blue apple books: what's new

Over to Facebook

2011-05-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Hello Blue Apple fans - please visit us on Facebook for the latest BA news! Link = http://www.facebook.com/pages/blue-apple-books/310881431090

Blue Apple Books in Publisher's Weekly!

2011-03-08T07:39:00.000-08:00

Blue Apple Books was highlighted in an article about fast growing independent publishers in Publishers Weekly yesterday:

"Blue Apple Books' publisher, Harriet Ziefert, says her children's publishing house continued to benefit from growing brand awareness in 2010, citing as one example the higher number of unsolicited manuscripts the company receives—20 a day compared to 20 a month when the company launched in 2003. That brand awareness has helped Blue Apple get into a diverse number of sales channels. 'We've proven our products will sell at high-end specialty stores as well as mass merchants,' Ziefert notes. Although Chronicle has helped Blue Apple expand, beginning July 1 the company is moving its distribution to Random House. 'It's something we felt we needed to do as the next step in our growth,' Ziefert says. The move allowed Blue Apple to hire one of its former reps, Rob Shaefer, as sales manager.

Blue Apple's big hit last year was placemats that feature activities that kids can doodle over. At the other end of the spectrum, Blue Apple has already developed several enhanced e-books and has hired a digital consultant to help create apps around some of its brands. The company has what it hopes is a strong new series that kicked off in 2010 with Bear in Underwear. The novelty title was a strong seller at Target over the 2010 holidays, and Bear in Pink Underwear is set for release this year, Bear in Long Underwear next year. Another title that did well last year was How the Sphinx Got to the Museum, with How the Dinosaur Got to the Smithsonian set for this year. Titles developed under the Dwell Studio license also sold well in 2010.

Ziefert's goal for the next several years is to increase sales at a 25% annual rate without significantly adding to the number of print titles. 'We'll stick to what we do best,' Ziefert says, which is fiction and nonfiction books for infants through ages eight to nine. 'We're not chasing trends. No vampires.'"

Nice Bunny's Lessons Review in Publishers Weekly

2011-02-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

Appearing in today's issue of Publishers Weekly:

Bunny’s Lessons
Harriet Ziefert, illus. by Barroux. Blue Apple
(Chronicle, dist.), $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-60905-028-3
“He’s Charlie. I’m his bunny,” explains the tentative speaker of this smart and sweet story that provides a very clear picture of common toddler emotions, experiences, and demands. Bunny, who wears a
coral-orange shirt that matches Charlie’s hair and has ears the shades of Neapolitan ice cream, learns everything he knows from his caretaker—for better and worse. “When we play doctor, Charlie is the boss. I learn about OUCH!” Bunny learns about “pretend” when Charlie plays the father and Bunny is the baby, and when Charlie’s mother sends him to his room, Bunny learns the meaning of “time-out” as Charlie finds authority where he can. And although Bunny learns how it feels to be alone or jealous when Charlie is less attentive, a warm hug teaches Bunny about love. Barroux’s paintings pair bold colors with shadowy, matte tones and wobbly line drawings, as if to emphasize the gamut of Bunny and Charlie’s moods. Bunny’s perspective honestly conveys a relationship’s give-and-take, while underscoring the feelings of vulnerability that can arise from being dependent upon a loving guardian’s care. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Great News about Balloon Toons!

2010-11-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

We're very excited here at Blue Apple about our new series of comics readers for young kids - Balloon Toons. We've gotten some fantastic reviews for each of the three debut titles, which we'd like to share with you! (Also: look for two new Balloon Toons books coming next spring!)

Adopt a Glurb by Elise Gravel

"Among the nonsense pet possibilities, the choice to take home a glurb (“You can buy glurb eggs for 10 cents at the monster shop”) offers both challenges and benefits. A glurb smells like rotten mustard but has a brain big enough to learn to read. They can also walk on the wall and the ceiling and even draw, though they do enjoy unrolling the toilet paper. Gravel’s simple handbook of glurb care will delight a young audience, both for its accessibility and the glurb’s resemblance to much younger (and, therefore, sillier in the emerging reader’s estimation) children." - from Booklist

Rick and Rack and the Great Outdoors by Ethan Long

"This graphic novel takes beginning readers through three very short and humorous stories about a raccoon and a moose who explore the fine art of fishing, try to puzzle out mysterious paw prints in the woods, and stay dry in a canoe. . . This entry in the new Balloon Toons series (with a similar hefty build of the successful TOON Books line) puts the comics medium to good use: tracking the visual elements of the story will help emerging readers decode the text with ease. The full-color palette is simple, and the large panels will make access even easier for inexperienced comics readers." - from Booklist

The Super Crazy Cat Dance by Aron Nels Steinke

"Just like the Toon Books line, this is the kind of comic for kids that you’ll want to start buying your own children, nieces, nephews, and friends. . . It’s adorable, with animated cats of all colors, shapes, and sizes cavorting across the pages. There’s a ton of stuff to look at on every page, from cats in strollers, to a swim on Lake Meowzer. You’ll enjoy just checking out all of the characters and objects packed onto each page. . . The Super Crazy Cat Dance is a sweet, fun book, and it’s one that parents will cheerfully read with their children over and over again." - from Read About Comics

Mike Herrod at the Brooklyn Museum!

2010-11-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Come meet Mike Herrod (Comics to Go, Monster Comics) at Brooklyn Museum's Children's Book Fair!

CHILDREN'S BOOK FAIR
Saturday, November 13, Noon - 4 p.m.
The Rubin Pavilion
Brooklyn Museum of Art
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052

Meet your favorite Brooklyn authors and illustrators. Featuring storybooks, picture books, and graphic novels Author readings, a game for children, and cafe service will be offered.

Lark Pien at the Cartoon Art Museum SF

2010-10-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

If you live in San Francisco, be sure to check out Storytime! Family Fun Day at the Cartoon Art Museum on Saturday, October 23rd from 11am - 4pm. Lark Pien will be there with Long Tail Kitty and her new book Mr. Elephanter. More information here!

Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table in PW!

2010-09-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

We just received a great review of Vanessa Brantley Newton's new book, Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table, in Publishers Weekly!

Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless

the Table

Vanessa Brantley Newton. Blue Apple (Chronicle, dist.), $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-60905-029-0

Can a book be simultaneously reverent and irreverent? Newton (Let Freedom Sing) performs that potentially dicey feat with ease in this story of a Sunday supper derailed by a prayer that won’t stop. As a sizable family—diverse in age, race, and creed—gathers for dinner at Auntie Mabel’s house, a bounty awaits. But the host is determined that not a single dish, attendee, or just about anything else under the sun go unthanked. “Now bless the corn and black-eyed peas,/ Virginia ham, and mac and cheese./ Bless the roast chicken—it’s much too small./ I’m sure, Lord, it won’t feed us all.” As Auntie Mabel moves on to relatives, friends, the president, and so on, Newton wryly pictures the family’s reactions, sneaking a bite, nodding off—even the priest is playing with his food. Finally, the narrator’s father saves the day (as does the microwave). Readers will recognize the Auntie Mabels in their own lives, and also the broader family dynamics at work. Despite the ample fun, it’s clear that with these folks, family and faith come first. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

Puppy in Circles in Publishers Weekly

2010-08-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Our Fall books are just starting to hit the shelves... here's a nice review of DwellStudio's Puppy in Circles, appearing in the next issue of Publishers Weekly!

"The latest hip board book from this home furnishings design company makes use of a puppy finger puppet and concentric die-cut circles to explore round objects. Turning each page reveals the puppy taking part in different activities ("I'm swimming in a round pool"), followed by a reader-directed query ("What are you doing?"). Between the puppet and the questions, the higher-than-average level of interactivity should hold kids' interest. Similar terrain is covered in Kitty in Squares, available simultaneously."

Also, check out this mention on lilsugar!

Sneak Peek At Our Fall List!

2010-08-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

Our catalog cover

We were very excited to read Elizabeth Bird's survey of our Fall 2010 books on the School Library Journal's blog! Ms. Bird is a librarian at The New York Public Library, and a well-respected children's book expert. Harriet Ziefert and Elliot Kreloff sat down with her to discuss our newest titles. Read all about it here!

Werner Werks Werkspace

2010-07-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

If you want to see where Werner Werks, ahem, "werks" - check out this nifty article on the Felt & Wire website!

Werner Werks is Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss, the amazing team behind Alphabeasties (soon to be back in stock!).

Broadway Barks 12

2010-07-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore hosted the twelfth annual Broadway Barks event in Schubert Alley, New York City, to help find homes for shelter animals. Ms. Peters also signed copies of Stella is a Star.

Photos here!

Greenie Book Trailer

2010-05-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Multi-talented Ryan Sias has put together a great promotion trailer to introduce his book Are You Eating Something Red? ! See below:

Are You Eating Something Red? book trailer from Ryan Sias on Vimeo.

Vanessa Newton Performs "Let Freedom Sing"!

2010-05-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Vanessa Newton performs her book, Let Freedom Sing (incorrectly posted here as "Ring"). Have a look!

Go Greenie!

2010-04-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

An old classmate of author/illustrator Ryan Sias (really old classmate, as in, 4th grade) has just reviewed Are You Eating Something Green? - our new set of Greenie placemats. She loves Greenie so much, she wants to marry him. But don't take my word for it - read about it here!

This just in from Canada - another great review on yoyomama!

Great Bernadette Peters Interview

2010-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

In an interview with the Palm Beach Post, Bernadette Peters discussed what's she's been up to lately, and most importantly, her new Blue Apple book, Stella Is A Star! Check it out HERE.

Lark Pien at The Commonwealth Club in SF

2010-03-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Lark Pien (Long Tail Kitty) will appear on on a panel discussing the "Rise of the Graphic Novel" on April 26th. This event is organized by The Commonwealth Club and will occur at their headquarters in San Francisco. For more information, go here. The other panelists are Gene Yang, Andy Hartzell and Dash Shaw - should be a great discussion!

Love for Long Tail Kitty

2010-03-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

We're really excited to announce that The Bookbinder's Guild of New York awarded Long Tail Kitty first place in the Juvenile Graphic Novel category! This award recognizes the production values of the book, the quality of its construction and paper, in combination with the art. (We were also recognized for Lights on Broadway, Alphabeasties, and DwellStudio's What Colors?)

We're also receiving a lot of great blog praise for the book, as a Google search will reveal. We just received one of my favorite reviews however, from the Comicsgirl blog:

"This is my new favorite book. I read it every night before bed.

Yes, I’m a 4-year-old (mentally, anyway). And I’m kind of kidding about that first part. But this is absolutely delightful and I’ve probably read it more than any sane person should have.

If you know of Lark Pien, it’s probably as the colorist for Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese, but I was first introduced to her work through Spark Generators 2. There, she drew a story incorporating everything she loved — Lowly Worm from Richard Scarry’s books had a pizza party with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hello Kitty, Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad assorted X-Men characters and others. It was sweet and funny and having grown up with a lot of these same characters, something I could easily relate to.

Long Tail Kitty (Blue Apple Books, 2009) is an all-ages collection of stories about the titular long-tailed kitty and his friends. He encounters a grumpy bee in a field of flowers and a mouse skating on a frozen pond. He makes dinner for his friends and hangs out with three little aliens.

It’s all impossibly adorable, rendered by Pien in watercolors. Her style is cartoony and cute but still quirky and her stories are innocent without being cloying. It’s appropriate for little kids (and I think they’d love this this book and I demand you buy a copy for everyone you know who’s under age 8 right now) but also for grown-ups who appreciate whimsy and beautiful art.

