Save the date: Fun-filled December for live performances and events

Three Carolers Christmas Lights by Shari Weinsheimer

The month of December simply sparkles with family oriented activities. Be sure to grab your calendar and save the date for this outstanding line-up.

AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is brimming with fun-filled entertainment and activities that are prefect for families. 

Below is a list of upcoming events that are sure to please.

Talking About Words and Pictures
with author, illustrator, musician, Barney Saltzberg


Sunday, December 4, 2011
11:30 am - In the Auditorium
Doors open for this event at 11:00 am
Museum opens at 12:00 pm
Free; Museum Admission extra

Join The Carle’s bookseller, blogger, and book-lover, Andy Laties as he engages Barney Saltzberg in a conversation about his career and his books.

Book signing to follow.

OOPS…From Blunder to Wonder
A Magical Musical and Visual Journey with Barney Saltzberg


Sunday, December 4, 2011
1:00 pm - In the Auditorium
Free with Museum Admission

Join Barney as he takes you on a magical journey through words pictures, and song. Learn about the creative force behind the bestselling Peekaboo Kisses, Good Egg, and Beautiful Oops!, his latest one-of-a-kind interactive book that shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful.

Book signing to follow

Handmade Cards and Books

Thursday, December 8, 2011
1:00 - 5:00 pm - In the Art Studio
$50 (Members $45)
Ages 16 and up

With the holidays just around the corner, learn how to create handmade cards and unique books for those friends and family on your gift list. We’ll cover our favorite bookmaking techniques for teachers, librarians and parents to adapt to your classroom, library or home. You’ll go home with a collection of small handmade books and the techniques to create them again and again.

Instructor: Diana MacKenzie

Registration is required. Please click here for information on how to register.

An Evening with Jules and Kate Feiffer

Thursday, December 8, 2011
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - In the Auditorium
Free

Pulitzer Prize-winning father and acclaimed children’s book author, Jules Feiffer and his daughter, Kate Feiffer have collaborated on a number of books. Whether seizing a moment in history or paying homage to a parent/child memory, this team is one you will not want to miss. 

Bound by love, respect and good humor Jules and Kate will share tales of their collaborations and thoughts on their craft in a presentation designed to entertain and inform all who attend.

Book signing to follow

The Best of the Best in 2011 with Susan Bloom

Saturday, December 10, 2011
1:00 pm - In the Auditorium
Free with Museum Admission

This highly popular annual event is in anticipation of the 2012 Caldecott Medal, which is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children for the preceding year. Susan Bloom selects her favorites. Learn from this outstanding professor of Children’s Literature and reviewer for The Horn Book what makes these books rise above the rest.

Special Storytime with Micha Archer

December 10, 2011
2:00 pm - In the Reading Library
Free with Museum Admission

As an artist, Micha Archer has been inspired by her travels around the globe and the challenge of making pictures that are both beautiful and informative. Join her for a Special Storytime in the Reading Library where she’ll read from her newest book and talk about her process as an artist.

Book signing to follow.

 

Mouse and Lion

 

December 18, 2011
2:00 pm - In the Reading Library
Free with Museum Admission

Join first-time author Rand Burkert (illustrator’s son) and Caldecott Honoree, Nancy Ekholm Burkert as they share the story behind their first collaboration, Mouse and Lion. After talking about the inspiration and process behind the extraordinary art created for the retelling of one of Aesop’s most well-known fables, Rand will perform a selection of original songs and music inspired by the tales of Aesop and drawn from an album he recently produced. This is a program featuring wonderful music and great art to be enjoyed by all.
Book signing to follow.

CactusHead Puppets Presents The Just So Stories

December 27 and December 28, 2011
2:00 pm - In the Auditorium
$5 (Members $4.50)

The Cactus Head Puppets present three stories of mischief and magic that tell how some of your favorite animals came to be, in charming and silly adaptations of How the Camel Got His Hump, How the Rhino Got His Skin and The Beginning of the Armadillos.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling (413) 658-1126.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 

125 West Bay Road | Amherst, MA 01002 | Phone: (413) 658-1100

www.carlemuseum.org

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON CIVIC SYMPHONY PRESENTS A FAMILY HOLIDAY POPS

Holiday favorites, a sing along, and a visit from Santa - the Boston Civic Symphony’s Family Holiday Pops has it all.

