My (Solar) Japan

Ota City, in Japan, is one of the country's sunniest spots. According to Tree Hugger, Japan has earmarked 9 billion yen ($92 million) for solar panels for households in this year to March 2009. Its Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is seeking 24 billion yen ($246 million) for subsidies in the year starting April 2009, and estimates that about 100,000 homes would install solar panels next year, with the subsidy.

To learn more about Japanese life, you'll want to check out the non-fiction picture book, My Japan, when it is published - also in March 2009.

International Children's Book Day

Even though all of our titles come from countries other than the U.S. it is a very special day when we can highlight our books that speak about or take place in a land that is somehow different than the ones we're used to seeing in a children's book.

Here are just a few of our books that take place in unique places in our world:

From France

My Father's Shop

From Taiwan

On My Way to Buy Eggs

From Japan

Girl from the Snow Country

From Australia

Are We There Yet?

From Australia

Ziba Came on a Boat

From the Netherlands

Little Fish

Jukebox Trailer

One of Kane/Miller's highly creative friends has put together an amazing, musical trailer to highlight our latest nearly-wordless picture book from France. Jukebox, written and illustrated by David Merveille, the picture book covers a wide variety of musical genres, many of which are included in this video teaser.

Would you like to share this video with other music lovers? You can link to it here.

Favorites (Continued)

Continued from the Previous Post...

Picture Books
From Spain

Sebastian's Roller Skates
Written by Joan de Deu Prats
Illustrated by Francesc Rovira

This section - with over three dozen titles to choose from - was also a challenge for me to narrow down to just one book. Sebastian's Roller Skates really jumped out at me, however, in that it really can work with just about any reader (of any age, gender, background, etc).

Sebastian not only masters a new skill (roller skating, of course) but he also gets over his fear of public speaking and builds up his confidence to the point of finally being able to speak to Esther - a girl from school - which he never thought he'd be able to do at the beginning of the story.

We all have our little quirks (perhaps it is public speaking) that makes us feel not-so-confident or not as comfortable doing (maybe roller skating is one of them) so this book does really speak to readers of all ages and encourages us to try something new - even if it does require a helmet.

Picture Books for Older Readers
From Australia

Fox
Written by Margaret Wild
Illustrated by Ron Brooks

I need to tred lightly when discussing this title, because it is dark, sad, and ultimately, a tale of deception. I don't want to give away the storyline for those who have not read it, but it is certainly a book that will haunt readers and have you thinking about friendship, temptation and betrayal long after the book has been closed.

Several middle school teachers - upon first reading Fox - mentioned the story's similiarities to Shakespeare's Macbeth and several of these teachers use Fox in their classroom as an introduction to this classic work.

Whether you're dealing with playground disagreements or boardroom arguments, this book is an emotional and startling look at the realities of life and working or dealing with others.

First Fiction
From Australia
Jack Russell: Dog Detective
(Book 4): The Lying Postman

The Lying Postman is - by far - my favorite book from the Jack Russell series. Involving a new postman to Jack's route, and a "he said," "she-said" situation, Book #4 in this canine caper series keeps readers guessing until the end as to whether or not the postman is telling the truth.

Also introduced in this mystery is a new character - Ralf Boxer - a little chihuahua who surprises Jack with his courage and shatters every stereotype that Jack has regarding these small dogs.

Gift Books
From Australia

Could You? Would You?
by Trudy White

Trudy has made a fine book for readers of all ages with Could You? Would You? I've personally used this book as a discussion starter with both my four-year-old son and with adult friends. Others that I know have used this book in writing workshops to help get through writer's block.

Be careful though - many of these questions will bring up childhood memories which may have you longing for the times when you could cuddle in a sheet-made fortress under the stars or thinking about what you'd like to do with the time you have left.

What's your favorite Kane/Miller book?

What's Your Favorite K/M Book?

People often ask what my favorite Kane/Miller book is. That's an impossible question to answer since - as a small company - all of our office staff has a chance (and plenty of time) to fall in love with every book we release.

I've thought long and hard about this question and have finally decided to select one title per catalog section just so I cover all the bases. It's only fair that I answer the question. Selecting favorites from these sections was not easy but I'll explain my reasoning behind each choice.

All of my "favorites" are great books for readers of any age in that they speak to both children and adults in very different ways (the mark of a great illustrated book, in my mind).

Frontlist Titles (March 2008)
From France

Jukebox
by David Merveille

For anyone who loves music (don't all children?) this book is wonderful! It covers over a dozen different musical genres which means that there is - most likely - something for everyone. But what it also highlights is that music is something that inspires people, allows us to reach into our imagination (very child-like), reminds us of times past, or enables the listener to reach outside of their (ordinary) every day life.

For young children who may not be familiar with each type of music mentioned, this book will give them the opportunity to perhaps pick their favorites and be introduced to new and different ways to enjoy active listening.

Libros del Mundo
From Japan

¿Quién se esconde?
by Satoru Onishi

From the Spanish language edtions of fourteen K/M titles, I chose the translation of Who's Hiding? based on the fact that it is an excellent book for beginning Spanish readers - of any age - to use as a way to learn colors, animals, and questions that may be useful (Who's crying?, Who's hiding?, Who's backwards?) or not.

Non-Fiction / Concept Books
From Slovenia

Why?
by Lila Prap

Another book featuring animals and questions, Why? answers many questions that I know my son will eventually be asking me. I am prepared ahead of time and can help him learn more about the specific creatures - typically found in a zoo - such as zebras, lions, giraffes, and monkeys (to name just a few).

