Toon Books, the children’s book line created by Pulitzer Prize winning Art Spiegleman and Francois Mouly will release Little Mouse from Bone creator Jeff Smith.

TOON Books are the first high-quality comics designed for children ages four and up. Each book in the collection is just right for reading to the youngest child but perhaps more remarkable: this is the first collection ever designed to offer newly-emerging readers comics they can read themselves. Each TOON book has been vetted by educators to ensure that the language and the narratives will nurture young minds. Our books feature original stories and characters created by veteran children’s book authors, renowned cartoonists and new talents, all applying their extraordinary skills to fascinate young children with clearly told tales that will welcome them to the magic of reading.

From the press release at ICV2:

Little Mouse, which will street September 7th, tells the story of the title character’s simple pleasures in getting ready to go to the barn. He has to master all the intricacies of getting dressed, from snaps and buttons to Velcro and tail holes.

Dang. It’s creepy.

Image Comics’ Shadowline continues its series of children’s oriented comics and graphic novels with T. Runt,

Created by award winning author Derek McCulloch (Stagger Lee and the upcoming Gone to Amerikay) and Jimmy Robinson (Evil and Malice Save the World), T. RUNT is the charming tale of the runt of a litter of Tyrannosaurus Rex babies, ! For release in June 2009, ask for your retailer to order it now! ISBN # 978-60706-074-1, and only $12.99 in hardcover. This would make an outstanding gift for the little comics fan in your family. Enjoy the sneak preview

Remember, comic shops and bookstores order months in advance based on customer demand. Ask for T RUNT now at your comic book shop. This would also make an excellent donation choice for your local library, Goodwill or Salvation Army service, or school.

Image Comics’ Shadowline brings you another great book for young readers, Tiffany’s Epiphany written by Kristen Koerner Simon, with art by Jim Valentino. This full color hardcover has a September 2009 release date and is only $12.99. A great gift for the young ones in the family, and it would also make an outstanding donation to your local library or school.

I especially like Jim Valentino’s art style on this book which reminds me of the classic animation character design of Ub Iwerks.

Children will thoroughly enjoy this tale of a skunk named Tiffany who is bullied by the other forest animals. This book is supported the Girls Scouts of the USA. The story helps young girls accept differences in themselves and deal with bullying.

Remember to ask your comic shop to order it! Your orders help support independent bookstores. Ask for it with this ISBN #: 978-1-60706-110-6

Enjoy this preview, and don’t forget to check out T Runt! We have a five page preview here.

The new Children’s Center at 42nd Street is pleased to announce our
May event:

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 @ 2:00 PM

Lurking in the darkest corners of New York are secrets you’ve never
thought to discover. Imagine fairies in Central Park, ghosts
whizzing through Grand Central Station, and a team of delinquent girl
scouts discovering another world beneath our very feet. Three of the
brightest stars in middle grade fantasy and fiction join us to discuss
their three very different but equally enthralling stories of the New
York that you never knew existed.

Katherine Marsh is the author of THE NIGHT TOURIST, a scintillating
tale of the ghosts that haunt the metropolitan area, and its recent
sequel THE TWILIGHT PRISONER. Kirsten Miller has penned KIKI STRIKE,
a series in which girl spies team up to defeat evil and uncover the
secrets all around us. Finally, Delia Sherman’s book CHANGELING takes
the city and turns it on its head, showing us the fairies, vampires,
and mermaids we always knew were hiding somewhere. Her sequel THE
MAGIC MIRROR OF THE MERMAID QUEEN is due out in June. A rare Viele
map from the New York Public Library’s Map Division will be on display
along with this amazing trio.

The Children’s Literary Café is a monthly gathering of adults who are
fans of children’s literature. Professionals, librarians, authors,
illustrators, publishers, booksellers, teachers, and anyone else
interested in the field are welcome to attend our meetings. The
Literary Café provides free Advanced Readers galleys, a rotating
series of talks with professionals in the field, and great
conversation. This program is for adults only.

New York Public Library
Children’s Center at 42nd Street
Room 84
42nd Street and 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10018

Thanks to Ellen Kushner for the heads up.

c