It is such a delight to find an author you love. To read a book that so completely resonates with what you believe that certain kind of books should feel like. That one book was pleasure enough, but to find that they have published another book–well, let’s just all go run around in a circle with joy.

I have praised Il Sung Na’s stories and accompanying art before, but his new book, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit, is not only timely, but just a beautiful as his other books.

Meet Rabbit, ready for winter with his white fur, as he finds out what the other animals of world do to get ready for winter. So fly south, some hibernate, so swim to warmer waters, and some burrow under ground. But as spring comes and the world begins to un-thaw, all the animals know that spring is here, including the rabbit who is no longer white, but has changed colors to tan.

With his mixed media illustrations and simple stories, not only is this a great read aloud picture book, but also a great way to introduce the changing of the seasons.

See all of Il Sung Na’s books here.

When the Christmas season finally gets into full swing here at Lemuria (which it has) and everyday seems like two (which it does) those books that are our all time favorites really start to shine, especially in Oz, our kid’s section. That book that everyone should own, the book that becomes an instant classic, those books are why we love our job and why we hope you love our store.

Two of those books for me this Christmas are Bink and Gollie by Alison McGhee and Kate DiCamillo and Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker. Bink and Gollie are two friends that couldn’t be more different. Bink, the short one with the crazy blond hair, was written by Kate Dicamillo and Gollie, the tall bean pole with sensible brown hair, was written by Alison McGhee. With Tony Fucile amazing illustrations and these two outstanding authors, it’s no wonder that this book has been at the top of all of our lists (I think I have bought three at this point…for adults!) This first chapter book is perfect for bedtime reads and beginning readers alike! Below is one of my favorite pages, featuring Gollie on her imaginary adventure in the Andes.

Bedtime for Bear continues the series that Bonny Becker began with A Visitor for Bear. Bear hates change and for three books now, fights the whole idea of veering from his routine. But Bear’s friend Mouse is persistent and ultimately shows Bear that some change is good. In this book, Mouse has come, uninvited, to spend the night with Bear. Bear must have absolute quite to go to sleep and Mouse continuously keeps him awake. But when all have settled down for the night, Bear begins hearing scary noises and Mouse is just the friend he needs. An adorable story with beautiful watercolors from Kady MacDonald Denton, this story is sure to please Bear fans and maybe snag a few more.

So come on in to Lemuria, follow the black and white striped pipes in the ceiling to Oz and let us recommend a few books that are sure to make you warm on the inside!

When I drive Harper (4 years) to pre-school we have to drive right past the bookstore. One day a couple of weeks ago she said, “There’s the bookstore,” and I said, “I like the bookstore.” Her response? “Me too, I like the book part”. No better response could she have given. “I like the book part” sums up what we’re trying to do at Lemuria almost perfectly. We’re about the books and we want to stay about the books and it’s a thrilling thing to hear your daughter say.

Harper said what she said because she has grown up in this store. Once or twice a month she and her little brother (Dee almost three) come to the store, sit in chairs or on the floor, and look at books. Sometimes we read to them and sometimes they dance for the booksellers or play with the toys that they find tucked between books in OZ.

And let me tell you something. This is what OZ Books is all about. There are lots of kids that come here every week or every couple of weeks, but I often wonder why there aren’t more. Please let me encourage you to bring your kids in and pick out a book every now and then. And don’t be afraid that they are going to tear something up or make to much noise. That kind of stuff is OK in OZ. (not that we want your kids to tear up books, but we want your kids to be kids)

Emily has been in charge back there for about a year and a half now and she’s done a truly great job. It feels welcoming. She has a great selection of books, and she really knows her books and loves talking about them. You can read many of her picks on our blog here.

Folks come in all of the time and say that they grew up reading on the floor in OZ while their parents shopped. Well, why not your kids?

Oh Scott. In the past year, I have really gotten to know the kids’ section at Lemuria inside and out. One of my favorite parts has been looking at all of the picture books in Oz, old and new, popular and forgotten. Lately in the classic kids’ books, I have fallen in love with a book and its illustrations only to find out that it was illustrated by Scott Gustafson. My favorite Mother Goose and Classic Fairy Tales books are illustrated by Scott. Gustafson has a beautiful way of blending bright colors and traditional designs, and his art appeals to kids and parents alike. Often, his work is beautiful enough for me to want to hang it on my wall.

