It was with great sadness that tiger tales learned of the death of Maurice Sendak last Tuesday morning. Every employee – satellite or in office – was struck silent with shock and sadness for just a moment. It doesn’t matter if you work in children’s book publishing, as we do. As a child it’s a near guarantee that Maurice Sendak was a part of your life with his classic book Where the Wild Things Are. We don’t want to eulogize Mr. Sendak, as we could never truly summarize the impact this extraordinarily talented gentleman had on the world. We decided to each write, very briefly, how Mr. Sendak affected us and what his work has meant to each of us.

Elisabeth Prial – Publisher

I'd always been a fan of Maurice Sendak's picture books, but it wasn't until Brundibar was published that I understood just how commanding an illustrator he was. As the daughter of German Jewish refugees, Brundibar touched me in a way that none of his previously published books had. Hopefully, it will continue to have a similar impact on millions of children who have no other connection or remembrance of what came before them and how it could still impact us today.

Julie Bartynski – Editor

I’m a huge fan of Maurice Sendak’s work and am lucky enough to live close to Philadelphia’s Rosenbach Museum & Library, which houses so much of his work. He was a genius and a pioneer and I’ll never forget the first time I read the words “and it was still hot.”

Michelle Martinez – Art Director

Maurice Sendak was a pioneer, innovator, author, and illustrator. His characters and fantasies captured a child’s imagination unlike anyone was doing in his early years of writing. His work opened doors for countless children’s authors and their audiences. Generations past and generations to come will forever treasure his stories.

Jeannie Rubsam – Publishing Administrator

Rest in peace, Maurice Sendak. My youngest and I just re-read Where the Wild Things Are in your honor. Thank you for providing my children with wonderful literary memories. Your legacy will live on for generations to come.

Barb Knight - Director of Sales

Besides his talent as an Author and Illustrator I can truly appreciate Maurice Sendak for his honesty and humility. I think that’s one of the reasons that his work appeals to children and is also why his writing and illustrations have endured and will endure for decades, centuries.  Children are brutally honest and without overblown egos. It’s as we age that we become “guarded” about what we really think and self-censor what we are going to say or write; as we minimize and temper our true feelings and opinions we seem to maximize what we actually think about ourselves.  But not Mr. Sendak; which is why as an adult he was able to write enduring children’s stories that appeal to children and the child within all of us. It’s his honesty and humility that shines in his work and that same honesty and humility has attracted millions of children to his stories. Mr. Sendak has truly left a legacy for generations to come.

Sarah Prial – Social Media Manager

Maurice Sendak excited me as a child and inspired me as a twenty-something. It’s always fun to be a wild thing when you’re five, but when you’re 25 it’s important to remember that sometimes it’s necessary to let go and have a little bit of a wild rumpus when life gets you down. Thank you for that, Mr. Sendak.

When we read Stephanie Shaw’s manuscript for the first time, we knew we had found something special. The children’s book author’s use of rhyme and imagery warmed our hearts and made us smile. Her book, Bedtime in the Meadow, is her first to be published. (And we consider ourselves lucky to have snagged her!) I wanted to get some insight from Stephanie about what it’s like to have moved from “aspiring author” to a soon to be “published author.”

Bedtime in the Meadow is a sweet story, a “lullaby type book” as Stephanie calls it. It’s about all the animals in the meadows snuggling into bed and trying to fall asleep. Stephanie wrote it because she felt it was absolutely “perfect for the nursery.”

I asked Stephanie what it feels like to have a manuscript accepted for publication for the first time. “I hope this doesn’t sound melodramatic,” she said, “but really it feels something akin to being told you are finally pregnant…and it’s news that I want to yell to the world (or at least everyone in my local coffee shop and bookstore).” And we here at tiger tales fully support shouting about books. I do it on a fairly regular basis.

I also asked Stephanie, having moved from “aspiring” to soon to be “published”, what advice she would give to the former category. Her biggest piece of advice is that you understand what you want to write. Stephanie suggests you “read as many children’s books in the genre you want to write” as you can. “My poor husband has to drag me out of the children’s book section of every library and store,” said Stephanie. She genuinely loves children’s books and makes it clear that she doesn’t care about fame and fortune.

We also asked Stephanie a question that we ask ourselves on a daily basis – What makes a children’s book really special?  Stephanie shared this insight with us:
I think the very special children’s book fulfills a need for the reader. Maybe it brings comfort or humor.  Or maybe it satisfies a sense of curiosity and wonder.  Maybe it solves a problem or describes perfectly the relationship between friends or family members.  But, whatever need it fills, the book will stand reading over and over and over.  I can’t imagine a better compliment for a book than to have a child say this single word at the end, “Again!”

We agree completely, Stephanie – welcome to tiger tales!

Contest limited to residents of the United States.

If you have won a tiger tales contest within the past 30 days you are not eligible.

For photo contests, only a single photograph may be submitted.

With the holiday season upon us, it really is a wonderful time to count our many blessings, and to remember how fortunate we are in our own lives. I was reminded of this today when I stopped by Bartleby's Bookstore in Wilmington, Vermont. 

You may recall that Vermont suffered tremendously from the effects of Hurricane Irene, with devastating flooding in several parts of the state. Bartleby's Bookstore, was essentially washed away, having sustained major structural damage to their building and the loss of more than 90 percent of their inventory. That was late in August of this year. But with the determination of a devout bookseller, and the overwhelming support of the local community, Lisa Sullivan, the owner of Bartleby's reopened her shop on Black Friday, and had the best Black Friday ever, exceeded only by sales the following day!

It was inspiring to chat with Lisa today, and we wish her only the best, celebrating the miracle that happened in the days and months after Hurricane Irene. The miracle of the support of friends, and community is alive and well in Wilmington, VT. Wether you're in Vermont during the holidays or not, check out your local, community bookseller and show your support!

Wishing all of you a joyous season filled with friendship and peace, and a good book!

