It's PB Time!

Greetings, PBnauts! Well, one good thing about Swine Flu: you get plenty of time to browse catalogs for PB items and read PBs! Here are a few of my recent PB finds:

Check out this ingenious tool: the PB & J Spreader! PB swirls in your jelly jar? Jelly globs in your PB jar? Clever dual-sided silicone spreader eliminates double-dip results and two dirty knives (or fingers)! Machine washable, and only $10.00! Sold by Uncommon Goods (http://tinyurl.com/yld5reb).

PB time! Have you read any of these PBs? What did you think?

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril (Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins Publishers, 2009). The nephew of Peggy Parish continues the adventures of everyone's favorite too-literal comedienne... as a kid!

The Banshee by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully (Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009). SUPER-spooky/suspenseful tale of a boy's determination to confront a real-life banshee in his yard... or is it?

How the Nobble Was Finally Found by C.K. Williams and Stephen Gammell (Harcourt Children's Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009). Truly unique, poetic quest story of a truly unique creature's search to find a friend. LOVE the Nobble's esoteric hiding places: the bottom rung of the number eight, the space between Wednesday and Thursday, etc.

Little Devils by Robert J. Blake (Philomel Books, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2009). Charming family loyalty/bravery story starring three unusual protagonists: triplet Tasmanian devil pups, who must rescue their beloved "mum" from a trap! Blake's beautiful paintings truly bring to life the big, mischievous personalities of these little... well, devils!

On Our Way Home by Sebastien Braun (Boxer Books, 2009). Sweet first-person "me and my Daddy bear" bedtime story. Little ones will enjoy spotting the other forest friends in the charming pictures.

Princess Hyacinth: the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated by Florence Parry Heide, illustrated by Lane Smith, design by Molly Leach (Schwartz & Wade Books, Random House Children's Books, 2009). A fantastically funny and beautifully illustrated version of the classic fairy tale.

Timmerman Was Here by Colleen Sydor, illustrated by Nicolas Debon (Tundra Books, 2009). Suspenseful but surprisingly heartwarming Depression-era account of friendship between a girl and her home's kind yet mysterious boarder. Where does Timmerman go on those late-night walks? And why does he need that shovel?

Now, here it is: the PB Planet Spotlight Review! Big PB Planet applause for The Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Gwen Millward (Schwartz & Wade Books, Random House Children's Books, 2008). Two little girls tell their Mom they're going to Annie's house to play. Instead, they sneak off to the magic pond in Bluebell Wood to fish for newts--but catch something much better. Whimsically, gorgeously written and illustrated, with a beautiful-but-not-preachy "nature is best left in nature" message, it's a truly fantastic read. In fact, I DARE you not to "it's-so-good!" cry with this one. (I did. Each of the three times I read it.) So... zoom on over to your local bookstore and bring a copy back to your home planet today!

TTFN, PBnauts! In the next few posts: I'll show you my space rock! I'll gush about a fave new illustrator! And, a salute to recent Alfred A. Knopf PB titles! (Why? Oh, I dunno...) ;)