ANIMAL COUNTDOWN

(coming soon!)

ANIMAL COUNTDOWN
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Holiday House/September 2024

Animals are hiding in this book—can you guess which ones? Lift the frames to find out. When you’ve met all ten, keep reading to learn more about them.

Two-time Caldecott Honoree Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s distinctive artwork entrances in this three-in-one counting book, guessing game, and kid-friendly introduction to some of the Earth’s most interesting endangered creatures.

THE HIDDEN ALPHABET (3rd Edition)

(coming soon!)

THE HIDDEN ALPHABET
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Holiday House/September 2024
(Other editions: 1st edition/October 2003, 2nd edition/December 2010)

First published in 2003, and now reissued by popular demand, here is a fresh and imaginative way to look at the alphabet. Turn to the first page of this book a and you’ll be greeted by a picture of an arrowhead, surrounded by a simple black frame. Once you lift the frame you’ll find that the arrowhead is magically transformed into the letter A. And so it goes, from Balloons, Clouds, and Door though Leaf, and Mice to Yoke and Zipper. 

Bold distinctive images and a simple yet ingenious format make this an alphabet book to treasure.

RED

RED
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Holiday House/October 2021

Dark Red,
Light Red,
Lost red,
Bright red.

Anger, fear, hostility, and ultimately love all figure in the tale of a young fox trying to return to his family. In this companion to the Caldecott Honor Book Green and the highly acclaimed Blue, Laura Vaccaro Seeger once again turns her attention to the ways in which color evokes emotion. Ingenious die-cuts propel the eye from page to page, making for a powerful conclusion to a rich and satisfying trilogy.

(awards)
Bank Street College of Education Best Book of 2022
Winner – 2022 Zena Sutherland Award for Best Illustrated Picture Book

(reviews)
starred review/Kirkus
“Evokes readers’ empathetic pangs… Gorgeous… Lush illustrations, sensitive interconnections, and subtle visual clues unite all three outstanding volumes...”

starred review/SLJ School Library Journal
“Masterful… unique… powerful… immersive… Red expresses a myriad of strong emotions, from longing, pain, and rage to a final contrast conveying the warmth of kindness in an example of a young girl’s care for the fox’s freedom… Wrapped in the heavy, honest tensions ­between color and ­emotion, Seeger emboldens children to connect with the young fox’s story and feel the raw consequence of ­humans’ indifferent influence on the environment.”

starred review/Booklist
”A worthy companion to its two acclaimed thematic predecessors, Green and Blue… hues of red drive the illustrations… and brings with it associations as varied as anger, courage, danger, joy, and love. Seeger’s thickly painted illustrations deftly convey these myriad emotions… strategically placed die-cuts add interest to the already involving tale of a youngster trying to find its way home.”

starred review/Shelf Awareness
”Ravishing… Seeger pairs the sparest rhyming text with lovingly labored-over die-cut art… each spread wears its brushstrokes with pride... the technique reminds attentive readers of the human presence behind Red, which aligns with the book's message: while the specter of danger looms over the fox, human kindness prevails… a mind-expanding triad… gorgeous…”

featured review/The Wall Street Journal
”Laura Vaccaro Seeger has created meaning and serendipity from the permutations
of a single nuance.”

starred review/CCBC 2022 Choices Best Book
”Each double-page spread has just two words of text, describing not only the variations in the colors of red but also the overall ambience and feelings the fox experiences… Seeger’s acrylic paintings have both depth and texture as they showcase the many shades of red and the emotional tenor of the story.

Horn Book
”The painterly acrylic images immerse viewers in the fox’s world and trials, from it trailing the pack to becoming lost to enduring hunger, injury, and capture, until its eventual return to its family… the story is an anytime one, the fox a stand-in for anyone going through trouble on the way to security.”

WHY?

WHY?
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Holiday House/August 2019

A plucky rabbit is endlessly fascinated by everything his friend, a bear, is up to. Whether it’s watering flowers, stargazing, or snacking on some honey, he asks the unchanging, inevitable question:

Why?

But sometimes, his friend just doesn’t know why.

From the two-time Caldecott and Geisel Honor Book winner, Laura Vaccaro Seeger comes this disarmingly simple story about a rabbit eager to understand everything about the world around him, and his patient friend who usually, but not always, has all the answers.

