It's interesting to read a book when you know the ending even before you start. I knew the Rosenbergs were killed because they were suspected of spy activity. But I didn't know the events that led up to that tragic conclusion.Barbara Krasner's choice of writing Ethel's Song (Astra Publishing, 2022) in free verse poetry is perfect. The poems… Continue reading ETHEL'S SONG: Ethel Rosenberg's Life in Poems: A Review and Giveaway
Today I am featuring two more picture books published by Sleeping Bear Press. They're as different as STEM is to wordplay, but remarkably, both feature bugs. LIGHT the SKY FIREFLY!Three years ago I featured Sherry Mary Bestor and Jonny Lambert in their book, Soar High, Dragonfly! Today I'm highlighting another one of their collaborative adventures.My co-publisher of Talking Story,… Continue reading 2 Bug Books and 1 Giveaway
Every once in a while you read a book and feel the passion that the author brings to the topic. That is the way EVICTED! (Calkins Creek, 2022) struck me. This upper-level narrative nonfiction will be a welcome addition to classrooms when studying African American history and civil rights. I have featured both the author, Alice Faye Duncan, and the illustrator, Charly… Continue reading EVICTED! The Struggle for the Right to Vote: A Middle Grade Picture Book Review, A Giveaway, PLUS MORE!
I'm always impressed with the scope of picture books that Sleeping Bear Press publishes. Today's book is no exception. SAGUARO's GIFTS should adorn elementary school classrooms and family bookshelves with its evocative yet child-friendly poetry by Kurt Cyrus and gorgeous illustrations by Andy Atkins. REVIEWThat opening page is followed by The world is dark. The bloom is white.A bat emerges from… Continue reading SAGUARO'S GIFTS: A Informational PIcture Book Review and Giveaway
I first "met" Debbie Levy through the pages of her novel-in-verse, This Promise of Change. In her newest book, Photo Ark ABC, Debbie uses more than five different types of poems to playfully describe animals from Aardvarks to Zebra Finches. The accompanying photographs by National Geographic's Joel Sartore are outstanding, cute, and engaging. Children from ages 5-8 will "get" Photo… Continue reading PHOTO ARK ABC: NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK REVIEW, GIVEAWAY, and MINI-AUTHOR INTERVIEW
From the moment you hold The Dirt Book: Poems About Animals that Live Beneath Our Feet (Holiday House, 2021) in your hands, you realize that this is a unique picture book. After all, how many books do you turn 90 degrees in order to read it? I can only think of one other, Tops and Bottoms… Continue reading The Dirt Book: Poems About Animals That Live Under Our Feet
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
Congratulations to Rois Hollenbeck who won Unicorn Yoga and to Susan Rice for Sing Some More from last week's blog.*******Bobby Babinski's BathtubThis rollicking picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press is as fun as the title sounds and the cover looks. Written by Judy Young and illustrated by Kevin M. Barry, readers and their parents… Continue reading Bobby Babinski's Bathtub and Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie. 2 Fun Picture Books + One Giveaway!
Congratulations to Barbara Younger for winning CAVE DADA from last week's blog. Nikki Grimes writes powerful young adult books in verse. You'll find my reviews of Between the Lines and Words with Wings on previous posts. Now I know why she is able to write such authentic poetry. It comes from the depth of her soul and the… Continue reading Ordinary Hazards: An Audio Book Review and Giveaway
Daddy Loves You! This picture book is the fifth book written by Helen Foster James and illustrated by Petra Brown showing the love of a bunny family member for a young bunny. (Check out Grandma Loves You!, Grandpa Loves You!, Mommy Loves You!, and Auntie Loves You!.) This story begins with, "Daddy loves you, bunny-bear,… Continue reading Two New Picture Books from Sleeping Bear Press