The fold-out pages of Long Tail Kitty’s adventures with his three alien friends are amazing — dozens upon dozens of little scenes of activities like “Caterpillar Walk,” “Office Jobs” and “Pet the Pot Belly Pig” are lovingly presented. I think every time I look at these pages I notice something different. Pien obviously had fun drawing these pages and it’s impossible to not be charmed by them. That actually goes for this entire book. The childlike aesthetic is this book’s greatest strength.

It’s also a nicely designed book, with its cut-out cover and embossed title. It almost feels like an art book in some ways — even if you don’t read the stories (which I don’t know why you wouldn’t), Pien’s artwork is beautiful to look at. The bonus pages in the back with the Ed Emberley-esque “How to Draw Long Tail Kitty” feature are a fun touch (surprisingly, I haven’t followed the steps yet to draw my own Long Tail Kitty, but I really should).

I can’t promise you’ll read this book every night before bed, but I can promise that you should have this book in your collection."

Starred Review for Lights on Broadway!

2009-12-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

School Library Journal gave Lights on Broadway a starred review!

"A love letter to Broadway written with genuine warmth and professional-theater knowledge, this alphabet book features crisp, retro-style cartoon characters confidently racing about onstage and behind the scenes. Pleasantly busy pages capture the excitement of live theater and offer multiple entries for each letter. For example, 'A' is for 'audition,' 'actor,' 'audience,' and 'applause.' 'S' stands for 'stage,' 'scenery,' 'set,' and 'script.' Multiple sidebars offer further kid-friendly definitions. Plenty of star power is lent with quotes from luminaries such as Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minelli, Steven Sondheim, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing, and Kevin Kline. A CD single written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty performed by Mitchell is also included. A must for all collections, this book will be treasured by theater aficionados for years to come."

Alphabeasties Wins Silver Parents' Choice Honor

2009-12-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Parents' Choice - "since 1978 the only nonprofit consumer guide to children's books/video/toys/audio/software/magazines" - has just declared Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types "A Parents' Choice 2009 Silver Honor Award Winner." We're honored!

By the Light of the Harvest Moon in PW

2009-12-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

We just received a great review in Publishers Weekly for By the Light of the Harvest Moon:

"After their winter-themed Snow Party, Ziefert and Jones return to fete the joys of autumn. The story’s backdrop is Apple Hill Farm, where a wind comes up and 'orange, yellow, and crimson leaves swirl and twirl and dance in the sky' until they coalesce into pumpkin-headed 'leaf people.' During the rambunctious harvest party that ensues, these cheery humanoids introduce young readers to autumn traditions like bobbing for apples, pumpkin stacking and stringing popcorn necklaces, while a leafy grandma succinctly explains the autumnal equinox: 'The hours of daylight and darkness are equal and fall begins. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are harvested, leaves turn the color of jewels.' Luminous pastels capture the vivid colors of the season, from New England–bright foliage to atmospheric details like a cow’s profile softly outlined by harvest moon glow. Eventually the partiers are swept away when 'the wind awakens from its slumber and delivers gusty blasts of air.' But thanks to Ziefert’s apple-crisp descriptions and the high energy of Jones’s jubilant creatures, readers may be tempted outside to make some autumn magic of their own."

Fabulous Long Tail Kitty review in PW

2009-11-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

Long Tail Kitty just got a great review in Publishers Weekly!

Long Tail Kitty Lark Pien. Blue Apple (Chronicle, dist.), $14.99 (64p) ISBN 978-1-934706-44-2

Newcomer Pien's aptly named protagonist, who debuted in comics Pien created starting in 2001, now appears in a full-color collection of five original stories, rich in friendly, blissfully unironic conversations. Mischievous but goodhearted Long Tail Kitty ice-skates with his new friend Good Tall Mouse, fixes supper with said mouse as well as Bernice the dog and has a playdate with some friendly aliens. By the time readers hit the foldout page with nearly 70 fun games Long Tail Kitty has planned to do with the aliens—which range from “Office Jobs!” to “Crazy Tornado!”—they'll be converts. The panels are resolutely low-tech; Long Tail Kitty and friends are drawn with a few deft brushstrokes, while watercolors soften but draw little attention to themselves. Pien embraces ideals of compassion but doesn't hit readers over the head with them. After a bee stings him, Long Tail Kitty bridles at the bee's request to return his stinger, but when he imagines life without his own tail (“There would be nothing to keep my stripe up! My bellybutton would show!”), he relents. More, please! Ages 4–up. (Nov.)

Amazing Accolades

2009-10-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a WHILE since we've been able to post some news, that's just how busy we've been. But in the interim, we've received some amazing awards and reviews.

The folks over at Oppenheim Toy Portfolio have just bestowed a Platinum Best Book Award upon Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types, and Gold Awards were given to Colors and 1-2-3, both by Simms Taback, How to Win Friends and Influence Creatures by Deborah Zemke, and DwellStudio's Look.

Also, Alphabeasties has received a STARRED review in Publishers Weekly! Here it is:

★ "No ordinary abecedarian, this typographical trip will wow design fans and suggest creative projects with letterforms. The book's introduction speaks affectionately of typefaces—“just like people, they look different and have different personalities”—before embarking on a thrilling spin through the alphabet. The first spread presents an alligator's silhouette, made up of capital and lowercase As, as the repeated word “algae” forms green strands around it. A bat shaped from gothic Bs holds vampire connotations; tall, skinny Gs evoke the height of a giraffe that hides behind leafy, vertical folds; and breathless italic Rs make a rabbit seem poised to leap. Werner and Forss, a debuting team of graphic designers, devote page borders to extra wordplay: a C becomes the curved back and tail of a cat, a K's extended foot kicks a soccer ball, a cursive L is a lasso and rounded Ps nestle in a pod. Innovations arrive several to a page, rewarding repeat visits and encouraging readers to muse on the power of type and all that letters and words can imply or insinuate."

More to come!

