Two Destinations, Two Picture Books, Two Reviews, and Two Giveaways

Today I have two more lovely picture books courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press. If you're hankering to get a glimpse into Michigan or the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, you're in the right spot.

REVIEWS

OUR MICHIGAN!

Our Michigan! We Love the Seasons is written and illustrated by Gijsbert Van Frankenhuzen, who has illustrated 34 books for Sleeping Bear Press-- many about Michigan--Sleeping Bear's home state. Each season is shown through the author's paintings accompanied by brief, sensory descriptions.

Spring in Michigan is walking near a pond and hearing croaking frogs, running through daisy meadows, and...

Summer in Michigan is seagulls at the water's edge,

riding a ferryboat,

and counting stars in the summer night.

Autumn in Michigan is... 

"hearing dry leaves scrunch under foot," and watching the beautiful sunset "over green-gold hills."

Winter is foxes tracking through snow, "smelling the smoke from a wood fire," and...

*****

Lulu & Rocky in Rocky Mountain National Park

My blog readers will probably recognize Lulu and Rocky, stars of this adorable series written by Barbara Joose and illustrated by Renee Graef. In this fifth book, the two fox-boxing cousins explore Rocky Mountain National Park along with their sidekick Pufferson. (I blogged about their trip to Indianapolis here, and to Milwaukee here, ) If you are new to this series, each book includes a map showing where the characters visit. The stories include interesting facts which will inform children (and adults!). 

Every Lulu and Rocky book begin with an invitation from Aunt Fancy. Although we never get to meet her, she's a silent planner behind every trip. This is the image before the story begins:

"A purple envelope arrives...'Are you ready for an adventure?'" Aunt Fancy writes. Immediately, Rocky starts packing.

He meets his cousin Lulu and their guide Henry at the Stanley Hotel. The next day they hike, find a squabbit (a type of squirrel that looks like a rabbit because of its long ears) and set up camp. The next day they hit the trail again, this time on horses.

Their adventure includes learning about the Junior Rangers program, singing around a campfire with the coyotes, and 

They watch bighorn sheep nibble on grass, applaud a shooting star show, and "bump over switchbacks and hairpin turns in the thrills-and chills roller-coaster ride of a lifetime!

At the Alpine Visitor Center they buy souvenirs and leave the park how they found it--which is what Junior Rangers pledge to do.

The book ends with the author's signature finale. As the friends say goodbye to all they've seen and done, they "shout goodbye to the Rockies..." 

Which is such a wonderful way to end their adventure.

BACK MATTER

Both books have additional information at the end of the book. 
Our Michigan! has two pages of craft activities. Lulu and Rocky in Rocky Mountain National Park includes two pages of definitions. 

GIVEAWAYS

If you prefer one book over the other, please let me know in the comments. And PLEASE leave your email address if you are new to my blog. Continental U.S. addresses only. The giveaway ends Friday, September 24 at 6 PM, so enter now!

Congratulations to Gail Hurlburt who won WITHOUT SEPARATION from last week's blog.

Books for Young Readers: Tip and Tucker-Paw Painters, Lulu & Rocky in Indianapolis and a Giveaway

 Congratulations to Jana Leah who won the ARC of Just Between Sam and Me from last week's blog.

*****

Tip and Tucker--Paw Painters

Tip and Tucker first appeared on my blog last year when they were on a Road Trip. Written by Ann Ingalls and Sue Lowell Gallion and illustrated by Andre Ceolin, this series for readers in K-1 features the adventures of two classroom hamsters, Tip and Tucker. 

Tucker is adventuresome, Tip is a bit shy--but put the two of them together and they are fast friends! 

When Mr. Lopez announces that it is Art Week, his students and hamsters are interested. What will they create with marbles and boxes?

Tip and Tucker soon find out that marbles can create paintings and boxes can become a rocket.  When the students leave for recess, hamster exploration begins!

Pretty soon Tip and Tucker's rocket tips over and the hamsters escape. They discover the paint and mayhem ensues.

The students come back to find interesting artwork all over their classroom. Tip and Tucker are cleaned up and put back into their cage for a nap. When they wake up, they discover that they are artists too!

LULU & ROCKY IN INDIANAPOLIS

Lulu & Rocky in Indianapolis is the second book in this series I have reviewed. Here's the first one: Lulu & Rocky in Milwaukee. The series is written by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by Renee Graef. 

Lulu and Rocky greet one another, jump into a hot rod car, and then drive by a museum with a dinosaur crashing through the walls!

They explore the Children's Museum of Indianapolis and then go to Sports Legends.

The pair tour the Eiteljorg Museum and ride a clip-clop stagecoach.

Lulu and Rocky eat cookies that look just like them at the Illinois Street Food Emporium, read books at Kids Ink, and finally get to the "brickyard"--the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Lulu catches racecar fever!

Their last stop is Monument Circle where "Miss Victory" holds a golden light to welcome everyone. 

The pair "wave goodbye to Indianapolis, and Indianapolis waves back."

This book is complete with a traveler's guide to the highlights of the city. This is the third book in the series and next up is Lulu & Rocky in Rocky Mountain National Park.

GIVEAWAY

Since one of my granddaughters is just learning to read, Tip and Tucker landed on her bookshelf. I am giving away Lulu and Rocky. To enter, please leave a comment by October 23 (with your email address if you are new to my blog).