Pajama Press

Click here to download the Cocoa Magic teaching guide

Click here to download the Dinos Driving teaching guide.

Click here to download the Let’s Add Up! teaching guide.

Click here to download the If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It teaching guide.

Click here to download the Ballewiena teaching guide.

Lynn Leitch and Scot Ritchie Present Dinos Driving.

Jane Whittingham presents Bear Has a Belly.

CBC Books Interview with Michelle Kadarusman

Quill & Quire Michelle Kadarusman Author Profile

Open Book Interview with Michelle Kadarusman

Michelle Kadarusman Presents Berani:

Books + Publishing “Michelle Kadarusman on ‘Berani'”

[Angela Crocombe:] You write Berani in three voices, one of which was the voice of the orangutan, Ginger Juice. How did you research and find the voice of an orangutan to make it sound authentic?

[Michelle Kadarusman:] I’m fortunate to have a good friend, a primatologist, who studied orangutans in Borneo. The work of Leif Cocks, the founder of The Orangutan Project, was also extremely helpful. All of my research pointed to the fact that orangutans and humans are so similar that an orangutan kept in longterm captivity would display the same kind of mental, physical and emotion deterioration that you would find in humans. This is a disturbing fact considering our habit of keeping apes in captivity and one that I wanted to try and communicate by having Ginger Juice’s voice heard from her cage. It was a bit of a creative leap for me and I changed her chapters more than any others when writing the manuscript. I also worked hard with my editor to help develop the tone. Ultimately, I hope her passages would allow readers to build empathy for her plight.

Read the full interview at booksandpublishing.com.au

Kirkus ★ Starred Review

“A peek into the busy Land of Nod….Maruno narrates in flawless and immersive rhyming verse….Sato uses materials such as silk, paper, and textiles to infuse each spread with tangible, three-dimensional textures and depth. Readers will linger over each tiny, essential detail—nothing is extraneous….Like the materials on many of the spreads, the text and art are expertly stitched together, each visible and impactful on their own and interwoven into a bewitching whole. A perfect bedtime selection for eye-catching, vibrantly colorful dreams.”

Click here to read the full review

Quill & Quire ★ Starred Review

“[T]his enchanting book is sure to calm the most wakeful child into a dreamy sleep….Like all good go-to-sleep books, While You Sleep acts as a lullaby, soothing the child with the rhythm of the words and the sleepy, whimsical images, transforming the darkness of night into a magical realm where all will be well till the morning….Maruno’s delightful story about the industrious bunnies and the world that needs nightly upkeep is inspired and original, and her rhymes are sweet and satisfying….Sato’s use of collage is clever and inventive, and children will enjoy picking out familiar materials….While You Sleep casts a magic spell that will help lull little ones to sleep, and might just nudge a sleepy grown-up in that direction, too.”

Click here to read the full review

School Library Journal

“This lovely picture book shows what one parent tells her little one as she’s going to sleep. The text is written in peaceful rhyming couplets, while warmly colored collage illustrations show the tidying up that goes on while people rest….It’s a cozy, positive bedtime story sure to please parents and children alike….A comforting story for kids who wonder what they’re missing by going to bed.”

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Publishers Weekly

“In rhyming couplets, a caregiver encourages a child…to embrace bedtime so that a crew of bunny helpmeets can begin their work tidying up the world. As a child’s caregiver turns off the light and offers a bedtime kiss, lines describe the “chores,”…being completed by toy stuffed rabbits come to life: “Comb the grass, straighten the trees,/ Place a dot on the black-eyed peas.” Other imagery draws heavily on sewing metaphors, aligning with Sato’s collaged illustrations, which rely on paper, textiles, and embroidery silk: when “the woven night of black and gray” is described as being “embroidered with a Milky Way,” the child is shown yawning beneath an inky knit blanket and a purple embroidered sky. Throughout, the textured scenes remix details from the child’s waking life into suitably snuggly dreamscapes.”

Click here to read the full review

Booklist

“The dreamy, lyrical couplets pair beautifully with the enchanting, lushly layered illustrations composed of fabric, yarn, embroidery, and paper that altogether artfully and imaginatively create a fanciful, dynamic atmosphere full of fun details: the girl wanders through a garden of bright, oversize flowers, paintbrushes, and color pencils; the girl’s cat eyes the yarn the bunnies use to decorate the night sky; and so on. There’s much to engage and charm in this whimsical, sweet, and reassuring bedtime read.”

