Perfect Picture Book Friday: SHARK NATE-O Plus Giveaway

Posted on April 6, 2018 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends.

First, some announcements.

Congratulations to Amber Hendricks. She was the winner of Patricia Valdez’ wonderful JOAN PROCTOR, DRAGON DOCTOR…and she has already received it…thank you so much, Patricia…you are FAST!

And the winner of Laura Sassi’s DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE is…

ANNE IVERSON…Congratulations, Anne…I’ll connect you and Laura so she can mail you the book.

Today’s wonderful picture book is by debut picture book author, Tara Luebbe and her sister, Becky Cattie. And guess what? Tara and her sister have TWO picture book debuting this year! And guess what else? Tara will be stopping by to chat with us tomorrow and share a yummy gluten-free recipe for a cookie that doesn’t have to be baked. AND, can you stand one more piece of awesomeness? Tara is graciously offering a copy of SHARK NATE-O as a giveaway prize. So, please don’t forget to leave a comment today and tomorrow.

SHARK NATE-O

Written by Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie

Illustrated by Daniel Duncan

Published by Little Bee Books (April 2018)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Swimming, sharks, overcoming fears

Synopsis: From Amazon:

Nate loves sharks. He reads shark books every day, watches sharks on TV, and talks about them nonstop. He even likes to pretend he’s a shark wherever he goes! However, there is one small problem. . . .

Nate can’t swim.

When his older brother points this out, Nate works hard to overcome his fears and learn how to blow bubbles, use a kickboard, and finally swim without help, as quickly and as gracefully as a shark. Will he be able to beat his brother in a swim tryout and get his bite back? Kids will love this jawsome book complete with vibrant and whimsical art and a list of shark facts in the back!

Why I like this book:

I totally identify with Nate…I, too, was a nonswimmer…and had to overcome my fear of the water when I took swimming in high school and college. I’m still not a fan, but perhaps I could save myself if I had to.
Great text from the opening lines to the satisfying ending.
Super cool illustrations.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

For detailed instructions, please go to: www.frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail.com

Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway. And come come tomorrow to join us for Tara’s Q&A on Will Write for Cookies.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

If you have a few minutes, don’t forget that writing a review on a book site like Amazon or Goodreads is a wonderful gift to your favorite author.

And for more picture book reviews and activities, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: MOTH AND WASP, SOIL AND OCEAN

Posted on February 2, 2018 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! I hope you haven’t given up on me. With a March 1st deadline, I’ve been writing and revising for the past three weeks. I’m happy to say that four of the manuscripts for the compilation book are already on the editor’s desk. I have one more ready to go, another almost there, a third that needs a bit more research, and a fourth…well…let’s just say that one is still a rough draft.

January was also Tara Lazar’s STORYSTORM challenge and I now have a notebook with 30+ new story ideas. If you didn’t get a chance to hop over to read my post, you can click here. I shared how I got ideas for all of the books that are now under contract – and a few that are out on submission. If you are writing with the view to getting traditionally published, I urge you to read Jane Yolen’s post – I am always inspired by her words.

Speaking of being inspired…our Perfect Picture Book Friday selection does exactly that! The text by award-winning author Sigrid Schmalzer is glorious and the illustrations by debut picture book illustrator Melanie Linden Chan are incredible!

MOTH AND WASP, SOIL AND OCEAN: Remembering Chinese Scientist Pu Zhelong’s Work for Sustainable Farming

Written by Sigrid Schmalzer

Illustrated by Melanie Linden Chan

Published by Tilbury House Publishers (2018)

Ages: 6-9

Themes: Sustainable farming, Chinese culture, conservation

Why I like this book:

A true gem of history that will inspire adults and kids
A beautiful diverse story that will help children get a better picture of life in other places and times
Incredible illustrations from debut picture book illustrator Melanie Linden Chan…just incredible!
I love the message of sustainable farming!

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Plant Seeds

Photo courtesy: https://www.prekinders.com/category/themes/plants-seeds/

One of the favorite activities of my kinders was planting seeds. They loved getting their hands in the soil, pressing the small beans, peas, or other seeds with their fingers. Best of all, the loved watching the little green sprouts push up and flourish. For detailed instructions, go here: https://www.prekinders.com/category/themes/plants-seeds/

For more wonderful picture book reviews, please go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. And for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up, go here.

And while you are there, why not check out her Valentiny Contest that starts soon!

And last, but definitely not least, if you’d like to get a peek at the 2018 Debut Picture Books, please visit the Epic Eighteens website.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend. Stay warm or stay cool, whichever you prefer.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES Plus Giveaway

Posted on December 8, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Hooray for reading picture book stories! That’s what Perfect Picture Book Friday is all about, right?

And Hooray for writing picture book stories. That’s what Susanna Hill’s Holiday Contest is all about…did you enter? There is still time to write your story and post it on your blog or on her page. Just click here. Great prizes…critiques and books!

And speaking of prizes, hooray and thanks to author Gregory Bray for the giveaway of a copy of THE BATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE. And the winner is…

SUE HEAVENRICH

Congratulations, Sue. Let’s connect so Greg can get you the book.

And now, since it is Friday, I have a super lovely review for you! It’s Alison Goldberg’s debut picture book and it launches the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES

Written by Alison Goldberg

Illustrated by Mike Yamada

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (December 26, 2017)

Ages: 2-6

Themes: Reassurance, love, vehicles

Synopsis:

From Amazon: Love can be stronger than the strongest excavator, longer than the longest train, and taller than the tallest crane. And no matter where you go, love travels with you always. With exciting imagery and engaging, lyrical text, Alison Goldberg and Mike Yamada’s I Love You for Miles and Miles is an I-love-you book perfect for children who love things that go!

Why I like this book:

Simple yet lyrical rhyme that young kids will love
Bold colorful illustrations
So much heart in the text and in the expressions on the faces of each character…this is definitely an AWWWW book…perfect for bedtime or anytime

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Advent Calendar Train

Photo courtesy: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

For detailed instructions: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/transportationartscraftstvehiclescarstrucksboatstrainskids.html

Paper Plate Cars

Photo courtesy: http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com

For detailed instructions: http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/05/paper-plate-cars-kid-craft.html http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/05/paper-plate-cars-kid-craft.html

Dear friends, we are in a very busy time of the year. I know many of you are juggling home, family, job, and your writing career. Sometimes it just seems like there isn’t enough time for everything. Please make sure you do find the time to sit with your children…hold them…read with them (even if they are older)…and if you can, get out the craft supplies and make something together. Those are the memories that will last…not the expensive toy or gadget they see on TV.

Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES…if you want to find out more about the book or order it, check out the author’s page or an indie bookseller, and definitely be back here tomorrow for our Q&A with debut picture book author, ALISON GOLDBERG.