MY BIBI ALWAYS REMEMBERS - SIGNED COPY GIVEAWAY!

     I have a special treat for you today in honor of National Grandparents Day!

     Wait. You didn't know tomorrow was National Grandparents Day? If that's the case, here's a link to the history of the day. It isn't a day-off-from-work-and-school "public holiday" but its observance was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. And when you consider all of the things we could be celebrating, grandparents seem like a great choice! There's a link to a great card to share with grandparents near the end of this post, too. :)

     And if you know me at all, you'd probably guess that I'd be celebrating with a book. And you'd be right. In this case, a new book from the awesome author and illustrator team of Toni Buzzeo and Mike Wohnoutka.
     Regular blog followers of mine may remember that I reviewed the last offering by this team, JUST LIKE MY PAPA last September. Perfect Picture Book Friday posts don't start up from the summer hiatus until next week, so I'm jumping the gun a bit but I wanted readers to know about this new book if you want to find the perfect book for kids to share with their grandparents this weekend in honor of the holiday. Or any weekend. Shouldn't we celebrate grandparents all year long? Yep.
 
TITLE: My Bibi Always Remembers

AUTHOR: Toni Buzzeo

ILLUSTRATOR: Mike Wohnoutka

PUBLISHER: Disney Hyperion Books, 2014

INTENDED AGES: 3-5

THEMES: Animals, grandparents, Africa

Opening Line: RUMMMMBLE!
                      Thirsty little Tembo hears her Bibi across the wide, parched plain.

Synopsis: An easily distracted young elephant follows the herd as it searches for water. The oldest grandmother elephant carries the knowledge and skill to lead "the way to wet."

Why I like this book: Elephants fascinate me. My family are long-time supporters of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. I've never been to Africa or Asia to see these creatures in the wild and I have a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of the vast space these creatures need to live as they should. I love the book's message about passing knowledge from generation to generation. The author stole my heart on the second spread when she wrote that the elephants were coming "one by one, step-step, searching for wet." The illustrations aren't overly fussy, but small details, like dust devils in the distance, transported me to the elephants' world. Be
Note: This is a Disney book, so I felt a Bambi-like moment of terror when Tembo wanders away and the illustration appears backlit by the setting sun with lions and hyenas in the foreground! Luckily, the problem resolves on the next page. Whew! The combination of anthropomorphism and reality worked well for me.

Activities/Resources: Ms. Buzzeo provides extensive materials to accompany her books. You can find Common Core teaching guides and activities , including a cool Reader's Theater Script on her website.
If you want to learn more about the plight of elephants in the wild, back matter in the book steers readers to the Amboseli Trust for Elephants at www.elephanttrust.org. General information about elephants can be found in many places including National Geographic's website and the kid-friendly Animal Fact Guide.
There are an equally large number of elephant craft choices out there. The paper plate elephant contributed by Leanne Guenther to DLTK's Crafts for Kids blog made me smile.

Enter to win a signed copy of this book by leaving a comment for me! One name will be drawn randomly from all commenters at noon on Tuesday September 9th. I'll announce the winner later that day.
Read author/illustrator Q & A's and enter to win a copy of this book on other blogs by clicking the links to follow the entire tour for this new book:

Friday, August 29:

·         The Children’s Book Review – Author Guest Post

Saturday, August 30:

·         Momma Drama – Author/Illustrator Interview and Review

Sunday, August 31:

·         Book Rock Betty – Review and Signed Giveaway

Monday, September 1:

·         Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Author/Illustrator Guest Post and Review

Tuesday, September 2:

·         As They Grow Up – Review and Signed Giveaway

Wednesday, September 3:

·         Susan Heim on Parenting – Review and Signed Giveaway

Thursday, September 4:

·         Kid Lit Frenzy – Author Guest Post and Signed Giveaway

Friday, September 5:

·         Mundie Kids – Author/Illustrator Interview and Signed Giveaway

Saturday, September 6:

·         Noodling with Words – Review and Signed Giveaway

Sunday, September 7:

·         The Power of One Writer – Author Interview

Monday, September 8:

·         There’s a Book – Review and Signed Giveaway

And FINALLY, since I started this post talking about the link to National Grandparents Day, download a completely adorable card to make for grandparents from the author's website here. Just download and fold!

