Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I know it looks like I am here, but I really am not! I am in Switzerland with my dear Storm teammate, Julie Abery. Yesterday we met with a local SCBWI group and today we are going to the village of Gruyere…the home of cheese and chocolate. You can be sure I will be tasting! Tomorrow we fly to London for the weekend…I’ll be sharing photos on social media, so please stay tuned.
BUT…MEANWHILE…I am totally excited to share a brand new picture book…from fellow debut author B.J. Lee!
I guess you could say that today’s story is a retelling of a wildly popular progressive tale. But it so different, it is really new. It is truly the best of both worlds. A time-honored favorite, like an old friend. But with such a charming twist, it has become new again. And perhaps that is the key to a great book. They say there are only seven stories in the entire world…and every book is a variation. What makes each different is the voice, perspective, and flavor that the author brings to it. And B.J. Lee certainly brought all of that! Plus, she is offering a copy of the book as a giveaway. Make sure you leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win!
THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH
Written by B.J. Lee
Illustrated by David Opie
Published by Pelican Publishing (2019)
Ages: 5 and up
Themes: Progressive story, Florida animals
Synopsis: From Amazon:
“Gators and panthers and crabs, oh my! The classic cumulative tale There Was an Old Lady gets a Floridian flourish in this charming adaptation. Down in the southern swamps a hungry gator accidentally swallows a moth. Of course, he swallows a crab to get the moth! What will he swallow next? The gator predictably continues swallowing bigger and bigger creatures until the unexpected happens―all over the page! Along the way to its hilarious ending, the story―strengthened by the delightful illustrations―introduces readers of all ages to the many critters, both big and small, of the Florida swamp. With a familiar use of repetition and an abundance of rhythm, this silly story is perfect for read-aloud experiences.”
Why I love this book:
- Fabulous read-aloud!
- Love the regional flavor of the story!
- The illustrations are perfect!
- Meter and rhyme are delightful!
The book launch was pretty special – at a Nature Center and there was a reading, a sing-a-long, crafts, and….a gator walk with a park ranger!
And here’s a bit about B.J.
I am a former college music librarian turned full-time writer and poet. My debut picture book, There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth, launched on February 1, 2019 from Pelican Publishing. Additionally, I am an award-winning children’s poet with over 100 poems and stories published/forthcoming in major anthologies and magazines. Anthology credits include Construction People (Wordsong, 2019), I Am a Jigsaw (Bloomsbury, 2019), National Geographic’s Poetry of US (2018), National Geographic’s Book of Nature Poetry (2015), One Minute Till Bedtime (Little, Brown, 2016), Moonstruck (Otter-Barry, 2019), Spaced Out (Bloomsbury, 2019), Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble (Bloomsbury, 2019) and many others. Magazine credits include Spider, Highlights, and The School Magazine. I blog at Today’s Little Ditty, where I am an authority on poetic forms.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Photo courtesy: https://momfoodie.com/alligator-crafts-for-kids/
For detailed instructions and other ideas: https://momfoodie.com/alligator-crafts-for-kids/
Remember friends, leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of THERE WAS AN OLD GATOR WHO SWALLOWED A MOTH by B.J. Lee. And as always, help spread the word about the books you love. Buy them, review them, ask your library to purchase them for their collection, and tell your friends about the them.
For more wonderful book reviews, please stop by Susanna Hill’s PERFECT PICTURE BOOK FRIDAY.
Thank you so much for spending your precious time with me.
This sounds like a fun book to add to my collection of There Was an Old….books. The students will enjoy it. Congratulations B.J!
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Thank you Nadine! Have fun reading to your students 🐊💚📚
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I love B.J’s book, esp since I lived in Florida for almost 10 years. Congrats on your debut PB, BJ! 🙂
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Thank you Jennifer! I hadn’t realized you lived in Florida at one time. I have lived here for 20 years now and am still Amazed when I see a gator!🐊🐊🐊
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So happy for BJ! Thanks for this great glimpse into the book, which sounds like a lot of fun. Vivian, and keep enjoying your travels!
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Thanks so much Jane! Kids seem to be getting a kick out of the Old gator! 🐊💚📚
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Can’t wait to read this! I live in the Low country of SC with a gator in my backyard lagoon, one of many in the lagoons in my community. What fun! Have some gruyere for me, Miss V!
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Thank you Jeanine! A Gator in your backyard lagoon! “There was an old gator gulped a Lagoon” if you find your lagoon drained, you’ll know who did it 🤗🐊
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I did, my friend…and it was awesome!!!!
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Oh, this sounds like such fun! Re-imagining something familiar is just brilliant. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks Vivian. Enjoy your travels!
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Thank you Beth! Kids seem to be enjoying this Florida retelling. 🐊📚
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I am just thrilled for BJ! What a wonderful book and related activity! Travel well and safe, Vivian!
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Aww, Thanks Lynne Marie! 🐊💚
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An old theme that is always a favorite. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much Barbara! 🐊🤗💚
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Thanks for the awesome book!!
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Thank you, Anitha!🐊📚
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I grew up in Florida and can’t wait to read this book.
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Thanks so much Carmela! Floridians seem to be loving it! 🐊🐊🐊
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This sounds like a book full of chuckles! Cute activity.
You certainly are making a trip of a lifetime! What a grand time to share your books and see friends.
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Hi Pat! Yes, a book full of chuckles. David Opie‘s illustrations are hilarious 🤣🐊📚
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Can’t wait to read this! Grew up in FL and live in TX…used to those gators.
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Thank you Tracy! Yes I was surprised to learn in my research that gators live in other states beside Florida and Louisiana. Being a northerner, i’m not sure I’ll ever get used to them! 🐊😳
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Gators and Crocs, faves of mine for sure. Congratulations on your debut, BJ.
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Thanks Donna! Gators and crocs and caimans oh my!🤗🐊
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Can’t wait to get my hands on this one! Read alouds are always so much fun. And the craft is awesome! Congrats, BJ, on your debut!
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Thanks so much Jilanne! Btw I love your name! It’s a hoot to read aloud 🐊📚🤗
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Enjoy Switzerland and London, Vivian! And thanks for sharing this super fun read-aloud!
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Thank you Gabi! Kids love chiming in when I read it. So much fun 📚🐊💕
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Looks like a great book! I’m in Florida during the winter months so I’m still learning about the wildlife!
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Thank you Peg. Oh to be a Snowbird! Yes, the wildlife down here is certainly fascinating 🐊🐬🐸
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While we don’t have gators down here in the Southwest, I would love to have your fun book on my shelf! I’m still learning and refining the craft of verse and rhyme occasionally into some of my children’s stories. I’m sure your There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth is just swimming full of rollicking, rhyming words!
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Thank you Lynn! Reviewers have used the word “rollicking.”🤗 You can’t go wrong studying pbs in cumulative rhyme. I did a lot of studying them before writing. Best of luck with your Wips!📚💚🐊
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Thank you, B.J. I appreciate the encouragement! 🙂
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This does sound so much fun to share out loud. Thank you so much for sharing today!
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Thank you Danielle! Thanks for stopping by
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Congrats, BJ & enjoy your time in the lovely country of Switzerland, Vivian! Have some Gruyere for me :)!
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Thanks so much Maria!
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Great granddaughter is just learning to read and this sounds like a book she’d really enjoy the challenge of reading. She loves to read out loud to anyone who will listen!
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Awww! She sounds adorable. I think she would enjoy reading this book. Perfect for her age group🤗📚
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