One of our very favorite authors has a great new book out! And we're so excited to share it with you. We've shared the work of Mark Hicks before, and I have to say, we play on his websites often (try the Halloween one! Love the cyclops!).

Guy Mendilow was born in Israel, spent part of his growing up years there and in South Africa, as a teenager toured the world with The American Boychoir, went to college in Ohio, lived for a time in Brazil, and now calls the Boston area home. He’s a musician and an educator. Skyland, the Guy Mendilow Band’s current recording, emphasizes Mendilow’s interest in sound, and in using lyrics as an instrumental color, and melds his varied cultural and musical experiences.

I have to introduce one of my favorite illustrators, Mark A. Hicks. It is awesome that he wrote and illustrated lots and lots of books. I have read several of them. My favorite was Ellwood's Plans. Ellwood's life always goes well, but it takes a turn for the bad. He couldn't see what his future would be. But in the end, music wins out. He makes a new and important friend on the bus and there's a cool song that I can't stop singing! The funny thing was that so many things had music patterns on them (like his PJs). This is a very clever book.

We have a 6-year old daughter, and she just loves to cook. I am always on the lookout for excellent kids cookbooks - ones that teach, besides having quality recipes. Too often, kids cookbooks contain recipes for food that just isn't healthy - promoting blue frosting, or coloring your macaroni and cheese red. YIKES!