Click here to read the full review

Foreword Reviews

“Rhyming couplets create a whimsical melody while the collage art illustrations will captivate children with their colorful layers and textures—until they drift off to sleep to dream of the brand new world they’ll wake up to.

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Manhattan Book Review

“Author Jennifer Maruno has tapped into childhood imagination to find this cute story of what youngsters might dream of happening while they sleep. She has written it in rhyming couplets, which little ones will like. The illustrations by Miki Sato are simply stunning. She uses a combination of drawing and collage to create wonderful illustrations that have the look of three-dimensional art. The little night-helpers really come to life with this method. She fills the backgrounds with terrific details to keep little eyes busy and engaged.”

Click here to read the full review

Children’s Literature

“The power of storytelling and its transcendence into the world of dreams are at the center of this enchanting story….Through gifted word play, Maruno transforms what many parents and caregivers experience as a difficult task—that of getting a child in bed—into a delightful journey. Maruno has created a tale that feels like a love letter, or a poem, from a parent to a child. Any child will love listening to this as they get lost and travel away with it in their sleep. Sato’s magnificent collage-based illustrations are filled with color, texture, complexity, and feeling. The combination of text and art make this book one that should not be missed. This is a story that takes all readers into a world of wonder and inspiration, and it is a memorable book that leaves a lasting impression while conveying the meaning of love, along with the power of the imagination and bedtime stories. Needless to say, this is the perfect bedtime read and a must-have book!…Reviewer Rating: 5”

CM Magazine

“While You Sleep was the most beautiful picture book I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing this year. Miki Sato’s illustrations pull you in and along as three little bunnies take readers through their nightly care routine. The cut paper and mixed media collages evoke a snoozy watercolored world where these stuffed rabbits mend clouds, charge rainbows and weave night….The premise of this sweet book is simply that, as a child sleeps, her three stuffed rabbits magically take care of the world. It is a fanciful little story that children will likely find peaceful and interesting in equal measure….Maruno’s story feels respectful to the young child’s developing imagination….Highly Recommended”

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Open Book

“Infused with wonder and faith in the fantastical, While You Sleep is told is song-like rhyming couplets that rock readers into their own dreamy world, perfectly captured in Miki Sato’s ethereal collage art, which makes use of not only paper but also textiles including embroidery silk.

A book about believing the world could be just a little bit better and more beautiful when we wake, While You Sleep is hopeful and magical. Maruno, who honed her ear for rhyme and feel for storytelling as a parent and educator, knows how to look at the world through a child’s eyes. The book has already earned a coveted starred review in Kirkus, signalling a rare and special picture book from a writer who intuitively understands the genre.”

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Book Time

“Of the three picture books I read this week, While You Sleep might be my favourite….The collage art by illustrator Miki Sato brings the story to life. I love how she uses not only paper, but also textiles and embroidery silk to create such beautiful pages. Each double page spread is a piece of art and brings the story to life….If you are a parent who reads the same story on repeat, you’ll enjoy this one as Sato creates pages with so much to look at.”

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Storytime with Stephanie

“Are you looking for a new book to settle your little reader into a blissful sleep? Jennifer Maruno and Miki Sato have come together in their dreamy new bedtime story While You Sleep that is sure to spark restful nights and good dreams….Maruno’s lyrical, rhyming text ebbs and flows from page to page without missing a beat. While You Sleep has the qualities of the great classic bedtime stories like Goodnight Moon and Guess How Much I Love You….Maruno creates a sense of security and calm with her words Readers cannot help but have good dreams while drifting off to thoughts of flowers being painted and butterfly wings being dusted….Miki Sato’s collage style illustrations are a perfect complement to Jennifer Maruno’s text. The illustrations are soft and cuddly, soothing and comforting enveloping readers in a warm cozy visual blanket.”

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The International Educator

“[A] gentle bedtime story by Jennifer Maruno with glorious art by Miki Sato. Collage of fabrics, weavings, cotton balls, colourful paper and more create gorgeous images of a child being tucked in bed for the night while the world is being dusted and swept for a new day….A reassuring story for little ones.”

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CanLit for LittleCanadians

“While You Sleep is a very contemplative story…about softness and security, wishes and hopes. It’s imaging how things come to be and appreciating how they are. And, by telling her story through rhyme, Jennifer Maruno gives While You Sleep a dynamism of flow, making it a journey of childhood dreams of what might be….Using paper, textiles and embroidery silk, Miki Sato makes the child’s worlds…touchable and deep both in dimension and spirit….With deftness of cut and placement of shape, Miki Sato and her night-helpers make this child’s world heavenly….Infused with sweetness and gratitude for a world of natural beauty, While You Sleep will be a great bedtime read and reminder that our world is one to cherish.”

