VALENSLIME: A Picture Book Review and an Autographed Giveaway

Do you remember back in July when I reviewed Joy Keller's book Frankenslime that is illustrated by my SCBWI-Carolinas friend, Ashley Belote?

I had announced that the next book in this series, Valenslime (Feiwel and Friends, 2021), would be ready in time for Valentine's Day. I am here today with a review and the perfect present for your little sweetheart!

REVIEW

Here is the opening paragraph that tells us about the main character:

 

Victoria Franklin was a 

slime scientist.

She loved her slime

Her slime, Goop,

loved her back. 

The next two pages show the reader the many ways in which Victoria and Goop love each other--the fun they have together in her lab, the science books they enjoy together, and their joint affection for Victoria's dog, Igor.

BUT...there's a problem. (Of course! There has to be a problem, right?) 

Victoria realizes that she has lots of friends to send Valentines to--but poor Goop, only has one friend. Her. It just isn't fair.

Victoria takes the problem into her capable hands. 

If Goop couldn't make a new friend,

She would make a new friend for him!

As any good scientist does, Victoria brainstorms slime recipes in order to make the perfect combination to make a friend for Goop. Finally, she assembles the perfect ingredients. Then she waits for lightening to strike so her creation will jolt to life. 

But there's no lightening! 

So, how does a scientist like Victoria solve that problem?

You create your own electricity!

But...that's when Victoria's slime solution grows into unmatched proportions and complicates Victoria's goal of creating a friend for Goop.

I don't want to give away the ending or spoil the surprise of Ashley's clever, colorful illustrations. Let's just say Victoria's slime solution ensures that everyone is happy.

This book is not only a cute Valentine read, it is also a fun way to teach young children about writing. Did you catch what I said in the first two paragraphs of this review? On the first page Ms. Keller tells the reader about Victoria's friendship with Goop. Then the author follows that with showing what this friendship looks like. 

The character then encounters a problem which she attempts to solve. This is a great way to show young writers that the main character is ALWAYS the one to solve her problem! Victoria meets obstacles but eventually obtains her goal-creating a special friend for Goop.

Three new slime recipes--including one that is edible--will delight young scientists. 

GIVEAWAY

Ashley is giving an autographed copy of VALENSLIME  to one fortunate reader. The giveaway ends on Tuesday, February at 9 AM. 

For a chance to win, leave a comment with your email address, or send me an email if you prefer. If you share this on social media, you will get one extra chance; if you follow my blog you will get another chance. Tell me what you have done and I will enter your name accordingly. Winner must live in the continental U.S.

Congratulations to Tiffany Slack, head librarian at the Matthews Christian Library, who won Photo ARK ABC on last week's blog and Danielle Hammelef who won The Short Life of Krill. By the way--Danielle's secret for winning so many books is that whenever she can. she shares my posts on social media. 

FRANKENSLIME : A Review, Illustrator Interview, and an Autographed Giveaway!

 Today I'm pleased to review Frankenslime (Macmillan, 2021) written by Joy Keller and illustrated by Ashley Belote. I'm particularly excited since Ashley is the Carolinas-SCBWI illustrator coordinator and this is her debut picture book.

Take a look at this amazing cover!

REVIEW

Here is the book's simple, yet captivating first line:

Victoria Franken was a slime scientist.

What kid wouldn't want to keep reading after that?

 

Victoria loved experimenting and creating different slime combinations, but quickly became bored...

Along with her trusted research assistant, (her dog, Igor), Victoria set out to try some new combinations. Following the scientific method, Victoria didn't stop trying, even when she didn't exactly meet with success.

Victoria started creating slimes that were so amazing that people lined up to get them!

But Victoria wasn't satisfied. One night she got an idea that wouldn't let her rest. She and Igor went to her attic laboratory. While a storm raged outside, she poured and mixed until...

  Victoria held her breath. Igor whimpered. 

They watched as this newest slime became ALIVE!

Although Victoria initially runs away from her creation, "cursing her chemistry skills," in the end, Goop (as Victoria names him) becomes her new lab partner, and together they come up with slime recipes which they share at the end of the book.

Both children and adults (who are familiar with the Frankenstein story) will enjoy this book. The recipes at the end are a nice addition to a fictional picture book. The author has inserted a STEM connection too as Victoria learns the importance of recording her observations and results.

ILLUSTRATOR INTERVIEW 

(Information for us picture book writers who want to know more about the illustrator side of things!)

CAROL: Did the manuscript come to you with illustrator notes? 

ASHLEY:  There were only two art notes in the manuscript. 

CAROL: Were you give total freedom to create the illustrations? 

ASHLEY:  I felt like I had tremendous creative freedom and was able to incorporate my ideas into the work.  After I sent in my first round of sketches, the art director provided feedback that I applied to the work and that direction ultimately resulted in a better book. There were a couple more rounds of changes and then I moved into the final, color artwork. I learned a lot throughout the entire process!  

CAROL: Did you interact with the author at all? 

ASHLEY: Nope! Joy is an amazing writer and this story is so imaginative. We didn't have any contact during the process. We interact a lot on Twitter which is fun. Now that the book has been released, we've been tweeting at each other quite a bit in order to celebrate the book and do some marketing. We do have an event scheduled together next February, so I'm really looking forward to that! 

CAROL: What is your style? What medium did you use?

ASHLEY: My style is definitely whimsical. I tend to illustrate for young, picture book age audiences and skew towards the cute, humorous side of things. My goal is to bring laughter to viewers!

The medium I used for FRANKENSLIME was digital. I am working all digital now using my IPad and Procreate. They are a great combo and I feel like my work gets done efficiently. Procreate is easy to learn and a lot of fun to experiment with!

CAROL: What's up next?

ASHLEY: My debut author/illustrator The Me Tree early reader is being released on November 2 from Penguin Workshop. Valenslime, another book with Joy, will also be released on November 16.  Listen Up, Louella will be released by Fiwell and Friends (Macmillan) in June, 2022.

CAROL: That's great, Ashley. Thanks for joining us and sharing your debut picture book as an illustrator!

Here is Ashley's contact Information. Please follow her at:

• Website: www.AshleyBelote.com
• Instagram: @AshleyBeloteIllustration
• Twitter: @AshleyBelote1

GIVEAWAY

One fortunate blog reader will win a personally autographed copy of this fun picture book. Since I know Ashley through SCBWI, let me know in the comments if you are a member and I'll enter your name twice. Giveaway ends July 24 at 9 AM. Please leave your email address if you are new to my blog! Continental U.S. addresses only. 

WINNER FROM LAST WEEK & A THANK YOU

Congratulations to Virignia Rinkel who won Saving Lady Liberty last week. 

Here's a note from Claudia Friddell:

"Thank you for all of your wonderful comments and thanks, Carol, for your review and interview for Saving Lady Liberty. It was a joy to write, and I loved having the opportunity of sharing Pulitzer and Lady Liberty’s story with your readers!”