Laura Vaccaro Seeger

(Look Inside)

ONE BOY

(A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/October 2008)

(from inside flap)

ONE BOY ALL ALONE.  TWO SEALS AT THE SEA.  With this innovative counting book that also introduces the concept of words within words, an award-winning author once again breaks new ground.

2009 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2009

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, 2008

ALA Book Links “Lasting Connections of 2008″

A New York Public Library Best Book for Giving and Sharing, 2008

Booklist Editors’ Choice, 2008

A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2008

NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, 2008

-starred review/Publishers Weekly

“… Seeger is as innovative as ever, improving a standard-issue concept with a game of words inside words.”

-starred review/School Library Journal

“… Seeger’s ability to transform everyday words and objects into an amazing picture book continues… Seeger has engineered a tribute to wordplay that is unmatched… ”

-starred review/Booklist

“… Seeger brings her considerable ingenuity to another clever picture book that works on many levels… A delight…”

 (Look Inside)

DOG AND BEAR – TWO’S COMPANY  

A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Spring 2008

(from inside flap)

Dog and Bear are back in three more fresh and funny stories that will delight their growing legion of fans:  “Ice Cream”, “Happy Birthday Bear!” and “Sweet Dreams”.  Readers are sure to agree that the only thing better than one book about this winsome duo is two!  

-starred review/Publishers Weekly

“… Beguiling… If Seeger keeps these coming (and readers will hope she does), Dog and Bear are likely to join the rarefied ranks of Frog and Toad, and George and Martha.”  

-starred review/Horn Book 

“… File this entry near Frog and Toad, Pooh and Piglet, and George and Martha; then be prepared to read it again and again.”

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews 

“… Impulsive Dog and deliberate Bear are perfect foils.  Variations in perspective, body language and expression convey a wealth of information to complement the straightforward text, inviting readers to make their own interpretations and leading them to an understanding of the complex dynamics of friendship.”

  (Look Inside)

FIRST THE EGG

A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Fall 2007 

(from inside flap)

FIRST Laura Vaccaro Seeger created the critically acclaimed concept books THE HIDDEN ALPHABET, LEMONS ARE NOT RED, WALTER WAS WORRIED, and BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT!. 

THEN she produced her first work that kids can read themselves, the lovable DOG AND BEAR.

NOW she tackles that age-old question - Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

This is a book about transformations… from egg to chicken, seed to flower, and caterpillar to butterfly.  But it’s also a book about creativity - as paint becomes picture, word becomes story… and commonplace becomes extraordinary.

2008 Caldecott Honor Book

2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

New York Times Best Seller 

New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007

ALA Notable Book (American Library Association), 2008 

Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2007

Oppenheim Platinum Award, 2008

A NAIBA Children’s Pick of the List, 2007

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews

“… Another perfectly pitched triumph from an emerging master of the concept book…” 

-starred review/Horn Book

“… The best picture books create a world in themselves, and this tour de force is one of them…” 

-starred review/School Library Journal

“… Vibrant… Fresh and inviting… With its even rhythm, clearly expressed concept, and strong visuals, this book would make a great read-aloud for preschoolers.” 

-best illustrated/New York Times

“… FIRST THE EGG arrives as an eye-catching reminder that learning can be made sheer delight.” 

(Look Inside)

DOG AND BEAR - TWO FRIENDS, THREE STORIES

A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Spring 2007

(from inside flap)

What do a frisky dachshund and a slightly timid stuffed bear have in common?  They are best friends.  Here are three funny, beguiling and meltingly tender stories about the ups and downs of friendship, ideal for emergent readers to read all by themselves, or better yet, to share with a friend.

Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Winner Best Picture Book, 2007

American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2008

A Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2007

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, 2007

A New York Public Library Best Book for Giving and Sharing, 2007

A Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Best Book of the Year, 2007

Oprah’s Book Club Kids List Recommended Book, 2008

A Philadelphia Inquirer Best Book of the Year, 2007

Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2007

-starred review/School Library Journal

“… The eye-catching artwork shines with humor and warmth… Endearing… Told with simplicity and charm…”

-starred review/Horn Book

“… Stories about a pair of friends almost always hark back to the enduring richness found in Lobel’s Frog and Toad tales.  This duo is worthy of the comparison…”

-starred review/Publishers Weekly

“As inventive and fresh as Seeger’s HIDDEN ALPHABET, the three gentle stories in this inspired collection are utterly charming.… After turning the last page, young readers will beg ‘Read to me again!’ for this enchanting trio of tales.”