(awards)
Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibit Selection, 2019/2020
American Library Association Children’s Notable Book, 2020
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2020

(reviews)
starred review/Booklist
“One of Seeger's great talents is distilling a child's concerns to their essence… Lovely, focused watercolor illustrations… This celebration of friendship, which Seeger moves seamlessly through the seasons, gives children the opportunity to intuit that, while things change, there is also stability in love and relationships. A poignant ending reiterates that bond, which will be touching for children who like to ask plenty of questions and for the adults on whose laps they sit.”

starred review/Kirkus
“Seeger’s patterned text invites readers to tease out what the friends’ spare conversation leaves unsaid, scanning for clues among the pictures. Comic moments… poignant… communion of friendship lights much of life’s path.”

starred review/Shelf Awareness

“…Satisfying, touching, delightful… the story's impact is vast… beautifully detailed watercolor illustrations feature expertly blended soft colors, creating an inviting trek through woodlands--the lush textures of grass, wonderfully puffy clouds and snow make the feel of nature almost palpable. And bear and rabbit each exhibit extensive emotions through subtle, soulful facial expressions… readers are sure to find plenty of reasons to adore this charming picture book.”

School Library Journal
“Seeger’s slightly anthropomorphized characters eloquently convey their feelings through body language… Illustrations and text meld to provide a rich one-on-one reading experience that will be particularly resonate for any adult who has cared for a child in the ‘why’ phase.”

starred review/BookPage
“This reassuring tale, rendered via watercolors on a lush, green palette, isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions (or in this case, one big question), suggesting that love can persist in the face of loss. Even young readers who have yet to experience loss will find resonance in this quiet story in which answers may not come easy—but steadfastness does.”

Publishers Weekly
”Satisfying, idyllic, radiant, translucent, beautiful…”

recommended book/BCCB - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
”Tender… concise… sweet… The soft, dappled watercolors and furrily sketched linework make for utterly huggable illustrations… Its endearing charm will ensure solid lapsit cuddles.”

CBC - Children’s Book Council - Bulletin
”…a disarmingly simple story about the lovable characters Bear and the unfailingly curious Rabbit… In this beautifully produced, tactile book with hugely expressive characters, Laura Vaccaro Seeger both departs from her signature style by dabbling for the first time in watercolor and creates a simple and engaging story with big emotional impact.”

BLUE

Click here to watch the book trailer (with original music by Dylan Seeger)

BLUE
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/September 2018

How many shades of blue are there?

There's the soft blue of a baby's blanket, the ocean blue of a romp in the waves, the chilly blue of a walk in the snow, and the true blue of the bond that exists between children and animals.

In this companion to her Caldecott Honor Book Green, award-winning artist Laura Vaccaro Seeger turns her attention to the ways in which color evokes emotion and in doing so tells the story of one special and enduring friendship.

(awards)
American Library Association Children’s Notable Book, 2019
Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibit Selection, 2018/2019
School Library Journal Best Books of 2018
NPR Best Books of 2018
Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2018
Washington Post Best Books of 2018
Wall Street Journal Best Books of 2018
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2018
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2018
Amazon Best Books of 2018
Evanston Public Library Best Books of 2018
Winner Wanda Gág Read Aloud Award Honor Book, 2019

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
“The pictures and words will appeal to readers’ emotions, including delight, contentment, exasperation, and profound sadness when the youth is pictured holding his elderly dog for the last time... Precisely placed die-cuts lead readers to the next page and the next illustration depicting the pair’s devotion... A tribute to a heartwarming relationship that will engage readers of all ages."

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Seeger unfolds the entwined lives of a boy and a golden Lab, from baby- and puppy-hood through a series of poignant transitions... Delightful, sumptuous, stunning, and heart-stirring.”

starred review/Booklist
“A story full of heart, this works on many levels, assuring satisfying discoveries with repeated viewings.”

starred review/Horn Book
“Inventive... Surprising... A celebration... When was the last time a concept book made you cry?”

featured article/Kirkus Magazine
“Laura Vaccaro Seeger is one of the most talented creators of concept books for young children... BLUE is a tender, emotionally compelling story... Surprises at each page turn... Poignant, deeply felt... An intimate book, a bittersweet meditation on love and loss that ends with hope and the promise of a healing heart. Don’t miss this one.”

