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Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY plus Picture Book Manuscript Critique Giveaway Plus Book Giveaway
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! I’m continuing on my journey through the fabulous debut picture books of 2018. And today, you are in for a treat. I think most of you know how much I LOVE non-fiction picture book stories. And here is one that is going to go to the top of the charts!
THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY: The Creations of Diamonds & The Life of H. Tracy Hall
Written by Hannah Holt
Illustrated by Jay Fleck
Published by Balzer & Bray (October 2018)
Ages: 4-8
Themes: Inventors, curiosity, bullying
Opening lines: “A ROCK named graphite. A BOY named Tracy.
Synopsis: From Amazon:
Told in a unique dual-narrative format, The Diamond and the Boy follows the stories of both natural diamond creation and the life of H. Tracy Hall, the inventor of a revolutionary diamond-making machine. Perfect for fans of Rosie Revere, Engineer, and On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein.
Before a diamond is a gem, it’s a common gray rock called graphite. Through an intense trial of heat and pressure, it changes into one of the most valuable stones in the world.
Before Tracy Hall was an inventor, he was a boy—born into poverty, bullied by peers, forced to work at an early age. However, through education and experimentation, he became one of the brightest innovators of the twentieth century, eventually building a revolutionary machine that makes diamonds.
From debut author Hannah Holt—the granddaughter of Tracy Hall—and illustrator Jay Fleck comes this fascinating in-depth portrait of both rock and man.”
Why I like this book:
- Based on the life of her grandfather, the author had access to fabulous research resources…and it shows. The book has an authenticity that you don’t often find, even in nonfiction.
- I love that there are so many layers in this story…the life of the diamond, the life of H. Tracy Hall, bullying, staying true to who you are, following your dream.F
- The talented Jay Fleck brings the story to life with vivid colors and fabulous illustrations.
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Diamond Shaped Craft for Kids
courtesy: http://cleverlearner.com/shapes/diamond-shape-activity.html
For detailed instructions and other crafts: http://cleverlearner.com/shapes/diamond-shape-activity.html
Diamond facts for kids: http://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/diamond.html
Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a picture book manuscript critique from Hannah Holt. It will be a priceless gift to one lucky winner!
PLUS…I’m adding another giveaway…a brand new copy of THE DIAMOND AND THE BOY. Here’s the back story: I ordered a copy from Amazon months and months ago. And then, for some reason, I forgot (life has been a bit busy and distracting for me this year)…and so I ordered one from my local indie bookstore. And I picked that one up a few weeks ago…and then the other day, I got a message from Amazon saying my book order would arrive on Thursday. So, now I have two copies and I want to share the joy! I’ll choose one winner for the critique and a different winner for the book. Make sure you comment on today’s post and tomorrow’s and Tuesday’s Book Birthday post. That way you will have three chances.
And I want to thank everyone who shared and/or commented on my Facebook post about the new cover and corrected launch date for Sweet Dreams, Sarah…I’m getting really excited about 2019…I’ve received the hard copy of Pippa’s Passover Plate and I can’t wait to share the cover of Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book…I think it will be ready to reveal in the next month or so!
For more wonderful picture book reviews and activities, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.
Enjoy your weekend, dear friends! The autumn leaf colors are deepening. If you are driving or traveling, please be safe.
Perfect Picture Book Friday: Mountain Chef PLUS Giveaway
Life is pretty hectic around here…my husband has been having heart issues and they are doing a cardiac catherization at Mass General in Boston today…which is where I am right now!
But I didn’t want to miss Perfect Picture Book Friday…especially since the author of this book is going to be our guest on Will Write for Cookies tomorrow. I’m reprising the review of her amazing nonfiction picture book that I featured last year because it’s a fabulous mentor text for all of my pb writer friends, because it’s a great read for young kids, and because next month it will be awarded the National Council of Social Studies’ Carter G. Woodson Award. Here’s the link.
MOUNTAIN CHEF: How One Man Lost His Groceries, Changed His Plans, and Helped Cook Up the National Park Service
Written by Annette Bay Pimentel
Illustrated by Rich Lo
Publisher: Charlesbridge (2016)
Ages: 5-9
Themes:
Discrimination, conservation, National Parks, cooking, ingenuity
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
The true story of a Chinese American mountain man who fed thirty people for ten days in the wilderness–and helped inspire the creation of the National Park Service.
Tie Sing was born in the mountains. The mountains were in his blood. But because he was of Chinese descent at a time in America when to be Chinese meant working in restaurants or laundries, Tie Sing’s prospects were limited. But he had bigger plans. He began cooking for mapmakers and soon built a reputation as the best trail cook in California.
When millionaire Stephen Mather began his quest to create a national park service in 1915, he invited a group of influential men—writers, tycoons, members of Congress, and even a movie star—to go camping in the Sierras. Tie Sing was hired to cook.
Tie Sing planned diligently. He understood the importance of this trip. But when disaster struck—twice—and Tie Sing’s supplies were lost, it was his creative spirit and quick mind that saved the day. His sumptuous menus had to be struck and Tie Sing had to start over in order to feed the thirty people in the group for ten whole days. His skills were tested and Tie Sing rose to the challenge.