Board Books / First Picture Books
From Belgium

The Nights of the World
Written by Corinne Albaut
Illustrated by Arno

This was a tough choice to narrow down this section to just one book, but since young ones like books that "do" things, I selected this one with its picture-changing shutters that show day and night on alternating windows. The fact that it represents children from five different regions aound the world as well as being a comforting, gentle book about bedtime makes it a great pick for all of these reasons combined.

To Be Continued...

One More Story

One More Story is an online library of the best of children's classic and contemporary literature. Through a simple point and click process, children can choose a book, see the illustrations and have the book read to them whenever they want.

They've just created a blog which is a great place to learn more, add suggested titles and discover different ways to use the site, whether you're a parent, teacher, or librarian.

Kane/Miller is pleased to have a growing list of titles available at One More Story:

From France

Tibili
Written by Marie Léonard
Illustrated by Andée Prigent

From England

This is the Tree
Written by Miriam Moss
Illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway

From South Korea

While We Were Out
by Ho Baek Lee

From Taiwan

Guji Guji
by Chih-Yuan Chen

From France

The Costume Party
by Victoria Chess

From Australia

Fox
Written by Margaret Wild
Illustrated by Ron Brooks

From Spain

Sebastian's Roller Skates
Written by Joan de Déu Prats
Illustrated by Francesc Rovira

(Coming Soon)
From Japan

Singing Shijimi Clams
by Naomi Kojima

Books that give kids a taste of another culture

My Father's Shop, from France and written by Satomi Ichikawa, was included in a recent article in the L.A. Times travel section a few days ago but of course we feel that there are several more that could work from our list:

From South Korea

New Clothes for New Year's Day
by Hyun-Ju Bae

From the Netherlands

Little Fish
by Sanne te Loo

From Japan

Girl Fom the Snow Country
by Masako Hidaka

From Taiwan

On My Way to Buy Eggs
by Chih-Yuan Chen

From India

Kali and the Rat Snake
Written by Zai Whitaker
Illustrated by Srividya Natarajan

From Ghana

Sosu's Call
by Meshack Asare

From Australia

Ziba Came on a Boat
Written by Liz Lofthouse
Illustrated by Roberg Ingpen

From Belgium

The Nights of the World
Written by Corrine Albaut
Illustrated by Arno

From England

This is the Oasis


This is the Tree
Written by Miriam Moss
Illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway

Happy Travels!

I Listen to the Music

Jukebox

Ten tokens to the first person who can name the group who sings that tune (from the title above). Don't ask me what the ten tokens can be used for. Perhaps I'll have to provide access to the David Merveille's Jukebox with those gold coins. If only it were real...now that would be something.

From France comes the latest Kane/Miller nearly-wordless picture book from author/illustrator, David Merveille - a collection for music lovers of all shapes and size (and genres). This great hand-selling title includes a lively saloon-size crowd of listeners. From Opera to Hip Hop, from Jazz to Punk, every musician, fan and shower-singer (or in my case, the car) will find something to love in this pint-sized Jukebox which will leave you smiling, and humming your favorite melody.

Jukebox

by David Merveille
978-1-933605-72-2
Hardcover with Dust jacket
$14.95
March 1, 2008

Giving Thanks

This week is a quiet week. Many schools are closed and businesses as well as parents take advantage of the opportunity to spend quality time with their children.

The busiest time of year - for just about everyone - is upon us. My father's birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year - and just about every other year it seems. He's taking off on a trip by himself to visit his brothers on the East Coast. My mom will be enjoying the holiday with her sisters, I will be spending time with "family" in La Jolla while my sister will be joining her in-laws this Thursday for a large gathering and a lovely meal.

Family is something that connects us all, whether we are linked by blood, namesake, or just the bond of being present in each other's lives, whether physically or otherwise.

I plan on taking this week to slow down and really spend some quality time with my son. Even though he's with me 60% of the time (not that I'm keeping track), I can't help but feel as though the hustle and bustle of daily life keeps us somewhat disconnected at times.

There are several Kane/Miller books that highlight families of all shapes and sizes. Here are just a few to share with your loved ones:

From Australia

Are We There Yet?

by Alison Lester

From France

Grandparents!

Written by Anne-Laure Fournier le Ray

Illustrated by Roser Capdevila

From Taiwan

Guji Guji

by Chih-Yuan Chen

From the Netherlands

Benny

by Sieb Posthuma

From Germany

Selma

by Jutta Bauer

From Israel

The Key to My Heart

Written by Nira Harel

Illustrated by Yossi Abulafia

From the Philippines

The Mats

Written by Francisco Arcellana

Illustrated by Hermès Alègrè

From Australia

When Mum Was Little

by Mini Goss

From Belgium

You Be Me, I'll Be You

by Pili Mandelbaum

In the above book list, there are eight unique countries represented! Kane/Miller currently represents over 20 different countries from our current title list. Please help us to open young minds to the world by sharing this post with the book lovers in your life.

Spring Has Sprung

Just yesterday, the proofs of our spring 2008 catalogs arrived from our printer. The catalog is beautiful - of course - and I'm so excited to be able to launch our new spring titles in the next few months.

There are a few favorites from the list, but as always, it's quite hard to pick just one that I'm especially fond of. This season, if I had to pick just one, it would be our first title from China, No! That's Wrong! by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu.

From China
No! That's Wrong!
by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu

This, never-been-published-before, picture book discusses a silly situation that most kids (and many adults) will find quite humorous. I can't quite give much more information other than that, but the illustrations are darling, the animals are full of expression and the rabbit is particularly charming.

Representing South Korea, France, Australia, Japan, Spain and England, our books this coming season are so diverse with titles ranging in topics such as imagination, alliteration, new siblings, shyness, music, and cause and effect.

You'll have to be patient as I introduce each new cover and title one at a time until our catalog finally reaches our readers.