This year’s concert will take place on Saturday, December 17, 2:00 pm at the Fine Arts Center, Regis College in Weston.

Conductor Max Hobart and the orchestra will perform traditional holiday music featuring soprano Deborah Selig as soloist.

A special treat this year will be the performance of seven year old Sophie Burns, who will sing “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” composed by her great-grandfather Donald “Pops” Gardner.

Children will have the opportunity to come onstage to sing to Santa and to conduct the orchestra.

There’s free parking at Regis College and free refreshments provided

Tickets go fast on this concert, and were sold out last year.

Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for children, and may be purchased online through the orchestra’s web site at http://www.bostoncivicsymphony.org/ or by calling 1-800-595-4TIX.

For more information, please call 1-617-923-6333.

HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK CITY, WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT & WEST NYACK, NEW YORK

Mama Doni &The Mama Doni Band Bring National Tour to the Tri-State Area with ‘CHANUKAH FEVER’

  
Hot on the heels of a tremendously successful summer tour, the fall/winter Mama Doni National Tour has begun.

Mama Doni and The Mama Doni Band are highlighting the Chanukah season with four special “Chanukah Fever” shows in the NYC tri-state region from December 11 – 18.

Families can join in Mama Doni’s high-energy pre-Chanukah festivities at concerts in Manhattan and West Nyack, NY.
 
There will also be shows in West Hartford, CT and Hoboken, NJ.  Performance details are below.

Doni Zasloff Thomas, a.k.a. Mama Doni, is the lead singer/songwriter of The Mama Doni Band, honored with a 2011 Parents’ Choice® Award for their recent release, Shabbat Shaboom, and winner of the Simcha Award for “Inspiring Joy Through Music” in competition with more than 100 bands from 15 different countries at the 2008 International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam.

The band celebrates Jewish culture with irrepressible zest in its interactive family rock concerts filled with catchy pop songs that break the mold of traditional Jewish music. Quirky, offbeat, and unpredictable, The Mama Doni Band offers up a contagious and unexpected blend of reggae, rock, disco, Latin, klezmer and “Jewgrass” – all woven together with a hip Jewish sensibility.

Mama Doni promises plenty of surprises throughout this year’s Chanukah concerts, including giveaways of chocolate gelt, Mama Doni CDs, posters and free downloads of Mama Doni songs to everyone in attendance.

According to Carrie Stetler in The Star-Ledger, Doni Zasloff Thomas “is proud to have a schtick. And that schtick, she says, is to ‘Jewify’ all forms of music – from country to reggae to holiday songs.”  The Miami Herald enthused, “Not since Woody Allen's Radio Days has American Jewish youth culture been celebrated with such a sublime mix of silly and substantive.”


Kids will boogie like a dreidel, air guitar with the band (“Latke Man” style), join in an applesauce vs. sour cream rock-along, and chime in on the eternal question of "Chanukah" or "Hanukah.”  Rocking out for Chanukah, Mama Doni & The Mama Doni Band will perform such “latkelicious” songs as "The Funky Gold Menorah,” "La Vida Dreidel,” and "I Say Chanukah (You Say Hanukah!).” The band will go all out with a wild bluegrass version of  “Honey, This Ain’t Money” (about Chanukah gelt), and, as a special treat, several new songs will be showcased, including the soon-to-be-famous “The Land of Sufganiyot” (a reggae song about jelly doughnuts).

Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles should join in the fun and come prepared to get up and dance at these spirited Jewish rock concerts that guarantee that Chanukah will never be the same.

