New books
By Pamela Brill -- Playthings, 6/1/2004
Sometimes, it takes a little something extra to engage a child in reading. Retailers looking to recommend 'just the thing' might consider Lisa LeLeu Puppet Show Books from Lisa Leleu Studios. This isn't just any puppet/book pairing: The puppet is designed to fit inside each page of the book, so it becomes the center of the story that kids can act out. They also have a chance to express themselves by writing and illustrating their own tales.
Like the blue crustaceans that adorn the cover of this title from Frances Lincoln, Lobsters in Love is a rare find. This tale is a fast-paced story of a lobster who, after setting out on an adventure, ultimately fulfills his birthday horoscope. What will grab readers' eyes are the colorful claymation-like sculpted illustrations set against an aquamarine palette of blues and greens. It's a memorable read.
As the country gears up for the summer's patriotic celebrations, books are getting dressed up in their finest, including a title from the National Geographic Society, Building Liberty: A Statue is Born. The story of how the U.S. came to receive the gift of Lady Liberty is told via storyboard format, taking readers back to the day when it all began and told through the voices of four young characters.
