Category Archives: Perfect Pictture Book Friday

Perfect Picture Book Friday: TRICKY CHOPSTICKS Plus Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Today’s featured book is only a FEW DAYS OLD! So, let’s all sing a Happy Belated Birthday to TRICKY CHOPSTICKS!!!

TRICKY CHOPSTICKS

Written by Sylvia Chen

Illustrated by Fanny Liem

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (March 19, 2024)

Ages:4-8

Themes: Determination, Creativity, Asian Culture

Synopsis from Amazon:
Jenny Chow struggles with chopsticks—aiya, those slippery, oh-so-tricky chopsticks! But cousin Victor’s birthday party is just around the corner, along with her family’s annual chopsticks challenge. Jenny doesn’t want to be the only Chow who never learns how to use the utensils. She’ll do whatever it takes to prove she can hold her own in her family’s long-held tradition—no matter how many experiments she wobbles and fumbles through.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love the humor and the heart that author Sylvia employs as the MC tries so many ways to perfect her use of chopsticks.
2. I love the vibrant palette of illustrator Fanny – the art will keep kids engaged and turning the pages.
3. I love how the book becomes a true windows and mirrors for readers…children whose families use chopsticks will feel seen – and other children will learn about a culture different from their own.

Growing up in NYC, I had many experiences eating all different types of foods. My dad loved eating out – we’d probably go once a week. And the choice was either Italian (my favorite was lasagna), deli (I’d always order a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard – and a square potato knish) or Chinese. The really funny thing is that I was an extremely picky eater – and would only eat the white rice and crispy noodles – and my parents had to pay an extra 25 cents for my plate because the restaurant had a policy that each person had to order a meal. Of course, now I eat EVERYTHING – and have had octopus and roast chicken for breakfast in Barcelona – and fresh oysters and sea urchin for breakfast in Aix en Provence.

I apologize to Sylvia for getting a bit off-topic…she stopped in to chat and has been waiting patiently to share a little bit about her path to publication for this beautiful book.

ME: WELCOME, Sylvia! Thank you so much for dropping in. And thank you for the lovely giveaway you are offering – winner’s choice of a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom OR a signed copy of your book plus surprise swag!
Sylvia, before I went down the rabbit hole of childhood restaurant experiences, you were going to tell us about a couple of humorous moments on the path to publication…can you share?

SYLVIA: Hi Vivian. Thank you so much for having me! And yes, I have two moments to share.
First extra fond (and funny!) memory: Before the deal for TRICKY CHOPSTICKS came true, I had received an R&R opportunity from my editor. After we had the chance to video-chat and clarify some comments and goals for the R&R, I huddled and hustled to revise every moment I could! At the time, my in-laws lived with us, so my cozy writing space was in the closet. Late one night, I kept brainstorming and wordsmithing in the glow of my laptop screen, and along with tweaking the text, I added some art notes. A couple of times that night, a cheeky-but-perfect-for-that-scene art note scurried onto the screen and made me LOL. Each time that happened, I just knew that part of the revision was a keeper. And luckily, my editor agreed and accepted the R&R!

Second LOLOL memory: I was so lucky that every once in a while, my editor would send me sneak peeks of Fanny Liem’s sketches and illustrations. I absolutely love all the amazing and hilarious illustrations she created for TRICKY CHOPSTICKS. I mean, just look at the cover! But I still remember seeing the initial black and white sketch for the first spread in the book and it just made me laugh and laugh and laugh, totally tickled pink! I’m in sheer awe of how Fanny was able to amp up the humor of our book with her incredible illustrations.

Thank you so much, Sylvia. And I agree…the illustrations are AMAZING!

Here’s a little bit about Sylvia and how to connect with her and order her book:
A New Yorker now living in the Seattle area with her husband and two sons, Sylvia Chen is an Asian American children’s book author represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Birch Path Literary. Sylvia is a member of SCBWI and 12×12, a #PBParty Judge (and Ninja Rockstar!) since 2022, a 2023 and 2022 #PBRisingStars mentor, and the creator of #PBStudyBuddy, which features amazing picture book creators and mentor texts (plus occasional #Kidlit giveaways) on Twitter/X, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads for fellow creators, teachers, and librarians. Ever so excited about her debut picture book TRICKY CHOPSTICKS (March 19, 2024; Atheneum/Simon & Schuster), Sylvia loves crafting picture books that spark kids’ interest in STEAM and creative thinking. She often stays up late into the night puzzling away with wordplay and working on quirky ideas. 

Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SylviaiChen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylviaichen/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sylviaichen.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sylviaichen
Website: https://www.sylviaichen.com/
Book website: https://www.trickychopsticks.com/
Preferred link to order an author-signed copy of TRICKY CHOPSTICKS via Sylvia’s local indie (US shipping or pick-up only; Sylvia goes to this bookstore pretty often, but please allow for extra time for signing, especially if you specify a personalization request. If you know Sylvia personally, please say so in the order notes too so she can make sure to add a special note if she can):: https://www.brickandmortarbooks.com/item/uhkEB3h562uLvmihVmDOFw

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
There are so many things you can do with disposable chopsticks other than disposing of them. From the simple – making painted lollipops

Photo courtesy: https://www.allabouthope.net/projects/2020/7/20/cardboard-and-chopstick-lollipops

To the more complicated – crafting beautiful doll furniture:

Thank you all for spending your precious time here with us.
Please remember to leave a comment for a chance to win the fabulous giveaway of either a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything chat with Sylvia OR a signed copy of TRICKY CHOPSTICKS. Book can only be mailed to U.S. addresses…please let us know in the comments which prize you’d prefer if you are the lucky winner.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Book Birthday AND Perfect Picture Book Friday: JUST FLOWERS

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Sometimes a book comes along that is so inclusive, I want to HUG the author and illustrator! And guess what? This brand-new, just-launched-today book by author Erin Dealey and illustrator Kate Cosgrove is exactly that! Each page BURSTS with individuals who have long been marginalized…and they appear in the most natural and organic of ways – huge congratulations to the publisher, Sleeping Bear Press, for giving the world such a beautiful and much-needed book!

I hope you’ll join me in a rousing Happy Birthday to You for JUST FLOWERS!

JUST FLOWERS

Written by Erin Dealey

Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

Ages: 4-8

Themes:

Synopsis from Amazon:
Izzy’s new neighbor is a bit of a grump–though they are both botanically inclined. When the neighbor discovers unwanted flowers–again and again–in his precious rose garden, he bids Izzy to take them away. Izzy does–and uses the blooms to brighten someone else’s day. Before long, the town is bursting with Izzy’s flowers. The grumpy neighbor doesn’t see the fuss. “They’re JUST FLOWERS!” he yells. “Just flowers” that brought joy and color to everyone in town. Can Izzy finally get that neighbor to accept the bloom of friendship? Back matter includes a seek-and-find and information on the flowers mentioned in the book.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love stories that encourage children to have hope and share kindness.
2. I love stories that burst with inclusivity – important characters and characters in leadership roles have all types of disabilities – we see the principal has a prosthetic leg, a child in a wheelchair – and are of all nationalities and colors and genders.
3. I love stories that are filled with fabulous art – the illustrations are so joyful – even the grumpy old neighbor!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Flower Crafts for Kids

Photo courtesy: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/52654/21-flower-crafts-for-kids/

Check out this link for detailed instructions on 25 awesome flower craft activities for kids: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/52654/21-flower-crafts-for-kids/

And please remember that the best way to help beautiful books become a success is to:
Buy them
Review them
Add them to your Goodreads Want to Read Shelf
Tell friends about them (please share this post on your social media
Ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection

Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. Speaking about precious…
we are still working our way through all 672 awesome contest submissions…not sure if another week will do it…but I’ll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, I spoke to Cassie at The Bookery bookstore in Manchester. She says she has about 70 books in the #50PreciousWords pile. Thank you to all who have purchased books! And I also have about 30 books that have been mailed to me by authors…plus about 50 books sent to me from publishers which I plan to add to the pile.

Of course, I’m hoping we are not done – please remember there are kids out there whose lives will change because of the books they read in their classroom or school library – and with the Literacy Initiative, we are helping to provide those books. If you participated in #50PreciousWords and haven’t ordered a book yet but are able to now, here is the bookstore online website: https://www.shopbookerymht.com/
And here is their phone number if you prefer to order with a person: (603) 836-6600
Maybe someone will order JUST FLOWERS! Or CHRISTMAS AHOY! Or DEAR EARTH: FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN ROOM 5 or some of Erin Dealey’s other fabulous books!

And here is a link to the latest PW issue that features a Q&A celebrating Women’s History Month – I think you’ll recognize at least one of the authors! I’m honored to join such an A-list group.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends. And remember the message of JUST FLOWERS! Please share beauty and kindness. The Universe needs to be fed positive energy – and that energy comes from us.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: DONA GRACIA SAVED WORLDS Plus Giveaway

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Hip hip hooray! This is the FIRST Perfect Picture Book Friday post of the New Year! And it’s fitting that it’s a brand-new book that just launched AND that it’s about a strong woman who made a difference…my favorite topic for nonfiction picture books! I’m also excited because the author, Bonni Goldberg, stopped by to share her inspiration for the story and also to offer a GIVEAWAY – a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat that can also be used as a virtual author visit…so, make sure you let us know in the comments if you’d like to be the lucky winner and if you’d like to use it as an author Zoom chat or as a virtual school visit.