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Luminous Libro

“5 out of 5 stars….This beautiful book is enchanting! The story sweeps you away into a magical land of dreams as the bunnies stitch up the clouds, polish the sun, and embroider the Milky Way with stars.

The collage art is absolutely stunning! I had to stop and stare at each page, looking for all the little details of stitching and beadwork and fabric and watercolors….Miki Sato, is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists….Something about this art is so gentle; perfect for a bedtime book.”

Click here to read the full review

Getting Kids Reading

“Soft, rich mixed-media collages beautifully illustrate each fanciful concept. You won’t have to work hard to make the book sound as good as it looks….The rhyming couplets easily drip from the pages in a way that is comforting and soothing. The whole effect is cozy and cuddly (think Goodnight Moon) and your little reader is bound to fall asleep by the time you reach the final sentence.”

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Charlotte Offsay (Instagram) 

“Soothing playful text and adorable cut out illustrations make for a sweet bedtime read and encourage littles everywhere to close their eyes and recharge.⁠”

Kirkus Reviews

“The images are detailed—one stunning picture even depicts the tiny insects stuck to a frog’s tongue midlick. The kids portrayed are diverse in terms of race and ability. The repeated refrain of “I do too!” invites readers to pick up the rhythm and to reflect on their own body parts. The book closes with a note about the importance of movement and body positivity for a child’s growth and development along with a list of suggested activities to try together. The format, repetition, and neutral observations make this a refreshing title among body books for toddlers and preschoolers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A welcome message of appreciation for human (and animal!) bodies.”

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Booklist

“Whittingham’s book for very young children has a repetitive text…Each clear, full-color photograph shows one of nine animals on the left side of the page; on the right is a smaller picture of a child revealing their corresponding body part along with the words “I do too!”…At the book’s conclusion, five simple activities, which use the text for inspiration, are suggested for playtime. This entertaining activity book will work well for one-on-one sharing and as a toddler storytime selection, since it encourages children to shout out the refrain while pointing to the body part being named. Due to the repetition, this title could also serve as a beginning reader for slightly older children.”

Youth Services Book Review ★ Starred Review

“Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5….What a great book about body parts for the young child! Sharp, vivid closeup photographs of animals and kids demonstrate that they both have ears, eyes, a nose, etc. Simple, sing-song text invites the reader to interact with the book….Animals shown are familiar to little kids, such as a rabbit, a squirrel or a bear, and the kids are a nicely diverse crew, with different skin colors, races, and abilities. The book is larger than a standard board book, which would make it perfect for story time.”

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School Library Journal, Fuse 8

“It would take a soul blacker than mine to resist a cover like this….This is a body parts book where you find out about a portion of an animal’s anatomy and then see a human with that part as well. And, naturally, when reading this in a lapsit or in a storytime you can make sure the toddlers are pointing to their own faces or hands or ears or what have you. As charming as its cover implies.”

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CM Magazine

“In Bear Has a Belly, Jane Whittingham uses beautiful side-by-side photographs of animals and children with their having something in common. Fox has a nose… do you? (Yes!) Frog has a tongue… do you? (Yes!). This wildlife themed exploration of bodies and connection will likely delight the youngest readers among us…Children can point to their own bodies, experiment with sounds, and notice other connections between the animals and the children pictured.

Overall, Bear Has a Belly is a great book with many tools for families and readers to explore on their reading journey. Highly Recommended”

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YA Books Central

“This was a darling book filled with vibrant photographs of animals and children. This book is perfect for building a vocabulary of body parts and animals for young children or English language learners…I appreciate the suggested activities at the end for how parents can extend learning after reading this story…Overall, this book was very cute and made me want to get up and move just like the book demonstrated.

Overall rating 5.0″

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Storytime with Stephanie

“I love how Jane Whittingham compares the body parts that animals and humans have in common. Each two page spread features a lyrical, repeating poem about one part of the body. There are photos of the animal’s body part as well as a photo of a child using the same body part….The repeating text on each page allows the youngest readers to join in the story and will allow them to access the book independently at an earlier age plus who can resist the pictures of the cutest little animals and children!

