Is it Friday already?
Good thing, because I’m excited to share another 2017 picture book with you. The author, Tara Lazar, is a dear picture book mentor for this kid lit community. Her Storystorm Challenge (formerly PiBoIdMo) helped more than 1600 writers gather ideas this January. And she was a Will Write for Cookies guest back in 2014.
Since then, she’s had a bunch of picture books launch…and I’m thrilled to bring you her latest for Perfect Picture Book Friday.
AND GUESS WHAT TARA IS OFFERING AS A GIVEAWAY?
A PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE! OH YES! So please, tell all your friends and even people who aren’t your friends, to come on over and leave a comment. One lucky person is going to get that fabulous prize!
But first, we have a another fabulous prize to give away! Last week, Kristen Fulton offered a copy of her debut picture book, LONG MAY SHE WAVE. And the lucky winner is…
Ali Earle Pichardo
Congratulations, Ali…let’s connect and I will put you in touch with Kristen so she can get a copy of the book out to you!
And now for our Perfect Picture Book Friday review!
7 ATE 9: The Untold Story
Written by: Tara Lazar
Illustrated by Ross MacDonald
Publisher: Disney/Hyperion (2017)
Ages: 4-7
Themes:
Mystery, numbers, humor
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
6 has a problem.
Everyone knows that 7 is always after him. Word on the street is that 7 ate 9. If that’s true, 6’s days are numbered. Lucky for him, Private I is on the case. But the facts just don’t add up.
It’s odd.
Will Private I put two and two together and solve the problem . . . or is 6 next in line to be subtracted?
Why I like this book:
- It is funny. More than funny. It is one of the funniest books I’ve read. And kids LOVE funny.
- Great illustrations…perfect for the text.
- The story will engage kids from the first page to the last!
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Sensory Art with Numbers
Photo courtesy: http://handsonaswegrow.com/40-number-activities-for-preschoolers/
You will need: Cardboard (you can even use the side of an empty cereal box), glue, marker, your choice of sand, rice, oatmeal, Cheerios, or glitter.
- Draw numbers on the cardboard.
- Trace over the numbers with a glue stick.
- Sprinkle with your choice of topping…sand (might be messy in the house), rice, oatmeal, Cheerios, or glitter (will definitely be messy in the house).
- Let dry.
- You can do this with letters also.
For many more number activities, click here: http://handsonaswegrow.com/40-number-activities-for-preschoolers/
Thank you all for stopping by today. My generous author friends have connected with the #50PreciousWordsforKids teachers and parents. Maybe we will get some feedback by next month and find out how much fun everyone had, connecting adult authors and kid writers on Skype.
And don’t forget to leave a comment today if you would like a chance to win a MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE FROM TARA LAZAR. Please share this post on your social media…and if you have read Tara’s book, please leave a review for her on Amazon.
Happy Memorial Day, dear friends…please be safe if you are traveling…and I will see you again in JUNE! Lots more picture book reviews, giveaways, author/illustrator Q&A’s!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
I love critiques! Congratulations Tara on your accomplishments!
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Awesome book! Great review, too. And a chance for a critique, happy wiggle and fingers crossed.
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7 ATE 9: The Untold Story is a wonderful picture book. It’s funny! Congratulations Tara! I bet you have a great editor that worked with you! Is it Rotem? She’s lovely!
I’m a preschool teacher and I work in the kindergarten where I could read this book!
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Hello Lily…thank you so much for stopping by. I used to teach kindergaten also!!! And I, too, would have loved to read this book to my students. I hope you will continue to follow my blog so you will know when the next #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge is….I hope your class will join in the fun. 😉
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What a fun book and activity to compliment as well! I love the play on words. Great review too. Thanks! 🙂
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Tara is one of my picture book role models, and I love 7 ATE 9! (Left a glowing review).
Thanks Vivian and Tara. 🙂
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Ha! 7 Ate 9 makes me want to put on m my two-two and dance! Congrats on another winner, Tara!
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Ha right back to you, Deborah…put on your two-two…is two-two funny! Thanks so much for stopping by!
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My students would love this book! Can’t wait to read it.
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Cute book! Congrats!
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Only Tara could come up with a funny ,punny picture book like 7 ate 9. Good luck with it. May it sell and sell. You’ve helped me alot with Storystorm , you deserve it.
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I can’t wait to read this book. I know kids and teachers who will love this odd, or is it even, twisted mystery!!! Congratulations, Tara, and thank you Vivian!
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Tara this is so much fun😄 I can hardly wait to share with my granddaughter ❤️ Congratulations.
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Tara may know 7 and 9 but she is #1 to us! Love this funny, punny book!
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This book shot to the top of my favorite books list after I read page 1. It’s funny and clever with the perfect twist at the end. Fingers crossed for another case with Private I.
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Congrats on the new book, Tara! Thank you for this post!
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Sounds like a cute read. I had a kid moment….took me a few times reading the phrase 7 ate 9 until I “got” the title “7, 8, 9….then of course I did the forehead slap and ahahahah.
