Marika McCoola is an author, illustrator, and educator. She studied illustration, art history, creative writing, and ceramics at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland and received her BFA in Illustration in 2009. Marika then went on to study creative writing and children's literature at Simmons College, receiving an MFA in Writing for Children in 2012.
In addition to writing and illustrating, Marika teaches Studio Art and Illustration online for the State University of New York, Empire State College, and works as an indie bookseller. When not in danger of being squashed by books, Marika may be found skiing or contra dancing.
by Michael Buckley, illustrated by Dan Santat Young
Kel Gilligan is out to show the world that he can overcome terrifying
obstacles like trying new foods, using the potty, and -horror of
horrors- taking a bath. Kel Gilligan is not afraid of anything! Except,
maybe, that monster under the bed... Dan Santat's illustrations capture
the astonishment of Kel's family while posing Kel in dynamic superhero
poses. A laugh out loud book for anyone who's had to face the obstacles
of childhood, Kel Gilligan will have the whole family gearing up for
their own daredevil stunts- like waiting very patiently for your turn to
read this book!
Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon Simon & Schuster, February 19, 2013 Baseball is often called the great American pastime, but it's also popular in Japan. In Take Me Out to the Yakyu,
Aaron Meshon looks at the similarities and differences between baseball
games in the United States and Japan. The games are presented in
parallel narratives, the child narrator introducing young readers to a
handful of Japanese words as well as making a cultural comparison. Aaron
Meshon's illustration style combines the the quirky gouache work of
Giselle Potter with (the currently popular) 50s and 60s retro, plus a
touch of Japanese cute. For those interested in more information,
backmatter includes a glossary and additional facts. As someone who's
not a baseball fan, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this book. Young
baseball enthusiasts will gobble it up.
Again! by Emily Gravett Simon & Schuster, April 23, 2013
There's a hole burned in the back of this book, but you have to read to
find out why. A little dragon wants his favorite book read again and
again and again before bed. His parent, of course, falls asleep before
the book has been read enough times. So little dragon, turning red with
anger, lets loose...causing a little damage to his favorite book (and
yours). Emily Gravett has created a dynamic picturebook in which the
characters break from the page. Again! is sure to have young readers calling "read it again!"
Bluebird by Bob Staake Schwartz & Wade, Random House, April 9, 2013 In Bluebird, Bob Staake tells a story of loss, friendship, pain,
and beauty. A young boy befriends a bluebird. They find ways to
experience the world together until the unthinkable happens. Using a
very limited palette of greys, white, and blues, Staake captures a
range of emotions, from friendship to pain, to the release of
flight.Bluebird is a moving wordless picture book that proves sometimes,
words only get in the way of a good story.
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley First Second, April 2, 2013 I've
been following Lucy Knisley's blog for years and was excited when she
mentioned she was working on a graphic novel for First Second. Finally,
it's here! Raised by a caterer and a gourmand, food has always been
important to Lucy Knisley. In Relish, Lucy examines moments of
her life in which food played an important role. From discovering foie
gras to working at a cheese counter to helping her mom at farmer's
markets, each stage of her life is defined by food. Included are a
series of illustrated recipes, which are necessary to have on hand as
you are certain to become ravenous while reading. Relish is a delectable graphic memoir for anyone who enjoys food- whether that be fine cheeses or doughnuts.
I've been following Lucy's blog since college and love her work. Can't wait for the event at Oblong Books!
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed, illustrated by Barbara McClintock Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, November 6, 2012
As someone who anticipates a first snow, I reveled in Obed's
descriptions of ice. While some grumble about the cold, others wait for
their breath to become frosty, for the air to feel silver with ice and
cold. Obed captures this feeling, distilling the essence of winter into
poetic prose. She traces winter by marking each type of ice that occurs,
and the fun one can have on it. Every sentence begs to be read aloud
and Barbara McClintock's accompanying illustrations are exquisite. Twelve Kinds of Ice is a wintertime gem perfect for slipping into a mittened hand, curling up with beside a fire, or tucking into a stocking.
Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Carin Berger Greenwillow, HarperCollins, February 2013 Have you heard of a Tattlesnake or a Braindeer? How about a Magpipe? In Stardines,
poet Jack Prelutsky introduces readers to sixteen strange creatures,
writing a poem about each. Berger's collage illustrations accompany each
poem, displaying Prelutsky's creatures in scenes inspired by the work
of Joseph Cornell. Absurd, creative, and funny, Prelutsky's poems will
spark imaginations.
Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes Greenwillow, HarperCollins, February 2013 Penny, of Penny and Her Song and Penny and Her Doll,
is back! This time, Penny ventures down the block where she finds a
beautiful blue marble lying on Mrs. Goodwin's lawn. Penny takes the
marble, but as the day goes on, Penny begins to worry that Mrs. Goodwin
might miss it. Is the marble Penny's, or Mrs. Goodwin's? Penny's worry
consumes her, until she decides to take action. Yet again Kevin Henkes
has crafted a beautiful book that explores a very real problem faced by
young readers.
Chu's Day by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex Little
Panda Chu has legendary sneezes, and his parents worry about the smell
of books, pepper, and other things that might make Chu ah-choo. But what
happens when Chu finally does sneeze? Neil Gaiman has written a
hilarious story for young readers, vibrantly illustrated by Adam Rex.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett Terry Pratchett weaves
together mystery, fantasy, and history into a
dark and humorous novel set in an alternative Victorian London. This
rags to riches story features Dodger, a tosher who makes his living
finding things in the sewers. Out one night, Dodger hears men beating a
young woman and intervenes, rescuing her. The act will change his life
forever and is the first in a series of events that bring Dodger to the
attention of a Mr. Charles Dickens, newspaper man. Mr. Dickens is one of
many borrowed characters to appear in Dodger, and I found myself greeting each one with delight. Readers intimidated by Pratchett's Discworld novels may find Dodger is the perfect introduction to Pratchett's many books.
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer Macmillan, February 5, 2013 The sequel to the best-selling Cinder, Scarlet
finds Cinder trying to escape the Commonwealth's prison. Meanwhile, in
France, Scarlet is searching for her grandmother, who recently
disappeared. Scarlet (who always wears a red hoodie) runs into Wolf, a
street fighter who may have information about her grandmother. Intent on
rescuing her grandmother, Scarlet travels to Paris with Wolf and
romance blossoms along the way. Cinder and Scarlet's stories gradually
weave together as the stakes continue to rise. Together, Cinder and
Scarlet will have to work to thwart the Lunar Queen Levana, who is more
devious than they thought, in order to save the Earth and Emperor Kai.
Those who loved Cinder will devour Scarlet and howl for more.
*My fantastic Macmillan rep, Bob, ran this ARC over to me the day he received it-- and he wasn't even back from vacation until the following day. I finished the book a few days later (this was back in July). But it just goes to show how amazing publisher reps can be.
Sailor Twain or The Mermaid in the Hudson by Mark Siegel First Second, Macmillan Siegal
has an incredible ability to combine realistic drawings with stylized
characters, yet make them feel of the same world. Twain captains the
riverboat Lorelei, owned by the Frenchman Lafayette, who never leaves
the boat. Lafayette's brother went missing not long ago and ever since
Lafayette has been pursuing women and corresponding with the author of
"Secrets and Mysteries of the River Hudson." Lafayette's particular
interest is mermaids. When Twain finds a wounded mermaid, he doesn't
know whom to trust, or who's already involved. The story shifts between
past and present, mythology mixing with life on a riverboat. Siegal
crafts a complex story with twists, turns and revelations you won't see
coming. The result is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody by Ludworst Bemonster
There's been a host of children's book parodies in the past few years, but Frankenstein is sure to make you laugh. A play on Madeline,
Rick Walton has mirrored the form of both text and story while
illustrator Nathan Hale captures the feel of Bemelman's classic
illustrations, even limiting the palette of some illustrations to black,
white, and Halloween orange. Frankenstein is for kids or adults, but
especially those for whom Madeline is a favorite.Try pairing it with the classic for a kooky Halloween story time.
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse by Frank Viva Frank Viva's first children's book,Along a Long Road, was one of the New York Times
Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2011. In Frank's new book, a boy and a
mouse take a boat to Antarctica. Readers will be swept up by the sights
they see and the adventures they have. Frank's limited palette and
graphic style will entice both young readers and design enthusiasts.
Though A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse is a Toon beginning reader, don't let that stop you from sharing it with picture book audiences!