Elisabeth Prial

Holiday crafts are everywhere this time of year. Teachers and their students are putting up paper snowflakes, piling on the glue and glitter and making their classrooms magically sparkle. Children and parents are sitting around tables decorating Christmas stockings and making new ornaments. Every single craft made by student, child, teacher and parent is unique and special. No two will ever be the same. Some families have special traditions, right down to the way they decorate their holiday cookies!

Winter may be dark and chilly, but projects and crafts keep things bright!  Holiday crafts are a great way to celebrate the season, and can be inspired by nearly anything. We love to hear about tiger tales fans finding inspiration in our books for new crafts. So why not share your ideas right here with us? Let us know what projects you’re doing to celebrate the season.

Or, if you’re looking for some tiger tales inspired activity, check out our coloring pages for One Snowy Day at http://tigertalesbooks.com/book/116! 

Happy Holidays!

November, besides being the month of warm fires, Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season, is also National Picture Book Month. It’s so easy to forget how truly important picture books are in our lives, and we at tiger tales wanted to take a moment to celebrate them.

What I personally love about picture books is the excitement of turning a page for the very first time. Every page is a surprise, with bright colors, exciting images and smooth glossy pages. Every story is unique and the blend of words and images become more than just a book, they become a story. But it isn’t just new books. I’ve always found comfort in returning to my favorite picture books again and again, even as an adult.

I asked the tiger tales team to complete the sentence, “What I love most about picture books is…” and here’s what they had to say:


Jamie Michalak, Editorial Director:
 … that they’re works of art that can be pored over alone or shared. Snuggling up with a picture book before bed can be one of the most special moments of a family’s day. The best picture books speak directly to a child’s heart and are read again and again, sparking a lifelong love of reading. What could be better?

Barb Knight, Sales Director:
 … that you can be any age to enjoy them. Picture books can be enjoyed and treasured by children as well as adults. For adults, the stories might be a bit short, but a good picture book can still tell a wonderful story filled with humor, love, or a lesson to be learned in a simple way. I also love looking at all the different illustrations and styles because they are more than just illustrations—they are an art form that tells and adds dimension to a story.

Elisabeth Prial, Founder and Publisher:
 … their ability to open doors of enchantment for children. Picture books introduce children (of ALL ages) to the world beyond their own boundaries, enabling them to meet new friends, learn new ideas, and expand their horizons while at the same time entertaining and delighting their open and eager minds.


Now it’s your turn to fill in the blank! What do you love most about picture books? Answer in comment form on our blog and you’ll be entered to win a copy of the new picture book The Dancing Clock written by Steve Metzger and illustrated by John Abbott Nez! The winner will be selected November 26th. We’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts and comments!

Our contest has ended, congratulations to our winner Shurie!

United Kingdom-based Paula Bowles has just finished up her second book for tiger tales, What Goes Up. Fans may recognize her as the artist behind the upcoming Spring 2012 release Scary Mary, the story of a chicken with temper tantrums. We spoke to Paula about her latest project, being an artist, and what she loves about being an illustrator.

Paula studied Illustration at Falmouth College of Arts but says, “I’ve always enjoyed drawing ever since I could hold a pencil, I can’t think of a time when I didn’t like drawing!” So, why children’s books? Paula was inspired by the books that she read growing up, the classics that we all recognize – Maurice Sendak, Dr. Suess, the Little Bear books. But it wasn’t just the books she loved, she and her older brother would make up stories and create comics on their own, and she would illustrate the stories her parents told her at bedtime.

There are more books coming, too! Paula just completed her second picture book for tiger tales, a story about a dragon named Martin titled What Goes Up. The dragon, Martin, has a bit of trouble flying. But don’t worry, Paula’s book has a happy ending. “The village children teach [Martin] to practice, imagine and believe!” It’s not only an important lesson for dragons, but for children everywhere. Paula played around with the story for a few years, starting with what she calls “some doodles of dragons.” What took it to the next level? “A friend suggested putting [Martin] in an unusual situation, so I tried him out on a small tricycle whizzing down a hill! It made me laugh, and I felt drawn to make a story about him,” explains Paula.

Bringing creatures to life is Paula’s favorite part of illustrating—from squawking chickens to clumsy dragons. Paula says, “It’s wonderful to see children enjoying looking at my pictures and ‘getting’ the little jokes I’ve put into the illustrations!”

Look for Mary the Chicken in Scary Mary this Spring and Martin, the dragon, in What Goes Up in Spring of 2013.

Hello, everyone! 

Douglas here. I just wanted to take a minute to say, “Thank you!” to all my friends and fans.

You’ve been so kind to help me find my hugs, and face my fears. And you’ve said so many nice things about me and my adventures! I’m so glad you enjoy my stories and I really appreciate that you share me with your friends, family and students! I love sharing stories, too! 

I just got home from Frankfurt, Germany. I was visiting some of my German cousins at the international book fair—meeting friends old and new! And I have some big news! I have a third book that will be coming from tiger tales!  I met with tiger tales Publisher Elisabeth Prial and, as she says, “signed on the dotted line!” It will take a little while, until my new book is available, but I promise it will be worth the wait . . . .

My new book will be called Douglas and the Big Sleep and it’s about a sleepover I have with my friends at Rabbit’s burrow! You know, rabbits are much smaller than bears, and getting into Rabbit’s burrow is a pretty tight squeeze, but I won’t give away the ending. In the meantime, we can continue to enjoy my first two adventures, Hugless Douglas and Don’t Worry Douglas while we wait for me to figure out the best way to manage to enjoy this sleepover.

I had a great time on my trip to Germany and I can’t wait to come back and share more of my silly and fun experiences with you.

Lots of bear hugs,
Douglas

I walked outside this morning, the first day of autumn, and despite the rainy day the golden leaves on the tree outside my apartment glowed. And I thought to myself, “Finally, finally autumn is here.” Autumn is my favorite season because it’s a time for change – not just the foliage and the weather, but layers of clothing, holiday movies and back to school. Autumn is a different experience for every one of us, and we asked our tiger tales fans to share what they love the most about it on our Facebook page.

