Christopher Franceschelli is a seasoned publisher, editor, and creator of children’s books. He currently runs Chronicle’s Handprint imprint and the SmartInk packaging company. A born-and-raised New Yorker, Franceschelli lives with his family in Brooklyn.
David Partington is an illustrator based in Bristol, UK. His influences range from mid-century design to Saturday morning cartoons. As part of Peski Studio (formerly Peskimo) he enjoys screen printing, a process which often informs his approach to illustration. David’s work can be seen in kids’ books, food packaging, and jumbo floor puzzles around the world. He especially enjoys creating characters, drawing friendly robots, and sending them on incredible adventures.
Spaceblock
Learn all about space in this out-of-this-world addition to the bestselling Block Book series!
3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Blast off! Readers will experience the historic moon landing, learn about what modern astronauts do in space, read about the recent landing of Mars rover Perseverance, and more. In keeping with the rest of the series, Spaceblock features the charming art of British design team Peski Studio, die-cut pages, and ten impressive gatefolds, including one that unfolds to 30 inches wide to showcase all the planets in our solar system!
Sharkblock
Readers will learn all about shark species, habitats, diets, and more. In keeping with the rest of the series, Sharkblock features the charming art of British design team Peski Studio (formerly Peskimo), pages with die-cuts readers can peek through, and special flaps that unfold to reveal hidden details. Among the sharks featured are great whites, Greenland sharks, nurse sharks, reef sharks, sand tiger sharks, catsharks, mako sharks, whale sharks, and even the gigantic extinct megalodon!
Alphablock
With thick pages cut into the shape of each letter, children and parents will enjoy this peek-through guessing game around the letterform itself. Sprinkles, hot fudge, and cherries hint at I’s ice cream sundae, while aquarium accessories hint at F’s fish. As readers interact with the pages, they will familiarize themselves not only with the 26 letters and associated words, but also with each letter’s physicality—angles, holes, and curves, both front and back. With Peskimo’s animated, stylish visuals, this fresh ABC book encourages readers to manipulate the alphabet in a whole new way. Note: illustrations have a retro feel, with imperfect variations in color and texture.
Review
"With a pleasing, retro feel, Peskimo’s art uses bold colors in a slightly muted hue and the weathered look of woodblock prints… A visually captivating delight for careful little ones."
—Kirkus Reviews
"While it’s graphically sophisticated enough to please adults, little children can happily flip through this book on their own."
—The New York Times
Awards
Parents 10 Best Children’s Books of 2013
Notable Children's Books from ALSC 2014
Countablock
Countablock features thick pages cut into the shape of each numeral, creating a peek-through guessing game around the number form itself. One acorn becomes . . . one oak tree! From snowmen to puddles and eggs to chicks, quantities are illustrated twice: both before and after their “transformations.” As children interact with the pages, they will familiarize themselves not only with the numbers 1–100 and associated quantities, but with each numeral’s physicality—angles, holes, and curves, both front and back. Die-cut numerals include 1–10, and 20–100 by tens. Illustrated by hip British design team Peskimo, this fresh take on the 1-2-3s encourages readers to manipulate numbers in a whole new way.
Award
NAPPA Silver Award Winner
Review
"Stylish silkscreenlike illustrations and opportunities for both counting and guessing what happens next should keep copies of this chunky book well-loved."—Publishers' Weekly
"A terrific companion to Alphablock that counts from one to 10, and up by 10s to 100, using cause and effect." "More please!"—Shelf Awareness, Jennifer M. Brown
Farmblock
Explore life on a farm in this addition to the bestselling Block Book series!
It’s time to plant some crops, harvest the veggies, and make jam to take to the farmer’s market! Readers are introduced to what life is like on the farm. Like the previous titles, Farmblock explores a concept—in this case, seasons. From a rooster crowing at the crack of dawn to picking pumpkins for Halloween, there is so much to do all year-round! In keeping with the rest of the series, Farmblock features die-cut pages, gatefolds, and the charming art of British design team Peskimo.
