Alice Schertle

Bill was a dancing fool, more interested in capering and cavorting than in farming, baking, or any other kind of work. His neighbors despaired of him, predicting that he would not come to a good end, and when the fairy-music lured him into the hands of the google-eyed goblins one All Hallow's Eve, it seemed as if they were right. Fortunately, Bill wasn't a real fool, and he used his wits to trick the goblins, challenging them to a dancing contest and eventually escaping from their show more underground lair...

I have long meant to track down Bill and the Google-Eyed Goblins, given my great love for the work of its illustrator, Patricia Coombs, who created the Dorrie the Little Witch books which were such a reading favorite of mine, when a little girl. I'm glad that I finally did, as the story itself is well-written and engaging, and the artwork lovely. The goblins here reminded me quite a bit of those in Coombs' Dorrie and the Goblin, which is no great surprise, but was nevertheless a pleasure. I wish that Coombs had illustrated more fairy-tales and magical stories like this! Recommended to fellow Coombs' fans, and to picture-book readers who enjoy fairy-tales. show less

Alice Shertle and Matt Phelan's very hairy bear brought a smile to my face this morning, as I followed him through four seasons worth of adventures. Shaggy and raggy, this hairy bear doesn't mind getting his head wet, when fishing for salmon, or his snout blue, when munching on blueberries. But when winter comes, and his nose - the only hairless part of his body - is cold, that is something our ursine hero does mind...

Very Hairy Bear is really an adorable little picture-book, with a sweet show more story, and delightfully humorous illustrations. Matt Phelan does an excellent job capturing his subject's expressions - I simply loved the scene in which bear is ecstatically rubbing his behind on a tree: so funny! - and his somewhat sketchy style perfectly suits the story and character. Recommended to younger children who enjoy humorous animal stories (and illustrations), or to anyone looking for a charming book featuring the four seasons. show less

With fifteen clever poems, each narrated by a particular piece of clothing, Alice Shertle's Button Up! will give young children a completely different perspective on getting dressed! Ever wonder how your old t-shirt feels, when you've outgrown it, and it has been relegated to the rag-pile? Ever suspect that that itchy sweater was annoying you on purpose? What about your shoes...?

"We are learning the ways
of Jennifer's world:
the way that Jennifer's
toes are curled,
the softness of carpet,
the show more steepness of stair,
the curve of the rung
under Jennifer's chair,
the hole in the heel
of Jennifer's socks...

We are Jennifer's shoes,
we came home in a box."

Accompanied by Petra Mathers' quirky and engaging watercolor illustrations, this collection would be an excellent choice for reading aloud with young children, and is a worthy addition to the world of children's poetry! show less

Beautiful collage-style artwork illustrates this general introduction to evolution. Starting by setting the location, and an impression of lengthy time, humanoids are pictured changing from hairy animals squatting by the river, gradually standing upright, learning each time we come to something that stops us: the sea, cold northern lands. The impression given is not so much a justified dominion over nature, but understanding and appreciation the gifts available "speed of horses, the patience show more of oxen, the endurance of camels, the strength of elephants"
A negative for me is that at least 1/3 of the book is the things we made with little recognition of how we have overstepped and are now destroying the very earth that sustained us. This is balanced by the last pages "And some of us returned to the water-carved canyon to find our bones. But we had forgotten..."
I highly recommend this as a thought-provoking beginning of discussion with your children. Agreed that picture-book age is too young for much discussion, but it can be returned to as a child grows and wonders. show less