Picture Books At The Library 64

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

As Elliot moves from one foster home to another, his visits with his real parents leave him anxious and conflicted about where he wants to be.

A young brother and sister spend an afternoon imagining great adventures together.

Making friends is hard, especially in a new country. But even though everyone is different, it’s the differences that make friendship so magical.

Tina is a very curious cow who believes the sky is the limit and anything is possible. But her sisters think her ideas are very silly.

What may appear to be an abandoned garden is actually home to an eclectic array of playful insects.

When a boy plays hide and seek with an elephant, he soon discovers just how good the elephant is at playing the game.

Follow young river otters through the seasons as they chase one another, slide down mudbanks, and learn to swim.

It’s hard to get your parents to go to bed. But follow this young girl’s instructions and your parents will be sound asleep in no time.

Georgie the cat loves to throw parties but this time, not one of his friends can come.

Captain Jack and his fellow sailors are off on a swashbuckling voyage, complete with enemy pirates, a disastrous shipwreck, and the perfect treasure to end the day.

A bear finds a piano in the woods, learns to play it, and travels to the big city to become rich and famous, but ultimately discovers that his old friends in the forest back home are still the best audience of all.

“5 Tips for Writing Fact-Based Picture Book Fiction” by Pamela Love

Frog On A Blog Certified Guest Post

5 Tips for Writing Fact-Based Picture Book Fiction

by Pamela Love

What do I mean by fact-based fiction? While obviously it’s not a “Once upon a time” fairy tale, I’m referring to something more specific. Unlike non-fiction, fact-based fiction uses story as the basis for relating information. It opens a window onto a different time or place. It allows a child to see an animal or person living his or her life. While staying true to the facts, it may include some invented incidents or characters. More than non-fiction, the emphasis is on showing, not telling.

Here are five tips for writing this type of picture book:

Find a topic. Search the non-fiction shelves, adult and children’s, at the local library. Fascinating information about the past and nature is available. While reading a book about lighthouses, I learned that on one barren, weather-beaten rock off the coast of Maine, lighthouse keepers’ families planted a garden. This led to my picture book, Lighthouse Seeds. (Which was published by Down East Books, along with all of my other picture books listed below.)

Limit your topic. It might be a day in the life, as in my book A Cub Explores, about a black bear cub. Or, it might be about one child participating in a specific activity, as in Lighthouse Seeds.

Remember, it’s a picture book. Try to find a story with multiple good illustration possibilities. In my book A Moose’s Morning, moose are shown pushing down a tree, splashing in puddles, being startled by a grouse, and fleeing coyotes.

Stick to the facts as far as possible. In this type of picture book, animals do not talk. In Lighthouse Seeds, I did invent a character who figured out how to grow flowers in a seemingly impossible location, but I used the method the keepers’ families, including children, did in real life. For any invented details or characters, see tip #5.

Send additional material to the publisher. For animal stories, provide a list of “fun facts”. For example, in A Loon Alone, I noted that loons can fly and swim, but can’t walk. You may wish to suggest recent age-appropriate non-fiction books about your topic for interested children. Publishers often want to provide this type of information as end material. Furthermore, be sure to include your bibliography, along with a cover letter explaining where non-fiction leaves off and any invented details come in.

Additional examples of this type of book:

Little Burro, by Jim Arnofsky

That Book Woman, by Heather Henson

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys, by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard

New Shoes, by Susan Meyer

Naming Liberty, by Jane Yolen

Pamela Love worked as a teacher and in marketing before becoming an author. You can see her Amazon page with her picture books and other writings by using this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Pamela-Love/e/B001HMMF1W

Picture Books At The Library 63

While exploring the wilds of the kitchen, Buddy and Earl see wondrous sights, make delicious discoveries and even encounter a couple of unusual monsters.

One summer in Brooklyn during the 1930s, a young hearing boy and his deaf parents take a trip to Coney Island, where they enjoy the rides, the food, and the sights.

Dario, a boy from Brazil, makes friends with a young right whale while spending time on the beaches of Cape Cod.

A boy tries to explain to his mother how the bear at their door got from his cave in the forest all the way to an eleventh-floor apartment.

A hapless skunk, tied to a balloon, floats past buildings, construction equipment, a zoo full of animals, and more. Who will help him get down?

A girl and her dog conquer their fears of the noisy city while strengthening their bond with one another.

Youngsters awaken in the morning with the belief that they are the greatest little ones in their world, whether human child, eagle chick, or whale calf.

When the new house needs fixing up, a brother and sister accompany their father on a trip to the hardware store to find the tools and materials needed to get the job done.

An adopted child has difficulty adjusting to a new life with a new mom, but feels better once he realizes that, even though they look different, his new mom loves him just the way he is.

