Time Out NY KIDS interview published

Well, last night was the first time I actually dreamed I was giving a book signing. Yep, the past few months have been all about publicity, and here's something that ought to help a great deal: I'm in Time Out New York KIDS this issue (August)! Carolyn Juris has written up a sweet little interview in which she covers all the books and delves into my mysterious past. And future.

So run out and buy a copy. I think I might get a new copy, too -- the cat walked on mine.

Cheers,
David

http://www.tonykids.com/

LEAVES: second starred review

Leaves has just garnered its second starred review, this time from School Library Journal. Here it is, in all its glory. Yippee!

*STEIN, David Ezra. Leaves. (Putnam 978-0-399-24636-4)

Simple, declarative sentences and expressive small-scale pictures blend beautifully in this sweet story about a young bear experiencing his first full cycle of seasons. Bamboo pen and earth-toned watercolors are used to great effect to depict the setting of a tiny island with a few trees. The serene scenes and streamlined story line reflect perfectly the gentle passage of time. The bear dances gracefully and happily as he picks flowers and absorbs the warmth of the sun: “Everything was going well.” Then the first autumn leaf drops, and he asks it, “Are you okay?” As leaves continue to fall, he leaps around trying to catch them; he even tries to reattach them to the branches. When he becomes sleepy, he carries a bunch of leaves to a hole and uses them to cover the entrance while he hibernates. Snow falls and blankets the ground; a fox trots by and a white rabbit peeks over the hillside. As yellow tones return to the sky, birds scratch for food in the melting snow. The bear looks out of his warm den and, when he sees the new green buds on the trees, he jumps out crying, “Welcome!” This introspective little gem exudes joy.

Can't wait till this comes out on August 16th!
– David

Cowboy Ned & Andy on iTunes

Howdy, buckaroos! Now you can hear Cowboy Ned & Andy, narrated by voice actor Ed Sala, right in your iTunes! Just go to the iTunes store and search for David Ezra Stein. It's too easy.

See ya round the ol' mp3 waterin' hole.
David

LEAVES gets starred review

My editor, Nancy Paulsen, just sent word that Kirkus Reviews has given LEAVES a starred review!

Here's the review in its entirety (from the July 15, 2007 issue):

*STAR* Stein, David Ezra. LEAVES. (Putnam 9780399246364)

A young bear observing his first autumn is captivated by the leaves as they change color from golden to amber. His exuberance and wonder change to worry and consternation when he is unable to replace the first leaf and those that follow to the bare branches. Instinct overtakes him as he gathers a paw full of leaves, finds and fills a hole and burrows in for the winter. When he awakens the following spring, he observes, to his relief, that the leaves have returned to the branches. Seasonal change and animal behavior are simply and freshly conveyed through a young child’s perspective with single-phrase captions and direct, vibrant watercolor illustrations. Bowed, listless branches echo little bear’s down-turned curved shoulders and eyes as he gives up his battle to replace the fallen leaves. Stein does not tread on ground where others often do in over explaining a complex concept. He understands and honors the young, curious mind and allows readers to share the joy of a discovery in text and illustration.

Woo hoo! Now I have to go out and hug some trees to thank them for their inspiration.

See ya in the woods,
David