It’s a Toddler Tough book design so the cover is thick and plush, making for easy wipe downs and the pages are card stock so should stand up to even the most aggressive readers. Also, like all Big, Little Concept Books, there is helpful back matter for parents and educators to use this book in a thoughtful way to extend the learning.”

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Sal’s Fiction Addiction

“In another of her outstanding books for very young children, Jane Whittingham turns her attention to body parts and their comparisons to nine familiar animals. Repetitive text and bright full-color photographs are ideal for upping the interest while sharing this informative book time and again….Perfect for lap reading in the beginning; it won’t be long until a slightly older child will be reading it independently. Such fun!…The overall design of the book is very appealing. The soft, puffy cover encourages touching and has a pleasant feel for little ones. The sturdy pages allow for many readings. If this is your first Jane Whittingham book, be on the lookout for more….You will not be disappointed.”

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The International Educator

“Bear Has a Belly by Jane Wittingham uses gorgeous photos to show how animals and children are similar….This beautifully executed board book will make children familiar with wildlife, with names of body parts and also create a deeper awareness of our connectedness with nature.”

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Book Time

“Bear a has a belly, a soft, round belly, while owl has eyes, big round eyes….In the Parental Guide, author Jane Whittingham offers tips and tricks to make this “toddler tough” picture book from Pajama Press interactive, including playing a game of Simon Says or noticing similar body parts on a pet…”

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Kids Book Buzz

“This adorable book is perfect for young readers who are learning their body parts….Each animal is adorable, and who doesn’t like cuddly animals? The real-life pictures of animals are sure to keep readers engaged in this book….The pages are very thick and super durable, making this a perfect book for young readers who are still learning to turn paper pages without ripping them, like my sister. This book is sure to be a favorite with young readers.

Reviewed By: Liam – Age 10”

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Click here to download the Berani teaching guide.

Click here to download the Room for More teaching guide.

School Library Journal

“Setting the tale in the 1920s, the soft, warm-toned illustrations on a background closer to parchment than white give this an old-fashioned, historical feel, as does the classroom furniture, the students’ clothes, and the uncle’s mustache….Delicious endpapers feature 24 unique, beautifully decorated candies….The SEL element is strongly laid out, with a nice twist at the end, for a well-intentioned but likely additional purchase.”

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Kirkus Reviews

“It was magic when Daniel made his first batch of chocolates at age 4, with his Great-Uncle Lewis—“the Cocoa King of Charlottetown”—keeping his hands steady as Daniel poured the chocolate into the mold. Four years later, the duo’s chocolate-making has become routine as they melt, pour, scrape, and mold together for “one precious hour every morning” before Daniel goes to school. A new classmate’s loneliness prompts Daniel to hide a beautifully wrapped chocolate caramel in her desk to cheer her up.

When Great-Uncle Lewis goes off to a chocolatiers’ conference for five days, Daniel frets about the “cocoa magic” fading. His classmates surprise him with their own act of kindness. Drawing inspiration from her background as a clinical social worker, Bradley crafts a story laced with empathy and kindness. Grimard’s soft, mixed-media illustrations evoke a sense of coziness as well as the historical Charlottetown setting…Endpapers mimic a box of chocolates—a delicious touch…Sweet as sugar.”

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Booklist

“This sweet story follows a young boy, who, through a small act of kindness, leads a movement at his school….Grimard’s soft, muted artwork captures the old-fashioned feel of the story and its 1920s time period, but its message of giving is timeless. Bradley brings her experience as a social worker to this tale of empathy and kindness.”

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Quill & Quire

“Cocoa Magic is a gentle, nostalgic story that uses chocolate as a metaphor for caring and generosity….This is a very sweet story – and not because it’s about chocolate! Being able to notice the feelings of others and figure out how to help them feel better with acts of generosity is a key skill for children to learn, and this story uses gift-giving as a way to make those skills concrete. Even though the book is set in a very specific place and time, the message is universal.

The illustrations have a glowing warmth that suits the story’s tone….And the chocolates look good enough to eat, too! Cocoa Magic has a timeless feel – it could easily have been written anytime in the hundred years between the time it is set and now – and is sure to resonate with kids and their parents.”

