Jane Austen Cover to Cover

Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Book Covers. Margaret C. Sullivan. Quirk Publishing. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

Love Jane Austen? You should read Jane Austen Cover to Cover. The book is about Jane Austen, her books, her book covers--a history of their many publications over the past two hundred years. For the most part, the book follows a certain chronology providing readers with context. (For example, covers with teens or tweens in mind differ from covers with adult collectors in mind differ from covers with scholars in mind.) Each edition has a spread. And it's just a joy to see all the covers. There are great covers. There are horrible covers. I liked it best when Sullivan talked about the horrible covers!!! I laughed out loud so many times reading this book!!! [See also: "5 Ridiculous Jane Austen Book Covers, Explained in Hilarious "Deleted Scenes."

I definitely recommend this one. I read it all in one sitting. It was just so satisfying--a real delight. If you want a preview of sorts, read this Guardian piece. And for more book cover fun--specifically P&P--this NY Times slide show is fun too.

You should read Jane Austen Cover to Cover

• If you are a fan of Jane Austen
• If you have an interest or fascination with book covers
• If you have an interest in publishing, book design, illustration, or book collecting
• If you like to laugh

© 2015 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Sound of Music

A Classic Collectible Pop-Up: The Sound of Music. By Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lindsay & Crouse. Adapted by Bert Fink. Illustrated by Dan Andreasen. Paper Engineering by Bruce Foster. 2009. Simon & Schuster. October 2009. 14 pages.

If you love the Sound of Music, then this really is a must-have. I love, love, love the Sound of Music. So this book made me giddy. Very, very giddy. In the must-show-to-all-my-friends way. This book brings all your favorite movie scenes to life. Each scene pops-up to reveal in wonderful detail the oh-so-magical story of Maria. (It would be hard to pick a favorite spread. Though the twirling Maria from the opening spread is a wonderful representation of how right this one is.) The story has been adapted and is told within the book--very cleverly in my opinion--in the mini-pop-ups/flaps. All the lyrics are included as well. Which was very nice.



© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Make Your Holidays Pop

I am a newbie when it comes to pop-up books. Elaborate pop-up books that is. Robert Sabuda is one of my "favorite" finds of 2007.

The Chronicles of Narnia
Based on the Books by C.S. Lewis
Pop-ups by Robert Sabuda

What Narnia fan wouldn't love, love, love this delightful tribute to one of the best fantasy series of all time? The artwork, the illustrations, the pop-ups are all extraordinary. There is just something oh-so-magical about this one. Don't be fooled though into thinking there is any text involved. There might be a quote from each book, maybe. But the heart and soul of this book is bringing those scenes to life. Making them 3-D. This book is near perfect. It would have been ever better, for me, if it had presented the 7 books in their true order. They're arranged in this newfangled order--Magician's Nephew, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Silver Chair, The Last Battle. I especially love the illustration representing the Last Battle. It is just an incredible one of the heroes emerging through the barn door into the great unknown where they're called to go "further up and further in."

Another Sabuda book for 2007 is Mega-Beasts. (This is the third in the Encyclopedia Prehistorica series.) You can read my review of that one here.

Other books that received the Sabuda treatment:

Winter in White: A Mini Pop-up Treat
The Night Before Christmas Pop-up
The Twelve Days of Christmas Anniversary Edition: A Pop-up Celebration
Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-up
Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks and Other Sea Monsters
The Movable Mother Goose
Alice's adventures in Wonderland
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-up
Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-up Journey
America the Beautiful

And not everything that goes pop is Sabuda. Here's one sure to be popular this Christmas:

Star wars: A Pop-up Guide to the Galaxy by Matthew Reinhart

Wishes and Fairy Godmothers

In the category of "how did I miss this???" and "I really really really really wish I had a publicist contact here" (Disney Press) or "this would make a great birthday present for me (happy almost birthday to me--the big day is Thursday) I present my latest discovery:

Walt Disney's Cinderella retold by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Mary Blair

Becky's Favorite Things Pt. 1

Becky's Favorite Things: A Gift Guide for Book Lovers

Note: The prices are the list price. I would imagine you can find the books at many places for lower than the list price. The links are for Amazon, but you're definitely encouraged to shop at independent bookstores as well.

