Perfect Picture Book Frday: SAVING THE SUN Plus DOUBLE GIVEAWAY

Posted on September 22, 2023 by viviankirkfield

Hello dear friends! Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday. Today’s featured book, SAVNG THE SUN, is a sequel to a book we shared last year, MENDING THE MOON. And the same dynamic duo created it: author Emma Pearl and illustrator Sara Ugolottii. Make sure you read through the entire post and then leave a comment and share on social media – author Emma’s publisher is offering a copy of this beautiful book AND Emma is offering a Picture Book Critique – remember to let us know in the comment which prize you’d like if you are one of the lucky winners!

SAVING THE SUN

Written by Emma Pearl

illustrated by Sara Ugolotti

Published by Page Street Kids (September 19, 2023)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Creativity, courage, working together

Synopsis: From Amazon:

After an especially sweltering day, the ocean sparkles and twinkles so invitingly that instead of slipping beneath the horizon, the sun plunges into the ocean itself.

When the sun sinks and loses its fire, Luna and Poppa’s yearly vacation on Summer Island suddenly goes dark. Luna knows the sun needs their help―the sky looks all wrong, and it’s neither day nor night! But it’s a big job to do all on their own.

To bring back daylight, they must think of creative solutions, seeking help from the local dolphins, monkeys, birds, and more. With the power of teamwork and imagination, can they find a way to return the sun to its rightful place, and set it ablaze once more?

This imaginative tale will enchant readers as Luna, Poppa, and their new friends of the sea, beach, and air rise to the challenge of fixing the sky once more and―literally―save the day.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love the engaging and whimsical text that take the reader on a fantastical journey.
2. I love the glorious illustrations that create a magical setting for the story.
3. I love the agency of the child in the story and how problem solving happens step by step.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Bring the sunshine inside no matter what the weather is outside.

Photo courtesy: https://www.teachingexpertise.com/classroom-ideas/sun-crafts/

For detailed instructions for these and many other sun crafts: https://www.teachingexpertise.com/classroom-ideas/sun-crafts/

How can we help books we love?
We can buy them.
We can review them.
We can put them on our WANT TO READ SHELF on Goodreads.
We can tell friends about them.
We can ask our local library to purchase copies for their collection.
And here are some other order links so you can order the book from your favorite place:
Barnes & Noble
Books of Wonder
Amazon
Books-a-Million
Bookshop.org

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Please remember to leave a comment and let us know which prize you would prefer if you are one of the lucky winners: a copy of SAVING THE SUN (U.S. addresses only please) or a Picture Book Critique.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: COURAGE IN HER CLEATS Plus Giveaway

Posted on January 6, 2023 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! This is the FIRST Perfect Picture Book Friday of 2023 – and it’s special for another reason. I love lifting up new books…and it’s always a thrill when the book is written by a friend…and even more exciting when it’s a friend I’ve met in person! In 2019, I attended the NESCBWI conference in Springfield, Massachusetts – presenting at three workshops with my debut picture books…and also attending that conference was Kim Chaffee with her debut picture book, HER FEARLESS RUN: Kathrine Switzer’s Historic Boston Marathon. And now this talented author has another fabulous book: COURAGE IN HER CLEATS: The Story of Soccer Star Abby Wambach! If you leave a comment and share on social media, you might be the lucky winner of a copy!

COURAGE IN HER CLEATS: The Story of Soccer Star Abby Wambach

Written by Kim Chaffee

Illustrated by Alexandra Badiu

Published by Page Street Kids

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Gender equality, sports, mighty girls

Synopsis: From Amazon:
As a child, Abby Wambach was loud and clear about what she wanted and what she didn’t, and she didn’t want to be left out of any competition―especially soccer.

In this powerful biography, readers will dance and dart down fields with Abby as she slingshots–balls thwump… whiz… whoosh–straight into goals, sweating and scoring her way from school league leader to U.S. Women’s National Team star.

The story follows Abby through both success and setbacks because while even pro athletes miss goals, face losses, and can get injured, determined Abby has always been tougher than her toughest challenge.

Readers will cheer on this talented fan favorite as she kicks the legendary U.S. Women’s team toward Olympic fame, while also being reminded that there’s just as much inspiration in Abby’s struggles as in her victories.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love stories that show that nothing is impossible if you can imagine it – stories that can inspire young readers to follow their dreams – books with heroes who prove that one person can make a difference.
2. I love the flow and pacing of the story – and the text is filled with heart and humor.
3. The illustrations are fabulous – and they engage the reader and keep you turning the pages.

And we are so very lucky because Kim stopped by to share a little bit about her path to publication for this book:

KIM: Unlike Her Fearless Run, Courage in Her Cleats was difficult to draft. It was challenging to find the through line, the heart of the story. Abby was such an incredible athlete, but a book about how awesome someone is isn’t a very compelling angle. I had to dig deeper to present Abby’s soccer story as one kids could connect with. I’m excited for readers to experience Abby’s story, to learn that even Olympic and World Cup Champions suffer setbacks, and to be reminded that they can accomplish anything once they uncover the courage to try.

ME: I love this, Kim! As writers in this business, we often deal with rejection and set-backs – it’s so important to remember that if we don’t give up, we can reach our goals!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

SOCCER AND FOOTBALL CRAFTS

Photo courtesy: https://www.muminthemadhouse.com/football-crafts-soccer-crafts/

Here you go, my friends! More than a dozen awesome craft activities with a soccer/football theme for kids. And I love the website: https://www.muminthemadhouse.com/football-crafts-soccer-crafts/

I’m so excited about Kim’s book – I hope you will be, too! It launches on January 10th and you can order it at your Indie bookstore as well as on Amazon where you can also leave a review. Reviews are so very important for the success of a book – and they only take a few minutes to post. If a book hasn’t launched yet, you can leave a review on Goodreads. And you can also help your favorite authors and illustrators by requesting their books at your local library!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Please be safe.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: MENDING THE MOON Plus Critique Giveaway

Posted on October 28, 2022 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I’m always smiling when Friday comes around because it means I get to share a beautiful new book with you. Today we are featuring the gorgeous debut picture book of Emma Pearl, MENDING THE MOON. Illustrated by Sara Ugolotti and published by Page Street Kids, this is one you won’t want to miss! And the author is generously offering a giveaway: the winner’s choice of a copy of the book OR a Picture Book Manuscript Critique! Please make sure you leave a comment and SHARE the post on your social media…I’ve noticed some people tag friends…and that’s AWESOME. I hope you can do that, too.