Remember to leave a comment to enter the giveaway! As a disclosure, an early advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my review.

BOOK DEBUT - THE PUNKYDOOS TAKE THE STAGE - AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND LINKS TO THE GIVEAWAY

     Do you know a kid who doesn't like music?
     Me neither.
     That's one reason I'm excited to be part of a blog hop tour for Jennifer Jackson's debut picture book blog tour for: THE PUNKYDOOS TAKE THE STAGE. The book comes with a CD of Punkydoo music!

     Although her debut picture book was just released on July 1, 2014, author Jennifer Jackson isn't a total newbie to the world of publishing. Jennifer Jackson's (www.jenniferjacksonbooks.com) love of writing started in theater, where she has written and directed original ensemble-based physical theater pieces.She also choreographed many projects including American Dreamz and The Beckoning of Lovely.

   Today, Jennifer is graciously answering a few questions about her new book and her writing process.

1. The title, THE PUNKYDOOS TAKE THE STAGE, is so much fun? Which came first, the story or the title?

     The name of the band, The Punkydoos, came before anything else! "Punkydoo" is a nickname my family has used for years. One day I thought The Punkydoos would be a great name for a band that played music for kids. Then I realized it would be even more fun if the musicians were kids themselves. I began to wonder what that would look like in a picture book. The title for the book came once I knew that the story would be about Lexi-Lou finding a place for her (very big!) voice by starting a rock band and putting on a concert.

2. Your author dedication refers to the "real" Punkydoos. Where did you get the inspiration for your story?

     

 I mentioned that "Punkydoo" is a nickname. First, we all used it for my younger sister. Now it's what we call her little girls. They were the inspiration for the book, particularly for Lexi-Lou's bold spirit and the band's fearless attitude. My nieces are forever optimistic and they never back away from a challenge

3. Who do you picture as the perfect reader for your book?

     Kids who like to dream big!

4. I can picture the Punkydoos as characters in preschool Scooby-Doo-type adventures. Are there more Punkydoo books in the works?

     Yes! The Punkydoos are always up for new adventures. Stay tuned . . . (And by the way, Monkey's favorite cartoon is Scooby-Doo!)

5. Do you dummy the words in your manuscript?

     Once I feel a story is complete, I mock up the entire book with the actual pagination. My stick figures are pitiful, but I find that getting a sense of how the book reads with page turns really helps the revision process.

6. What have you learned from your experience creating your first picture book that you will incorporate into your next manuscripts?

    Some things I know I'll keep working on--conflicts that make kids want to turn the page, upping the stakes, and adding moments of real discovery and connection for the characters.

7. Do you have a critique group or use other revision strategies to polish that first draft?

     I actually love revising. I'm not afraid to take a story apart and put it back together in new ways. Once I feel that I've done all I can to write the best possible story (and this usually takes several drafts!) I'll show it to a few readers I trust to give useful feedback. I don't just want people to tell me it's good! I want to know what needs work. I also like going to conferences and workshops where you can dig in with a critique group run by a strong facilitator.

8. Writing requires a lot of perseverance--and fuel. Do you have a favorite writing snack to maintain your focus and keep the creative juices flowing? (everything chocolate is good in my book!)

     Oh, I agree, chocolate all the way! Mocha lattes. Double chocolate muffins. And for some reason, I love to eat chocolate covered banana chips when I write. You could say they're my Scooby snack!

And now . . . ta-da! Here's the cover of THE PUNKYDOOS TAKE THE STAGE!

I know Jennifer would love to hear your comments and congratulations below! 

If you want to learn more about Jennifer and The Punkydoos, the schedule for the rest of her blog tour and book buying information is listed below. If you want a copy for yourself (and who wouldn't!) visit one of the blog links below. Good luck!

