Crayon Sky Music

The economy has been hard on almost everyone. It has been most cruel to America’s favorite lice-headed children’s book character, “Ugly Eliza”. “Ugly Eliza” gets word from her boss that’s she’s been laid off due to the recession, and tries anything and everything to make money. What’s a girl to do with no job and a stack of bills to pay? This title will be available 4/20/2010. Rave reviews for Brian Gibson:

This review is from: Ugly Eliza and the Sunken Ship (Paperback)

I originally bought “Ugly Eliza and the Sunken Ship” for my niece and nephew, but I ended up enjoying it as well. Its a very cute story about how salt got into the ocean, but of course, is a very creative explanation. My niece was especially enthralled with the illustrations, because they look as though a child painted the pictures. After reading the author’s bio (I discovered that Brian Gibson lives in Southern California as well), I searched him on Myspace and left a comment on how I enjoyed reading the book to my niece and nephew. He commented back and told me to mail him my book and said that he would autograph it and send it back. That, he did and my niece and nephew thought it was the coolest thing ever! I would definitely recommend this book to others, and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next in the series!

This review is from: Ugly Eliza and the Sunken Ship (Paperback)

My kids and I really enjoyed “Ugly Eliza & The Sunken Ship.” The author has a truly funny way with words and a great imagination. He also writes as if he’s talking, so if you read it aloud with plenty of emphasis and earnestness, you get good laughs with lines like “the salt water felt so good on her crusty feet” and “she was heads down and hiney up in her project”!

Offbeat, warm, and good-hearted, it appealed to my kids’ natural silliness and never got gross-out or weird like some modern “children’s” tales. I’ve got to believe that the author is a Southerner, between his wacky way with the English language and his enjoyable cast of characters (starting with Miss Eliza herself, of course).

My kids also liked that it’s a tall tale in the best American tradition–completely off the wall and filled with absurdly funny details. Last thing: There is no credit for who did the pictures, but they’re great–crazy and primitive and filled with funny energy. They really complement the story.

Kids–and grown-ups–who find all forms of exaggeration entertaining (like most I know, including my own and myself!) will get a big kick out this story. I highly recommend it for your home bookshelf or childcare reading space.

This review is from: Ugly Eliza and the Sunken Ship (Paperback)

A great book for me to read to my children. I was surprised on how much they loved the characters presented. They enjoyed the pictures and we laughed together constantly through the pages. I recommend for anyone needing a good book to read to their children, even if they are under the age recommendation, as my boy and girl are, they will enjoy it.

Made in America John Ratzenburger