Author: imprintgroupwest

Dudley has created the artwork for her wordless debut by crafting a small forest creature, setting him in a handmade forest full of cut-out ferns and dead leaves, and then photographing him in various poses. Hank looks a bit like a baby chimpanzee, or perhaps a baby chimpanzee in a bear costume; his black bead eyes and diminutive snout peer out from a hooded suit. Hank finds an egg on the forest floor that’s fallen from a nest in a branch high over his head. After several unsuccessful attempts to climb the tree, Hank wraps the egg up and gives it to the mother hummingbird, who carries it up herself. He’s rewarded when the egg hatches along with its clutchmates, and three small hummingbirds dance in the air in front of him. Aside from Hank’s trouble climbing the tree, the story is free of threat or conflict and suitable for the very youngest readers. Delicious details like Hank’s twig ladder and carefully moss-wrapped egg show that Dudley is firmly in touch with her inner child. This is an artist to watch. Ages 3–up. (May), ISBN: 978-1-4413-1158-0. More info

Jon Klassen’s This is Not My Hat is Candlewick Press’s first Caldecott Medal winner! The award is for the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. (HC: 978-0-7636-5599-0, $15.99)

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz is a Newbery Honor, a most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. (HC: 978-0-7636-53804, e-book: 978-0-7636-6246-2, $17.99)

Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell has received a Geisel Honor award, amost distinguished American book for beginning readers. (HC: 978-0-7636-5475-7, $14.99)

 

October Mourning by Lesléa Newman is a Stonewall Book Honor for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/ transgendered experience. (HC: 978-0-7636-5807-6, $15.99, also available in audio)

Katherine Paterson has been awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder award. The award honors an author or an illustrator whose books published in the US have made over a period of years a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.

Her Candlewick book, The Flint Heart, she co-authored with her husband, John Paterson (HC: 978-0-7636-4712-4, $19.99; PB: 978-0-7636-6243-1, $9.99)

“This is the wonderful little story of two best friends, Luna and Bear, and their special relationship. Bear thinks he needs to search to find the perfect gift for his friend, but when he returns he discovers that the best gift of all is the special friendship that he shares with Luna. The illustrations are warm and inviting and add to the special feeling of the story. This is perfect to recommend as a special quiet-time book for young children”
—Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books, LLC, New Orleans, LA

More here

Oren says that the ABA is committed to creating better lines of communication between independent booksellers and independent publishers. This has been an ongoing problem. Nice to see this openness from the leading bookseller association.

http://goo.gl/uxxmK 

Scaredy Squirrel, our favorite neurotic rodent of the Sciuridae family, has a new home. Full of games, squirrel adventures, videos, and fun, you can fulfill your Scaredy needs or get a fix quick during a hectic day at: http://www.scaredysquirrel.com.

Publishing: A whole new chapter?. Sourcebooks innovative program discussed in the Chicago Tribune.

This is a fantastic gift idea for history buffs and one of our favorite large format titles of the season. 

 

Fantastic news for author Jessica Shirvington and for Sourcebooks. This is a fun series of books and will make for an exciting TV show.

VERY exciting news! CW Network is adapting young adult series Embrace!

http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-jc-cw-tv-embrace-jessica-shirvington-20120918,0,7846742.story

Martinis should always be stirred, not shaken, so that the molecules lie sensously on top of one another. 

—Somerset Maugham

Apple-picking season is here . . . and the temptation to post an apple pie recipe was strong but I resisted! Try this chic variation on the classic martini from our Little Black Book of Cocktails . . . and chill!

Apple Martini
Makes 1 serving

Ingredients*
• 1-1/2 oz. vodka (regular or apple flavored)
• 1/2 oz. apple liqueur
• Splash of lemon juice
• 1 martini glass
* All ingredients should be cold — bitterly cold. If at all convenient, store both the alcohol and glasses in the freezer.

Directions
1. Stir with cracked ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
2. Garnish with an apple slice or apple candy.