Many of you agreed that it was the beautiful colors of autumn that meant the most to you, and even more of you shared your love of the autumnal activities. One of the most wonderful things about autumn is the expressly unique activities that can only be done as the leaves come down and the colors change. Charlene shared that she loves jumping in the leaves with her kids. And to be honest, I still can’t see a pile of leaves without an overwhelming desire to jump right in it and throw the leaves in the air. Marian loves the pumpkin picking and autumn inspired crafts. I would like to throw into the ring something that I love about this season – curling up with a good book in front of a warm fire. (Or in my case, the vent in my living room.)

My Facebook news feed, as I’m sure many of you East Coasters have experienced, has been filled with comments about the new chill in the air. I threw on my giant wool sweater for the first time in months last week. As it gets chillier, and it’s time to turn the heat on, I’m grabbing my book and basking in it. It is only in the colder months that the feel the perfect combination of heat on my face and a book in my hands.

I still fondly remember reading Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf with my parents. For this Fall 2011 season I recommend Don’t Worry, Douglas!, a book in which one of my personal favorite tiger tales characters—a loveable bear—deals with a little drama concerning his cool weather accessory, his hat! Curl up with your kids in the biggest sweater you can find and enjoy the weather and the change of the season!

Many of your Facebook comments involved activities you share with your children, and I wanted to share my autumn favorites with you. What is your favorite book for autumn? 

The summer is coming to a close and Back to School Season is in full swing! While everyone collects shiny new shoes, bright new backpacks and pencil cases, let’s not forget our favorite books!

Can anyone recall Back to School season that doesn’t include books? Every student from kindergarten to Ph.D. students are soon to be weighed down by piles of books. This, to me, is the very best part of Back to School.  With my degree in hand, I’m not going Back to School, but I still found myself wandering through the book section of my local bookstore wishing that I, too, had my own pile of required reading.

Fans on our tiger tales Facebook page have told us that our titles are claiming places on their Back to School shelves, and we couldn’t be happier.  It was the books that I read as a child that have left the biggest impact on me. I more fondly recall sitting cross-legged on the floor being read exciting stories with beautiful pictures than I do studying the high-gloss photos of my art history textbooks.

Back to School season is just the beginning of a great year of new books. Cracking opening the binding for the first time and the smell of new pages is a pleasure that never ever gets old. 

Good luck parents, teachers and students as the school year starts! Even though it’s just beginning of the school year, what will you remember the most about this year’s Back to School experience? What were your favorite summer reads? IF you’re already back to school, did anything particularly exciting happen in class? Share it in our comments section, we’d love to hear from you!

I grew up in a house surrounded by books. With a parent working in the publishing industry, I was the girl who showed up at school after summer vacation with a summer reading list of 23 books when everyone else showed up with two or three. I’ve never lost my love of reading, but as I look back, I don’t think there are any books quite as wonderful as children’s books.

My parents always believed in reading to my brother and me before we went to sleep. Over the course of a few years my dad, brother and I made it all the way through The Chronicles of Narnia. But it is one book in particular—a simple, unassuming book—that I hold close to my heart.

When I as little, my mother would read me An Egg is an Egg, by Nicki Weiss, a story about the changes that happen in the world. A mother tells her small son that "an egg is an egg, until hatches. And then it is a chick." and so forth. The final pages address growing from a baby into a child, and conclude with the mother telling her son, “You will always be my baby.” It is now two decades later, and that short quote, “an egg is an egg,” still connects me with my mother. Over the years, we referenced it frequently, then less frequently, and as I progressed through college and into the world beyond, we slowly stopped using it. But I know, as does she, that I will always be her baby. 

The book is, sadly, out of print, though I wish I could share it with every mother and child I meet, as I shared it with my mother. Despite that, I firmly believe there is a special children’s book out there for every parent to share with their child, a book that will be permanently in their hearts from the moment it opens and long past the last time it closes. 

In the spirit of special children’s books and sharing them with everyone we know, we wanted to say thank you to all of our fans by sharing our newest books with you. Our Fan Appreciation Contest running now and ending at 5pm EST on Sunday, August 7th, asks you to share with us your favorite tiger tales title by commenting here on our blog, or in the comments section on our Facebook page. The winner will receive a book from our new Fall 2011 releases. 

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Summertime has a certain flavor unlike any season. For tiger tales Sales Director Barb Knight, that flavor is ice cream. Here Barb shares her favorite ice cream memories in celebration of National Ice Cream month, and a contest, too!

A few weeks ago, my husband suggested after dinner that we go out for ice cream. Right then, I knew that summer had, unofficially, arrived. There is something about having an ice cream cone on a warm night, when the sun stays up past 6:00 and the air is buzzing with life that reminds me of childhood summers. There are memories of summer and ice cream that have stayed with me into adulthood, that, in celebration of July being National Ice Cream Month, I would like to share with you.

When I was five, my dad stopped by an ice cream stand on his way home from work and surprised my mom, two older brothers and me with sundaes and banana splits. The ice cream tried valiantly to survive the trip from the shop to our house, but the soft serve had begun to form into a dripping, melting mess. My dad put the ice cream in the freezer to counter the mess and while I waited I remember thinking, “Wow! Dad bought us really fancy ice cream!” When we had finished the sundaes and the banana splits I used the pastel banana split bowl as a rowboat in the bathtub.  The surprises and delights that this one memory holds make me smile, no matter where I am.

Another sweet memory was when my brother was a teenager. Soon after he got his driver’s license, he rushed home and excitedly told us that a new ice cream shop had opened in town. He said it looked just like an old-fashioned ice cream shop, complete with a marble countertop and checkered floors. The family decided that we had to see the new ice cream shop and off we went. I remember the look on my mom’s face when we walked in. It looked as though she had been transported elsewhere, to a different time, a different summer with ice cream memories from her own from childhood. As we sat on the fancy black chairs at a little round table and ate our cones, I felt as though I could see the shop through my mother’s eyes and was transported myself.

