Please Be Nice to Sharks: Fascinating Facts about the Ocean’s Most Misunderstood Creatures by Matthew Weiss [Review & Giveaway - open USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9781454917489

Sterling Children's Books

Summer time is here! Time to splash and swim in the great ocean waters is here! And time to be aware of some of the most awesome creatures on the planet - Sharks. Shark week 2016 is officially beginning Sunday June 26th. But let's begin a countdown now learning about these JAWsome creatures. Then watch everywhere beginning June 26th for more JAWsome information

Sterling Publishing (Sterling Children's Books) has a book  that hit the shelves in early June 2016 that is beautifully illustrated showing these JAWsome creatures. Matt Weiss is using his wonderful talent to bring us fascinating facts about the Ocean's Most Misunderstood Creatures. 

Now let's dive deep to see just why we should Be Nice To Sharks! 

Typically we think of sharks as these stealthy grey & white monsters with horrendous teeth that lurk in the waters preying on people. But as the author points out that it isn't true (p. 3) and that they are being over-fished for collecting fins and for sport. Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy and 70 million sharks killed yearly for this food. Weiss reports that almost all the sharks in the oceans are gone and they could become extinct.

Some say, "Good riddance. They are dangerous." But consideration needs to be given to the fact that sharks are like the caretakers of the oceans and the waters cover almost three-quarters of Earth's surface. WOW!

Reading Please Be Nice to Sharks: Fascinating Facts about the Ocean's Most Misunderstood Creatures will open the reader's eyes, mind, and hearts to considering the caretakers of the ocean. The text is in the first person as though each type of shark is speaking to the reading and sharing a bit about themselves. The tone is light-hearted as if the shark is saying, "Hey look, I'm not a bad guy after all."

So as you swim in the oceans, be alert and if you see fins, maybe you should get out because the sharks are doing just what they are made to do - roaming the oceans, being its caretaker, and looking for food.

As you visit the various aquariums across the world, look at these magnificent creatures and be amazed; be thankful that they were created and that they roam the oceans.

At the end of the book, there is a great index so you can find the specific sharks, pages about attacks, about the food chain, and other delightful stuff.

GIVEAWAY

Begins July 8

ENDS July 28 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only

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About the book: Meet 14 cool sharks (and one manta ray) and see why it's important to BE NICE TO SHARKS! Though they’re often portrayed as vicious man-eaters, sharks actually kill fewer than 10 people per year. Yet those myths cause real harm: many species are being hunted to extinction, with as many as 100-200 million sharks being killed each year.

Matt Weiss is the owner of Dive Photo Guide and is a diver, photographer, biologist, author, and ocean lover. Please Be Nice To Sharks is his first children’s book. Follow him on Twitter at either @MattDPG or @DivePhotoGuide and learn more about him on his website: DivePhotoGuide.com. Matt lives in New York. 

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Sterling Children's Books to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated. Winner's copy will be shipped to them directly by the publisher.

Let's hear from Kell Andrews author of MIRA FORECASTS THE FUTURE [Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

Children's books have found a new niche that renders them an effective educational tool as well as a real piece of entertainment. I've found several along the way and it amazes me how an author can turn education into fun. Kids want to read books like this, but the key is making them interesting, appealing to the visual and mental senses, and capturing their full attention. Here is a bit about Kell Andrews's experience in developing MIRA FORECASTS THE FUTURE.

Mixing Science Fact and Fiction in Mira Forecasts the Future

I was looking for a fun way to write about the sciences, and I thought of the weather. I love kids nonfiction, but I’m a fiction writer. I brainstormed a way to build a story around it, and that story turned into MIRA FORECASTS THE FUTURE.

 When I was growing up, my family was obsessed with the weather, and once we got cable, we watched The Weather Channel every night. Until then, the weather had just been a few square inches of the newspaper or a few minutes of the nightly news. We had a thermometer, barometer, windvanes, and rain gauges, but I didn’t forecast the weather myself -- it was more of a spectator sport.