featured review/New York Times
”If the state of the world or anything else is putting you in need of a good cry, I recommend Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s BLUE… the phrases all include the word blue — “chilly blue,” “true blue” — the better to show off Seeger’s thick, brushy art and die-cut holes, which are reminiscent of her Caldecott Honor-winning “Green.” The ending made both me and my husband cry. Tempus fugit, but especially, it seems, when you love a dog.”

featured review/Wall Street Journal
“Tender… Complex… Artful… An emotional tour de force that sneaks up on the reader, and when it’s over, all but demands to be read again straightaway.”

featured review/Washington Post
“Seeger’s rich, layered acrylic paintings and 16 two-word phrases form a poem about a particularly sweet lifelong friendship. With its gentle portrayal of love and loss and its deep sense of emotion, Blue will resonate with readers in a way that is musical, meditative, and reassuring.”

starred review/Judy Freeman’s “What’s New In Children’s Literature”
“Wow. That’s what you’ll say when you finish reading and taking in the sweeping full-bleed acrylic paintings in Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s dazzling companion book to her Caldecott Honor-winner, Green. Just, wow! And then you’ll go back and dive in again. Then you’ll look for someone you can share it with… A magnificent to behold.”

outstanding merit/starred review/Bank Street College of Education
“In an emotional story of love, death, and new life, shades of blue portray a life-long friendship between a boy and his dog. Expressive illustrations.”

SNOW SCENE

SNOW SCENE
Words by Richard Jackson/Pictures by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/September 2017

Do you know about snow? 
Winter scenery, summer greenery?
About the out of doors?
Then this book should be yours.

(awards)
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2018
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2018

(reviews)
featured review/New York Times
"This fourth book from the former children’s editor Jackson romps around outdoors, its few, coy words inviting readers to look harder at the lovely textured acrylic paintings by Seeger (“First the Egg,” Green”), a two-time Caldecott Honor winner..."

starred and featured review/Publishers Weekly
"... Readers move through and out of winter in a series of seamlessly connected acrylic paintings on canvas... A simultaneously playful and meditative riff on how interconnected - and fleeting - the seasons are."

Kirkus Reviews
"... Verbal and visual cues work together to prompt connections from one double-page spread to the next as spare text combines with lush, painterly acrylic illustrations to deliver a contemplative picture book. A lushly quiet read."

featured spotlight review/School Library Journal
"...This perfect marriage of stunning illustrations and brief, often rhyming text in a question-and-answer format that will engage the lap set from the start is a first purchase."

recommended book/Horn Book
"The entire book appears to be painted as if it were one long panorama spanning not just space but time. In the final spread, the children look at a distant mountain capped with snow. The text reads, “And will you look at that?” / “Winter’s hat!” So yes, it really is one continuous scene that begins and ends with snow. Clever! A book that should keep children thinking and noticing long after the initial guessing game has been completed."

starred review/Bank Street College of Education
"Beautiful... whimsical... expressive...

DOG AND BEAR; DOG CHANGES HIS NAME (Board Book Edition)

DOG AND BEAR; DOG CHANGES HIS NAME (Board Book Edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/February 2017

A sweet, funny story from the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner, Dog and Bear; Two Friends, Three Stories.
Dog wants to change his name, but to what? Can his best friend, Bear, help him figure out what his new name should be?

(awards)
Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Winner Best Picture Book, 2007
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2008
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, 2007
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2007
Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Best Books of the Year, 2007
Oprah’s Book Club Kids Recommended Book, 2008
Philadelphia Inquirer Best Books of the Year, 2007
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2007
Illinois Monarch Award, 2008
Children’s Choice Award, 2008

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
“The eye-catching artwork shines with humor and warmth… Endearing… Told with simplicity and charm.”

starred review/Horn Book
“Stories about a pair of friends almost always hark back to the enduring richness found in Lobel’s FROG AND TOAD tales.  This duo is worthy of the comparison.”

starred review/Publishers Weekly
“… As inventive and fresh as Seeger’s HIDDEN ALPHABET, the three gentle stories in this inspired collection are utterly charming… After turning the last page, young readers will beg ‘Read to me again!’ for this enchanting trio of tales.”

starred review/Booklist
“Seeger, whose BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! was a 2007 Booklist Editors’ Choice, introduces a pair of endearing animal friends in this winning picture book… Perfectly paced for new readers who will love the dose of humor at each story’s close… Charming.”