Summer and childhood and ice cream melt together in our new title from Steve Metzger, illustrated by Julie Downing, The Ice Cream King. When I first read this book, it brought back all my sweet summer memories and when I put the book down I couldn’t help but smile.

The warm summer months are perfect for celebrating ice cream and summertime memories and we want your help celebrating! Post your favorite summertime ice cream memories and we’ll enter you to win a copy of The Ice Cream King.

Winner will be selected on Friday evening, July 1, 2011 (just in time for the Fourth of July!).

Ann Bonwill is a talented new author who will have her first tiger tales book published this fall. We were delighted when she agreed to join us at Book Expo America this year, and even more excited when she agreed to autograph her upcoming book, Naughty Toes, for attendees of BEA. Following are Ann's impressions of the experience!

The last week of May, the book world flocked to the Javits Center in New York City for Book Expo America. BEA is an enormous trade show at which publishers highlight their upcoming releases for booksellers, bookbuyers and bibliophiles alike. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. BEA is also full of author and illustrator events, networking opportunities, insider publishing buzz, and more.    

Thanks to tiger tales, I was able to spend a day at BEA autographing my soon-to-be-released picture book, Naughty Toes, and experiencing the amazing and wonderful event.    

My day started at the Children’s Book Breakfast. With a bagel and a bag full of free books I listened to some of my favorite children’s authors discuss their recent releases, their writing processes, and their paths to literary stardom. The lovely Julianne Moore played host as we heard from Katherine Paterson, Brian Selznick, Kevin Henkes, and Sarah Dessen. I left the breakfast feeling inspired.  

After the breakfast, I made my way through the many publishers’ stands to the tiger tales booth. It was so much fun to finally meet the tiger tales team, with whom I’ve been communicating solely via email. After a very warm welcome I spent some time chatting with everyone before my autographing session.  

Then it was off to whirlwind of the autographing area. I signed 150 books for a seemingly endless line of readers, and I’ve never felt like such a celebrity. It was a joy to talk with the people in line, many of whom were getting books for their schools, libraries and children. I signed my book for a group of young dancers, several future grandbabies and even a few Chloes (the name of my main character, an awkward ballerina). Despite a cramped hand, I was sad when my signing came to a close.    

Still floating from my signing experience, I spent the afternoon wandering through the maze of booths and admiring all the books and products on display. There was evidence that the publishing world is changing, with a new emphasis on e-books and apps, but despite  that I was left with the sense that good stories—whatever form they may take—will always be in style.

Eventually I had to get on the train and leave New York City behind, but my memories of my first trip to BEA and my first major autographing session traveled with me, and I know they will be pulled out and polished often, for many years to come.

We don’t need Mother’s Day to remind us that we are super heroes. Mothering requires super human strength, speed, vision, flexibility, empathy and even the occasional ability to see through things! That’s why we love our new book My Mom Has X-Ray Vision. It’s about a typical mom who has special powers.

To celebrate all mothers, we are offering a free copy of this book to one lucky mom. To enter the give-away just post a picture of yourself (or another member of your family) reading a book to your child on our facebook page. Note: If the picture shows a tiger tales book, we will enter you twice!

Hurry! We will select the winner on Sunday, May 8.  

The last week in March was the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Once a year, the entire children’s book publishing community from around the world gathers to share their creative talents and buy and sell rights to the same. (I won’t even mention that Bologna is the culinary capital of Italy and the food is out of this world!) It is a very exciting few days!

Heading out to a book fair always calls for a great deal of preparation. Over the years, we have worked conscientiously to develop an identity for tiger tales—an identity that readers and followers of tiger tales recognize immediately. And suddenly we don’t direct the identity, the identity dictates what the next books should be to us. Very much like a child who grows into a young adult and develops its own distinct personality.

I’m often struck by how different we are in the U.S. American’s taste in children’s books is rather unique from people in other countries. And although there are so many wonderful stories, executed beautifully by talented illustrators, and published by foreign publishers, they just aren’t the type of books Americans are interested in reading. Not that they aren’t fantastic books, but they miss the identity mark. So the fair is really like a treasure hunt – pouring through publisher’s samples and catalogs, hoping to find a few gems—not only for the US market, but also for the tiger tales list, which within the US has an identity all its own.

Once I arrive at the Fair, I have a schedule of meetings—every half hour, from 9:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening—to meet with colleagues from publishers around the globe. Contrary to what most people think when you say you’re going to a Book Fair in Italy, this is not a glamorous event. No time for leisurely lunches or café breaks in the afternoon sun. When you’re not in a meeting, you’re trolling the halls looking for something to jump off the shelf and scream at you; “Here I am! I’m just right for tiger tales!” There were some very fascinating books I saw from a German publisher, the formats were unique and engaging. Unfortunately, the art was rather unusual by US market standards and it didn’t fit the look and feel of the tiger tales list.

I always make time to go through the French hall, because the French really create some of the most beautiful picture books for kids. But as much as I love to review these books, most tend to be more “coffee table” books by American standards, and not the very “child friendly” type of books tiger tales publishes.

The days are exhausting but well worth it when I’m presented with a book that, in my heart of hearts, I know is a natural and seamless extension of tiger tales. The excitement is infectious! One such book was Copycat Bear, which you will see on the tiger tales list in September of 2012 (yes, it takes that long!). But I don’t want to spoil the anticipation, so I won’t tell what its about. . .let’s just say it’s a beautiful combination of storytelling and art, lovely in its simplicity and warmth.

Upon returning to the U.S., the tiger tales team has the opportunity to review the treasures I have found. We share our thoughts on these very special new books. So far, we’re negotiating to acquire the rights to eight new titles which we hope to bring to you along with the books we’ve been developing ourselves between 2012 and 2013.

As the days roll past after the Book Fair ends, I realize the travel and the crazy busy schedule is worth it, because tiger tales has “grown up” just a little bit more. . .

