Children's book author Toni Buzzeo is the creator of The Sea Chest and Dawdle Ducking, two picture books for young readers.
Buzzeo was raised in Dearborn, Michigan and moved to Maine 23 years ago. She holds a Masters degree in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island. She has worked as a high school and college English teacher, a public children's librarian, and a school library media specialist. Currently, she is a Library Media Specialist at Longfellow School in Portland, Maine. Buzzeo was named the 1999 Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year. She lives in Buxton, Maine amid wild turkeys and black flies with her husband, Ken Cyll, her son, Chris Cyll, 19.Her first book, The Sea Chest (Dial Books for Young Readers, September 2002) (ages 5-up), is set on a fictional midcoast Maine island and is based on the Maine Hendricks Head Light baby-in-the-sea chest legend. The book, illustrated in oils by Minnesota artist Mary GrandPre who has also illustrated the popular Harry Potter novels, is both Maine historical fiction and a touching adoption story. The title earned Buzzeo the 2000 Barbara Karlin Grant for Picture Book Writing from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. It has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection and will be featured in Scholastic Book FairsHer second book, Dawdle Duckling (Dial Books for Young Readers, January 2003) (ages 2-6) is the story of a small duckling who swims to the beat of his own drummer--until danger threatens. The book, illustrated in pastels by California illustrator Margaret Spengler, is a cheerful reassuring tale of youthful rebellion and parental protection--with an exciting surprise ending.She is also the author of four professional books: Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers: Real Space and Virtual Links, co-authored with Jane Kurtz (Libraries Unlimited 1999), 35 Best Books For Teaching U.S. Regions, co-authored with Jane Kurtz (Scholastic Professional 2002), Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships for K-6 (Linworth, March 2002), and Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships for 7-12 (Linworth, September 2002).
Read more about Toni Buzzeo on her website
David Small grew up in Detroit, studied Art and English at Wayne
State University and completed his graduate studies in art at Yale.
He went on to teach drawing and printmaking at the college level
for fourteen years, during which time his first book Eulalie and
The Hopping Head was published. David no longer teaches but has
continued illustrating.David has illustrated twenty-seven picture
books, and has also provided the text for six of them. His
Imogene's Antlers has been featured for fifteen years on PBS'
"Reading Rainbow." Fenwicks Suit presently is in production by Fox
2000 Four of David's bestselling picture books were written by his
wife, Sarah Stewart. Their book The Gardener was the recipient of
17 awards including the Christopher Medal and the 1998 Caldecott
Honor Award.David's books have been translated into six languages.
He also has worked years as a freelance editorial artist, with his
drawings appearing regularly in The New Yorker, The New York Times,
The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe and The Washington Post.
His reviews of picture books appear frequently in The New York
Times Book Review.Of his beginnings as an artist David has this to
say: "Detroit is not where I would have lived given the choice as a
child. Then, I would much rather have lived in Candy Land. But the
fact is Detroit--a harsh, industrial--made art and music all the
more sweet in my young life, more urgent and more of a necessity.
Seen in that light, Detroit was the perfect place for me to grow
up."David Small and Sarah Stewart make their home in Michigan in an
1833 Greek Revival house on ten acres of land along the banks of
the St. Joseph River. Their house is on the National Register of
Historic Places, and their property marks the northern boundary of
the Great Tallgrass Prairie.
PreS-Gr 2-Elliot's father often seems less than focused. So when they visit the aquarium and Elliot asks for a penguin, his father doesn't even blink as he brings one home in his backpack. Elliot gets to know his new friend, and reports on the experience to his seemingly muddle-minded father. But perhaps Dad has more in common with his son than you might suppose. This sweet and unexpected story by Toni Buzzeo (Dial, 2012) is read clearly and crisply by Chris Sorensen. No sound effects or music come between the listener and the text. The book is highly dependent on David Small's delightfully subdued watercolor illustrations, with a fun surprise ending that you literally have to see to believe, so make sure to have it available. Paired with the book, the audiobook would make a dandy listening center and bring a grin to the face of any listener.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
"The surprise ending has the same satisfying sensibility as Jules Feiffer's Bark, George. A real kid charmer that will elicit 'Read it again!' responses." (Starred) -- School Library Journal
The book's humor is built on gentle misunderstandings between
father and son (when Elliot asks for a penguin, his father assumes
he means a stuffed one from the aquarium gift shop). . . A
boy-and-his-pet story [that's] about as sweet as it gets. (Starred)
-- Publishers Weekly Elliot, clad in a proper black suit,
discovers the perfect pet when he and his dad visit the aquarium .
. . Charming illustrations [draw] the eye to funny little details .
. . Highly recommended. (starred) -- Library Media
Connection "This charming picture book has many humorous
details throughout, and kids will likely laugh out loud at the
surprise (particularly for father!) ending." -- Booklist
"Suitable for both story time and closer observation, the
illustrations (including the comical Magellan) complement the
child-friendly premise and will certainly attract young readers to
this quirky tale." -- Horn Book "The comic characterizations
of Elliott and his father, and Small's lively ink, watercolor, and
colored pencil illustrations [...] will make this a popular choice
for both reading aloud and reading alone." -- BCCB "A happy
tale of domestic amity, with a well-set-up punchline." -- Kirkus
Reviews 2013 Caldecott Honor Book
2013 Notable Children's Book
New York Times Best Seller
Junior Library Guild Selection
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |