Books for Young Readers: Tip and Tucker-Paw Painters, Lulu & Rocky in Indianapolis and a Giveaway

 Congratulations to Jana Leah who won the ARC of Just Between Sam and Me from last week's blog.

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Tip and Tucker--Paw Painters

Tip and Tucker first appeared on my blog last year when they were on a Road Trip. Written by Ann Ingalls and Sue Lowell Gallion and illustrated by Andre Ceolin, this series for readers in K-1 features the adventures of two classroom hamsters, Tip and Tucker. 

Tucker is adventuresome, Tip is a bit shy--but put the two of them together and they are fast friends! 

When Mr. Lopez announces that it is Art Week, his students and hamsters are interested. What will they create with marbles and boxes?

Tip and Tucker soon find out that marbles can create paintings and boxes can become a rocket.  When the students leave for recess, hamster exploration begins!

Pretty soon Tip and Tucker's rocket tips over and the hamsters escape. They discover the paint and mayhem ensues.

The students come back to find interesting artwork all over their classroom. Tip and Tucker are cleaned up and put back into their cage for a nap. When they wake up, they discover that they are artists too!

LULU & ROCKY IN INDIANAPOLIS

Lulu & Rocky in Indianapolis is the second book in this series I have reviewed. Here's the first one: Lulu & Rocky in Milwaukee. The series is written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by Renee Graef. 

Lulu and Rocky greet one another, jump into a hot rod car, and then drive by a museum with a dinosaur crashing through the walls!

They explore the Children's Museum of Indianapolis and then go to Sports Legends.

The pair tour the Eiteljorg Museum and ride a clip-clop stagecoach.

Lulu and Rocky eat cookies that look just like them at the Illinois Street Food Emporium, read books at Kids Ink, and finally get to the "brickyard"--the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Lulu catches racecar fever!

Their last stop is Monument Circle where "Miss Victory" holds a golden light to welcome everyone. 

The pair "wave goodbye to Indianapolis, and Indianapolis waves back."

This book is complete with a traveler's guide to the highlights of the city. This is the third book in the series and next up is Lulu & Rocky in Rocky Mountain National Park.

GIVEAWAY

Since one of my granddaughters is just learning to read, Tip and Tucker landed on her bookshelf. I am giving away Lulu and Rocky. To enter, please leave a comment by October 23 (with your email address if you are new to my blog). 

National Bullying Month and a Conversation with Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell, authors of "Just Between Sam and Me"

Congratulations to Lois Bartholomew who won Bionic Beasts from last week's blog. 

As promised in the last post about Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell's collaborative process, this is the third blog leading up to the release of their book, Just Between Sam and Me on December 2. Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Cat, Rosie, and I decided to talk about bullying, which is a major theme in their middle-grade novel.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

Carol: I understand Olivia is your protagonist and the ME in your story of Just Between Sam and Me. Tell us more about Sam and his relationship with Olivia.

Cat: Sam is Olivia’s cat! He’s a big orange tabby. Tough on the outside but a soft heart for his Human. 

 

Shy Olivia is ashamed to let people know she’s being taunted by a mean girl clique at school. Instead, she pours out her problems by writing to Sam in her journal, who’s usually purring beside Olivia as she writes.

 

 

Rosie: We want to show children that talking about bullying with a trusted adult or friend (or even writing in a journal to a cat!) helps them feel they’re not alone and often leads them to stop bullying behaviors.

 

Carol: Got it! Olivia’s journal is what stays “between” Sam and Me in your title! Why did you decide to add that epistolary element to your story?

Cat: We wanted readers to dig deeper into our main character’s head through her journaling. And honestly, the 13 journal entries are sprinkled with kid-speak, different fonts, and funky graphics to break up lines of text. More fun for kids and less overwhelming. 

 

                           Just Between Sam and Me, by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell

Carol: What kind of research did you do about bullying before you started writing?

Cat: We’re no experts on bullying, but from the years we worked in the classroom, Rosie and I saw firsthand what happens when kids are excluded and mocked. We also consulted several trusted online sources that we include in our back-matter.

 

Carol: Why did you decide to make your main character a child who is bullied?

Cat: When plotting our book, Rosie and I brainstormed different kid-sized obstacles to throw at our 11-year-old protagonist. We wanted to keep tweens engaged while adding subtle social messages.

