Okay, so this book trailer was too hilarious not to post. Initially I thought Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj sounded like it might be kind of cute, I mean I do love cats, but seriously it’s the book trailer that did it for me (and the Turkeybird as well). Just take a look…

So now I know you you will be adding this to your TBR piles for sure! Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj is out this month, make sure to pick it up and let us know what you think (if you’re participating in our Picture Book Challenge you could even count it there as well)! We definitely will be!

Also, for some really incredibly hilarious fun, try out the Cat Secrets site. It even has entry points depending on whether you are a human or cat. Too good!

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At first glances I think you might pass on this seemingly innocent looking cover, but if you take a second look at Awaken I think you might discover something else…what looks to be a fantastic read! People living behind their computers in a world without face-to-face interactions sounds so intriguing (and not entirely an impossibility). I’m definitely reading this one in the near future.

My only hang up…does anyone know anything about the author Katie Kacvinsky outside of her general summary on the publishers site? I’d love to get to know a bit more. Please let me know if you happen know anymore details! For now, take a look and tell me what you think…

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Currently Scheduled Release Date is May 23, 2011

Publishers Summary: Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

So, what do you think? Sounds a lot like a dystopian novel to me, at least it has that kind of feel, but a bit different. Will you be picking it up?

If you’ve been reading There’s A Book for awhile now you already know that Dan Yaccarino is one of our all time favorite illustrators. Our number one favorite book from him would have to be Everyday Friday, or possibly Goodnight Mr. Night, or any number of his incredible TV shows we love like Oswald and The Backyardigans. Well, I don’t know where I’ve been, but he has another fantastic looking book out! Out in October of this year, Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly looks a little bit like “Cooking with Turkeybird and Littlebug”. (Yes, I’m absolutely chuckling while typing that!) So, without a doubt this one is going under the tree this year for Christmas and I’m positive it will be a huge hit!

Take a look and don’t forget to watch the book trailer at the bottom, it’s perfect!

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly by Carolyn Parkhurst and Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Published by Feiwel and Friends

Publishers Summary:
Hello!
Do you like to cook? We do, too. We even have our own cooking show, even though one of us really isn’t old enough to be on the show.
But Mom said we had to share.
Anyway, we hope you like our show!

Take a look at the absolutely hilarious book trailer!
(RSS & Email Subscribers may have to click through to view)

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It’s getting to be Christmas season around the There’s A Book home and that means lots and lots of Christmas books. The kiddos love it and because we don’t always keep them out year round, it’s an extra special treat. New books! So, when I saw this new title from one of my favorite publishers, Tiger Tales Books, I knew I had to add it to our wish list. It’s so adorable! I could almost squeeze that little mouse’s cheeks right here! Love it! Take a look and tell me what you think…

The Very Snowy Christmas by Diana Hendry and Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Published by Tiger Tales Books

Currently Available

Publishers Summary: On the night before Christmas, Big Mouse and Little Mouse are decorating the tree. Little Mouse scampers out to search for holly, but finds big white flakes falling from the sky. “Goodness me!” he cries. “The sky is coming undone!” As Little Mouse’s world is covered in snow, he discovers strange things all around him. . . . But Big Mouse shows Little Mouse that snow isn’t scary at all. In fact, it’s magical. And that a very snowy Christmas is a very good Christmas indeed!

Glittery snow twinkles on the book’s cover! With cheery illustrations by Jane Chapman, Diana Hendry’s holiday adventure is sure to tickle children, who’ll delight in knowing the real identities behind Little Mouse’s imagined snow monsters.

So what do you think? Doesn’t this sound absolutely adorable? Will you be picking up a copy?

The publisher, Tiger Tales Books, is actually currently holding a giveaway for this as well as four other Christmas titles! Entries are pretty low and so your chances are pretty good. Stop by the Tiger Tales Books blog to enter to win! You may just pick this won up!

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

First of all I have to say that I was initially drawn to Lost Voices because of it’s gorgeous cover. Isn’t it beautiful? Secondly, it was the story. It sounds so original and I’m definitely hopeful with this one. Generally speaking, in the recent past my experience with mermaid books has been less than fabulous, but this one just seems to scream “Read Me” and I’m definitely going to give it a shot.

Only thing, I wish I knew more about the author, Sarah Porter. Anyone know anything besides the generic summary on the publishers site? I’d love to know if she has a website or is up for interviews, anything.

Take a look and let me know what you think…

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Release Date Currently Set as July 4, 2011

Publishers Summary: Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?

The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

So you tell me? Mermaid revolt? Are you up for it or is it too much? I’d love to know!

Seriously, do you even need to ask why this is on my wish list? After reading Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares I’ve been clamoring to pick up anything and everything either or both author’s have written. So when I saw The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan posted over at Anna Reads for her “Waiting on Wednesday” post I knew it was immediately being added to the pile of must read books.

One of the things I loved in Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares was when Lily was making up stories to go along with the origin of words in the dictionary. Stories like what people were doing back in 1304 A.D. to come up with a certain word. It’s hilarious! And actually…something I find myself doing quite often. Yes, I know, I’m a nerd what can I say? So, this book pretty much sounds like exactly the type of read I’m going to adore. I cannot wait!

The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Due out January 4, 2011

Publishers Summary: basis, n.

There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself.

If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it—you’re done. And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face.

How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

So, what do you think? Not exactly YA, but definitely appeals to my bookish romantic nature. I will definitely be picking this one up! How about you?