It doesn’t need to be. Children can observe and track the weather with very few tools -- just a thermometer and their own eyes. And with easy availability of weather apps and satellite photos, they have tools at their disposal that Mira never dreamed of.

Turning Weather into a Story

Kell Andrews, author
Mira Forecasts the Future

So how to make weather forecasting work in fiction ? It occurred to me that predicting the weather is a real-life way of predicting the future using science, and I noticed how interested my own children were in the little paper fortune tellers they folded and made.

From there I came up with Mira, an inept fortuneteller turned weather wonder girl whose predictions her whole beach town comes to rely on. New to fiction/nonfiction hybrids, I studied a lot of texts, and one I liked a lot was Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money, by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Brian Karas. So I wrote the weather information as backmatter.

Later, when I was working with Sterling Kids, editor Zaneta Jung asked my to incorporate the factual information into the story, and illustrator Lissy Marlin turned into a visual in the middle of the book as Mira researches in the library before she tries her own hand at meteorology.

I hope readers get inspired by Mira’s love of weather -- whether they make their own predictions or get fascinated by another area of science. There’s so much kids can do now to learn about and participate in science -- it’s much easier to forecast the future if you start working towards it now.

 May be purchased at Barnes & Noble

About the book: Telling the future is a gift: you either have it, or you don’t. And Mira, daughter of the famous fortune teller Madame Mirabella, just doesn't. When Madame gazes into the crystal ball, magic swirls. When Mira looks . . . nothing. Then one day Mira gets a pinwheel and a windsock, she finds her own form of “magic” in the science of predicting the weather—and saves the day for everyone! This engaging tale, with a fun touch of science thrown in, helps kids understand that we all have our own special talent.

GIVEAWAY

Begins June 22

ENDS July 13 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: This guest post was provided by Sterling Children's Books an imprint of Sterling Publishing on behalf of the author, Kell Andrews, to promote this book. I was not compensated for posting this review.
NOTE: This story does incorporate the skills of Mira's mother, Madame Mirabella, who is a fortune teller at the beach and Mira bemoaning the fact that she does not have the fortune telling skill as well. I appreciate Mira's discovering points about predicting the weather and it makes for a cute story.

Can You Canoe? And Other Adventure Songs by The Okee Dokee Brothers, illustrated by Brandon Reese (book & music CD) [Review & Giveaway]

About the book & CD: The Grammy® Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers—Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing—celebrate the beauty of nature and the joys of being outdoors and unplugged. Their family-friendly music aims to inspire parents and kids to get outside and get creative. Can You Canoe? journeys cross-country in 12 songs, from the rolling hills of Appalachia in the east to the canyons and campfires of the West. Along the way, The Okee Dokee Brothers’ irresistible, boot-stompin’ tunes invite kids to wander through the woods and wilderness, where they’ll discover hungry black bears and tall-tale spinners; quiet canoes and cozy camping tents; a jumpin’ jamboree and a bullfrog opera. Brandon Reese’s lively illustrations, and a CD to sing along with, will make this set a children’s classic.



My thoughts: Oh my! This is FUN! A rollicking fun trip with music and words that will tickle your fancy and have you clapping your hands, patting toes in rhythm, foot stomping, shoulder rolling fun, fun, fun.

I'm wondering if you'd go wandering with me

Through the wilderness and woods

To where the winds are blowin’ free.

Bluegrass music with lyrics sung where you can clearly understand the words. All about life and enjoying the things and stuff of a simple life. Finding fun in simple things.

Take the kids (and yourself) to the authentic bluegrass music of Americana. Lyrics and music by the Okee Dokee Brothers. Bring your kids into the world of rollicking, fun, music. Hear the harmony. Everyone clap their hands. Smile. Enjoy!

Great for road-tripping or lightening the mood around the house.

