There is hope on the horizon for parents of brainy youngsters with sophisticated reading tastes, even with a certain bespectacled boy wizard’s summer swan song. It’s arriving in the form of some classic tales getting an updated – or, in some cases, post-dated – treatment.

“Folk tales are wonderful reading,” says book expert Marie Bolchazy of Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, a company that specializes in classical books. “They often have all the elements that have made the Potter series so successful: fantastical stories, relatable heroes, suspenseful plot twists and moral lessons.”

For parents looking to fill the void the end of the Potter series may have left on their child’s reading list, Bolchazy offers the following suggestions:

“Slovak Tales for Young and Old” collects some of the Slovak traditions best-loved folk tales, translates them into modern English, and presents them in a single beautifully illustrated, bound edition. The compilation is so popular in the original Slovak that miniature leather-bound copies of the book were presented to President George Bush and Vladimir Putin when they met in Slovakia last year, Bolchazy says.

Pavol Dobsinsky, considered by many to be Slovakia’s Homer, first compiled and wrote down these tales from Slovakia’s rich oral tradition in the 19th century. Translated into modern English by Fulbright Scholar Lucy Bednar, the tales are beautifully illustrated by Martin Benka. The tales included in the collection fall into three categories: traditional fairy tales complete with magic spells, wicked stepmothers, dragons and journeys; animal tales featuring barnyard or forest creatures with human traits, including the ability to talk; and folk tales in which an ordinary person outwits an enemy, human or otherwise. The volume features the English translations in the front of the book followed by the same tales in the original Slovak.

Children who enjoy experiencing something familiar in a new way, might be thrilled to find “Cattus Petasatus,” “Quomodo Invidiosulus Nomine Grinchus Christi Natalem Abrogaverit” “Vere, Virginia, Sanctus Nicolaus est” or “Arbor Alma.” These are the Latin translations of Dr. Suess classics “The Cat in the Hat” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” and Shel Silverstein’s beloved children’s book “The Giving Tree.”

Complete with original artwork and the characters generations have come to love, each volume lovingly translates the original English prose into the language of the classics, and includes a Latin-English glossary. “Readers may be surprised to discover just how much Latin they know,” says Bolchazy.

The translations of the Dr. Seuss favorites echo the love of word play and the rhythmic narrative of the world’s best-selling author. The translation of “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” puts into Latin New York Sun editor Francis Pharcellus Church’s famous response to a simple question posed by Virginia O’Hanlon in 1897. The keepsake volume features text in Latin and English, and is handsomely scripted and charmingly illustrated. Silverstein’s timeless parable about selflessness and devotion of “The Giving Tree” creates a marriage of original artwork and grand Latin prose that captures the spirit of the holiday season.

For those interested in the German language, Hoffmann’s “Der Struwwelpeter,” Germany’s historically most popular children’s book, has now been translated into English and Latin and published as “Shock-Headed Peter” in a version that also contains the original German text and illustrations.

To learn more, or to order, visit www.bolchazy.com. Books can also be purchased at Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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The long awaited ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration for the “Becka and the Big Bubble” children’s book series is taking place this week. It is expected to be a highly attended event by local press, families, and community supporters. The authors will be signing their highly acclaimed books and there will be lots of fun activities planned for adults and children alike.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) November 8, 2007 — Barnes & Noble and authors, Gretchen Schomer Wendel and Adam Schomer, team up for the much anticipated book launch party at La Costa Resort & Spa (2100 Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92009) for the award winning series of books “Becka and the Big Bubble.” The event is this Thursday, November 8th from 5:45pm-8:30pm. At the free event, open to the public, one can “meet Becka”, be put inside a bubble by the Bubble Lady, enjoy complimentary drinks and food and walk away with a goodie bag full of spa items and much more.

Four books in the series will be released and available for purchase at the launch: “Becka and the Big Bubble, Becka Goes to India, Becka goes to San Francisco, Becka goes to the North Pole and the original Becka and the Big Bubble – All Around Town.” They are also available for purchase (SRP: $11.99) at Barnes & Noble and Borders Books and customers can order the books online through Wal-Mart, Target and Amazon.

The books: An acclaimed children’s book collection, “Becka and the Big Bubble” is a rhyming picture book about a confident girl who floats on magic bubbles to visit new and interesting places to experience different cities and cultures while learning life lessons.

“Giving and playing is what ‘Becka’ is all about. So we have teamed up with Barnes & Noble to have an amazing launch party for ‘Becka,’” says author Adam Schomer.

In addition, the entire “Becka” series has been selected by the Golden State Warriors basketball team in Oakland, CA for their outreach program and recently accepted by the San Diego Library where 33 branches will carry the books.

About The Authors: “Becka and the Big Bubble” books are written by brother and sister team Adam Schomer and Gretchen Schomer Wendel. A former Ivy-league soccer player at Cornell, Adam Schomer lives in Los Angeles and is both a writer and an actor. Gretchen Schomer Wendel is former television reporter and producer. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband and two young children. For more information, log onto www.bbBubble.com or call 760-815-1075.

“Becka and the Big Bubble”

Waterside Is Proud to Present a New Fantastic Series of Children’s Books

“Becka and the Big Bubble: All Around Town” – Becka blows a bubble and travels through town seeing all the townspeople, eventually flying up and beyond town to where the bubble pops. (SRP: $11.99)

“Becka and the Big Bubble: Becka Goes To The North Pole” – Becka flies her bubble past polar bears, flying reindeer, fields of milk & cookies, and eventually finds Santa’s secret workshop. (SRP: $11.99)

“Becka and the Big Bubble: Becka Goes To San Francisco” – Becka, along with good friend Ben, pops into San Francisco for a journey past sea lions, trolley cars, Haight-Ashbury, and the Golden Gate Park until they find a bubble to ride home on. (SRP: $11.99)

“Becka and the Big Bubble: Becka Goes To India” – Through grassy plains and mountains, Becka pops into India for a taste of new foods, customs, historical greats, music, and friendly faces. (SRP: $11.99)

Upcoming titles include:
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To San Diego – Released 2008
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To Chicago – Released 2008
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To Michigan
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To Australia
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To Mexico
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To NYC
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To England
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To China
Becka And The Big Bubble: Becka Goes To Egypt

For more information: www.bbBubble.com
760-815-1075

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