-starred review/Booklist

“… Seeger, whose BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! was a 2007 Booklist Editors’ Choice, introduces a pair of endearing animal friends in this winning picture book… Perfectly paced for new readers who will love the dose of humor at each story’s close… Charming…”

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews

“… Seeger moves from the concept book she has become known for to the classic friendship book with ease, her just-right dialogue developing her characters swiftly and cleanly… A happy crossover between early readers and read-alouds.”

(Look Inside)

BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! - A BOOK OF OPPOSITES

A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Fall 2006

(from inside flap)

Having explored the alphabet (The Hidden Alphabet), colors (Lemons Are Not Red), and emotions (Walter Was Worried), Laura Vaccaro Seeger now turns her extraordinary talents to opposites in this bright, colorful, and imaginative book.  Here, through a series of ingenious die-cut pages, the reader discovers that things are not always what they seem.  A black bat is transformed into a white ghost.  A sunny day magically becomes a starry night.  Posed as a series of 18 questions and answers, Black? White! Day? Night! is sure to be a big success with small children everywhere.

ALA Notable Book (American Library Association), 2007

A Child Magazine Best Book of 2006

A Nick Jr./Family Magazine Best Book of 2006

A Booklist Editors’ Choice, 2007

A Kirkus Best Book of 2006

A BookSense Pick of the Lists Book, 2006

A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2007

A Capitol Choices 2007 Noteworthy Book for Children

A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2006

A Pennsylvania Center for the Book “Baker’s Dozen”, 2006 

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews

“… Using the same format as her stunning Hidden Alphabet, Seeger presents readers with another eye-catching concept book… From beginning to end, another winner from Seeger.” 

-starred review/School Library Journal

“… Opposites attract and expand in this playful celebration.”

-starred review/Booklist

“Children will be captivated from the very first page… From front to back and beginning to end, this is a winner.”

  (Look Inside)

WALTER WAS WORRIED

(A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/September 2005)

(from inside flap)

With the originality and verve that marked THE HIDDEN ALPHABET and LEMONS ARE NOT RED, Laura Vaccaro Seeger once again creates a distinctive book for young children.

On the first page the reader is greeted by the title sequence.  Opposite the text is a portrait of a very worried Walter.  But wait!  The very letters that spell worried form his facial features as well as his expression!  Gradually a simple story unfolds as other characters are introduced, and the sky grows dark, the fog rolls in, lightning strikes, and thunder shakes the trees…

ALA Notable Book (American Library Association), 2006

A Child Magazine Best Book of 2005

A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2005

A 2006 IRA Children’s Choice Best Book

-School Library Journal

“… Inventive… There is surprising depth in this wonderful collaboration of art and story…”

-recommended/Children’s Literature

“… Another extraordinary alphabet-based book from Laura Vaccaro Seeger… WALTER WAS WORRIED has it all: alliteration, story line, vivid paintings, and the most unique use of alphabet letters…”

-Kirkus Reviews

“… Moods can change as quickly as the weather, and this innovative concept book cleverly illustrates the range and volatility of both… Lovely muted paintings… Opportunities for read-aloud abound here…”

  (Look Inside)

LEMONS ARE NOT RED

(A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/November 2004)

(from inside flap)

Laura Vaccaro Seeger introduces young children to the world of color in this simple, original, and utterly beguiling book.  As red lemons magically turn yellow, purple carrots turn orange, and white reindeer turn brown young readers’ faces are sure to break into smiles.

ALA Notable Book (American Library Association), 2005

A Child Magazine Best Book of 2004

A New York Public Library Best Book for Giving and Sharing, 2004

A CBS This Morning Best Book for Gift Giving, 2004

A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Best Book of 2004

A Capitol Choices 2005 Noteworthy Book for Children

A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2004

-starred review/Publishers Weekly

“… Having expertly explored letters in THE HIDDEN ALPHABET, Seeger once again delivers a compositionally faultless primer…” 

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews

“… Seeger has done marvelous things with her brushwork, from impasto to shimmering smoothness… Clever, imaginative, and utterly beguiling…” 

-recommended/Children’s Literature

“… This delightful, wonderfully illustrated book is fun and engaging… A must-have for any collection…”

-School Library Journal

“… This offering will delight preschoolers…”

  (Look Inside)

THE HIDDEN ALPHABET

(A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/October 2003)

(from inside flap)

Here is a fresh and imaginative way to look at the alphabet.  Turn to the first page and you’ll be greeted by a picture of an arrowhead, surrounded by a simple black frame.  Once you lift the frame, you’ll find the arrowhead is magically transformed into the letter A.  And so it goes, from Balloons, Cloud, and Door through Leaf and Mice to Yolk and Zipper.  Bold distinctive images and a simple yet ingenious format make this an alphabet book to treasure.