Social bullying became personal when my fourth-grade niece was taunted by mean girls at school. She was devastated. Fortunately, her parents and teachers immediately picked up on the bullying behaviors and stopped them. Yet, my niece still remains anxious about approaching new school experiences. 

Olivia’s character arc quickly became her struggle to overcome the taunts of a trio of mean girls at school. In fact, several social bullying incidents in our book, and especially the seminal event that causes Olivia’s greatest heartbreak, are based on encounters that actually happened to my niece. 

Carol: Do you include any upstanders to help Olivia and show young readers how people can prevent bullying? 

Rosie: Absolutely! We have two characters in the book who support her. One is an unexpected source. However, our main character’s BFF, Isabella, squashes bullying behaviors when she observes them:

“What do you think about this writing contest?” Brooke asked at lunch, scooting next to Candace and Bethany at their table.

Candace glowered. “I have to write about moving to this stupid, boring town.” 

Isabella held up a slice of pizza. “I’m writing about spring harvest and how it should be required for school to serve pizza every day.”

“Just eat already, Isabella,” Olivia laughed.

“What’s your essay about, Olivia?” asked Bethany.

“I bet she’s going to write about that stinky horse of hers,” Candace said.

Olivia’s face turned red. “Well, yes. My essay is about getting Star ready for the halter competition at Spring Daze.” 

Candace whinnied and pawed at the table with her hands as pretend horse hooves. Bethany and Brooke giggled and joined her. 

“Really? Imitating farm animals, Candy? We did that in kindergarten,” Isabella cut in. 

The new girl snapped and stopped her mischief. “Don’t call me Candy! My name is Candace.” 

Her stony glare didn’t bother Isabella one bit. 

Excerpt: Just Between Sam and Me, by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell

 

Carol: How do you make your readers empathize with your antagonist, Candace, and perhaps feel sympathy for her, despite being the mean girl?

Cat: We want kids to boo at our baddie but not hate her. Plus, we show that kids who bully often act out of their own despair and trouble. Doesn’t excuse those actions, but it helps children understand why:

Candace set her phone alarm for early Saturday morning. Last night, Dad had promised to make his special waffles from Grandma Nettie’s recipe and top them with strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup. It would be a breakfast for the two of them together.

She didn’t care about his waffles, although they were delicious. She wanted to spend time with her father. Dad spent every Saturday morning showing his clients homes for sale in Spring Hope. But this Saturday, he had pushed back his appointments and promised a father-daughter meal. 

Candace threw on a bathrobe and walked past Dad’s bedroom on her way to the kitchen. She noticed his bedroom lights were on. He was probably up already and getting ready for her! 

Knocking softly, she entered when he didn’t answer. Dad was propped against his pillows with his laptop, sound asleep. Candace sighed. He had been working late again. She gently removed the laptop and tucked the covers around him. 

Excerpt: Just Between Sam and Me, by Cat Michaels and Rosie Russell

 

Carol: What do you want your young readers to take away about 

bullying? 

Rosie: Olivia’s teacher says it best after she privately admonishes 

Candace for making fun of Olivia in class:

“We have zero tolerance
for children who make fun of others 
or who are cruel in any way.”

 

Cat: We want kids to reach out for help and look for upstanders. We 

say this upfront in our dedication page:

For upstanders, who break the cycle of bullying. 

For teachers, parents, and grown-ups, who step in to help. 

Most of all, for every child, who has experienced cruelty from others: You are brave, amazing, and wonderfully unique inside and out. There is someone waiting to help you. Reach out to them now! 

 GIVEAWAY

Be one of the first to read Between Sam and Me! Leave a comment with your name and email address (if you are new to my blog) or send me an email and I'll enter your name to win an ARC. The winner will be drawn on October 16. 

MEET THE AUTHORS 

Award-winning author CAT MICHAELS has an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas plus decades of teaching experience. Her books for young and reluctant readers have been recognized for excellence in writing children’s literature with three Purple Dragonfly Awards, a first-place honor from the Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards, and a silver medal by the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards. Her last book, Sweet T and the Turtle Team, also won the Wind Dancer Films competition and was considered for adaptation to movies or TV.