CHANUKAH FEVER! WITH MAMA DONI & THE MAMA DONI BAND

WHEN:     Sunday, December 11, 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:  JCC Rockland, 450 West Nyack Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994
TICKETS: In advance: $8 members, $12 non-members; at the door: $10 members, $15.00 non-members.
INFO:        845-362-4400.  http://www.jccyofrockland.org/

WHEN:     Saturday, December 17, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:   Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117
TICKETS: In advance:  $10 members, $12 non-members; at the door: $12 members, $15 non-members.
INFO:        860-231-6316 .  http://www.mandelljcc.org/


WHEN:      Sunday, December 18, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:   Kaplan Cooperative Preschool at United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Ave., Hoboken, NJ  07030
TICKETS: Synagogue members $10.  Non-members $18. Kaplan preschool students, free.
INFO:        201-222-9696.  http://www.hobokensynagogue.org/


WHEN:      Sunday, December 18, 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:    92nd Street Y, Bronfman Center for Jewish Life, Buttenwieser Hall,1395 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10128
TICKETS:   $15
INFO:          212-415-5500.  http://www.92y.org
 

MORE IN NEW YORK CITY

Symphony Space, the Upper West Side cultural mecca with its Just Kidding series, offers some wonderful family-centric events this month - everything from discovering Chris Van Allsburg's new book, and enjoying captivating American folk music with Elizabeth Mitchell and friends, to joining in on the New Year's Eve countdown till noon with Tim & the Space Cadets.  Take a look at these fun offerings below.

Thalia Kids' Book Club: Chris Van Allsburg with Jon Scieszka

Sunday, December 4, 1 pm

Tickets are going fast for this latest event in the highly interactive author series for kids ages 8 to 12.

Chris Van Allsburg, the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, talks about his acclaimed new short story collection The Chronicles of Harris Burdick, in which skilled storytellers such as Kate DiCamillo, Stephen King and Sherman Alexie spin imaginative tales inspired by the original illustrations from Van Allsburg’s 1984 wordless classic, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.

Top author and Harris Burdick story contributor Jon Scieszka joins the conversation and performs his story "Under the Rug."

Tickets: $15

Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower with Special Guests

 

Saturday, December 17

11 am

Smithsonian Folkways artist Elizabeth Mitchell's gentle, heartfelt music transfixes audiences of all ages with homespun renditions of great songs by Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, The Velvet Underground, Vashti Bunyan, Gillian Welch and more. The quiet sweetness and intimacy of her concerts cement her as an icon whose music will be remembered for years to come. Dan Zanes says, “This is the family music that I love---soulful, mysterious, inclusive and rollicking!"

For this holiday time performance, Elizabeth and her family band (husband Daniel Littleton and daughter Storey) will be joined by some very special musical guests. 

Ticket holders will also be eligible to enter a raffle for a child-sized ukulele and other great prizes.

Tickets: $13 to 20

December 17th  is the Just Kidding Members' Holiday Party!

Join other Symphony Space Family Members for cookie decorating after the Elizabeth Mitchell show. Call 212.864.1414 x223 to become a member and RSVP for the party.

A New Year's Eve  'Countdown to Noon' Family Concert with Tim & the Space Cadets

Saturday, December 31,

11 am

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Tim & the Space Cadets, a dynamic family-friendly NYC based pop rock band. It' will be an end-of-year party the whole family will remember.

Tim’s songs exist somewhere in the realm between Raffi and Blink-182, inspired by memories of school days, snow days, pizza parties  and summer vacations. Their song “Superhero” enjoys frequent spins on Sirius-XM’s Kids Place Live.

Kids are invited to bring party hats and tooting horns to help ring in the New Year.

Tickets: $13 to $20

Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street) in New York City.
For ticket information, contact the box office at (212) 864-5400 or boxoffice@symphonyspace.org

SAN FRANCISCO & CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA

Peter and the Wolf 

Conductor/Performers

Donato Cabrera
conductor

Chita Rivera
narrator

San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra 



Delight your children with the annual presentation of Peter and the Wolf including festive holiday songs- perfect for music lovers of all ages. The legendary Chita Rivera joins the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra as special guest narrator for this charming tale. You'll also enjoy classics from The Nutcracker and more!

