PPBF: Ballots for Belva PLUS THE WINNER!

Posted on June 3, 2016 by viviankirkfield

Life has gotten very busy. The WOW (Week of Writing) Retreat is only one month away. I’m so excited to see dear friends again, like Kristen Fulton, the fearless leader and founder of WOW, and connect with critique partners and other kid lit friends, many whom I’ve never met in person. I’ll also be able to hug my incredible agent, Essie White…she is one of the faculty mentors. I’ve been working feverishly on getting my manuscripts polished. Since many of them are nonfiction picture books, my library has been inundated with requests from me for mentor texts. So it was almost impossible to pick just one story for Perfect Picture Book Friday. I finally decided on one that was written back in 2008 by one of the shining lights in this kid lit community, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. With the Presidential election just around the corner, I thought it was a perfect choice.

Oh…and when you finish with the picture book review, don’t forget to keep scrolling down…because today we announce the WINNER of a brand new copy of The Hole Story of the Doughnut.

Ballots for Belva

Written by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Illustrated by Courtney A. Martin

Publisher: Abrams (2008)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Determination, courage, women’s rights, Presidential election

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“In 1884, when men were the only people allowed to vote in national elections, Belva Lockwood took a bold but legal step: She ran for president! Though her campaign was difficult, Belva never wavered in her commitment to equality, earning the respect of many fellow citizens. A little-known but richly deserving American historical figure, Belva is an inspiration for modern-day readers.” Continue reading →

PPBF: The Hole Story of the Doughnut PLUS GIVEAWAY

Posted on May 20, 2016 by viviankirkfield

The third Perfect Picture Book Friday of every month is pretty special. Many times, I feature one of the books by our Will Write for Cookies author. Tomorrow we will be welcoming the lovely Pat Miller…so today, I’m turning the spotlight on her latest book which launched THIS MONTH!!! And GUESS WHAT??? One lucky person will WIN THEIR VERY OWN COPY!!! Just leave a comment on this post telling me what other topic you’d love to see a nonfiction picture book written about. What would kids love to read about? Pat certainly picked a great subject that would appeal to all children and adults!

The Hole Story of the Doughnut

Written by Pat Miller

Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

Publisher: HMH (2016)

Ages: 6-9

Themes: Doughnuts, American history, ingenuity

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“In 1843, fourteen-year-old Hanson Gregory left his family home in Rockport, Maine, and set sail as a cabin boy on the schooner Achorn, looking for high-stakes adventure on the high seas. Little did he know that a boatload of hungry sailors, coupled with his knack for creative problem-solving, would yield one of the world’s most prized and beloved pastries.

Lively and inventive cut-paper illustrations add a taste of whimsy to this sweet, fact-filled story that includes an extensive bibliography, author’s note, and timeline.

Opening Lines:

“Few remember the master mariner Hanson Crockett Gregory, though he was bold and bright.

But the pastry he invented more than 166 years ago is eaten daily by doughnut lovers everywhere.

This is his story.”

Why I like this book:

The story is about a fascinating piece of history and the author deftly draws in both reader and listener. I couldn’t put it down!
The illustrations are full of fun and very kid-friendly.
Great read-aloud…the recommendation says for ages 6-9, but younger kids would love it also!
Parents and teachers can use this story as a springboard for discussion about creativity and how people come up with new ideas.

Related Activies:

Make Doughnuts

Photo courtesy: http://allrecipes.com

Click here for detailed instructions – Thank you to Stephy for a super easy recipe that kids would love to help with…just make sure the little ones are nowhere around when you are deep frying.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susanna Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

Please share this giveaway post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media channels. And DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! Just tell us what topic you think would make a great nonfiction picture book!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, dear friends and readers. And make sure you come back tomorrow.

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

WITH

PAT MILLER

PPBF: In the Small, Small Pond PLUS Library Week WINNERS

Posted on May 7, 2016 by viviankirkfield

Yes, I know. It is Saturday already. Which means I missed posting for Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Oh dear…and I promised to announce the three winners in the Show Me How Library Giveaway. So, if it is okay with all of you, I will pretend it is Friday. Does that work?

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of family visits to Chicago and several of its suburbs, as well as an inspiring week at the Wild Midwest SCBWI conference. Presentations by Candace Fleming, Lisa Wheeler, Lisa Cron, Kristen Fulton, Melissa Manlove, Linda Sue Park, Miranda Paul, Pat Zeitlow Miller, Jill Esbaum, and Casey Valiant filled my days. I reconnected with old friends like Kristen Fulton, Sarah Maynard, Angie Karcher, Lisa Rose, Pam Miller, and Stacy Jensen…and also connected with many new ones. If any of you writers or illustrators have not been to an SCBWI conference yet, I heartily encourage you to do so. They are PRICELESS!

My Perfect Picture Book Friday pick comes direct to you from the conference…I was lucky enough to win a copy of In the Small, Small Pond. Are you a fan of writing rhyming picture books? Or do you illustrate your own stories? Then this classic from Denise Fleming will be a great mentor text for you.

In the Small, Small Pond

Written and illustrated by Denise Fleming

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company (1994)

Ages: 2 and up

Themes: Pond life, nature

Synopsis:

From Kirkus:

“In the same format and gorgeous illustrative style, a companion to In the Tall, Tall Grass (1991, Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor), with the succinct rhyming text (“waddle, wade, geese parade”), in bold black, beautifully integrated into art created in the process of making paper from pulp dyed in brilliant colors. This time, the child observer is Oriental; and where the first book moved from noon to night, the implicitly suggested cycle here is from tadpole and gosling to “Chill breeze, winter freeze.” Another perfect introduction to nature for the very young.”

Why I like this book:

Sparse rhyming text encourages young children to join in with the reading.
The illustrations are magnificent…it was a Caldecott Honor Book.
Great read-aloud.
Parents and teachers can use this story as a springboard for a discussion on life cycles of various animals

Related Activies:

The author/illustrator is one of the most creative artists I know. I was blessed to see her in person at the WOW Retreat last year…her presentation on paper-making definitely wowed everyone! Why not try some simple paper-making with your kids?

Photo courtesy: http://tinkerlab.com

For detailed instructions: http://tinkerlab.com/how-to-make-paper/

For more paper-making ideas: http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/recyclingpaper.html

I hope you all find the time to give paper-making a try…it’s lots of fun!

And now it’s time to announce the winners of our National Library Week giveaway. Thank you so all of you who subscribed to my email list…I haven’t bothered you with any mailings yet…but I am hoping to get my newsletter out soon…and hopefully, that won’t be a bother to you!

As I had mentioned, many libraries are very limited in what new materials they can buy for their collections because of reduced revenues. The winners will be able to present their libraries with a copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. In the event your library doesn’t accept patron donations (many do…but some don’t), you are welcome to keep the book…or donate it to a local family shelter.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Sue Morris @ Kit lit reviews

Jane Heitman Healy

Sandy @ A Very Busy Mom

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’LL BE CONTACTING YOU ASAP.

Thank you to all who have signed up already…if you haven’t and you would like to, just click on this link.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, dear friends and readers.