Happy Holidays! And, Armchair Interviews on Snowy White World to Save...

Reviewed by Diane Snyder

"Snowy White World to Save addresses the issue of global warming and the affects on one bear family as their world of ice and snow begins to melt.

In a simple rhyme, the story of a typical day in the polar bear family’s life is told but the beauty of their world disappears as the ice melts and food is no longer available. The bears are forced to seek out garbage dumps for things to eat.

This is a beautifully illustrated 10×13 inch book in cool whites, grays and blue colors that projects the pristine world of the Arctic animals. However, the plight of the bear and her cubs are illustrated in a sad and jarring contrast of browns and reds as they forage for food in the human settlement.

If you are a responsible parent interested in the environment, ecology and the future of the earth and if you are trying to instill that interest and responsibility in your children, this is a book that will help. There is a section in the book that gives children a list of the things they can do to help keep our planet healthy and some web site sources for the adults to explore. What a wonderful and gentle way to introduce to our children their responsibility to the earth and its environment.

Stephanie Lisa Tara has garnered literary praise for her previous children’s books, and I feel certain Snowy White World to Save will also receive the attention it deserves.

Armchair Interviews says: A children’s introduction to global warming.

Author’s Web site: http://www.StephanieLisaTara.com

From our armchair to yours..."

Manhattan greetings! Event success!

What a wonderful time we are having in New York City, what an honor to meet all these wonderful authors - and most especially - Peter Glassman (owner of Books of Wonder)...what a fantastic person, dedicated and amazing! Pure joy....

November 11, 2007 - New York Times Book Review Ad!

Make sure to visit the special children's issue of the New York Times Book Review this weekend! Above ad is running...

"Books of Wonder" - famous New York City bookstore honors Stephanie Lisa Tara and Lee Edward Fodi, November 18th book event!

Book tour 2007 kicks off with a big splash event in New York City, 'Books of Wonder' on 18 West 18th street, 1 to 3pm; we will both be flying in from San Francisco and Canada - and appearing in person (Madeline Tara attending too) !

Come out and see us if it's your area of the country!

~

BOOKS of WONDER
is New York City's oldest and largest independent children's bookstore, as well as the city's leading specialist in children's literature both new and old. Whether you're looking for the newest books just published, classics from your own childhood, or old, rare, and out-of-print editions, Books of Wonder is your source for the very finest in children's books.

Among the various departments
in our store are sections devoted to children's classic and contemporary picture books, board books for infants and toddlers, foreign language children's books, reference books for children (dictionaries, atlases, etc.), non-fiction, and chapter books and novels for children from beginning readers to teens. And, of course, there is our world famous Oz section — a whole bookcase devoted to the many Oz books by L. Frank Baum and his successors. Of special interest to collectors is our wall of old, rare, and collectible children's books and original children's book art.

Barnes & Noble - makes a national purchase of Snowy White World to Save for national distribution in all retail stores!

Barnes & Noble called to say they had made a national purchase -- we'll be in all Barnes & Noble stores across the nation - a big day for us, polar bears and social awareness for the cause! Please check out the Barnes & Noble near you, we're on the "new picture books" wall...!

Kids for Cubs Club - coming soon!

Human kids helping polar kids, a new club idea we are working on... spreading awareness about the increasing tragedy surrounding global warming, one small step at a time.

~

Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks to Record Low, Scientists Say
By Alex Morales and Mathew Carr

Sept. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Arctic sea ice shrank to the smallest area on record this year, covering 22 percent less of the ocean than the previous low in September 2005, U.S. scientists said.

Sea ice covered 4.1 million square kilometers (1.6 million square miles) on Sept. 16, the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado said in a statement on its Web site, using a five-day rolling average. That's 1.2 million square kilometers less ice than the previous record -- or an area roughly the size of Texas and California combined.

The retreat of ice has added urgency to the debate on climate change, and prompted a scramble by countries including Russia and Denmark for ownership of the Arctic seabed and its mineral deposits. The decline also threatens to unbalance Arctic habitats, posing a danger to species including polar bears.

``If there is no summer sea ice, then there will be no ice- based Arctic ecosystem,'' Ben Stewart, a spokesman for Greenpeace U.K., said today in a telephone interview. ``It's the canary in the coalmine: the impacts of climate change seem to be happening faster than the scientists predicted a few years ago.''

