Title: THE FORT Written by: Laura Perdew Illustrated by: Adelina Lirius Page Street Kids, 2020 For ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: imaginative play, sharing, friendship First spread: As the prince strutted toward his castle, he daydreamed about the royal feast he was planning. He imagined music and food and fun with friends. But when he crossed over the…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: After the Rain
Grab your galoshes! Today I review an onomatopoeia-rich picture book debut about the many joys of rain puddles from fellow 2020 Debut Crew member Rebecca Koehn. Title: AFTER THE RAIN Written by: Rebecca Koehn Illustrated by: Simone Krüger Beaming Books, March 2020 For ages: 3-6 Themes/topics: rain, water, play, sharing, friendship First two spreads: Drip. …
Perfect Picture Book Friday: Down Under the Pier
Today I review a lyrical new picture book debut from another of the amazing 2020 Debut Crew members, Nell Cross Beckerman. Title: Down Under the Pier Written by: Nell Cross Beckerman Illustrated by: Rachell Sumpter Cameron Kids, April 2020 For ages: four and up Themes/topics: marine life, intertidal zone, wonder First spread: Up on the pier,…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: SMALL MATTERS
Today I review a wonder-inspiring picture book debut from friend, critique partner, and fellow 2020 Debut Crew member, Heather Ferranti Kinser. Title: SMALL MATTERS: The Hidden Power of the Unseen Written by: Heather Ferranti Kinser Millbrook Press, April 2020 For ages: Preschool – Grade 3 Themes/topics: science, STEM, technology, animal adaptations, scanning electron microscope (SEM), nanoscale…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: EARTH HOUR: A Lights-Out
Today I review a beautiful and timely new picture book debut about Earth Hour, an annual event that highlights the importance of energy conservation. Title: EARTH HOUR: A Lights-Out Event for Our Planet Written by: Nanette Heffernan Illustrated by: Bao Luu Charlesbridge, January 2020 For ages: 3-7 Themes/topics: Earth Hour, energy conservation, sustainability First spread: All…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: HELP WANTED: MUST LOVE BOOKS
This week I’m reviewing another debut picture book, out soon from Janet Sumner Johnson, a member of the fabulous 2020 Debut Crew! HELP WANTED: MUST LOVE BOOKS will be out March 1 from Capstone. Connect with the 2020 Debut Crew: https://twitter.com/2020DebutCrew https://www.instagram.com/2020debutcrew/ https://2020debutcrew.weebly.com/ Title: HELP WANTED: MUST LOVE BOOKS Written by: Janet Sumner Johnson Illustrated…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: RAILWAY JACK
This week I’m reviewing another debut picture book, out soon from KT Johnston, a member of the fabulous 2020 Debut Crew! RAILWAY JACK will be out February 1 from Capstone. Connect with the 2020 Debut Crew: https://twitter.com/2020DebutCrew https://www.instagram.com/2020debutcrew/ https://2020debutcrew.weebly.com/ Title: RAILWAY JACK: THE TRUE STORY OF AN AMAZING BABOON Written by: KT Johnston Illustrated by:…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE ARABIC QUILT
This week I’m excited to review Aya Khalil’s beautiful picture book debut, THE ARABIC QUILT, out in February. (Aya and I are both members of the fabulous 2020 Debut Crew, a picture book debut group.) Connect with the 2020 Debut Crew: https://twitter.com/2020DebutCrew https://www.instagram.com/2020debutcrew/ https://2020debutcrew.weebly.com/ Connect with Aya: https://twitter.com/ayawrites https://www.instagram.com/ayakhalilauthor/ https://ayakhalil.com/ Title: THE ARABIC QUILT Written by:…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: MY SHAPE IS SAM
Title: MY SHAPE IS SAM Written by: Amanda Jackson Illustrated by: Lydia Nichols Page Street Kids, 2019, fiction For ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: identity, self-discovery, self-confidence, nonconformity, differences, community, self-expression, shapes, careers/jobs, empathy First spread: Sam had four even sides. Four pointy corners. And like all other squares, he was a builder. He lived in a place…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: SEA BEAR
Title: SEA BEAR: A Journey for Survival Written & illustrated by: Lindsay Moore Harper Collins/Greenwillow Books, 2019, fiction For ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: polar bears, journeys, patience, survival, climate change First spread: Polar bears are patient beasts, as patient as glaciers. We know how to hope and how to wait. I learned to be patient long ago…
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