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Seeger moves from the concept book she has become known for to the classic friendship book with ease, her just-right dialogue developing her characters swiftly and cleanly… A happy crossover between early readers and read-alouds.”

board book edition review/School Library Journal
"... Both stories end on a quirky, deeply satisfying note, and the textured images of the expressive characters, elegantly placed against a white background, are a delight."

DOG AND BEAR; BEAR IN THE CHAIR (Board Book Edition)

DOG AND BEAR; BEAR IN THE CHAIR (Board Book Edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/February 2017

A sweet, funny story from the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner, Dog and Bear; Two Friends, Three Stories.
Bear is stuck high in a chair and only his best friend, Dog, can help. But how will they get Bear's feet back on the ground?

(awards)
Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Winner Best Picture Book, 2007
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2008
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, 2007
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2007
Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Best Books of the Year, 2007
Oprah’s Book Club Kids List Recommended Book, 2008
Philadelphia Inquirer Best Books of the Year, 2007
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2007
Illinois Monarch Award, 2008
Children’s Choice Award, 2008

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
“The eye-catching artwork shines with humor and warmth… Endearing… Told with simplicity and charm.”

starred review/Horn Book
“Stories about a pair of friends almost always hark back to the enduring richness found in Lobel’s FROG AND TOAD tales.  This duo is worthy of the comparison.”

starred review/Publishers Weekly
“… As inventive and fresh as Seeger’s HIDDEN ALPHABET, the three gentle stories in this inspired collection are utterly charming… After turning the last page, young readers will beg ‘Read to me again!’ for this enchanting trio of tales.”

starred review/Booklist
“Seeger, whose BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! was a 2007 Booklist Editors’ Choice, introduces a pair of endearing animal friends in this winning picture book… Perfectly paced for new readers who will love the dose of humor at each story’s close… Charming.”

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Seeger moves from the concept book she has become known for to the classic friendship book with ease, her just-right dialogue developing her characters swiftly and cleanly… A happy crossover between early readers and read-alouds.”

board book edition review/School Library Journal
"... Both stories end on a quirky, deeply satisfying note, and the textured images of the expressive characters, elegantly placed against a white background, are a delight."

ONE BOY (2nd Edition)

ONE BOY (2nd Edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/April 2016
(Other editions: 1st edition/October 2008

ONE BOY, ALL ALONE. TWO SEALS AT THE SEA.
With this innovative counting book that also introduces the concept of words within words, an award-winning author once again breaks new ground.

(awards)
2009 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2009
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, 2008
ALA Book Links Lasting Connections Best Books of 2008
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2008
Booklist Editor’s Choice, 2008
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2008
NCTE Notable Children’s Book, 2008
South Dakota Prairie Bud Award, 2008

(reviews)
starred review/Publishers Weekly
“Seeger is as innovative as ever, improving a standard-issue concept with a game of words inside words.”

starred review/School Library Journal
“Seeger’s ability to transform everyday words and objects into an amazing picture book continues… Seeger has engineered a tribute to wordplay that is unmatched.”

starred review/Booklist
“Seeger brings her considerable ingenuity to another clever picture book that works on many levels… A delight.”

Horn Book
“Intriguing… For small children learning to count and older ones learning to read… This is ‘one to grow on.”

Kirkus Reviews
“Clever… Playful… Unpredictable.”

BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! (2nd Edition)

BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! (2nd Edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/April 2016
(Other editions: 1st edition/October 2006)

Having explored the alphabet (THE HIDDEN ALPHABET), colors (LEMONS ARE NOT RED), and emotions (WALTER WAS WORRIED), Laura Vaccaro Seeger now turns her extraordinary talents to opposites in this bright, colorful, and imaginative book. 

Here, through a series of ingenious die-cut pages, the reader discovers that things are not always what they seem.  A black bat is transformed into a white ghost.  A sunny day magically becomes a starry night. 

Posed as a series of 18 questions and answers, BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! is sure to be a big success with small children everywhere.