All Things Alice

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Vintage Classics) by Lewis Carroll $9.95
Princess Alyss of Wonderland by Frank Beddor, Catia Chien illustrator $19.99
Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Lizabeth Zwerger $24.99
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-up Adaptation by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Robert Sabuda $26.99
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor $17.99 hardover, $8.99 paperback.
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor $17.99
The Annotated Alice: The Definitive Edition by Lewis Carroll. Edited by Martin Gardner. $29.95 hardcover, used editions of paperback are available.
Madame Alexander Alice in Wonderland Doll, $49.95

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A Commemorative Pop-Up by L. Frank Baum, illustrated by Robert Sabuda $26.99
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 100th Anniversary Edition by L. Frank Baum, W.W. Denslow, illustrator. $24.99
The Annotated Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Martin Gardner, Forward; Michael Patrick Hearn, editor. $39.95
The Treasury of Oz by L. Frank Baum $19.49
Wicked and Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire $44.95 [Note: These books are not appropriate for children. Older readers--teens--should be fine though.]


All Things Little House

Little House 9 Book Box Set (Paperback) $59.99
The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods From Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic Stories by Barbara M. Walker $9.99
My Little House Crafts Book: 18 Projects From Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Stories by Carolyn Strom Collins $12.99
My Book of Little House Paper Dolls $10.99
Little House In the Big Woods Audio CD, Unabridged Cherry Jones, narrator. $25.95
Little House On the Prarie Audio CD, Unabridged Cherry Jones, narrator. $25.95
On The Banks of Plum Creek Audio CD, Unabridged, Cherry Jones, narrator. $25.95
By The Shores of Silver Lake Audio CD, Unabridged, Cherry Jones, narrator. $25.95
The Long Winter Audio CD, Unabridged, Cherry Jones, narrator. $25.95
Little Town on the Prairie Audio CD, Unabridged, Cherry Jones, narrator. $25.95
These Happy Golden Years Audio CD, Unabridged Cherry Jones, narrator $25.95
The First Four Years Audio CD, Unabridged Cherry Jones, narrator $25.95
Farmer Boy Audio CD, Unabridged, Cherry Jones, narrator $25.95
Little House in the Big Woods: 75th Anniversary Edition by Laura Ingalls Wilder, ill. Garth Williams $19.99

All Things Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up: Based on the Books by C.S. Lewis Robert Sabuda, Matthew Armstrong, and Matthew Reinhart $29.99
The Chronicles of Narnia CD Box Set, Audio, Unabridged $75.00
The Chronicles of Narnia: Radio Theatre (Full Cast Drama) Audio $49.97 (Abridged)
The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set (Paperback) by C.S. Lewis, $45.00

All Things Peter Pan

Peter Pan Audio CD, Unabridged, Jim Dale narrator $29.95
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson $17.99
Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson $18.99
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson $18.99
Escape From the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure by Ridley Pearson $9.99
Cave of the Dark Wind: A Never Land Adventure by Ridley Pearson $9.99
Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean $17.99
Peter Pan 100th Anniversary Edition by J.M. Barrie, Michael Hague illustrator $25.00
Peter Pan and Wendy Madame Alexander Dolls $149.99

All Things Beatrix

A Beatrix Potter Treasury $19.99
Complete Beatrix Potter 2-Disc DVD $19.98
Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales (Hardcover) $40.00
Beatrix Potter's Nursery Rhyme Book $12.99
The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit $14.99
The World of Peter Rabbit (23 Books & Presentation Box) $160.00
Peter Rabbit's Giant Storybook $15.99
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Board Book) $6.99

All Things Pooh

Winnie the Pooh 80th Anniversary Edition $19.99
The House At Pooh Corner, Deluxe Edition $19.99
Note: Deluxe Editions of When We Were Young and Now We Are Six will be released in 2008!
The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh (75th Anniversary) $40.00
Pooh Library 4-volume Set (Hardcover) $48.00
Winnie the Pooh, Audio CD, Unabridged, Narrator Peter Dennis $19.95
The House At Pooh Corner, Unabridged Audio CD $14.95
Classic Pooh Plush $19.99
Classic Piglet Plush $19.99
Classic Pooh Hand Puppet Trio $19.99
Madame Alexander's Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day $99.95

