"My Travelin' Eye" is a children's book by the very talented illustrator (and now) writer, Jenny Kostecki Shaw. I am a big fan of Jenny's and proud to call her a new friend, so it is no surprise to me that this book is a big hit! It tells the story of little Jenny Sue and her experience with her "travelin" eye. Little Jenny Sue is so endearing with a healthy dose of spunk and fortitude. She is a great role model for all children who will identify with her struggles in feeling different. Jenny's whimsical illustration style is a perfect fit for her story telling - like the one scene where she is walking home from school with her new eye patch and glasses and she thinks she sees a purple elephant in the tree. All is just not the same for little Jenny Sue. This book will have you smilin' throughout and you will fall in love with little Jenny and big Jenny all at once.
"I Was Told There'd Be Cake" just came out to rave reviews. It was the number one seller in the humor category on Amazon.com. It is a collection of essays written by Sloane Crosley. I may be just a tad biased here because she is my cousin's daughter, but the reviewers are not biased and are comparing her to the likes of Dorothy Parker and David Sedaris. That is some very heavy praise. She also has a really fun web page with more info and links. Sloane has had essays published in the Village Voice, Salon, and the NY Times. Here is the review from Publisher's Weekly:
"This debut essay collection is full of sardonic wit and charm, and Crosley effortlessly transforms what could have been stereotypical tales of mid-20s life into a breezy series of vignettes with uproariously unpredictable outcomes....Fans of Sarah Vowell’s razor-sharp tongue will love this original new voice.”
(Congratulations Sloane, Eddie and Nettie are so very proud of you.)
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9 comments:
thanks for the nice comments about my book, Amy! i'm so happy you're enjoying it. i'm going to order sloane's book soon--it sounds great (and i love david sadaris). i'm so happy for her! xo'big'jennysue
i love jenny's work too. And that second book looks very interesting too.
I think I am going to have to check out that second book ... love the title! Hugs, Mary
I'm always on the look out for great books...thanks for your recommendations.
After a trip to my local fabric shop I found my way to your blog today and I'm so happy!! Why? Because my little one, who is four, was recently diagnosed with amblyopia. We searched our local bookstores for books to help her cope with her new glasses and vision but had no luck... I'm thrilled that your friend has written such a wonderful and much needed book! I can't wait to read it with my daughter who will see that she is not alone...in both her new glasses as well as her spunkiness :) --michele
Michele, your comment put a big old smile on my face. You and your daughter will enjoy this book so much and it will be a big support for both of you. I am sure big Jenny will be smilin' too when she reads this.
hi Michele (and Amy!), I am smiling reading your comment--and thinking about your daughter. I immediately relate to her even though I don't know her name. And I do hope she will enjoy my book--she could take it to class for show-n-tell, and her teacher could read it!--that might help your daughter AND her whole class. i'd love to hear from you once you've read it. jenny
Sloane's book is so great! I am biased, too, I went to summer camp with her. She was even that witty as a teenager.
It has been about two weeks since my daughter, Ella, received her "new favorite book" and I would say that we have read it at least 50 times :) Ella is completely in love with her new friend Jenny Sue. So in love that she wanted to take the book to her eye appt to show her doctor! She has also shown every visitor to our house the "cool eye patches that Jenny wears"
Jenny, thanks for bringing your story to life. It has not only been helpful for Ella but also to me. For example, after we finished reading one night, Ella talked about how she, like Jenny Sue, had a hard time seeing after she got her new glasses but how her eyes also got better. Needless to say, she now wants me to help her decorate her glasses just like Jenny's :)
--michele (teamkopp@verizon.net)
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