This year's sea ice matched the 2005 record in August, with a month of melting left to go, an indication an ice-free North Pole may occur in coming years, Mark Serreze, a scientist at the center, said in an Aug. 17 interview. The melt opened up the Northwest Passage, a path between the Atlantic and Pacific long sought by mariners as a potential trade route.

Seabed Claims

``The Northwest Passage is still open but is starting to refreeze,'' the NSIDC said. ``The Northeast Passage along the coast of Siberia is still closed by a narrow band of sea ice.''

Russia, Canada, the U.S., Norway and Denmark all have territory in the Arctic Circle, and under the United Nations Law of the Sea, all have rights to the seabed within 200 (320 kilometers) miles of their shores.

Russian explorers on Aug. 2 planted a national flag on the seabed under the North Pole, saying that the underwater Lomonosov Ridge links Siberia to the seabed, enabling them to extend their claim. Denmark, which has rights to the Arctic because Greenland is a Danish territory, called the Russian action a ``joke,'' and Canada said the Russians are ``fooling'' themselves.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change this year said global warming is ``very likely'' caused by human activities, and that average temperatures in the Arctic are increasing at twice the global rate.

Ice Free Pole?

The warmth has led not only to the summer melting of southerly ice, but also to a decline in the so-called ``perennial'' sea ice that doesn't normally melt. Last September, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said that a Texas-sized portion of perennial ice had been lost.

At current rates of melting, scientists are revising forward their predictions on when the Arctic may be ice-free in summer. Serreze said that the observed rate of decline was faster than any of the models indicated.

``If we were talking even two or three years ago, I'd have said the transition to an ice-free Arctic summer might be between 2070 and 2100,'' Serreze said in August. ``But what we're starting to see is that is rather optimistic, and an educated guess right now would be 2030. It's something that could be within our lifetime.''

The melting of sea-ice has little direct impact on sea levels because the ice is already resting on the water. The loss of ice cover does, however exacerbate global warming through a so-called feedback loop, said Serreze and Greenpeace's Stewart.

``The exposed sea reflects less of the sun's heat than the ice, which feeds back into global warming,'' Stewart said.

Polar Bears

The long-term average minimum for sea ice extent after the northern hemisphere summer, based on data from 1979 to 2000, is 6.7 million square kilometers, according to the center. While the ice has an annual cycle, melting from March until mid- September, scientists have recorded a steady decline in the summer minimum since the beginning of the satellite data series in late 1978.

The melting poses a danger to polar bears, which rely on the ice as their hunting ground. Future reductions in ice could result in a loss of two-thirds of all polar bears, the U.S. Geological Survey said earlier this month in a report. The survey group forecast that by mid-century, 42 percent of the species' ``optimal'' habitat will be lost during summers.

The polar bear, whose latin name is Ursus maritimus, last year was rated as a threatened species on the World Conservation Union's Red List. The union said at the time that the bears ``are set to become one of the most notable casualties of global warming.'' The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in December that it will work to determine whether polar bears should be categorized as ``threatened'' under the Endangered Species Act.

Good for Kids: My brother, Doug Tarnopol - Author, Tutor, Proven Test Prep Expert!

Good Folks are hard to find, when you do - it's always a joy, good at what they do and good for you!

Growing list to soon become a permanent part of www.stephanielisatara.com.

Mom's Choice Award Finalist, I'll Follow the Moon!

I am very pleased to announce that our little turtle has garnered more acclaim... Mom's Choice Awards 2007 selected I'll Follow the Moon as a finalist, in their environmental category:

~

"Environmental"

Baby Bear Discovers The World, Adventure Publications
•I’ll Follow The Moon, Brown Books Publishing Group•
Adventures Of Riley: Survival Of The Salmon, Eaglemont Press

~

•Moms Choice Award's mission is: (quote)

The Mom’s Choice Awards® Mission is to recognize authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts to create quality family-friendly media, products and services.

•And their goal: (quote)

The goal of the MCA is two-fold:
An Important Purpose to-
1) Celebrate and promote how vital mothers are to the structure of our society.
2) Become a household name as a resource for children’s products that parents can trust.