Blue Apple Books at the Brooklyn Book Festival

2009-09-11T09:23:00.001-07:00

Blue Apple Books will have a booth at the Brooklyn Book Festival from 10am to 6pm Sunday, September 13th, in the Plaza by Brooklyn Borough Hall. Mark Jones and Yukiko Kido will be stopping by around noon to sign books, stop by if you can! For more information: http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/

An Illustrated View of the World

2009-06-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Blue Apple author/illustrator Roger DeMuth (Dinner for Eight, Please Don't Eat Me) got a wonderful write-up in his local paper, The Utica Observer-Dispatch - read it here.

How to Win Friends and Influence Creatures in PW!

2009-06-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

We received a very nice review of How to Win Friends and Influence Creatures in Publishers Weekly!

"The lessons about life and friendship that the quirky, cartoon animals learn in this diminutive book are both practical and fun. A blue creature peeks out above a white fence as the text reads, 'Stand up straight...'Opening the gate reveals a snake—and the rest of the sentence: 'unless you have no legs to stand on.' On another spread, one elephant stands apart from the noisy herd: 'When everyone else is talking... learn to listen' (the elephant is then shown with a mouse in his trunk and its ears perked up). The information—and the humorous touches in the art—lend it both kid and adult appeal. Wishes for You is also available. Ages 4–8."

Blue Apple Books at BEA

2009-06-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Blue Apple Books has a wonderful time at Book Expo America - the largest book industry event in the country, held at the Javitz Center in New York City. We previewed many of the books that we'll be releasing next fall, and also hosted signings with Karla Gudeon, Harriet Ziefert and Mark Jones, as well as with Melissa Conroy, whose debut children's book, Poppy's Pants, will be released later this year.

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award Winners!

2009-05-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

We're proud to announce that three Blue Apple titles have won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award for 2009:

Simms Taback's City Animals (Simms Taback)

Dinner for Eight (Roger DeMuth)

How to Win Friends and Influence Creatures (Deborah Zemke)

Four Excellent Reviews from Kirkus

2009-04-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

We just received some tremendous reviews for books on our Spring list, from Kirkus Reviews! These appear in the 5/15 issue. Without further ado:

Hakala, Marjorie Rose

MERMAID DANCE

Illus. by Mark Jones

Hakala’s enchanting tale explores the fantastical world of mermaids. As evening arrives and the tide rises high, a school of colorful mermaids gathers at the shore. These fey creatures adorn the coast with ocean treasures for their midnight feast. After dining on the sea’s bounty, the mermaids dance among the waves in a celebration of the summer solstice. Gentle text that mimics the steady rhythm of the sea offers readers a soothing lullaby. Jones’s pastel illustrations provide a lush background for the beguiling tale. A vivid palette illuminates the intensity of the ocean at dusk. His layered, luminescent pictures present a unique perspective of activity both above and below the surface. This bewitching combination of ethereal paintings and fanciful text invites readers to contemplate the secrets of the sea long after the book is closed. (Picture book. 4-8)

Taback, Simms

SIMMS TABACK’S CITY ANIMALS

Illus. by the author

Following the same format as Simms Taback’s Safari Animals (2008), the author/illustrator celebrates the animals that make their homes in the city. The clever design offers children a tantalizing glimpse of one-fourth of an animal along with a clue as to its identity. The right-hand page then unfolds upward to reveal another fourth of the picture and an additional clue. Unfolding this page to the left reveals the entire animal and the answer in a poster-sized illustration. The city dwellers include a squirrel, a dog, a cat, a police horse, a pigeon and a mouse. Bold colors, clean lines and simple details suit the youngest listeners, who will be pleased with their deductive skills as they guess the animals’ identities before the final unfolding. The heavy cardstock should withstand many readings—good thing, as this one is sure to be a favorite among young patrons. (Picture book. 2-5)

Ziefert, Harriet

FURRY FRIENDS: Same and Different

Illus. by SAMi

An oversized book distinguished by SAMi’s trademark clean design and use of die-cuts encourages toddlers to examine small differences in facial features and expressions. On the left, a blank white face confronts readers; on the right, a cat looks out. Turn the page, and the die-cut layers a dog’s snout and ears over the blank face on the left and reveals the circle that backgrounded the cat’s tan-colored face, with only green-dot eyes and a black-dot nose and the text, “How is this face different from the dog’s face?” The differences are subtle, but interesting to explore—expressions, colors and number of features change, creating many avenues for conversation between grown-up and toddler as well as providing basic animal-identification opportunities. (18-36 mos.)

Ziefert, Harriet

YOU AND ME: WE’RE OPPOSITES

Illus. by Ethan Long

Zoo animals explore the ways they are different in this latest from Ziefert. Long’s tongue-in-cheek digital illustrations add pizzazz to the simple formula of the animals’ declarations of their opposite-ness, entirely rendered in speech balloons. Lion asserts his authority over tiger: “I come. You go.” Elephant terrorizes lizard: “I’m big. You’re little.” Giraffe states the obvious to the penguins: “I’m tall. You’re short.” And in the end an exhausted zookeeper breathes a sigh of relief: “I’m awake. They’re asleep.” Clean lines, simple details and bright colors keep the focus on the opposite pairs, which explore such attributes as position, size, location, color, mood and activity. While none of the animals declares, “Buy this book, not that one,” this does pack a triple punch—the concept-book format pleases parents, the illustrations and guess-ability of the opposites suit a storytime setting and children will go ape over the animals. (Picture book. 3-5)

Great Review of Dinner for Eight in Kirkus!

