Perfect Picture Book Friday: MINI-MIGHTY SWEEPS Plus Critique Giveaway

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! Oh wait…it’s Saturday! Hmmm…truth be told, I was supposed to post this NEXT Friday…but somehow, my finger slipped and the post was published. Hopefully, this gives you a chance to run and PRE-ORDER today’s featured book, which launches in a few days on August 2. This wonderful book highlights how an author can find really creative ways to help young kids be proud of what they can accomplish. I know this book will be a hit with every kid who loves trucks! And when you are finished reading the post, please make sure you leave a comment because the lovely Lori Alexander is offering a fabulous giveaway…the winner’s choice of a copy of the book or a 30-minute Zoom call or a Picture Book Critique – if you are a writer, the Zoom call or the critique with a multi-published award-winning author could be life-changing. And sharing the post on your social media will get you extra tickets in the giveaway hat!

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Perfect Picture Book Friday: I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES Plus Giveaway

Hooray for reading picture book stories! That’s what Perfect Picture Book Friday is all about, right?

And Hooray for writing picture book stories. That’s what Susanna Hill’s Holiday Contest is all about…did you enter? There is still time to write your story and post it on your blog or on her page. Just click here. Great prizes…critiques and books!

And speaking of prizes, hooray and thanks to author Gregory Bray for the giveaway of a copy of THE BATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE. And the winner is…

SUE HEAVENRICH

Congratulations, Sue. Let’s connect so Greg can get you the book.

And now, since it is Friday, I have a super lovely review for you! It’s Alison Goldberg’s debut picture book and it launches the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!

LoveYouForMiles_biblio

I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES

Written by Alison Goldberg

Illustrated by Mike Yamada

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (December 26, 2017)

Ages: 2-6

Themes: Reassurance, love, vehicles

Synopsis:

From Amazon: Love can be stronger than the strongest excavator, longer than the longest train, and taller than the tallest crane. And no matter where you go, love travels with you always. With exciting imagery and engaging, lyrical text, Alison Goldberg and Mike Yamada’s I Love You for Miles and Miles is an I-love-you book perfect for children who love things that go!

Why I like this book:

  • Simple yet lyrical rhyme that young kids will love
  • Bold colorful illustrations
  • So much heart in the text and in the expressions on the faces of each character…this is definitely an AWWWW book…perfect for bedtime or anytime

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Advent Calendar Train

matchboxesPhoto courtesy: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

For detailed instructions: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/transportationartscraftstvehiclescarstrucksboatstrainskids.html

Paper Plate Cars

paper plate carsPhoto courtesy: http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com

For detailed instructions: http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/05/paper-plate-cars-kid-craft.htmlhttp://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/05/paper-plate-cars-kid-craft.html

Dear friends, we are in a very busy time of the year. I know many of you are juggling home, family, job, and your writing career. Sometimes it just seems like there isn’t enough time for everything. Please make sure you do find the time to sit with your children…hold them…read with them (even if they are older)…and if you can, get out the craft supplies and make something together. Those are the memories that will last…not the expensive toy or gadget they see on TV.

Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of I LOVE YOU FOR MILES AND MILES…if you want to find out more about the book or order it, check out the author’s page or an indie bookseller, and definitely be back here tomorrow for our Q&A with debut picture book author, ALISON GOLDBERG.

 

 

 

 

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Motor Goose…Rhymes That Go PLUS Double Giveaway

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends!

This past week, I’ve enjoyed reading many of the Halloween stories entered into Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie Contest. Did you get to read some of them? They were fabulous. I’m excited to find out who the winners are…but honestly, everyone who participated is a winner. Writing and getting your work out there is the key to success. And happily, I should have some good success news for you soon regarding one of my stories.

Before we get to our wonderful picture book review, we do have some giveaways to announce.

The winner of Julie Segal Walter’s Picture Book Manuscript Critique is….

JIM CHAIZE

The winner of a copy of Annette Bay Pimemtel’s MOUNTAIN CHEF is…

CARMELA MCCAIN SIMMONS

The winner of a copy of Joy Keller’s MONSTER TRUCKS is…

RENE AUBE

BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! And thank you to the generous authors! Please email me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com

Does your child love vehicles? Do your kids enjoy nursery rhymes? Today’s Perfect Picture book has it all!!!

motor cover

MOTOR GOOSE: RHYMES THAT GO!

Written by Rebecca Colby

Illustrated by Jef Kaminsky

Published by Feiwel and Friends (2017)

Ages: 3-8

Themes: Vehicles, nursery rhymes

Opening Lines:

“Little Jack Junker, broken-down clunker, surpirsed all the cars in the race. ‘Cause right from the start, he lost part after part, yet he finished the race in first place.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

 In this picture book, Mother Goose rhymes are reimagined with vehicles― trains, planes, trucks, and boats!

Hey Digger, Digger
(Hey Diddle, Diddle)

Hey digger, digger,
the hole’s getting bigger.
Your shovel’s been scooping since ten.
Beware the loose rubble.
Too late―you’re in trouble!
You’d better start digging again.

Wonderful rhymes and VEHICLES! Here is a collection that every car/plane/boat/crane/digger/taxi/train-loving kid will adore. With hilarious artwork by Jef Kaminsky, Motor Goose is a must-have for readers who like things that go. And as the rhymes progress, the day winds down, making this perfect for bedtime.

 

Why I like this book:

  • I love rhymes and kids love rhymes…and these are so kid-friendly, based on well-known nursery rhymes, but totally reinvented by author Rebecca Colby!
  • Fabulously humorous illustrations…full color and full of life!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Make a race car and other vehicles

19-Preschool-Car-Craft-Ideas-1Photo courtesy: http://crystalandcomp.com

You will need: Construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, empty Pringles can or paper towel roll.

For detailed instructions: http://crystalandcomp.com/19-preschool-car-craft-ideas/

Play with rhymes with your kiddos…they love coming up with their own silly ones.

Take a walk and count vehicles. Make a list of them. Categorize: for pleasure, for work, etc.

I hope you will all be back tomorrow for our chat with picture book author Rebecca Colby. I know she has some wonderful insights to share, as well as a yummy treat recipe. PLUS…tomorrow we will also be talking about Rebecca’s newest book, CAPTAIN BLING’S CHRISTMAS PLUNDER. 

Captain Bling updated cover

Don’t forget to leave a comment today and tomorrow. Rebecca is generously offering a giveaway of copies of both of her awesome new books! 

I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.