Author: Lauri Fortino

Lauri Fortinohttp://frogonablog.netPicture Book Lover. Blogger. Library/Literacy Supporter. 2022 Kate Dopirak Craft & Community Award recipient. Author of The Peddler's Bed. FrogOnABlog.net.
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My View Book Review: HELLO, RAIN! by Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini

Title: Hello, Rain!

Author: Katherine Pryor

Illustrator: Rose Soini

Publisher/Year: Schiffer Kids/2024

Format: Board Book

It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a board book here on Frog on a Blog. But board books are essentially picture books, just in a different format. They’re for the littlest book aficionados, infants to about three years old. Thanks to their extra-sturdy covers, board books hold up well in the hands and mouths of these future readers.

Today, I’m pleased to share, on a rainy Wednesday here at home, Hello, Rain! by Katherine Pryor, with illustrations by Rose Soini. Hello, Rain! was published by Schiffer Kids in 2024. It’s the second in the “Hello,” series, following Hello, Garden!, by the same author and illustrator, which received the IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association) Benjamin Franklin Gold Award in 2022 for its age category.

Both books feature the same diverse family. And, as you can see from the covers, the kids are the stars. In Hello, Rain!, readers follow the family as they set off to play in the rain. The children enjoy splashing in puddles and drawing in mud until a thunderstorm drives them all back to the safety and comfort of home where a family story time, followed by a bubble-filled bath, proves to be the perfect way to end the day.

copyright © 2024 by Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini

The rhyming, rhythmic text adeptly uses short sentences and simple noun/verb pairs to create mood and movement throughout the story. The colorful illustrations, which I believe are watercolor, depict sweet kids and lots of outdoor scenes, including birds, squirrels, trees, and plants. Parents will have fun pointing out a sleeping mouse, baby robins, and curious worms. What I like most about this book is just the pure joy the kids express while playing outside in nature.

copyright © 2024 by Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini

Hello, Rain! is a great choice for the little book and nature lovers in your life!

On average, American Robins lay 3-4 eggs in a clutch but only 1 egg per day. They also typically lay more than 1 clutch of eggs throughout the nesting season.

My View Book Review(s): THE BOX by Isabella Paglia -and- THE THINGAMAJIG by Rilla Alexander (an animal mystery pb pairing)

You’ll meet lots of friendly animals and help them “solve” a mystery in both of these superb picture books. Mysteries are all about questions. The Box evokes the questions “Who’s in the box? How did they get here? And why won’t they come out?” While The Thingamajig will have readers asking “What is it? Where is it? And who took it?”

The Box, written by Isabella Paglia and illustrated by Paolo Proietti, was originally published in Italy in 2020, but has since been published in the US, in 2022, by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. When a box appears in the forest, the animal residents are baffled and full of questions, especially when they realize that someone is hiding inside. Who could this mysterious stranger be? They try diligently to welcome the little creature and to coax them out of the box, but nothing works, not even an entertaining show or a party. Only after the concerned animals rescue the box and its frightened occupant from the pouring rain of a thunderstorm, does the mystery creature finally feel comfortable enough to emerge.

At its heart, this story is about friendship, kindness, and patience. All of the adorable animals–Bear, Fox, Rabbit, Squirrel, and Owl–are sweet and thoughtful and work together to make sure that their guest feels safe and comfortable. They don’t abandon the box, but they don’t push either, which allows the creature to come out at their own pace. The pastel, chalk, and watercolor illustrations are rendered in pale earth-tones, which adds to the soft, gentle feel of the over all story. You’ll have to read the book to discover who the animals’ mysterious new friend is.

The Thingamajig, written and illustrated by Rilla Alexander, was published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2024. When Little Elephant’s parent loses something, Little Elephant springs to action and goes on a hunt to find the missing thing-a-ma-jig. Along the way, they meet other animals who have lost things as well. Bird lost a hoo-zee-wots-it. Butterfly lost a doop-ee-dit. And Rabbit lost a yoke-a-me-bob. Snail, Bee, Squirrel, and the group of ladybugs have all lost something too. So Little Elephant and the others search together for all of the missing, oddly named things. But Frog thinks there may be a thief in the neighborhood and asks each of them to describe their missing item. What could their mysterious items (or item) be? Will Little Elephant ever find the thing-a-ma-jig? And can Little Elephant help his animal friends find suitable replacements for their lost doohickeys? Read the book to find out!

