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.

Four Seasons of Fun: A Review and Picture Book Giveaway

This is my fourth book to give away in time to mail before the holidays. I may squeeze in another review next week--but no guarantees. If you don't hear from me for a little while it's because I'm taking a break. But no worries--I'll be back in your inbox with more reviews, updates on Half-Truths, and writing tips next year.

Some of you wonder how I'm able to give away so many books. I'm fortunate to regularly receive picture books from Sleeping Bear Press as well as audio books through Tantor Audio and Recorded Books. Other books I read about on social media and I approach the publisher for a review copy. Occasionally, authors approach me to do a cover reveal and I try to accompany that with a book review and giveaway. It's a win-win situation for all of us. I get to read a ton of books and share them with you!

REVIEW

Study the magnificent cover of this new picture book from Sleeping Bear Press. Purchase it for a young reader and the two of you can search for this tree through the poems about the changing seasons by Pamela Duncan Edwards. Illustrated by Sylvie Daigneault, Four Seasons of Fun will be a pleasure to read aloud and share with your favorite little reader. Kudos to art director, Felicia Mascheke for the concept of the changing tree for each season.

Study the cover and imagine the picture that goes with this text which welcomes spring:

Glittering sunbeams make a golden crown
for a tree that is wearing a blossom gown.
Out from a burrow two black eyes peep;
groundhog has finished his winter sleep. 

The summer tree is growing fruit!

Shimmering now in leafy green,
the tree stands tall, a royal queen. 
Sheltering a nest where babes lie snug,
beaks reaching up for a tasty bug.

The fall tree is ready to be picked; its fruit finds a home inside a pie.

Whispering secrets to the soft wind blowing 

the tree rustles and dances, 

yellow leaves glowing. 

     

Even the bare tree of winter is spectacular in its coating of ice.

Sparkling with frost, 

the tree's branches are bare; 

a fox lifts her snout  

and sniffs at the air.

The book shows diverse characters enjoying different seasonal activities. I love the imagery in Pamela Duncan Edwards' poetry and the accompanying illustrations by Sylvie Daigneault. The ending is just right--as the seasons begin all over. I can picture a K-first grade teacher using this in a classroom discussion about the seasons.

GIVEAWAY

Leave me a comment by December 17 along with your email address if you are new to my blog. For an extra chance, either follow my blog or refer a friend who decides to follow it. (Both you and your friend will be entered twice; make sure you both leave comments and indicate this.) USA addresses only.