FLY, FIREFLY! A Review and Picture Book Giveaway

 Congratulations to Connie Saunders who won the autographed copy of JUST BETWEEN SAM AND ME from last week's blog.

With the holidays coming up, I'm going to review and give away a few more books than usual. I know that many of you give these books to your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. I enjoy passing them along and would love if you share pictures with their books on Facebook (please tag me and Sleeping Bear Press too) --as long as their parents don't mind!

Today I have another outstanding book written by Shana Keller and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. Shana is no stranger to my blog but this is the first time I saw Ramona's evocative illustrations. 

With a few pictures and quotes from this rhyming picture book, I hope you will glimpse the beauty and hear the music in this story.

REVIEW

                                   to see the sea.

Attracted by bright lights in the ocean, the firefly ends up being whooshed out to sea. 

A young woman and her niece see him sink.

The woman wades in and scoops him out from the wet sand. Her niece explains to the firefly he is seeing bioluminescence swirling and twirling in the great sea. 

Cradling him in her hand, she brings him back to the tree line. 

"Trust us, you'll see. That glittering there is from the sea.

The glowing HERE is your own family.

 

 

 

CURRICULUM RESOURCE

This lovely picture book not only includes a message about the importance of "staying close" to one's family, but the back matter includes how Rachel Carson inspired this story and information about bioluminescence. Pre-kindergarten through second-grade teachers could use this book in their classrooms. See Shana's website for LOTS of ways to use this book as a resource. 

GIVEAWAY

Leave me a comment if you wish to be entered in this giveaway. PLEASE leave your email if you are new to my blog. If you are a new follower, I'll enter your name twice--just let me know! The giveaway ends on Wednesday, December 9 at 6 PM. 

Boats Will Float: A Picture Book Review

The range of picture books which Sleeping Bear Press publishes never ceases to amaze me. This rhyming book slips in information and illustrations about more than fifteen different boats in a book that a young reader might think is "a day in the life of a boat." 

Think quick. What image comes to mind when I say "boat?" Perhaps a fishing boat, rowboat, or sailboat. I guarantee that some of the boats that author Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum included in Boats Will Float may not be what you thought of. As you'll see below, the illustrations by Brett Curzon enhance this fun picture book. 

REVIEW

Starting on the first page the reader discovers a family waking up on a houseboat.

Next, the reader meets dragon boats,

and a speedboat pulling a grandmother.

Sunlight sizzles, hot and bright, 

Speedboat launches human kite  

Soaring up and sailing free, 

Crystal spray and aqua sea.

The author plays with onomatopoeia on several pages.

After portraying many different kinds of boats, the author returns to the beginning and shows the house boat's interior.

At the back of the book there is a two-page spread with information about each boat mentioned in the text. Have fun with your pre-schooler and find the boats that float throughout the pages of this colorful, informative book. 

Sorry, no giveaway this week. A new baby in my neighborhood will enjoy this with her family! But you know me--more giveaways to follow soon. Click here for a free activity page that readers can print out to go along with the book.