Ahead of Its Time

Two weeks ago, while working at the bookstore, I set up a “Celebrate Spring” display of children’s books. You know, books featuring bunnies, ducks, green leaves, and matzos (the token Passover book).  I reached into a box and pulled out a particular book with a recognizable pale pink cover and was immediately taken back to my childhood and a book that had an incredible impact on my life.

I’m talking, of course, about The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes. Published in 1939, this is the sole picture book written by DuBose Heyward whose novel Porgy became the basis for George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. The book tells the story of a little, brown bunny who dreams of growing up to become an Easter bunny – a job previously held by tall, white male rabbits. It is Grandfather Rabbit’s job to select the new Easter Bunny and when he sees the capable, speedy, loving, clever country bunny and her 21 well-behaved children watching the selection proceedings he chooses her for the job (much to the dismay of the tall, white male rabbits).

This beautifully illustrated book (Marjory Flack) manages to address the issues of race, class and gender prejudice without being the least bit preachy. As a matter of fact it wasn’t until I read the book as an adult that I realized how strong its message is. Mr. Heyward, who wrote this book for his daughter, wanted to tell young females that they can have a family and follow their dreams. They can surpass social expectations, overcome barriers, and choose their own destinies.

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes is a book that was way, way ahead of its time. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of reading it, I won’t tell you the rest of the magical tale. I urge you to find a copy and share it with your daughters and sons.

Is there a picture book that you cherish? Is there one that made a lasting impression on your life? Do you have a favorite Easter or Spring picture book that you read every April?

Share your story with us here or on facebook and you may win a copy of one of our new spring titles – Roly-Poly Egg. We will select one winner on Monday, April 18.

I don’t have to note statistics in Publishers Weekly to know that electronic books are having a significant impact on the publishing industry. As many of you know, when I am not blogging, writing or editing, I can be found working at the local bookstore. My town is very lucky to have one of the few independent bookstores in the area. We are all book lovers, and in theory we believe that reading is a special experience. And it shouldn’t matter if the words are on paper or on a other device. As Anna Quindlen put it, “…what is a book, really? Is it its body or its soul?” Despite the frustration we booksellers feel when a customer picks our brains for suggestions only to hear, “Thanks, I think I will get that on my kindle…”, when it comes to adult literature I agree with most that the form doesn’t matter. I believe that good books will continue to be published and people will continue to purchase them in all formats.

But when it comes to children’s books, it’s a bit more complicated. On one hand,  e-books and apps take picture books to a whole new level. Enhancements such as music, animation, games and learning activities help to bring stories to life and will draw in even the most reluctant readers and listeners. Unlike the previous generation of computerized picture books, today’s electronic devices are portable and allow children to enjoy books in the backseat of the car, in the doctor’s waiting room, on the sidelines of a big sister’s basketball game. But on the other hand, what will happen if a generation of children grow up without knowing the joy of sitting in a parent’s lap while turning the pages of a favorite picture book, or the pleasure of reading a pile of beloved books before bedtime, or the excitement of checking a stack of books out at the local library (not to mention the delight of selecting a new book from the local bookstore!).

tiger tales recognizes the need for quality traditional books for children and pledges to continue to publish exciting new titles in all print formats. But we also acknowledge the potential of the electronic media and have partnered with mytales digital to bring some of our titles to life. Our newest title, One Rainy Day, joins the extremely popular One Snowy Day, Hush Little Baby, Rock-a-Bye Baby, and Sleep, Baby, Sleep.

But enough about us! We want to know what you think. Do you have an e-reader? Or perhaps an iPad, iPod or Droid? How often do you use it? Do you wish there were more apps or e-books for kids or do you wish they would go away? What is your favorite e-book? We want to know what your opinion.

Tell us what you think! We are offering you a chance to win a copy of One Rainy Day and the iPad (or iPhone) app adaptation just for letting us know your thoughts. Let’s start a real conversation. Post here or on our facebook page for a chance to win. We will draw one winner on Monday, March 15.

My 14-yr-old daughter, long past her doll years, just spent the last 2 hours playing with her Polly Pockets. Granted she was babysitting our neighbor’s 3-yr-old daughter. But no doubt it was an enjoyable 2 hours for her. No one would describe Amelia as a girlie-girl. She is the perfect blend of sugar and spice. As a little girl she spent hours in her room (pink then, still pink now) dressing up and playing with dolls. But she was just as quick to run outside, climb a tree, tumble down a hill. So it was with interest that I read Peggy Orenstein’s Cinderella Ate My Daughter. In her latest book, Orenstein, who has been writing about parenting and feminism for decades, reflects on how she was forced to re-evaluate her views with the birth of her daughter.

As a mother, Orenstein found herself at war with a culture that emphasizes physical appearance in our girls while putting less weight on strength, resilience and intelligence. I read the book with some trepidation – worried that I would be made to feel guilty about the way I allowed all things princess to creep (just a bit) into my home and my daughter’s life. But Orenstein’s book manages to talk frankly about the pitfalls of raising girls in a world filled with Barbies, bangles and Belle without scolding.

Perhaps what we should really be concerned about is all the merchandising, not the message. There is really nothing wrong with little girls wanting to be princesses, wanting to wear tutus and pirouette around the kitchen. A true feminist would say that girls should be encouraged to be anything they want to be – whether it is a model, a stay-at-home-mom, a veterinarian, a teacher. Girls should feel free to dress up, play with dolls, dream about a prince. We just want it to come from them rather than because Mattel or Disney, or the American Girl Co. is telling them what they should want, be, imagine.

So feel free to read Cinderella, Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious with your little girls (even better, read them with your little boys too!). Or check out these tiger tales titles: Bella the Fairy Ball, Fairy Tea Party, If I Were a Princess.

 What are your thoughts on this subject? Did Cinderella eat your daughter? What are your favorite "girlie-girl" books?

Do share!

Elizabeth

What do Barack Obama, Tori Spelling and Madonna have in common? Well, two of them are material girls, but that's not the answer I am looking for.... All three of them have written children's books.

