Perfect Picture Book Friday: MARIE CURIE and the Power of Persistence PLUS Giveaway

Posted on April 17, 2020 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends.

I love when new books come out and I know the author and/or illustrator. And it’s especially cool when I’ve actually met them…in person! These days, with social distancing, that isn’t happening very often. But luckily, a few months ago, I happened to be in the Chicago area and was able to have lunch with the wonderful author of today’s featured book. We even spent a few minutes at one of the local bookstores in Evanston, Bookends and Beginnings. And because Karla is such a sweetheart, she is offering a copy of this brand-new only-out-in-the-world-for-a-week book as a giveaway!

Madame Curie Valenti MARIE CURIE AND THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday: PLAY LIKE AN ANIMAL Plus Giveaway

Posted on April 3, 2020 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! I’m so happy to be back doing picture book reviews. The #50PreciousWords Contest kept me pretty busy – congratulations to ALL who participated…the generous industry pros who donated critiques, seats in writing classes, and books…my amazing judges, Maria Marshall, Julie Abery and Diane Tulloch…plus the 390 brave souls who shared their wonderful stories and the many people who took their time to leave 5734 positive, encouraging, and supportive comments. WOW!

We are in a new era – it almost feels like we are existing in a science fiction novel – and the author hasn’t finished the final chapters so we can’t skip ahead to find out how it ends. My heart goes out to those whose health has been impacted…to families struggling to keep things together as parents and children adjust to remote working/learning…to businesses trying to find new ways to create revenue.

I am, however, a very optimistic person…my sister used to call me Pollyanna because Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday: FREE FOR YOU AND ME Plus Giveaway

Posted on March 6, 2020 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I’m just catching my breath becasue #50PreciousWords closed last night at 11:59pm…a couple of stats for you…over 375 entries, over 3000 comments and counting because I know in the next two weeks, many of you will be reading through these fabulous stories and I’ve only commented on a few so far, 24 prizes, and 4 judges who will be burning the midnight oil for the next two weeks…look for the winners’ post on March 21.

I’m really excited about our perfect picture book today…written by a dear friend, Chris Mihaly, it examines the importance of the First Amendment. And she is giving away a copy of this wonderful book to one lucky winner…so don’t forget to leave a comment and share the post on social media.

Continue reading →