Congratulations to Cathy Ogren who won WINGED WONDERS.
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Last year I reviewed Frank Murphy's book, A Boy Like You. Today I'm showcasing the companion book, A Girl Like You(Sleeping Bear Press, 2020) that is co-authored with his wife Carla Murphy. Both books are beautifully illustrated by Kayla Harren.
REVIEW
And the world needs a girl like you.
This is the opening of a book that affirms the unique contributions, attributes, and potential of every girl in the world.
The authors and illustrator show how the world needs girls who are strong, caring, brave, bold, and willing to try new things.
Readers are encouraged to be diligent at whatever activity they try,
and to persevere through ups and downs.
Girls are encouraged to speak up because their thoughts and opinions matter.
Friends are important-- to share good times and to be there when a friend is hurting.
A Girl Like You encourages girls to show kindness, be thoughtful, take care of their hearts, seek help when necessary, and be themselves.
Because,
This book will be useful in the K-second grade classrooms. It can be a great jumping-off point for important conversations in home or school.
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment by 6 PM on December 16 to enter this giveaway. Remember to leave your email address if you are new to my blog.
Congratulations to Tricia Clark who won Fly, Firefly! from Monday's blog. She's an "old" friend, but a new follower to my blog.
Author Meeg Pincus is a gifted author who I featured on my blog a year ago. I am new to Yas Imamura's work but as you'll see in the color palette she used in the illustrations, she is also very talented. This is another fine picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press.
REVIEW
In this way, Meg Pincus begins the story of how two Canadian scientists, many volunteers, a young married couple, and a village in Mexico worked together to solve the monarch migration mystery.
In 1976, the world finally learned the answer...with a groundbreaking discovery.
It began with Fred and Norah Urquhart, two scientists who spent 30 years studying the monarch mystery. In his lab, Fred tagged the butterfly's wings with--of all things--small price tags. Norah placed ads in newspapers throughout North and Central America asking for volunteers to tag butterfly wings. She kept track of every "tidbit of information" that was returned to her.
Thousands of science teachers, backyard gardeners, and other curious souls answered Norah's ads and became citizen scientists.
Ken Brugger and his Mexican wife, Catalina, rode through Mexico for two years trying to track the butterflies' "twisting trail."
Villagers in central Mexico directed the couple to look for the monarchs in their oyamel tree groves.
Catalina kept 40 notebooks of monarch data and "crunched through early morning snow, high in the Sierra Madre mountains" and was rewarded by being the first to spot them.
But who provided the proof that Fred Urquhart needed to announce the discovery of The Great Monarch Migration?
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
Winged Wonders ends with a plea to help save the diminishing monarch population. The last spread encourages readers to be a part of preserving landing spots and airstreams on which the monarchs depend. The back matter includes more about the migration discovery as well as ways in which everyone can help monarchs. I'm going to see about planting milkweed in my garden! Here are some links to educational activities.
PUBLICATION JOURNEY
Since I'm always interested in an author's journey, I found Meeg's interview on Kathy Temean's blog to be inspiring. If you've ever been discouraged by what appears to be a dead-end in writing a picture book biography (as I have!) here's another way to look at a topic.
GIVEAWAY
Leave me a comment (with your email address, if you are new to my blog) by December 12 at 6 PM. Share this post on social media for an additional chance to win the book!
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 bioluminescenceswirling 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.
Right from the beginning, the reader discovers the reason for the title. As Olivia opens a brand new journal and starts pouring out her feelings about sixth grade, she writes as if she is talking to her cat, Sam. At the end of the first chapter she writes, "Remember Sam, it's just between you and me."
On the first day of school, Olivia meets the new girl, Candace, who makes it clear that she thinks Olivia's town of Spring Hope should be re-named Spring Hopeless. Although Olivia is put off by Candace's spangly sequined jacket and fancy phone, she has more empathy for her when she discovers Candace's realtor father works all the time, her parents are divorced, and she recently lost her beloved grandmother.
But problems start. Olivia, Candace, and Isabella, Olivia's BFF, string bracelets that Olivia plans to sell to save money to buy a new halter for her horse, Star, at the next Spring Daze competition. Soon after Olivia consigns the bracelets, the ones which Candace made break. The weak ties of friendship between the two girls fall apart too.
