Got an Empty Wall?

If you've ever wanted to own an original piece of art by the likes of David Shannon, Jon Muth, or Mary GrandPré, this could be your lucky day. As part of its Global Literacy Campaign, Scholastic is auctioning off twelve pieces of original art from some crackerjack children's illustrators. From the looks of the prices, the bidding is fierce, but hey, if you've got that kind of money lying around, to what better use could it be put?

Thanks to colleague and Facebook friend Lisa for the heads-up.

Book Review: Mimi Says No! by Yih-Fen Chou, illustrated by Zhiyuan Chen

Book: Mimi Says No
Author: Yih-Fen Chou
Illustrator: Zhiyuan Chen
Published: 2010
Source: Local Library

Like most toddlers, Mimi is fiercely independent. She wants to dress herself, walk to the park unaided, and go down the slide alone. Whenever offered assistance, she shrieks “NO!”and insists upon doing it herself. But even a super-independent toddler needs a little help when she hurts herself. After all, you need someone else for a hug!

Kids will giggle over Mimi’s attempts to dress herself and sympathize with her desire for independence. Parents will immediately recognize the long-suffering Mama who wipes up Mimi’s inevitable milk spill and waits patiently as she figures out how to put on her clothes.

Pair this one with Finn Throws a Fit for books that families with toddlers (and possibly, teenagers!) will immediately recognize and enjoy.

Reading Roundup: April 2011

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 39
Early Readers: 2

Sources
Swapped: 1
Library: 40

Standouts
Writing: When the Moon Forgot by Jimmy Liao, translated by Sarah L. Thomson
A dreamy story about the time the moon fell out of the sky and was discovered by a little boy. Liao ably contrasts the effect of a world without a moon (a brisk business in fake moons crops up for awhile) with the genuine friendship growing between the boy and the moon, and their reluctance to let each other go even as it becomes obvious that it’s what needs to happen.
Illustration: Quick, Slow, Mango! by Anik McGrory
Oh, those watercolors! And the whimsical details like Kidogo's astonished ears as the mangos float past him. The story is delightful, but it's the pictures that I want to pore over, and possibly lose myself in Kidogo and Pole-Pole's world.
Overall: I Know the River Loves Me by Maya Christina Gonzalez
This bilingual poem sings about the glories of the river that a little girl loves, a feeling she knows is reciprocated. The swirling, lush illustrations complement the text perfectly.

Because I Want To Awards
All Together Now, Awwwww: The Duchess of Whimsy by Randall de Seve
Impossible to Describe or Categorize: This is Silly! by Gary Taxali
Can't Wait to Read This in Storytime: Little Mouse's Big Secret by Eric Battut