(awards)
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2007
Child Magazine Best Books of 2006
Nick Jr./Family Magazine Best Books of 2006
Booklist Editor’s Choice, 2006
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2006
BookSense Pick of the Lists Book, 2006
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2007
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children, 2007
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2006
Pennsylvania Center for the Book “Baker’s Dozen”, 2006
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2006

(reviews)
starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Using the same format as her stunning HIDDEN ALPHABET, Seeger presents readers with another eye-catching concept book… From beginning to end, another winner from Seeger.”

starred review/School Library Journal
“Opposites attract and expand in this playful celebration.”

starred review/Booklist
“Children will be captivated from the very first page… From front to back and beginning to end, this is a winner.”

Horn Book
“Classy… Appealing… Clever… A thoughtful, well-packaged offering.”

Publishers Weekly
“This playful volume banks on uncertainty and surprise… The question marks and exclamation points remind readers to keep inquiring in this satisfying package.”

recommended/Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“No doubt there’s a language-arts lesson here for the taking, but expect it to be trumped by the sheer inventiveness of the presentation.”

WALTER WAS WORRIED (2nd Edition)

WALTER WAS WORRIED (2nd Edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/April 2016
(Other editions: 1st edition/September 2005)

With the originality and verve that marked THE HIDDEN ALPHABET and LEMONS ARE NOT RED, Laura Vaccaro Seeger once again creates a distinctive book for young children.

On the first page the reader is greeted by the title sequence.  Opposite the text is a portrait of a very worried Walter.  But wait!  The very letters that spell worried form his facial features as well as his expression!  Gradually a simple story unfolds as other characters are introduced, and the sky grows dark, the fog rolls in, lightning strikes, and thunder shakes the trees…

(awards)
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2006
Child Magazine Best Books of 2005
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2005
IRA Children’s Choice Best Book, 2006
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2005

(reviews)
School Library Journal
“Inventive… There is surprising depth in this wonderful collaboration of art and story.”

recommended/Children’s Literature
“Another extraordinary alphabet-based book from Laura Vaccaro Seeger… WALTER WAS WORRIED has it all: alliteration, story line, vivid paintings, and the most unique use of alphabet letters.”

Kirkus Reviews
“Moods can change as quickly as the weather, and this innovative concept book cleverly illustrates the range and volatility of both… Lovely muted paintings… Opportunities for read-aloud abound here.”

Publishers Weekly
“Seeger gives new meaning to the word typeface!”

LEMONS ARE NOT RED (2nd Edition)

LEMONS ARE NOT RED (2nd Edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/April 2016
(Other editions: 1st edition/November 2004)

Laura Vaccaro Seeger introduces young children to the world of color in this simple, original, and utterly beguiling book.  As red lemons magically turn yellow, purple carrots turn orange, and white reindeer turn brown young readers’ faces are sure to break into smiles.

(awards)
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2005
Child Magazine Best Books of 2004
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2004
CBS This Morning Best Books for Gift Giving, 2004
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Best Books of 2004
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children, 2005
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2004

(reviews)
starred review/Publishers Weekly
“Having expertly explored letters in THE HIDDEN ALPHABET, Seeger once again delivers a compositionally faultless primer.”

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Seeger has done marvelous things with her brushwork, from impasto to shimmering smoothness… Clever, imaginative, and utterly beguiling.”

recommended/Children’s Literature
“This delightful, wonderfully illustrated book is fun and engaging… A must-have for any collection.”

School Library Journal
“This offering will delight preschoolers.”

Horn Book
“The colors and textures are nearly edible.”

I Used To Be Afraid

I USED TO BE AFRAID
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/September 2015

Spiders can be scary, but their webs can be beautiful.
The dark can be scary, but it helps you see the stars.
Being alone can be scary, but you can always find comfort in unexpected places.
In this beautifully crafted book, a girl discovers that what seems scary at first can often become something wonderful.

(awards)
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2016
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2015

(reviews)
starred review/Publishers Weekly
“Visually dramatic... Seeger uses striking acrylic hues, chunky shapes, and a resolute voice to suggest that fears (even those involving big brothers) can be overcome... This book suggests big determination.”

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Fresh... Lush... Striking... Clever... Honest... Outstanding.”

starred review/Horn Book
"Seeger uses rich color and intriguing die-cuts in a picture book that will resonate emotionally for many children... Enticing..."