The tension between the two girls escalates and Candace starts bullying Olivia. She begins doubting herself and her friendship with Isabella but refuses to confide her fears to anyone--except to Sam.
Springtime brings Spring Daze and an essay contest. When Candace makes fun of Olivia's essay, their teacher steps in. "We have zero tolerance in this school for children who make fun of others or who are cruel in any way." Although Olivia appreciates her teacher's kindness, she refuses to snitch and reveal all the ways Candace has been tormenting her.
She finally divulges Candace's bullying to Isabella. "I figured if I didn't talk about them [the mean notes she had received], it would be like they weren't real and never existed."
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Olivia finally confronts Candace. Although she feels like blowing up, she realizes that she would end up sounding as mean as Candace. Instead, she quietly tells her, "No more lying. No more bullying. I've had it with you, Candace. Everyone is on to you. You won't have any more friends in Spring Hope unless you stop."
It takes a tornado tearing through the town for Olivia to learn a lesson about priorities and for the truth to come out about Candace.
My other favorite part is the last chapter. But, no spoilers here. Buy this book for the 8-12-year-old reader in your life and read it with her. I think you'll agree that Sam is the real Star of the show.
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The back matter not only includes directions for making friendship bracelets and a recipe for queso dip (mentioned in the book) but also excellent notes to the reader about ways to handle bullying and websites for more information.
GIVEAWAY
To enter this giveaway, please leave me a comment or send me an email. If you are new to my blog, make sure you leave me your email address. U.S. residents will receive an autographed copy; overseas residents will receive the e-book. Giveaway ends at 6 PM on Friday, December 4. For an extra chance to win the book, share my blog on social media or start following my blog. Just let me know which you do in the comments.
Today I'm sharing another unique book published by Sleeping Bear Press, Lions, & Cheetahs & Rhinos OH MY!. Sorry, no giveaway this time--I'm keeping this one for my grandkids.
HOW TO DRAW A LION
I love the concept behind this book. Each stellar drawing was made by a young African who participated in John Platt's non-profit program, How to Draw a Lion.
Here is the program's mission statement from their website:
How to Draw a Lion is a program founded to provide art classes for children, raise money for their education with shows around the world, and to create awareness about child welfare and conservation. The program has taken shape around art classes for under-resourced youth in sub-Saharan Africa, and now the US. Each piece brings with it the spirit and personality of the artist who created it and the sale of the work raises funds for the organizations that support their education. All proceeds from the book are donated to the program to support these and future artists.
REVIEW
Do you like wild animals? Would you like to paint one? How about a LION?
Young readers are invited into this gorgeous book with information about this ferocious hunter.
Each page leads naturally to the next. Maybe the reader won't want to get too near to a lion to draw her, so he might want to draw a gentler animal, like a zebra.
The text provides interesting information about each animal. Did you know that you can tell zebras apart because the pattern of each zebra's stripes is different, like fingerprints?
Cheetahs with all their spots are FAST! You better draw a cheetah before it dashes away...It can race at 65 miles per hour.
[Giraffes] are covered in spots too. Like the zebra's stripes, the pattern of posts on the giraffe's fur is special to each animal.
Like the giraffe, here's another animal that loves to eat vegetables.
An animal that spends its day in the water and feeds on the grass at night is pictured here.
An elephant can drink 50 gallons a day--that's 800 glasses of water!
Female lions raise the cubs and are the primary hunters for the pride.
An animal this majestic inspires everyone. Let's all draw a lion and then paint it!
Other facts I learned reading this book:
Impalas are a type of antelope.
Leopards are shy.
Some gorillas live in tropical forests but others hang out in the mountains.
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
How to Draw a Lion concludes with information about endangered animals and habitat loss. By learning about African animals and their endangered status, you can help protect them.
Of course, this book would not be complete without directions on how to draw a lion; and these are included. If you don't get a copy for your child, grandchild, or classroom, you can follow this tutorial instead.
A cross-curriculum book, students in grades K-4th grade will enjoy the artwork and information about African animals. I hope many readers will be inspired by the art of other young people and attempt to draw animals also.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go draw a lion.
Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef who won The Voice that Won the Vote from last week's blog.
Memoirs of a Tortoise(Sleeping Bear Press, 2020) is a clever and heart-warming book written by Devin Scillian and beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers. Young readers will follow a year in the life of Oliver, an 80-year-old tortoise, whose "pet" is his fellow senior citizen, Ike. It is a book about friendship, aging, and taking time to enjoy the world around us.
REVIEW
April
It's a glorious day and Ike just brought me a plate of lettuce and dandelions and a bright, crunchy apple.
Ike is my pet. I love Ike. And Ike loves me. He runs his hand across my shell and tells me so.
This, this is life and it's beautiful.
May
Ike throws a stick and says, "Oliver, fetch!" But we just laugh because we both know I'm not chasing a silly stick. We do this every day.
Oliver ambles across the garden to enjoy the hibiscus. He remembers his mother telling him, "The whole world is in a hurry. They miss so much."
July
"... this is my favorite time of all, just me and Ike and this beautiful garden. How long can we sit here? How about forever?"
October
Everything about life has slowed down--including Ike. When the baby pool and garden hose aren't put away, Oliver beings to wonder. Where is Ike?
When Oliver sees sad people come to Ike's home, he realizes that Ike is gone and decides to visit his 137-year-old mother. But it's a long walk to her garden and Oliver has to cross ten gardens to get to her. Finally, he sees her wide smile and sparkly eyes.
February
"Why do we have to lose people? Why couldn't Ike stay with me?"
Mother smiles. She closes her eyes and raises her head to the sun.
"We only get to have pets in our lives for a little while, she says. They don't live as long as we do. So we have to enjoy them every day."
April
Oliver is glad to be back home, but when the door to the house opens, he looks for Ike. But he isn't there. Instead, his son Ted greets Oliver.
"I'm so glad you came home, Oliver. It's you and me now."
Parents and grandparents will enjoy reading this sweet story to their children and grandchildren.
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment by 6 PM on Friday, November 27 to enter the giveaway. Please leave me your email address if you are new to my blog.
The book opens by showing contemporary women lined up at a polling booth.
Very quickly, the author turns the clock back to 1920 when women were denied the right to vote. Boxer tells the reader about Febb Burn, a woman in East Tennessee who studied, went to college, became a teacher, and had a farm.
Every year on election day the men on her farm would head to town hall to cast their votes.
And every year, Febb Burn would watch them go.
She was sick and tired of staying home, shut out of the process.
So, she sat on her front porch and wrote a letter.
A few days later that letter arrived on her son Harry's desk. He was the youngest lawmaker in Tennessee and a witness to history in the making.
Thirty-five states wanted women to vote, but the country needed thirty-six to make it law.
It all came down to Tennessee, the last state left to vote.
But the lawmakers in Tennessee were divided. Half wanted to allow women to vote, half didn't. After the first vote was tied, the lawmakers had to vote a second time.
It was a soul-searching moment for Harry Burn. Previously he had voted against women's suffrage. Most of the people he represented hated the idea of women voting and many of them were in the audience that day. I imagine he thought about the note he had received from his mother:
(Image of the back cover.)
He surprised the other legislators and broke the tie by saying, "Yes."
When Harry was asked why he changed his vote, he replied,
"I know that a mother's advice is always safest for a boy to follow."
The people who elected Harry were shocked and angry. Harry understood that his decision probably cost him his political career. But, he told reporters:
"I am happy simply because I followed my conscience. It kept telling me women are people."
It took courage for Harry to stand up for his beliefs. At the next election, he and his mother were probably worried what the results would be. But when the votes were counted, they were thrilled when Harry was re-elected to the Tennessee legislature.
And no one was prouder than the woman who, without speaking a word, gave all women a voice.
The book ends with a long author's note about the pressure both Febb and Harry faced after his historic vote. It includes how the women's suffrage movement was linked to the anti-slavery movement. A pictorial timeline of significant events is also provided.
This book will be useful in second-fifth grade classrooms. You can download the teaching guide if you search for the book using this link.