DONA GRACIA SAVED WORLDS

Written by Bonni Goldberg

Illustrated by Alida Massari

Published by Kar Ben (December 5, 2023)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Courage, Activism, Jewish history

Synopsis: From Amazon:
In 16th-century Portugal, even Doña Gracia’s Jewish name was a secret. But she and her merchant husband helped other secret Jews, by persuading the king to protect them during the Inquisition. When her husband died, many said no woman would be able to run their international business, but Doña Gracia did. Escaping Portugal, she helped other Jews do the same, smuggling them out of the country on her spice ships in the night. Only in Turkey was she finally able to live freely as a Jew, and to use her resources to build synagogues, hospitals, and schools. Doña Gracia saved worlds.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love learning about people who made a difference – activists who most of us have probably never heard of – and who children need to learn about to be inspired to be activists, too. If Dona Gracia were alive today, I’m sure her name would be in the news as someone fighting for the right for Jews and all people to be able to practice their religions and customs without fearing for their lives.
2. I love the beautifully well-written text that addresses very difficult topics in an honest, yet gentle way.
3. I love the glorious illustrations…the artist captured the time period perfectly…and put us right in the moment with the characters.

Mini-interview with author Bonni Goldberg:
ME: Hello Bonni! Thank you for stopping by. We all love hearing about the story behind the story. Can you share how the idea to write this book came about?

BONNI: Thank you for having me, Vivian. I’m excited to share this story with the world.
The inspiration for writing this book was my own introduction to Gracia during a mother-daughter Bat Mitzvah program I was attending with my daughter, Isabel. Even though a number of the other mothers were very learned about Judaism and Jewish history, none of them had heard of Gracia either. But I did know three things. Jewish educators were always looking for strong Jewish women to include in their curriculum. There isn’t nearly enough representation of Sephardic Jews in most of the history American Jewish children learn. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing while Gracia was being left out of our story. And even beyond the Jewish community, Gracia was one of the most powerful women alive during the Renaissance. She broke norms for the women of her time and took on kings and courts to protect others.

Also, everyone is welcome to download free activities and teacher’s packet (set to curriculum standards) on my website:www.bonnigoldberg.com

WOW! Thank you so much, Bonni! That just goes to show we need to be ready to find new story ideas EVERYWHERE. And a quick aside…if anyone is looking for a great resource for ideas, Tara Lazar is hosting her world-famous STORYSTORM Challenge. You must sign up by January 7 for 30+ days of fabulous blog posts filled with brainstorming gold: https://taralazar.com/2023/12/27/storystorm-2024-registration/

To connect with Bonni or to find out more about her books:
www.bonnigoldberg.com
www.facebook.com/bonnigoldbergbooks
www.twitter.com/bonnigoldberg
www.instagram.com/goldbergbonni

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Bonni shared a special recipe with us:
SEPHARDIC PINK RICE

photo credit: http://meatlessmealsformeateaters.blogspot.com/

Rice is a staple in the Middle East, and this recipe is especially favored by the the Greek Jews of Rhodes.

1 cup long grained white rice, washed
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
2 cups water
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 teaspoons salt

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a medium pot with a tight fitting lid, heat oil, rice and onion over medium high heat. Stir to coat rice with oil and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often until rice and onion are translucent. 
2. Add water, ketchup and salt. Stir once, lower heat and cover. Cook without peeking for 20 minutes. Uncover, fluff rice with a fork and let sit 5 minutes with the lid on slightly ajar to allow steam to escape.
~makes 3 cups cooked rice

PJ Library has a great website filled with activities, lesson plans, and of course, book suggestions. Here’s a link that explains how to prepare BIMUELOS, little round doughnut treats your kids will love to help prepare…and eat!

Follow this link for the recipe and more activities for the whole family:
https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/november-2022/kid-friendly-hanukkah-recipe-bimuelo

Please don’t forget, my friends, new books need our help. We can:
Buy them
Review them
Put them on our Goodreads WANT TO READ shelf
Tell everyone about them (please share this post on your social media)
Ask our local library to purchase copies for their collection

And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat for yourself or a 30-minute virtual school visit for your class.