FIRST POST OF THE YEAR!!!
So you know it is going to be special, right?
Last year I featured as many 2017 picture books as I could. This year I plan to do the same thing for the debut picure books of 2018. HOPEFULLY, my Sweet Dreams, Sarah will be one of them! But for today, I’ve got a really special book for you! From a dear friend and critique buddy of mine, Nancy Churnin, who has a knack for finding golden nuggets of history and turning them into fabulous nonfiction picture books that children and adults will want to read again and again.
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO CHARLIE TAKES HIS SHOT
CHARLIE TAKES HIS SHOT: How Charlie Sifford Broke the Color Barrier in Golf
Written by Nancy Churnin
Illustrated by John Joven
Published by Albert Whitman
Ages: 5-8
Themes: Determination, Civil Rights, golf
Synopsis:
From Amazon: Charlie Sifford loved golf, but in the 1930’s only white people were allowed to play in the Professional Golf Association. Sifford had won plenty of black tournaments, but he was determined to break the color barrier in the PGA. In 1960 he did, only to face discrimination from hotels that wouldn’t rent him rooms and clubs that wouldn’t let him use the same locker as the white players. But Sifford kept playing, becoming the first black golfer to win a PGA tournament and eventually ranking among the greats in golf.
Why I like this book:
- I love when authors can entertain, educate, and inspire by taking an impottant event in history and making it come alive for kids
- The text and illustrations engage from the first page to the last
- This is an important moment that built on what had come before and opened doors for those who came after
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Photo courtesy: https://www.thecrafttrain.com
Tin Can Golf is fun for young kids and can be ramped up to make it more challenging for older kids. For detailed instructions: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/tin-can-indoor-golf-fun-from-recycled-junk/
Thanks to author Nancy Churnin, we have a giveaway of a copy of CHARLIE TAKES HIS SHOT. Please leave a comment to be entered. Remember, there is only one copy that can be won, but the book JUST launched TODAY…so you can hop over to your favorite bookstore and get a copy And don’t forget that leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads only takes a couple of minutes, but it will mean the world to the author of that book you loved reading with your child.
Please come back tomorrow for the BOOK BIRTHDAY of LOVE, MAMA by Jeanette Bradley!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
This looks great, Vivian. I love how Nancy creates such engaging real life stories.
LikeLike
I love books that show the never give up attitude! Children need examples of pushing past the obstacles.
LikeLike
What a great subject! Congrats, Nancy. Thanks for sharing, Vivian!
LikeLike
Congratulations Nancy! And thanks for the introduction to this book Vivian. There are many wiffle golf balls hit around our house so I was instantly drawn to the subject. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Picture book bios are my favorite genre. Thanks, Nancy!
LikeLike
Great way to begin 2018! Nancy does have a way with nonfiction doesn’t she! I can’t wait to get my hands on Charlie. I’m also anxiously waiting for Sweet Dreams, Sara!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like an inspirational story.
LikeLike
I learned something new today–I’ve never heard of Charlie before and this book will be fun to read. The illustrations are gorgeous. I do love sports as well as the message of this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year! I have been looking forward to this book and cannot wait to read it. Congratulations Nancy and thank you for the post Vivian!
LikeLike
That is a good-looking book! I’m not a golfer, but I’d enjoy learning more about this story!
LikeLike
Looks like Nancy has hit another hole-in-one with this book! Can’t wait to read it. Looking forward to your spotlighting the debut books of 2018, Vivian!
LikeLike
This looks fantastic. I just added it to my “need to read” list. Thanks for the recommendation, Vivian!
LikeLike
Charlie Takes His Shot–I love this title, it’s so intriguing! It pulls the reader in to want to read the entire book. Thank you Vivian for showcasing this book!
LikeLike
Yay – first post of the year! And what a great looking book to kick it off! I look forward to reading it.
LikeLike
This would be an amazing book to have for my classroom. I often seek out books from people that come from different cultures than my kiddos and I. We love multiculturalism!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love cover and title. Charlie took his shot long before Tiger Woods. Who knew?
LikeLike