It's always a pleasure to introduce friends' books. Janine Yordy and I met years ago when the SCBWI Charlotte group met at Morrison library in South Park. The inspiration for this book came from Janine spending summers at the beach with her boys as well as the beauty she found in nature. As a biologist she… Continue reading JELLYFISH WISHES AND POEMS ABOUT FISHES: A Picture Book Review and Autographed Giveaway
If you've been following my blog for awhile, then you will have seen my posts about A Girl Like You and A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy and illustrated by Kayla Harren. This week I have two more books in this series by Sleeping Bear Press that will be enjoyed by young readers, or would make great holiday… Continue reading A Teacher Like You: Picture Book Review and Giveaway
I'm following my own advice, "If you want to write, READ!" Since I'm exploring writing picture book biographies, I recently read several of Nancy Churnin's excellent picture book biographies. When I saw that she had a new book coming out, I requested a review copy from Albert Whitman. Dear Mr. Dickens is illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe and a… Continue reading Dear Mr. Dickens: A Picture Book ARC Review and Giveaway
Today I'm pleased to review Frankenslime (Macmillan, 2021) written by Joy Keller and illustrated by Ashley Belote. I'm particularly excited since Ashley is the Carolinas-SCBWI illustrator coordinator and this is her debut picture book.Take a look at this amazing cover!REVIEWHere is the book's simple, yet captivating first line:Victoria Franken was a slime scientist.What kid wouldn't want to keep… Continue reading FRANKENSLIME : A Review, Illustrator Interview, and an Autographed Giveaway!
Two former posts in this mini-series include my review of Saving Lady Liberty: Joseph Pulitzer's Fight for the Statue of Liberty and Part I of this author interview. RESEARCH CAROL: When you were researching Saving Lady Liberty, how did you know what information would fit into your story and what you should leave out? Similarly, how did you know what to… Continue reading SAVING LADY LIBERTY: An Author Interview with Claudia Friddell–Part II
Congratulations to Cindy Lynn Sawyer who won EQUAL and Lisa Fowler who won DRIVE from last week's blog. *****This week I'm featuring North Carolina author-illustrator, Brandon Reese, and his newest book, CAVE DADA PICKY EATER (Chronicle… Continue reading CAVE DADA PICKY EATER by Brandon Reese: A Review, Author Interview, and Autographed Giveaway!
Sleeping Bear Press keeps sending me books! Here are two that young readers (and pre-readers) in your life will enjoy. BECAUSE I'M NEWWho would have thought of writing a book from the point of view of the new child in the family? Author-illustrator Brad Sneed, that's who. The title page shows a little boy peering out the living room… Continue reading BECAUSE I'M NEW and LITTLE SOCK MAKES A FRIEND: Two Picture Books, One Giveaway
Congratulations to Cathy Ogren who won WINGED WONDERS. ****Last year I reviewed Frank Murphy's book, A Boy Like You. Today I'm showcasing the companion… Continue reading A GIRL LIKE YOU: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway
Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef who won The Voice that Won the Vote from last week's blog.Memoirs of a Tortoise (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020) is a clever and heart-warming book written by Devin Scillian and beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers. Young readers will follow a year in the life of Oliver, an 80-year-old tortoise, whose "pet" is his… Continue reading Memoirs of a Tortoise: Picture Book Review and Giveaway
Congratulations to Jana Leah who won T is for Thor from last week's blog.Today I'm happy to share a new picture book by author/illustrator, Katia Wish. Raccoon's Perfect Snowman (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020) will delight the young reader in your life even as it communicates an important message.REVIEWRaccoon was very serious about building snowmen.He practiced rolling,… Continue reading Raccoon's Perfect Snowman: A Picture Book Review, A Giveaway, AND an Author Interview!