Sunday, February 21, 2021

Beautifully Illustrated Spring Children's Books from Prestel Jr

Disclosure: Susie's Reviews receives compensation or products for the posts on this site. Our opinions are honest and our own.

Here are some fascinating children's books featuring unique illustrations that will keep kids engaged through the long winter months and even longer pandemic.

Budding aviation fans will pore over every page of Planes: From the Wright Brothers to the Supersonic Jet by Jan van der Veken (3/9/21; ISBN 978-3791374413; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 8-12; 104 pages), a fascinating encyclopedic guide to the history and mechanics of flight, from the Wright Brothers to the Concorde.

How does a plane move through the air? What is turbulence? What do those lines on the runways mean? All these questions and many more are answered in this gorgeously illustrated history of planes and flight. The book opens with a basic introduction to plane anatomy and shows how aircrafts have developed over the ages. Readers will then learn about aerodynamics, the mechanics of wing shape and lift, and how ailerons, propellers, and flaps work. There's even a section on communications systems, runway design, and GPS. Profiles of famous historic planes illustrate basic principles throughout the book. Readers will find out about record-breaking flights across continents and oceans; how "flying wings" evolved into the B-2 bomber; and where the world's most treacherous runways are located. A section on experimental aircraft looks at zeppelins, flying cars, and the fate of the Concorde jet. Jan Van Der Veken's lushly colored, retro drawings detail everything from plane design to the physics of flight and provide the perfect companion to his engaging text. Budding aviators will linger over every detail of this information-packed book that serves both to demystify and celebrate the miracle of flight.


In Mona Lisa in New York by Yevgenia Nayberg (3/9/21; ISBN: 978-3791374451; Hardcover $14.95; Ages 4-8; 32 pages), a love letter to New York City, Mona Lisa is a tourist who experiences the city for the first time, and finds art, love, and inspiration in unexpected places.

Mona Lisa is taking a trip to New York from the Louvre. Yes, that Mona Lisa. The one with the knowing smile. After hanging in the museum for a while she decides to explore the city. She slips out of her painting and meets Tag, a street art figure. He takes her on an adventure from the Bronx to the Brooklyn Bridge and it turns out Mona Lisa doesn't know as much as she thought. In this beautiful and charming book, artist Yevgenia Nayberg, an immigrant to New York herself, shows young readers the city she has fallen in love with. Cleverly portraying da Vinci's iconic subject as a world-weary, know-it-all, Nayberg takes readers on a tour of New York. Mona Lisa and Tag eat pizza in the Bronx, listen to jazz in Harlem, dance to salsa music on the High Line, and swim at Brighton Beach. As Mona Lisa says goodbye to her new friend, she--and the readers--come away with a profound appreciation of the city and its wonders.


Make going to bed fun for everyone with charming, surprising, and interactive book Sleep, Cat, Sleep! by Antje Damm (3/16/21: ISBN: 978-3791374482; Board Book $9.95; Ages 2-5; 24 pages).

It can be hard to fall asleep because who wants to stop playing, talking, and just having fun. Sometimes, it's just as difficult to stay asleep. There can be noises, lights, and many other distractions. Cat has this very problem in Sleep, Cat, Sleep! He's calmly resting until you open the book and wake him up. Every time he thinks it's safe to fall back asleep, you flip the page and bother him again! All he wants is for you to close the book so he can start dreaming away. Author and illustrator Antje Damm has created an uproariously funny book to help young children fall asleep. They will be delighted with all the different ways Cat can come up with to get kids to let him sleep. A new surprise awaits with every turn of the page, but we don't want to give away who falls asleep at the end of this book!


Spend hours navigating the world's great rivers with Great Rivers of the World by Volker Mehnert and illustrated by Martin Haake (3/23/21; ISBN: 978-3791374703; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 8-12; 40 pages), a vibrant, fact-filled book for kids that blends geography, history, and culture.

