Picture Books
Snowflake Baby
Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Little, Brown, November 2011
Snowbank baby
Climb and slide
Snow fort baby
Peek and hide
A baby, a puppy, mounds of snow, and a crisp winter day – what fun is in store? Find out in this lift-the-flap board book about a baby’s adventures on a wintry afternoon. Ages: 6 months – 3 years.
“Who knew a day out in the cold could be so cozy? A cheerful young girl takes her little puppy into the snowy outdoors…a lift-the-flap format extends her fun, while smiling woodland creatures add a heaping spoonful of sweetness. Energetic word choices enliven the wintry day. Here’s hoping this darling tyke will return with the change of the seasons.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Seashore Baby
Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
Little, Brown, April 2010
Seashore baby
Start the day
Beach-time baby
Let’s go play!
For this ocean-loving baby, it’s time to go to the beach! With an adventurous puppy for company, baby splashes, digs, and explores the seashore in this rhymed, lift-the-flap board book. Ages: 6 months – 3 years.
Gumption!
Illustrated by Richard Egielski
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, April 2010
Peter and fearless, clueless Uncle Nigel head deep into the heart of the jungle, in search of the Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla. They encounter one obstacle after another… dense thickets, broiling hot plains, crocodile-filled rivers. How will they survive their adventure? All it takes is a bit of gumption!
• PARENTS’ CHOICE SILVER MEDAL FOR PICTURE BOOKS, 2010
“Will keep readers giggling at how hapless some grownups—and how resourceful some children—can be.”
– Publishers Weekly
“The repetitive phrases, succinct text, bold watercolors, and heavy black outlines combine to make this a successful selection for group sharing. Youngsters will enjoy being in on the humor created by a clueless adult and animal antics.”
– School Library Journal
“Broach fills this spunky story with delicious language, including words like ‘zonked’ and ‘dung.’ Egielski is in fine form… Altogether a hearty delight for any young adventurer with a drop or two of gumption.”
– Kirkus Reviews
When Dinosaurs Came With Everything
Illustrated by David Small
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, September 2007
Just when a little boy thinks he’s going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable thing happens! He discovers that on this day only, stores everywhere are giving away a very special treat… not the usual stickers or lollipops, but DINOSAURS!
It’s a dream come true, except… what exactly do you do with these Jurassic treats? And how do you convince Mom to let you keep them?
• TIME MAGAZINE, #1 CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2007
• AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK
• E.B. WHITE READ ALOUD AWARD, ASSOCIATION OF BOOKSELLERS FOR CHILDREN
• A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION, 2007
“Broach and Caldecott Medalist Small’s deadpan delivery of a delectably over-the-top premise makes this tall-format picture book a virtually guaranteed crowd pleaser… Packs an outsize helping of humor.”
– Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“What if one day every merchant in town offered up, and indeed, insisted that shoppers take home a live dinosaur (free) with every purchase? That’s what happens to a boy and his mother in this sweet, absurd story that unfolds very much like a dream.”
– Kirkus, Starred Review
“Enticing, useful, and wish-fulfilling, this has ‘firm favorite’ written all over it, especially if you invite the audience to bring their own, presumably toy, dinosaurs.”
– Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books, Starred Review
Cousin John is Coming!
Illustrated by Nate Lilly
Dial Books for Young Readers, June 2006
“Ben, sweetheart, I have a very special surprise for you. Cousin John is coming!”
Lock the doors! Pack your bags! Run for your life! Sneaky Cousin John only acts like a bully when adults aren’t around, so Mom doesn’t know it’s a battle of wills every visit. Ben and the kitty are on the verge of fleeing… when inspiration strikes. Suddenly, he and his loyal feline companion have reason to think that this visit will be fun, even if it’s not the way Mom imagines.
“Broach’s chirpy, keenly observed text acts as an effective comic foil to her
collaborator’s vision of an all-in-the-family near-apocalypse.”
– Publishers Weekly
“A fun choice for all collections.”
– School Library Journal
Wet Dog!
Illustrated by David Catrow
Dial Books for Young Readers, May 2005
Well, that too-hot dog in the too-hot sun just had to cool off somehow. So he heaved to his feet, and he sniffed the air, and he trotted off down the road…pat-a-pat, pat-a-pat, pat.
He’s a good old dog and a hot old dog and he just has to find himself some cool! But where? In the spray of a hose, the spritzing of a rose, or the mucky waters of a creek?
Wherever he goes, all he ever hears is “Shoo! Go on now—shoo!” Will there be a place where this panting pup-on-a-mission can finally become a soggy doggy?
Come splash right into all the wild goings-on as one very determined canine seeks relief from the heat.
“Exuberant pencil-and-watercolor illustrations practically bounce off the pages in this delightful read-aloud… This new-on-the-scene author and veteran illustrator have scored a hit.”
– School Library Journal
“Catrow’s in rare form here, well matched by Broach’s lively prose. Here’s can’t-sit-still reading, in summer’s heat—or any other time.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Hiding Hoover
Illustrated by Laura Juliska-Beith
Dial Books for Young Readers, July 2005
Daddy always said, “No pets.” No puppies or parakeets, cats or canaries, gerbils or tutles or mice. No pets. NO PETS. But then we found Hoover.
Two kids, an irresistible dragon—and a dad on his way home. What would you do? Stuff Hoover in a closet? He’s too big! Try a disguise? Hmm… he still looks too dragon-y. And dad’s almost here! Now what? Pet-loving kids will find plenty of inspiration and nuttiness as two determined siblings take on the house “no-pets” rule—and make a gigantic new friend.
“The joyful silliness of each intensely colored and fearlessly cluttered picture drives the story forward.”
– School Library Journal
What the No-Good Baby is Good For
Illustrated by Abby Carter
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, May 2005
When the no-good baby had been at John’s house for weeks and weeks, and months and months, and more than half of a year, John decided it was time for her to go.
John’s little sister sleeps and cries at all the wrong times. She’s messy and loud and ruins everything. “That no-good baby is good for nothing,” John tells his mother. “It is time for her to go.”
“I guess you’re right,” say John’s mother. “Really?” says John. “Really.”
So they start packing her bags. But could it be that the no-good baby is really good for something after all?
“Author and illustrator cover familiar ground with brisk assurance and lots of warmhearted humor.”
– Publishers Weekly
“A quality title that will resonate with older brothers and sisters everywhere.”
– School Library Journal