School Library Journal
“A wonderful story to engender a discussion about being afraid and possibly even inspire its young audience to conquer their own fears.”

featured book/New York Times
“A cut-out on each spread adds emphasis to the shift in mood or perception when the page is turned, and the ending gently shows that fear can often be laughed away. Beautifully complex. Perfect for little hands.”

featured book/BookPage
"Rich... Wonder... Honest and straightforward, this is an engaging read for young children, especially those experiencing big transitions in life. Never fear: This is a book well worth your time."

featured book/Boston Globe
"Smartly designed... Transformative... The quiet genius of this book lies in its revelatory images."

Book of the Week/CCBC
"One of the marvelous things about Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s picture book is that it leaves plenty of space to think and talk about what is happening. Seeger is masterful at offering just the right amount of information and leaving it up to young readers and listeners to decide how to fill in the blanks."

Dog and Bear; Tricks and Treats

DOG AND BEAR; TRICKS AND TREATS
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/July 2014

Dog and Bear are back in three new Halloween stories that are sure to entertain and delight their many fans and win them new ones. Join them as they search for the perfect costume, hand out candy to trick-or-treaters (or not!), and then go trick-or-treating themselves.

(reviews)
featured review/New York Times
"In three new mini-stories, the beloved patchwork bear and his loyal dachshund friend bumble their way through Halloween... these little stories are a wonder of concision, perfect timing and simple, spot-on illustration."

starred review/Shelf Awareness
"Once again, Seeger proves she's a master of minimalism, allowing the barest of text and abundant white space to keep the focus on the two friends and the words and concepts young readers are acquiring. This is all treat."

Kirkus Reviews
"Hilarious... All the elements that have made these series titles such a hit are here... It's equally appealing as a read-aloud for the preschool set or as a well-formatted reader for children practicing their new skills. Seeger's tricks are readers' treats." 

School Library Journal
"The two friends are always ready to help each other out with a smile and laugh... A wonderful choice for bedtime reading... This is a great addition to Halloween collections, as it focuses on the fun, rather than the fright, of the holiday." 

Publishers Weekly
"Seeger skillfully sketches the characters' emotions and humor, and the 'gotcha' zingers that wrap up all three stories will leave readers with a smile." 

Booklist
"The funny surprises will fool young readers, who will be delighted when the jokes are revealed... Colorful illustrations in acrylic paint and India ink complement the spare text in this appealing presentation about the favorite twosome." 

board book edition review/School Library Journal
"... Both stories end on a quirky, deeply satisfying note, and the textured images of the expressive characters, elegantly placed against a white background, are a delight."

Bully

BULLY
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/August 2013

Bully doesn't have a kind word for any of his friends.
What will it take for a little bull to realize he's being a big bully?

(awards)
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2014
Boston Globe Best Books of 2013
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2014
CBC/NCSS Notable Book, 2014
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2014
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children, 2014

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
"The anti-bullying message comes across clearly without being heavy-handed or didactic. The arc of the bull’s experience engenders discussion and encourages the quest for satisfying solutions." 

starred review/Publishers Weekly
"Seeger’s pages pop with action, and the lesson couldn’t be clearer.”

starred review/Booklist
"Intelligently conceived and beautifully executed, this picture book is visually and verbally pared down to essentials, making it accessible to a wide age range. Yet for all its simplicity, this story opens up a number of complex issues for discussion.”

starred review/Shelf Awareness
"Seeger digs deeply into the emotional lives of youngest children with an honest picture book that acknowledges cruelty's vicious cycle. Seeger both acknowledges that bullying can start early in childhood, but also shows that a little kindness can go a long way to reverse its effects."

Horn Book
"Showing that she can be just as clever with words as she is with images, Seeger takes on name-calling in this barnyard drama. Perfect for the preschool set, the book is deceptively simple at first glance, but, as with name-calling itself, there is a lot going on beneath the surface."

Kirkus Reviews
"Characteristically impeccable design distinguishes Seeger’s latest..."

New York Times
"Seeger uses little text and deceptively simple images to say a lot... What's lovely about BULLY is that the little bull is a sympathetic character throughout... Seeger offers children a way to root for him..."