The two books above are just the some that I have fallen in love with this year. When I was a child, I had a beautiful edition of Peter Pan. It was one of those books where the illustrations brought the story to life. The illustrations were too vivid and too perfect — any moving picture adaptation from that point on just fell short. One of my goals as Oz’s manager has been to bring in those favorites that I cherished as a child. Recently, I found that beautiful Peter Pan book and discovered that the illustrator was none other than Scott Gustafson. From that light-bulb moment, I have been irrevocably in love with any and all of Scott’s works, much like I am with David Wiesner, Jon J. Muth, or Emily Gravett.

Come on in to see Scott’s amazing illustrations and to see some of my other favorite illustrators. I promise they will change the way you look at art in children’s literature.

The Night Fairy by 2008 Newbery Medal Winner Laura Amy Schlitz is about Flory, a young night fairy loses her wings and must learn to cope in an unfairy like world. She is a determined young fairy willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Come along and enjoy the adventure as Flory adapts to a new life, friends, and compromise. This is a delightful book. (ages 8 and up)

See Emily’s post on The Night Fairy here.

The time and place–Venice, Italy 1602–however, the descriptions are very much like Venice today. Here is a novel with excitement and adventure about pirates, romance, witchcraft, and spies. Come to Oz and check it out for yourself, you won’t be able to put it down. (Ages 10 and up for girls and boys)

It’s hard to do both of those things, move and read. I am halfway through about five books right now because I will start one and then lose it in my room, only to start another one and subsequently lose it as well. So right now I am sticking with picture books, one of my all-time favorite book genres (hence the title children’s manager!).

This morning we had a great crowd for Story Time and I read one of my favorite new books–and one I think is an instant classic–DOG LOVES BOOKS! Dog loves books so much, he opens his own bookstore. When no one shows up, he occupies his time getting lost in his books, until one day a customer comes in and he know exactly what to recommend! While that’s not quite how it works here at Lemuria, we are avid readers as Peyton mentioned in her post and we try to know exactly what to recommend when you come in!

Another favorite right now is Man Gave Names to All the Animals. This book is the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song by the same name and the illustrations are done by Jim Arnosky. I just love the pictures in this book! The lush landscapes, all the animal species–you could look at this book for quite a while, just naming all the animals. And to top it off, the book comes with a CD of the Dylan song to listen to. This is a perfect book for any library.

And don’t miss next week’s great read with Bats at the Ballgame by Brian Lies. For those of you who loved Bats at the Library and Bats at the Beach, you will love this installment! They are our favorite bats since Stellaluna! See you next Saturday at 10:30!

These three books are about Christian the lion (a true story), they may seem to be the same, yet they are different.

Christian, the Hugging Lion by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Illustrations by Amy June Bates

Children’s Picture Book, Ages 3-6

The true story and the gentle lifelike illustrations make this picture book suitable for the younger child.

Christian the Lion (told from the lion’s point of view) Written by the owners Anthony (Ace) Bourke and John Rendall

Children’s Picture Book, ages 3-8, a true story with photographs

This is the story of their friend Christian, the lion. These two gentlemen purchased Christian, a three month old lion, from Harrods, a department store in London. Christian lived with Ace and John in their London apartment until he outgrew the small space, boarded a plane with his loving caretakers and flew to Africa. This period of time was a serious adjustment for Ace, John and Christian. This is a beautiful story of love, adjustment and beginning of a new life in Kenya. A year after saying goodbye, Ace and John returned to Kenya for joyous reunion with their friend, Christian.

Christian the Lion: Based on the Amazing and Heartwarming True Story by Anthony Burke and John Rendall

Middle reader, ages 8-10, a chapter book, a true story with photographs

The story behind the Youtube sensation.

We at Lemuria love Wimpy Kids who write diaries. A lot of us were wimpy kids (and still are!), so we are thrilled to be a stop on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Ice Cream Bus Tour. Sunday, August 22nd from 1:00 to 3:30, a huge purple bus will be parked in our Dot Com parking lot handing out FREE purple popsicles in honor of the new Wimpy Kid book, The Ugly Truth, which comes out November 9th!

Broad Street Bakery will be doing a promotion with this event as well! Buy a Wimpy Kid book from us (books 1-4 or the do-it-yourself diary) and get a free kids lunch with the purchase of an adult meal. You can’t go wrong by coming out on the 22nd. So head on over after church and have a great time with us!

Also, check out this great article about this entire tour!

Starting in July, Story times in Oz will be revamped! We are going to start planning them just like any other event, except instead of an author, there will just be me the reader, and instead of signed books, there will be awesome activities. I don’t want to spoil the surprise too much, but here is the plan for the five Saturday’s in July.
Every Saturday at 10:30, we will be having a rockin’ time in Oz! So come on in and see what we’re up to!