THE BACKSTORY
Since I love knowing the story behind a story, I reached out to author Elisa Boxer to find out how she discovered this little-known story of Febb Burn. Here is what she wrote:
"As a journalist, I've always been drawn to researching unsung heroes. So a couple of years ago, when I decided to write a book about the upcoming 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, I searched online for little-known women in the suffrage movement. When I came across the story of Febb Burn, and learned how she helped save suffrage by writing a letter to her son at a time when society was trying to keep women small and voiceless, I knew hers was a story I wanted to tell. Especially because there were no books about her!"
GIVEAWAY
Leave me a comment by 5 PM on November 20 and I'll enter your name. Make sure you leave your email address if you are new to my blog.
Congratulations to Jana Leah who won T is for Thor from last week's blog.
Today I'm happy to share a new picture book by author/illustrator, Katia Wish. Raccoon's Perfect Snowman (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020) will delight the young reader in your life even as it communicates an important message.
REVIEW
Raccoon was very serious about building snowmen.
He practiced rolling, stacking, and decorating and knew that his friends would want his help making their snowmen.
But things didn't go as Raccoon expected.
Raccoon took out all of his snowman-building tools.
When it was time to decorate their snowmen, Mouse wasn't left with much to choose from.
Raccoon loved his snowman but was very disappointed in what his friends' produced. None of them got it right! With shoulders slumped, Rabbitt, Fox, and Mouse left him alone... and miserable.
Before they were out of sight, Raccoon called them back. He had an idea for a truly perfect snowman. Working together, they used whatever snow they found, stacked it however they wanted to and lastly, Raccoon told them,
The new snowman wasn't very clean.
It didn't stand up straight.
And the decorations didn't match.
But it was perfect.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
CAROL: What role does SCBWI have in your life as a writer/illustrator?
KATIA: SCBWI is huge! All of my contacts, connections, classes, critique groups, and knowledge came from SCBWI. With every new workshop and conference, I gained more and more understanding of what I needed to do to develop my portfolio and improve my writing.
KATIA: Winning the 2011 Tomie DePaola Award so early in my career was amazing. Art directors and editors respect and appreciate Tomie’s work so much, so his recognition meant a stamp of approval for my work. Industry professionals noticed and started to pay close attention to the development of my work. It gave me confidence and encouragement to continue working on my illustrations and dummies.
CAROL: What gave you the idea for the story?
KATIA: The book is about friendship and rethinking what “perfect” means. The book is about my childhood memories of building a snowman. It’s such a sensory experience: how the snow changes color in the light, the warmth of the hat, the coldness of the snow, the sounds of the wind, the crunchiness of the snow.
CAROL: What was your publishing journey?
KATIA: When you start from a character, it’s quite a challenging experience. You try different stories on, try different directions. What you are doing at that stage is not developing the story yet, but getting to know your character.
This is something my wonderful agent coached me on through all the years I have worked with him. If the story comes from the character, the character is strong, alive, and believable. It doesn’t matter what kind of story the character will live in, it will still be true and relatable and honest.
We went through many many many drafts getting closer to the heart of the story. The first 5-7 drafts were not even close to the final book at all! But with each draft, the true character was revealed.
It’s an exhausting experience to build stories this way, but it’s worth it. If the story relies on one joke or one trick, it will not have re-readability.
When we were ready to submit, we found a great publisher for the story – Sleeping Bear Press. The editor and art director had more suggestions on how to improve the story and the artwork. They came up with the most brilliant solution to the ending of the book. Even though their solution was so obvious and so undeniably best, I didn’t see that solution even through so many drafts of the story. The fresh set of eyes makes a difference for any creative project or any situation in life!
CAROL: What medium did you use and why did you choose that particular medium?
KATIA: At this point, I work primarily with watercolor and pencil. I start with idea generation, loose doodles, color studies.
Then I transfer the sketch on watercolor paper and have a lot of washes and build up layers in watercolor. Things still look very ambiguous and not promising. So I have to stay in this uncomfortable stage for a very long time.
But then in the last 20% of the process, I start adding linework and everything comes to life - characters’ expressions, details, depth. It’s sort of magic how things transform.
GIVEAWAY
I'm happy to give away this book to one fortunate reader. Please leave me a comment with your email address if you are new to my blog. A winner will be drawn after 6 PM on November 13.