A monk in a monastery and a white cat share a quiet existence together (a retelling of the Irish poem Pangur Ban)

One Teacher’s Mission To Inspire Her Students Using “The Peddler’s Bed”

Time is running out! Please help these young students by supporting Ms. April Joy Supnet Macadangdang’s project. She’s working hard to provide her students with as much opportunity for learning as possible and to prepare them for bright futures.

Lauri Fortino's Frog On A (B)Log

With so many books to choose from, I’m so excited and so moved that she chose mine!

Ms. Macadangdang is an English teacher at LA Academy Arts & Enterprise Charter School in Los Angeles, CA. Her school is located in the inner city of Los Angeles, an area crippled by poverty. Her students are reading below grade level and struggling with the new demands of the Common Core standards. She is working hard to provide as much opportunity for learning and academic achievement as she can for her students. But her school lacks the funding she needs to do all that she’d like to do for them.

So Ms. Macadangdang turned to DonorsChoose.org. DonorsChoose.org is a fantastic organization/site where public school teachers post classroom project requests, and donors choose the ones they want to support.

Ms. Macadangdang is seeking funding to purchase 30 copies of The Peddler’s Bed to inspire imagination and…

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“Why, Oh Why, Oh Me, Oh My!” by Sonja Anderson

Frog On A Blog Certified Guest Post

Why, Oh Why, Oh Me, Oh My!

by Sonja Anderson

Writing a novel: Difficult

Publishing a novel: Difficult

Writing a picture book: Difficult

Publishing a picture book: Nearly IMPOSSIBLE!

That sums up my writing journey to date; I hope yours has been easier! After fifteen years on the publishing trail, my first children’s novel (Sophie’s Quest) was released last summer, and two picture book manuscripts have nearly been published. A third is currently in a round of encouraging emails from the publisher I submitted it to two years ago!

Unfortunately, I’ve learned that emails from publishers containing the words, “I LOVE IT! I want to publish it!” and even signed contracts do not translate to a book on the shelf. In the first case, the owners chose a different project over mine at the very end of a year of personal email conversation. A “Dear Author” form rejection letter brought that correspondence to a painful end. OUCH!

The second picture book got even farther—I was a finalist in a contest, awarded a contract, and I even got to see the finished, adorable artwork. So close! Then, the little company was purchased by a great big company, and my story was “orphaned.” Ironic, as Luna Whooping Crane, the main character, is nearly made an orphan in the story itself. So sad, right?

Luna Crane cover2png (2)

I find myself fearfully hopeful now that a manuscript has entered yet another round of encouraging, personal emails. Will this end up in a 32-page, glossy, full-color picture book? Will it instead, like other manuscripts, end in disappointment? Why submit myself to this agony again and again?

Why, indeed. Do you know why you stick with it? What pulls you over and under, around and through all the obstacles on the way to publication? What makes the choice to write worth it to you?

Dead ends and hopelessness over my novel led my husband to ask me what I would give to read something written by my great-grandparents that showed their creativity, faith, and maybe even their sense of humor. That would be priceless, right? “You’ve already done that for your great-grandchildren. Even if it doesn’t ever get published. You’ve done it.”

He was reminding me that the “holy grail” of publication isn’t the only game in town. If I am writing to help children draw closer to God and to love his creation, I also need to trust God for the outcome and to have joy in the journey. That hope, that surety that God will take my gifts of time and talent, and use them for his purposes (published or not), outweighs the fears of rejection, the unbearable waiting for publishers to respond (and some never do), and the sudden turns of events that make even a signed contract meaningless.

A few quick tips to get through your own dark times:

Think hard about your reason to write. Does it connect to your greatest passions?
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. For example, while I’m waiting for one of my picture books to “make it to the shelf,” I’m practicing my writing skills and connecting to kids through “Sophie and Timley’s Bible Time.” Found on my website, it connects the characters in my novel to a Bible study about interesting animals in the Bible, and connects me to my readers as I read aloud a story through a recording that they can click on.
Enjoy the writing journey by making friends along the way. Lauri Fortino and I became online friends through the experience of becoming finalists in that infamous contest together, and then commiserating together the merger of the company that orphaned our stories.
Avoid being a bitter whiner! Focus on small victories and be grateful for opportunities to learn the craft and meet other writers. Agents and editors will LOVE to work with you if you do!

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

Sonja Anderson writes from Seattle and enjoys hearing from readers. Find more information, including Sophie and Timley’s Bible Time (a free Bible study for kids}, on her website at www.sonjaandersonbooks.com.

Thank you, Sonja, for sharing your personal publishing journey with us. Your words have reminded me that, as children’s writers, we are all in the same boat, yet on very different journeys, as we pursue our passions.