Sweet :<)
congrats on this!
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From the reviews I’ve read thus far, including yours, Vivian, I can tell this is another fabulous book by Tara. Can’t wait to read it soon.
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What a fun and engaging book for kids. I love the mystery aspect of the story. It would pair nicely with the PR Emergency, which is about letters. Congratulations, Tara!
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Love the book, Tara!
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I for One hope that I continue to take on more number mysteries!
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I look forward to reading this fun book to my kids! A good mystery is hard to come by in PB form. Can’t wait!
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I can’t wait to read this book! My kids and I LOVE funny and I know this won’t disappoint! Congrats Tara!
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I can’t wait to get my hands on this MS. Sick a great concert. Bravo, Tara
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Such a great concept. Ugh
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I was first attracted to the Title because well….I am a Trekkie and one of my favorite characters is 7 OF 9 from Star Trek Voyager. Of course the artwork (based on the cover art) must be fabulous! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this one!
Gabrielle
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I can’t wait to read it! I love funny picture books.
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Just picked this book up at the library! I can’t wait to read it.
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Sounds hilarious with fun word play and great math facts! Congratulations:)
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Oooh, congratulations Tara, looking forward to reading it! And thanks for your generosity in providing the critique.
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Huge congrats, Tara! What a fun and playful concept–looking forward to reading your newest!
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Congratulations, Tara! This funny book is a 10, and destined 2 be 1 of the best of 2017 … 4 sure!
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I’m so looking forward to reading this book! I love Tara’s sense of humor and predict it will be a big hit with my kiddos. Thank you for the opportunity to win a critique!
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Sounds sooo funny! Can’t wait to get my hands on it.
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Have not read this book but I’m contacting my library today and ordering.
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Thanks for hosting this contest! I’d love a critique from Tara.
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I was browsing through a little independent bookstore last week and was thrilled to see Tara’s book. Of course, I found a comfy chair and read it on the spot. And then… I bought it. This is a wonderful review of a super fun book.
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This book looks wonderful! I would have loved to use it in my classroom when I was teaching elementary school teacher (I’ll have to recommend it to the librarian where I used to teach!) A critique from Tara would be such a treat!
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*when I was teaching elementary school. (Goodness, one cup of coffee is clearly not enough this morning!)
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I can’t wait to read this book! Congratulations, Tara – this idea is genius! Thank you for the opportunity of a critique
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This one is already is on my bookshelf and my review on Amazon! Such a fun lol book – both text and illustrations. Congrats on another winner, Tara!
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Can’t wait to read this to by numbers obsessed grandson. Thanks, Tara and Vivian!
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So funny. Does this mean we are “great minds”? Don’t include me in the giveaway, I already have the book! Great review & activities Vivian. 🙂
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I have my review ready for next week, lol Maria and Vivian! I think I will post it anyway. Some people (like me!) need to see something over and over before they respond and Tara’s book is a winner. 🙂
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Can’t wait to read this one! I see a TV mystery series addition with private I and these silly, irrational numbers lol. That would equal even more fun! I would certainly LOVE a critique! 🙂 Congrats!!
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This book sounds so so funny. It’s on my list!
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Just got this book and absolutely love the wordplay!! Total fun!
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My family LOVES puns. I cannot wait to read this book! This one’s going in our school library! Thanks for the review, Vivian! And thanks, Tara, for bringing this story into the world!
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I LOVE Tara Lazar’s books! This looks like a keeper, too.
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I am so looking forward to this one. Such a great idea.
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What a fabulous post on a book I desperately NEED! 😉 And thank you for the chance to win a critique with Tara!!! Another successful review, Miss Vivian!
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I Can. Not. Wait. To read 7 ATE 9! I love Tara’s books and have head great things about this one. I requested it from our local library, so I’ll get my hands on a copy soon.
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This concept is brilliant, and I loved the synopsis. Can’t wait to update my Lazar collection with this one. 🙂 Congrats on another one, Tara, and thanks for sharing, Vivian!
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Love your sensory craft idea, but when I think of one particular kid in my storytime group, I know he would try to eat anything we glued to the board! Maybe when he is a bit older! Great pick, Vivian!
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Hmm…maybe you can use Cheerios and glue with a water/meringue powder mix: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/clear-edible-glue…the powder is dried egg whites…you could also put a thin layer of either pudding or cool whip (not the heathiest) in a tray and let the child press the Cheerios into it in any design he wants…if he eats it, no worries. 😉 Glad you enjoyed the craft idea, Julie!
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Wow, yes! That sounds like a great idea! tahnsk, Vivian!
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I used to do that with the little ones in my day care…also in my kindergarten. We also fingerpainted with chocolate and vanilla and strawberry pudding…what fun. 😉
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Oh my goodness. What fun puns in Tara’s book, 7 ate 9. Kids and adults will love reading it over and over. A+ for re-readability! I just know there has to be a sequel.
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I was hopping to review 7 Ate 9 but somehow I forgot. I am so disappointed in myself. Tara’s books have all been fun. And she is the master of picture book ideas–her books prove that. Congrats, Tara.
