Perfect Picture Book Friday: Manjhi Moves a Mountain PLUS Giveaway

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We are back in the swing of things with school in session. Elementary teachers have always used picture books in the classroom, but now, more than ever, the nonfiction picture book bios are needed. And today, I’m bringing you what is sure to be one of the most popular books this year and a classic for the future!

manjhi cover

MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN

Written by Nancy Churnin

Illustrated by Danny Popovici

Published by Creston Books (September 2017)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Ingenuity, courage, persistance

Synopsis: 

From Midwest Review:

Manjhi Moves a Mountain” is an amazing story of dedication, persistence, vision, and steadfast love. It is a true story about a real man named Dashrath Manjhi, who lived in India from 1934 until 2007. Manjhi lived in a remote, poor mountain village, where a mountain divided his poor village from a sister village with water, fertile land, and access to health care and education. People from Manjhi’s village had to walk over 36 difficult miles to get to the sister village for access to crops, food, health care, and education, because of the difficult mountain obstacle between. Manjhi could see the differences between the two villages clearly, and he pondered the question of inequality between people at the top of the mountain. He came to a decision after throwing a stone against the mountainside in frustration, watching it dissolve into powder. This was his revelation! From then on, Manjhi spent every possible resource and effort to obtain a hammer and chisel and to use his full strength every day to work at pounding the stone of the mountain to make a road for the people from the poor village to travel to the rich village more easily. The work was hard, and had to be done in addition to the work of growing food and sustaining himself. Manjhi and his hammer became a common sight on the mountain, where he labored every day, chanting to himself, “Hold. Aim. Swing!” Though people told him he was crazy, that he should give up and accept inequality, he continued throughout his life, making slow progress in carving a pathway through the mountain. After 15 years, villagers could see real progress. People began to leave offerings of food, and new tools, to help him on his gigantic, self imposed task. Finally one day that was 22 years after Manjhi first had his vision, the last hammer blow was swung and the pathway that would become a road for everyone was open. Manjhi looked from one village to the other and saw not two villages, but one, “sharing water, hopes, dreams… and a man who had moved a mountain!” This true life story of an Indian sage who became revered and known as the Mountain Man is inspiring and moving to young readers age 5 and up. Beautiful earth-toned illustrations depict the mighty work of Manjhi and the awe and respect of his village friends. “Manjhi Moves a Mountain” is a true modern treasure and wisdom life story. 

Why I like this book:

  • The text engages from the opening lines to the satisfying ending!
  • The illustrations are incredible (wait till you see tomorrow’s post when illustrator Danny Popovici shares his process AND his storyboard!
  • The story is inspiring.

Related Activities:

paper mache mountainPhoto Courtesy: Kimberly Klein Sweder

http://www.ehow.com/how_12138304_make-fake-mountain-school-diorama.html

Paper Mache Mountain

Help your kids make their own mountain with paper mache. For detailed instructions: http://www.ehow.com/how_12138304_make-fake-mountain-school-diorama.html

 

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in Nancy’s giveaway of a copy of MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN. And definitely don’t forget to be here tomorrow for a double your pleasure, double your fun Will Write for Cookies post featuring:

Author Nancy Churnin and Illustrator Danny Popovici

For more picture book reviews, check out Susanna Hill’s website, where picture book lovers link up their blog posts for Perfect Picture Book Friday.

To my friends and all those in the path of Hurrican Irma…we all join in praying for your safety!

 

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It’s a BOOK BIRTHDAY: A COOKED UP FAIRY TALE

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR A COOKED UP FAIRY TALE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

cover for cooked up fairy tale

One of the first kidliters I met when I ventured out on this writing journey in 2011 was Penny Parker Klostermann. She was an active participant in all of the writing challenges and contests that Susanna Leonard Hill hosted. Reading her entries, I knew she’d be a successfully published author before long.

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Her debut picture book, THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT, is a joy to read. And TODAY, her second picture book launches!

To celebrate this auspicious occasion, Penny and I put our heads together. (and you know how much trouble two picture book writers can get into when they do that) In addition to a giveaway of a signed copy of A COOKED UP FAIRY TALE and a yummy recipe, we’ve cooked up a super fun interview. So hold on to your hats!

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OH MY GOSH! HOW MUCH FUN WAS THIS?

Huge thanks to Penny for arranging space for our interview on the front page of THE ROYAL REPORTER.

Penny Parker Klostermann is the author of There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight and the upcoming, A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale which is releasing today! She loves all kinds of books, but especially loves very silly picture books that make her laugh. Penny has been known to hug her favorite picture books and seriously hopes that someday her books will gain huggable status too. 