Cat and her family live in North Carolina, where she creates a fairy garden for her neighborhood children, enjoys photography, devours British mystery novels and period TV series, works out most days, and writes.

www.catmichaelswriter.com

 

Twitter                      

http://www.twitter.com/catmichaelsbook  

 

Facebook                  

https://www.facebook.com/catmichaelswriter

 

Pinterest                    

http://www.pinterest.com/catmichaels

 

Instagram                  

https://www.instagram.com/catmichaels.writer/  

 

  

ROSIE RUSSELL is the author and illustrator of nine books for young readers. After her studies in early childhood education, she taught in elementary and middle schools for fifteen years.  She enjoys sharing her books with students and encouraging them to write and illustrate their own stories.  

Rosie now writes and illustrates full-time in her Kansas City, Missouri, hometown.  As an avid reader, baseball fan, and crafter, her greatest joy comes from spending time with family and friends.  

Learn more at Books by Rose

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8250577.Rosie_Russell

Facebook: Books by Rose 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosieRrbjj

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rose1628/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksbyrose4u11/

Bionic Beasts by Jolene Gutiérrez: A Giveaway and A Mini-Author Interview

 Congratulations to Barbara Younger who won Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie from last week's blog.

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In the last few weeks, I've featured picture books for young readers. Today, I'm happy to help launch Jolene Gutierrez's debut middle-grade nonfiction book, Bionic Beasts (Lerner Books, 2020) Since it's full of photographs, it's technically a picture book too--but this isn't a book for young readers. The challenging and informative text will be appreciated by students in grades 5-8; particularly by those who love animals and are possibly considering a career working with animals.  

REVIEW

In the pages of this unique book, readers will meet remarkable animals and the doctors and students who used modern technology to enable them to live normal lives. Here are the five main characters: Lola, a Kemp ridley sea turtle with a missing flipper;  Mosha, an Asian elephant who stepped on a land mine; Cassidy, a three-legged German Shepherd; Vitória, a greylag goose who had lost most of her beak; and Pirate, a Berkshire-Tamworth pig who was born with a fused tarsal joint in his hock. All of the animals needed extraordinary veterinary intervention which they received.

Each section of the book includes facts about the animals, the patient's history, environmental dangers the animal faced, how their injury affected their body, and how prosthetists, orthotists, veterinarians, and engineering students developed materials, prostheses, and even a fake beak! Every section concludes with an activity that enhances the reader's comprehension.

Lola, an endangered turtle who lives in the Gulf of Mexico weighed less than an ounce when she was found on Mustang Island, Texas. She was fitted with a tracking device that was the size of a grain of rice.  Her right flipper had to be amputated leaving her unable to swim in a straight line. Students at Worcester Polytech Institute wanted to create a replacement flipper--and that's exactly what they did! Although Lola will always live in an aquarium, as a result of several determined college students, she can now gracefully swim and dive.

 

Mosha, as pictured on the front of the book, was fitted with a prosthesis--but she outgrew them thirteen times! As she grows, she needs to be fitted with a new prosthesis every six months. She lives in the Friends of the Asian Elephant hospital where she socializes with other elephants and her human caregiver. 

No one knew how the rescue dog, Cassidy, lost his leg. All that his prospective owner knew was that he wanted to save him from being euthanized. Although he gained weight and grew back his hair after moving in with his family, Cassidy struggled to walk. At first, Cassidy was fitted with a removable prosthetic leg but he kept kicking them off. Finally, he was fitted with a metal prosthesis that was implanted into his leg bone.  Osseointegration was not without risks. But the surgery, performed at North Carolina's State University College of Veterinary Medicine, was successful. The process of creating an endoprosthesis was complicated, but here was the final result:

Vitória, a greylag goose was found off the coast of Brazil in 2015. It was missing part of its beak and was brought to the Friends of the Sea where she was cared for by a biologist and environmental technologist. Although she learned to trust him, she couldn't feed properly and he sought the help of a veterinary team called Animal Avengers. They had to engineer a top and bottom beak so that Vitória could eat and preen. Using sophisticated software, the team created her new beak and attached it during a two-hour surgery.  That first beak was too heavy and using photogrammetry, the team created a prosthesis that was one third the original size.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_(goose)

Here she is with her mate and goslings!

Pirate, a Berkshire-Tamworth pig, was born with a right-hand leg that was permanently bent at a 90 angle.  A veterinarian suggested that the piglet would need a hybrid orthosis-prosthesis to support his leg. As of a year ago, Pirate was 500 pounds and wearing his fourth device, designed by a man who had made orthosis for dogs and humans--but never for a pig! 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

CAROL: How did you end up writing a book about bionic animals?