This story, that cleverly begins on the first endpaper, is fun, lively, and bursting with bold, bright colors and cute, whimsical animals. The illustrations, which really pop off the page, were created with collaged photographs and hand-cut rubber stamps. Sharp-eyed readers will notice a few “hidden” items spread throughout the book that might just be the perfect alternatives to the animals’ lost things. Interesting back matter introduces the unique words that other countries use to describe something they don’t know the name for, such as Japan’s “na-nee na-nee” and Australia’s “doo-va-la-kee.” I’m partial to “thing-a-ma-bob” myself. 🙂 Lastly, young readers will love discovering a different cover underneath the book jacket.

Put on your Sherlock Holmes hats, grab your magnifying glasses, and enjoy reading (and solving) these two great mystery picture books, one quiet and one energetic, with your kids!

The smallest owl species in the world is the Elf Owl. Adults are less than 6 inches tall, about the size of a sparrow!

My View Book Review(s): HARRIET’S REFLECTIONS by Marion Kadi -and- SOURGRASS by Hope Lim (an unexpected pairing)

Girls reign in these two lovely picture books, each uniquely illustrated and overflowing with color and character (and animals!).

Harriet’s Reflections, written and illustrated by Marion Kadi, was originally published in France in 2021, but has since been published in the US, in 2024, by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. This unusual book earned starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and BookPage. The story starts on a sad note, the death of a lion, but soon turns light-hearted when we see that the lion’s reflection has a life all its own. The reflection, feeling bored, sets off in search of someone new in order to be their reflection and comes upon the spunky Harriet. Harriet accepts him, forgetting all about her own reflection, and, with a lion as her new reflection, Harriet heads off to school feeling more confident than ever. She has the best day, but, by the second day, things take a turn when her wild side takes over, getting her into trouble, and she begins to miss her old reflection. Now Harriet has to learn to balance two reflections, which we come to understand represent two sides of her personality.

There’s a subtle message here about self-reflectance, recognizing and accepting the different parts of ourselves. One day, we might feel confident, ready to take on the world, and the next, we might feel like being alone, and there’s nothing wrong with either. All people, kids included, experience changing moods and lots of big, or small, feelings, and no one has just one side. As quiet as the concept of self-reflectance may seem, the brightly colored acrylic illustrations in this book really jump off the page and are full of life and movement. Harriet’s classmates are a diverse group of children, and different animals can be seen throughout the book. You’ll want to spend some time “reflecting” on each page, as the pictures are imaginative and cleverly done. Marion Kadi did a fantastic job showing the “fluid” lion reflection in various puddles and mirrors. And the art on the endpapers is gorgeous!

Sourgrass, written by Hope Lim and illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani, was published by Beach Lane Books in 2024. This sweet story introduces readers to best friends Sofia and May who meet everyday at the gate that separates their two yards. Sometimes they play in Sofia’s yard and sometimes in May’s yard. Eventually, they discover the beautiful fields beyond their yards, which are spilling over with wild sourgrass flowers. They have even more fun playing in and racing through the fields and rolling down the yellow, flower-covered hills, until, one day, May moves away, leaving Sofia to play by herself, which, of course, just isn’t the same. But they keep in touch by letter, and that reassures Sofia that May will never forget her, that they will never forget each other and the days they spent playing together in the fields of sourgrass.   

This is a story about friendship, about childhood, about a time when life was simple and days were spent playing, without worries or cares, until a life-changing event happens–your very best friend in the world moves away. Something like that can deeply affect a child. I mean, their whole world can be turned upside down. That’s why I like that Hope Lim chose to include the letter writing so the girls could keep in touch and have a long-distance friendship, which brings comfort to Sofia. And a little hint of happier days ahead is depicted on the last page. This book also has a lot going on in the art. Shahrzad Maydani’s chalk pastel and watercolor illustrations are so dreamy, colorful, yet blended and, at times, muted, perfectly expressing playful memories that melt together under the summer sun. The pictures are a feast for the eyes, inviting the reader to linger on each page. Kids will have a joyful time discovering the various animals “hidden” throughout and noticing that even Sofia and May’s stuffed animals seem to come alive.

Though different, these charming books have some similarities and would make a great pairing. Both are worthy of repeat readings, too, and I love how you can discover new animals with each new viewing!

A male African Lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away.

Packed With Facts: Animal-focused Nonfiction Picture Books (a roundup for Wild About Wildlife Month)

I just LOVE learning interesting facts about wild animals! I like discovering where they live, what they eat, and what their daily habits are, especially if they’re animals I’ve never heard of before. I bet you know some kids (or kids at heart) who love learning about animals too. And the more kids get to know them, the more they develop a fondness and, hopefully, compassion for the animals with whom we share the world.

I’ll admit that nonfiction picture books don’t get as much attention here on Frog on a Blog as fiction picture books do. So, when I do feature them, it’s a special occasion indeed. Today, I have four incredible books to share. Each one is overflowing with amazing animal facts. And each one has a unique angle that makes learning fun. You and the little animal lovers in your life will definitely want to take a look at these!

