Can you feel the crispness in the air in the morning? We sure can here in New Hampshire. The kids are back in school. The trees are beginning to adorn themselves with crowns of scarlet and gold. But that beauty is tinged with sadness as we mourn the loss of two shining beacons in our kid lit world…Deirdre Sheridan Englehart and Anna Dewdney. They loved writing, they loved children…and we loved them.
On the writing front, I’ve been busy revising some of my manuscripts which will soon be winging their way to editors who will hopefully fall in love with them. Some of my time has been devoted to thinking about spreading the word my debut picture book, Sweet Dreams, Sarah. March 2017 is only six months away…it will be here before I know it. I would love to have a book blog tour in January and then another in March…if any of you would like to participate, please let me know. I’m also making tentative plans to attend several SCBWI conferences next year…definitely the NESCBWI in Massachusetts and hopefully, the NJSCBWI in New Jersey…and I am excited to see many of my writing friends. This year I had so much fun at the Wild Midwest SCBWI conference in Chicago.
And I also got to hug lots of writer friends at Kristen Fulton’s WOW Retreat in July.
Before I get to our Perfect Picture Book Friday review, we need to announce the winner of a copy of Jill Esbaum’s If a T-Rex Crashes Your Birthday Party. I wanted to thank Jill again for a fabulous interview…and thank all of you for your wonderful comments. You shared some incredible birthday surprises.
AND THE WINNER IS:
ANGELA TURNER
Congratulations, Angela…I loved hearing about how your husband surprised you with a big party and I’m glad you did enjoy it, even though you thought you wouldn’t…Angela, please email me with your address so I can get the book right out to you: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.
And now for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday pick! September is National Library Card Sign-up Month. To every parent out there, please take advantage of all of the amazing resources and programs your local library provides. I loved the library when I was a kid…it was one of my favorite hangouts…our libraries are a national treasure! To kick off the celebration, I’m reposting one of my favorite books about libraries. And I’m giving away a copy of my own parent-teacher resource book, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting, and Cooking. With one hundred picture book recommendations and lots of activities, it’s a perfect guide to deciding what picture books to take out of the library (many of the titles are the older classics) and a great help for busy parents. Just leave a comment and tell us about the most interesting library experience you or your kids ever had. We’ll announce the winner at the end of the month and I’ll share my experience on the night of the 1965 Blackout in New York City when I was stranded at my local library.
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise
Written by Jan Pinborough
Illustrated by Debby Atwell
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2013)
Age: 6-9
Themes: Mighty girls, libraries, following your dream
First lines:
“Once in a big house in Limerick, Maine, there lived a little girl names Annie Carroll Moore. She had large gray eyes, seven older brothers, and ideas of her own.”
Synopsis:
From Amazon: “Once upon a time, American children couldn’t borrow library books. Reading wasn’t all that important for children, many thought. Luckily Miss Anne Carroll Moore thought otherwise! This is the true story of how Miss Moore created the first children’s room at the New York Public Library, a bright, warm room filled with artwork, window seats, and most important of all, borrowing privileges to the world’s best children’s books in many different languages.”
Why I love this book:
- First of all, I love libraries and have used them since I was a little girl. I was fascinated to find out that children were not allowed in libraries originally. And it was Miss Moore who campaigned for them to be able to take books out when they finally were admitted.
- This is a gentle story…a beautiful read aloud. It shows how a person can follow their dream and get things done.
- The illustrations are detailed, colorful, and perfect.
How parents can use this book:
- Wonderful story to enjoy with your children -lots of history woven into the pages.
- If your child doesn’t have a library card yet, PLEASE help them get one…libraries are one of the last and best free resources we have.
- Check out the various programs that are available at your local library…there are often story hours, activity programs, and even presentations and classes for aduts.
Related Activities
- Visit your local library
- Make a reading goal chart and let your child earn stickers for every book he reads. Plan activities, like a craft or cooking project, around the stories to enrich the learning experience.
- http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Childrens-Picture-Books-About-Libraries/256
- https://pernillesripp.com/2016/03/27/picture-books-that-celebrate-books-and-libraries/
This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities. Or cick here, and check out all the other super picture book reviews that were posted today.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, dear friends and readers. If you enjoyed the post, please share it on Facebook or Twitter or whatever social media channels you prefer. I’d love to get the word out about National Library Card Sign-up Month…let’s help every child gain access to the library.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Lovely book for all those going back to school in your part of the globe. Kids here have school right up till a week before Christmas and then they have six weeks off. I think there is a two week break due end of September though.
I would love, love to blog about your new book Sweet Dreams Sarah. Put me down, Vivian. 🙂
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That is interesting that your part of the world has their big break around Christmas time…that’s how college was here…but we also got the summer off.
And yay! Thank you for offering to be part of the blog tour…we’ll work out dates and details when we get a bit closer…I figure some people can do book reviews, some can do interviews of me or even Sarah or Q&A’s of one type or another. It should be lots of fun, Diane!
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Good morning, Vivian. Wow! A true story about one girl from Maine who made a difference. Other girls from Maine make differences too, but Miss Ann Carroll Moore came before a time of media coverage like we have now. Back then, her name may have been in the newspaper, for some to read. Lucky for us that that Jan Pinborough wrote this book so we can all know about Annie and her accomplishment. Another note, I believe that illustrator, Debby Atwell, is one of my Maine neighbors! It might be a good time to take a child to the library sign up for a library card and check out this or any other book they like the looks of. Thanks Vivian. Can’t wait to show off your book, Sweet Dreams, Sarah!
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You are so right, Mona…and Jan did such a fantastic job, telling Miss Moore’s story. And I’m thrilled to have you in my corner…next year is going to be a blast. 🙂
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I remember reading this story about Miss Moore. I appreciate that women are being written back into history. It’s important for young readers to learn that women were not just supporting characters for men.