The books has lyrics and wonderful pictures. Illustrations by Brandon Reese show a couple of guys out-'n-about enjoying a canoe, tenting, hiking, dancing. Bright colors simply chock-full of fun and enjoyment. Literally makes you want to pack your stuff, grab your tent, and get out-'n-about yourself enjoying the wilderness in all its glory.

Summer's coming! Get one for those long road trips or those "I'm so bored" days at home! Fun!

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 26

Ends June 16 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary book and CD to facilitate this review by Sterling Children's Books. Opinions are delightfully my own. I was not compensated except with pure joy.

Mr. Particular: The World's Choosiest Champion! by Jason Kirschner [Review & Giveaway-Open USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9781454918189

Meet Mr. Particular—the world’s choosiest champion! This superhero’s super picky: he says NO to squishy mud, gross green things, tucked-in shirts, humming, and anything with coconut. But, when his friends in the “Super-Duper Group” finally get fed up with his fussiness, can Mr. Particular prove that even the super-squeamish can save the day? This fun comic-book-style story will delight even the most finicky kids!

“I enjoyed Mr. Particular and so will you. This is a great book for kids—a terrific story, beautifully illustrated.” —David Letterman

My thoughts: This is a delightfully cute, cartoon style book that kids will really get a kick out of.

Mr. Particular just likes things just so and no mess and no muddle and certain types of food are off limits. In short, he is particular. He is finicky. He is set in having things look, feel, and done a certain way - his way.

He is the epitome of every little boy in that he is a caped super hero. This super hero is not a giant of a muscled man. No he is a kid. A boy. A dreaming-visions, strong-minded, little boy. And he is choosy about things and stuff. He is particular. And he is in a group of super-duper-friends who keep the universe safe from bad guys.

Just don't let there be humming because Mr. Particular is very particular about humming.

This is the author's debut children's picture book. I believe Jason Kirschner has a winner here and perhaps it is the beginning of lots of fun stuff for us to look forward to reading.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 10 & 

Ends May 31 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Sterling Children's Books to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated.

Normal Norman by Tara Lazar and illustrated by S.Britt [Review & Giveaway]

About the book: What is "normal?" That's the question an eager young scientist hopes to answer as she narrates her very first book. Unfortunately, her exceedingly "normal" subject—an orangutan named Norman—turns out to be exceptionally strange. He speaks English, sleeps in a bed, loves his stuffed toy, goes bananas over pizza, and even deep-sea dives! Oh, no: what's a "normal" scientist to do?

Brightly illustrated and brimming with silly scenes that will have young readers in hysterics, this loving look at the wackiness that makes us all special serves as a gentle reminder that "normal" can’t ever be defined. Norman and his scientist friend will encourage and inspire children to embrace their individuality and be their own “normal” selves.

My thoughts: Of course Norman is the main character and he is aptly brought to delicious life by the illustrator who has used the un-normal coloration of blueish-purple and golds to help Norman in his un-normal way to stand out.

I love the little girl scientist who is a first-time book narrator and "scientist" who is trying to define normal in her book. She is unidentified and is only, "I." (But let's get a shout-out and an encouraging nod to all the little girl would-be scientists and encourage the little girls to pursue the fields of STEM: Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics.)

"I" our narrator is being graded by the head scientist who is an adult male with a beard . And in the end he gives "I" a passing grade because she recognizes that normal cannot be defined. Our little girl scientist goes about observing, recording, and drawing conclusions as she tries to define Normal Norman. (All a part of the scientific process.)

Using this book, a teacher or parent can encourage children to recognize that which is normal to one individual or community might not be normal to another and that we are each valued individuals.

This is a charmingly engaging book with the illustrator using bold black lines and strong pastels for the art work. (Well, using pastels and strong in the same sentence seems to be un-normal, doesn't it?) I love the little girl. I love the big, lumbering gorilla in his purplish colors hugging his favorite stuffed critter. And I love the way the author encourages us to embrace the ordinary, the regular, the common everyday people and critters around us.

FUN STUFF TO DO

GET THE ACTIVITY SHEETS KIT - FREE

GIVEAWAY

Begins February 29

ENDS March 16  @ 12:01 a.m. ET. 

