Books with author Elisa Kleven

Winter's gray chill has set in and everyone misses the sun-especially the baker. So she decides to bring some warmth to the town by making sun bread. And as the bread bakes, rising hot and delicious, everyone comes out to share in its goodness. Everyone, including the sun itself. With a lilting, rhyming text, colorful illustrations, and a recipe for baking your own sun bread, this tasty treat from the illustrator of the best-selling Abuela is just right for all ages to enjoy.

From an author whose work is said to “burgeon with joy,” here is a gentle mystery about a silent, gallant lion and a sweetly cheerful bird—two friends who are attracted to each other through the universal language of art. Elisa uses watercolor, gouache, ink, colored pencils, pastels, markers, and crayons to collage this charming and colorful tale. “Illustrated with mixed-media collages so richly colored and textured that readers will want to feel the pages.”—Kirkus Reviews (pointered review) “A sweet and captivating book with gorgeous illustrations. Its story line and artwork both have unusual and unexpected qualities that work together to generate a magical, light mood.”—School Library Journal (starred review) ABA-CBC Children’s Books Mean Business and Kansas State Reading Circle

When Shirley bakes herself a gingerbread treat to bring to school, the last thing she expects is for him to leap out of her lunchbox and begin gobbling everything in sight. A wild chase ensues—on foot and by cable car—through iconic San Francisco neighborhoods including the Mission, Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf. Will Shirley be able to catch the gingerbread boy before he eats up the whole city? Friendship is at the heart of this retelling of the classic folktale. A recipe for (non-magical) gingerbread treats is included.

Claire, a glasswing butterfly whose transparent wings reflect her lush home, finds herself lost in the city after being separated from her family. She doesn’t know how they will ever see her, but she finds new city friends, a pigeon, an ant, and a ladybug, who search for the flowers Claire needs to live. They come upon a tiny urban garden, and as Claire drinks from the flowers’ nectar, she pollinates more flowers. Soon the garden—and Claire's clear wings—fill with color, allowing her family to recognize her at last. Together they create an oasis for all to enjoy. Facts about glasswing butterflies and pollination complete this beautiful and educational picture book. Kleven’s latest offering is as colorful and delicate as a butterfly’s wings—a treasure that can be cherished for years.

Clara picks an adorable dog pinata for her birthday party. She names him Lucky, and he becomes her constant companion. When the big day finally comes, she doesn't want to let everybody break him. But if Clara keeps Lucky as a pet, she won't have a pinata at her party. Luckily her friend, Samson, comes to the rescue with a wonderful solution -- and a different pinata that nobody will mind breaking. Elisa Kleven's lively, multicolored collage art is the perfect compliment to this joyful birthday story about the power of imagination.* "There is not a wrong note in this wonderful, upbeat picture book. . . Magical yet full of warmth and homey details, the pictures are a seamless blending of watercolor, ink, and cut paper. Alive with color, pattern, and shape, they'll keep even the most easily distractible child fascinated." --Booklist, starred review

Elisa Kleven's beloved little blue crocodile, Ernst, stars in this story about two brothers. While sensible Sol collects things like feathers and shells, Ernst has a more whimsical approach: He wants to collect puddles and all they reflect--clouds, stripes, colors, and stars. Ernst's imagination soars once he begins his amazing collection. Two brothers have very different ideas about what to collect--one likes bottlecaps, the other likes...puddles! Elisa Kleven's second book featuring Ernst, the inquisitive crocodile. Previous editions sold 28,000 copiesWill appeal to budding naturalists and collectors.

A gust of wind sends a paper princess flying. "Wait! I didn't finish you," cries the little girl who made her. "I'll finish myself," calls the princess, and the wind carries her away, over a meadow and a river, to a carnival and a town, until finally she finds her way home. "Elisa Kleven's mixed-media collages are a kaleidoscope of color and activity, encompassing a vast, multiracial cast of happy people?" (Publishers Weekly). "The best book yet from this talented author/illustrator, and one that children will love." —School Library Journal, starred reviewElisa Kleven's award-winning picture books include her own Ernst and The Lion and the Little Red Bird, the illustrations for Abuela, by Arthur Dorros, and her most recent book for Dutton, The Puddle Pail. She lives near San Francisco, California.

Lizzy loves the big apple tree in her yard more than anything. So when the first day of school comes, she picks a beautiful apple, turns it into a makeshift doll she names Susanna, and takes it along to keep her company. But her teacher tells her that dolls aren't allowed at school. Even worse, her sister says that Susanna won't last forever. Then Lizzy's mom shows her a way to turn Susanna into a real apple doll. And with the help of Susanna the Apple Doll, Lizzy overcomes her shyness at school and makes plenty of new friends to bring home to play in her beloved apple tree. Detailed, delightful collage illustrations accompany this sweet story about one girl's success in bringing together her home world and her school world. Instructions for making an apple doll just like Susanna are included!