JOLENE: Carol Hinz, my editor at Lerner, put out a call for STEM picture books in the spring of 2018 (I heard it through my SCBWI chapter-Rocky Mountain). I submitted a < 1,000-word picture book titled BIONIC BEASTS to her, and she told me she loved it but wondered if I'd be willing to make it a middle grade with 5 chapters (plus an intro and conclusion) about 5 different animals. The book is now ~10,000 words and researching each chapter was like writing a separate book because I had to track down the people involved with the stories, they had to be willing to share their stories (some weren't), there had to be photos available for Lerner to use, etc.

I chose to write about animals being helped through technology because I grew up on a farm and in a community where injured animals, runts, etc. were routinely put down. I spent years of my childhood arguing, crying, and protesting that. This book is my way of honoring the kind-hearted, skilled people who have stepped up around the world to help animals who need their support.

                                                         

                                                   

                           Jolene worked through piles of files papers as she sorted out her research. 

CURRICULUM RESOURCE 

Bionic Beasts will make a great curriculum resource for the 5-8th grade classroom or homeschool family. Please click here for a link to the teaching guide. The author provides information on technology, science, veterinary medicine, and environmental issues in a very accessible manner. The activities at the end of each chapter reinforce students' learning.

Here is a short video of one of my granddaughters building a robotic hand, the activity associated with Mosha.

GIVEAWAY

Please leave a comment (and your email address if you are new to my blog) I will enter your name. Winner will be drawn on Ocober 9.

Bobby Babinski's Bathtub and Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie. 2 Fun Picture Books + One Giveaway!

 Congratulations to Rois Hollenbeck who won Unicorn Yoga and to Susan Rice for Sing Some More from last week's blog.

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Bobby Babinski's Bathtub

This rollicking picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press is as fun as the title sounds and the cover looks. Written by Judy Young and illustrated by Kevin M. Barry, readers and their parents will enjoy the poetry and funny text. Caveat: parents, watch our for your children's bathtub expectations after reading this book!

Mr. Babinski has a problem. His son refuses to take a bath.  

In fact, Bobby's father has several problems. Every time he ingeniously answers his son's objections, Bobby comes up with a new reason not to take a bath. 

Mr. B chops a hole the roof of their house and builds a roller coaster so that Bobby can safely slide into his tub.

But, that doesn't satisfy Bobby. He needs some toys to keep him company in his tub. Mr. B satisfies his son's desire with an over-the-top assortment of ocean creatures.

Of course, Bobby complains again.

Mr. B patiently complies with each and every request resulting in more and more changes to their yard. Finally, when Bobby is stranded on a sandy island, his father arranges for a HUMUNGOUS pelican to bring him home. 

It scooped Bobby up, 

And with huge wings gyrating, 

Flew over the water 

To where Papa was waiting.

In the end, Bobby STILL refuses to go down for his nap:

As Bobby Babinski

Dropped in Papa's lap,

Papa held up some PJ's

Saying, "Time for a nap."

But Bobby Babinski said, "No!"

With a grin,

"I want to have bath time 

All over again!"

Who wouldn't?

ACOUSTIC ROOSTER'S BARNYARD BOOGIE

Here's another fun picture book brought to you by best-selling author Kwame Alexander with clever, colorful illustrations by Tim Bowers. Barnyard Boogie follows their previous book, Acoustic Rooster and The Barnyard Band, both published by Sleeping Bear Press. 

Indigo Blume is happily cleaning up her city for the Garden City Community Festival until she finds out that big crowds will be coming to hear her sing. 

Her mother and father try to reassure her that she will do fine, but she goes to sleep worried. During the night she dreams about the barnyard animals she'd been reading about before going to sleep. 

In her dream, the animals ask her to join their group but then a strong wind destroys their barn. Their efforts to rebuild it aren't enough and the animals bewail the demise of their home.

Indigo encourages them to throw a benefit concert to rebuild the barn which they name the Barnyard Boogie. Miss Dairy Parton loses her voice and Indigo has to fill in for her. Despite her fears, Indigo pulls off a great show. 

She wakes up, inspired by her barnyard friends and ready to,

Be a star...In your mind... Day and night...Let it shine!"