2009-04-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Kirkus Reviews enjoyed our new Spring title Dinner for Eight... from their 5/1 issue:

"Many hands make a luscious international feast. Octopus plans a dinner for eight: 'Please be on time and don’t arrive late!' With an international guest list, he prepares a variety of offbeat entrees. This culinary lift-the-flap book sometimes has Octopus’s multiple tentacles working at once—in the kitchen finding hay in one cupboard, a jar of flies in another and a plant in the refrigerator while checking on several colorful fish that are cooking in the oven. At the dinner party, each dish is a clever (yucky) concoction, waiting behind flaps to be revealed by young listeners. There’s eucalyptus leaf stew for Kal Kangaroo, worm sauerkraut for Berthe Birdie, housefly soufflé for François Le Frog, and so on. Dessert is the pièce de résistance all right, although its composition defies the gustatory logic that’s gone before. But there’s no denying that the lift-the-flap design always delights young would-be readers, and De Muth goes the extra mile with humorous surprises under each flap."

2009-03-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

We've just received a fabulous review of Comics to Go in L.A. Parent's "Good Reads with Ronna" blog, complete with a cute kid's drawing. Check it out:

Comics to Go!

March 6th, 2009

Do you have a child, like mine, who loves to draw, invent wild and wacky characters and create little hand made books? Then I have the ideal book for you. It’s called Comics To Go! by Mike Herrod from Blue Apple Books, a wonderful publishing house with lots of unique books out of Maplewood, New Jersey.

Here’s a sample of what my son Coleman did when he discovered the book last week. This design is the last cell for a comic strip called Rodrigo The Magnificent. The book contains 19 stories for children (or adults if you are so inclined) to complete and then color in. What is even more exciting is that at their web site more comic panels can be downloaded! Kids will love Super Squirrel, The Dog Walker, Duck Amok and so many others. When all the strips have been completed, kids will find some blank

comics at the book’s end so they can flex some more creative muscle. I suggest keeping the book in your car so that when you go out for a meal you have something with which to entertain the kids which in turn will surely entertain you! The clever, colorful book will appeal to many age groups and would make a most welcome gift for any occasion.

Liz Murphy on YouTube

2009-03-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

Someone was clever enough to videotape Liz Murphy's Broadway Barks event at the Montclair (NJ) Public Library last year, and creative enough to produce this video! Enjoy.

Hanukkah Haiku - A National Jewish Book Award Finalist!

2009-01-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

We were thrilled today to find out that Hanukkah Haiku was selected as a finalist for the 2008 National Jewish Book Award in the category of Illustrated Children's Books. There is only one other finalist for this award category, so it is very special! If you find yourself in New York City on March 15th, please join Harriet Ziefert and Karla Gudeon at the awards ceremony, which is open to the public, at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street), at 7:30pm.

Hanukkah Haiku - A Sydney Taylor Notable Book

2009-01-08T07:08:00.000-08:00

Hanukkah Haiku was chosen as a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Young Readers. The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding Children's books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the Award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature.

Upcoming Bernadette Peters Appearances

2008-11-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

Having just had a marvelous event at FAO Schwarz in Manhattan to promote Broadway Barks, and the new plush doll based on the main character, Ms. Bernadette Peters has scheduled two more appearances for this year:

Wednesday, December 10th, 10am: Barnes & Noble, Tribeca Store (97 Warren Street, NY NY)

Saturday, December 13th, 2pm: Bookends, Ridgewood NJ (232 East Ridgewood Ave)

Come out and get the perfect Christmas present: a signed copy of Broadway Barks!

(AP Photo/Judy Katz PR, Leah Joseph)

Blue Apple Books at the Brooklyn Museum of Art

2008-11-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

Mike Herrod (Comics to Go) and Yukiko Kido (Posey and Flip-a-Word books) were invited by the Brooklyn Museum of Art to participate in their 2nd Annual Children's Book Fair, which took place last Saturday. Hundreds of children showed up with their parents and caretakers, and were able to meet face-to-face with some of their favorite Brooklyn-based artists and authors. Many discovered new favorites. Kids were enthralled when Mike Herrod demonstrated some of the tricks of the comics trade, showing how inspiration often comes from the people around him, as he drew portraits of family members for the crowd.

Bernadette Peters at FAO Schwarz on 11/8

2008-10-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

Bernadette Peters will be celebrating the release of Kramer, a stuffed animal based on the lovable adopted dog from the book Broadway Barks, on Saturday, November 8th at 1pm, in FAO Schwarz's New York City store.

The Press Release:

BERNADETTE PETERS RELEASES PLUSH DOG KRAMER FROM FAO SCHWARZ WITH A STORE APPEARANCE

Join Two-Time Tony Award winning actress Bernadette Peters and her beloved rescue dog, Kramer on Saturday, November 8th, at 1 PM as she debuts Kramer, the plush dog based on the character from her New York Times Best-Selling children's book, Broadway Barks.

Ms. Peters will read her book, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of her book.

This unique toy is exclusively manufactured for and sold by FAO Schwarz. All of Ms. Peters' royalties will be donated to BROADWAY BARKS, the organization of the same name she co- founded with actress Mary Tyler Moore, for the care of shelter animals.

FAO Schwarz is located at 767 5th Avenue at 58th Street.

Tremendous Reviews for Hanukkah Haiku!

2008-10-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

We've just received a couple of great reviews for our new book Hanukkah Haiku, by Harriet Ziefert with (gorgeous) illustrations by Karla Gudeon!

From Kirkus Reviews:

[STARRED REVIEW] "Eight simple poems in Haiku form, one for each night of Hanukkah, tell of family traditions and the joy of lighting the candles together, playing dreidel, eating latkes and applesauce, receiving shiny coins or Hanukkah gelt, singing and dancing and, of course, hearing the story of the Maccabees. Without retelling the biblical story, Ziefert manages to capture the essence of this holiday completely and even includes instructions, in both Hebrew and English, for conducting the candle-lighting ritual. Text and format are seamlessly interwoven. Inspired by Chagall, Gudeon’s intensely bright, detailed illustrations float and soar through the pages. As each candle is lit, the shortened, fanned pages open to reveal the activities told in the poems and the menorah as it appears that night, until the eighth and final night when the menorah is fully ablaze. Borders, backgrounds and endpapers bloom with symbols that surround Hebrew and English letters wishing the reader a happy Hanukkah and a celebrating family dancing with joy. An exuberant delight."

