BECAUSE I'M NEW and LITTLE SOCK MAKES A FRIEND: Two Picture Books, One Giveaway

Sleeping Bear Press keeps sending me books! Here are two that young readers (and pre-readers) in your life will enjoy. 

BECAUSE I'M NEW

Who would have thought of writing a book from the point of view of the new child in the family? Author-illustrator Brad Sneed, that's who. 

The title page shows a little boy peering out the living room window. On the copyright page, he jumps off the sofa and exclaims, "They're home!"

In that way Brad introduces the reader to the main star of the book: New Baby. 

And even though baby can't catch a ball or run; baby can sit, watch, and listen.

Baby is sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but ALWAYS needs lots of help from Mom, Dad, and Big Brother. Baby doesn't stay little, and he doesn't stay new. 

Baby grows, plays, cries, and laughs. But most of all,

With simple text and a unique point of view, big brothers and sisters glimpse what they mean to the newest member of their family. A great gift for a sibling welcoming his new brother or sister.

LITTLE SOCK MAKES A FRIEND

Two years ago I reviewed Little Sock the picture book prequel to Little Sock Makes a Friend written by Kia Heise and Christopher D. Park. As we discovered in the first book, 

Sometimes, after the other socks have gone to sleep, he sneaks out of the drawer... and into a hidden tunnel in the back of the dryer. This leads to a place where only socks can go.

Little sock finds other socks eating ice cream, listening to music, and even going around on the merry go round!

But he's lonely and realizes he needs a friend to do all of these fun things with. He sees another sock who seems to need a friend too. But, his mind is full of questions. 

As nervous as he feels, Little Sock drums up his courage and asks her if she'll be his friend. 

Together, they find lots of fun things to do and Little Sock concludes, 

Who can resist a story about two socks who become friends? A fun book to read in the classroom or at home. 

GIVEAWAY

I'm giving away Little Sock Makes a Friend to one of you! (Because of You will be a gift to my grandson who adores his baby brother). Please leave me a comment by April 9 with your email address if you are new to my blog. U.S. addresses only. 

Two Socks, One Giveaway

Congratulations to Gwen Porter who won "A Boy Like You" and to Linda Townsend who won "A Fist for Joe Louis and Me."

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If you didn't win last week, here's another chance at winning an adorable picture book, also courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press. 

Little Sock

This debut picture book by Kia Heise and Chrispher D. Park, is one that children (and their parents or caregivers) will enjoy reading. 

Little Sock is bored. Every day it's the same old thing. He gets worn, gets dirty, and gets washed. "All the other Socks seem happy, but Little Sock dreams of something different." He's heard of a place called Sock City where every day is a new adventure and he is determined to find it--even though it means going through a scary, dark tunnel in the back of the dryer. 

On the other end of the tunnel Little Sock finds Sock City and lots of different Socks,

and determines to go back again. 

Only next time, he'll bring a friend. 

One Red Sock

This is the second book I've reviewed by author-illustrator Jennifer Sattler. Like BULLY, ONE RED SOCK also is light on text but full of bold, larger-than-life illustrations which will amuse young readers.

How many purple hippos do you know who live in a room full of colorful dots? And how many can't seem to find a red sock to match the one she already has on? Young readers will enjoy meeting this unique hippo, identifying colors, and learning the rhymes.

In the end, after trying out a rainbow of colored socks, Ms. Hippo decides to wear one that has polka dots to match her room.

Jennifer was featured last week on Kathy Temean's blog. Check out the link to see more of Jennifer's illustrations and her entire process!

GIVEAWAY

Since my youngest grandson is turning one this week, LITTLE SOCK is on its way to his house. I think his older sister will enjoy reading it to him. 

Four-year-old Eleanor, "reading" Five Little Ladybugs
to her brother, Luke. According to my daughter,
Luke listens the best when she reads to him.

ONE RED SOCK is up for grabs though! Leave me a comment by August 8 and I'll enter your name in the giveaway. Just make sure you leave me your email address if I don't have it.