Perfect Picture Book Friday: IF YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP is on a Book Blog Tour Plus Giveaway

Posted on April 20, 2018 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends!

I’m really happy because today we are part of author Jackie Azur Kramer’s book blog tour! If you’d like to check out the other stops: https://www.jackieazuakramer.com/iwfa-blog-tour

Before we get to today’s wonderful book, I have THREE important announcements.

We have a copy of TERRIFIC TONGUES by Maria Gianferrari to give away. And the winner is…

DEE KNABB!

Congratulations, Dee. I’ll connect you and Maria so she and her publisher can get a copy of her fabulous book to you

2. #50PreciousWordsforKids is coming SOON! I’ll be inviting children in grades K-6 to write a story in 50 words or less. You all know how much fun that is! Last year we had a wonderful response – 15 states and 4 foreign countries participated! So, please spread the word to teachers, parents, homeschools. This is an activity that perfectly aligns with National Book Week…and there will be SEVEN AUTHOR SKYPE visits as prizes. I do need more volunteers for those…please contact me if you’d like to offer one or if you have any questions: viviankirkfield@gmail.com. And if you want more details, take a peek at Darlene Jacobson’s blogpost: https://darlenebeckjacobson.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/vivian-kirkfield-presents50-precious-words-for-kids-contest

3. I’ve got a gift pack of several picture book advance copies that I’d love to share…one of them is today’s wonderful story…please leave a comment on today’s post and you might be the lucky winner!

IF YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP

Written by Jackie Azua Kramer

Illustrated by Lisa Brandenburg

Published by Clavis (2018)

Ages: 4-6

Themes: Bedtime routines, sleep problems

Synopsis: From Amazon:

It’s bedtime, but Little Mouse isn’t sleepy. He has tried reading, and snacking, and snuggling, but nothing is helping him fall asleep. Maybe Mama Mouse can help? If you want to fall asleep, what do you do? A wish and a hug and it’s finally time to dream.
A lyrical bedtime story for sleepy little mice ages 4 and up.

Why I like this book:

Most kids have trouble winding down…I love this rollicking adventure that is sure to help them do that. And if it doesn’t, it is sure to entertain them while they are up!
The illustrations are bold, vibrant, and filled with humor.
We always need fresh new bedtime stories.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Paper Plate Mouse

Photo courtesy: http://www.dltk-kids.com

Most of you know how much I love crafts made with paper plates. And here is a new one, a perfect extension activity after reading IF YOU WANT TO FALL ASLEEP.

For detailed instructions: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/m-plate-mouse.htm

For more picture book reviews, why not hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.

Thank you for stopping by, dear friends! Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the book giveaway. And please share the upcoming #50PreciousWordsforKids info as well.

Happy Weekend to All!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: TERRIFIC TONGUES Plus Giveaway

Posted on April 13, 2018 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends!

Today I’m sharing a brand-new book by one of my favorite kidlit authors, Maria Gianferrari. You’ve met her before when she stopped by last summer to chat on Will Write for Cookies about her then new book, HELLO GOODBYE DOG. And now she has another one that just launched last week!!! And she is offering a copy as a GIVEAWAY! But before we get to our review and activity (which is going to be so much fun!), I need to make a few announcements.

The winner of a copy of SHARK NATE-O is…

SUSANNA TERPLEY.

Congratulations, Susanna! I’ll connect you and author Tara Luebbe.

And the winners of copies of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING are:

GINGER WEDDLE

VIRGINIA RINKEL

DANIELLE HAMMELEF

Congratulations, ladies…I will connect with all of you to make arrangements to send you the books so that you can present them to your local libraries in honor of National Library Week.

