Tag Archives: Friendship

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Hedgehog Needs a Hug PLUS Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! I’m so happy to bring you one of the new 2018 debuts! This one is such a perfect marriage of text and illustrations – and one of the reasons for that is because it was created by the very talented author/illustrator Jen Betton. I fell in love with her heartfelt drawings of all of the animal characters and I think you will also. And guess what? Jen will be stopping by Will Write for Cookies tomorrow with an inside peek at her writing/illustrating life.

Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post and on tomorrow’s for a chance to win a copy of this wonderful book!

 

hedgehog needs a hug coverHEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG

Written and illustrated by Jen Betton

Published by G.P.Putnam’s Sons (June 2018)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Friendship

Synopsis: From Amazon: 

Everyone needs hugs, even if they’re prickly.

When Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the snout and droopy in the prickles, he knows a hug will make him feel much better. But none of his animal friends are eager to wrap their arms around Hedgehog’s prickles, and he’s too smart to fall for Fox’s sly offer.

Then Hedgehog gets a surprise: Another animal in the forest is feeling exactly the same way.

Luckily, both are kind and brave enough for the perfect hug

Why I like this book:

  • Text filled with heart and humor is paired with gorgeous heartfelt illustrations
  • I LOVE friendship stories – and so do children
  • Kids will really relate to how Hedgehog is feeling

RELATED ACTIVITIES

25-cute-hedgehog-craftsPhoto courtesy: https://totallythebomb.com/25-totally-cute-hedgehog-crafts

Can you believe all of these awesome hedgehog crafts? For detailed instructions, please go to: https://totallythebomb.com/25-totally-cute-hedgehog-crafts

Matthew Winner gave a shout out to Jen’s new trailer for HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG:  http://www.matthewcwinner.com/single-post/2018/06/05/HEDGEHOG-NEEDS-A-HUG-Book-Trailer-Premiere

Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the book giveaway…and please support your favorite authors and illustrators by buying their books, telling friends about their books, and writing reviews for their books.

And definitely don’t miss coming tomorrow when author/illustrator Jen Betton stops by to chat on Will Write for Cookies.

Happy Summer to all…and have a safe weekend!

 

 

Perfect Picture Book Friday: SNOW SISTERS plus Critique Giveaway

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What a totally perfect day for a totally perfect picture book entitled SNOW SISTERS

Yes, here in New Hampshire, we are in the middle of a BLIZZARD! It’s actually lovely if you don’t have to go anywhere and have plenty of food and water and power to heat your home and keep the internet going.

And the lovely Kerri Kokias, author of Snow Sisters, has graciously offered a picture book manuscript critique as a giveaway. Woo-hoo! And tomorrow, Kerri will be stopping by to chat and share a delicious recipe for hot cocoa! MMMMM…whose got the marshmallows?

SnowSistersLargeCover

SNOW SISTERS

Written by Kerri Kokias

Illustrated by Teagan White

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers (2018)

Ages: 3-7

Themes: Sisters, friendship, being yourself

Synopsis:

From Amazon: Just like snowflakes, no two sisters are alike, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work together to make the perfect snow day! A heartwarming sibling story from the illustrator of That’s Me Loving You.

When snowflakes fall, two sisters react very differently. One is excited and the other is wary. The first sister spends the morning outdoors, playing until she’s all tuckered out. Meanwhile, the second sister stays indoors, becoming ever more curious about the drifts outside. Soon, they switch places, and spend the second half of the day retracing each other’s footsteps. But each sister puts her own unique spin on activities like sledding, baking and building.


The simple mirrored text is spare and lovely, and each spread is split to show what each sister is doing independently–until at last they come together in the sweet, satisfying conclusion. LeUyen Pham’s Big Sister, Little Sister meets Kate Messner’s Over and Under the Snow.

Why I like this book:

  • I have a sister and remember well our differences, but I also remember how we found ways to come together

  • I love how each sister goes her own way, but in the end, they show how much they love each other

  • Wonderful illustrations and perfect pacing of the text will engage children from the first page to the last.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

30-ways-to-make-a-snowflake-2Photo courtesy:https://handsonaswegrow.com

Make a snowflake craft: for detailed instructions on any of these beautiful snowflakes: https://handsonaswegrow.com/make-snowflake-crafts/

For lots of fun when summer comes, why not fill a plastic container with clean snowballs and put it in the freezer. On a hot summer day, go out with the kids and throw snowballs. Just make sure they aren’t too hard. If they are, you can make a game of tossing them into a bucket. 

Thank you so much for spending your precious time here. Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the picture book manuscript critique giveaway…and definitely pop in tomorrow for the Q&A with Kerri Kokias.

The 2018 books are coming in fast and furious and I hope to review lots of them this year! Please remember that authors need reviews and shout outs…I’m off to write an Amazon review right now.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: GRANDMOTHER THORN + Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends!

Before I share this heartfelt story with you, we have some books to give away.

Author Alayne Kay Christian offered a copy of her chapter book, SIENNA, THE COWGIRL FAIRY. And the winner is…

KEILA DAWSON

Author Ariel Bernstein offered a copy of her debut picture book,  I HAVE A BALLOON. and the winner is…

DAMON DEAN

Author Penny Parker Klostermann offered a copy of A COOKED UP FAIRY TALE. And the winner is…

CAROLE GERBER

Author Nancy Churnin offered a copy of MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN. And the winner is….

ALI EARLE PICHARDO

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! AND HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO FOLLOWS MY BLOG. YOUR COMMENTS ARE MUCH APPRECIATED! I’LL BE IN TOUCH TO CONNECT THE WINNERS WITH THE AUTHORS.

AND NOW…OUR PERFECT PICTURE BOOK FRIDAY REVIEW!

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GRANDMOTHER THORN

Written by Katey Howes

Illustrated by Rebecca Hahn

Published by Ripple Grove Press (2017)

Ages: 5-8

Themes: Friendship, acceptance

Synopsis:

From Amazon: Grandmother Thorn treasures her garden, where not a leaf, twig or pebble is allowed out of place. But when a persistent plant sprouts without her permission, Grandmother begins to unravel. “Her hair became as tangled as the vines on her fence. Her garden fell into disrepair. One morning, she did not rake the path.” A dear friend, the passage of seasons, and a gift only nature can offer help Grandmother Thorn discover that some things are beyond our control, and that sweetness can blossom in unexpected places.

Why I like this book:

  • Heartfelt tale that reminds me of the old fables I loved as a child.
  • Wonderful illustrations that create an atmosphere of mystery.
  • Message of friendship and acceptance subtly woven throughout the story.

Related Activities:

Gardening with Kids

gardening activities for kidsPhoto courtesy: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com

There are so many indoor and outdoor gardening activities we can do with kids. Grab an old toy truck, fill with soil, and plant some seeds.  Use empty eggshells as your ‘pot’ and store in the egg carton for stability.  Whenever you eat a fruit that has a pit, plant it…who knows what beautiful greenery might flourish. Growing things with kids helps them learn about life, death, and responsibility.

For detailed instructions on many planting activities: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/03/outdoor-nature-gardening-activities.html

I’m excited for tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies when a very special kidlit friend of mine and fellow Storm sister, GRANDMOTHER THORN’S author, Katey Howes, will stop by to chat with us. Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of an autographed copy of her book! And remember that Amazon reviews are important and also much appreciated by the author!

For many more picture book reviews, hop over to Susanna Hill’s website this week.