Review
"Bright and colorful, including people of different races, abilities, and ages.. .Sure to be a crowd-pleaser for individual and small group sharing."—SLJ Review
Loveblock
Learn how animals around the world show their love in this interactive board book.
Love is strong.
You have my back and I’ll always have yours.
Animals show their love in so many ways! This interactive board book, with its chunky, die-cut pages and surprise-filled gatefolds, is the perfect gift for anyone you love. Featured animals include elephants, sea otters, swans, giraffes, sloths, penguins, kangaroos, pandas, hippos, foxes, and golden eagles.
Review
"While love is the topic of this board book, it's the inventive gatefolds and charmingly vintage illustrations that readers will fall for."—Kirkus Reviews
Buildablock
Readers are introduced to more than 24 construction machines. As in the previous books, Buildablock features die-cut shapes on every other spread and the charming art of British design team Peskimo.
Review
"Not only is its construction-site theme a passion for many children, its bold colors and thoughtful design will engage little hands and eyes as they pore over the pages.Sure to inspire calls of "READ IT AGAIN!"—Kirkus Review
"Construction fans will happily add these rarities to their vocabularies as well as pick up strong action words like "burrow" and "span." Hand this upbeat treat to your budding builder."—Shelf Awareness
Cityblock
Cityblock explores city life in an exciting and unique way, from up in a high-rise building to down in the subway. Divided into three sections—things that go, things to see, and things to eat—it features 24 different aspects of city living. As with the other acclaimed books in the series, die-cut icons hint at the larger context on the next spread. Each section opens with a full city scene but gradually focuses in on the small, unique neighborhoods that make the city large and grand. This clever book will attract young readers living in a metropolis as well as those in the countryside with urban life that pops off each page.
Review
"A big urban adventure in a small package."—Publishers Weekly
"Children in urban settings will recognize this city's feel, while suburban or rural children will be equally happy to join in the adventure."—Kirkus
"This cleverly designed board book will delight young readers and grown-ups alike."—School Library Journal
Dinoblock
Dinoblock features thick pages cut into the shapes of dinosaurs! Readers will be introduced to more than 20 different kinds of dinos via die-cuts of their unique silhouettes and the illuminating comparisons to familiar things from a young child’s world. I stretch high like the ladder on a fire truck. I am a Brachiosaurus. As children touch the pages, they have a chance to guess the dinosaur and appreciate the uniqueness of its silhouette. A final gatefold delivers a roundup of all the dinos included. This hands-on approach, delivered in colorful pages by hip British design team Peskimo, makes for an immersive, age-appropriate introduction to a favorite topic of childhood.
Review
"The age-appropriate new vocabulary and the clever design will prompt hours of study by aspiring paleontologists; the sturdy construction ensures the book will survive them."—Kirkus Reviews
"A companion volume to the author's Alphablock (2013) and Countablock (2014, both Abrams), this chunky block of a book, replete with flaps, offers tiny tots a litany of 21 dinosaurs...VERDICT Board book lovers and beyond will enjoy this fun look at dinos."—School Library Journal
"This chunky board book clocks in at 96 pages, but its cheerful design and trove of dinosaurs will easily capture youngsters' attention. Vintage print-style illustrations implement bright colors and die-cut pages to draw comparisons between modern animals and their dinosaur counterparts... The clues and die-cut dino reveals make for a fun, informative read."—Booklist
Sesame Street Countablock
Count up to 25 with all of the friendly faces who call Sesame Street home, including Elmo, Big Bird, the Count, and more, in the latest title of the Abrams Block Book series! Each exciting spread highlights beloved characters for the board book age group, teaching counting with a fun Sesame twist, and making this book perfect for the youngest fans as well as seasoned collectors. As in previous Block Book titles, this title will include die-cut pages and the stylish art of British design team Peski Studio.