Program

Tchaikovsky

Russian Dance from The Nutcracker  

Prokofiev

Music from Romeo and Juliet

Liadov

The Music Box

Dvořák

Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor

Falla

Final Dance from The Three-Cornered Hat

J. Strauss, Sr.

Radetzky March

Prokofiev

Peter and the Wolf

Trad.

Carol Sing-Along

Please note this is a kid-sized concert with no intermission. Half price for ages 17 and under.

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 1:00pm
Davies Symphony Hall
$15 to $57

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 4:00pm
Davies Symphony Hall
$15 to $57

Sun, Dec 11, 2011 3:00pm
Flint Center (Cupertino, CA)
$15 to $48

For further information or to purchase tickets:  http://www.sfsymphony.org/season/Event.aspx?eventid=50242

Halloween happenings part 3: Seasonal videos

Halloween Pumpkin by Petr Kratochvil

 

 

In addition to pumpkin-picking and trick-or-treating, Halloween fun is available in the video realm with some fun releases for this season.

First off, from Anchor Bay Entertainment comes the delightful comedic romp The Dog Who Saved Halloween – perfect for family and animal lovers alike who are fans of the previous The Dog Who Saved Christmas and The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation films.

Erin Carter, Executive Director of Brand Marketing for Anchor Bay says, “We’re very excited to offer The Dog Who Saved Halloween on DVD to help kids and families get into the spirit of the season – and celebrate all year long.” She adds, “This latest installment of the ‘Dog’ film series, featuring recognizable talent and filled with engaging magic and mystery, is sure to be a hit with families for years to come.”

TV’s popular Mayim Bialik (CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory”) and Joey Lawrence (ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey”) share the screen in this Dog Who Saved installment when they join the film’s pack of talent as the voices of the ruff and tough Bernese Mountain Dog, “Medusa”, and the beloved Labrador Retriever “Zeus.”

This all-new adventure features George, Belinda and their kids Kara and Ben Bannister as they move into a new house – just in time for Halloween. Initially, everything seems to be fine…until they notice eerie glowing lights and strange sounds coming from their neighbor’s house where creepy Mr. Cole (Lance Henriksen) lives with his protective pooch Medusa. Then, when a black cat suddenly goes missing, George Bannister (Gary Valentine) insists on investigating the matter himself. Ultimately, Banister enlists an odd yet familiar pair (Dean Cain, Joey Diaz) to help.  But, after the trio and Belinda Bannister (Elisa Donovan) get trapped inside Mr. Cole’s spooky house, it’s once again up to Zeus to save the day. 

Directed by Peter Sullivan, The Dog Who Saved Halloween carries a suggested retail of $19.98 and is available to watch instantly through Amazon.com video for only $3.99, or purchase direct for $10.49.

For your viewing enjoyment, below is the official trailer for the Dog Who Saved Halloween.

 

From Scholastic Storybook Treasures and the award-winning production house, Weston Woods Studios comes a collection of witches, ghosts and goblins that are presented in a not-so-scary and kid-friendly fashion in this New Video release, TEENY TINY AND THE WITCH-WOMAN…AND MORE SPOOKY HALLOWEEN STORIES!

This 56-minute DVD (plus extras) provides animated book adaptations of classic children’s picture books that support reading skills, creativity and self-esteem.

The lead story, “Teeny-Tiny and the Witch Woman”, is a tale about a boy who outsmarts an old witch-woman before she can cook him and his brothers for dinner.  Other stories include: “The Boy with Two Shadows” by Margaret Mahy;  a poem, “Los Gatos Black on Halloween,”which introduces a spooky array of creatures and Spanish words narrated by Maria Conchita Alonso; “What’s Under My Bed” by James Stevenson, and the superstition-filled  “King of the Cats” by Paul Galdone. 

