I will be presenting “Saffy and Ollie” and “Bitsy” from the Simply Small board book series:

When: 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2012.

Where: Village Books in Fairhaven, 1200 11th Street, Bellingham, WA

Come and join us for some stories and crafts!

More info: http://villagebooks.com/

Bitsy is one of 21 Amazing Holiday Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers, according to Canadian Family Magazine. Find (or order) your copy at any local bookstore, and have a Merry Christmas!

Bitsy book cover

Bitsy is the smallest of the beaver family. She wants to help build the dam but her little teeth can’t chomp down on a tree. When a leak springs in the dam she finally finds a clever way to help.

Praise for the Simply Small Series:“…just perfect for the youngest readers.”

– ABC Best Books for Children

Click here for more information about Bitsy.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Below are images from the story.

Rokko book cover

It’s time to find a place to sleep. Rokko the baby raccoon is sure he can find the perfect spot. But when he finally does find the perfect spot, something is missing…what could it be?

“Author and illustrator Paola Opal’s blend of soft lines, bright pastels, and simple flowing texts are inviting and fun. Great for babies and toddlers.”

– Brandi, Changing Hands

Reviews of Rokko coming soon!

Click here for more information about Rokko.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Below are images from the story.

Dotty book cover

Dotty is a little fawn. Mommy and Dotty are searching for strawberries. When Mommy leaps across a stream without getting wet, Dotty wants to do the same. Will she find a way?

“Bare beauty is what you find in the Simply Small Series books…almost haiku-like.”

– Word of Mouse Book Reviews

My sister gave this book to my 3 year old for Christmas. We read it together and he throughly enjoyed the story and the illustrations are some of the best I’ve seen.

– J. S. Nowell

“Author and illustrator Paola Opal’s blend of soft lines, bright pastels, and simple flowing texts are inviting and fun. Great for babies and toddlers.”

– Brandi, Changing Hands

Below are images from the book. Click here to learn more about Dotty.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Perry book cover

Perry, a baby polar bear, won’t swim because he is afraid of the water. Suddenly the ice cracks and Perry drifts away alone on an iceberg. Can he find a way to get back to Mommy?

“…just perfect for the youngest readers.”
– ABC Best Books for Children

“Opal uses vibrant onomatopoeic language, such as ‘swoosh,’ ‘thump’ and ‘splash,’ which makes reading aloud to children fun.” — CM Review

“The satisfying story manages to have a beginning, middle and end with just five or fewer words per page.” — Canadian Family

Named among the Top 10 Great Books for Children Award, 2011 from the Canadian Toy Testing Council.

Images from the book are below.

Click here to learn more about Perry.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Saffy Looks For Rain

It’s a hot day and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Saffy, however, is determined to find rain. Her search ends when she finds something even better . . . a friend who helps her cool down.

“This simple but warm story is effectively packaged as the board book’s shape, like a giraffe, is taller than it is wide. The little giraffe’s androgynous name will allow readers to substitute the male pronoun in the reading, if so wished. Using a cartoon-like style, Opal manages to capture the emotions of the mother and child through how she illustrates their eyes. The simple artwork, with its bold, black outlines, is highly appropriate for the intended target audience. A worthy addition to home libraries and collections serving preschoolers.” – Dave Jenkinson, CM Magazine

“Saffy, an adorable baby giraffe, proves less is more in this sweet and simple board book, perfectly sized for little hands.”
- Recommended Reads, City Scene Magazine

Click here for more about Saffy Looks for Rain.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Images from the book are below.

Ollie book cover

Ollie is a baby elephant who wants to help his mother make a path through the forest, but he’s not strong enough to lift a tree. Will he find another way to help?

“The repetitive text and simple storyline in these board books are perfect for babies. Each of the characters struggles with issues that young children can relate to…Children like being mommy or daddy’s helper and we see this characteristic in Ollie. In families where there is more than one child, siblings are always trying to keep up with each other, just as Totty tries to catch up with his siblings.”

– Best books for Kids & Teens 2010 Chosen Title, CCBC

– Brandi, Changing Hands

Click here for more about Ollie.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Images from the books are below.

Totty book cover

Totty is the last of the sea turtle babies to hatch and head down to the sea. His brothers and sisters are already far down the beach. Will he find a way to catch up?

“A newly hatched sea turtle, a baby giraffe anxious for independence and a little elephant who wants more than anything to help his mother … These are the endearing characters in Simply Read Books’ board book series, Simply Small, by Paola Opal.

The repetitive text and simple storyline in these board books are perfect for babies. Each of the characters struggles with issues that young children can relate to…. In families where there is more than one child, siblings are always trying to keep up with each other, just as Totty tries to catch up with his siblings.”

– Review, Canadian Children’s Book News, 2010

A baby sea turtle hatches on a sandy beach, the last and smallest of his brothers and sisters. Watching them making their way down toward the water, he fears he won’t be able to catch up. But don’t let his size fool you; Totty is one clever little guy! The simple illustrations in this sweet book will charm little ones and keep them returning to its pages again and again. - Children’s Book Corner

Images from the story are below. Click here for more about Totty.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.

Saffy book cover

Saffy is a baby giraffe too short to reach even the lowest branches of the tree. Mommy offers to pick her a leaf to eat, but Saffy wants to get her own. Will she find a way?

“Saffy is a staple in our home. We love it so much, that I just had to do a Saffy Review! The bright colors, and fun-to-say words will engage and captivate your little munchkin. The story is simple, but teaches a very beautiful message…”

– Mom Ok’d

“This well-designed board book features an elongated shape and uncluttered pages. The simple text is complemented by Opal’s bright, boldly outlined illustrations of the expressive wide-eyed baby giraffe. Thick, sturdy pages will hold up to repeated readings. An excellent addition to board book collections.”

– Linda Ludke, Resource Links

Named among the Top 10 Great Books for Children Award, 2011 from the Canadian Toy Testing Council.

Images from the book are below. Click here to learn more about Saffy.

Click here to discover more books in the Simply Small Series.