 Open to USA addresses only.
Some publishers reserve the right to decline winning eligibility if you have won from them in the past 30 days.

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Book may be purchased here

Author: Tara Lazar lives in Basking Ridge, NJ, with her husband, two daughters, and 2,749 stuffed animals. She’s the author of The Monstore, I Thought This Was a Bear Book (both Simon & Schuster), and Little Red Gliding Hood (Random House). Tara founded Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo), an annual online writing event held on her award-winning blog at taralazar.com, which has hundreds of registered users and receives tens of thousands of blog hits.  

Illustrator: S.britt (AKA Stephan Britt) first developed his zeal for drawing in childhood, when he drew on anything and everything that wasn’t dripping wet. His first picture book, Over In the Hollow (Chronicle), was a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best. Stephan lives in Portland, OR. Visit him online at sbritt.com.

DISCLOSURE: Information and images reprinted with permission from Normal Norman © 2016 by Tara Lazar, Sterling Children’s Books, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Illustrations © 2016 by Stephan Britt. I was provided a copy by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for the review. The giveaway prize is provided by the publisher and will be shipped directly to the winner by the publisher.

A Dozen Cousins by Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Sam Usher

ISBN: 9781454910626

About the book: What's life like for one little girl with TWELVE male cousins? Not easy! "They read her secret diary. They used up all her paint. They put a lizard in her hat to see if she would faint." Loaded with infectious humor, this rollicking, rhyming picture book features a happy heroine who adores her big, boisterous boy family.

My thoughts: A Dozen Cousins is a cute, silly book that focuses on the abundance of testosterone when there is a bunch of boys – albeit, little boys – around. Sweet little Anna  is the only “girl” cousin amongst 13. No playing with dolls in this group. It is full of mischief, energy, worms, lizards, rockets, and used up paint supplies.

Anna manages to cope with all this boy-stuff by being a good sport.

Delightfully silly story written in short rhymes brought to life by the colorfully sketched illustrations that show us the full-throttle-all-boy messes and playfulness.

Illustration © 2015 by Sam Usher (image source)

This fun book encourages tolerance and lessons in how to get along at play time.

Look for it in libraries everywhere.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Sterling Books to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends! by Jill Esbaum & illustrated by Nate Wragg [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781454908791

Hardcover ~ Ages 4-7

About the book: Elwood Bigfoot is big, clumsy, LOUD . . . and lonely. It's hard for him to make friends—especially with the tiny, delicate birdies he loves so much. Each flash of their feathers, each chirp and cheerful song helps him feel less alone. But whenever a birdie swoops by, and Elwood hollers at it to STAY, the scared creature flies away. He tries everything: sitting on a branch, having a housewarming party, even building an amusement park with snacks and pools. But nothing helps—until Elwood finally learns how to make his bird dreams come true.

My thoughts: This is a charming book illustrated in simple drawings that a child can grasp and identify with because they look similar to the drawings a child might make. The colors are primary and softened. Elmer has shaggy fur and dots for his eyes. The trees spiky. Flowers simple. Clouds just like Johnny or Susie might draw. So the initial connection a child can make of identifying with Elwood is with the illustrations.

Reprinted with permission from Elwood Bigfoot © 2015 by Jill Esbaum, Sterling Children’s Books, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Illustrations by Nate Wragg.

The story is great for a picture book that is wonderful either read to young children or read by young readers themselves. The cadence, while not rhyming, flows beautifully and expresses the heartfelt emotion of lovable Elwood's despair over trying to gain friends and his disappointment in failure.

This book will open the window of insightful discussions on how we can have difficulty making friends because of our behavior that might scare them off. Perhaps they are not really scared, but are just not accustomed to something about us. We're different. We try to make friends. We fail. We try again. We learn what it is that causes us not to make friends. We adjust. We learn to get along and be accepted.