Celebrities writing children's books is not a new concept. One of my favorite books as a child was a magical tale called Mandy by none other than the multi-talented Julie Andrews. But there certainly has been an explosion of celebrity titles entering the children's book world in recent years. 

My personal favorite celeb author is Jamie Lee Curtis. From her early Today I Feel Silly to the more recent My Mommy Hung the Moon, her books are whimsical, lyrical and poignant. The fact that she is a celebrity is inconsequential rather than essential to the success of her books. I will admit to being more than a little jealous of someone who has talent in so many different areas (kind of the way I felt when I saw Gwyneth Paltrow sing on Glee). But wouldn't you rather see a celebrity book sell because it is good, not just because it is written by a celebrity?

Who is your favorite celebrity author?

Do you wish Kathie Lee Gifford would stick to hosting and singing?

Do you think it's just not right that Steve Martin can host the Oscars and write a best seller in the same year?

Share your thoughts...

Happy Reading,

Elizabeth

This video of a young boy on Christmas morning has gone viral and is causing quite a stir.

After having opened what looks like a pile of toys, the youngster comes across a neatly wrapped gift. As he tears off the wrapping paper, he notices that something is wrong. "Books? Books for Christmas? That's not toys, that's books!" he screams. The tantrum continues much to the amusement of his surprised parents.

Spoiled brat or typical kid? The blogs are overflowing with the debate and there seem to be defenders of both sides. Many feel that this child (and millions of others) are so conditioned to receiving the latest and greatest on Christmas morning that they don't appreciate that they should be grateful to be receiving anything. How dare any child scoff at a present when there are so many children in the world who have little or nothing?

Many others understand that to a child who is expecting something that moves, shakes, shoots, flashes or flies, finding a book under the tree can be a major disappointment.  To these defenders, a book falls under the same category as socks, pajamas and slippers -- the "Gee mom, um thanks" category.

How about you? What is your reaction to this video? Will there be books under your tree this year? Do you remember receiving books as gifts when you were a kid?

Share your thoughts...we can't wait to hear them!

Happy Reading (and book giving),

Elizabeth

Congratulations Alicia Dullavin!

You are the winner of our 6 book Holiday Gift Give-away. We hope you will enjoy the books yourself or better yet -- enjoy giving them away to someone (or several someones) who will love them.

A special thanks to all of you who entered the give-away. We really appreciate the time you took to become members of our site, like us on facebook or retweet us on twitter. We have loved reading all of the holiday memories that you shared.

We hope you will continue to read our blog and share your love of children's books with us.

Look for another give-away to be announced next week!

Happy Reading,

Elizabeth and the tiger tales team

We are so happy to announce that Annette Whipple is the winner of our Christmas book give-away. 5 of our favorite Christmas titles are on their way to Annette now. We know she and her family will enjoy them this holiday season.

And a special thanks to all of you who entered the give-away. We loved hearing from so many new fans. And we loved hearing some of your favorite Christmas stories -- some we were familiar with and some we can't wait to check out!

Enjoy this crazy time of year and happy reading,

Elizabeth

The holidays are a busy, wild, wonderful time. Filled with shopping, greeting cards, parties, reflection, family traditions, joy. Over the years there has been more and more holiday merchandising and commercialization. While we may rue the day the blow-up lawn decoration was invented, we certainly embrace the many fabulous children's books that have flooded the market.

Ask anyone and they can probably share with you the title of their favorite Christmas story. Traditional stories like The Night Before Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas have been joined by new classics like The Polar Express and Olive the Other Reindeer. My personal favorite is The Nutcracker. I can't remember a year when I haven't gone to see the ballet (or been in it!). And I have purchased and shared many versions of the story with my family.

At tiger tales, we are proud of the many wonderful Christmas stories we have published. We are hoping that one of them will become your family's favorite. To get you started we are offering a Christmas Book Give-away! Our collection includes two classic tales: Twas the Night Before Xmas and Jingle Bells, and three original tales: The Very Snowy Christmas, I've Seen Santa, and Shhh!

There are three easy ways to enter our Christmas Book Give-Away:

1) Comment on our blog. Tell us your favorite Christmas (or holiday) story.

2) Like us or comment on our facebook page. Include a favorite holiday story and we will enter you twice!

3)Retweet our announcement on twitter. Add your favorite holiday story and we will enter you twice!

Hurry! You only have one week for this give-away. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, December 15 (enter before midnight on December 14). The winner must reside in the US and have a US shipping address. 

We wish you all the best of luck and can't wait to hear from you!

Happy Reading,

Elizabeth

The holidays are a time for making memories. I imagine that anyone you ask can tell you a story about a family tradition that took place every year in December or one particular event that make a long-lasting impact. I asked the tiger tales staff to share their memories and it is probably no surprise to you (as it wasn't to me) that many of the stories I heard had to do with books.

I remember getting the Scholastic Book Club order in school every November and being allowed to select 3 books that were wrapped and held until the holidays by my mother. Lisa remembers a book that her father read every year before lighting the candles on the first night of Hanukah. Barb reminisced about the year she received a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from her Aunt Frieda (who at the age of 90 is still devouring books). The book quickly became a favorite and is perhaps the reason Barb is a reader today. 

These memories can't be forced, but we can certainly try to help them along. We hope that parents will continue to include books (lots and lots of books) in the gift selections they make for their children (and their nieces and nephews and neighbors...). Long after the toys are broken, the clothes are outgrown, the video games are discarded, books will continue to be on the shelf -- longtime friends -- memories waiting to be made.

