Couple of Cheery Children's Books

 

Coming on sale February 12th is a beautiful picture book, The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum, written by Kate Bernheimer and illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli.

The very imaginative story is about a little girl who lives in a castle, and this particular castle is inside a big glass globe, inside a museum. In this world within a world, Ms. Bernheimer weaves a short, but unusual little tale in which the reader becomes part of the story. Known for her fairy tale writings, Bernheimer's The Girl in the Castle is original and timeless.

Mesmerizing. Haunting. Beautiful. Ethereal. Unique. All perfect descriptions of the talent of Ceccoli whose gorgeous artwork truly makes this book. As my stepdaughter described it, "seems like very serious artwork for a children's book". She's right, but it's never too early to introduce good art appreciation to a child.



Some of you may be familiar with the story series of Junie B., First Grader, by Barbara Park.

Now, Ms. Park has written a children's book that would be a perfect gift for any expectant mother, Ma! There's Nothing To Do Here!.

Very cute illustrations by Viviana Garofoli ( hmm, we seem on a roll with Italian illustrators), with humorous rhymes that will tickle your maternal funny bone. She wrote it after seeing the ultrasound of her unborn grandson, and wanted to commemorate the little fella's pending arrival.

Older siblings expecting a new brother or sister would have great fun imaging exactly what it is that babies do all day "in there".

Curled into a spiral on one page, this paragraph is a hoot:

I'm all in a heap here. My feet are asleep here. I'm flat out of space. I've got knees in my face. And I'm totally bored with this dumb bungee cord...I'm NOT kidding you...there is NOTHING to do!

You can meet the author and get an autographed copy at the Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, where Ms. Park will be appearing on February 4th at 7:00 PM. Unfortunately, Houston is quite a drive from Cowtown, or you might find Pattie there waiting in line!