Where in the Rhein does the Nibelung Treasure lie? What river helps mark the prime meridian? Why do people make pilgrimages to the Indian city of Benares? Why is the Mekong called the "Nine Dragon" river in Vietnam? How does the Mississippi divide and unite the United States? These and hundreds of other facts are explored in this wonderfully illustrated atlas of the world's great rivers. Each spread in this book offers a colorful map packed with drawings, figures, and facts. Cities that border the rivers are highlighted, as are distinct flora and fauna, significant natural and human-made features, and fascinating historical details. A "biography" of each river describes where it flows, and its importance to the communities it passes through. Special attention is given to the ecological health of the rivers--those that are thriving and those in danger of losing their valuable habitats. Along the way, young readers will come to understand the enormous impact that rivers have on our lives, while learning valuable information in a way that will spark their curiosity and imagination.


Pie for Breakfast: Simple Baking Recipes for Kids by Cynthia Cliff (4/6/21; ISBN: 978-3791374604; Hardcover $16.95; Ages 5-9; 40 pages) is a beautifully illustrated baking book for children featuring recipes for delicious treats along with a powerful message about family, diversity, and helping others.

When Hazel and her father bake together, her mother says they make the whole house smell like a fancy bakery. And when they bake in the morning, they get to eat their goods as a special treat--even if it's for breakfast. One day Hazel decides to organize a morning bake sale for her school and encourages her friends to contribute to the effort. The results take readers all over the world, from strawberry mochi and pumpkin empanadas to Indian-spiced shortbread and Egyptian basbousa cake. Best of all, each of these treats including with muffins, carrot cake, scones, and vegan and gluten-free items--comes with its own easy-to-follow recipe. Cynthia Cliff's charming illustrations combine the simplicity of folk art with a sophisticated flair. Her down-to-earth baking accommodate all sorts of substitutions and skill levels. The perfect book for satisfying baking, Pie for Breakfast introduces children to new flavors and treats, opening their palates and their eyes to the delicious ways that baking can bring us together.


Join scientists on an unforgettable journey to Antarctica in illustrated children's book Antarctica: A Continent of Wonder by Mario Cuesta Hernando and illustrated by Raquel Martín (4/20/21; ISBN: 978-3791374567; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 5-8; 48 pages).

Come aboard the Polar Star and accompany its crew on their half-year stay in Antarctica. Through full-page illustrations, children will experience the work and life of these explorers and scientists as they study penguins, whales, and seals, measure the depth of the ice, chart wind speeds of up to 186 mph (300km/h), examine old volcanoes, and withstand some of the lowest temperatures ever recorded. Kids will also learn about Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott, the legendary explorers who first set foot on Antarctica. Equal parts thrilling adventure and in-depth exploration, this book is an unforgettable illustrated expedition to Antarctica that is sure to satisfy the boldest bedtime traveler.


Veggie Power by Olaf Hajek (4/27/21; ISBN: 978-3791374789; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 8-12; 40 pages) is an illustrated garden of vegetable delights that will make children interested in learning about what's on their plates.

As more and more families focus on local and organic eating, this delightful introduction to common vegetables offers a delectable serving of uncommonly beautiful illustrations and fascinating information. As in his previous book, Flower Power, Olaf Hajek's wondrously imaginative and detailed illustrations of vegetables are paired with engaging and eye-opening texts. Organized by season, the book tells how each vegetable is grown, how it can be enjoyed on our plates, its health benefits, historical tidbits, and botanical fun facts. From the first spring onion to pumpkins harvested just before the frost, this inviting journey through the growing seasons celebrates the artistic, historical, and culinary bounty that awaits us in the garden and at the table.

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12 comments:

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  2. The planes book is stunning! I really like the look of the Antarctica book too.

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  3. I like the Rivers of the World art shown on the cover. Very well done!

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  4. Nice collection of books with beautiful illustrations. I think my nephew would love Antarctica: A Continent of Wonder.

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  5. I love the graphics on these. Great cover art and the veggie power is an eye catcher

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  6. Very interesting books! My favorite is Sleep, Cat, Sleep!

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  7. What a great bunch of books! My nephew would love the one about planes.

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  8. The covers of these books are absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing! Always great to have new books!

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  9. These books all look wonderful and engaging for young readers.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  10. I love children's books and found a few here that I want for my grandkids!

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  11. All of these books sound like wonderful stories to share with my grandchildren, Thank you for posting about these books

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  12. definitely going to add a few to my to be read pile

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