSA GUION. She’s here to share some of her bright, gentle watercolors and talk about her debut title, Baby Penguins Everywhere!, a picture book as much for the parents and teachers o...
by David McGee
 

 

 

In The Woods, In the Illustrator’s Eyes

IN THE WOODS, DAVID ELLIOTT's poetry collection that explores 15 creatures in their woodland habitats, is beautifully illustrated by ROB DUNLAVEY, who discussed the project with JULES.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Bookman in Zoomland

JULES welcomes a guest post by DEAN SCHNEIDER, a veteran teacher at Nashville, TN's Ensworth School. Herein Mr. Schneider reveals his plan for a history course he'll be teaching this year--one that recognizes the temper of the ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Marianne Dubuc and the Art of Silence

In her new book The Lion and The Bird, author-illustrator MARIANNE DUBUC invites young readers into her tale by means of 'interrupted silence, not rushing the story, letting it breathe.' JULES explains further.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Hard Road to Compassion and Inclusion in an Alien World

JULES spotlights two important new books for young readers: SANCTUARY: KIP TIERNAN AND ROSIE'S PLACE, THE NATION'S FIRST SHELTER FOR WOMEN and Young Vo's GIBBERISH, in which a young boy navigates a new language in a new land.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Robert Neubecker’s Little Plane That Could

Two superb new children's books are on JULES's radar: ROBERT NEUBECKER's charming LITTLE SMOKEY and, from the legendary ELOISE GREENFIELD, a personal look at midwives in THE WOMEN WHO CAUGHT THE BABIES
by David McGee
 

 
 

Gabriella Barouch’s Art of Digital Illustration

Up-and-coming Israeli artist-illustrtor GABRIELLA BAROUCH was last year's 'Artist of the Season' for the Jerusalem Season of Culture. It's one of many honors she's racked up for her all-digital (even sketches) artwork.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Akiko Miyakoshi: Pure Magic

In this installment, JULES waxes properly rhapsodic about author-illustrator AKIKO MIYAKOSHI's new book, THE TEA PARTY IN THE WOODS: 'The visuals are pure magic.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Secret Project

How do you explain the atomic bomb to children? JULES says a new book, THE SECRET PROJECT, by JONAH WINTER and JEANETTE WINTER, is 'a compelling introduction to this topic.' The first review is here.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Klaas Verplancke

JULES's latest virtual breakfast is with noted illustrator KLAAS VERPLANCKE, whose art is described by a fellow illustrator as 'strange, yet strangely comforting. Beautifully crafted, and beautifully bonkers.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Make Way for Lucky Ducklings & Yu Byun’s ‘Diminutive Paradise’

JULES declares Eva Moore's LUCKY DUCKLINGS, illustrated by NANCY CARPENTER, to be one of 2013's great picture books, and introduces us to DREAM FRIENDS by an impressive debut artist, YOU BYUN.
by David McGee