Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Two Silly (But Signifcant) Picture Books from Sleeping Bear Press

Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef for winning a copy of Wood, Wire, Wings from last week's blog.

*****
The two books I'm featuring this week definitely create smiles -- but they each teach something too.

TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS


With a title like that, you know this is going to be a book that will appeal to the silliest young reader, right? 

And doesn't the cover for Travel Guide for Monsters tell you that's what you will find inside?


In this fun picture book in verse, the author Lori Degman, talks directly to the readers as if they have their own personal monster (and what preschooler doesn't?). Each page shows the monster in a different location with a warning as to what could happen to the monster if he travels there. For example, in Arizona, the reader is warned,



In Chicago,


And in the Florida Everglades,



The unsuspecting reader (and monster) get to travel cross-country (in a vehicle that looks remarkably like an old VW bus), seeing some of the famous sights which make the United States diverse and fun.

Finally, when the vacation is over, the reader faces one last challenge:



Your travels give you memories
you'll treasure through the years.
But how will you explain your
monster's crazy souvenirs?

As you can tell by these samples, illustrator Dave Szalay had a great time illustrating this book! 

The curriculum take-away from Travel Guide for Monsters is the map in the back where young readers can identify where they live or have traveled.


Otis. P. Oliver Protests 


Raise your hand if you have/know a child who likes to get dirty.

Raise your hand if you have/know a child who doesn't want to take a bath.

Just as I thought. I bunch of you raised your hand. 

Then Otis P. Oliver Protests by Keri Claiborne Boyle is for you and that child:



From the opening pages we meet Otis, the youngest of four children (his older siblings are ALL girls--he doesn't stand a chance) his dog, and his worm farm. 


His family takes issue with his body odor and he decides it is time to protest baths.  #1 enemy? Soap.



He enlists the support of his friends, they lead marches along the street and picket his driveway. 


Thus begins protest correspondence with his mother. Notes are delivered--in style--by each of his older sisters and his dog. Negotiations ensue. Would Otis consider abandoning the protest for the price of lasagna and garlic bread? He considers the offer.

Finally, Otis gives in--vainly holding out for the promise of dessert. 

In the end, Otis scribbles one last note:





Once again, I think the illustrator, Daniel Duncan, had a grand time creating the illustrations to accompany the text. The protest signs are genius in and of themselves! 

What's the curriculum tie-in for Otis P. Oliver Protests? The importance of good hygiene--and of course, keeping the cook happy!

GIVEAWAY 

I am delighted to give away these books this week. I think you and your child or grandchild will have fun reading both of these. If you have a preference, please indicate in your comment. As always, include your email address if you are new to my blog, and sharing on social media gives you an additional opportunity. Giveaway ends on Friday, August 7 at 5 PM. 





24 comments:

Doreen Robinson said...

Congrats to Keri and Lori on these fun books! The illustrations look adorable, too!

Doreen Robinson said...

Congrats to Lori and Keri and the illustrators. These books look hilarious.

Susan said...

These both look really cute - I'd love a chance to win!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Susan and Doreen. Your names start the list!

Jean said...

Both look like loads of fun!

Jennifer Cervantes said...

These look so cute! I think my kids would love them!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Jean and Jennifer. You’re in!

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Fun books, please count me in! Shared on FB & Twitter.
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Connie. You’’re in twice!

Danielle H. said...

These books will be fun to read with my nieces and nephews (on Zoom for now). If I could pick one, I'd choose Otis. P. Olive r Protests first. I shared on tumblr: https://yesreaderwriterpoetmusician.tumblr.com/post/625632842834214912/two-silly-but-signifcant-picture-books-from

Unknown said...

These both look like great additions to my grandmother library at home! Even my 9-year old grands would enjoy listening to these--look like great reads to share!
Gwen

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Danielle and Gwen. You’re both in!

Unknown said...

I would love a copy of Travel Guide for Monsters. It opens the door to more conversations about all the places and the attention to details in the illustration allows the reader to find something new every time it’s read.
Tenstinkyfeet@sbcglobal.net

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, tenstinkyfeet for leaving your email address. Love it! even if you don't win this, I hope you'll return to my blog and/or subscribe. I have so many picture books to give away --I'm swamped!

Jana Leah B said...

Both of these look fun, so no preference. Thanks for the giveaway!
turtle6422 at gmail dot com

Carol Baldwin said...

You got it, Jana Leah!

elysabeth said...

oh definitely the Travel Guide for Monsters - sounds so delightful - eeldering@gmail.com

Carol Baldwin said...

Elysabeth--nice to see your name here. I'll add it to the giveaway list!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Doreen. You're in too!

Rosie Russell said...

Thanks for featuring these today, Carol.
Hmm, they are so cute, it's hard to decide which one to pick. I'm going to go with, "Travel Guide for Monsters." I'm keeping the other one my list. Fun books!
I'll share on my Facebook page today.
Thanks again, Carol.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Rosie. You’re in twice!

Jilanne Hoffmann said...

Both of these look like so much fun. Congrats to Lori and Keri!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Jilanne. You're in!

Rosi said...

These both look like a lot of fun with some good messages hidden inside. Thanks for telling me about them.

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