In addition to Scholastic’s innovative read-along function, an interview with “Los Gatos Black on Halloween” author Marisa Montes is included.

Suggested retail price for TEENY TINY AND THE WITCH-WOMAN…AND MORE SPOOKY HALLOWEEN STORIES! is $14.95, with currently best available online pricing from cdUniverse for $10.99.

For more fun Halloween entertainment ideas you may want to see:

Halloween happenings part 1: Pumpkin picking

Halloween happenings part 2: Go 'Boo at the Zoo'

New entertaining DVD from celebrated children’s author/illustrator Mo Willems

THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG…AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS

This October, “Sesame Street” veteran, Emmy Award®-winner and one of contemporary kid lit’s best-selling author/illustrators, Mo Willems, returns to DVD featuring his best-loved characters in, THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG…AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS.

This newest compilation of Willems' five-star children’s picture books offers excellent animated adaptations presented under the quality banner of Scholastic Storybook Treasures™, and is produced by the award-winning Weston Woods Studios.  

THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG…AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS is set for nationwide release by Newkideo.com on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.

In the lead story, “The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog” (a sequel to Willems best selling “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”) has Pigeon finding a delicious hot dog, but a sly and hungry duckling also wants a bite – a test of who will be the more clever bird. This fast, funny feature is narrated by the author and his daughter, Trixie.

Additional stories on the DVD, which combined have won more than ten prestigious awards including Caldecott Honor, Parents Choice Gold and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video include, “Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity,” and “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed”, both of which are also narrated by Willems and Trixie.

Bonus featurettes, “Getting to Know Mo Willems” and “Animating Pigeon” plus an interview with Willems himself, making THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG are included on this DVD.

This latest New Video release helps enhance children’s reading skills with an innovative read-along function, and highlights cooperation as well as problem-solving skills in an enjoyable and entertaining way.

Total running time for THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG…AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS is approximately 64 minutes, plus the bonus features. The DVD carries a $14.95 suggested retail price, with current best-available pricing through Family Video.com for $6.99, where it may be pre-ordered with shipment to take place on the October 18 release date.

Eric Carle’s ‘The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse’: Fun creative inspiration

"The Artist Who Painted the Blue Horse" by Eric Carle

Beloved children’s author/illustrator Eric Carle’s newest book, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is set for simultaneous release here in the United States and United Kingdom on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011.

Courtesy Eric Carle Museum

Carle’s distinctive artistic style, a combination of vibrant colors applied to hand-painted paper and formed into expertly crafted collages, has garnered him a worldwide following over the past four-plus decades.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse continues this artistic tradition, which has served to delight countless children, and in his latest offering, he provides children a good dose of creative inspiration and permission to think outside of the box.

Many of Carle’s books are best-sellers and are considered evergreen children’s classics that have been translated into more than 50 languages, selling over 100 million copies around the globe. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is sure to be embraced in that same rarefied category.

Inspiration for this latest book came from the Expressionist period of painting and in particular the German artist, Franz Marc. In the video below, Carle discusses this, and demonstrates his creative technique in addition to sharing some of the story.

If you’ll be visiting New England from now until March 20, 2012, be sure to check out the special exhibition, The Art of Eric Carle: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 

The exhibition includes almost all of the original artwork from the book, plus three “dummies” (working mock-ups for the final product). Also on-hand is a poster of one of Marc’s blue horses as well as several of Carle’s conventionally drawn horses, and a few other animals – a terrific way to compare Carle’s range of media and variety of technique.

For further information regarding the exhibit along with address and hours of the Museum, visit online at: http://www.carlemuseum.org/

New release: Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD ‘Chrysanthemum... and More Whimsical Stories'

New Kideo release

Today is the official nationwide DVD release of Kevin Henkes’ award-winning perennial classic, CHRYSANTHEMUM, which headlines the value-priced collection of Scholastic Storybook Treasures,’ CHRYSANTHEMUM…AND MORE WHIMSICAL STORIES’ compiled for the first time by New Kideo

A perfect choice for toddlers and kids, CHRYSANTHEMUM…AND MORE WHIMSICAL STORIES provides over three hours of entertaining content featuring some of the most memorable critters originally created for the pages of  picture books.