I also wanted to mention that the #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge is coming up at the end of this month. It coincides with Children’s Book Week, April 30 to May 6. The official challenge post will go live on Monday, April 30th. And author Darlene Jacobsen is going to give the challenge a shout out on her blog on Thursday, April 19…I’ll post the link here and on my social media. Please, friends, start getting the word out to teachers and parents of kids in grades K-6. Although every child who participates is a winner, I would love to select one class per grade level and one homeschool family/group to receive a mini-Skype author or illustrator visit like we did last year. I’m hoping to get EIGHT authors or illustrators who would be willing to donate those. So please contact me if you’d like to participate: viviankirkfield@gmail.

And now for today’s Perfect Picture Book!

TERRIFIC TONGUES

Written by Maria Giaferrari

Illustrated by Jia Liu

Published by Boyds Mill Press (2018)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Nonfiction animal info about tongues, humor

Why I like this book:

Funny! Funny! Funny! Kids will love the humor.
Fabulous word play and nonfiction info about animals and their tongues.
Bold vibrant illustrations – and the expressions on the monkey who travels throughout the book are hilarious!

RELATED ACTIVITIESPhoto courtesy: https://iheartcraftythings.com/50-zoo-animal-crafts-kids.html

Lots of fun monkey projects! For detailed instructions, please go here: https://iheartcraftythings.com/50-zoo-animal-crafts-kids.html

And to add a funny tongue to any of these monkey crafts, just cut a long strip of construction paper, roll it up, and glue one end to the monkey’s mouth.

Enjoy the back matter in Maria’s book…so many amazing fun facts about animals and their tongues.

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

Please remember that book reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other review sites are the best way we can thank authors for their wonderful stories.

And leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of TERRIFIC TONGUES.

And don’t forget to pass the word around about #50PreciousWordsforKids and email me if you’d like to donate a mini-Skype author visit.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE Plus Giveaway

Posted on March 23, 2018 by viviankirkfield

They say that time flies when you are having fun. I guess I must be having the most fun in the world because I can’t believe that it is Friday already!

It’s a special day here on Picture Books Help Kids Soar because we are part of Laura Sassi’s book blog tour for her brand-new picture book, DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE. So, it will be no surprise that I am featuring it today! And guess what? Laura is graciously offering a copy of this AWESOME book to one lucky winner!

DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE

Written by Laura Sassi

Illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings

Published by Sterling Children’s Books (2018)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes: Cooperation and teamwork

Synopsis: From Amazon:

Tra la la la! Can an opera house mouse and a disrespectful diva make beautiful music together? Maybe . . . if she learns some manners!
Fernando loves Mozart, Puccini, and Strauss, and lending a paw at the old opera house. Unfortunately, diva Delores wants no help from a mouse. She craves glamour and spotlights and praise—and she’s getting her chance to take center stage. But it’s all going wrong; she’s missing her entrance and flubbing her song. Fernando can save her—but only if Delores behaves. Will Delores hit a sour note? Or will she team up with Fernando . . . and bring down the house?

Why I like this book?

Laura Sassi’s spot on rhyme is delightful!
Rebecca Gerlings’ illustrations and use of the words as part of the art are masterful!
I love the message of cooperation and teamwork.
And the glitter on the cover ROCKS!!!!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Photo courtesy: https://thecraftyclassroom.com

Make a Japanese Paper Fan

On the cover, Diva Delores has a feather fan. But kids can make a beautiful Japanese paper fan with just paper, Popsicle sticks, glue, and markers/crayons. And for those Divas in your house, why not add a bit of GLITTER. Detailed instructions here: https://thecraftyclassroom.com/crafts/japan-crafts-for-kids/japan-paper-fan-craft/

Here is the line up for author Laura Sassi’s book blog tour…why not visit a few stops:

Dear friends, please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of DIVA DELORES. Please don’t forget to come back tomorrow when author Laura Sassi stops by to chat and share a yummy cookie recipe. AND, please don’t forget to give your favorite authors some book love by leaving reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other book sites. It will make all the difference!

For more wonderful picture book reviews, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.

Have a safe and happy weekend!