Featured books by Meilo So
Gobble, Gobble, Slip, Slop: A Tale of a Very Greedy Cat
No one would want to meet a greedy cat like this! A very hungry and especially greedy cat eats a series of animals and people — "Gobble, gobble, slip, slop" — until clever crabs help them all find a way out. A quite contrite cat promises never to be greedy again in this lively and handsomely illustrated retelling of a traditional tale.
Books illustrated by Meilo So
Brush of the Gods
Inspired by an actual artist, Wu Daozi's brush created images that seemed to come alive. Travel to ancient China to meet Daozi as he grows from a boy into a muralist for the Emperor. When the mural is finished, legend says that Daozi walks into the paradise he painted. Brief text combines with brush and watercolor illustrations for a memorable look at a legendary Chinese painter.
Follow the Moon Home
Loggerhead turtles are confused by artificial lights on the beach. A group of children work to turn them out so that turtle hatchlings can follow the moon to the sea. The story of how children became activists and can continue to contribute positively is engagingly presented. Suggestions conclude this attractive, can-do book.
Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats
An inspired compilation of Chinese holiday tales, activities, and recipes limns a rich and ancient culture through a year's worth of projects.
Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City
Stunning watercolors evoke the height and breadth of New York City while a dramatic text relates the true story of a now-famous feathered resident, a hawk named Pale Male. The tension between the lifestyle of Pale Male and human residents as well as the fate of Pale Male's mates and offspring create riveting reading.
Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme
A prolific (and popular) poet, Prelutsky provides poem starters for slightly older children. Young poets can either finish the "poemstarts" suggested here or create their own original poem.
Tasty Baby Belly Buttons
Uriko is small but brave, determined, and smart. In fact, she saves the town’s children when they are kidnapped by hungry oni, the ogres of Japanese lore whose favorite food is baby belly buttons. This lively retelling of a traditional Japanese folktale reads aloud well and is complemented by the illustrations, which call to mind the tale's Asian origin.
Water Rolls, Water Rises/El agua rueda, el agua sube
Evocative watercolors and short, lyrical poems take readers on a trip, "Around our round world" where "water rolls/water rises/under gold sun, under white moon." A brief note from the author and the illustrator provides insight into their inspirations.
Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems
Translucent watercolors and short, varied poems take readers on a trip to the sea. There they meet sea birds, fish, coral, and more in each short verse. Evocative language creates memorable images of the sea and its often hidden treasures.
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