After a summer hiatus, I’m happy to be back to Perfect Picture Book Friday. I found this week’s story – or it found me – at Grassroots Bookstore. The title, A House That Once Was, manages to be both inviting and a little spooky. The same is true of the cover image. In the foreground,…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: Julián Is a Mermaid
A few months ago, I had the good fortune of hearing Betsy Bird speak about her favorite newly-released and soon-to-be released picture books. When she described the mesmerizing illustrations in Julián Is a Mermaid, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Title: Julián Is a Mermaid Written and illustrated by: Jessica Love Candlewick…
PPBF: Two Speckled Eggs
Title: TWO SPECKLED EGGS Written and illustrated by: Jennifer K. Mann Candlewick Press, 2014, fiction For Ages: 4 and up Themes/Topics: friendship, cliques, outsiders, being different/unique First spread: Ginger’s birthday party was in two weeks, and she wanted to invite all the girls in her class... except Lyla Browning. Summary (from the publisher): “It’s Ginger’s birthday,…
#50PreciousWords and Madness! Poetry
It's time for brave brevity. It's time for Vivian Kirkfield's #50PreciousWords writing challenge. Coming in at exactly 50 words, here's my entry: Moose Wants to Play! “Duck.” “Duck.” “Moose!” screeched Owl. “Vamoose! You’re too big for Duck, Duck, Goose.” Moose clumped on. Rabbit and Hedgehog twirled a rope. “Little white rabbit, hop...” “Moose! Stop!…
2018 Valentiny Contest: The Valentine’s Rooster
"I love you, a bushel and a peck...." Hello, there. And Happy Valentine's Day! It's time once again for Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny kidlit writing contest. This year, entries must feature someone "hopeful." And, as always, the story must contain no more than 214 words. After reading The Valentine's Rooster, please check out all the…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: LOVE
Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday selection is from one of my favorite authors, Newbery Medal winner, Matt de La Peña. And what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a celebration of love in its many forms. Title: LOVE Written by: Matt de La Peña Illustrated by: Loren Long G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2018, fiction For Ages:…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: EARTH! MY FIRST 4.54 BILLION YEARS
I’m back with another amazing nonfiction selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday! Title: EARTH! MY FIRST 4.54 BILLION YEARS Written by: Stacy McAnulty Illustrated by: David Litchfield Henry Holt and Company, 2018, nonfiction For Ages: 4-8 Themes/Topics: Earth, planets, solar system, life, sharing First spread: “Hi! My name is Earth. Some people call me Gaia, the…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: HOW TO BE AN ELEPHANT
Title: HOW TO BE AN ELEPHANT Written and illustrated by: Katherine Roy Roaring Brook Press, 2017, nonfiction For Ages: 7 and UP Themes/Topics: elephants, development, life cycle, learning, African animals, conservation First page: “WITH FLAPPING EARS and whiffling trunks, the herd quickly spreads the news. After 22 months of growing, a new baby is on her…
Santa Versus The Tooth Fairy
Coming in just under the wire, here's my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's 7th Annual Holiday Contest. For this contest, entrants wrote a children's holiday story, featuring a surprise, in 250 words or less. ____ SANTA VERSUS THE TOOTH FAIRY Not a creature was stirring, not even a… Wait! The mouse was stirring. And the…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: OUT OF THE WOODS
Title: OUT OF THE WOODS: A True Story of an Unforgettable Event Written and illustrated by: Rebecca Bond Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015 For Ages: 4 and UP Themes/Topics: true stories, natural disasters, forest fires, nature, animals, wonder, memory First page: Antonio Willie Giroux lived in Ontario, Canada, in the town of Gowganda, on the edge of…
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