Beautiful Oops!

Barney Saltzberg (2010), 28 pages

Audience: all ages

Format: board book

Can you take a crumbled piece of paper and make it into a sheep’s coat? Can you turn a scrap piece of paper into something interesting? Why, yes you can! This book reminds everyone that mistakes are okay. In fact, making mistakes is a part of life – so why not celebrate them! Author and illustrator, Saltzberg delivers this message in a very creative and innovative way. Using a series of flaps, pop ups, and die cuts he produced a fun, interactive, and imaginative book that people (at any age) will appreciate. With some ingenuity, “Oops! A torn piece of paper” becomes a wide-smiling crocodile or watch as a little paint spill morphs into … a collection of purple puppies, a family of birds, even an elephant. Satlzberg proves that no matter the mistake, whether torn paper, a drip of paint, a stain, a hole, etc … it’s just a chance to make something unique and interesting. This board book is constructed well with durable, glossy pages … so that even young children can enjoy moving the pages and gain motor skills. Each interactive element is surprising and delightful for more details check out the publisher’s promotional video. It may just inspire you to get crafty and go make some mistakes of your own! With it’s movable parts, bright colors, and creative design-this book is both fun and functional and the authors message is timeless … mistakes provide an opportunity to be creative and imaginative and more importantly they are an opportunity to create something new … something beautiful!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman, or The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

Other books by this author: Kisses, Peekaboo Kisses, Crazy Hair Day, Star of the Week, Baby Animal Kisses, The Flying Garbanzos, and Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?

Counting with Wayne Thiebaud

Susan Goldman Rubin (2007), 26 pages

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: board book

Foster art appreciation at an early age whilst teaching your baby or toddler how to count. The artwork of contemporary artist, Wayne Thiebaud (famous for delicious renditions of candies, pastries, and cakes) makes counting a delight! Rubin reproduces a sampling of Thiebaud’s works, including Pie Slice (1991), Jolly Cones (2002), Sugar Sticks (1964) and many more to create a decadent counting book from 1-10. With minimal text and a carefully crafted sequence, “One piece of pie, two ice-cream clowns, three sandwich slices, three pickle rounds,” … Rubin creates a clever and simple counting book featuring Thiebaud’s beautiful artwork. With each turn of the page, readers are treated to Thiebaud’s painterly pastels, oils, and watercolors – each one striking and luscious; a sweet treat for readers everywhere! In addition, the book includes a complete catalog of the works used along with collection locations. Published in a board book format with rounded edges and in a compact size makes this ideal for little hands. Rubin has used other artists such as Warhol and Matisse as inspiration for children’s books. Her books are a great introduction to modern art and before long you’ll be visiting some museums to these works in person!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Touch the Art: Make Van Gogh’s Bed by Julie Appel or My First ABC by The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, or A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet by Stephen T. Johnson

Other books by this author: Delicious: Wham! The Art and Life of Roy Lichtenstein, Matisse Dance with Joy, and Andy Warhol’s Colors

Museum Trip

Barbara Lehman (2006), 32 pages

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

Barbara Lehman's wordless storyline is endearing and creative with illustrations that really tell a complete narrative! Similar in style to her Caldecott honored The Red Book, Museum Trip is written in a wordless narrative with illustrations that tell the story of a child's museum visit and getting lost in its maze (literary by being separated from their class and figuratively as he gets "lost" or engrossed in the artifacts/exhibits on display at the museum). But wait … was finding his way through the maze just a daydream? Well, you’ll have to decide for yourself as he leaves the museum with a shiny souvenir there may be reason to think otherwise. A story that will delight children of all ages!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book you may like: Time Flies by Eric Rohmann, Wave by Suzy Lee, or Free Fall by David Wiesner

Other books by this author: The Red Book (Caldecott Honor), Trainstop, and Rainstorm