INSIDE, OUTSIDE by Lizi Boyd

Title: Inside Outside
Author: Lizi Boyd
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Date: 2013

An absolutely, beautifully illustrated children's book.

By using strategically placed die cuts on every page, the young reader can see what's going on inside the house when the young child and his dog are playing outside and also outside of the house when he is playing inside.

This is a WPB (Wordless Picture Book). There is no vocabulary or dialogue in Inside, Outside.

With so much to see in this book, the young reader can spend ample time looking at and talking about what is going on in the story, and there is something new every time he turns the page.  There are so many types of animals, insects, pictures, posters, flowers and activities.

The Art: The colors and patterns are soft and gentle yet the lines are strong.  I have always been a fan of 'brown paper bag'  (BPB) literature as it tends to float a natural, organic feel to the physical and visual aura of the book.

My favorite part of the book is that there are two little white mice to find on every page.

And to add to all the positives, it is worth mentioning that the young child in this story is always smiling.

This is a perfect book for the quiet corner at school or as a bedtime book at home.

THE RACE by Edouard Manceau

Title: The Race
Author: Edouard Manceau
Publisher: Owl Kids Books
Date: 2012

The best sports book for kids. Ever.
Or, should I say the best sports book for adults, that was written for children. Ever.

Despite the unusual choice of anthropomorphic characters (I get the hare and tortoise, but reindeer?), I must say, Edouard Manceau must have had children enrolled in organized and/or competitive sports.

While this book focuses on the cheating aspect of the athletes during competition - in this case - a running race, there are definitely innuendos to the adult encouragement of the unsportsmanlike behavior of the competitors.

After all, "it begins with a guy (a reindeer, actually), a can of paint, and a paintbrush."  There is a starting pistol, assigned number badges, medical support and a well-stocked rest stop for refueling.  There is no doubt this is an adult organized event.

But when the win at all costs attitude of the adults affect the outcome, like the adult reindeer (obviously, because children don't drive) driving a truck allowing competitors to hang on to the back in order to cheat their way to the front, the negligence of rules and regulations, thus allowing 'the old banana peel trick' and the digging of a concealed hole in the ground, made it obvious that the adult organizers were either running an unscrupulous event or were unaware of the importance of the assurance of fair play in competition. 

At last, when one competitor finally crosses the finish line and there is a entire entourage of media and even a marching band to celebrate his perceived (if not unfair) accomplishment, the message to the adults is clear; step back, take a look at what's important - understand what, when, how and why you want your child to participate in sport and keep it all in perspective.

The Art: Bright, yet organic colors and patterns. 

For the children reading the book, the message is also clear: don't cheat and do what makes you happy!

This is an excellent and rare book about good and poor sportsmanship.  It's one for the home library, indeed.

MISTER BUD WEARS THE CONE by Carter Goodrich

Title: Mister Bud Wears the Cone
Author: Carter Goodrich
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Date: 2014

Okay, this story really isn't about Mister Bud.  The poor guy simply had a 'hot spot' that bothered him so he had to wear a cone to keep from aggravating it. This story is really about Zorro, Mister Bud's jealous little so-called best 'friend' (with an interesting five o' clock shadow) whom taunted, teased and even tattled on his frustrated and hapless old roommate.

When Mister Bud spoiled the coveted regular scheduled walk-and-a-biscuit because of the cone, Zorro thought he should just take things into his own paws and get his own biscuits while the owner was away.  And Zorro also thought it was fun to taunt Mister Bud by taking Mister Bud's toy and running away with it, causing Mister Bud to chase him and knock over a lamp with his cone.  Zorro thought Mister Bud was going to be in big trouble, and took great pleasure in that, but when their owner finally returned home....

Moral of the story:
If you want to know who is really stealing the biscuits, get a nanny cam.

The Art: Soft, blended colors and patterns.  

A totally entertaining book!
Available at Chapters/Indigo

SEUSS-ISMS! by Dr. Seuss

Title: Seuss-isms!  A Guide to life for Those Just Starting Out...and Those Already on Their Way
Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Date: 2015

We all have a favourite Dr. Seuss book, yet, some people won't admit it.  Apparently, some people feel that Dr. Seuss is too hokey, too pokey, too goofy, too woofy, Too silly, too willy, He just makes words up nilly.


Yup, I'd imagine that those same people probably prefer more mature children's books from authors like Theo LeSieg or Rosetta Stone :)

Whether you prefer the long storytelling of If I Ran the Circus or Horton Hatches the Egg or the shorter, more compact tales like What Was I Scared Of? or The Cat In The Hat, I can guarantee you will enjoy the new book Seuss-isms! A Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out...and Those Already on Their Way, by Dr. Seuss.

Seuss-isms! is a collection of Dr. Seuss inspirational quotes and illustrations from his entire collection of books.

Like the obvious,

Respect Your Elders
You must not
hop on Pop.
       - Hop on Pop

Or the more sublime,

Uphold Justice
I know, up on top
  you are seeing great sights,
But down at the bottom
  we, too, should have rights.
                  - Yertle the Turtle

From Be True to Yourself to Listen to Good Advice to Be Flexible and Take Chances, the quotations and quips are funny, witty and relevant.  This book would make a great gift to a graduate or young student just starting out.  It's just fun and for the right reader, it can be inspirational and motivating.  It fits in nicely with all your other Beginner Books other than it boasts an exceptional Dr. Seussish spine of bright red and white strips - so I guess it's at least easy to locate.

The Art:  It's Dr. Seuss, what d'ya expect. The illustrations just add to the nostalgic ambiance of the book and compliment the passages perfectly.