We at tiger tales want to help make these memories happen so we will be offering two (yes, two!) book give-aways this season. The first give-away is a collection of gift books. You can keep them for yourself or give them away as gifts -- your choice (we won't ask!). The six book collection includes:

• Starry Night, Sleep Tight: A Bedtime Book of Lullabies by Gail Yerrill
• A Long Way from Home by Elizabeth Baguley
• Hush, Little Baby illustrated by Petra Brown
• I Love You All Year Long by Steve Metzger
• If I Were...a Firefighter by Pat Hegarty
• If I Were...a Princess by Pat Hegarty

As the wind is howling outside today, I am reminded of a day last March when my town was recovering from a powerful storm. Fences had blown over, fallen trees downed power lines, roof shingles had taken to the sky. It was certainly nothing that can compare to what residents of New Orleans or Port au Prince have been through, but most of the town was without power for close to a week, schools were closed and it took several weeks for the clean-up to be complete.

The morning after the storm, the sun was shining and residents of my town began to assess the damage.  I received a desperate call from my friend Dana. “There is a foot of water in my basement. Help!” I pulled on my rubber boots and headed over. Sure enough with power lines down, her sub pump had stopped working and water had seeped through the ground into her brand new home. I followed Dana into her cold, dark basement waiting for direction. Expecting her to head for the furniture, lamps, pillows in the basement playroom, she instead handed me a large plastic bag and pointed toward a row of very soggy cardboard boxes. She opened the boxes and began pulling books, already soaked through, and loading them into her bag. “Quick,” she said. “Before we lose all of our memories.”  I reached in and began filling my bag with Goodnight Moon, Pat the Bunny, The Cat in the Hat. I followed Dana up the basement stairs and out to the driveway where she lined the books up in the sun, hoping that they might dry out before they were ruined. “Dana, it’s okay. You can replace these books,” I tried to reassure her. “You don’t understand,” she replied. “I want to pass these on to my grandchildren,” she told me while fighting off tears. 

Of course I understood. Dana’s children, like mine are in there teens. It has been many years since we have read picture books together. And it will be many years before we have grandchildren to share these books with. Dana knows that she could buy a new copy of “Pat the Bunny.” But it will not have the tiny tear next to the bunny’s fur or the apple juice stain next to the wedding band. It will not have a warn-down sandpaper beard from years of stroking. Like photo albums, these books held memories that could not be replaced.

Dana would later learn that she sustained thousands of dollars of damage. She lost furniture, paintings, electronics, out-of-season clothing. But her children’s’ books, having been lovingly dried in the sun, were back on the shelves (higher shelves this time) awaiting the moment when they would be shared with the grandchildren yet to be born.

All of a Kind Family is the book that made me a reader. I remember being completely absorbed with the novel about 5 sisters growing up on the lower east side of Manhattan in the early 1900’s. I was thrilled to know that there were two more books in the series and immediately ate them up. A fan letter to author Sydney Taylor followed (to this day I feel responsible for the 2 additional books she wrote in the series) and my love affair with books continued.  

The books we read touch us in many different ways, but they all make an impact on our lives. This is the premise behind a brand new social networking site launched by Scholastic, YouAreWhatYouRead.com. The site invites you to post the five books that were most influential in your life and hopes to be “a celebration of the books that bind us together, and the personal connection we feel when we read a great book.”

While we know that it is unlikely that any tiger tales books will make the site (since we are only 10 years old, there can’t be any adults who remember growing up with tiger tales titles), we hope that we are creating and publishing books that will make an impact on the children that are reading them today. We anticipate the day when we can hear stories from adults who fondly remember having their parents read Are You Ready for Bed to them every night. Or from the young adult who related to the quirky hero in Eliot Jones, Midnight Super Hero. Or from the woman who was inspired by Commotion in the Ocean to write poetry of her own.

Well, I’m off to complete my profile on You Are What You Read. I will be listing, All of a Kind Family, along with Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Rebecca, and Pride and Prejudice (notice a theme?). What are the books that influenced you? What tiger tales books do think will impact the adults of tomorrow? Please let us know your thoughts...

Elizabeth

We have the best fans!

Just last February we began to reach out to the online community hoping to make some friends among moms, teachers, librarians and other children's book lovers in the blogosphere. We have been having such a wonderful time meeting bloggers and tweeters and facebook fans. Your enthusiasm and dedication continues to amaze us!

This month we are honored to be part of a feature on Danielle Smith's  http://www.theresabook.com/. Danielle is featuring reviews of our books, a multi-book give-away, interviews with our staff http://bit.ly/dmkcDb, authors, and much, much more.

Please visit Danielle's blog and let her know what you think. We are willing to bet that you will love it as much as we do.

Don't forget to enter the give-away!

Happy Reading,

tiger tales staff

I imagine that I am not alone when I reflect on the issue covered by the New York Times this Sunday in their article titled “Hi Grandma! (Pocket Zoo on Hold)”  (http://nyti.ms/bPDgl8). At question is the frequent use of iphones (and other smart phones) by toddlers (yes, children as young as 2 are clamoring for their parent’s phones). The lure and appeal of a hand-held device that responds to the slightest touch is easy to understand, but at what cost, asks the Times article. “If they know they have the option of the phone or toys, it will be the phone,” says one young mom.  Seriously? I can understand choosing to toodle around on an electronic device over say a plastic teething ring, but over toys? Aren’t toys the very thing that kids are supposed to clamor for?

When a young child is glued to a YouTube broadcast of Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse in the car, the drive to daycare may be peaceful, but think of the missed opportunity to sing together, to play a rousing game of I Spy, or even to experience the joy of staring out the window and watching the world whiz by. Sure, pull out your iphone and your toddler will be occupied long enough for you and a girlfriend to catch up over a cup of coffee at Starbucks. But what’s wrong with a coloring book and crayons, a stack of books, or a ziplock filled with legos?

This debate is as old as the television (probably older). And it always comes back to the same answer. It is up to parents to take control and make wise choices. There are great options out there, software that is beautifully designed with a young sensibility in mind (see http://mytalesdigital.com/ for some great choices), just as there is some wonderful children’s programming on television. The point is to set limits, to think about what time spent in front of a screen (big or small) is replacing, and to raise children who, given the choice between a human interaction and an electronic one, will always choose the former…

Happy Reading,

Elizabeth

We had a blast with our first give-away. It was so much fun to hear from all of you and so great to see the tremendous interest in winning a copy of Ben Mantle's, Five Little Pumpkins.