The Punkydoos Take the Stage Blog Tour Schedule:

Friday, July 11^th

·         Mundie Kids: Review and Giveaway

Saturday, July 12^th

·         Lille Punkin’ Reviews: Guest Post and Giveaway

Sunday, July 13^th

·         Book Rock Betty: Review and Giveaway

Monday, July 14^th

·         Noodling with Words: Interview

Tuesday, July 15^th

·         Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: Review, Punkydoos Playlist, and Giveaway

Wednesday, July 16^th

·         As They Grow Up: Giveaway

THE PUNKYDOOS TAKE THE STAGE

By Jennifer Jackson, illustrated by Dan Andreasen

Disney Publishing Worldwide

ISBN: 978-1-4231-4339-0; ages 3-5 Yrs; $17.99

It's Useful to Have a Duck - Perfect Picture Book Friday

First, a note: If you missed my blog post on Tuesday last week, you have until May 5 to leave a comment on that post to enter the BOOK GIVEAWAY for Debbie Dadey's newest chapter book in her Mermaid Tales series with Simon & Schuster. 

    Now, on to today's "business."

    Last Friday I reviewed Isol's Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winning book, Nocturne: Dream Recipes. I'm pleased to say that I didn't order just one of her books to get to know this author. The second book is just as original. And although I'm calling it the second book, because it's the second to be reviewed here, it was actually published five years earlier. So here's more charming work from Isol.

Title: It's Useful to Have a Duck

"Sleeve" on right

Author: Isol  Note: her website is NOT in English

Illustrator: Isol

Publisher: GroundwoodBooks/House of Anansi Press, 2007

Audience: ages 3 and up 

Themes: Point of View

Opening and Synopsis: I said this last week, and now I'll say it again. I can’t start with the words. The structure of the book is part of the experience. A little boy finds a rubber duck and uses him as a hat, a straw, a nose. But how does the duck use the little boy? 

By turning the book over, readers find the same story told from the duck’s point of view. This picture book/board book crossover uses the same images, shaded yellow from the boy's point of view, and shaded blue from the duck's point of view.  

While it looks like a board book, I agree with the assessment on Kirkus Reviews:
   "Do not be deceived by the simple-looking board format: This is not for babies. Rather, it      
    challenges children who have accepted the initial premise with developmentally appropriate 
    narcissism to regard the world from the opposite perspective."

The boy's opening line: I found a duck and I picked him up. 





 


 

The duck's opening line. I found a boy and he picked me up.
     

The book sleeve has all the publisher and copyright information. I'm probably a lot more careful than a kid would be, and the edges of the book cover are already getting that chewed up look, I assume from the effort needed to get the book back in its sleeve. Other than that, it's a winner. Note that the pages are hooked to each other accordion-style, so there's no page turning in the classic sense. It's sixteen linked pages on one side and another sixteen on the reverse. Some of the spreads are laugh out loud funny. I especially liked the duck "waxing" his bill in the boy's ear.

There's a good Youtube review of this book here. 
Sharing this book is a good opportunity to talk about the adage that there are two sides to every story! Literally two sides to this book.


This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.

Nocturne: Dream Recipes by Isol - Perfect Picture Book Friday

    First, a note: If you missed my blog post on Tuesday, you have until May 5 to leave a comment on that post to enter the BOOK GIVEAWAY for Debbie Dadey's newest book in her Mermaid Tales series with Simon & Schuster. 
Don't you want to know what role the vampire squids play?

    Now, on to today's "business." Is it possible to be speechless and still write a blogpost?

     Wow! I am in love.

     Don’t worry, my husband knows about my obsession with books. 

     To back up, a few weeks ago I saw that an Argentinian author/illustrator I wasn’t familiar with had won the Astrid Lindgren MemorialAward. This award, established in 2002 and presented by the Swedish government, comes with a cash prize, equivalent this year to $770,000! Maurice Sendak was one of the prior award winners. The 2013 award winner’s name? Isol.

(If you want to see a photo of Isol, click here for the Reuters article announcing the prize winner. I couldn’t find any images of her in the public domain.)

     I had to learn more.

     My library didn’t have any of Isol’s books. The internet was my next stop. I ordered, and waited---and it was more than worth it! 

