THE CASTLE THE KING BUILT
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Tom Froese
Publisher: Nosy Crow/The National Trust
ISBN-10: 0857639676
ISBN-13: 978-0857639677
Find out exactly what goes on inside a medieval castle in this impeccably stylish picture book from the National Trust. How many people does it take to build a castle? And what exactly does each person do? Discover masons to merchants and bakers to blacksmiths in this unique take on the classic rhyme ‘This is the House that Jack Built’. Explore what happens inside the castle the king built with striking retro artwork from illustrator Tom Froese and a carefully researched rollicking rhyme from author Rebecca Colby.
BEATRIX AND HER BUNNIES
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Caroline Bonne-Müller
Publisher: Nosy Crow/The National Trust
ISBN-10: 183994093X
ISBN-13: 978-1839940934
Published in collaboration with the National Trust, this is a moving and inspiring picture book based on the life of Beatrix Potter. Beatrix loves the countryside, but lives in a big, lonely house in London – if only she had a friend. Then she meets Benjamin Bunny and everything changes! They spend every day together playing chase and follow my leader. But when Benjamin dies, Beatrix is heartbroken. She decides to write about Benjamin’s adventures and about her new bunny, Peter, who plays the tambourine and jumps through hoops. If she can publish her stories, she knows children will fall in love with Benjamin and Peter, and her bunnies will live forever. This is the perfect gift for fans of Peter Rabbit, for young environmentalists and for animal lovers everywhere. Rebecca Colby effortlessly entwines the fascinating threads of Beatrix Potter’s life: her deep connection with animals, her development as a writer and artist, her determination to be published and her role as a pioneering conservationist. A biography of Beatrix Potter’s life is included, and the book is written in consultation with experts from the National Trust.
CROCODILES NEED KISSES TOO
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Penelope Dullaghan
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0451480074
ISBN-13: 978-0451480071
Everyone needs hugs and love in this offbeat, upbeat ode to the not-so-cuddly–and yet still sweet and beloved!
Despite their lumpy, bumpy hide,
toothy mouths stretched open wide,
just like me and just like you,
crocodiles need kisses too.
Fun-to-read-aloud, rhyming text describes prickly porcupines, roaring tigers, and slithery snakes–not the most cuddly creatures, but still worthy of hugs and snuggles from their mamas! With a luscious and colorful palette, Crocodiles Need Kisses Too shows that animals (and children) don’t have to be warm and fuzzy to be totally lovable.
Reviews
“This charming picture book suggests that every living creature, no matter the species, needs to feel accepted. Even though crocodiles have ‘toothy mouths,’ porcupines have ‘prickly spines,’ and great white sharks have ‘jagged grins,’ their young all need to be loved and nurtured. Colby has chosen some of the most conventionally unlovable animals, including vultures, rattlesnakes, gorillas, and tarantulas, and her rhyming couplets convince readers that those creatures are worthy of affection. ‘Never mind their pouncing paws, raging roars and scratching claws, just like me and just like you, tigers need some snuggles too.’ Three pages of illustrations are devoted to each critter being hugged or kissed or cuddled by another of its species. Large, colorful illustrations, employing acrylic paint and digital pixels, appear in a variety of sizes and use simple shapes to create friendly-looking animals while sweetly depicting the love they share. VERDICT A great addition.” -School Library Journal (review by Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library, WI)
“Dullaghan’s acrylic art is adorable, with jungle, snowy, or underwater backgrounds in calming greens and blues while said animals cuddle up together (even the tarantulas are cute with their tiny smiles). The kind, unpretentious moral speaks for itself: “Despite our looks and what we do, we all need love . . . and I love you!” –BCCB
“Toe-tapping verse by Colby (Captain Bling’s Christmas Plunder) suggests that creatures who seem homely, scary, or fierce want love as much as anyone: ‘Despite their lumpy, bumpy hide,/ toothy mouths stretched open wide,// just like me and just like you,/ crocodiles need kisses, too.’ Dullaghan (Max Attacks) paints two spreads for each creature, the first with the animal’s threatening features more prominently on display, the second a sweeter and fuzzier view. A parade of fierce animals appears: vultures, sharks (‘Forget their ragged, jagged grins,/ turning, churning, circling fins’), tarantulas (‘Just like me and just like you,/ tarantulas need tickles too’). Then readers discover that the narrator is a parent speaking to a child—a child in a crocodile costume who’s having a meltdown: ‘Regardless of your smashing tail,/ howling cry and yowling wail,’ the parent says, ‘children need affection too.’ The lesson that everyone deserves devotion is one worth remembering.” Ages 2–5. —Publishers Weekly
MOTOR GOOSE: RHYMES THAT GO
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Jef Kaminsky
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
ISBN-10: 125010193X
ISBN-13: 978-1250101938
In this picture book, Mother Goose rhymes are reimagined with vehicles― trains, planes, trucks, and boats!
