Monday, December 12, 2022

Two Rhyming,Counting, Dancing Picture Book Review + Two Giveaways

 I'm happy to share two more picture book giveaways both courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.


THE SNOWMAN'S WALTZ



This beautiful winter story by Karen Konnerth and illustrated by Emily Neilson, is a unique friendship story between dancing snow people and penguins. Yes. You heard that right. Snowmen, snow women, and even a snow child learn how they can dance with penguins. 

Here's the opening page showing the snowmen enjoying themselves.



Suddenly, they receive a great surprise.



Uniforms that all are matching.
Black and white and looking fine.
Purple sky peeks down to see them.
Penguins tramping in a line.
The snowmen don't quite know what to make of the intruders.





They gather together and try to talk it out. But, the snow people waltz to a beat of one, two, three. And the penguins march with a one, two, three, four rhythm. As the adults wonder how they can get together, they watch as a little penguin and a snow child say hello.


Marching, marching all together,
Penguins step and snowmen glide.
 They figure out that together...
Back and forth they bump and waddle
Having fun they slip and slide.

And finish with,

 



A waltz!

The book ends with "The Snowman Waltz" lyrics and music by Karen Konnerth and a finger dance activity.


BAA, BAA, TAP SHEEP




In a fun adaptation of the Baa, Baa, Black Sheep nursery rhyme, author Kenda Henthorn and illustrator, Lauren Gallegos, have created a lively sheep counting book that may or may not help little ones go to sleep. 

The book opens with the sheep learning to dance behind a sparkly curtain. 


The numbers that are pinned to their chest and their practice moves immediately brought Dancing with the Stars to mind. 

Baa, baa, tap sheep, practicing their moves.
Helping out at bedtime. Count their dancing grooves...

 As the sheep tiptoe twirl, tango, and waltz, the children who are imagining these sheep Rockettes picture, 

...Nine sheep, Ten Sheep

Softly swaying. Still.


 Until...



Goodbye, sleep!

One sheep, two sheep,

jitterbug and jazz.

Three sheep. Four sheep.

Faster! More pizzazz!

But even sheep have to call it quits at some point.



And finally, tired children sleep.


Except...what's going on with rap sheep? 

GIVEAWAY

I predict that children will enjoy counting along with their favorite readers and ask for these books over and over again--and I'm giving away both of them! To get in the running, please leave a comment by December 15 along with your name and email address if you are new to my blog. New giveaway rule this time! If you have at least one snowman inside or outside your house OR a sheep I'll enter your name twice. If you have a snowman AND a sheep, I'll enter your name three times. (pictures, stuffed animals, statues, cards pillows, etc. all count). Tell me in the comments what is decorating your house and which book you want to win.

Added feature: This week Kenda, Lauren, and Karen will share parts of the backstories behind these books on the Talking Story Facebook page. 

Congratulations to Glee Dunbar who was excited to win SHE SANG FOR THE MOUNTAINS last week.

13 comments:

Joyce said...

Merry Christmas from my home all decked out with snowflakes, Santa’s, and snowmen. I guess I have to acquire some sheep. LOL. I’d love to add THE SNOWMAN’S WALTZ to my collection.

Danielle H. said...

Thank you for featuring these fun books this week! Perfect with winter almost here (by calendar anyway). I would love to win a copy of Ba Ba Tap Sheep. I have snowmen decorating my Christmas tree and one my daughter made from socks displayed all year because it's so cute. I also have three stuffed sheep because I couldn't resist the cuteness. Merry Christmas to all!

Joan Y. Edwards said...

Dear Carol, the Snowman’s Waltz sounds like a wonderful book. The other striations are awesome. I have a sheep and a snowman in my house.
I hope you and your readers enjoy a Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Joan Edwards

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Joan. YOu're in 3 times for the Waltz!

Carol Baldwin said...

I'm not surprised that you have sheep and snowmen in your house, danielle! 3 entires for you.

Marci said...

Ahhhh--these both look fantastic and the rhyme looks like rollicking fun! The illustrations are gorgeous. I'd love to have either one of them. Thank you, Carol, for sharing great books. Congrats to Karen, Emily, Kenda and Lauren! Carol, I have a sheep as a nativity ornament and a snowman that my kids made.

Carol Baldwin said...

You definitely qualify, Marci! I'll give you two chances in the Baa, Baa, Book and one in SNowman's waltz.

Glee Dunbar said...

Oh my oh my am I excited about this one!! My little dancer would go crazy for Baa Baa Tap Sheep. Every evening for the past year or more we sing "Baa Baa Green Sheep" before bed, per her request. She has two stuffed sheep, a snowman on her handmade advent calendar, and a snowman on our tree.

Carol Baldwin said...

You and your little one are in three times for Baa, Baa, Tap Sheep. I had to look up green sheep. That's a new one for me!

Glee Dunbar said...

Just something she came up with! Hahaha

Carol Baldwin said...

Look it up. It's a thing!!

Sharon McCarthy said...

Both these books look fabulous! I wouldn't mind either one for my kids. Baa, Baa, Tap Sheep if I had to choose. My grandson loves to get all cozy. I have sheep and snowmen from the nativity, books, and beanie babies all over my house. Thanks for a great contest!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks for your comment, Sharon. i'll put your name in three times for Baa, Baa, Tap sheep!

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