Wednesday, November 10, 2021

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: WHEN DADDY SHOWS ME THE SKY- Review of a Debut Picture Book and a Giveaway!

 I enjoy sharing my author and illustrator friends' good news. This post is particularly special because Rebecca Wheeler, the author of When Daddy Shows Me The Sky (Belle Isle Books, 2021), was my student in 2008 when Joyce Hostetter and I taught Writing for Children at NCCAT

It is my delight to share Rebecca's book that is coming out this month. Details about her launch are below. 


REVIEW

Question: What happens when you combine astronomy, yoga, and a father and daughter who love each other? 

Answer: The STEM picture book, When Daddy Shows Me the Sky.

Here is the lovely beginning that sets the calm tone of the book.

My daddy is amazing. He shows me the day. Not in the daytime's bright sun, when life makes everything noisy, but at night. When it's quiet, and you can concentrate.



In the subsequent pages the narrator explains what she has learned from her daddy about the night sky and demonstrates yoga poses.  
In this way, information about constellations is knit together with each pose. For example, when the reader learns about Mars, the narrator demonstrates the volcano pose; the dragon constellation prompts the narrator to make the dragon pose. Here is another:

Daddy's favorite constellation appears in the winter sky. Orion,  [uh-rahy-uh n] the hunter, is made from seven stars, and a sword hangs from his belt.

I am a warrior like Orion!


A few pages later, the narrator stretches with her father and she thinks they look like hunting dogs. Then they roar together as they practice the Lion's breath.

In the spring, Leo the lion also comes out to play. I can find Leo all by myself. I just look for the backward question mark that makes his mane. I bet Leo plays with the moon like my cat plays with her ball of yarn.

Daddy and I both roar like lions!

 



Throughout the story, the affection between the narrator and her father is clearly heard in the child's voice and seen in Katherine Jordan's bright and bold illustrations. 

Before we day goodbye to the night sky, we stretch out our arms and pretend to hug the moon. The moon smiles, and I smile, because my daddy is amazing. He shows me the sky.

I hope this book will inspire other amazing dads (and moms!) to get outside with their children--day and night! What wonderful bonding times are created when we spend precious hours with our children--whether it's by practicing yoga or otherwise exercising and experiencing the natural world. 

BACKSTORY

Sometimes I interview authors to find the story behind the story. In this case, Rebecca did that work already--on her blog. Here are several informative posts which will help reveal why she wrote this book. 
  • If you are curious about the family pictured in this book, please see Rebecca's blog post, Families Don't Have to Match. (By the way, her niece was the model for the narrator). 
  • For more information about Rebecca's connection with yoga, see her post, Why a Yoga Picture Book? 
  • And here's her road to publication story--which she calls her book's Origin Story.

BACK MATTER, CURRICULUM RESOURCES, and BOOK LAUNCH

Three pages in the back show a young girl (Rebecca's daughter) demonstrating the yoga poses presented in the book. On Rebecca's website, there is information about constellations, planets, mindfulness, yoga benefits for kids, and yoga tips for parents.

Rebecca's launch will be live-streamed on November 20 at 3 PM here. Hope you can join her!

GIVEAWAY


To win a personally autographed copy, leave a comment by November 13 at 6 PM. If you are new to my blog or share this on social media, I will put your name in twice. U.S. postal addresses only. I CANNOT enter you without your name and email address. If you are new--please include this information. 


19 comments:

T, Truax said...

Hi again Carol!
Love the yoga theme included in this PB.
best,
Tammi Truax
NFS Library
1 Franklin Dr
Portsmouth, NH 03801
ttruax@sau52.org

Trish said...

Looks like another great book the grands will enjoy!!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Tammi. Your name starts the list!

Carol Baldwin said...

YOu're in Trish!

Gail Hurlburt said...

This book looks AMAZING! I am excited for Rebecca! I would LOVE an autographed copy!

Gail Hurlburt

Patricia Franz said...

What a beautiful story, beautiful relationship! Thank you for spotlighting this book!

Debbie Allmand said...

Truly a lovely interview. Such unusual matching of yoga, dad and the planets. Richness in her voice is captivating.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Debbie and Patricia F. Patricia, I need your name and address to include you in the giveaway.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Gail. Your name is in the giveaway!

Danielle H. said...

The idea of using yoga and constellations combined with daddy-daughter quality time is both heartwarming and exciting. I definitely see this book as a great gift for dads too.

Danielle H. said...

Sorry! Forgot to include my tumblr share link with my original comment: https://yesreaderwriterpoetmusician.tumblr.com/post/667488210555895808/you-heard-it-here-first-when-daddy-shows-me-the

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Danielle, for sharing this on tumbler too. You're in twice.

Terri DeGezelle Michels said...

well done. thank you

Carol Baldwin said...

You're in, Terri! Thanks.

Becca Wheeler said...

I'm so happy you all are excited about my book! If you are interested signed copies can be requested through Flyleaf Books. When you order online, type in the comments that you would like a signed copy. Flyleaf will ship too! https://www.flyleafbooks.com/signed-copies-rebecca-wenrich-wheeler

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Rebecca. Good information to have!

Carol Baldwin said...

Awesome, Susan!

Rosi said...

What a clever idea to combine yoga and learning about the night sky this way. This looks like a terrific book. I will be looking for a copy. Thanks for the post and the chance.

Carol Baldwin said...

thanks, Rosi. You're in!

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