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.