•From the founder: (quote)

"Our main goal in creating the Mom's Choice is to distinguish products bearing the MCA seal of approval in an effort to help parents and educators select quality materials and products for children," said Tara Paterson, a successful business-mom, and mother of two boys ages 10 and 6 and a 17 month old baby girl. Ms. Paterson also created JustForMom.com and has been seen on CBS’ 48 Hours, the Today Show, the Early Show, and has been written about in the Washington Post.

Wow, are we thrilled!

http://www.momschoiceawards.com/recipients2006.html

-Stephanie

Endorsements/Events - Snowy White World to Save

Snowy White World to Save enjoys 2 very proud endorsements:

From the lovely and amazing Sharon Stone, actress, activist, and the equally lovely and amazing Wendy Abrams, environmental activist, Chicago. I am floored and honored and inspired anew - in our global quest to spread green awareness to the next generation, our children. Together strong!

•Sharon Stone, Actress, Activist:

"Snowy White World to Save cleverly introduces young children to environmental awareness and global warming by making them aware of what is happening to our planet, and what they can do to help save it. Ms. Tara provides a wonderful resource guide at the back of the book that encourages young readers to further educate themselves on the subjects so they, too, with their parents, will become global citizens."

•Wendy Abrams, Environmental Activist, Chicago, IL:

"Stephanie Lisa Tara presents a wonderful way to teach our children about caring for the earth, and the implications for all living creatures. Global warming is an ever-growing threat to all of us, and Snowy White World to Save invites kids to learn more about what they can do to help by visiting web sites provided at the back of the book."

~

The Chicago Field Museum further honors Alex Walton and myself on August 18, 2007:
An afternoon of reading, entertaining and teaching kids about global warming, what we can do - small and big people, as well as an introduction to the arctic world and its inhabitants! Come out and join us.

I'll Follow The Moon receives 3rd place - Chocolate Lily Book Awards in Vancouver!

What a proud day!

Our little turtle enjoyed some real fame and international acclaim in Vancouver, Canada this week! Awarded 3rd place by the Chocolate Lily Book Awards Committee - he truly followed the moon to a most wonderful surprise!

Illustrator Lee Edward Fodi was there to receive the honors and enjoy the fanfare...

Some background on this estimable award:

"BC Chocolate Lily Book Awards Program involves thousands of elementary schoolchildren in the best of BC children's literature. Through an annual nonprofit program founded by teacher, Karen Ehrenholz, students around British Columbia are reading the following books nominated for the 2006 BC Chocolate Lily Book Awards. Chocolate Lily, developed to encourage grade school students to read some of the best fiction by BC authors and illustrators, culminates with a gala event in June. Nominated books are selected by a panel of teachers, librarians, and authors."

Gosh - I am so proud! Join me in celebrating... and be sure to visit www.cafepress.com/stephanietara
--- and click on the I'll Follow The Moon online gift shop!

Biggest smiles,
Stephanie

Snowy White World to Save!

It’s a headline we all have seen: Global Warming is melting the Arctic.

Once the Arctic sea ice is gone, it will take along with it the majestic polar bear — magnificent creatures of strength, courage and might, who need the sea ice for survival. The ice is home, it is where their primary food source lives, the ringed seal. Polar bears feed, mate, travel, den and give birth on the ice. Scientists say the polar bears will be extinct within 100 years if something isn't done, and soon.

"across the land
of the midnight sun
the ice is melting…
oh, what can be done?"

(well, lots can be done... and the "Learning Page to Help the Bears" will show kids and their parents exactly what we can all do to help)

Snowy White World to Save, is my fourth picture book, written in lyrical verse.... following Gwynne, Fair & Shining, “delightful verse that stands out from the crowd”, (Alan Caruba, Book Views), Little Library Mouse, “stimulate your child’s imagination”, (Shirley Labusier, Book Talk), and I’ll Follow The Moon, “gorgeous watercolors chronicle the journey of a baby sea turtle”, (Kirkus Reviews).

On sale soon, with glorious watercolor paintings by the inimitable Alex Walton, www.waltonillustrations.com.

*Be sure to click on the pages below for full impact!

Hello! Welcome to Stephanie Lisa Tara's children's book blog!