Hey Digger, Digger
(Hey Diddle, Diddle)
Hey digger, digger,
the hole’s getting bigger.
Your shovel’s been scooping since ten.
Beware the loose rubble.
Too late―you’re in trouble!
You’d better start digging again.
Wonderful rhymes and VEHICLES! Here is a collection that every car/plane/boat/crane/digger/taxi/train-loving kid will adore. With hilarious artwork by Jef Kaminsky, Motor Goose is a must-have for readers who like things that go. And as the rhymes progress, the day winds down, making this perfect for bedtime.
Reviews
“Putting a twist on familiar nursery rhymes, Colby has created original, vehicle-themed verses. Her clever parodies, organized by time periods over the course of a day, can be sung or recited. The book wraps up at the end of the day with “Rest Awhile, Cruiser,” which can be sung to the tune of “Rock-a-Bye Baby.” … A good poetry option for storytimes or an enjoyable one-on-one lapsit.” ―School Library Journal
Mother Goose gets a mechanical makeover in this gear-inspired nursery-rhyme collection. Twenty-three familiar rhymes are rewritten with a wide range of vehicles in mind. As nursery rhymes are such a flexible form, they easily lend themselves to Colby’s motorized reimaginings. Whether it’s “Little Miss Mixer,” “This Little Steam Train,” or “Bumpty Dumpty” (about a dump truck, naturally), caregivers should have no difficulty singing, chanting, or rhythmically reading the verses on display. Each scans perfectly, never requiring readers to engage in any verbal gymnastics.–Kirkus Reviews
CAPTAIN BLING’S CHRISTMAS PLUNDER
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Rob McClurkan
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
ISBN-10: 0807510637
ISBN-13: 978-0807510636
Captain Bling and his merry crew set off to find treasure, but they get blown off course and end up at the North Pole. When they spy the elves carefully wrapping presents, the pirates think they have found the ultimate booty! They quickly steal the presents and make their way back to the ship. By the time Santa Claus catches up to them, the pirates are well on their way to escaping. But Santa has a surprise for Captain Bling and his crew!
Reviews
“Colby’s rhymes bounce along merrily, and McClurkan’s smooth digital cartooning is packed with visual humor.” —Publishers Weekly
IT’S RAINING BATS AND FROGS
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Steven Henry
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
ISBN-10: 125004992X
ISBN-13: 978-1250049926
Delia has been looking forward all year to flying in the annual Halloween Parade. But parade day brings heavy rain. So, Delia takes action. Using her best magic, Delia changes the rain to cats and dogs. But that doesn’t work too well! Then hats and clogs. That doesn’t work either! Each new type of rain brings a new set of problems. How can Delia save the day?
Reviews
“A sweet and satisfying Halloween story to share with young audiences.”–-School Library Journal
“Share at Halloween or use as an example of playing with chants and rhymes. Perhaps this title will inspire many magical spells.”–Kirkus
“It’s a whimsical Halloween adventure from first-time author Colby, and Henry’s cartoons make the most of the comedic setup.”–Publishers Weekly
THERE WAS A WEE LASSIE WHO SWALLOWED A MIDGIE
Author: Rebecca Colby
Illustrator: Kate McLelland
Publisher: Floris Books
ISBN-10: 1782500480
ISBN-13: 978-1782500483
In this Scottish twist on a much-loved rhyme, the wee lassie swallows a succession of Scotland’s favorite creatures to catch that pesky midgie—including a puffin, a Scottie dog, a seal, and even Nessie! After all that, the wee lassie can’t still be hungry. Can she?
To take a sneaky peek inside the book, check out the trailer here.
Reviews
“There was a young Scottish redhead who swallowed a midge fly. We’re not sure why she did it. To catch the tiny fly, she also swallowed a slippery trout, a puffin, a black Scottish terrier, an eagle, a seal, a Highland cow, and a Nessie. She did all this without a single problem. She probably could have kept swallowing more things, but when she drank an entire lake, it finally washed all the animals out.
This picture book is a delightful Scottish version of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Told in rhyme, the story is just as silly, and the illustrations cleverly depict each stage of the cumulative in an aesthetically pleasing color scheme that is reminiscent of Scottish tartans. As an easy and entertaining way to introduce Scottish animals, this would be a great book to use with young children who are learning about Scotland.” — BYU Children’s Book & Media Review
“The repetition and humour are ideal for reading aloud and, combined with Kate McLelland’s funny, engaging illustrations, would be very popular with young children.” — St John’s Church Magazine