Home, written and illustrated by Isabelle Simler, was originally published in France in 2022 and published here in the US by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers in March of 2024. This gorgeous book, which is a part of Eerdmans’ Spectacular STEAM for Curious Readers line, earned starred reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness.

Visit the homes of 27 different animals, from the common octopus’s “Stony Villa” (rocky crevice) to the hummingbird’s “Mossy Miniature Home” (tiny nest) to the Sumatran orangutan’s “Bunk Bed In The Branches” (leafy bed high in the trees). Richly detailed illustrations accompany lyrical text on every two-page spread as each animal tells the reader all about its home. Back matter includes more information about the animals as well as a short glossary of unfamiliar terms.

Favorite Featured Creature: the satin bowerbird–This industrious Australian bird builds a little pavilion out of twigs and decorates it with all manner of blue items he finds, including feathers, flowers, butterfly wings, pen caps, marbles, and string, all to attract a mate.

…

The Wild Life of Animals (The Secret Lives of Astounding Animals), written by Mike Barfield and illustrated by Paula Bossio, was published in the US, by Kane Miller, and in Great Britain in 2023. Told with subtle humor in both the text and illustrations, this book introduces (actually, the animals introduce themselves) young readers to over 50 different animals, depicted in a cute cartoon style, in 8 habitats from across the globe. Kids (and you) will learn about the pygmy hippopotamus who lives in a forest environment in West Africa, the thorny dragon lizard who lives in the desert region of Western Australia, and the vampire squid who lives deep in a tropical sea, to name just a few.

Plenty of information is presented about each animal without being overwhelming, and the Table of Contents allows readers to flip right to the animals they want to learn more about. A glossary of unfamiliar terms can be found at the end of the book too. But what’s really clever about this book is the kid-friendly layout. Comic style is used throughout for the main spreads, and then additional fun facts about even more animals in each region can be found on pages that resemble the screens of a tablet. There are pages devoted specifically to baby animals as well. There’s a lot going on in this book for sure!

Favorite Featured Creature: the okapi–This curious creature hails from the dense forests of Central Africa, and though its black-and-white striped hind end and legs resemble a zebra and its head resembles a deer, it’s actually the only living relative of the giraffe, and it even has a long prehensile tongue like a giraffe does.

…

Menus for Meerkats and Other Hungry Animals, written by Ben Hoare and illustrated by Hui Skipp, was published in the US by Kane Miller in 2024. It’s a companion book to Maps for Penguins and Other Traveling Animals. Here readers learn about the favorite foods and fascinating (sometimes gross) eating habits of 10 different animals, along with other interesting bits of information about each of them. For example, did you know the scarlet macaw, which is a brightly-colored parrot, can live to be 50 years old in the wild? Did you know Indian cobras, which are venomous snakes, drink water by dipping their heads into puddles and opening their mouths to allow the water to soak into the skin of their lower jaws? And did you know blue whales, which are the largest animals on Earth, produce up to 50 gallons of poop at a time, enough to fill a bathtub?

My favorite thing about this book is the fun way the information is presented. Each of the animals, which are all drawn in a sweet cartoon style, has four pages (or two spreads) devoted to it. The first two pages are essentially a menu listing main course foods, sides, and drinks. The grizzly bear’s main course selections include nuts, berries, and roots. Its sides are grubs, worms, insects, and larger animals like gophers, fish, and elk. And its drink choice is water from rivers or lakes. Then the second spread tells us more about the animal, such as its eating habits, where it lives, and how big it is. (See the previous paragraph for examples.) This book also has a Table of Contents, allowing the reader to quickly find a specific animal, and a glossary and an index can be found at the end of the book as well.

Favorite Featured Creature: the koala–Everyone knows koala bears (which, by the way, aren’t bears at all) are from Australia, and you probably know that their diet consists mostly of eucalyptus leaves, but did you know eucalyptus leaves are poisonous? Luckily, koalas can eat them without getting sick thanks to a specially-adapted portion of their large intestine that aids in the digestion of their toxic meal.

…

Lifesize Deadly Animals, written and illustrated by Sophy Henn, was published in 2023 by Kane Miller and is part of their Lifesize line of books. Kids, in particular, will get a kick out of this oversized book as they marvel at the many animal species, small and large, from around the world, realistically depicted on the pages. The text, presented in manageable chunks and in big print, imparts fascinating facts about each animal. Readers will view lifesize harpy eagle talons, which are bigger than a grizzly bear’s claws, lifesize black caiman (largest member of the alligator family) jaws, which can easily crack a turtle’s shell, an African lion’s lifesize tongue, which is covered with tiny spines, a lifesize Chinese bird spider, which is a venomous tarantula, and several more. Kids will especially love the surprise fold-out pages that open up to reveal a great white shark’s mouth with its over two-inch long, razor-sharp teeth. An added section at the back of the book compares the animals’ sizes to each other and to the size of the book.

