3 PICTURE BOOKS by Mary Murphy

I found all three of these at the Arivaca Library on 10/17/14.  The two librarians there turned me on to Mary Murphy.

Koala and the Flower

2001 Roaring Brook Press

HC & price

28 pgs  (I wonder if the end pages might have been pulled out?

Goodreads rating:

My rating: 4.5

     Badger and Raccoon see things n black and white.  They are always sure they are right.  Little gray Koala isn't sure about many things.  She asks lots of questions.
     What a clever book - and it has all sorts of atrributes!  Two pages of "graphic novel."  The appearance of a LIBRARY and BOOKS!  Two supposed friends who are subtle bullies.  The excitement of watching plants (flowers! grow from seeds with just a tiny bit of nurturing.  SO much to take in - and all of it was wonderful.

I Like It When ...
Board Book - 12 pgs.
1997

I like it when
     you hold my hand
     you let me help    (thank you)
     we eat new things   (surprise)
     we play peekaboo    (b00)
     you tickle me
     you dance with me
     you read to me
     you hug me tight
     we splash about
     we kiss goodnight

Say Hello Like This!
2014, Candlewick
ages 2 - 5
endpapers:  loud and cool - cows and cucks and chiks.

"A dog hello is licky and loud..."  (turn a half page and see what is described  - "a cat hello is prissy and proud"

Such a vibrant story - both in illustrations AND plot.  I'm not a huge animal person, but the front and back endpapers are just wonderful.

Open This Little Book - Jesse Klausmeier

Illustrated by Suzy Lee

Chronicle Books, 2013

HC $16.99

32 pages

Goodreads rating: 4.27

My rating: 4

Endpapers: Lines of grey teardrop shapes on white

Title Page:  3/4-inch smaller lavender page, with the animals from the upcoming story reading books as they lean on a pile of books.

Illustrations:  Simple.  It's the make-up of the book that's original and clever. Books inside of books inside of books.

1^st line:  "Open this...LITTLE RED BOOK (turn page)...and read about Ladybug, who opens a......(smaller page to open)....LITTLE GREEN BOOK (turn page)....and reads about Frog, who opens a.....LITTLE ORANGE BOOK (pages consistently get smaller, then larger as thy'er closed)

My reaction:  Fun and clever.  I do love clever.  Pages, representing books, get smaller and smaller as you turn them.  The only "actual size" pages are the endpapers!  Ashley and Ella both loved it.

Goodreads:  What will you find when you open this little book? A fun story? Sweet characters? Enticing pictures? Yes! But much more. Open this book and you will find...another book...and another...and another. Debut author Jesse Klausmeier and master book creator Suzy Lee have combined their creative visions to craft a seemingly simple book about colors for the very youngest readers, an imaginative exploration of the art of book making for more sophisticated aficionados, and a charming story of friendship and the power of books for all.