On the last night, he fed not just the campers’ bodies, but also their minds, reminding them to remember and protect the mountains.
2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, created by Congress on August 25, 1916.
Today, you can hike to Sing Peak, named for Tie Sing, in Yosemite National Park.
Opening Lines:
Tie Sing was a frontier baby, born high in the mountains in Virginia City, Nevada. Growing up, he breathed crisp Sierra air and scuffed through sagebrush. He learned to write in both English and Chinese.
Why I like this book:
- I love unknown gems of history uncovered by writers who weave great picture book stories for kids.
- This story has so many different levels…National Parks, racial discrimination, conservation, cooking, ingenuity, courage…parents and teachers can use it as a springboard for many different discussions.
- Wonderful illustrations that help you feel you are camping right alongside Tie Sing.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
- Last summer was the 100th anniversary of the National Park System: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/centennial/index.htm
- If you have a National Park in your area, why not plan a day trip. When we lived in Colorado, we often drove 2+ hours to get to Rocky Mountain National Park…in the summer, we’d fish…in the fall, we’d stroll around Estes Park, the town right at one of the park’s entrances, where elk would walk up and down the streets…and in winter, we’d go up for a weekend and stay at one of the local lodges in the park…to snowshoe and cross country ski during the day and soak in the outdoor hot tub in the evening.
- Fortune Cookies
Photo courtesy: Taste of Home
Have you ever made fortune cookies? The kids will have fun thinking up their own fortunes to put in the cookies.
You can find the recipe here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/homemade-fortune-cookies
Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of this wonderful book…and don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the Q&A with author Annette Bay Pimentel.
To find more picture book reviews, hop over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday page.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Perfect Picture Book Friday: When Your Elephant Has the Sniffles AND When Your Lion Needs a Bath PLUS Giveaway
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday. I’m thrilled to be reviewing two brand-new books by one of my favorite kid lit mentors, Susanna Leonard Hill. And the picture book awesomeness doesn’t end there. Susanna is on a whirlwind book blog tour for the next couple of weeks. Don’t miss out on any of the blog tour stops BECAUSE there is going to be a SPECIAL PRIZE from Susanna at the end. Get an entry every time you comment and share on social media with the hashtag #whenyourbooks.
I’ll be reviewing ANOTHER of Susanna’s new books in a couple of weeks. PLUS, Susanna will be here for a short chat tomorrow on Will Write for Cookies.
But before the double your pleasure, double your fun reviews, let’s announce the winner of the giveaway of A BAND OF BABIES donated by last week’s guest, Carole Gerber. And the winner is…
PATRICIA TILTON
CONGRATULATIONS, Patricia!!!
I’ll connect with you so Carole can send you the book.
And now for our review duet. With the summer upon us, I know that parents are scrambling for reading material for their kids…these will be PERFECT for the littlest listeners…and maybe the older siblings can read them to the young ones.
WHEN YOUR ELEPHANT HAS THE SNIFFLES
Written by: Susanna Leonard Hill
Illustrated by: Daniel Wiseman
Publisher: Little Simon (Board Book Edition – 2017)
Ages: 2-4
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
When your elephant has the sniffles, you better make sure he doesn’t sneeze! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to make an under-the-weather elephant feel better!
Does your elephant have the sniffles? Make sure to take good care of him because you don’t want him to start sneezing. Gather up your tissues and your pillows and make that elephant feel better! But don’t get too close…or you just might end up with the sniffles, too!
WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH
Written by Susanna Leonard Hill
Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
Publisher: Little Simon (Board Book Edition: 2017)
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
When your lion needs a bath, you have to be pretty sneaky! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to get your lion into that tub!
Does your lion need a bath? When your lion needs a bath, you must be a little sneaky. After all, have you ever met a cat who likes water? So gather up your towels and rubber ducks and get that lion into the tub! But be careful…or you just might end up in the bath, too!
Why I like these books:
- Simple text is filled with heart and humor.
- Wonderful read-alouds!
- Great illustrations.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Make a Paper Plate Lion
Photo courtesy: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/
WOW…I love this one…what a lot of fun!
You will need: Paper plate, spiral macaroni, glue, markers, googly eyes (optional)
For detailed instructions, please go to: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Safari-Crafts-For-Kids.html
MAKE A PAPER PLATE ELEPHANT
Photo courtesy: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com
Another really creative craft!
You will need: Paper plate, construction paper,scissors, glue, marker, google eyes (optional).
For detailed instructions, please go to: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Paper-Plate-Elephant.html
Spending time with your children can be so much fun! A couple of great books, a few pieces of paper, some glue, scissors, markers…and you can build bonds that will last a lifetime.
Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to chat with Susanna Leonard Hill…and if you participate in Perfect Picture Book Friday, I’d love for you to leave the link to your post in the comments so that others can come and visit your blog.
Thank you for hanging out here a bit.
Please remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway of Susanna books! And come back tomorrow when she chats with us on Will Write for Cookies.
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend!
