Not too long ago I made mention of the partnership between Candlewick and TOON Books. These two publishers have recently been some of our absolute favorites and when the following announcement was made we were extremely pleased. Take a look…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Somerville, MA (Sept. 8, 2010) — Candlewick Press today announced a new imprint: 

TOON Books, an Imprint of Candlewick Press

A new Candlewick partnership with the award-winning TOON Books, the imprint will bring TOON’s high-quality books designed for emerging readers to a wider audience. TOON Books, an Imprint of Candlewick Press, will launch October 1, 2010, with eleven hardcover titles. This fall, Candlewick will bring on board TOON’s acclaimed backlist, including 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes; two Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Books: Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith and Stinky by Eleanor Davis; and eight additional TOON Books favorites.

The new imprint will publish four to five new titles each year. In spring 2011, TOON will release Silly Lilly in What Will I Be Today? by Agnès Rosenstiehl, and Patrick in A Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Other Stories by Geoffrey Hayes. TOON Books, which are leveled books for emerging readers, are vetted by educators. The books feature original stories and characters created by veteran children’s book authors, renowned cartoonists, and new talents.

Of the new imprint, Candlewick’s senior vice president of sales, John Mendelson, said, “Since its founding in the spring of 2008, we have admired TOON Books and how the list has been received by booksellers, librarians, and teachers. TOON’s mission to get kids reading through the accessible vernacular of comics paired with Candlewick’s deep sales and marketing relationships within the children’s books community will bring a renewed focus to the imprint in the both the retail and school and library channels.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Candlewick, which is renowned for its passion for publishing only outstanding art and text,” said Françoise Mouly, publisher and editorial director of TOON Books. “TOON Books’ radical approach, putting to use all the sophisticated tools one can find in good comics to hook kids on reading, could only find support at a house that is as daring and comfortable in its own groundbreaking track record as Candlewick is. Joining forces, we will publish the new classics, the visually literate books that will tickle the fancy of, delight, inspire, and inform the children of the twenty-first century.”  Continue reading the press release by clicking here.

What was most exciting to me about this partnership was that it would bring even more attention to a “style” of book I thought could be extremely helpful to young readers, and boys in particular. TOON Books is known for it’s “comic-book” like books. Each has a set reading level to assist parents and teachers when selecting books. It’s wonderful! Right now our family has been reading Little Mouse Gets Ready on an almost daily basis, because the kiddos keep asking for it. Obviously you don’t have to “stick” to a certain level, but I love that they provide a guide to assist in the process.

To take a look at the guide, just click on this link and you will be taken to a pdf that breaks down their books by different reading levels. It’s actually pretty neat! They also have a “how-to” when it comes to reading comics to kids so that they get the most out of the experience (also a pdf).

TOON Books Blog
TOON Books Site
TOON Books Catalog

I’m truly a huge fan of this Imprint and know that as soon as you pick up one of their books you will be too! And thanks to Candlewick Press one reader from There’s A Book will get a set of Silly Lilly books! Silly Lilly and The Four Seasons & Silly Lilly in What Will I Be Today? by Agnes Rosenstiehl.

Details: One winner will be chosen at random after the contest closes. You MUST fill out the form below, comments will not count as entries. Only one entry per household. Giveaway is open to US/Canada Residents only. The giveaway will run from February 15, 2011 until February 27, 2011 midnight EST. The winner will be announced in the closing post for Book Publishers 101 this month, on February 28, 2011.

This giveaway is now closed, please check back soon for more great giveaways!

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of Candlewick Press for our monthly feature “Book Publishers 101“. Make sure to stop by the Candlewick Press Site for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Also make sure to take a look at our Giveaways Page for the four giveaways being sponsored by Candlewick press throughout this month!

Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing this book for review! Find Candlewick Press on Twitter and Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with IndieBound.

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt

Published by Kids Can Press, Ltd.

Pages: 42

Ages: 4-8

Publishers Summary: Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It’s way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he’s well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel’s emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute.

Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day … his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk.

But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting …

The Turkeybird Speaks: “This book is one of those that I just can’t put down. My favorite is when my dad reads it, ‘wake up, eat a nut, look at a view, eat a nut…’, he just does such a good job! Scaredy Squirrel is one of those characters you love instantly, I mean, he’s really a flying squirrel! He can fly! How cool is that? And he’s afraid of bee’s and I am not a fan at all. I once had one sting me and my thumb swelled up like a balloon! So of course you want to stay away from those terrible bugs!

“My favorite part though has to be his emergency kit! He has everything you could ever need in there to keep away all the scary things you might encounter! Although I’m still not quite sure why he’s afraid of sharks? I LOVE sharks! But my mom doesn’t, so maybe it’s an adult thing??? Anyway, the emergency kit! My mom and I even drew one up together. They have one you can print off on the website for the book and it is incredible! You have to try it out! Of course we included band-aids, just like squirrel, because they are my favorite thing to stick to my body (even if I don’t have a ‘good’ reason for it, as my mom would say)!

“This is a definite must read with any guy or girl you know! Pick it up and enjoy Scaredy Squirrel’s funny adventure!”

Mom’s Two Cents: “The Turkeybird is right, this is one funny book! It was actually awarded the ALA’s award for most Notable Children’s Book in 2007 and I completely agree. My husband, The Baker, reads to The Turkeybird every night before bed as there time together the rest of the day is limited and this is something they love to do together. Well, at least every other night he asks for this book. I love to hear him chuckle in the other room as he see’s Scaredy Squirrel fall from the tree to discover he can fly and that the world outside his tree isn’t really as bad as he first thought.

“One of the funniest things about the book is all the crazy things Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of. Below is a picture from the book (provided via the publishers website) of all the crazy things he thinks are outside of his front door:

“I love it! Martians, killer bees, tarantulas, poison ivy, germs and sharks. Now, I do have to say, I’m not a fan of sharks, never have been, but Martians? Hilarious! But the truly great thing about it is, I know we all know a little boy or girl who is terrified of something so completely random and impossible that they will never truly be hurt by it, but that doesn’t mean they can’t fear it. The author mentioned this in her discussion of the book:

From the author: “Mélanie has often noted how the Scaredy Squirrel books helped her work out her own insecurities and fears, as the success of these titles has required her to venture out into the unknown, and like Scaredy she has found the experience truly uplifting.”

“In reality, though this book is funny and entertaining it teaches a wonderful lesson to children of all ages. When we stay in our shells, be it our homes or a safe place (a job, a city, a rut, anything), we could be missing out on all the world has to offer us. In Scaredy Squirrel’s case it was knowing he could fly and see more of the world around him. Granted he still has some other fears to overcome, but it’s all about taking things one step at a time. And who couldn’t use that?”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 3 and up. For kids (and adults) who may be frightened to step outside of their front door (or even their comfort zone).

Make sure to visit the publishers website for some fun activities too!

For the comments: So, what irrational fear do you have? Sharks, the dark, martians?

This book was purchased for our home library.
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.