Favorite Featured Creature: the (lifesize) Bengal slow loris–How can this adorable nocturnal primate from China and southeast Asia be deadly? Well, apparently, these little guys produce flesh-rotting venom from a mixture of their sweat and saliva and can deliver a toxic bite to their enemies, but they only use it as a last resort.

I hope you’ll check out these four fabulous books, which are perfect for Wild About Wildlife Month!

Interview Alert: Jami Gigot (+ a Giveaway!)

Please welcome kidlit friend Jami Gigot to Frog on a Blog! Jami is an author, an illustrator, and a Texture Supervisor at LucasFilm’s Industrial Light & Magic. I recently featured a Happy Book Birthday post for Jami’s brand-new picture book The World In Our Backyard, which was published in May. I also interviewed Jami way back in 2015 when her book Mae and the Moon came out with Ripple Grove Press shortly after my book did.

I’m excited to welcome Jami back during the month of July, which happens to be Park and Recreation Month, to talk about The World In Our Backyard. This lovely and imaginative book is all about spending time and having fun in the great outdoors, especially our own backyards, and features a diverse group of kids from the city, the suburbs, and the country. It’s perfect for summer reading! Let’s hear more from Jami, and be sure to read to the end for details about how to win a copy of her book!

Congratulations on the publication of your beautiful new picture book The World In Our Backyard! Tell us the inspiration behind the story.

JG: Thank you so much! This book was inspired by my love of nature and my constant awe of our incredible world. One of my favorite things about writing for children is putting my mind back in the state where I try and think like I did as a child, and it was wonderful to revisit my own childhood memories and feelings of exploration and play. I had the thought, what would the world look like to a group of insects? It dawned on me that a clover patch would seem like a forest to them, and I made a sketch, which eventually became the first spread of the book. From that initial image, the rest of the story began to unfold. I thought, well, if there is a forest in a backyard, maybe there is a mountain, or a desert, or an ocean and so on. It was important to me to also explore the idea of backyards themselves and expanded the definition to include not only suburban households, but balconies, city parks, community gardens, or wherever we find joy exploring outside. 

copyright © 2024 by Jami Gigot

What was your process like when creating the illustrations for the book? And what’s your favorite spread?

JG: Whenever I start illustrating a book, I first sketch out a very rough version of the book in its entirety in pencil or on my tablet, blocking out the layout and text on every page. This helps me feel the pacing and overall balance of the book. In terms of final art, I never know exactly how it will work, but it usually ends up being a collage of traditional and digital mediums. Often I will use watercolor or colored pencil and then mix that with digital painting and do the final layout in photoshop. For the spread with the kids making chalk drawings, I incorporated some photos of the chalk art my children and I drew on the street behind our home. 

copyright © 2024 by Jami Gigot

What do you hope kids will take away from reading the book?

JG: Kids already have incredible imaginations, and I hope this book reminds them of all the joys and wonders around us in our natural environments and encourages them to explore creatively. In a time when we have so much stimulation from screens and electronic devices, I think it’s more important than ever to get outside and play. 

copyright © 2024 by Jami Gigot

What outdoor activities do you and your kids enjoy doing together?

JG: I have always been very active with the kids, and we spend a lot of time exploring outside. We have done things like making a bed for a fairy out of a chestnut shell, or making art from leaves we collected. When they were very small, I would plop them in a baby carrier to go snowshoeing or push the double stroller around on my rollerblades through the city. Now that my kids are a little older (12 and 14), we do a lot of activities like playing lawn games, hiking, and stand-up paddle boarding, but we are still very curious and love spotting slugs or collecting shells and rocks. 

Can you give us a sneak peek of any projects you’re working on right now?

JG: I’d be delighted to show a little sneak peek of my next project! I am currently working on a humorous picture book called A BIGFOOT FIELDGUIDE TO CAMPERS (and other mysterious creatures), which will be published by Kids Can Press next Spring 2025. It is a story about not being afraid of the unknown and listening to your heart and is written in a guidebook format where the words and pictures completely contradict each other, so makes for a very fun read aloud! 

Image from A BIGFOOT FIELDGUIDE TO CAMPERS/copyright © 2025 by Jami Gigot

Giveaway

Jami has generously offered a copy of her beautiful book The World In Our Backyard to one lucky person who comments on this blog post! For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post by July 15th. I will choose a winner at random and connect them with Jami. This giveaway is limited to residents of the US and Canada only.