Here's a lively preview of the Acoustic Rooster musical premiering Fall 2021 at The Kennedy Center.

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Do you ever wonder what happens to the books that I review and don't give away? 

Here's why: 

Who do you think this is?

GIVEAWAY

For a chance to win Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie, please leave me a comment with your email address if you are new to my blog. Share this on social media and you'll be in twice! The giveaway ends October 2. 

Three Picture Books for the Youngest Readers (and their Parents) from Sleeping Bear Press + Two Giveaways!

 Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef who won the ARC of Between Sam and Me. Stay tuned! You'll have another chance to win an ARC in October.

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The holidays will be here before you know it and my shelves are overflowing with Sleeping Bear Press Books to review and give away. Win them now and stash them for presents later. I'll do my best to get them into as many hands as possible!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

Helen Foster James is no stranger to my blog. Her series of "Love and Family" books (my title, not hers!) feature animal characters who adore their little ones. Welcome to the World is no exception.

Mommy and Daddy Squirrel welcome their new arrival into their lives with nicknames such as sunshine, smiley, and cutie. 

I love the soft, pastel illustrations by Petra Brown that almost beg you to touch them. I particularly like how she showed where baby squirrel sleeps. 

Little squirrel plays with toys that readers will recognize are just like their own; and sings and dances with her parents --just like people do! 

And at the end of the day, little squirrel is surrounded by those who love her.

This book would make a lovely baby present (or new parent or grandparent gift); the spot in the front of the book for a photo of Baby's First Days waits for the perfect picture. 

UNICORN YOGA

In this unique first book on yoga, little ones will learn eleven poses as modeled by three unicorns--an instructor and two "assistants" who can more or less accomplish the poses. 

Yoga is for everybody...and for every body. Big, small, young, old. The practice makes us strong and graceful.

Cow Pose instructions are to the point:  Roll up onto your hands and knees and take a deep breath in through your nose. Drop your belly, lift your tail, and look up. What child won't love lifting his tail??

Forward-Fold Pose provides interesting challenges for unicorns and kids.

And then of course, afterward, everyone gets to rest in Relaxation Pose.

The back matter includes information and definitions. Unicorn Yoga is written by the mother and daughter team, Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard. I wondered about their choice of subject material, and found the answer on their website:

Because yoga provides so many benefits, it seems only logical to introduce the practice to children as early as possible.  So, we approached our editor with a picture book to do just that. She shared it with the wonderfully creative team at Sleeping Bear Press and came back to us with the idea that unicorns might encourage children to become engaged.

The concept was not as far-fetched as our editor feared we might find it. After all, both yogis and unicorns are joyful, playful, and magical. There is an even more concrete correlation. In the Indus River Valley, in India, five-thousand-year-old bronze seals have been found; some depicting yogis and some depicting unicorns.

The fun illustrations are by Jennifer Sattler, another fine illustrator whom I have featured on my blog before. 

SING SOME MORE

This humorous book is about four bird friends who love to sing. Their "voices" not only are filled with musical vocabulary (that is defined in the back matter) but are also brimming with a desire to Sing Some More.

Written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Howard Gray, each page feels the birds' poetic rhythm. Toddlers will quickly learn to chime in on the "chorus."

We're the birds that make the music 

that you hear up in the trees,

And we vocalize with gusto 

as we hit the notes with ease.

The birds wake a family up and follow them to their picnic.

We perform our songs for others

And we hope they'll sing along.

We have tunes for all occasions,

And our harmonies are strong.

We create new music daily.

And it never comes out wrong.

The birds leave each page with the refrain of, "And when we're DONE?" that is answered on the next page with, "We sing some more!"

After a busy day of "singing from their hearts," the birds FINALLY admit they are tired. 

Well actually...

I think we're really done." (says the Robin).

"Yeah, I'm pretty tired." (says the Cardinal).

"Time to call it a day." (says the Wren).

"Good night!" (says the Blue Jay).

But in the end, they're not done because they promise that tomorrow, 

GIVEAWAY

I am giving away Unicorn Yoga and Sing Some More. In your comment please indicate your preference. Leave me your email address if you are new to my blog. Speaking of which--if you're visiting my blog for the first time, sign up to follow my blog and I'll enter your name twice! (If you're uncomfortable leaving your email address, you can contact me here.) Giveaway ends on September 25.