New for younger and older

We really like the Toon Books, published by Candlewick. Our newest favorite is Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking by Philippe Coudray. These books have an old, comic book feel, and they are very clever yet simple. On the title page of the Benjamin book, you see a brown bear covered with snow and a tiny rabbit beneath him, completely dry. "It's nice to get out of the snow," the rabbit declares. And there is a simple exclamation point beside the bear. There are plenty of other Toon books for your preschooler or beginning reader, and they ought to be at your library. My older kids like to pick them up for a quick laugh too.

My favorite author of all time, Hilary McKay, is coming out with a new early reader for girls: Lulu and the Duck in the Park. Hilary McKay is brilliant, and I can't wait to get my hands on this.



Now for older readers (12 and up), Lucy and I just devoured Cart and Cwidder by Diana Wynne Jones, possibly the greatest young adult fantasy writer of all time, (except for Jonathan Stroud).

And I'm going to throw in an adult title today, because it is one of my favorite books ever, I've never blogged about it, and I'm searching for more books like it: Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.

I love this book. I just do. It makes me laugh and laugh, and love this crazy world and the crazy and not-so-crazy people in it.


Happy Reading!!!