Jami Gigot is the author-illustrator of many books for children, including Starboy: Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of David Bowie, Imagination Vacation, Seb and the Sun, Mae and the Moon, and The World in Our Backyard and the illustrator of My Daddy Can Fly!. She is also a Texture Supervisor at LucasFilm’s Industrial Light & Magic, and has worked on many award-winning films. In her free time, she can be found in a hammock in her small and lovely backyard, bird-watching and listening to the buzzing of bees. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her husband, two children, and a big orange cat.

 Visit her at www.jamigigot.com or on Instagram @jamigigot. 

Nature as a Nurturer by Kerry Aradhya

I’m excited to welcome author Kerry Aradhya to Frog on a Blog! Her debut picture book, Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube, which is a biography of Hungarian architect and inventor Erno Rubik, the creator of the iconic Rubik’s Cube, just published this month by Peachtree. As you may know, the focus of my blog changed this year to feature animal and nature-themed picture books almost exclusively, so when Kerry reached out to say that nature played a pivotal role in Rubik’s creative process, I was intrigued. I asked Kerry to write a guest post about the role nature played in Rubik’s creative process and how nature might also help the creative process of picture book authors. Lucky us, she gladly agreed! Please read Kerry’s fantastic guest article below. If you’re a picture book writer or any type of creative, you just might be inspired!

Nature as a Nurturer by Kerry Aradhya

What do you do when you’re stuck on a revision or can’t quite figure out the ending (or maybe the middle, if you’re like me) of your latest picture book manuscript? Has nature ever factored into your solution?

In Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube (my debut picture book with illustrator Kara Kramer), Ernő Rubik encounters his own unique problems as he sets out to design a cube made up of smaller cubes that twist and turn around each other. One of those problems is that he needs a way to hold all the smaller cubes together so his three-dimensional model doesn’t fall apart. Although his passion for puzzles and his background in art and architecture came in handy, it was nature that arguably played the biggest role in helping him find a solution.

During my research for this book, I learned that young Ernő Rubik spent many summer vacations by the lake with his family, and those memories stayed with him throughout his life. In his memoir Cubed: The Puzzle of Us All, Rubik poetically describes several of his experiences by the lake, including how the water and surrounding hills transformed during a storm. “There is darkening in the water, then a white line races towards you, followed closely by a pitch-black mass, which only a second ago was an innocent, gentle green,” he writes. He clearly understood the power, surprise, and inspiration that nature can bestow.

Interior from Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube. Text © 2024 by Kerry Aradhya. Illustrations © 2024 by Kara Kramer. Used with permission from Peachtree Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

Years later, it was during a walk by another body of water—the Danube River—that Ernő Rubik came up with the idea to use a round internal mechanism to hold all the pieces of his cube together. Watching the river water swirling and twirling around some round pebbles along the shore was the impetus. When he set out for his walk that day, Rubik probably had no idea how it would affect his creative process. But, given his lifelong connection to nature, he likely had an inkling that it could affect it in some way.

Interior from Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube. Text © 2024 by Kerry Aradhya. Illustrations © 2024 by Kara Kramer. Used with permission from Peachtree Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.

As I reflect back on all the manuscripts I’ve written over the years, I see that nature has played a role in my creative process as well. In fact, I recently (meaning just a few minutes ago, as I was writing this post) reviewed all the poems I have published in children’s magazines and discovered that two-thirds of them have nature themes! Now that I’m thinking about it, I do remember walking in our neighborhood many times, paying attention to the sights and sounds around me, letting my mind roam freely, catching any interesting ideas that fluttered by, so I could play with them when I got home.

Although it’s difficult to find the time and resources for overnight writing retreats, I’ve been fortunate to have gone on a few over the past decade. The longest was a week spent at the Wellstone Center in the Redwoods, near the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California. Nestled among the redwoods, with a garden outside my door and trails through the forest only steps away, I had one of the most productive weeks I’ve ever had in terms of my creative writing.

In each of these scenarios, being away from my normal environment, responsibilities, and stressors allowed me to relax and open my mind, because that’s what nature does—whether you’re in it for days, hours, or merely minutes. So next time you’re stuck on a revision or can’t quite figure out the ending (or maybe the middle, if you’re like me) of your latest picture book manuscript, consider spending some time in nature. It could affect your creative process in ways you might not expect, or even realize. Nature is powerful, surprising, inspiring. Nature is a nurturer.

Kerry Aradhya has loved puzzling over words and immersing herself in the creative process ever since she was a little girl growing up in Erie, Pennsylvania. She is the author of the picture book biography Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube (Peachtree, 2024) and more than a dozen poems in award-winning children’s magazines such as Babybug, Ladybug, and Highlights High Five. She also supports young writers in her role as a mentor and collaborating artist with the nonprofit Society of Young Inklings. 

