Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends.
I am so thrilled to bring you a GREAT new picture book that launches in just a couple of days. It’s written by a dear kidlit friend of mine, one of my picture book idols, author Lori Degman. I was in Chicago in February…BC (Before Covid-19)…and Lori and I met for a wonderful dinner…last year, she came to my book launch of Sweet Dreams, Sarah, at the Andersons Bookstore in La Grange. And because she is such a sweetheart, she is offering a GIVEAWAY of a copy of TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS!
TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS
Written by Lori Degman
Illustrated by Dave Szalay
Published by Sleeping Bear Press (2020)
Ages: 5-8
Themes: Monsters, traveling, geography of the US
Synopsis: From Amazon:
Taking your monster on a road trip this summer? Or letting your favorite beast tag along on a family beach vacation? Wherever you and your monster are traveling, Travel Guide for Monsters is full of essential tips to help you both enjoy the sights from coast to coast–and avoid monster-related mishaps.
And two fabulous reviews:
Buckle up and get ready for a rollicking road trip with merry monsters. This cast of joyful monsters in bright colors with myriad different sizes, shapes, facial features, and appendages is guaranteed to make young readers giggle. –Kirkus Reviews
Degman has compiled a monstrously fun adventure that takes readers across the country, from California to New York. This silly how-to offers tips and tricks for traveling with (friendly) monsters, so that kids can make the most of their trip. Page after page of brightly colored illustrations put the monsters on hilarious display, and a map at the book s end shows all the stops on this outlandish road trip. A must-bring for any family road trips or vacation adventure. –Booklist
Why I love this book:
- Love the rhyme…love the rhyme…love the rhyme – Lori is a master rhymer!
- Fabulous illustrations bring us from coast to coast and are real page-turners!
- Filled with humor!
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Photo courtesy: https://www.playideas.com/25-crazy-monster-crafts-kids/
WOW…what kid wouldn’t want to make some of these fabulous monster crafts! For detailed instructions: https://www.playideas.com/25-crazy-monster-crafts-kids/
And map-making might also be a great activity to extend the learning.
Photo courtesy: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/map-making
For an article on the importance of map-making for kids and lesson plans: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/map-making
I hope you are all staying safe…and keeping busy. And if you are #ShelteringAt Home with the kiddos, I hope that the activities suggested in these Perfect Picture Book posts will help. For more picture book recommendations and activities, please visit Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday page.
And to help support our favorite authors and illustrators and indie bookstores, please
- Buy their books
- Review their books
- Tell friends about their books
- Ask your local library to purchase the books for their collections
Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway…one lucky person will win a copy of TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS. Those monsters certainly visited lots of places in the US. Why not tell us what your dream vacation would be.
Fantastic cover.
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I agree – Dave’s illustrations are the best!
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Thanks for featuring this book. It looks like a fun one!
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Thanks, Mary!
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I heard about Lori’s book a number of months ago and made a note for myself to keep checking to see when it’s published. I’m glad you featured it today along with some perfect activities.
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Thanks, Leslie! I love the activities!
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This book looks like so much fun! What a great concept. Thanks for the sneak peek Vivian and Lori!
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Thanks, Beth! I owe the idea to Colin Jack, the illustrator of my first book!
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Hi Vivian, I got a sneak peek of this book as illustrator Dave Szalay is an Ohioan who visited my indie bookstore in Columbus. I’d love to win this book.
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Thanks, Kathy! I remember you telling me you heard Dave read it!
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When I first read about this book, I thought it was one of the most unique concepts I’d ever heard of. I’m so glad I won’t have to wait much longer before reading it. Thanks for featuring it, Vivian!
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Thanks, Becky! Colin Jack, the illustrator of my first book, gave me the beginning idea for this book!
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Looking forward to this one, for Lori’s RV-like road-trip theme(being an avid RV-er!) and rhyming text, plus illustrations by Dave Szalay AND MONSTERS, too! What a combination! Thanks for highlighting this one, Vivian!
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Thanks! I love the VW camper van Dave put on the cover!
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I cannot wait to read this book!! I love monsters and the concept is so fun and fresh. Thank you, Vivian & Lori!
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Thanks, Amy!
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Wow! This looks like such a fun book. And I agree, Lori is a master rhymer!
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Awww, thanks so much, Rose!
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Just looking at the cover of this book makes me smile. Thanks, Vivian.
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I know – me too, Arlene!
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I can’t wait to see this book. Lori is wonderful and this book looks like so much fun!
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Thanks so much, David!
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This book looks like so much fun — I can’t wait to vacation with monsters!
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Thanks, Lynne Marie!
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So clever! Congratulations and wishing you a bazillion in sales, Lori and Dave 🙂
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Thanks so much, Donna!
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I laughed out loud at your use of the term “BC,” Vivian! I love the premise of this book, and how wonderful for Lori to offer it as a giveaway! Your activities are great! We were always fans of making maps in our family. Cheers! And please stay well!
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Thanks, Jilianne! Dave drew a cute map at the end of the book – I think you’ll love it!
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I love this book, and so will kids! Who doesn’t love a good monster story?
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Thanks, Rinda!
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I love Lori’s rhyming books! This would be a great addition! Congratulations, Lori. I went to one of your workshops at the Loft in Minneapolis!
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Thanks, Mary – and thanks for going to my workshop!
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What a fun picture book! I love the shared activities that make it even more fun. Congratulations, Lori and Dave, and thanks you, Vivian, for sharing!
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Thanks, Pamela!
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A road trip and vacation sounds so wonderful right now. I’d want to travel to the National Parks and explore each one. Thanks for the post and fun activities too.
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I agree, Danielle – I’d love to go to the National Parks right now!
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That’s such a great image of the monster popping out of the van.
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I know – I love it too, Ashley!
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What a cute and fun picture book! I love friendly monsters too. My dream vacation is always the Jersey shore, where my parents and family always spent many fun-filled weeks! Thank you Lori and Vivian for this giveaway opportunity!
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Thanks, Lynn! My husband’s family was from New Jersey and he spent part of every summer at the Jersey shore growing up!
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Fun book & great activity.
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What a cute idea for a book. Kids are going to LOVE it. I am thinking of what advice I would give to a monster traveling to Maine?
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Book looks awesome! looking forward to reading it!
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So cute! I would want to read this book just by looking at the cover! Best wishes!
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This looks like fun! To be in rhyme for the travel…how lovely and enjoyable for kids!
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Congrats Lori! Your books sounds like a hoot and I can’t wait to read it. Evelyn
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