The Red Lemon

Bob Staake is a great author and his illustrations are amazing and vibrant. Both my 3 and 22 month old love this book, for different reasons. My older likes the story and the younger enjoys the pictures more, it is truly a wonderful story and I would reccomend this and all of Staake's books, especially The Donut Chef and the Robots book.

Often, parents and their toddlers don't agree on books. My daughter loves some books that drive me (and my wife) crazy. But this book is different. We all love it. "The Red Lemon" reads like a modern Dr. Seuss book. The rhymes are clever, the book is funny, and the story is interesting. Bob Staake is also a great illustrator; his artwork is hip, clean, and modern. It's nice to see modern graphic design in childrens' books.

We discovered this book at our local library, and after renewing twice, had to purchase it for our own collection. This book is not only beautifully illustrated, and very nicely written, but it inspires readers (young and old) to imagine what gifts lie in unexpected surprises. A good lesson for us all. Just lovely. You won't be disappointed.

Critically acclaimed illustrator Bob Staake presents The Red Lemon, a picturebook about a lemon farmer named McPhee, who grows bright yellow lemons. But among his fruits, one day there appears a red lemon! "Who'd squeeze this red thing in their afternoon tea? / Who'd buy a red lemon from Farmer McPhee?" Farmer McPhee throws the red lemon away to another island. But the red lemon's story does not end there - two hundred years later, the yellow lemon orchid is reduced to weeds, while the seeds from the red lemon have created a grove of red lemon trees beloved for miles around, because red lemons are six times as sweet! The style of illustration, in which people and objects are rendered as basic shapes, adds an unforgettable individual touch to this delightful read-aloud story.

I know this author from his baby/toddler board books that are different and interesting, so I was so excited to see this on the shelf at Borders yesterday. The whole family loves it and we have already given it as a birthday present. A MUST for your little one's library!