Wombat In the News
Two more Wombat reviews!
Visually arresting illustrations of the Australian wilderness capture the story of a wombat and four other animals as they face the predicament of a wildfire in their habitat…. This title could be useful in multiple areas of the curriculum including environmental units as well as units on animal habitats and cooperation. VERDICT Bringing the impact of wildfires to a young audience through this angle, this title does an admirable job of capturing realistic details along with a “hero saves the day” story. Recommended.
And from Booklist:
Read MoreThomson’s spare text is lyrical and elegant [why, thank you, Booklist, that is so kind of you to say] and Santoso’s gorgeous illustrations enhance the story, capturing detailed textures while providing an emotional sense of the scenes, from the terror of the all-encompassing fire to the silence of a surprising safe haven…. A gentle and compassionate introduction to an extraordinary group of animals and an increasingly relevant topic.
Beautiful Blackbird Book Festival
There’s still time to experience some of the joyful exuberance of the Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival, named in honor of celebrated author/illustrator Ashley Bryant.
Fully accessible online…come for activities and read aloud and to see video of a joyful bike giveaway to honor the picture book Joseph’s Big Ride, written by Terry Farish and illustrated by Ken Daley.
Read MoreTwo Friends
No thoughts on writing, research, or poop today. Instead enjoy this photo of my pup, Karma, and cat, Tessie, who do not actually like each other but are both fiends for warmth and will tolerate anything for a cozy spot to sleep.
Eric Carle
This is the week that we lost Eric Carle, a giant of the world of children’s literature. He wasn’t just an amazing illustrator and author, he was a champion of picture books for the preschool set–the very youngest readers.
Books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar (listen to Carle read his own words and get a glimpse of his studio here) and Brown Bear, Brown Bear are perfectly suited to children just learning about language, art, and story. Carle was one of the first to write and illustrate books for kids this young with superb dedication and artistry. These are books that are narratively elegant and visually stunning–those colors! Those pristine white backgrounds! Those simple and powerful shapes!
He brought not only his skill, but also his respect, to that audience. He is (present tense, always) a writer who understands the courage it takes to be two, or three, or four, or five, in a world that’s overwhelming both in its joys and its challenges.
Not everyone knows this, but when writing for kids, the younger the audience, the tougher the task. Carle took on the toughest audience of all and captivated them. He’ll be much missed.
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Reviews