Elwood Bigfoot Wanted Birdie Friends! He truly wanted birdie friends, and he worked hard at getting those friends. In the end he and the birdies are happy.

A sweet book that is not too pretty for boys and not too boyish for girls. Just right to get a good lesson across without heavy handed teaching. Get ready to fall in love with this sweet Bigfoot critter.

Let's hear a bit from Jill Esbaum, author

What is the motive behind the story line of Elwood Bigfoot and Birdie Friends?  

I decided to watch Finding Bigfoot one evening to see for myself just how cheesy it was. One thing struck me:  they were always talking about “a” bigfoot. I couldn’t help thinking that the poor things must be lonely. From there, it was only a matter of days before Elwood popped into my head. That isn’t to say his story popped into my head so easily. Elwood Bigfoot:  Wanted:  Birdie Friends was my third try at finding the story that worked for him.

Do you enjoy being outside? 

Yes. I’m a small-town girl who grew up in a camping/fishing family. Childhood summers were spent in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa campgrounds or traveling across the country, overnighting in National Parks and National Forests along the way. Now, I live on a farm in the wide-open, rolling hills of eastern Iowa and have a dog who is always up for a trek across the fields.

Are the "birdies" special to you as they are to Elwood?

Yes, I’ve always kept an eye on the sky to see who’s hanging around the yard. My grandparents gave me a bright lime parakeet for my 10th birthday. Maybe that’s what started it. Birds are so small and vulnerable, which makes them excellent stand-ins for kiddos, of course. 

A downloadable activity kit is also available on the author’s website at http://www.jillesbaum.com/elwood.html.

GIVEAWAY

Begins September 23 ENDS October 14 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

 Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary product to facilitate this review by Sterling Publishing. Opinions expressed are my own. Product information was provided by Sterling Publishing. Giveaway copy is provided by Sterling shipped by them to the winner. I was not compensated for this review.

New from Margaret Wise Brown (author of Goodnight Moon) GOODNIGHT SONGS: A CELEBRATION OF THE SEASONS: Illustrated by 12 Award-Winning Picture Book Artists [Review & Giveaway]

Goodnight Moon occupies a warm spot in the heart of a multitude of children (now grown) and their parents (now aged). The author, Margaret Wise Brown, died an untimely death in 1952 but her memory lives on in the hearts and minds of those exposed to the sweet beauty of Goodnight Moon.

A Celebration of the Seasons at Sterling Children's Books
Fluffy clouds, butterflies, furry bunnies,
and life from a bug's-eye view

The following information was provided by Sterling Publishing:  

It’s a little-known fact that Margaret Wise Brown, the legendary author behind Goodnight Moon, had contracts with three different record companies. It was her dream to do for children’s music what she had done for picture books; yet by the time of her untimely death at age 42, only a handful of her songs had been produced. The rest, hundreds of unpublished poems and manuscripts, were packed in a trunk in her sister’s barn where they sat for decades.

Now, Sterling Children’s Books seeks to realize Brown’s dream with Goodnight Songs: A Celebration of the Seasons, the follow up to the New York Times best selling Goodnight Songs. As with the original, this collection brings together twelve of the poems that were discovered in Brown’s sister’s home—all but two of which have never before been published—and sets each to an original score by musicians Tom Proutt and Emily Gary.

Each of Brown’s songs is further brought to life through gorgeous illustrations by twelve award-winning artists. The roster of celebrated names includes Peter Brown, whose books have earned numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E. B. White Awards, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award; David Small, whose many awards include the Caldecott Medal and two Caldecott Honors; and Coretta Scott King Award winner Floyd Cooper. Children will enjoy poring through the book’s illustrations over and over again as they listen to the accompanying CD of Brown’s sweet lullabies.

My thoughts: I was given the opportunity to review A Celebration of the Seasons published by Sterling Publishing and absolutely delighted to do so. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to the songs. The book is beautifully illustrated showing each of the seasons fittingly illustrated and in keeping with the words of the "poem" for that season.