Title: Nocturne: Dream Recipes

Author: Isol  (Elisa Amado, translator)- Note: her website is NOT in English

Illustrator: Isol

Publisher: GroundwoodBooks/House of Anansi Press, 2012

Audience: ages 4 and up 

Themes: Dreams, imagination, sleep

Opening and Synopsis: I can’t start with the words. The structure of the book itself blew me away. Look at the photo! You don't see this in the image on Amazon. Instead of being bound down the side in traditional book fashion, Nocturne has vertical spiral bound pages. As the subtitle hints, the book is organized like a cookbook.  Ahead of the title page are musings about the nature of dreams, then following the title are step-by-step instructions to follow each night for a new dream. Eleven pages of dream prompts follow. And what's the icing on the cake?
     
     The pages are simple drawings, in muted colors, with a single line of text such as the "Dream of being another." Big deal, right? Ah-h, but the point of the book is that dreams are part of the world usually unseen. So, Isol has made drawings in glow-in-the-dark paint that are only visible after you prop the book under a bright light and then head to the dark. 

     Remember I said I was blown away by the structure of the book? The back cover is actually TWO layers accordion hinged together so the book can be stood up bedside to inspire little dreamers. Note: some of the hidden pictures are meant to inspire creative thought, not necessarily prompt peaceful sleep. It all depends on how your little one feels about the suggestion that wild animals may be watching while he/she sleeps.
Kirkus didn't like the book for little ones. feeling the sparse inspiration was more suited for ages 10-14. I'm not with them on that. I think younger elementary school age kids would enjoy the novelty and creative fun. My book is new, so if the glow-in-the-dark paint doesn't hold up, I'll let you know!

   Finally, the opening words: 
     "There are many kinds of dreams:
     adventurous dreams, dreams with ridiculous scenes, dreams in which nothing happens, 
     confusing dreams, dreams about people we've recently seen, dreams in other languages, 
     dreams we can't remember...

Activities: Publisher's Weekly will tell you the text of a few more of the prompts that I didn't want to "give away." The book itself is an activity--the last page of the book is one for kids to draw themselves. Make a dreamcatcher. Talk about good and bad dreams. Older kids may want to start a dream journal. All ages can draw a dream they remember. Try drawing in the dark, with only the light of a flashlight. Craft and hardware stores have non-toxic glow-in-the-dark paints suitable for use with kids. Maybe you want to create your own flip pages, or a mural size glow-in-the-dark masterpiece!

  And yes, I have another Isol book waiting in the wings for its review! How did I miss these before? (too many books, too little time...!)


This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.

Ask the author of The Lost Princess + book giveaway news!

     Next week, I have the pleasure to host my first author interview.
     I am privileged to know the author, and have spoken with her many times. So, rather than just asking MY questions, I thought it would be interesting to whet your appetite this week with a little information about the author, and find out the questions YOU want answered by a children's book expert.
     How do I know she's an expert? The author is no newbie. She has authored or co-authored 158 books and counting!
     Without further introduction, meet Debbie Dadey:

 
     Debbie Dadey is the author and co-author of 158 books, including The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series from Scholastic and Mermaid Tales from Simon and Schuster.  
     Her newest book scheduled for a May 7 release date, The Lost Princess, brings ocean ecology and marine life into a fantasy story.  A former first grade teacher and librarian, Dadey lives in Bucks County with her three children, three dogs, and handsome husband.   She loves visiting elementary schools and speaking with groups about writing.  Her passion is helping reluctant readers. You can like Debbie on Facebook here.https://www.facebook.com/debbiedadey.

  
As part of Debbie's author interview next week, I will be holding a book giveaway for The Lost Princess.  It gets me all twitchy happy just thinking about it!

     Now the big surprise! You won't find this on Goodreads yet.
    With Debbie's permission I am giving you a sneak peek at the cover for The Lost Princess. This book is the next release in Debbie's "Mermaid Tales" series with Simon & Schuster. 
     Mermaid Tales is a series of chapter books aimed at elementary school readers.  Yes, the cover is shimmery, shiny fun.
     Now don't you want a copy!?
    

      If you leave a question for Debbie in the comments following this post, I'll forward them to Debbie. Next Tuesday, come back for the answers. Depending on how many questions there are, she may not be able to answer them all, but she will read them all and select from them. This is your chance to ask the author of 158 books anything you want to know about her writing process, books, inspiration....

     C'mon folks! What have you always wanted to know?