All Things Anne

Madame Alexander Anne of Green Gables Doll $80.00
Anne of Green Gables DVD $24.99
The Complete Anne of Green Gables Boxed Set $43.49
Anne of Green Gables (Radio Theatre) Audio CD (Abridged, I'm assuming) $14.97
The Annotated Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Wendy Elizabeth Barry, editor $49.95

Mother Goose Time

Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose: One Hundred Best Loved Verses $19.99
Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever $14.99
Mother Goose's Little Treasures by Iona Opie, Rosemary Wells Illustrator $27.38
Here Comes Mother Goose by Iona Opie, Rosemary Wells Illustrator $18.95
My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie, Rosemary Wells Illustrator $22.99
The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews $16.99
Wee Sing Mother Goose $9.99
The Movable Mother Goose (Mother Goose Pop-Up) by Robert Sabuda $21.99
Tomie DePaola's Mother Goose $25.99

Spotlight on Mrs. Piggle Wiggle

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald, Anne MacDonald Canham. Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger $15.99
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald $5.99
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic by Betty MacDonald $5.99
Hello, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald $5.99
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Farm by Betty MacDonald $4.95

Note: 2007 is a great year to find new editions of Roald Dahl's books. All of his books have been reprinted, and new audio editions are available as well.

New Editions of Classic Favorites

The Annotated Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, editor. $35.00
Mary Engelbreit's Classic Library: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett $9.99
Mary Engelbreit's Classic Library: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett $9.99
The Annotated Brothers Grimm by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. A.S. Byatt, introduction. Maria Tatar, translator. $35.00
The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales by Maria Tatar (editor) $35.00
The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen by Hans Christian Andersen, Maria Tatar, editor $35.00
The Annotated Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Michael Patrick Hearn (editor) $29.95
The Annotated Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Michael Patrick Hearn (editor) $39.95
The Annotated Cat: Under the Hats of Seuss and His Cats by Philip Nel $30.00
How The Grinch Stole Christmas 50th Anniversary Retrospective Edition by Dr. Seuss and Charles D. Cohen $24.99
The Annotated Charlotte's Web by E.B. White $19.99
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, Lauren Child illustrator. New translation by Tiina Nunnally $25.00
A Collection of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories $21.05
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling $9.95

Anthologies for Enthusiasts

The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury $40.00
HarperCollins Treasury of Picture Book Classics: A Child's First Collection $27.99
Mike Mulligan and More: Four Classic Stories by Virginia Lee Burton $20.00
Eloise Wilkin Stories (Little Golden Book Treasury) $10.95
Farm Tales (Little Golden Book Treasury) $10.99
Animal Tales (Little Golden Book Treasury) $10.99
Sleepytime Tales (Little Golden Book Treasury) $10.95
Inspirational Tales (Little Golden Book Treasury) $10.95
The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury $19.95
Tomie DePaola's Favorite Nursery Tales $25.99
Tomie DePaola's Book of Bible Stories $12.99
Tomie DePaola's Big Book of Favorite Legends $14.99
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter Storybook Collection 30 Years Celebration $9.99
Just A Little Critter Collection by Mercer Mayer $9.99
The Complete Adventures of Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey $30.00
Your Favorite Seuss: A Baker's Dozen by the One and Only Dr. Seuss $34.95
George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshall $25.00
Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury by Laura Numeroff $24.99

Give the Gift of Shakespeare...

Charles and Mary Lamb's classic Tales From Shakespeare has been newly illustrated by Joelle Jolivet. The tales retold in this one are MacBeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, and King Lear. Can you guess which plays these illustrations come from?




Book Description
In this charming collectible, a selection of Charles and Mary Lamb’s classic prose retellings of Shakespeare’s plays are beautifully illustrated by acclaimed artist Joëlle Jolivet. The Lambs’ Shakespeare, familiar to readers since the 1800s, gets a modern twist from Jolivet’s vibrant and colorful art; Jolivet re-imagines the princes, royalty, fools, and villains from Shakespeare’s world as colorful, striking characters. From Much Ado About Nothing to Macbeth, each story features pages of illustrations that are both irreverent and wholly appropriate. Enclosed in a die-cut slipcase, the book is the perfect gift for Shakespeare fans at any age.