Washington Post
"This title packs a punch, or perhaps a pat on the shoulder... Beginning with the stop-sign-red cover sporting an angry brown bull, Seeger signals her intent to tackle an ugly subject, carefully calibrating it for the very youngest... BULLY elucidates not only how the dynamic of name-calling works but where it might begin and how it might be ended... Context is everything... When the final spread shows an opening in the fence, it’s far more than a casual design element: It’s a gate through which the bull and his newfound friends walk into an altered reality... A complicated idea brought into focus through utter simplicity."

Book of the Week/CCBC
"Visually eloquent... Intent is everything here... Seeger leaves plenty of space for readers of the words and pictures to observe, reflect upon, and discuss the characters thoughts, feelings, and actions... The bold illustrations are complex in terms of gesture and feeling."

Boston Globe
"There is beauty and wisdom in simplicity, and Caldecott-Honor winning Seeger has mastered the art of getting down to basics."

Green

GREEN
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/March 2012

How many kinds of green are there?

There’s the lush green of a forest on a late spring day, the fresh, juicy green of a just-cut lime, the incandescent green of a firefly, and the vivid aquamarine of a tropical sea.

In her newest book, Caldecott and Geisel Honor Book author Laura Vaccaro Seeger fashions an homage to a single color and, in doing so, creates a book that will delight and, quite possibly, astonish you.

(awards)
2013 Caldecott Honor Book
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2013
New York Times Best Seller
Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2012
Booklist Best Books of 2012
Kirkus Best Books of 2012
Wall Street Journal Best Books of 2012
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2012
Parents Magazine 10 Best Books of 2012
Children’s Book of the Month Club selection, 2012
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2012
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2012
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children, 2013
Winner – 2013 Zena Sutherland Award for Best Picture Book
Winner – 2013 Giverny Award

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
“Perfectly paced and visually exciting… it represents picture book making at its very best.“

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Lovely, inventive, engrossing and interactive…”

starred review/Horn Book
“With a color as politically weighted as this one, what could have been a hit-‘em-over-the-head message is instead left open-ended, allowing the book to work for very young children (for whom the “never green” red stop sign could be taken at face value) or for an older audience willing to speculate on ecological issues and sustainability… A triumph of artistic problem-solving…”

starred review/Publishers Weekly
“Seeger’s skill at creating simple yet wonderfully effective concept books, as well as her mastery of die-cuts that delight in unexpected and ingenious ways, are in full evidence in this salute to the color green.”

starred review/Booklist
“Beguiling… beautifully designed… lush… Seeger could have pushed her greens onto a predictable ecological pathway, she doesn’t force an environmental message, letting the richness of the natural world speak for itself… This is a book for turning pages, pointing, looking, talking— fun!”

New York Times Book Review
“Luxurious… Deceptively simple… Gorgeous…”

Wall Street Journal
“Subtle cutouts on each richly painted page create an almost mystical sense of continuity …”

recommended/CCBC
“Gorgeous… Lush… Artful… Playful… Transformative…”

Dog And Bear; Two Friends, Three Stories (My Readers Edition)

DOG AND BEAR; TWO FRIENDS, THREE STORIES (My Readers edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/April 2012
(Other editions: 1st edition/April 2007)

What do a frisky dachshund and a slightly timid stuffed bear have in common?  They are best friends.  Here are three funny, beguiling and meltingly tender stories about the ups and downs of friendship, ideal for emergent readers to read all by themselves, or better yet, to share with a friend.

(awards)
Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Winner Best Picture Book, 2007
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2008
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, 2007
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2007
Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Best Books of the Year, 2007
Oprah’s Book Club Kids List Recommended Book, 2008
Philadelphia Inquirer Best Books of the Year, 2007
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2007
Illinois Monarch Award, 2008
Children’s Choice Award, 2008

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
“The eye-catching artwork shines with humor and warmth… Endearing… Told with simplicity and charm.”

starred review/Horn Book
“Stories about a pair of friends almost always hark back to the enduring richness found in Lobel’s FROG AND TOAD tales.  This duo is worthy of the comparison.”

starred review/Publishers Weekly
“… As inventive and fresh as Seeger’s HIDDEN ALPHABET, the three gentle stories in this inspired collection are utterly charming… After turning the last page, young readers will beg ‘Read to me again!’ for this enchanting trio of tales.”

starred review/Booklist
“Seeger, whose BLACK? WHITE! DAY? NIGHT! was a 2007 Booklist Editors’ Choice, introduces a pair of endearing animal friends in this winning picture book… Perfectly paced for new readers who will love the dose of humor at each story’s close… Charming.”