After her songs were found, then gentle folksy, blue-grassy, ballad style music was added. The result is this lovely book, A Celebration of the Seasons, with accompanying CD tucked into a little pocket ready to be played so kiddies can sing along.

This is reminiscent of records I had for my children (grown now). I especially recall a Burl Ives record and "book." Lovely songs sung by the legend of the folk ballad himself, Mr. Ives. This type of book with accompanying record was a vision of Margaret Wise Brown that has now been fulfilled with her own works.

What are my favorites in the book? Oh my that is so difficult to choose. I particularly enjoyed "Cherry Tree" because it encompasses the passing of the seasons of the Cherry Tree and the child's interaction around the tree. It is sweet, simple, salient.

"There was a time When the cherries were red That I lay on the grass and they fell on my head" .... "But now my dear tree Where the cherries were red Is frozen and gray, The birds are all fled.".....

I love the wonderful variety of illustrations for the seasons. The publisher was particularly astute in selecting the 12 artists because their interpretation artistically adds a dimension of richness to this book already so rich in heritage.

Click to "listen to" some songs of A Celebration of the Seasons 
(You'll drifting high, high up in the sky, etc.)

I simply enjoyed this book and know when I pass it along to my grandchildren they, too, will spend many hours within its pages and listening to these sweet songs.

GIVEAWAY

Begins August 12 & ENDS September 3 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.

 Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary product to facilitate this review by Sterling Publishing. Opinions expressed are my own. Product information was provided by Sterling Publishing. Giveaway copy is provided by Sterling shipped by them to the winner. I was not compensated for this review.

This Old Van by Kim Norman illustrations by Carolyn Digby Conahan [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781454910633
Hardcover - $14.95
Sterling Children's Books

About the book: 

This old van,   she passed one, shining in the rising sun. With a click clack rattle rack,ready for some fun,This old van says,“Goodbye, one!”

Take a rollicking ride in This Old Van, a joyful take on the classic children's counting song. As the colorfully painted vintage vehicle, driven by a really cool pair of grandparents, rolls down the highway, it passes one train, two bulldozers, three tractors, and four semis, right up to ten muddy motorbikes. And along the way, luggage flies off, horns honk, and the hurrying van zigs and zags—till it arrives at its destination JUST IN TIME! You won't be able to resist singing every fun verse out loud.

My thoughts: Flower Power, Hippies, Free living/loving, and those roaming VW campervans driven hither and yon across America (and other parts of the World?) are memories of a by-gone era that ran alongside of Vietnam protests, anti-war sentiments, and everything status-pro. Those folks are now aging grandparents. And some still hold onto those styles they loved so dearly. In this cute, colorful, and charming story a pair of aging hippies still have "this old van" and it is still painted in those wild flowers and designs they loved. Here they come! Watch out for this rollicking van to come careening down the road.

Reprinted with permission from This Old Van © 2015 by Kim Norman, Sterling Children’s Books, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Illustrations by Carolyn Digby Conahan

Gramps and Granny read over their invitation from Jake, they load up the VW Campervan, and begin rolling along. All along the way the click clack rattle rack van passes cars, trucks, stores, ice cream and lots of things and stuff. Careful attention to detail will elicit delightful visual and word puns.

This old van, she passed FOUR,
roaring toward the grocery store.
With a click clack rattle rack,
pedal to the floor,
this old van says,
"GOOD-BYE, FOUR!"

On and on they go roaring, rolling, and rhyming until they get to their destination Just in Time!

Delightful illustrations done in soft and very colorful pastels, capture the essence of Gramps and Granny and their own particular era to which they've held onto. It also captures the joy they experience and anticipate as they count their way to see Jake and his special event.

This is a fun book that will be read repeatedly to children simply because it is fun, engaging, cheerful, rhymes, and can be sung to the old tune of "This Old Man, He Played One, He played knick knack on his thumb...."

GIVEAWAY

Begins August 4 & ENDS August 26 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.

 Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review from Sterling Publishing. Opinions are mine, alone. I received no compensation. The giveaway copy is also provided by Sterling who will send it to the winner.

Rufus Goes to School by Kim T. Griswell, Valeri Gorbachev [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781454904168
Sterling Children's Books

About the book: All Rufus Leroy Williams III wants is to go to school so he can learn to read his favorite book. But there's one problem: he's a pig and Principal Lipid says: “NO PIGS IN SCHOOL!” Rufus even gets a backpack, a lunchbox, and a blanket to prove he's ready. But Mr. Lipid won't budge. Is there ANYTHING Rufus can do to change his mind? Kim Griswell and illustrator Valeri Gorbachev have created a love letter to reading that's also a charming, original, and child-friendly first-day-of-school story.

My thoughts: Delightful Rufus is back again! Rufus really wants to go to school and he finds there is a "no pigs allowed" rule. He begins to persuade the principal that he really and truly is ready for school even if he is a pig. You see, Rufus dearly loves books. Turning the pages of his favorite books is a joy to him but he needed to learn to read the words - that's what school is for.

I just love the expressive, colorful drawings that capture the drool expressions and depict the scenes so aptly. The illustrations will provide ample opportunity during read-aloud sessions to engage the child in discussions that will increase his/her attention to detail.

What is "in" this book? I see a deeper, underlying theme of discrimination. "No pigs allowed" because of a variety of reasons. This isn't addressed, but can be during read-aloud sessions when ultimately the discrimination is set aside because the real reason to go to school is to learn. This is the strong ending and no one is discriminated against learning.

I see the theme of "having things" as a qualifier for attending school given a backseat by the truth that school is for learning - Rufus wanted to learn to read the words in his beloved picture book.

I see the story ending on the high note of students enjoying all aspects of school.

It is BACK-TO-SCHOOL time and this would be a good read at home for the kids starting school, in school libraries for read-aloud sessions, and for shelving at libraries everywhere.

Another delightful "Rufus" book that Chat With Vera heartily recommends.

GIVEAWAY 

Begins July 20 & ENDS August 13 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

 Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review and the opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

ALLY-SAURUS & THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Richard Torrey [Review & Giveaway]

Summer will be over before you can say "Jack Robin" or quick as a wink and before the leaves turn red and orange. Mom will be buying backpacks, pencils, crayons and all kinds of goodies and tools of the craft of being a student. And for that first-ever-in-school-child there will be talks and instructions and all kinds of fear-allaying techniques. 

Meet ALLY-SAURUS as she goes to her First Day of School.....

About the book: You can call her Ally-SAURUS! When Ally roars off to her first day at school, she hopes she'll meet lots of other dinosaur-mad kids in class. Instead, she's the only one chomping her food with fierce dino teeth and drawing dinosaurs on her nameplate. Even worse, a group of would-be "princesses" snubs her! Will Ally ever make new friends? With its humorous art, appealing heroine, and surprise ending, this fun picture book celebrates children's boundless imagination.

My thoughts: First a quick glance through the book at Richard Torrey's delightful drawings. He uses color sparsely and in just the right places. It emphasizes what is important in that drawing.

The children are sketched with lines for smiles and dots for eyes. And their teacher wears big, bug-eye glasses. There are lots of stripes  on kids in their shirts, dresses, and leggings. Typical of kids. And drawings that make kids comfortable because they, too, can draw dots for eyes and lines for smiles.

Ally loves dinosaurs and her vivid imagination - so typical of the young child - carries the dinosaur on her very person. She is Ally-Saurus and she goes to school for the first time.

She meets the other children and find they, too, have vivid imaginations and their imagination has made them princesses, pirates, astronauts and other creatures and persons. Some don't want a roaring dinosaur around them, but soon they all discover that friends understand that each likes different things.

I just love Ally-Saurus. She will find her way into your, and your child's, heart and will help you to help your child enter their own first day of school.

