Esau Andrade
This Thursday, February 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. join the friendly folks at Every Picture Tells a Story to celebrate the genius works of master folk artist Esau Andrade, who has come all the way from Mexico.
Often celebrated amongst the company of famed Latino painters such as Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamay, Andrade’s works are found hanging in respected museums and galleries. Get your own signed copy of his new best selling book, A Perfect Season For Dreaming and enjoy readings and refreshments at:
Every Picture Tells A Story: 1311-C Montana Avenue, Santa Monica CA 90403 (310) 451-2700 www.everypicture.com
Today’s Guest Reviewer, Sean Burgess, is a professional drummer and music teacher originally from Massachusetts. He lives in Hollywood with Terresa, his wife of 8 years, their 17 month old daughter Teagan and two crazy dogs named Nigel and Sable. So, Yo! Check out what he has to say about some pretty popular new books.
With all of the merchandising launched from the show, the coolest has to be the 
habit of ripping papers so we use the actual stuffed toys rather than sacrifice the paper dolls. If you’re looking for a book to read, this may not be it. The only words are the descriptions and the names of each character. However, it is fun to find out what each creature really is. Welcome to Gabba Land is visually striking and closely reminiscent of the show. I would say we play with it more than read it.
The Yo Gabba Gabba! book that is a good read is 
book is totally interactive allowing your young ones to open all the flaps to see what each character is going to eat. The Gabba bunch promotes healthy eating habits as well as reinforcing other positive life lessons. Although the age range is older than my 
daughter, being familiar with the show and song keeps her focused on all the words as we read. Even if you have not seen the show, the kooky characters, fantastic graphics and fun rhyming words will keep any and all reading this book over and over. “Now there’s a party in my tummy! So yummy, so yummy…”
Scholastic has joined with specialty retailer 
What Lincoln Said,
Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship
The other colorful characters, dubbed “Snuzzles,” in this simple and appealing storyline, take parent and child through one of the most enduring ties of parenthood: the unfailing love of a parent for his or her little one and the reminder to each of our children how special they are. As the inside flap indicates, “Here is a very little book that answers a very big question.” The book, for ages 2-5, highlights a time in a child’s life where they are opened up to various new experiences and sometimes scary new changes; the reminder that they are loved always and that we’d leave them “never ever” is the most telling part of this book.
A simple message from the heart of a parent to his or her child about wanting them forever and always being there to be held “snug and tight”, Elffers’s book is sure to become a quick favorite. Norah, ever my yardstick for measuring the likeability of a book, smiled as we finished and asked, “Can we read it again?”
When I picked up 
there’s more on the horizon. Despite the downpour last Thursday, I headed over to hear Michael’s talk and found him to be not only an engaging speaker, but truly in love with what he does. The kids in the audience got such a kick out of Wright’s comic delivery when he read the stories out loud and projected the images on the screen – my favorites being the family asleep on the kitchen counters in Jake Stays Awake and the whole family riding together on one tricycle in Jake Starts School. 
Let me know which pix are your faves by leaving a comment for me below. And if you’ve ever had similar experiences as Jake’s parents did (a child who did not want to sleep alone in their own bed or an anxious kindergardener), I’d love to hear about that, too!
evening to try their hand at short story writing. The funniest comment of the evening came as a youngster asked how long Wright took to design a two page spread and when he replied, “around two weeks,” the child was shocked remarking he could “draw a picture in like, ten minutes!” 
Inspired by his youngest son, Michael explained how he began incorporating his zany artistic style into writing children’s books and it’s clear the hysterical stories are drawn from personal experience. In a brief conversation after his book chat I also learned we had several things in common.
Maybe you just love reading, or maybe you’re into picture books. Perhaps your daughter wants to earn extra credit in her English class, or perhaps you’re already hard at work on your first children’s book. Whatever your inclination or motivation, I’m looking for you! Just submit your name and age of your child to me as a potential guest reviewer. If selected, you will be sent an age appropriate book to review. In return you’ll get to keep the book as our way of saying thanks for your contribution. We’d also love to have some digital picture of you reading the book to your child, or your child reading the book. If you’re not sure you’re up to the task, take a look at the posting by Terresa Burgess to see how easy it really is.
Terresa Burgess, a graphic artist here at L.A. Parent and mom to Teagan, aged 16 months, has helped review these two new fun children’s books called 
Terresa says she found Books Are For Reading to be a “clever interactive” book for babies and toddlers. They can even take a bite after they’re done reading the book because of the colored textured teethers at every corner. Short and sweet sentences guide little ones on what not to eat (e.g. Toes are for stomping, not chomping!). With its simple, but funny illustrations, this makes an enjoyable read (and eat) for the nibblers in your life. Terresa says she’d “definitely buy this as a gift for someone. ”
This adorable board book, Duck & Goose: How Are You Feeling? is the third book in a series. “I love the bright colorful and warm watercolor illustrations,” says Terresa. The easy to read, one word text will help young ones identify their feelings and, says our new mom, Terresa, “Parents can act out the different emotions like being patient, selfish, happy, etc.” This book provides a great way for parents to ask their kids “how are you feeling?” and let them know that it’s okay to feel frustrated or angry. The last page is both Teagan and Terresa’s favorite, LOVING. The comical team of good friends, Duck and Goose, embrace in a hug. So cute!
The women of 
You may have heard that “Loose lips sink ships,” but what about loose leashes? In a rollicking good read entitled 
The title inspires. And the subject, 
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope – by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier (
Can you remember the first books you read as a child, the ones which have remained firmly planted in your memory while what you did yesterday is long gone? I can, and now most are considered classics: 
So many books, so little time you may say, which is exactly why we at L.A. Parent decided to launch this blog. We know how busy you are and want to simplify your life as well as your bookstore experience, especially if you have little ones in tow. Now you can check here first before heading out to the store, making your shopping trip less overwhelming as you view shelf upon shelf of kids’ books.