When not writing for children, Kerry works as a freelance science writer and editor, performs with a quirky modern dance ensemble, and occasionally muses about children’s literature and dance at her blog, Picture Books & Pirouettes. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, their two daughters, and one cute but naughty pooch named Sofie.

To keep up with Kerry, visit her website https://www.kerryaradhya.com/. Or follow her on social media: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/kerryaradhya, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerry.aradhya/, Blog: http://kerryaradhya.blogspot.com

Three “Pawsitively” Perfect Picture Books For National Foster A Pet Month (My View Book Review)

Title: Bless Our Pets: Poems of Gratitude for Our Animal Friends

Author: Fourteen authors, including Lee Bennett Hopkins

Illustrator: Lita Judge

Publisher/Year: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers/2024

Topic/Theme: Pets, human/animal companionship, poetry anthology, expression of gratitude

Favorite Line: If I could pick a pet to pet, the pet I’d pick is you. (from “A Letter to My Guinea Pig” by Darren Sardelli)

Title: The Writer

Author: Davide Cali

Illustrator: Monica Barengo

Publisher/Year: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers/2022

Topic/Theme: Dogs, human/animal companionship, writer’s life

Of Note: New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2022)

Title: No Cats in the Library

Author: Lauren Emmons

Illustrator: Lauren Emmons

Publisher/Year: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books/2024

Topic/Theme: Cats, human/animal companionship, libraries and librarians, books, reading

Of Note: School Library Journal starred review

Happy National Foster A Pet Month! Kids love pets of all kinds! Growing up with a pet or two helps kids learn compassion and how to care for others. Taking care of pets helps kids learn to be responsible too. And the great joy and love both the kids and the pets feel is so special. If you have room in your home and your heart to foster (or better yet, adopt) a pet from a shelter or rescue organization, please consider it. Here’s the ASPCA’s list of Top 5 Reasons to Foster an Animal in Need and the Best Friends Animal Society’s list of Top 10 Reasons to Foster a Pet. Take a look when you get a moment. In the meantime, enjoy three great picture books all about–you guessed it–pets!

Bless Our Pets is a lovely celebration of pets, all kinds, from the majestic horse to the tiny mouse. Fourteen authors have contributed a poem to this collection. Some rhyme. Some do not. But all convey a child’s love (or at least their wonder, as in the case of the snake) for an animal who has touched their lives, including a parakeet, a hamster, a kitten, and more. Charming and expressive watercolor and colored pencil illustrations by Lita Judge accompany each poem. Kids will enjoy the text and pictures together and will likely experience a range of emotions as some of the poems are joyful, such as “Goldfish” by Linda Trott Dickman, and others perhaps a bit sad, such as “My Old Dog” by Lee Bennett Hopkins. The other 12 contributors are Ann Whitford Paul, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Eric Ode, Ralph Fletcher, Sarah Grace Tuttle, Kristine O’Connell George, Darren Sardelli, B.J. Lee, Charles Ghigna, Lois Lowry, Prince Redcloud, and Joan Bransfield Graham.

Image from Bless Our Pets/copyright © 2024 by Lita Judge

From the jacket flap: One of the last books edited by beloved poet Lee Bennett Hopkins, this endearing anthology expresses children’s gratitude for creatures big and small. [It’s] the perfect tribute to the animal friends who bring so much joy into our everyday lives.

Originally published in Italy, The Writer, by Davide Cali, is the kind of picture book that would appeal to both kids and adults. It stars an adorable French bulldog who watches his human companion type, type, type all day long on his laptop. The clever dog feels it’s his responsibility to make sure his human takes breaks to eat and go for walks. But he needs help. So he plays matchmaker. But things don’t go as planned. The engaging and unusual illustrations by artist Monica Barengo, which were rendered using graphite pencil and digital media, nicely capture the varied expressions of the dog, from who’s point of view the story is told. The story flows at a pleasing pace. Text is sparse, leaving plenty of room for the art. Adults, especially dog-owning writers, will likely relate strongly to the writer’s somewhat solitary life depicted in the book. And kids will love the dog’s many amusing poses and antics. And they may just learn a little something about what it’s like to be a writer.

Image from The Writer/copyright © 2022 by Davide Cali and Monica Barengo

From the back cover: A dog has an important job to do, especially if his human is a writer. But even the world’s best French bulldog can’t do everything. Maybe this perfect pair needs someone new in their lives.