I also remember my younger son reading The Know Nothings to his favorite librarian. The first book he wanted to read himself.
Soon little hands will be encouraged to read with your book, Sweet Dreams, Sarah. Very exciting!
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Oh Manju…I love how you put it…’soon little hands will be encouraged to read with your book’…that is so lovely! I am so grateful for the support you give me.
And I totally agree…we need more books that show how strong women have been over the years…and how many innovations they have been responsible for. 🙂
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I love true stories about what women have done historically. I haven’t read this book but intend to!
I would be happy to be part of your blog tour, but my only concern is that too many of us overlap with readers, even though we do have other audiences. You also want KidLit bloggers who aren’t in the same groups. You must really be excited about the release! Congratulations!
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Thank you so much, Pat…and yes, you are 100% correct…it’s important to have stops on a book tour that widen one’s circle of readers…But I thank you for being willing to join the tour…I’ll let you know.
And I’m so glad I put up this pb…you will LOVE it!
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Longing for some of that crisp autumn air here in humid Virginia, Vivian :). Thanks for introducing me to Jan’s book–looking forward to reading it!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Maria! After the crisp mornings, the humidity kicks in here, too…and I hope you get a chance to read Jan’s book…it’s a wonderful story.
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This sounds like a great book, Vivian! I’ll have to check it out. And saw that you’ll be attending NESCBWI this year … I look forward to meeting you! P.S. Isn’t New Hampshire great? I live in Portsmouth 🙂
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Jen…maybe you told me you lived in NH…but I’m glad you mentioned it today! Portsmouth is lovely! I am so excited to meet you in person at NESCBWI…will you be driving to Springfield?
I hope you get a chance to read this pb…it was an eye opener for me. 😉
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Yes I think I will be driving … have to nail down some plans since that is the beginning of school vacation here too. Take care and huge congratulations on your upcoming book! I can’t wait to read about Sarah 🙂
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Thank goodness for Annie Carroll Moore! The library was one of my favorite places. My parents encouraged me to read and my dad would always drop whatever he was doing if I asked to go! I did the same for my children.
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That is great, Judy. I’m so glad you got to go to the library whenever you wanted to…what a great dad! I’ll bet he loved to read also. 🙂
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This sounds like a wonderful story! One of my first priorities upon moving across the country to Pennsylvania was getting library cards for me and my girls.
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Good for you, Jessica! You know what needs to come first.;) How is the local library in your new town?
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I can’t wait to read this book! I love reading all your posts. And by the way, I just came home from the library!
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Thank you so much, Ellen…and I am going to enjoy all of yours on your new website also! What books did you get today? I just took out On a Beam of Light, Vincent Van Gogh and the Colors of the World, and The Boy Who Loved Math…I’m looking for how the authors showed us how their mc felt being different…research for my The Boy Who Dreamed of Flying. 🙂
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Hurrah for library love!!! I can’t believe I missed this one. I’m going to look for it right now. 🙂 Vivian, I’d love to take part in your book blog tour for Sweet Dreams, Sarah. Add Frog on a Blog to your list! 🙂 🙂
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I just added you, Lauri…thank you so much, dear friend! And I hope you get a copy of this book…I think you will love it. 😉
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My guess is that most children (and adults) have never thought that there was a time when children couldn’t check out books from the library. This book will be an eye-opener in appreciating all that libraries and librarians give to us.
And dear Vivian, I would love to share “Sweet Dreams, Sarah” on my blog as well as reviewing it on Amazon and Goodreads and Facebook and Twitter. I’m so happy for you!
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Oh YAY…you are very kind, Leslie…thank you. I’ll add you to the list!
I was surprised also…can you imagine walking into a library and not being able to touch the books?
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Vivian:
The somewhat cooler temps on the Illinois prairie are welcome. Such a sweet memory of you and your grandson fishing off of the dock with beautiful Autumn colors in the background.
Miss Anne Carroll Moore is a mighty woman. How amazing that she established the first children’s library. Somehow I can’t imagine a library without children. Since I have always had a library card, I don’t understand how many adults and their children do not check out books. I must read MISS MOORE THOUGHT OTHERWISE.
~Suzy Leopold
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A library without children…yes…kind of like a peanut butter sandwich without…peanut butter. 😉
Glad you enjoyed the photo of me and my grandson…it is one of my favorites. 😉
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Well, you know one reviewer who wants a copy of your books! Miss Moore – she was a strong girl. I love bios of women who do things they’re passionate about – and these things generally benefit other people.
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Thank you so much, Sue…yes, I’m thrilled you want to review the book…I’ll make sure the editor has your info. 😉
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We lived abroad for several years and sorely missed public libraries. It was a great joy to move to the Netherlands and be able to check out picture books once again.
I would love to participate in your blog tour for Sweet Dreams, Sarah. I’m at annettebaypimentel.com
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Yes, I know several writer friends who live overseas and they also say they have so much trouble getting picture books.
And hurray, Annette…I’m thrilled you’d like to participate in the blog tour for Sweet Dreams, Sarah…that is wonderful…I’ve already contact you by email. And I’m looking forward to having you as a guest on Will Write for Cookies next year. 😉
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No crispness in the air here in Malaysia! 🙂
I would love to be a part of one of your tours for Sweet Dreams, Sarah!
Thanks for sharing this post at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com! Always a pleasure to have you.
Tina
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No, that is true…no crispness in Malaysia, Tina. 😉
I’m thrilled you want to participate in the blog tour for Sweet Dreams, Sarah…I’ll email you soon and we’ll chat about when…we’ve got some time…but it will be in March of next year.
and I am always happy to be part of your Booknificent Thursday link up!
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