Positive story themes abound in this collection that supports important developmental tracks such as self-esteem, growth and change. 

The three individual DVDs include: CHRYSANTHEMUM…AND MORE MOUSE MAYHEM,  IS YOUR MAMA A LLAMA?...AND MORE CLASSIC CHILDREN’S STORIES, and RAPUNZEL…AND MORE CLASSIC FAIRY TALES, – all total these DVDs feature 17 endearing stories that have been honored with more than 25 prestigious awards, including the Caldecott Honor and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. 

 The 180-minutes of entertainment (plus extras) feature storybook classics that include not only  “Chrysanthemum,” but “Make Way for Ducklings”, “Owen”, “Is Your Mama a Llama?” “Noisy Nora”, “A Weekend with Wendell”,“Princess Furball” ,“The Caterpillar and the Polliwog”, “Hondo and Fabian”, “Lon Po Po,” “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”, “Read to Your Bunny” “The Little Red Hen”, and more – all expertly narrated by noted actors including Danny Glover, Meryl Streep, and Sarah Jessica Parker to name a few.

As always, Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVDs encourage a love for reading for pre and early readers with a special embedded read-along function.

Bonuses include Spanish versions of “The Caterpillar and the Polliwog”, “Is Your Mama a Llama?”, “Owen” “Noisy Nora”, and the featurette, “A Visit with Rosemary Wells”

List price for CHRYSANTHEMUM…AND MORE WHIMSICAL STORIES’ is $24.95 with current best available price from CD Universe for $18.10.

Special 9/11 presentation at Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

'The Man Who Walked Between The Towers'

On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will present: From Towers and Tragedy to the Birth of a Book with Mordicai Gerstein.. This very special presentation, as well as museum admission for the day is offered FREE to the public.

In 2004, Gerstein’s picture book for children, The Man Who Walked Between The Towers, was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal. It is the true story of  Philippe Petit the man who walked between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in 1974, suspended high above New York City on a wire cable. It is a beautifully illustrated and uplifting story that honors this day of remembrance.

Mordicai Gerstein

Patrons will join Mordicai Gerstein as he tells the story behind The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. A special meet, greet and book signing will follow the presentation.

For event details visit www.carlemuseum.org

  

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

125 West Bay Road | Amherst, MA 01002

Phone: (413) 658-1100| Fax: (413) 658-1139        

Email: info@carlemuseum.org |

‘Small Potatoes’ launches today on Disney Junior

'Small Potatoes' on Disney Channel's Disney Junior

From the fabulous creative team at Little Airplane Productions comes an adorable series of animated shorts, “Small Potatoes,” which debuted earlier today on the Disney Channel’s Disney Junior block at 9:25 a.m. ET / 8:25 a.m. CT.

Small Potatoes is set to air Monday through Friday, and is geared to the preschool set with its engaging characters (all junior singing spuds) named “Chip,” “Olaf,” “Nate,” and "Ruby."

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit the Small Potatoes online site where you’ll have access to printable character coloring pages to share with your little one.

In addition, Small Potatoes is currently available as a cute $0.99 story app thru iTunes, and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Also, beginning September 13, 2011 iTunes will be featuring a downloadable album of music sung by the show’s characters.

According to Publishers Weekly, a series of printed picture books from Penguin USA is in the works for early 2013.

Be sure to stop by the Small Potatoes Facebook page, which has already received and impressive 99,000 “likes” from fans of all ages.

Below for your enjoyment, a video clip of Small Potatoes.