You know what I mean...
A trip with the kids to the children's department of a bookstore has the propensity to render us all speechless!
(Voices call out from all corners: giggly verse, prosaic truths, scientific facts... then there's the picture book wall - abstract covers wave wildly between storybook characters who've amazingly sprung to life as large statues!)

Which to choose?!

The 100 acre wood sits to one side: Pooh's corner has become a stage with small chairs and tables - stacked high with books, books, books, and the wee ones are gathered around... paging through everything with big eyes...

The bookstore is a fantastical place that our kids love to visit, but how to sift through millions of volumes with clarity and vision? What's good? WHat's really not? How best to entertain, teach, inspire? Simply - what creates a love of learning through books that spans lifetimes?

Lifetimes... just remember yourselves, parents:
who hasn't giggled over Shel Silverstein’s wondrous verse, and felt the wisdom in Dr. Suess’s awareness stories, been soothed by Margaret Wise Brown’s lyrical bedtimes tales, or marveled at the perfection of Beatrix Potter’s farmyard communities? Books touch lives, hearts. Choosing them is great fun, and serious business.

As a mom and children's author, I decided to create this blog in the hopes of starting an ongoing discussion about these sorts of topics, questions and ideas... what is it we think of children's literature today, yesterday and tomorrow.... what sorts of books kids seem to enjoy.... what sorts of books impress parents, teachers, librarians... what works, what doesn't and why... feel free to express your truest feelings, and be sure to check www.stephanielisatara.com for announcements about all my books, newest releases, reviews, book tours and the coming-soon online shop — where my characters will themselves spring to life in plush-form!

My very best,
Stephanie Lisa Tara


Books:

Snowy White World To Save, 2007, buy at www.stephanielisatara.com

Gwynne, Fair and Shining, 2006, buy at www.stephanielisatara.com

Little Library Mouse, 2006, buy at www.stephanielisatara.com

I'll Follow The Moon, 2005, buy at www.stephanielisatara.com



Book Reviews:


I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON

Kirkus Reviews, September 2005
Gorgeous watercolors chronicle the journey of a baby sea turtle from its hatching to its first swim in the sea.

Gillian Richardson, CM Magazine, September 2005
This attractive book is an enjoyable way to introduce young listeners to a fascinating cycle in nature. [A]n enjoyable read-aloud.

BOOKVIEWS, November 2005
[A] comforting story that assures a child they will always be able to follow the light of a mother's love.

Janie Magruder, The Arizona Republic
[S]weetly told....Tara uses soothing repetition to hook young listeners, and Fodi's drawings are divine.

2006-2007 Chocolate Lily Award Nominee
Chocolate Lily Award congratulates Stephanie Lisa Tara and Lee Fodi (illustrator) for the book's endearing production and storybook appeal.

2007 Chocolate Lily Award Winner
Chocolate Lily Award congratulates Stephanie Lisa Tara and Lee Fodi (illustrator) for I'll Follow The Moon's 3rd place showing!

I'll Follow the Moon, May 9, 2006
By HappyReader "HappyReader" (Raleigh, NC, USA)
I stumbled across this book quite by accident, and I found it to be a treasure. The verse is lovely and calm, as are the illustrations. It also depicts fairly accurately a remarkable natural phenomenon. As a new mom who longed for a child for many years and eventually adopted internationally, I found the symbolism achingly beautiful. I have since given the book to several friends who have also waited for their children to find them. This book is far too beautiful to be limited to the adoption genre, however. It is very meaningful on a number of different levels!

One of the best...., January 29, 2007
By Charlotte Marie Troilo

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read! My [...] son, who loves turtles, is inpired to read with this book. Stephanie Lisa brilliantly incorporates the adventure of a baby sea turle hatchng from his egg to his trip into the sea, all the while following the moon to find his mother. The illustrations are beautiful. A must read!

A new Stephanie Lisa Tara fan, July 27, 2006
By A Very Thankful Mom (San Francisco, CA)
A neighbor sent me the link to this author's website and I immediately became entranced with her style, it is unique, captivating and totally engaging - my kids (5, 6 and 8) LOVE it! I sent the web site link to all my friends - everyone adores her books, they are fun, inspirational and this mom wants to put the word out for others: With the oversaturated, overabundant children's picture book market, why not choose books with sweet, thoughtful and positive messages?! It helps us moms do our jobs better! From one mom to another - thanks Stephanie Lisa Tara!