Written and illustrated by Lauren Emmons, No Cats in the Library is a heartwarming story about a sweet stray cat named Clarisse who loves books, especially the kind with pictures. When she discovers the library and tries to get inside, she’s thwarted by the ever-vigilant librarian. She finally sneaks in through the book drop and makes her way to the children’s section where a little girl reads to her, and they both benefit from the experience. Clarisse got to hear a story, and the girl gained confidence in her reading abilities. Hopefully, now, the librarian will let Clarisse stay. The colorful and adorable digitally created illustrations depict a diverse group of kids and adults. This book is overflowing with library and literacy love, and as a former library assistant, I highly recommend it. Studies show that reading to animals helps kids improve their reading skills and build confidence. Wouldn’t it be fun if this was the book a child picked to read to a cat or dog?

Image from No Cats in the Library/copyright © 2024 by Lauren Emmons

From the jacket flap: Meet Clarisse! She’s a clever cat who loves books. She may not understand the dark, squiggly lines, but she can’t get enough of the pictures. One day she stumbles upon a magical building where people walk in empty-handed and come out with an armload of books. She has to find a way inside!

Adult male parakeets have a blue cere (the area above the beak containing the nostrils), while an adult female parakeet’s cere is brown.

Happy Book Birthday to MOON CHOO-CHOO by Mona Voelkel!

Title: Moon Choo-Choo: A Tale of Imagination and Sibling Adventure

Author: Mona Voelkel

Illustrator: Nancy Kincade

Publisher: Arigna Press

Release Date: May 30, 2024 (National Creativity Day)

Format: Paperback, Hardcover, and eBook

Summary: Everybody, time to play. What should we pretend today?

Destination: The Moon

Engine, Engine, Number 3

Shooting through the galaxy.

If our train gets lost in space,

Stars will help us find our place.

Where will imagination take you?

Take a rollicking ride with Moon Choo-Choo and three siblings as they blast off on a journey of imagination. What will they play today? Will they be engineers? Astronauts? Their imagination powers up Moon Choo-Choo. They journey into space, have a lunar lunch, and, despite being low on fuel and threatened by asteroids, make it back home safely. 

Moon Choo-Choo, a 200-word rhyming picture book for ages 3-6, is a joyful celebration of sibling bonds and imaginative play.

Link to Teaching and Discussion Guide: https://issuu.com/monavoelkel/docs/moon_choo-choo_teachers_guide-3?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

*Join Mona and Nancy for their 30 minute “First Read and Review Zoom Party” on May 30, 2024, at 7PM EST: https://forms.gle/ygMC9MntfzNVCnd69

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! For more information, CLICK HERE.

Interview Alert: Jackie Morera

Please welcome debut picture book author Jackie Morera to Frog on a Blog! You may know that today is Memorial Day, the perfect day to talk to Jackie about Abuelo’s Flower Shop because her lovely book, which officially comes out on June 4, 2024, from Beaming Books, highlights grief and sadness and how people remember loved ones they have lost. Abuelo’s Flower Shop is also multigenerational, starring a young girl and her grandfather, and bilingual, featuring a mix of English and Spanish text.

Abuelo’s Flower Shop is especially touching to me because I worked as a floral designer in my father-in-law’s flower shop for 10 years, and I know firsthand how special flowers are and how comforting they can be. Let’s hear more from Jackie about her writing life and her book!

Congratulations on the publication of your debut picture book Abuelo’s Flower Shop! Tell us a little about the story and what inspired it.

JM: Thank you! Abuelo’s Flower Shop is a story about a young girl who, while working alongside her abuelo in his flower shop, discovers the heartbreaking truth about the garden across the way and learns how their flowers help send a very special message to those in need.

The book is loosely inspired by my own experience. Like Elena’s abuelo, my grandparents sold flowers from the street in front of their Miami home, which sat catty-cornered from a cemetery. However, the heart of Abuelo’s Flower Shop—discovering the truth about the garden across the street—is entirely Elena’s story. That came from asking myself “what if?” What if I had paid closer attention when I was younger? What if my grandfather and I had that conversation? How might that have played out? And so, a story was born.

Jackie Morera’s grandfather with some of his flowers

What message do you hope kids will take away from the story?

JM: I hope they’ll walk away from the story with the confidence to ask questions, even (and maybe especially) when it may be uncomfortable to do so. Elena’s story is largely one about understanding loss and empathizing with those who are grieving, but, at its core, it’s about a little girl who asks “why?”

How long have you wanted to be a writer, and what influenced your love for books and writing?

JM: For as long as I can remember, I have always loved storytelling. I was fortunate to grow up in a home filled with books and with parents who encouraged reading, writing, and creativity. Some of my earliest memories are of my dad folding sheets of paper down into little booklets for me to write my own stories in, which he would pair with his illustrations. Later on, when we bought our first video camera, I would spend entire weekends writing and recording plays in my room. I carried that passion with me through the rest of my schooling and even into college where I briefly studied English Literature and Creative Writing. Of course, life takes you a roundabout way to accomplishing your goals sometimes, and ambitions change, but I’m happy I found my way back to my first true love.