Picture Books At The Library 62

Three children discover the wonder of words as the landscape around them transforms.

When a boy’s abuela accuses him of being careless with his beloved Bongo, he devises a trap and catches the toy thief red-handed.

Big or small, near or far, we all need someone to watch over us and keep us safe.

When nature calls, all of the animals rush to the potty. It’s a potty party!

When Froggy, Mom, and Pollywogilina set out for the library, Froggy brings a wheelbarrow to hold all the books he plans to borrow.

On a summer evening, just as the stars blink on, a firefly steps into a flower. Lights flash all around her. How will she find just one flash among so many?

Greet each morning with joy and embark on daily adventures with intention and confidence.

Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job, but she hasn’t sent the money she promised for Malaika’s carnival parade costume.

In a place where color ran wild, there lived a girl who was wilder still. Her name was Swatch, and color was her passion.

When the ducks fly south for the winter, Tufty gets left behind.

Everyone in the family has a special animal friend. They all pile in together for a special car ride to meet two new members of their zoo-like family.

Help Wanted: Seeking Picture Book Lovers

Frog on a Blog

Do you love picture books? Do you enjoy talking or writing about picture books? If so, I Need You!

I need quality PICTURE BOOK RELATED guest articles. Anything picture book related and of value to my blog readers is most welcome. My blog readers are parents, teachers, librarians, writers, picture book enthusiasts, artists, and, of course, kids.

The only compensation I can offer is publication on Frog On A Blog. If you’re a children’s picture book author or illustrator, you are welcome to mention your book(s). However, your article can’t be just an advertisement for your books, it must offer something more to my blog readers. (Authors/Illustrators: If you have a picture book coming out soon, I’m happy to spotlight its book birthday. Click here for more information.)

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PUBLISHED AUTHOR OR ILLUSTRATOR TO WRITE A GUEST POST!

If you’re interested in writing a guest article for Frog On A Blog, please use the form on my Contact page and tell me what you have in mind. I look forward to hearing from you!

~Lauri F. 🙂

The “Put Away Your Phone!” Blog Tour

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It seems that everywhere we go, people are on their phones–restaurants, waiting rooms, grocery stores, walking down the street. Smartphones are not bad. They connect us to friends and family. They bring a world of information to our fingertips. They help us in a lot of ways. But often, smartphones don’t allow us to be present in the moment. They distract us from the people, places, and things that are right in front of us. What message are we conveying to our kids when we’re on our phones so much?

Author Tracy Bryan stopped by today to tell us about her new book Put Away Your Phone! Tracy is passionate about teaching our kids that it’s okay to unplug. Through the voice of her star character, a little girl named Emma, Tracy imparts a very important message that we all need to hear.

Read on to learn more about the impact smartphone overuse has on our lives.

Emma’s Message

by Tracy Bryan

When was the last time you had a peek at your phone? Maybe it was to get your email messages, or check your Facebook notifications, or even just because you were bored? Chances are you will probably look at your smartphone at least once in the next hour.

A study recently released by Deloitte found that on average, people in the United States across all age groups check their phones 46 times per day.(1)

That’s a lot of peeking!

Currently, there are approximately 6 billion active cell phones in the world.(2) Nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, and 19% of Americans rely to some degree on a smartphone for accessing online services and information and for staying connected to the world around them.(3)

This makes sense, because as our world becomes increasingly more technological, so do its people. We have to rely on our electronic devices for communication, education, and many other essential everyday activities that help us in our everyday lives.

Most people use their smartphone in almost every aspect of their daily lives- work, leisure, and family time. In addition to checking their phones more frequently during the day, 93% of smartphone owners have looked at their phones within three hours of waking up. For 18-24 year olds, that number is 97%.(4)

These statistics are a little alarming. What are we teaching this next generation of techies?

Do we want to show our kids that it’s okay and quite normal to be fixated on a smartphone? If we continue to be distracted by our devices, will people and their families begin to connect with each other less and less? Maybe.

This rise in smartphone obsession is becoming a worldwide issue because people aren’t just overusing their phones, they are using them when they don’t really need to. The majority of smartphone owners use their devices while they are doing other activities at the same time.

@ 2016 David Barrow

In my new picture book, Put Away Your Phone! one little girl, Emma, notices this growing issue. She attempts to bring this to her parent’s attention in hopes that they will see how distracted they really are.

Emma represents anyone who has ever been frustrated with someone else who is distracted by their smartphone. She is determined to get the attention of the people around her, who are all so fixated on their smartphones, and she wants to help them notice this.

@ 2016 David Barrow

The good news is that like Emma, there are people in our world that want to “unplug” from their devices and become more present in their life.