ALA Notable Book (American Library Association), 2004

A Child Magazine Best Book of 2003

A New York Public Library Best Book for Giving and Sharing, 2003

An NBC Today Show Best Book for Gift Giving, 2003

A Kirkus Best Book of 2003

A Children’s Literature 2004 Choices Best Book

A Capitol Choices 2004 Noteworthy Book for Children

A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2003

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews

“… An outstanding alphabet book… Each page comes as an ingenious surprise… Beautifully designed, fascinating to browse and eminently successful…” 

-starred review/Publishers Weekly

“… An artful ABC… A sophisticated presentation… The design is unerringly elegant…” 

-starred review/School Library Journal

“… Hidden Alphabet is a visual delight… Seeger’s sophisticated paintings make this a fascinating artistic experience as well as a learning opportunity…”  

 (Look Inside)

I HAD A ROOSTER

(Viking/Penguin Putnam/September 2001)

(from inside flap)

Here’s an original version of a traditional folk song.  Start with a crowing rooster and turn the pages to see the animals pile up, one by one.  The stepped pages offer a creative way to read (or sing!) a cumulative story without leaving any of the animals behind. 

(Includes an audio CD featuring Pete Seeger plus two songs by Mike and Peggy Seeger.)

A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2001

-CCBC Book of the Week

“… Ingenious page design… Vibrantly colored expressionistic paintings… A huge hit with young children whose enthusiasm for repeated singings leaves the song ringing in the consciousness of whoever gets to share the fun…” 

-Publishers Weekly

“… Based on a concept by Ruth Crawford Seeger… Vaccaro Seeger’s finely tuned oils illustrate the text…” 

-Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“… The cumulative structure is ingeniously interpreted… Audience participation is requisite… Youngsters will get a kick out of turning the cleverly formatted pages as well as singing along…”

-recommended/Children’s Literature

“… Young readers and singers will take delight in this original version of a traditional folk song… The illustrations are vivid, playful and amusing…” 

PETE SEEGER’S FAMILY SING-ALONG

(Homespun Video/October 2000)

(from back cover)

Here’s a video the whole family will enjoy! Sing along with Pete, Peggy and Mike Seeger on some of the country’s best-loved folk songs for young people. The songs are funny, playful, educational and, most importantly, ones kids love to sing.  Includes eye-catching graphics and on-location shots of children in different neighborhoods and locales dancing, singing, and playing to the music.  Eleven songs, including: Hambone; Five Times Five; I Had A Rooster; Crawly Creepy Little Mouse; This Land Is Your Land; Put Your Finger in the Air … and more.

2000 NATIONAL PARENTING PUBLICATIONS GOLD AWARD

2000 L.A. Parent Magazine, November, 2000

Unlike many singalongs, this one smoothly integrates great graphics, and includes on-location spots of kids around the country.

DOG AND BEAR DOLL PAIR (Puppets)

MerryMakers Inc./June 2008

Dog and Bear are best friends. They play together, read together, and help each other out of scrapes big and small.

From the lovely picture books by award-winning author, Laura Vaccaro Seeger, our Dog and Bear dolls are perfect companions—soft, cuddly, and ready to be a child’s best friends.

9.5” Dog and 9” Bear

FIRST THE EGG film/dvd

(Weston Woods/Scholastic/June 2009)

(from back cover)

Which came first?  The chicken or the egg?  This is a book about transformations - from egg to chicken, seed to flower and caterpillar to butterfly.  It is an entirely fresh and memorable presentation on the concepts of growth and creativity.  Narrated by Elle Fanning, with music by Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young.  Includes a bonus interview with Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

-starred review/School Library Journal

“This short film is as charming and inspiring as its inspiration… Fascinating and satisfying… This little gem is the perfect introduction to a life cycle unit.”

COMING SPRING 2010!

WHAT IF?

A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Spring 2010

(from inside flap)

What if a boy found a beach ball and kicked it into the ocean?

What if two seals found it and began to play?

What if a third seal appeared looking for a friend?

In this spare and deceptively simple book,  Laura Vaccaro Seeger uses the same premise and tells it three ways, each with subtle variations that highlight the possibility in possibilities.

Painted in the bright, sunny palette of a day at the seashore, What if? is both a tribute to the myriad opportunities that each moment holds and a triumph of innovative storytelling.

(Look Inside)

DOG AND BEAR – THREE TO GET READY

A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Fall 2009

(from inside flap)

Dog and Bear are back in three spanking new stories about a troublesome bucket, a very bouncy bed, and a lost sock monkey.  All are sure to push your giggle button and touch your heart.

-starred review/Kirkus Reviews

“… Wonderful as ever… The pacing is perfect… Seeger continues to set a high standard for picture books.  Superb.”

-Horn Book

“… Fresh and surprising… Super special.”