With over 50 hopeful entries, the three lucky winners are:

• Lynn Wong of Salt Lake City, UT
• MaryAnne Kochenderfer of Chelmsford, MA
• Abbie Enlund of Waunakee, WI

I don't know about your kids, but the second mine got a new book home, off came the jacket (the book jacket I mean). I have tried over the years to redress the books to no avail. The covers were eventually permanently discarded and my shelves are filled with books dressed in nothing but their birthday suits.

So we at tiger tales have been wondering -- are book jackets necessary on picture books? 

Book jackets, also called dust covers, first became popular in the 1830's. The covers were intended to protect fancy bindings from dust and wear during transport. There was no design involved -- the jackets were plain paper wrappings, often sealed shut with wax or glue. Gradually over the years, book jackets took on a purpose of their own -- a way to dress up a book and a place for publishers to promote the contents and the author.

Sure they have a purpose (and an interesting history), but how much are book jackets worth to the consumer? Do you have any idea how much you pay for that piece of wrapping (that probably ends up under your kid's bed)?

Currently the majority of tiger tales hardcover picture books (with jackets) are priced at $15.95. This spring we have 2 new hardcovers coming out without jackets. The cover art and back cover copy is printed right on the cover like a board book or a paperback. These books will be priced at $12.95.

So the question is -- is the jacket worth $3.00 to you? 

We really want to know your thoughts on this -- this is your chance to weigh in on our publishing program!

Oh, and you still have time to enter our give-away. Your feedback on this question will enter you in the drawing for a copy of Five Little Pumpkins.

Happy Reading,

Elizabeth

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!

Tiger tales is sponsoring a book give-away to celebrate fall and our new website!  Three lucky winners will receive a copy of our “sold out” Halloween title:  Five Little Pumpkins.

The response to this new book has been so great that we don’t have a single copy left in our warehouse, but a copy can be yours when you enter our give-away. There are three easy ways to win:

1. Comment on our blog at www.tigertalesbooks.com.
2. Comment on our facebook fanpage.
3. Re-tweet our giveaway announcement on twitter.

Three winners will be announced on Monday, October 18. Enter before October 17^th to be eligible to win! Note:  The winners must reside in the US and have a US shipping address.

Good luck!  We can't wait to hear from you...

Happy Reading,

Elizabeth

In preparation for my part-time job as a book seller at a local independent bookstore (much more on that in future posts), I thought it would be prudent to reacquaint myself with some of the classic picture books I shared with my children when they were young. I trudged down to the basement and emerged with quite a pile of favorites.

With 13-year-old Amelia by my side, we cozied onto the couch for an afternoon of memories. I would like to say that I pulled her onto my lap, but in truth the other way around would be more likely. Recently we went through her closet to get rid of clothes she has outgrown. Rather than donating them to charity, I kept most of them for myself. Hand-me-downs from my daughter  – who would have thunk! But I digress…

Caps for Sale; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom; Blueberries for Sal; Leo the Late Bloomer... what a joy! And what a wonderful thing to share. The only thing that broke the mood was our arguing over who got to read each book. Time and time again I lost. Amelia couldn’t wait to read aloud to me, the very same stories I read to her over and over again when she was young.

What really struck me was the way she read them. She used the exact same intonation and expression that I had honed over years of reading to her and her brothers. “Caps for Sale! Caps for Sale! Fifty cents a ca-aaap!” It was remarkable. She had internalized not just the stories, not just the words, but the language. It was clear that the experience of a bedtime story was more than the moment. It was a memory in the making. 

Make no mistake about it – when you read, they are listening. Keep your eyes open for new classics (like Tiger Tales’ Are You Ready for Bed?) or try one of Amelia’s favorites…

Blueberries for Sal written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey

Caps for Sale written and illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom written by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Leo the Late Bloomer written by Robert Kraus, illustrated by Joes Aruego

The Very Hungry Caterpillar written and illustrated by Eric Carle

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt retold by Michael Rose, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

 Elizabeth

No one would ever ask a mom to choose her favorite child, but we are often asked to select our favorite tiger tales book. It’s not exactly the same thing – but pretty close. We love all of the books we publish and as we sculpt the language, select art or sell the books to distributers, each book finds a special place in our hearts.

But if we are really pressed, we can probably each select one or two books that are our favorites.

I asked the tiger tales staff to tell me which book was their favorite and why. Here are their somewhat reluctant answers….

Lisa’s current favorite is Eliot Jones Midnight Superhero. She loves it for its whimsy and imaginative story. The artwork is just quirky enough to appeal to her sense of fun. And it doesn’t hurt that the hero, Eliot reminds her of a younger version of her son Daniel!

Jamie has lots of favorites (I told you!) but lately she is especially fond of an upcoming title The Fox in the Dark. The book is the ultimate crowd-pleasing read-aloud. The story has it all – a bouncy rhythm, repetition, humor, suspense blended together with just the right amount of sweetness.

As our art director, Michelle uses illustrations as her yardstick for measuring favorite books. Her current favorites are Commotion in the Ocean, Rumble in the Jungle and ABC Animal Jamboree because of the large, beautiful illustrations. She loves that these books can capture a preschooler’s attention with their bright colors and catchy, rhythmic language.

Barb was the most wishy-washy in her response. She insisted that there was no way she could come up with just one favorite title. So she gave me a list… Her favorite new title is Eliot Jones Midnight Superhero (that’s two votes for Eliot!).  Barb also loves the fractured fairytale The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster. But she probably gives the biggest props to Alex and the Tart. “I couldn’t continue describing it to our reps during Sales Conference due to the tears of laughter running down my face!” Now that’s a recommendation!

I think my current favorite is The Best Pet Ever. I love the heroine’s determination and creative spirit. And it has such a happy ending!

I hope you will check out these staff favorites. And please please comment below to let us know your favorites!

Elizabeth