2 Bug Books and 1 Giveaway

 Today I am featuring two more picture books published by Sleeping Bear Press. They're as different as STEM is to wordplay, but remarkably, both feature bugs. 

LIGHT the SKY FIREFLY!

Three years ago I featured Sherry Mary Bestor and Jonny Lambert in their book, Soar High, Dragonfly! Today I'm highlighting another one of their collaborative adventures.

My co-publisher of Talking Story, Mindy Baker, called this informational picture book a fiction/non-fiction hybrid. That's an interesting description.  As many STEM picture books do, the layer of text for younger readers shows a firefly's life cycle using simple words and sentence structure.  Older readers will appreciate the in-depth sidebar descriptions. The different fonts, sizes, and colors of the words also signal to readers which part of the book is meant for them. 

Here is the opening page.

Pitter-patter,

drizzle-drip

Summer rain cools the earth. Bees Buzz. Birds glide.

Notice the simple language and the poetic use of onomatopoeia.  

The accompanying illustration shows the beginning of the firefly's life cycle.

On the next page, the sidebar explains bioluminescence and how some species begin to glow before they are hatched. 

The life cycle continues as the larva grows and hunts prey by injecting a liquid that keeps snails and slugs from getting away.

Fireflies hibernate,

"Shedding an outer shell, or exoskeleton, is called molting."

and transform. 

When he is ready...

out he comes.

Oh my! It's a firefly!

Once they launch into the sky, fireflies face predators.

But, they are prepared. Fireflies shed drops of white blood which taste bitter and can be poisonous. 

Readers learn how the blinking and twinkling (I love that tall rhyme!)

attracts a mate.

Thus, the life cycle continues...and the reading begins!

My 7-year-old granddaughter, Eleanor, reading 
to her 2-year-old brother, Caleb.

Bug on the Rug

I have featured author Sophia Gholz and illustrator Susan Batori on my blog in the past. It's always fun to pick up a book and recognize either the author or illustrator--it's like meeting old friends!

This fun picture book combines early reader phonics instruction with a cute story complete with conflict, humor, and page-turn drama.

The book opens with Pug's "normal."

Pug on a rug,

cozy and snug.

 

Bug--looking real smug. 

 That's when trouble begins. 

Pug growls and howls.

Bug buzzes and scowls.

Bug tries all sorts of tricks to hold unto his new-found rug. But, its owner is NOT happy.

Fortunately, along comes...

Slug--right under Pug. 

Pug slips on Slug,

knocks into Bug.

The three tussle and Slug is stuck in between. He tells it like it is: "You're both being mean." 

Pug discovers Bug's backstory and is appropriately contrite. Apologies are given and received. As Bug is about to leave the scene, Slug comes up with a wise solution: 

"You've cleared the air,

How 'bout you share?"

 

In the end, everyone is happy until along comes....

Cat!

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I've tried to write a phonics-based story, and am very impressed with how Sophia Gholz wrote one that perfectly rhymes and tells an engaging story. The hilarious illustrations by Susan Batori complement the story--young children will love the "bug-eyed" animals. And by the way, the cover and end page drawing tells a story of their own. 

GIVEAWAY

I really loved both of these books and wanted to give Light the Sky, Firefly to my grandkids and keep Bug on the Rug as a mentor text. But I know that my readers love winning books. When I discovered that I could take Bug out of my local library, I decided to give it away here.

Leave a comment by October 20 and I'll enter your name to win Bug on the Rug. If you are a follower of my blog, I'll enter your name twice. (If you aren't already a follower and decide to subscribe, then your name will go in the hat three times!). Just let me know what you do in the comments. Please leave your name and email address in the comments if you are new to my blog.

Bobby Babinski's Bathtub and Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie. 2 Fun Picture Books + One Giveaway!

 Congratulations to Rois Hollenbeck who won Unicorn Yoga and to Susan Rice for Sing Some More from last week's blog.

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Bobby Babinski's Bathtub

This rollicking picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press is as fun as the title sounds and the cover looks. Written by Judy Young and illustrated by Kevin M. Barry, readers and their parents will enjoy the poetry and funny text. Caveat: parents, watch our for your children's bathtub expectations after reading this book!

Mr. Babinski has a problem. His son refuses to take a bath.  

In fact, Bobby's father has several problems. Every time he ingeniously answers his son's objections, Bobby comes up with a new reason not to take a bath. 

Mr. B chops a hole the roof of their house and builds a roller coaster so that Bobby can safely slide into his tub.

But, that doesn't satisfy Bobby. He needs some toys to keep him company in his tub. Mr. B satisfies his son's desire with an over-the-top assortment of ocean creatures.

Of course, Bobby complains again.

Mr. B patiently complies with each and every request resulting in more and more changes to their yard. Finally, when Bobby is stranded on a sandy island, his father arranges for a HUMUNGOUS pelican to bring him home. 

It scooped Bobby up, 

And with huge wings gyrating, 

Flew over the water 

To where Papa was waiting.

In the end, Bobby STILL refuses to go down for his nap:

As Bobby Babinski

Dropped in Papa's lap,

Papa held up some PJ's

Saying, "Time for a nap."

But Bobby Babinski said, "No!"

With a grin,

"I want to have bath time 

All over again!"

Who wouldn't?

ACOUSTIC ROOSTER'S BARNYARD BOOGIE

Here's another fun picture book brought to you by best-selling author Kwame Alexander with clever, colorful illustrations by Tim Bowers. Barnyard Boogie follows their previous book, Acoustic Rooster and The Barnyard Band, both published by Sleeping Bear Press. 

Indigo Blume is happily cleaning up her city for the Garden City Community Festival until she finds out that big crowds will be coming to hear her sing. 

Her mother and father try to reassure her that she will do fine, but she goes to sleep worried. During the night she dreams about the barnyard animals she'd been reading about before going to sleep. 

In her dream, the animals ask her to join their group but then a strong wind destroys their barn. Their efforts to rebuild it aren't enough and the animals bewail the demise of their home.

Indigo encourages them to throw a benefit concert to rebuild the barn which they name the Barnyard Boogie. Miss Dairy Parton loses her voice and Indigo has to fill in for her. Despite her fears, Indigo pulls off a great show. 

She wakes up, inspired by her barnyard friends and ready to,

Be a star...In your mind... Day and night...Let it shine!"

Here's a lively preview of the Acoustic Rooster musical premiering Fall 2021 at The Kennedy Center.

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Do you ever wonder what happens to the books that I review and don't give away? 

Here's why: 

Who do you think this is?

GIVEAWAY

For a chance to win Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie, please leave me a comment with your email address if you are new to my blog. Share this on social media and you'll be in twice! The giveaway ends October 2.