Picture Book Bonanza!

As a book reviewer and blogger, I'm now in the happy position of receiving packages of books in the mail. How cool is that? Here's some of the books I received recently as well as two I won from Kathy Temean's blog. 

W is for Welcome: A Celebration of America's Diversity

(Sleeping Bear Press, April 2018)

From, 

A is for America, A dreamer's destination, made up of people who are here due to immigration.

To, 

Z is for Zeal On Independence Day, we all can celebrate how people of all stripes (and stars) have made this country great.

Author Brad Herzog, along with over 15 different artists, has created a sweeping mural celebrating America's diversity. Each letter of the alphabet includes a short poem for young readers and a longer exposition of the topic for older students. Every page teaches readers about famous as well as not so famous immigrants, why people emigrate from their homelands, and how immigrants built (and continue to build) America. This is a great classroom resource which Joyce Hostetter and I will give away in the spring issue of Talking Story on Prejudice.

Don't Forget Dexter
(Two Lions, 2018)

In this fun book by author-illustrator Lindsay Ward, Dexter, a stuffed dinosaur, has lost his best friend, Jack.  Dexter looks all over the place for Jack and tries his best to get him back. Asking the lady at the front desk doesn't help--she's busy talking on the phone. Singing loudly, swishing his dangerous tail, chopping with his big teeth--nothing works! His worries of being abandoned are only relieved when Jack finally finds him. Young children may not realize it--but their subtle fears of abandonment are playfully and sweetly addressed. This is the first book in Ward's new series about Dexter. The next one, It's Show and Tell, Dexter looks equally fun!

Roof Octopus
(Sleeping Bear Press, March 2018)

This is a book that you have to read and see to believe. Lucy Branam's debut picture book is a fanciful combination of a story that young children will be immersed in along with vivid and imaginative illustrations by Roge´rio Coelho. I read this book to a 3-year-old and she totally understood that an octopus could live on the top of an apartment building. No mistake about it, an octopus can help deliver mail, be a swing for three friends, or help walk a dog. This would make a great baby shower gift or simply a beautiful book to add to your family's collection. 

Sterling Children's Books
(2017)

Every child wants to be the star of the show. In fact, first-born children usually ARE the stars that are photographed, cuddled, and made to feel famous by relatives, grocery store attendants, and even ordinary people walking down the street. Everything was perfect for Phoebe until a co-star is born. Life suddenly goes downhill when Phoebe is more like a personal assistant, than a star. Until...Phoebe gets her big break, steals the show, and gets her baby sister to laugh for the first time. This delightful book by Lori Alexander, is a perfect present for a first child dealing with the birth of a sibling. That's why I'm saving it for my granddaughter when her baby brother is born!

GIVEAWAY

If you are interested in receiving W is for Welcome, leave me a comment and I'll add your name to the giveaway list. The drawing will occur at the end of April in conjunction with the next issue of Talking Story. PLEASE leave me your email address if you are new to my blog so I can contact you if you win!