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Seeger moves from the concept book she has become known for to the classic friendship book with ease, her just-right dialogue developing her characters swiftly and cleanly… A happy crossover between early readers and read-alouds.”

The Hidden Alphabet (2nd Edition)

THE HIDDEN ALPHABET (2nd edition)
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/December 2010
(Other editions: 1st edition/October 2003)

Here is a fresh and imaginative way to look at the alphabet.  Turn to the first page and you’ll be greeted by a picture of an arrowhead, surrounded by a simple black frame.  Once you lift the frame, you’ll find the arrowhead is magically transformed into the letter A.  And so it goes, from Balloons, Cloud, and Door through Leaf and Mice to Yolk and Zipper.  
Bold distinctive images and a simple yet ingenious format make this an alphabet book to treasure.

(awards)
American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, 2004
Child Magazine Best Books of 2003
New York Public Library Best Books for Giving and Sharing, 2003
NBC Today Show Best Books for Gift Giving, 2003
Kirkus Best Books of 2003
Children’s Literature Choices Best Books, 2004
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children, 2004
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2003
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction, 2003

(reviews)
starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“An outstanding alphabet book… Each page comes as an ingenious surprise… Beautifully designed, fascinating to browse and eminently successful.”

starred review/Publishers Weekly
“An artful ABC… A sophisticated presentation… The design is unerringly elegant.”

starred review/School Library Journal
“HIDDEN ALPHABET is a visual delight… Seeger’s sophisticated paintings make this a fascinating artistic experience as well as a learning opportunity.”

Horn Book
“A concept book with a capital C… This is great bookmaking, and a
snazzy-though sophisticated-addition to the alphabet bookshelf.“

Booklist
“Striking graphic design… A book that manages to be both child friendly and visually exciting.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Each page is executed with polish and panache…This is begging for use in art class.”

What If?

WHAT IF?
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/April 2010

What if a boy found a beach ball and kicked it into the ocean?
What if two seals found it and began to play?
What if a third seal appeared looking for a friend?

In this spare and deceptively simple book, Laura Vaccaro Seeger uses the same premise and tells it three ways, each with subtle variations that highlight the possibility in possibilities.
Painted in the bright, sunny palette of a day at the seashore, What if? is both a tribute to the myriad opportunities that each moment holds and a triumph of innovative storytelling.

(awards)
School Library Journal Best Books of 2010
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2010
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2010
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2010

(reviews)
starred review/School Library Journal
“The artist marries the charm of her Dog and Bear books with the thick color washes of First the Egg to create something new and yet familiar… Masterful.”

starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Simply gorgeous.“

starred review/Horn Book
“A visual knockout… Another superb offering from this master picture book creator – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

starred review/Publishers Weekly
“An outside-the-box book about friendship… Deceptively simple and creative introduction to the structure of stories and how simple it is to be a good friend.”

Booklist
“A stirring offering… It’s the work of an artist who never overplays her hand, and the brushstrokes and possibly even finger strokes evident in the colorful paint give it an even deeper sense of intimacy.”

recommended/Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“So inviting… Delightful.”

Dog and Bear; Three to Get Ready

DOG AND BEAR; THREE TO GET READY
Written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan/August 2009

Dog and Bear are back in three spanking new stories about a troublesome bucket, a very bouncy bed, and a lost sock monkey.  All are sure to push your giggle button and touch your heart.

(awards)
CCBC Choices Best Books of 2009

(reviews)
starred review/Kirkus Reviews
“Wonderful as ever… The pacing is perfect… Seeger continues to set a high standard for picture books.  Superb.“

School Library Journal
“This pitch-perfect addition to the much-honored annals of impetuous Dog and careful Bear’s friendship will find a ready and delighted audience… Joyfully distilled in minimal dialogue and Seeger’s trademark use of bright, bold color… Listeners, emerging readers, children have a treat in store.“

Publishers Weekly
“The simple expressiveness of the friends’ mutual concern and Seeger’s inventive use of time and physical space adds to the duo’s magnetism.”

Horn Book
“Fresh and surprising… Super special.”