And from School Library Journal:

"Combining festive illustrations and a playful format, this title uses haiku to celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah. While the selections address only the most basic ideas (“Four candles tonight./Grandma fries the latkes brown./We want applesauce”), each turn of the stepped pages brings fresh excitement as another lit candle and verse are revealed. Illustrations have a lovely folkloric quality in which Chagall-like figures, surrounded by richly colored flowers and stars, float across a fibrous tan background. Of particular note are the gorgeous patterned edges on the versos that mirror the tones of the newly exposed candle. Endnotes include an explanation of the candle blessings. A lovely addition."

Comics to Go

2008-08-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Although we want summer to last forever, we're excited to announce that our first Fall book is arriving in stores this week: COMICS TO GO! Comics to Go is the first children's book by artist Mike Herrod, who grew up with a love of comic strips like Calvin and Hobbes and (of course!) Peanuts and eventually became a comic artist himself. With Comics to Go, he inspires kids to pick up the pen (and/or colored pencils and/or crayons) and create their own "sequential art."

At the beginning of the book, Mike has started some extremely wacky stories and left the last panel unfinished, so that the reader can complete the tales in his or her own unique way. In the back of the book, more and more of the comics are left undone, until the panels ultimately are empty boxes that leave everything to the imagination and vision of the artist at hand. We've also created a companion website with downloadable content, so the fun never has to end!

Spiral bound and with sturdy cardboard covers (like a professional sketchbook), we think Comics to Go not only inspires a love of comics, but serves as an introduction to the creative process - of both storytelling and art. Check it out!

Flip-a-Face Nesting Blocks Win Award!

2008-08-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

We just learned that our Flip-a-Face Baby Animals Nesting Blocks have won the 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award! The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio was founded in 1989 as a completely independent consumer review of children's products. They don't take money from publishers for reviews or ads. You can check them out here: http://www.toyportfolio.com.

They say: "Sturdy, cardboard stacking blocks with bold animal face graphics that can be abracadabra changed! Cut outs on the face of several blocks change the look of the face below. An extra surprise to the usual size order stacking and nesting opportunities. Develops language as well as dexterity and spatial visual skills."

Way to go, Nesting Blocks!

Safari Animals Wins Parents' Choice 2008 Gold Award

2008-07-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Although we mentioned this somewhere below, I thought it was worth posting on its own that Simms Taback's Safari Animals is a Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner. We've received the official certificate, as you can see, and are thrilled. Congrats, Simms!

PS: If you are in the NYC area this weekend, be sure to stop by Shubert Alley on Saturday (7/12) for the 10th annual Broadway Barks from 3:30-6:30. Bernadette Peters will be signing copies of Broadway

Barks (the book)!

Our Wonderful New Website!

2008-06-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

By now, I am sure you have noticed our wonderful new website, designed (and illustrated) by none other than our own Blue Apple Books artist Yukiko Kido, of Posey Prefers Pink fame. With a little help from her friends, she was able to bring to life a site that we believe shines brightly among other mostly traditional publisher offerings.

Thanks, Yuki!

Broadway Barks Hits #5 on the New York Times Children's Bestseller List!

2008-06-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Blue Apple team has just returned from Book Expo America in Los Angeles, where we learned that Broadway Barks has hit #5 on the New York Times Children's Bestseller List! Needless to say, we were thrilled! This news came just in time for Bernadette's two California signings, one at Book Expo and another at Book Soup in West Hollywood. Every last book was signed at both these events.

Also at Book Expo, we were delighted to have Simms Taback sign copies of Simms Taback's Safari Animals... which we have just been notified is a 2008 Parents' Choice Gold Award winner! Last year, only one book received this prestigious distinction. Simms' signing was a fantastic success, running over the allotted time to ensure no one went away disappointed.

If you're in the New York City area, be sure to drop by the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle on June 12th at 10am to hear Bernadette sing "Kramer's Song" from Broadway Barks, and to have a copy of the book signed.

Bernadette Peters in Philadelphia!

2008-05-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Blue Apple's Broadway Barks signing at The 2nd Annual Philadelphia Book Festival was a fabulous success! Hundreds of fans were overjoyed to have their books signed by both Bernadette Peters and illustrator Liz Murphy. Before signing, Ms. Peters treated attendees to both a reading of the book and a live performance of "Kramer's Song," with accompaniment by Marvin Laird and two other musicians.

Signing at CHILD Magazine's 2007 best book awards

2007-02-01T22:24:00.000-08:00

Blue Apple illustrator SAMi was honored at the 6th Annual Best Children’s Book Awards, presented by Child Magazine, for his books Flip-a-Shape: Go! and Flip-a-Shape: Yum! SAMi signed books at the event, which was held at Books of Wonder in New York City, for an admiring crowd. Flip-a-Face: Baby Animals and Flip-a-Face: Baby Talk have both won the award in the past.

Murphy Jumps a Hurdle in Booklist

2007-01-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

Ziefert, Harriet. Murphy Jumps a Hurdle. Illus. by Emily Bolam. Nov. 2006. 40p. Blue Apple, $15.95 (1-59354-174-0). K-Gr. 3.

