Picture Book Friday

 Me and Ms. Too written by Laura Ruby and illustrated by Dung Ho

Young Molly can’t recall a time when family wasn’t just her and her father.  They were always together – to splash in the pool, bake treats, play at the park.

Suddenly, that all changes when he marries Molly’s favorite librarian. Ms. Blue was great at reading stories and helping find just the right book. But she doesn’t like to get wet. She’s no good at making muffins. She can’t even cut the kiwis correctly. Everything has changed!

Laura Ruby has created a thoughtful, empathetic story that is reassuring and hopeful as it reminds us that families can come in many forms. Both Molly and young readers discover that difficult as change sometimes is, it can also create wonderful opportunities.

The colorful, richly detailed illustrations pair beautifully with the text. 

For Ages 4-8.

Recommended for home and school libraries.

Picture Book Friday

 

There's a Dodo on the Wedding Cake – by Wade Bradford with illustrations by Kevin Hawkes

 Bradford’s gift for imaginative story telling takes readers back to the Sharemore Hotel where a wedding party becomes the victim of Mr. Snore’s well-intentioned bumbling.

Mr. Snore is hired to play his violin at a wedding, but arrives early – just in time to chase away the dodo he finds nibbling the wedding cake roses. Hilarious chaos ensues as Mr. Snore races from room to room with the cake as he’s pursued by a whacky collection of creatures – bats, boa constrictor, beavers – even a T Rex. In the end, as improbable as it seems, Mr. Snore appears to have saved the day…until Bradford surprises readers with an unexpected twist.

Hawkes piles on the laughs with his vivid drawings and bold colors. Clearly, this was a perfect combination of author and illustrator talents.

Definitely too much fun not to share.  An enjoyable read aloud or read alone for ages 4-8.

Picture Book Friday

 

When Nana Dances                     

The prolific Jane Yolen has teamed up with Maddison Stemple-Piatt (Jane’s first grandchild, now a successful adult) to create this delightful story illustrated by Priscilla Burris.

 Inspired perhaps by Yolen’s and Stemple-Piatt’s background in dance, the Nana in this story has a wide experience in moving to music from ballet and tap to salsa and swing. She can dance to any music and with most anything. But her best dancing happens when she shares the fun with her grandchildren.

The lively rhyming text engages readers as it celebrates the joy of dance in its many forms embodied in a diverse community of Nanas and their grandchildren. Burris’ vivid colors and bold images fill the pages with movement to mirror the buoyant language.

 A delightful read-aloud that will have children and adults smiling…and maybe even dancing, too.

Ages 4-8 Recommended for home and school libraries.

Picture Book Friday

 

The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness The Dalai Lama with illustrations by Bao Luu  

 

The Dali Lama tells a story of gentle honesty as he relates the path he traveled from childhood to present day learning the lessons and values of compassion. Born into a farming family in Tibet, his childhood was spent helping his mother with chores and watching her share the little that they had with others in need. Describing himself as an “often naughty boy” he remembers she was always kind and patient in response. It was in those early years that her example set in him the seed of compassion.

          He goes on to speak of how the creatures of the animal world have special abilities – strength, speed, acute senses – far beyond ours, but it is only humans who can learn to offer compassion to one another.  Compassion, he assures us, is a sign of strength. It is this compassion, he continues, that can bring joy to humanity through kindness and warm-heartedness.

          The Dalai Lama adds, nurturing this seed is not easy; it takes practice. And he offers some basic questions we can ask to aid us in helping compassion to grow in our life. It almost seems too easy. However, the Dali Lama knows the struggle because he has lived it. Like any other ability, we don’t always succeed in making the compassionate choice. But he reminds us, “tomorrow presents the opportunity for you to try again.”

          This lovely book addresses readers ages 4-8. The language is simple and straight forward with thoughtful attention to the comprehension and interests of its audience. Younger readers will enjoy hearing the story read aloud. Independent readers will find the story easily accessible and appealing.  Soft, warm colors in the illustrations by Bao Luu enhance the text with charming detail.

Recommended for home and school libraries.

Happy New Year 2022

 What am I celebrating at the close of 2021? So many things!

 Yes, 2021 was a challenge, but it was also a great opportunity for exploring new ways of connecting with the broad range of clients that I serve and finding innovative ways to meet their needs.  Zoom enabled me to provide seminars sponsored by the publishing house for which I consult and respond to teacher requests to visit with young scholars in their classrooms to share the tools and ideas that are fundamental for creating magic with words. I also received some lovely pictures and stories from teachers around the country to show me how they utilize my books in lessons. Such fun!

My blog and Facebook Page were indispensable in allowing me to celebrate some of my favorite authors with my many readers. And…I was treated to some wonderful books that came across my desk for me to review, which is always a delight.

So, here’s to the talented, hardworking authors I mentor, the publishers who send me their marvelous books, and the teachers, parents, and students for whom I write. I’m looking forward to spending more great times with all of you in 2022! Thanks to all of you for your tremendous support!!

MORE GINGERBREAD COWBOY FUN.

THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY excitement just keeps on coming!

A couple of days before the Christmas holiday, April Robert from Little Leaders Academy, St. Louis shared some adorable photos of Gingerbread Cowboy activities the students enjoyed. There was a CVC (consonant/vowel/consonant word-building) game and storytelling with story dice.

                                                                                                          

         

                                                                              

     

                                                                  

I always enjoy seeing all the places my books travel and the creative approaches of educators as they incorporate my books in their lessons. 

Thank you, April

You can learn more about April and  LITTLE LEADERS ACADEMY by following these links.

FACEBOOK  | WEBSITE  |  INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

Photo credit @LittleLeadersAcademyStLouis

THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY RIDES AGAIN!

 

December has been an exciting month for my favorite cookie!  

Two weeks ago, he was the star of an elementary school Zoom presentation that I provided for a local elementary school. The third-grade teachers reached out to say they were working on a project about finding the magic in stories. They hoped I could speak to their scholars about the tools I use and how I find ideas to help enable their students to create their own stories. Of course, I agreed and was honored by their request. I was delighted to receive this follow-up message:

 Hi Janet, 

 “I can not thank you enough for the experience you gave all of our kiddos this morning. What a special and impactful time for our 3rd graders. Thank you for sharing your expertise and insight with all of us. 

They spoke of you later that day when we dove into their writing! 

 Thank you so much for all you did and bringing the magic of stories into our classrooms! “ – Grace

 This week, he inspired a class in another school district to create stick puppets to act out the tale!

 I absolutely love all the imaginative ways teachers utilize my stories in their classrooms!