About the Author
Charles Lamb (born 1775) and his sister Mary Lamb (born 1764) are best known for their prose adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, Tales from Shakespeare. Joëlle Jolivet is an internationally acclaimed illustrator. The New York Times gave her book 365 Penguins “top marks in math and art,” and Copley News Services says it’s “a heck of a lot of fun.” Publishers Weekly called her books “vibrant/dazzling” and School Library Journal said they “are aesthetically impressive as they are informative.”

Another book to have fun with...

Just in time for the release of Spiderman 3, and just in time for Christmas....comes

The Amazing Spider-man Pop-up that is "Spider-man Tastic!"




Book Description
First in a series of four pop-tastic volumes: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN! Follow Spidey as he makes his transformation from shy bookworm Peter Parker to friendly neighborhood web-slinger. Plus encounter his seven deadliest foes, including Doctor Octopus, the Green Goblin, and Sandman. Kazam!

All of the pop-ups are based on original Marvel comic book excerpts, which collectors will find especially appealing. Since first introduced in 1962 Spider-Man has become one of the most popular superheroes, eventually appearing on the big screen and breaking box office records.

I'm not an expert on comic books, but I know fun when I see it. This book is just fun and I think that many "kids" will enjoy it regardless of their age.




I don't know if you can tell much about this last page. But the cool thing about this one is that the pop-up image actually has perspective. If you look at it from one side you see Spider-man, and if you look at it from the other side, you've got Electro. And if you look at it in the middle--just regularly--you see the two locked in hand to hand combat.

The publisher of this one is Candlewick Press.

A Book to Play With...

Lions and tigers and bears. . . . Stand back for a beast of a pop-up!

Within these dynamic pages lurk fearsome saber-toothed cats, bears taller than basketball hoops, and everyone’s favorite Ice Age giant — the woolly mammoth. Prehistoric Yeti-like mammals, now-extinct birds, and giant flying lizards all come alive in a showcase featuring more than thirty-five astonishing pop-ups. In this third and final volume of the best-selling Encyclopedia Prehistorica series, 3-D masters Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart tackle the titans of the ancient world, awing us with a humbling close-up look at some startling mega-beasts that preceded us on planet Earth.

The publisher is Candlewick Press.

What can I really say about this one? It's fun. It's part of a series. (Though I haven't experienced the first two myself.) The pop-ups are great. And I love the intricate details of it all. Each page features multiple pop-up delights. But it isn't just about the pop-ups. This is a nonfiction book. It is full of plenty of information hidden away amongst all the fun.

About the Author
Robert Sabuda is the co-creator of the first two books in the Encyclopedia Prehistorica series, DINOSAURS and SHARKS AND OTHER SEA MONSTERS. He is also the creator of many other stunning bestselling pop-up books, including AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL, ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, and THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ. Robert Sabuda lives in New York City.

Matthew Reinhart is the co-creator of DINOSAURS and SHARKS AND OTHER SEA MONSTERS, volumes one and two of the Encyclopedia Prehistorica series. He has also created many other award-winning pop-up books, including CINDERELLA, THE POP-UP BOOK OF PHOBIAS, and ANIMAL POPPOSITES. He lives in New York City.

Find of the Day!

I was searching the internet for "best of 2006" recommendation lists when I came across another compilation done by The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. What's my great find? And why two posts in one day? The BCCB has created or rather updated a Guide Book for Gift Books list. It's available free as a downloadable pdf file. It is an "annotated bibliography which has been expanded and updated, offering you a choice selection of books suitable for giving to the young people in your life." Perfect for the holidays or year-round for birthdays and other celebrations. (Parents and teachers may find it useful as well.) What makes this gift guide slightly unique is that all of the books were in print and readily available at the time in which it was compiled making it convenient for shoppers. But at the same time, it's not pushing only what is available at the expense of quality. There's a standard to be met and each title has been selected and deemed worthy. I haven't read it word for word--it's twenty-three pages--but I have browsed through it to see the types of recommendations being offered. They are broken down and arranged into four categories:

• Picture Books
  
• Books for Young Readers, Grades 1-3, 6-8 years
  
• Books for Middle Readers, Grades 4-6, 9-11years
  
• Books for Older Readers, Grades 7-12, 12-18 years
  

The guide can be found here.

http://bccb.lis.uiuc.edu/