A soothing bedtime read!, December 1, 2005
By Armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota)

All children want to have security, and they love animals. I'll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lisa Tara is about both.

On a serene, quiet sandy beach a baby sea turtle breaks free from its egg and begins the journey to find home and mother, all the while saying, "I'm coming, Mama, I'll see you soon. I know just how...I'll follow the moon." And follow the moon to Mama is exactly what the baby sea turtle does.

The simple words and gentle rhythm makes this a wonderful bedtime story. It is soothing and subtly conveys the message that Mother will be there for the child. The watercolor illustrations are solid, yet soft. They beautifully portray the beach and sky in an inviting way that adds to the soothing nature of the book.

Armchair Interviews says: Not only is this a wonderful story for parents to read to their little ones, but it is a book that grandparents will welcome as they care for their grandchildren. I'll Follow the Moon can help them assure their beloved grandchildren that their parent's absence is temporary. It is a lovely book that will be read and reread.

A Mum's Favorite, November 8, 2005
By Harriet Stone "Hetty" (London, England)
I am a mum and I must say to everyone who reads this, that this tale is just exceptional. I cant read it without a tear slipping down my cheek, my twin three year olds adore it. There is something so genuine about the rhythm, the pictures, the message. I read an American review on the book that spoke of the light of a mother's love being ever present for her children. Just beautiful. Tops. Looking for more titles from this lovely author.

Metaphors in Blue, October 29, 2005
By Miss Flanders (Berkeley, CA)
As a preschool teacher I have found this book to be a marvel in my classroom, not only as a teaching aide but as an enjoyable interactive tool that my students ask for on a daily basis. The use of "blue" as metaphor - a complicated subject to understand, is brilliantly depicted both in the poem (dream in blue/fine blue glow of moon/blue ocean/mother's blue eyes) and in the exquisite watercolor illustrations that accompany the poetry. My students identify with the baby turtle, hearing the poem spoken in his voice and I hear them singing the repeating refrain on the playground to each other through my open window. A magnificent and delightful book! Bravo!

Poetry in motion, October 28, 2005
By Earnest Emily "great story collector" (palo alto, california) - See all my reviews
A lusciously written, easy to read-along-with-mom-or- teacher, gorgeous book that instructs and inspires and is just a joy to hold in one's hands.
The refrain invites little listeners to join in and participate. Three bold words introduce each verse stanza, ingeniously grabbing attention, holding it carefully - just long enough for the lilting refrain to renew itself.
Children's verse at its most enjoyable, fulfilling all we come to associate with storytime. Paintings speak for themselves, perfectly executed - beautifully rendered!
This author/illustrator duo is top-notch.

Delightful, October 4, 2005
By J. Savastano "Chief Tucker-Inner" (New England) - See all my reviews

This is the perfect book to read to your little ones as they drift happily off to sleep. The pace, the repetition and the story line all imprint warm, loving thoughts to a child.

The graphics are very good and early readers will pore over the detail on every page.

This is a book that I will share with many friends and loved ones. I look forward to the author's next project.

I'll Follow the Moon, September 30, 2005
By Barbara S. Glazer - See all my reviews

A perfectly delightful story. The magical words along with the soft and charming illustrations create a lovely story to tell to all preschool children before bedtime. This book is a must for all children.
Barbara

By Jetty Webb "JW" (Memphis) - See all my reviews
A nice, quiet tale to read your child during bedtime. Soft, tasteful pictures fit perfectly to a story about a mother's enduring love. Sweet.




LITTLE LIBRARY MOUSE

Alan Caruba, Bookviews
"[T]here is not a child who would not be enraptured by the illustrations and entertained by the easily comprehended text."

Kim Peterson, Reader Views
"[A] winner with children and parents...library mouse introduces children to the greatest adventure of all--reading."

MetroActive Newspaper, Patricia Lynn Henley; November 2006
"...magical ability of books to transform readers in time, place, personality is beautifully presented through the short, pleasing rhymes...illustrations..."


Imagination, a Wonderful Think, February 13, 2007
By Shirley Labusier "Book Talk" (Ashley, IL)

Even when you are little you can imagine big, so begins this adorable book. Written in rhyme, the story begins as the clock goes tick-tock, is that the key in the lock? It is the end of the day and the library is closed. A white mouse dressed in a purple suit begins to tell of his adventures, of all the things he can be.

