friday's five

I have to admit that with the craziness of the week, we did not get to the library to change out our book supply and have been reading some old favorites. With a few days away, I planned to change it up a little this week, and instead of five picture book titles, I'm instead going to send you in the direction of five of our favorite author/illustrators, care of their official websites. I hope you enjoy browsing through some of their work online!

1. Mo Willems- http://www.mowillems.com/ -- How could I not start with our favorite guy? My younger two don't yet play on the computer, but there are fun activities on this site that I'm sure they would enjoy (if I wanted to let them near my already-dying netbook...). Take one look at the main image on the home page, and you can't help but smile. The guy's a genius, and I don't know what I'd. Willems has made many an appearance on the blog, and I always get excited when I hear he's visiting the Washington, DC, area.

2. Amy Krouse Rosenthal- http://www.whoisamy.com/ -- Talk about an eclectic set of books! Rosenthal creates picture books (among many other cool projects) that are all unique and lovely in their own ways. One thing that makes me happy to think about in regards to returning to the classroom this fall is the fact that I can share her books with my students, for she just wasn't strong on my radar five years ago. Now, the kids and I can't get enough of her work! Always happy to hear about her upcoming projects, and I love that the kids can put a face to the books they enjoy so much.

3. Bob Staake- http://www.bobstaake.com/ -- I've got to credit my darling Pudge for being the first to grab a Bob Staake book off the library shelf. The bright colors in the geometrically wacky illustrations caught his eye, I'm sure, and it helps that he has illustrated a couple transportation-themed books which are right up Pudge's alley. We've been working our way through finding all the "extras" in his Look! A Book!, which will have to be replaced for our personal collection once we've used up all our possible library renewals.

4. Tomie dePaola- http://www.tomie.com/ -- You should be ashamed of yourself if you call yourself a children's lit lover and you don't know Strega Nona. Tomie dePaola is the creator of more amazing children's books than one small blog can hold, and Strega Nona remains my favorite of all Italian grandmothers I've ever known. His is also a unique illustrative style that children soon learn to recognize immediately, and my own kids are drawn to his books at the library. I am T-H-R-I-L-L-E-D to know that he will be a speaker at this year's National Book Festival in September. Oh my, I can't wait.

5. Emily Gravett- http://www.emilygravett.com/ -- Every time we borrow a book by Emily Gravett, I know that I have to quiet my voice more so than with other picture books to really convey the story she has created. Her illustrations are definitively gorgeous and really are beautiful works of art. Her website is a load of fun, and don't be concerned by the noises coming out of your computer if you open up that link. Creaking doors, "shushing" by the familiar looking librarian and even a quacking duck will greet your mouse as it goes around the page.


So there you go, head to your local library's children's section and visit the D, G, R, S, and W shelves. You won't be disappointed, trust me.


Bookishly yours,