In this new Murphy title (Murphy Goes to Paris, Murphy Meets the Treadmill), Murphy the dog faces a new challenge: agility training. With owner Cheryl's guidance, Murphy practices several stunts. Soon he feels ready to compete, and although he is disappointed that he doesn't get first place, he is ready to go work out harder and try again. From frustration to fun and training to competition, Murphy describes his experiences and feelings, all of which are depicted in charming, colorful, cartoonlike illustrations. The story is a bit thin, but the message about perseverance is a good one, and likable Murphy's new trials will appeal to fans of his previous books as well as young dog lovers and budding trainers--though let's hope they think twice before tossing a "wooden dumbbell" at a dog during a game of fetch, as Cheryl does with Murphy. --Shelle Rosenfeld

Booklist, November 1, 2006

Flip-a-Word Books in SLJ

2006-11-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

Flip-a-Word: Pig Wig and Flip-a-Word: Snake Cake, by Yukiko Kido

Children will be instantly attracted to the bold, colorful pictures in these books. Each title focuses on three different word families. Pig looks at words containing the letter combinations "ig," "ug," and "at," while Snake features "ake," "oat," and "ant." Peek-through pages transform illustrations to match the changing consonants (e.g., "jig" becomes "dig"). While most of the pages feature only one or two words, the last page of each section is a review of all the words from the family. The bright, flat illustrations outlined in black are reminiscent of the artwork in Dick Bruna's "Miffy" books (Kodansha America), but are more colorful. These titles could be used with beginner readers or as an introduction to rhyming words. Each one includes a page about word families that adults might find helpful. The appealing cartoon covers and die-cut pages guarantee circulation. - Danielle Nicole Du Puis

--School Library Journal, November 2006

The Miracle of Hanukkah in The Horn Book

2006-11-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

The Miracle of Hanukkah, by Seymour Chwast

Telling the story of the Maccabees’ revolt when the Syrian king tried to force them to worship Zeus, Chwast uses his clean, simple style to great effect. Employing a series of nested flaps, each larger than the previous one, he tells the story in easy-to-follow chunks. The temple stands steadfastly in the background while the plot thickens, the flaps get larger, and the central characters take up more space in the foreground. As the battle ends, the flaps give way to two full-size spreads showing the inside of the temple as the Maccabees celebrate their victory. Chwast’s basic brown and blue outlines reveal a subtle humor, while a wide-ranging palette of flat colors harmoniously fills in the scenes. The endpapers show Hanukkah’s ubiquitous dreidel, but Chwast’s straightforward storytelling gets to the true heart of the holiday. LOLLY ROBINSON

--The Horn Book, November/December 2006

There Was a Little Girl, She Had a Little Curl in SLJ

2006-11-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

There Was a Little Girl, She Had a Little Curl, by Harriet Ziefert, illus. by Elliot Kreloff

The classic rhyme is expanded into a story of Isabel, a precocious preschooler who has a mop of bright red curls. One day, after struggling to brush and comb her tangled locks, she gives herself a haircut. After snipping off one curl and then another, she is left with a motley head of hair. Finally, a visit to the beauty shop repairs the damage, and now Isabel is back to being a little girl who once "had a little curl, right in the middle of [her] forehead." Bright, childlike cartoon drawings capture the mischievous child and her tolerant but wise parents. Many families will relate to this title.

--School Library Journal, October 2006

Go Back to Sleep in Kirkus Reviews

2006-10-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

"A little boy goes through his bedtime routine with his toy animals, but must do it again in reverse when their ruckus wakes him up in the middle of the night. Layered pages show Willy carefully taking each toy off his bed and placing it in its favorite spot in his room before he falls asleep. But Bo Bear is rather naughty, beginning a chain reaction that wakes up all the toys and leads to such a ruckus that Willy wakes up. The layered pages then return in reverse, showing Willy gathering each toy and placing it back on the bed, where they all fall asleep together. A delightful rhyming beginning sputters in the middle of the tale when it disappears entirely, reemerging only sporadically after that. Observant youngsters might wonder why it's Sailor Monkey who says, "Wind me up!" instead of the mouse with the key in its back . Constantin has mastered the art of facial expression, and her illustrations are enchanting, sure to lure youngsters to dreamland along with Willy. Cute despite its flaws."
-Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2006

I Can Wait for the Bell to Ring! in The Bloomsbury Review

2006-10-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

I Can Wait for the Bell to Ring!
by Jennifer Rapp

"We all know the agony of waiting. Whether it is waiting for the bus or waiting for jeans to dry, it always seems unbearable. Which is why i love Jennifer Rapp's homage to patience. Juxtaposing serious things to wait for, such as a sibling going off to college or the day braces come off, with more humorous ones, like cheese pizza cooling off or the dog pooping, the book is sympathetic and amusing at once. Rapp's illustrations are charmingly awkward, edgy, and hilarious. It all leads up to the one thing you can't wait for: the last day of school!" - Sophia Walker

-The Bloomsbury Review, Sept/Oct 2006

Review of The Miracle of Hanukkah in Publishers Weekly

2006-09-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Chwast (The Left-Handed Designer) opts for a “just the facts” approach to the Hanukkah story—but since he’s also one of the leading lights of modern graphic design, the end result adds up to something much more. A stepped-page format literally builds the story’s momentum, taking readers from oppression of the Jewish people by the Syrian king to the triumph of the Maccabees. The pages return to full size to chronicle the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the menorah that burned for eight days despite only a one-day supply of oil (“This miracle as great as the miraculous victory of the Maccabees”). The combination of Chwast’s concise text and visual economy may seem to some readers to be too restrained for such a joyous celebration. But the elegance shines through, as does the enduring message of the story.
--Publishers Weekly, September 25, 2006

Early Experiences in Kirkus Reviews

2006-08-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

Does a Seal Smile? by Fred Ehrlich, M.D., illustrated by Emily Bolam

Does a seal smile? How about a mandrill, a coyote and a chimpanzee? In a question-and-answer format, Ehrlich asks readers whether these animals smile (they don't) and show how they recognize and greet each other through body language, facial expressions and sound. He then moves on to people; beginning with babies, he introduces the basics of human communication. Last, he provides examples of how people from different cultures greet one another. Bolam's appealing and wry illustrations will charm; however, there is a lot of information here. While the text is straightforward, the human-animal parallels and some of the vocabulary may not be entirely clear to the youngest children and will likely require explanation. With some help, though, children will come to appreciate the differences and similarities between human and animal behavior and understand the basics of how members of different cultures greet one another as well.
--Kirkus Reviews (July 15th issue)

