Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Enchanted Snowglobe Collection – Return to Coney Island PLUS Giveaway

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Oh my goodness….we are taking a slight detour from our usual picture book review because, when I heard that there was a chapter book about Coney Island, I knew I had to share it with all of you.  I grew up in New York City…and Coney Island was a favorite desitination during the summer months for my family.

img048Yup, that’s me, at about 18-months old, not a fan of the sand.

These days, even younger kids are enjoying chapter books, either reading them or listening to them. If you are a fan of The Magic Tree House series, I think you will be head over heels in love with THE SNOWGLOBE COLLECTION.

cover 1I

THE SNOWGLOBE COLLECTION: RETURN TO CONEY ISLAND

Written by Melissa Stoller

Illustrated by Callie MetlerSmith

Published by Clear Fork/Spork (August 2017)

Opening Lines:

“Ha! I won again,” said Emma. She reached her grandmother’s door just before her twin brother, Simon.”

Themes: 

Family, time-travel

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

They thought it was an
 ordinary sleepover . . . 

When nine-year-old twins Emma and Simon shake a snow globe from their grandmother’s enchanted collection, they are transported back to Coney Island on June 24, 1928. According to family legend, that’s the day their great-grandparents meet on the Coney Island trolley. But if events don’t work exactly as they’re supposed to, the meeting won’t take place and the twins might never be born. After a day of adventures – from the Cyclone roller coaster to the boardwalk arcade, and finally to the all-important trolley ride – will the twins help make it happen?

 Why I like this book:

  • My grandson and I are huge fans of The Magic Tree House series and I got the same sense of adventure as I read about these twins who go back in time and meet their great-grandmother when she was a child…what fun!
  • I’m also a fan of snowglobes and remember an old classic book, The Snowglobe Family where a real tiny family lived in a snowglobe. Author Melissa Stoller has found a unique way to incorporate snowglobes and time travel.
  • I love the relationship the twins have with their grandmother…books that encourage intergenerational connections are important.

Related Activities:

Snowglobe-FinalPhoto courtesy: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemade-snow-globes/

MAKE A SNOWGLOBE

You will need: Small clean empty jar with tight-closing screw lid (like a baby food or relish jar), small plastic figures, waterproof glue, glitter)

For detailed instruction, go here: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemade-snow-globes/ 

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a copy of this book…and remember that book reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are important for the success of every book.

And please come back tomorrow for a super fun interview with author Melissa Stoller on Will Write for Cookies…plus of course, one of her favorite cookie recipes!

But wait! There’s one more piece of business that we need to take care of. A couple of weeks ago, Jen Garrett honored us with a super post about the importance of critique groups and how to find one. She offered a PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE as a giveaway…and I told her I would match that by giving one of mine.

And the winner of Jen’s critique is…

AGATHA RODI

And the winner of my critique is…

DANIELLE HAMMELEF

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU! 

Dear friends, have a wonderful weekend…stay safe and healthy!

36 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Enchanted Snowglobe Collection – Return to Coney Island PLUS Giveaway”

  4. I’m looking forward to settling down with this book. Your mention of the Magic Tree House series reminded me of a tornado warning we had in our town last year. The sirens screamed as I raced around the house gathering photo albums, my laptop, paintings from my mother and aunt, and our many pets. As fast as possible, I brought everything into the basement. My daughter didn’t take as long as I did to gather her most precious possessions. Clutched in her arms was her entire Magic Tree House collection. And since my daughter and I both adore snow globes and have our own magical collection, I have a feeling this book will be a bit hit around here.

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    • I’m glad you guys were safe, Leslie…and perhaps having those books gave your daughter a sense of safety…if Jack and Annie could be okay during a tornado like trip in each book, she would be also. 😉 And adding snowglobes to the mix was sheer genius on Meilssa’s part, 😉

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    • Hi Leslie – wow, I am glad you and your family are ok. That must have been scary trying to get to safety and saving all your prized possessions as well. Your sweet daughter took just what she needed! I feel like you can write a picture book about that somehow! Thanks for sharing this great story and I hope you love the book!

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  7. Congratulations, Melissa! I loved my snow globes. Your book sounds like a perfect read for me 🙂 My imagination took me many places when I would shake that snow.

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  8. The book looks adorable and the craft activity is perfect! I own a large, old Santa snow globe that – when wound – plays a Christmas carol as the snow sifts down on Santa. I have often wanted to jump into that perfect snow globe world.

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  9. I’m a fan of snow globes, and this sounds like a fun adventure. I would love to visit Coney Island in the 20s! Congrats, Melissa & thanks for sharing, Vivian :).

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    • Thanks so much Maria! I went to Coney Island recently (but was too scared to ride the Cyclone!) and it was a lovely day. It would be fun to really be transported back to Coney Island in the 1920s…..

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  11. I love this chapter book already…just by the title! I love writing chapter books especially creative nonfiction ones. I hope your chapter book brings great success!

    All the best,

    Lily

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