Kid Konnection: Schwartz & Wade Recent Releases

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you some cute new picture books from Schwartz & Wade.

Summary: Princess Baby is back in this sturdy board book featuring a sparkly cover -- perfect for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers! It's bedtime, but Princess Baby isn't sleepy. "Time for bed," her parents call. "But I need one more minute, please," Princess Baby replies, again and again and again. After all, there is so much a princess baby needs to do. Pj's need to be put on, toys need to be put away, the perfect book needs to be chosen, and her beloved subjects need to brush their teeth! It's a very busy time in Princess Baby's room. Young readers will want to climb into their own beds when our pint-sized heroine finally pulls up the covers and goes "night night." -- Schwartz & Wade

When my kids were much younger, they loved books by Karen Katz. I agreed with them and it saddened me when they outgrew those adorable books. I guess, over the years, Ms. Katz has been busy at work writing more precious books, and she created a character called Princess Baby. Her latest board book features this Princess Baby and is titled PRINCESS BABY, NIGHT-NIGHT.

I just loved this book -- from the glitter crown and shoes on the cover to the sweet illustrations. Parents and toddlers alike will find Princess Baby's bedtime routine all too familiar. There is always one more thing that Princess Baby has to do before bed like wash her face, brush her teeth, clean up, and take a sip of water. And don't forget, she has to get all of her stuffed animals ready too.

Highly recommended as a cute bedtime story for parents and kids alike!

Summary: Written by a ten-time Emmy Award winner and former head writer for Sesame Street, here's a story that will resonate with every dog-loving child out there. Harry wants wants wants a dog, and, instead of getting one, his parents try to placate him with a pet that's decidedly less interesting—a lizard. So Harry takes matters into his own hands and places his X-35 Infra-Rocket Imagination Helmet on his head, and soon something—with paws! a tail! a wet nose!—pops into the world. Sure, nobody else can see the dog named Waffle, but that doesn't matter to Harry. But what happens when a real dog comes into his life? Catrow's signature loose drawings and Berger's humorous text bring the bond between a boy and his dog exuberantly to life. -- Schwartz & Wade

DREAM DOG by Lou Berger and David Catrow is perfect for those young readers who want a pet. Harry wants to get a new dog, but his dad is allergic to them. Instead, they get him a lizard that changes colors but isn't the same as a dog as far as Harry is concerned. Harry decides to use is X-35 Infra-Rocket Imagination Helmet to create his very own dog named Waffle... albeit one that only Harry can see. Then one day, his dad does get him his very own dog; and Harry tries to make Waffle and his "real" dog get along. Can Harry reconcile his two special pets?

DREAM DOG is a very cute book and perfect for dog lovers. Any kid (or adult) who has ever yearned for a pet is certain to relate to Harry. I loved Harry's passion for dogs and his ability to create his very own pet to keep him company!

While I enjoyed this story a great deal, I think the illustrations were what made it extra-special for me. I loved the whimsical watercolor drawings and especially the illustrator's use of color. In addition, the pictures were silly and did a great job of incorporating the humor of Harry's story.

A sure-fire hit for dog lovers!

Summary: The ingenious author of 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore and a brilliant illustrator and production designer of the Coraline movie have created a hilarious, touching picture book perfect for young animal lovers. Like the Caldecott Medal-winning Officer Buckle and Gloria, Sparky stars a pet who has more to offer than meets the eye. When our narrator orders a sloth through the mail, the creature that arrives isn't good at tricks or hide-and-seek . . . or much of anything. Still, there's something about Sparky that is irresistible. -- Schwartz & Wade

SPARKY! by Jenny Offill and Chris Appelhans just might be my new favorite picture book. In fact, it's one that I would love to read to a child over and over again!

When a young girl asks her mom for a pet, she's told it has to be one that doesn't need to be walked or bathed or fed. The ever-resourceful young girl heads to the library for help, and she discovers the perfect pet -- a sloth, the laziest animal in the world. Sparky sleeps a lot -- two entire days before the girl ever saw him wake up, and she attempts to play with him and teach him some tricks. Needless to say, she doesn't have a lot of luck!

SPARKY! is positively adorable! I loved this book and thought Sparky and his owner were too darn cute. The young narrator does her best to make Sparky into a "normal" pet even though he's rather lazy. She even tries to have a show to feature his talents.

The illustrations are terrific too! I loved the watercolor drawing and thought they were the perfect complement to this story. I especially liked the ones of Sparky. He is sure to win over animal-lovers and even those readers who might be reluctant to fall for a sloth!

A very cute book about a very cute sloth!

Thanks to the publisher for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!