With the help of books he can be a clown, a juggler, or a lady bug on a leaf. On the pages he flips, he finds good cheer in storybook trips. In winter he's snow spinning a silvery fable, frosted wilderness-white on the library table. He's a king, he's a queen, and upon all words he stands tall.

He's red, he's yellow, and he's iridescent blue. Short stories are rainbows of sharp color and hue. He is paper, he is ink. He becomes any book he reads. He can read, he can imagine so can you, take a look

If you want to stimulate your child's imagination this is the book for you. It is colorful and fun to read. Who doesn't love cute little mice, as long as they are illustrated in books? Each page is filled with fantasy and wonder.

A new Stephanie Lisa Tara fan, July 28, 2006
By A Very Thankful Mom (San Francisco, CA)
A neighbor sent me the link to this author's website and I immediately became entranced with her style, it is unique, captivating and totally engaging - my kids (5, 6 and 8) LOVE it! I sent the web site link to all my friends - everyone adores her books, they are fun, inspirational and this mom wants to put the word out for others: With the oversaturated, overabundant children's picture book market, why not choose books with sweet, thoughtful and positive messages?! It helps us moms do our jobs better! From one mom to another - thanks Stephanie Lisa Tara!

A creative and encouraging tale, July 12, 2006
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
With illustrations from Alex Walton, Little Library Mouse by Stephanie Lisa Tara is a creative and encouraging tale of an illustrious mouse who lives in a library and when the library is closed and locked at the end of the day carries his little furry mouse friends through fun and imagination driven adventures to be found in the library's many books. Enrapturing the minds of its young readers, Little Library Mouse combines a poetic text with full page works of art in presenting his adventurous endeavors throughout the night of the darkened library through pages and pictures of some very interesting books. A perfect choice for all school and community library picturebook collections, Little Library Mouse is very highly recommended for young readers and their parents seeking to instill in their children a love of reading and an appreciation of libraries.

A Special Ed English teacher's top choice!, June 13, 2006
By Miss Whittaker (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
Finding innovative and evocative ways to stimulate, inspire children - is the key to effectively teaching special education -- a colleague handed me this big beautiful purple book last week, its joyful large-type rhymes had me giggling. Then I put it to the real test and read it to my students.

It is rare that I have such a huge response -- Little Library Mouse instantly became everyone's favorite. My students repeat the bouncing lines back to me, they speak openly about the book's concepts; of words, sentences, poems, stories... of books taking the imagination anywhere it wishes to go, regardless of physical handicaps.

Skillfully told, beautiful illustrated, this teacher gives it a large gold star! Brilliant work from Stephanie Lisa Tara.

Wonderful!, April 20, 2006
By Armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota)
What do a mouse, a trapeze and a library have in common? The answer lies within the pages of the Little Library Mouse, by Stephanie Lisa Tara.

A nameless mouse jumps into action, through rhyme, as the library is closed for the evening. We're invited on a journey as the mouse "sails on a sentence" and becomes library book characters, including a ship, a wild animal and a circus act.

Tara enchants us with her storytelling as she makes a library tour exciting, encouraging literacy and reading. Little Library Mouse is to be applauded for its light-as-a-feather rhymes, a style Tara undoubtedly perfected while earning a B.A. in English.

The illustrations, by Alex Walton, are bold, confident, full-page drawings of a mouse as he takes on the identity of the story he becomes.

This exciting adventure is sure to please the preschooler set and would also make a great baby shower gift. It would also be an excellent jumping-off point for parent/teacher and child to create new rhymes, based upon Tara's format.

Armchair Interviews says: This story, as with the Man on the Flying Trapeze, "floats through air with the greatest of ease." Bravo, Little Library Mouse...bravo!

A winner!, April 11, 2006
By Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (4/06)

At the local library when the lights go dark, a little mouse slides out of his hole. He launches his evening adventures as soon as the key turns in the lock. Library mouse steps into the pages of the books and turns into the heroes and heroines in these delightful stories. He pretends to be royalty, a clown, a chef, a detective and more. No longer a tiny rodent, library mouse imagines himself as a ladybug on a leaf, a snowflake on the wind, even winter itself.