Let's meet the author:

1. What gave you the idea for Ally’s “Saurus” identity and its relationship to her first day of school?
   First of all, Ally-Saurus was originally going to be about a boy.  When my son was between the ages of 3 and 5 he often insisted that he was a giant black dog.  He would then rattle off a litany of specific characteristics that he (as the giant dog) had, including sharp teeth, claws, and a spiked collar.
   
   His description never varied, and if we ever interrupted him while reciting said attributes, he would have to start over—in case we had forgotten or missed one.  In other words, while this was his imagination at work here, he was quite serious about it.  Looking back on it, my wife and I concluded that he might have pretended to be this giant fearless dog to compensate for the fact that he was always the smallest child in any classroom he was in (he has Celiac Disease and before he was diagnosed and treated, was quite small).
2. I read a bit about your background and you began doodling as a child. Taking that talent to a professional level is amazing. Do you even feel you have lost your love of doodling and it has become a chore? 
   
   While I have never lost my love of doodling, I find that I don’t spend the same amount of time “just doodling”.  Because I now do it professionally, and due to the constraints of time, I rarely just pick up a piece of paper or a pad and just doodle. If I do, I almost reflexively become aware of the fact that I need to be perfecting a character’s look, or expanding on an idea I’m trying to develop, and invariably that doodle becomes something else…. something with a purpose behind it.  I’m not complaining, mind you.  I love it just the same.
3. What advice would you give aspiring illustrators and authors of children’s books?
   I would first ask them if they are really interested in creating children’s books or are they more focused on being able to hold that book up and say, “I DID THIS!”. 
   
   Those who will succeed are the one’s who are interested in the creative process.  It is fraught with rejection and disappointment, but if they stay positive, and learn from the rejections or the mistakes, they will, in the end, make it.  There is no one guaranteed path to success.  There is one guaranteed path to failure, and that is quitting.  As Richard Bach said, “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

Let's have some fun! Here is a link for downloadable activity sheets. These are sure to please. Word games, a maze, color, draw. Just sheer fun as a gift from Richard. CLICK HERE

GIVEAWAY

Begins July 16 & ENDS August 3 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.

 Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review from Sterling Publishing. Opinions are mine, alone. I received no compensation. The giveaway copy is also provided by Sterling who will send it to the winner.

Rufus Goes to Sea by Kim T. Griswell & illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN13: 9781454910527

About the book: Ahoy—Pirate Pig on board! What does a book-loving pig like Rufus do when school's out for summer? He turns to his favorite stories for inspiration, of course! And before long, he's dreaming of days filled with adventure and nights under blankets of stars. It's the pirate life for him, matey. But Captain Wibblyshins says NO PIGS ON PIRATE SHIPS! After all, pigs get tangled in the rat lines, they picnic in the crow's nest, and worst of all, they even wipe their chins with the Jolly Roger. Can Rufus convince the Captain that he's no landlubber swine? And could his ticket to piratehood be . . . reading?

My thoughts: Just looking at the cover sort of ticked my fancy and made me want to meet Rufus. How timely here at the start of summer, to have Rufus, who dearly loves school and books, go to school and find the school door locked. Other students are off to various summer activities, but Rufus decides he want to be a pirate. So he sets out to board a pirate ship and go to sea.

The illustrations capture the essence of Rufus ------ as he tries time and time again to board the ship but the captain of the pirates won't allow a pig on his boat and he gives various reasons why he won't. Rufus returns time and time again with something he, a pig, can do to help on the ship.

Throughout the story, Rufus' love of books and of reading is obvious. He has his books with him wherever he goes. And finally finds the solution to his becoming a pirate in the use of words - words which appear in books, on signs, and everywhere.

The child (and parent) that loves books will identify with Rufus. And perhaps the reluctant reader will see how books are fun companions and a key to opening many doors.

Rufus Goes to Sea is a super book that will engage the child individually or in group settings. This would be a great book for the home, school, or public libraries to make certain they have on their shelves.

GIVEAWAY 

Begins June 16 & ENDS July 7 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

 Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review and the opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.