Early Experiences Review in Booklist

2006-06-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ehrlich, Fred. Does a Baboon Sleep in a Bed? Illus. by Emily Bolam

With silly questions and answers, this small, square easy reader in the Early Experiences series has fun with words as it introduces preschoolers to a few fascinating facts about sleepy animals and people. On each right-hand page, children will find a simple question ("Does a baboon sleep in a bed?"), accompanied by a clear, brightly colored illustration, sharply outlined in ink, showing a funny scenario (a baboon in a comfy bed). A turn of the page reveals the answer ("No way! A baboon sleeps in a tree"), with a picture of the critter in question in a more authentic pose (a baboon asleep in a tree, "usually a different one every night"). First the question, then the facts. The pattern follows through for a beaver, a polar bear, a bumblebee, a horse, and a dog, with the book culminating in several spreads showing people - from babies to grown-ups - in many different kinds of beds. Cozy fun for bedtime. - Hazel Rochman

Blue Apple Artists selected by American Illustration

2006-06-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

Blue Apple artists Seymour Chwast, Santiago Cohen, and Laurie Rosenwald were selected to appear in the 25th American Illustration Annual. Click on the links below to view their selected pieces of artwork.

Seymour Chwast
Santiago Cohen
Laurie Rosenwald

BEA 2006

2006-05-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

Elliot signed copy after copy of the forthcoming There Was a Little Girl, She Had a Little Curl at BEA 2006 in Washington, D.C.

Blue Apple in Kirkus Reviews, May 1st issue

2006-05-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Bigger Than Daddy
Ziefert enters Charlotte Zolotow territory with an intimate give-and-take between little Edward, who wishes he were bigger, and his father as they walk home from the playground, engage in a bit of playful role reversal ("You've been a bad boy," said Edward. "And you haven't finished your juice.") and then get ready for bed. In distinctly childlike crayon-and-cut-paper pictures, Kreloff depicts the pair with light brown skin, frizzy hair and smiles. Young readers and listeners, whether from single-parent households like this or otherwise, will smile too. (Picture book. 4-6)

Me! Me! ABC
In a terse alphabet for the self-absorbed, Bergen digitally adds on occasional background or detail to 26 close-up views of the vinyl animal characters she manufactures, which appear with such demanding captions as "Admire me," "Buckle me," "E-mail me," "Gimme!," "Kiss me," and "Pay attention to me." This last sums up the whole message here, which is certainly one that most preschoolers will enthusiastically endorse. But with oversize heads atop tiny bodies and eyes made from big, sewn-on circles, the dolls look grotesque rather than cute, especially when blown up to nearly full-page size, and lines like "obey me" and "Untie me" add a kinky flavor more suitable for sharing among adults. Use selectively.

Review for Bigger Than Daddy in Booklist

2006-05-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

April 1, 2006 issue of Booklist:
Ziefert, Harriet. Bigger than Daddy. Illus. by Elliot Kreloff. May 2006. 36p. Blue Apple, $15.95 (1-59354-147-3).
PreS. Young Edward accompanies his dad to the park, and then they walk home together, play, and have dinner before Edward has a bath and is tucked into bed. Along the way, Edward constantly demands the chance to engage in grown-up activities, ranging from the doable (pressing the elevator button) to the less doable (outrunning a big red fire truck). Ziefert ably captures the teasing affection between a young preschool boy and his dad. The simple, appealing language shows the humor, energy, and bossiness of the young child, while the father’s love for his son also shines through. Kreloff’s colorful, childlike, crayon-and-collage illustrations convey Edward’s exuberance and the story’s humor. Parents will recognize Edward’s many familiar lines, while children will appreciate his frustrations and the spirited way that he deals with them. Pair this with the titles featured in the Read-alikes column “A Day with Dad,” in the June 2005 issue of Booklist. —Todd Morning

Join Harriet and Elliot in Italy!

2006-04-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

This summer, Harriet Ziefert and Elliot Kreloff will be teaching a class in children's publishing with Art Workshop International in Assisi, Italy. The course is titled "The Art of Making a Children's Picture Book," and will take participants through the process of creating a picture book, from an initial concept to a first-pass dummy. For a full course description and information on how to sign up, click here.

Review in the Ohioana Quarterly, Spring 2006, p. 93

2006-04-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

40 Uses for a Grandpa, by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Amanda Haley
41 Uses for a Grandma, by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Amanda Haley

Harriet Ziefert and Amanda Haley keep us laughing with their delightful portrayals of the roles played by Grandmas and Grandpas in our lives. Bright, action-filled illustrations accompany each word or phrase.

Grandpa the "Veterinarian" eases a spoonful of medecine towards a skeptical-looking turtle while Grandson looks on. Later, as the "Shelf," Grandpa snoozes peacefully as Grandchild tries to balance a drinking glass on Grandpa's stomach. The reader can almost see the stomach rising and falling with each breath and has to wonder, "What is in the glass?"

Grandma the "Monkey Bars" stands stoically as gleeful grandchildren swing from her outstretchd arms. Her arms are about as thick as the metal bars at the playground, but the reader knows Grandma's willpower makes it work! As the family "Vacation Destination," Grandma smiles joyfully as a family with six children, including a howling baby, arrives on her doorstep.

Ziefert and Haley capture the deep emotion along with the humor. We see grandparents in the roles of "Nurse," "Security Blanket," "Friend," and "Someone to love you when others do not."

These two delightful picture books capture the heart and soul of grandparents. Fun for all. Great gifts.

-Wendy Boortz

CHILD Magazine Best Book of the Year Awards 2006

2006-04-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

SAMi and Harriet Ziefert signing their Best Books of the Year --" Flip-A-Face" at the CHILD Magazine award ceremony held in the Barnes and Noble in NYC.

Blue Apple refreshes its site!

2006-04-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Check out our newly redesigned web site: blueapplebooks.com

Flip-A-Face Awarded Best Book of the Year by PARENTING Magazine

2006-04-05T13:22:00.000-07:00