Little library mouse takes young readers along on his quest to become new characters and visit new places. Children will enjoy the escapades told with rhythm and rhyme. Each stanza's antic includes an aspect of the world of books, introducing young readers to terms like sentence, glossy, page, and paragraph. Each vibrant, colorful full-page illustration depicts a book and mice involved in that story's delights.

Tara's picture book should be a winner with children and parents encouraging the love of books and the use of their imaginations. After all, library mouse introduces children to the greatest adventure of all-reading.


GWYNNE, FAIR AND SHINING

Book views, March 2007
"Who can resist a fairy tale with a happy ending? Let us welcome Gwynne, Fair & Shining by Stephanie Lisa Tara ($16.95, Brown Books Publishing Group, Dallas, TX) and illustrated by Lee Edward Fodi. Gwynne is a little maid in a dark castle who overcomes a nasty old knight to become a beautiful princess, learning in the process that "Whatever you feel is just what you are. You've always been fair, a bright shining star! Whatever you think is what you shall be. So believe you are strong, and then you are free!" The text is delightful verse and the artwork is magical. For someone who sees many such books, I can tell you this one stands out from the crowd."


Gwynne Fair & Shining is an upbeat children's picturebook with truly standout illustrations , June 10, 2007
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Gwynne Fair & Shining is an upbeat children's picturebook with truly standout illustrations that literally sparkle from the actual glitter from sparkling, golden and reflective material impressed on the page to enhance the cartoony illustrations. The rhyming story tells of a young girl's magical journey and the importance of learning to believe in oneself. Author Stephanie Lisa Tara evokes the power of the fairy tale in this charming read-aloud story especially recommended for young girls.

Marvelous, recalling a 19th century golden age of children's literature!, May 14, 2007
By Penelope Sandringham "children's poet" (San Francisco)
The beginning of the golden age in children's literature can be tenaciously placed around the 1860s, when playful/nonsensical verse became infused with "lessons", read aloud as entertainment. These joys of old world story-poem verse, Stephanie Lisa Tara reinvents for us today, recalling a time now passed where tv and movies did not exist and parent and child spent long hours together in connective bonding before fairy tale books. This verse of yore confidently and purposefully sticks its tongue out at grammatical rules and didactic foundations: its structural strictness was often quite replaced by semantic chaos and polysemy. Who hasn't marveled at the genius of Jabberwocky? It is the creative mind that takes such risks, as it ever was and always will be thus. I adored this book, as did my kids, and everyone who has seen it. Such a joy to see a departure from the shock effect choices on the shelves today, and a return to lyrical flow that takes its time with no need to rush, and words that spill off the tongue! Shall we rush through our story times with our kids? If you haven't read Stephanie Tara's other books, make a point of doing so. All ring at the same lovely pitch and all speak to the heart of connecting with children, speaking to them, inspiring them to dream, make new rules, think new ways! A big bravo! And, more, more, please!

Charming Book, March 22, 2007
By Gwynne Larabee

I love this book!!! It is charming and endearing. Everyone at my house has read it and the youngest is 15 years old. My grandson asks me to read it to him. He is 3. The illustrations are precious. This book will be in our library for years to come.

All about believing in yourself, January 28, 2007
By Armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota)

Things were not good in the castle. It was cold, dark, dim and grim. It wasn't any better outside either. It was a sad, sad place.

Then Gwynne heard the soft and gentle voice of her grandmother, who had once reigned in a spirit of love. Grandmother's voice was followed by the sound of the magic flute. Gwynne's sad heart began to soar and she started to sing. But the knight discouraged her songs. But the magic took hold of Gwynne and she 'sought her own way.' She began to believe in herself. And that's such a grand thing.

Gwynne Fair & Shining by Stephanie Lisa Tara is a delightful story in rhyme. The message is powerful and encourages children to follow their hearts, their passions and to believe in themselves.

The illustrator, Lee Edward Fodi has created a masterpiece in his twenty-four illustrations. The soft colors draw in the reader. The scenes are whimsical and inviting. And, there are sparkles on all of the pages. Oh, the little ones will love that.

Armchair Interviews says: Gwynne Fair & Shining is a winner. Children will want this read, over and over again.