The Book Report: Sharing the latest in books, apps and literary marketplace news

Welcome to another edition of “The Book Report.” This weekly column is dedicated solely to the best in books, apps, audio and video adaptations, technology updates as well as literary news and events. Like our sister columns, “If it’s Tuesday it must be toys and tours,” Thursday’s “Musical Notes” and Friday’s “Popcorn Report,” which respectively features the information on toys and travel, music, and movies, this weekly post highlights the important world of literature as positive entertainment for children and teens. Be sure to check back each Wednesday.

NEWS

‘Scientific American’ Brings Science Home

All during the month of May, Scientific American, the ever-popular science magazine that is set to celebrate 166 years of providing topical and understandable scientific information to laymen and professionals, has initiated an online campaign that brings the world of scientific discovery to children, with their “Bring Science Home” initiative.

The goal of “Bring Science Home” is not only to inspire young people about science, but to help them connect with science through everyday activities that reinforce literacy for those all- important STEM educational concepts - science, technology, engineering and math. 

Each day, the Scientific American magazine’s website as well as their Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages, provides a different science (hands-on) activity that parents and children easily explore together utilizing common household items.

A wide range of topics covers everything from finding the DNA in a banana, to bending water with static electricity.

Take a look at the video below, which will show you how yeast “live and breathe.” It’s a fun and simple activity to share. 

AWARDS AND HONORS

J. Patrick Lewis Designated Children’s Poet Laureate

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, prolific author/poet, J. Patrick Lewis, was honored and named Children’s Poet Laureate by The Poetry Foundation during a ceremony at the foundation’s headquarters in Chicago.

Lewis is now the third Children’s Poet Laureate, and follows such illustrious predecessors as Jack Prelutsky and Mary Ann Hoberman.

As part of his two-year tenure to help raise awareness of the importance of poetry in children’s lives, Lewis received a $25,000 cash award.

Lewis’ laureate activities will also include advising the Poetry Foundation on children’s literature, and two major public appearances for children, their families, teachers and librarians.

APPS

Pat the Bunny

Based on the beloved children’s picture book classic by Dorothy Kunhardt, comes a wonderful reinvention of Pat the Bunny for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

Taking the original idea of engaging a toddler with interactivity, this new offering, after 70 years, provides 14 scenes for in-depth exploration by little hands. Children can pop bubbles, play hide and seek, make music and even look at themselves in a mirror.

There are three ways to read Pat the Bunny: Listen to narration and view the highlighted text; read each page at your own pace, or even record your own voice and play it back.

Pat the Bunny carries a special introductory price of $2.99 and may be ordered direct from the publisher, Random House Children’s Books.

A preview of Pat the Bunny is available in the video below.

VIDEO

Tikki Tikki Tembo…and more stories to celebrate Asian Heritage

It is a true art form when classic picture book stories come visually alive on DVD, and such is this rendering; another excellent production by Weston Woods Studios for Scholastic Storybook Treasures.

The 66-minute collection plus extras, presents six best selling stories that have consistently entertained children. Included in this offering are the following: (Production notes provided by distributor New Video, where the DVD may be ordered direct for $14.95 US or $16.95 CAN.

To explore each of the titles in depth, simply click on links to the original books offered through Amazon.com.

TIKKI TIKKI TEMBO (Written by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent) This Chinese folktale explains why great long names are no longer chosen for their children.


THE TALE OF THE MANDARIN DUCKS (Written by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon, narrated by B. D. Wong) A compassionate couple risks their lives to reunite a pair of Mandarin ducks.


GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY (Written and illustrated by Allen Say, narrated by B. D. Wong) A touching story about Grandfather’s travels from Japan to the United States and back again.


THE STONECUTTER (Written and illustrated by Gerald McDermott) Tasaku is a lowly stonecutter who longs for more power in this Japanese folk tale.


LON PO PO: A RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA (Written and illustrated by Ed Young, narrated by B. D. Wong) This Asian version of the classic fairytale brings lessons about strangers, trust, and courage.


SAM AND THE LUCKY MONEY (Written by Karen Chinn, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu, narrated by Ming-Na Wen) On Chinese New Year Sam meets a stranger who helps him make the perfect decision on how to spend his lucky money.