KATIE FRAWLEY: Will Write for Cookies Plus ZOOM CHAT Giveaway

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

Plate of Cookies

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

KATIE FRAWLEY

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Perfect Picture Book Friday: It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday…and Happy Fall!

We had several book publications pushed, so I had to reschedule today’s planned post. But never fear, dear friends! Have I got a Perfect Picture Book for you!

it's not jack and the beanstalk

IT’S NOT JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Written by Josh Funk

Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

Published by Two Lions Press (September 2017)

Ages 4-8

Themes: Be true to yourself, trust in yourself

 

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Jack is not fond of the bossy narrator of his fairy tale! When Jack is told to trade his beloved cow Bessie for some magic beans, throw the beans out the window, climb the ENORMOUS beanstalk that sprouts overnight, and steal from a GIANT, he decides this fairy tale is getting out of control. In fact, he doesn’t want to follow the story line at all. Who says Jack needs to enter a life of daring, thievery, and giant trickery? He takes his story into his own hands—and you’ll never guess what happens next!

With laugh-out-loud dialogue and bold, playful art (including hidden fairy tale creatures for kids to find), this Jack and the Beanstalk retelling will have children rolling with laughter till Bessie the cow comes home.

Why I like this book:

  • Josh Funk wrote it! No, seriously, this guy is super funny and has his finger on the pulse of what kids want to hear.
  • The illustrations are bold, bright, and full of fun.
  • Clever retelling of an old classic…with a new twist!

RELATED ACTIVITIES

PLANT SOME BEANS (of course!)

growing+beans+on+cotton+balls+text11Photo courtesy: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-balls.html

Kids love to garden. And bean seeds can be planted indoors all year long with great results. For detailed instructions: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-balls.html

More great planting activities here: http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/en/educators/curriculum/family-child-care-educators/plants/activity/guided-activity/157/planting-bean-seeds/

Write fractured fairy tales with your kids…they’ll have a ball!

For more picture book reviews, hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday where authors, teachers, librarians, and parents share their favorite picture books!

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends. The leaves are changing into their scarlet and gold headdresses here in New Hampshire. What is fall like for you?

 

 

Will Write for Cookies: Stacy McAnulty Plus Giveaway

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

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INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

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STACY MCANULTY

I’ve met many wonderful people on this journey into kid lit writing. One of the most generous is today’s Will Write for Cookies guest. Early on, I discovered her website which remains a source of information and inspiration for me.

Stacy McAnulty is a children’s book author, who used to be a mechanical engineer, who’s also qualified to be a paleontologist (not really), a correspondent for The Daily Show (why not), and a Green Bay Packer coach (totally!). She’s written several picture books including Brave and Beautiful, both illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff; Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite, illustrated by Edward Hemingway; 101 Reasons Why I’m Not Taking a Bath, illustrated by Joy Ang; and Excellent Ed, illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach. She’s also authored the chapter book series Goldie Blox, based on the award-winning toys, and The Dino Files. Her debut middle grade novel, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, will publish in 2018. When not writing, Stacy likes to listen to NPR, bake triple-chocolate cupcakes, and eat triple-chocolate cupcakes. Originally from upstate NY, she now lives in Kernersville, NC with her 3 kids, 2.5 dogs, and 1 husband.

Stacy…welcome!!!! Before we begin, I want to remind everyone that there will be a giveaway of Stacy’s newest picture book, Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite, so please stick with us throughout the post and then leave a comment at the end. I did a wonderful Perfect Picture Book review of it right here. Continue reading