When the World is Ready for Bed

Written by Gillian Shields
Illustrated by Anna Currey
The gentle rhyming style of this story is just right for bedtime. The rabbit family settles into their nightly routine of bedtime chores. By the time they get everything done, they are tuckered out and fast asleep for the night. "When the World is Ready for Bed" is a beautifully written story and the illustrations compliment it perfectly. The Illustrator, Anna Currey, uses watercolors and ink to create an absolutely charming feel to this great story. I would definitely recommend adding this to your bookshelf.

All the World

Written by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrated by Caldecott Honor Medalist Marla Frazee

Oh what a beautiful book! The written story and illustrations work hand in hand. It is a story that you can't have one without the other. The story is thoughtful, and optimistic. In, All the World, everything plays an important part and everything is connected. From big to small, simple to complicated, old to young, near or far, we all have an important role in the world and can make it beautiful and enjoy everything it has to offer.  The message in this story is to take the time to appreciate our world whether big or small. This is a book that should be shared with both children and adults. You will love the story and the phenomenal illustrations.

Upcoming Book

Hello Everyone;

There is with much excitement and anticipation I would like to announce my newest book, Whooo's the Chicken Thief, a Humble Stew Story, will be out sometime this year. I am diligently working with the text department in arranging the final layout.

THE MITTEN TREE

This story, "The Mitten Tree," is just perfect for this time of year. As it grows colder and more snow falls, the need for mittens is necessary. Sarah, who is an older woman whose children have grown, enjoys looking out her window at the children waiting for the schoolbus. In the midst of the children playing in the snow, Sarah notices one little boy who isn't playing with them. He doesn't have any mittens to keep his hands warm. Once discovering that, Sarah thought it would be a nice idea to knit him a pair of mittens. She has some leftover blue yarn to match his coat. Early the next morning, Sarah leaves the mittens for him on the old blue spruce tree. The boy was excited when he found them and puts them on right away. Sarah is pleased. The little boy is happy. Still wanting to help out, Sarah notices someone else who doesn't have any mittens. She sets to work knitting more and leaves them on the tree each day for the children to find. Sarah finally gets to the bottom of her yarn basket and makes one last delivery of hand-knitted mittens. She now has and empty basket, but a full heart. She makes her way home and finds a new basket with more yarn in it sitting by her front door. Sarah is surprised and delighted. Who could it be? She wonders. "The Mitten Tree," is a story that teaches us to be kind and helpful to others.

ALL YOU NEED FOR A SNOWMAN

Written by Alice Schertle
Illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
Yes! It's that time of year! With anticipation from young to old, eagerness for it to snow is all around us. It only takes one snowflake to fall to start the fun and imagination of yesterday, today and snowfalls yet to come. The joy of being outside and building a snowman is a tradition that will always exist. In the story, "All You Need For a Snowman," the children can't wait for that first flake of snow. There is one, then two, and then there are millions. With snowflakes falling all around, the children build a snowman packing the snow into the biggest snowball they could. They then need a middle-sized one and then a smaller one which they use for the head. Working together, they build a huge snowman. The snow continues to fall and they decide to build a friend for their snowman. They dress them, each being unique. I enjoy the colorful and clean watercolors used to illustrate this story. They are well suited for this story and represents, for me, clean new snow which is very exciting at this time of year. Be sure to include this fun wintertime story with your bedtime audience.

CHRISTMAS WITH TEDDY BEAR

Written and Illustrated by

Jacqueline McQuade

"Christmas With Teddy Bear," is a wonderful christmas story that re-enforces for young listeners all the special events and moments of the season. As each tradition of christmas is highlighted, you'll come to know Teddy Bear and his family as familiar or similar to your own. From preparing for the special day by decorating the christmas tree to spending time together christmas caroling, you will enjoy and look forward to the christmas holiday that is yet to come. Teddy Bear counts down the days and writes to Santa Claus with his wish for christmas. The author and illustrator, Jacqueline McQuade, has done a beautiful job in creating a feeling of warmth and the true feeling of the christmas season and traditions. The oil paintings are rich and full of detail. Take some time out this christmas and enjoy this story as it will truly give you the feeling of this special season. Family, love and hope.

JOLLY SNOW

Written and Illustrated by Jane Hissey
Join in on the snow fun with Little Bear, Zebra, Jolly, Duck, Old Bear, Rabbit and Bramwell Brown in this "Old Bear" story. While the toys patiently wait for snow to fall so they can go outside to play, they find other things to do that remind them of snow. So the toys all take turns at using their imagination in creating fun things to do in their pretend snow. Like using flour to make believe they're in a snow storm. Snow bubbles which don't last. Paper pieces of all sizes for a blizzard, a box cut-out like a sled, and feather-snow from a comfy cushion they use to crash into when they try sledding. As Rabbit suggests to put some feather-snow around the windows, they all notice that it's really snowing outside. The toys are excited and can't wait to go outside to play in the real snow, when Little Bear decides it's too deep for him and Old Bear decides it's too cold for him. So instead, they enjoy some special snowflake biscuits inside while they watch the snow fall. Jane Hissey who is the author and illustrator of "Jolly Snow," blends her writing style and her beautiful illustrations to create a one-of-a-kind trademark known as the Old Bear Stories.
To enjoy more titles by this author, please visit www.janehissey.co.uk