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Children’s Literature

“As a clinical social worker, the author has noticed that empathy can be cultivated through the power of a seemingly small act of kindness. Soft illustrations accompany the story well, and the font is clear and legible for children. While some children’s books about big topics like empathy miss the mark of a child-friendly vocabulary, this book is well-pitched to reach its intended audience and spark big themes. This could even serve as a good holiday read for young children who might struggle with the joy of gift-giving over merely gift-receiving….Reviewer Rating: 4”

CM Magazine

“Grimard particularly shines with the drawings of the sweets which are beautiful and decadent and, even on the page, drool-worthy.

The author, who is a social worker, includes a note…about how empathy can be something we are born with but also something that we can learn, and that empathy can be manifested as kindness….it’s a wholesome story with beautiful illustrations and a lesson that everyone can learn from.”

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Open Book 

“Sandra Bradley’s Cocoa Magic (Pajama Press, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard) is coming out at just the right time: combining a story of kindness and generosity with a fragrant chocolate shop as its homey backdrop makes it hard to picture a more perfect holiday read….Atmospheric and nostalgic in its landscape of crisp winter mornings and the cozy chocolate shop, Cocoa Magic is also grounded in authentic, clear-eyed empathy, using everyone’s favourite indulgence to muse intelligently on how we can witness, help, and support one another – a conversation that makes sense and is enhanced by Bradley’s background as a clinic social worker.”

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Edible Inland Northwest

“This charming picture book is…beautifully illustrated, and manages to be both about chocolate and empathy. Recommended for ages 4-7.”

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The International Educator

“Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, is an old fashioned story of kindness and empathy….A story about doing little things for others to build empathy and compassion, with the most delicious looking end pages I’ve ever seen!”

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CanLit for LittleCanadians

“There is much kindness in giving gifts in secret, in not expecting thanks or acknowledgement. It’s giving for the sake of giving and not for reciprocity or reward. With the holiday season upon us, Sandra Bradley‘s book of Cocoa Magic, deliciously illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, reminds us of the goodness of giving….What a wonderful story of empathy!…Sandra Bradley, a clinical social worker and therapist, makes the story of Cocoa Magic one of kindness without expectation of reciprocity. She shows the positive nature of giving both on the recipient and the giver….Gabrielle Grimard‘s illustrations, created with watercolour, gouache, coloured pencil and digital media, are filled with the sweetness of love, kindness, generosity and confections….There may be magic in the cocoa and the sugar but most of it comes from the empathy demonstrated through the gift giving. Perhaps at this time of year, that’s the important message to cherish from Cocoa Magic.”

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Sal’s Fiction Addiction

“Does chocolate spring to mind as the Christmas season gets under way? Why chocolate? It’s one of those gifts that seems to make everyone happier. That premise certainly works in this charming story that takes place in a Prince Edward Island school in the 1920s….Mixed-media illustrations by Ms. Grimard offer young readers a real feel for this time in history while also showing the emotions felt with such wonderful acts of goodness.”

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Book Time

“What a beautiful book. That was my first thought when I received a copy of Cocoa Magic by Sandra Bradley and Gabrielle Grimard. My second thought was you can never go wrong with a book that features chocolate. The fact that chocolate is used as a way to bring a bit of magic and joy into people’s lives makes the book even better….The illustrations are beautiful, as is the story. In her author’s note, Bradley, a clinical social worker, she said her book is a story “about empathy and one child’s ability to turn his understanding of another’s feelings into a small act of kindness.” Bradley talks about empathy and how it can be taught.”

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Luminous Libro 

“5 out of 5 stars…What an adorable book! I love how compassionate and generous Daniel is, and how he inspires others to be kind as well. He really takes the time to notice other people’s feelings and does what he can to help. The illustrations are mouth-wateringly beautiful!…I love the pretty art style and all the bright colors.”

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Charlotte Offsay (Instagram)

“Oh my goodness I love this story. This is the book everyone needs this holiday season (or all year round really)….A heart-squeezing story of the power of kindness and a reminder that the smallest gestures can often be the most meaningful.”

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Growing Book by Book (Instagram)

“I’m very grateful to have a chocolate book on my shelf to use for the holidays or really any time of the year because this book has a universal everyday message that can be enjoyed year-round….Recommended for ages 4 and up.

P.S. Don’t miss the endpapers of this book!

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Homeschoolingabhi (Instagram)

“If only I could pick a chocolate out of the book to eat, I would. What a sweet book to read this holiday season that teaches kids to be kind and thoughtful and to think about others. Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to experience joy or bring happiness to others.”

Click here to read the full review

“Finding Our Place in the Universe” Bookflap dialogue between author Jen Lynn Bailey and illustrator Maggie Zeng