Penny grew up in Colorado and now lives in Abilene, Texas-the Storybook Capital of Texas!

To learn more about Penny and her books: https://pennyklostermann.com/

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway (U.S. addresses only, please). And remember, one of the greatest gifts you can give to your favorite author is to leave a review on Amazon and /or Goodreads.

More picture book awesomeness this coming weekend when we welcome author Nancy Churnin and illustrator Danny Popovici and another soon-to-be-released picture book, Manjhi Moves a Mountain.

 

 

Ariel Bernstein: Will Write for Cookies PLUS Giveaway

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WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

Plate of Cookies

INSPIRATION, INFORMATION, AND INSIGHT

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

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ARIEL BERNSTEIN

I met Ariel a couple of years ago while participating in many of the kidlitland writing challenges. Then, when my debut picture book was scheduled to launch this year, I joined PICTURE THE BOOKS 2017, the group founded by Ariel, Katey Howes and Julie Segal Waters.  And even when my book got pushed, they let me stay in the group…which just goes to show you what an awesome person Ariel is.

Ariel Bernstein is a children’s book author. Her debut picture book, I HAVE A BALLOON, illustrated by Scott Magoon, releases Sept. 26, 2017. Her chapter book series, WARREN AND DRAGON, illustrated by Mike Malbrough, will be published Summer 2018.

Ariel, I’m thrilled to welcome you to Picture Books Help Kids Soar.

ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

ARIEL: My parents had a book of Russian folk tales that I read and reread many times. I thought that Baba Yaga was the creepiest villain and it felt kinda crazy that she was allowed to be in a children’s book, which made the stories all the more enticing. The illustrations, by Ivan Bilibin, are incredible.

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And I loved Beverly Cleary’s RAMONA books. Ramona was also a younger sister, so I felt like I was seeing myself in some of those situations. I appreciated that she was a relatable kid in so many ways – she didn’t always do or say the right thing, but she always felt real.

ramona

ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?

ARIEL: When I first started writing, I heard a lot about writers who write every day, no matter what. So I thought I needed to do that. I ended up getting burnt out and not enjoying the process at times. I realized it’s 100% fine to take a break and then go back to writing. Every writer works differently. For some, it really does help to write every single day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. For me, breaks help me to write with a clearer mind and more creative energy.

ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?

ARIEL: I like to write on my laptop while inside, usually in my living room. I often think of my best ideas while walking though, so I’ll take my phone and every once in a while I’ll have to stop to write something quickly in the notes, otherwise I’ll forget it by the end of the walk!

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ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?

ARIEL: I try to get most of my writing done in the morning or early afternoon during the week before getting my kids from school. I wish I was one of those writers that can grab 10 minutes here or there to write, but I need a big block of time to devote to writing.

ME: Why do you write for children?

ARIEL: I love reading books when you can practically hear the narrator dictating the words aloud, such as stories by David Sedaris. With picture books and chapter books, they actually do get read out loud by parents, teachers, librarians, and beginning readers. So it’s fun to write them knowing the reader will often get the experience of hearing the voice and tone interpreted by whoever is reading it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ARIEL! I loved getting to know you a little better…I can’t believe that Baba Yaga was your go-to book when you were young…MINE, TOO!!!!

Dear friends, Ariel is generously offering a giveaway of a copy of I HAVE A BALLOON. Please leave a comment here or on yesterday’s Perfect Picture Book Friday review of the book. Her book is available for preorder on Amazon or at Indie bookstores everywhere…and remember…a review on Amazon or Goodreads is a gift of love for your favorite books.

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You can find more about Ariel at http://www.arielbernsteinbooks.com, and on Twitter and Instagram @ArielBBooks.

And now…drum roll please! Time for Ariel’s favorite cookie recipe!

Super Chocolate-y Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 300

INGREDIENTS

1/2 lb butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 TBS milk

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 3/4 cups oatmeal

2 cups ground walnuts (optional)

2 packagas chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt the butter

Beat together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar

Add the mixture to milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat together.

Add and beat together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

Stir in oatmeal, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

Cool the batter for two hours.

Bake for 20 minutes (or until done).

YUM…those sound

This past week has been a nightmare for many in Texas and surrounding areas. Please keep them in your prayers and help in any way you can. Many kidliters are banding together to raise money. The fabulous Kate Messner has a KIDLITCARES auction going on with fantastic items like critiques and more: KidLitCares Hurricane Harvey relief effort

Thank you for spending some of your precious time here, dear friends…we’ve got several treats in store next week when PENNY PARKER KLOSTERMANN is in the house…and then a dynamic duo Q&A over the weekend with author NANCY CHURNIN  and illustrator DANNY POPOVICI.