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Yes, my five year old and I definitely need to giggle together over math puns in Tara’s new book! He is currently a bit number obsessed, so 7 Ate 9 will be a perfect fit. Looking forward to reading it, and thank you for the review Vivian, I really appreciate your blog 🙂
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This looks great! I can’t wait to get a copy.
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I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. The sample I downloaded was hilarious. As Jennifer Sniadecki posted on her blog, “it’s comic genius in picture book form!”
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I’m looking forward to reading this one! I think my kindergarteners will love it!
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I’m a big fan of Tara and everything she does for the community – can’t wait to read this book!
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Looks like a great book!!! I love puns!!!
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I need to get to a bookstore stat! 7 Ate 9 sounds fantastic. A book full of puns? Right up my alley 🙂
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This book sings energized fun, which we all know is Tara to a tee! 🙂 😉 Love to get my hands on a copy.
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I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations, Tara!
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I’m such a fan of Tara’s humor. Just ordered this book!
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Well, I never! Ain’t she clever. I’m trying to soak up all those super funny books. I so want to write funny, and I know Tara is a role model in that category. Thanks, dear Vivian. Her book is on order.
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Love this book and post. Congratulations Tara on an amazing book. Wonderful.giveaway!
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YAY! Being a Storystormer for a few years now, I am always excited to see a new book by Tara. And it looks like she did a real number with this one. “7 ate 9” sounds like my kind of book. I love funny books. I like to read them and write them.
Plus, the title reminds me of my childhood. My best friend used to have an album we played a lot (wish I could remember the title of it. We were about 8 and now I am…well, older than 8.). Anyway, It had lots of silly songs. One song had the line “3-6-9, the goose drank wine, the arti-choked and they all went to heaven in a little row boat”. That’s the first thing that popped into my head when I heard the title. The next thought was, “We’ve all heard of the 7 ate 9 joke but no one has made it into a picture book until now. Way to go, Tara. Very clever.” After reading this post my first thought was: I one two win, I mean, want to win. Pick me! Pick me! 🙂
Congrats to Tara for another success.
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Well, I know if my memory is bad or if the song version she had was different but the lyrics i found for it didn’t use arti-choked. Instead, the monkey got choked.
But I see there have been many remakes since the original. So I guess a lot of people know this song. The Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis. And the album had her other song The Name Game (we loved doing that one) but it also had songs from different artists.
I bet my friend still has the album. I should just ask her about it..
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You are amazing, Linda! Thank you so mch for putting up the lyrics for the song…I’d forgotten all about it. 🙂
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Oh how I’d love a critique from Tara. And I need to find 789!
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I love Tara’s books. And my kids do, too! I would LOVE to win a critique from Tara. Thanks for this generous giveaway!
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Oh, I’m so excited about this book, Vivian. It sounds wonderful – and very clever. Children, parents and teachers will love it. I look forward to hearing more about it, and to owning my very own copy! Your number activities look great too. I love things that make maths fun.
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I am anxious to read this book. My grandson loves numbers and loves books, so I am super excited about reading it to him. It should be soaring towards me now. Thanks Tara! (And Amazon Prime. 🙂 )
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Sounds like such a fun read! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
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Oh! This could be done with a basic cookie recipe, icing, and your favorite topping!!
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You are as always awesome, Tara, the way you can turn a simple idea into a fabulous picture book. Guess you could say this time, “It all started with a pun.”
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Love your review. Love Tara and her new book!
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What a wonderful opportunity! I’m dying to read 7 ATE 9, Tara! Thanks for this post, Vivian 😀
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Great review, Vivian, and I like your accompanying activity. I need to get to the bookstore and check out this book!
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Pingback: Picture Book Review and Activity PLUS CRITIQUE Giveaway | Traci Bold's IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WORDS
Tara, This book is always checked out at our library when I try to get it but I finally get to pick it up tomorrow!
Vivian, Your site is so fun for parents and kids. Keep up the creative posts! I have recommended it to many of my teacher friends and friends with young kids and grandparents.
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That’s good news that Tara’s books are always checked out, Traci! And I LOVE that you are spreading the word about my blog to teacher friends and friends with young kids..and grandparents, too. I so appreciate that. 🙂
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Tara,
I am a Storystorm alumna and I love your books. I look forward to reading 7 Ate 9. Vivian,i love your craft activities. I think this number activity will be great when my granddaughter comes to the beach. Glitter here we come!!!
I hope I win the critique. I really can use it.My manuscripts need a makeover.
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Great review of a wonderful book! Tara’s Storystorm has been so helpful to me as a writer, and her books are always fantastic. She’s an inspiration! Three cheers for Tara!!
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Such a great idea for a fun book!
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Just catching up on posts that I saved and I knows I would like this one. Thanks Tara and Vivian! I have enjoyed Storystorm for several years now and I love Tara’s style. Can’t wait to read this one.
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Great post! Tara- storystorm was wonderful as are your fun books which my kids adore! So kind of you to offer a critique and help a lucky one of us break the PB code!
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