Research from the Harris Poll shows that 45 percent of Americans do attempt to disconnect themselves from technology at least once a week or more. 16 percent attempt to distance themselves from their cell phone, email or television every day.

Harris also found that 6 out of 10 people wish their family members would unplug from technology more often.(5) These numbers need to continue to grow if we hope to connect with the people in our lives more.

Emma is a pretty clever little girl who may just have an important message for us all to hear. Join Emma and help her shout “Put Away Your Phone!”

@ 2016 David Barrow

Tracy Bryan is a self-published author for kids aged 4-12. She writes whimsical picture books about emotions, coping skills, mental health, and mindfulness.

Put Away Your Phone! is now available in Softcover and Kindle on Amazon. (Hardcover & Mac E-book coming soon)

Learn more about Put Away Your Phone!

Find out more about Illustrator David Barrow

View the book trailer

Visit & Connect with Tracy:

tracybryan.com

Facebook

Twitter

Linked In

Goodreads

Amazon

Say hello:

tracy@tracybryan.com

Continue on Tracy’s Book Tour for Put Away Your Phone!

Article Credits

(1) http://time.com/4147614/smartphone-usage-us-2015/

(2) http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/mobile-phone-world-population-2014/#ixzz446uPgm88

(3) http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/

(4) http://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-global-mobile-executive-summary-2015.pdf

(5) https://www.statista.com/chart/4442/how-often-do-americans-try-to-unplug/

Picture Books At The Library 61

Through 20 life lessons, Miss Moon imparts her wisdom on how to raise happy, healthy, well-mannered dogs and humans.

Using die-cut pages, the story explores the shapes and colors of an apple tree through the passing of the seasons.

Little Monkey slips from the safety of the tall, green rain forest trees. Will she remember what Papa taught her about how to stay safe?

Sally tries to tell her family that a hippo, a tiger, zebras, and koalas are in their yard, but no one believes her.

While Bear enjoys a day at the beach, Chipmunk does not, but spending time with his good friend Bear makes it all worthwhile.

Little Why wants horns like Wildebeest, long legs like Giraffe, and spotty fur like Cheetah. Will he learn that he’s special just the way he is?

Tiger and Bear want to play a game of tag, but Lion just wants to finish the painting he’s been working on.

When the whole family gathers together, adventures are sure to follow–rowing down the river, telling ghost stories around the campfire, and learning to fish.

Blanche does not want to go to sleep. She wants to tumble and hop and horse around.

Members of a large group of animals, including a penguin, two rabbits, and a koala, disappear at an alarming rate, but the hungry lion remains.

My View Book Review: You Made Me a Mother

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Title: You Made Me a Mother

Author: Laurenne Sala

Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser

Publisher/Year: Harper/2016

Perfect For: New moms, Mother’s Day, baby showers, bedtime reading

This Mother’s Day, in honor of moms new and old, I bring you You Made Me a Mother. Now, I am not a mother (unless you count my fur baby), but I have a mother, so I put myself in her shoes as I read this sweet homage to motherhood. And though this book is clearly all about a mother’s unconditional love for her child, I came away with a feeling of greater appreciation and respect for my mother and all that she did for me and my five siblings.

You Made Me a Mother follows a nervous new mom from pregnancy to birth and beyond. Through Sala’s sparse, yet moving text and Glasser’s endearing ink and watercolor illustrations, we can feel the bond between mother and child growing, even as we witness the child growing older. Most of their time spent together is joyous, but their bond strengthens even when times are difficult, even if she doesn’t have all of the answers.

You Made Me a Mother is the perfect shower gift or Mother’s Day gift for a new mom. Really, it’s perfect for all moms to share with their little ones at bedtime or anytime at all. Moms everywhere will tear up reading this one. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a father version sometime in the future.

Interesting Note: This book was adapted from a viral YouTube video of the same name.

Help! PS191 in NYC needs a library

These kids need a school library. Read on to see how you can help.

Picture Books At The Library 60

Peep can’t wait for Egg to hatch. They will have so much fun together! But Egg isn’t quite ready yet.

Sophie and her mother make very special treats for their party, but Sophie worries there won’t be one left for her.

This book encourages kids to pair shapes together to make new forms.

It’s early morning in the jungle, and Little Gorilla is not happy. Someone has woken him up, but who?

Illustrations and rhyming text follow a small group of tadpoles as they undergo a change, from tiny, tailed swimmers to leaping frogs.

Alan comes from a long line of very scary alligators. But what will happen when his big secret gets out?

This variation of the nursery rhyme features a chaotic household of children and pets who live in a shoe, and who know how to repair, remake, reuse, and recycle.