You also write young adult novels. How do you switch your writer’s brain between writing for teens and writing picture books?

JM: It’s funny you ask because writing picture books happened sort of by accident for me. Young adult novels were my first love, as far as writing is concerned, so those are what I wrote almost exclusively for many years. Until, one day, I found myself sleep-deprived, nursing my (at the time) infant son, and suffering from the worst case of writer’s block I’d ever experienced. I was desperate to get back to writing and, in taking stock of what sparked inspiration, dove into studying the newest additions to our bookshelves—picture books! My first attempt at writing a picture book manuscript of my own was meant to be a creative exercise and nothing more, so switching my writer’s brain from writing for teens to writing picture books was a welcome change. Now, it does take a little more effort to toggle between the two, but I find I still turn to my picture book manuscripts as an escape. I would say the easy answer is that I’m able to switch my writer’s brain between writing for an older audience and writing for kids by letting my inner child run free on the page.

What were your first impressions of artist Deise Lino’s illustrations for Abuelo’s Flower Shop?

JM: Complete adoration! My immediate thought (well, once the crying subsided) was that she did a wonderful job of capturing the story exactly as I pictured it in my mind. Deise was quite far along in her illustration process when our publishing team shared her work with me, so it was almost like reading the entire story with the art at once. It was very special!

What are you working on now? More picture books?

JM: I’m currently in the editorial phase of a third (still unannounced) picture book that’s set to release in the Fall of 2026. I’m also tinkering with a few other picture book manuscripts, slowly drafting a second young adult novel, and outlining my first middle grade novel.

Thank you so much for having me on Frog on a Blog. It’s been a joy!

Jackie Morera is a Cuban-American author of books for young readers of all ages. Born and raised in Miami, Jackie lives in Central Florida with her husband, son, and goofy pup. She enjoys telling stories, savoring pastelitos, and cozying up for a good nap.

Her debut picture book, Abuelo’s Flower Shop, illustrated by Deise Lino and published by Beaming Books, hits shelves on June 4, 2024. Jackie’s sophomore picture book, Together We Remember, illustrated by Violeta Encarnacíon, is scheduled for a Summer 2025 release by publisher Make Me a World.

Connect with Jackie Morera online by visiting TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter/X @jmorerabooks, Goodreads or her website jmorerabooks.com.

Interview Alert: Jana Locke

Happy World Turtle Day! It’s the perfect day to welcome Jana Locke, a picture book author and self-proclaimed passionate public servant, to Frog on a Blog to share her book Vote for Turtle. It might be a presidential election year, but Jana’s adorable book features something a whole lot more fun, especially for kids: voting for state symbols (and, of course, turtles). Vote for Turtle is a great first introduction to civic participation, democracy, and politics, as well as to how kids can make a difference by raising awareness of things that are important to them. Let’s hear more from Jana!

Congratulations on the publication of your timely picture book Vote for Turtle! Tell us about the story and what inspired it.

JL: Thank you, Lauri! I am really honored to be here. I loved reading your past reviews and interviews, and I created a long to-read list based on your featured authors and books.

Vote for Turtle is a story about a shy student named Ella who loves turtles more than anything. While her class is learning about the different symbols of their state, Ella notices that her state doesn’t have a state reptile. Normally content to stay quiet in class, Ella is drawn out of her shell (ha ha) as she advocates for her beloved turtle, first, among her classmates, and then, ultimately, at the state capitol. Vote for Turtle is a picture book about civic engagement and kids making a difference. I hope that the story shows that young people have the power and ability to influence elected officials and participate in democracy, even if they can’t vote yet.

This book is inspired by and based on true stories of kids creating state symbols in many states. All states have symbols, from flags to flowers and mottos to minerals, that represent their natural, cultural, and social heritage. Students across the country have been responsible for proposing and passing laws to create new state symbols in multiple states, and my story is a fictional account of their efforts. When I was doing research for this story, I found many compelling examples of groups of kids seeing the need for a new symbol, speaking up, and successfully initiating and passing a bill through the legislature. I thought the creation of a new symbol was a really tangible, accessible, and powerful way of teaching kids about the lawmaking process through a picture book. It took me many years and many drafts to figure out how to tell the story in a succinct but meaningful way, and I hope I accomplished that! My goal is to write books that befriend kids for life and inspire them to impact the world around them.

Why do you feel it’s important for kids to learn about democracy and the process of creating laws?

JL: Civics is really about co-creating the world we live in; it’s about a shared investment in protecting the social fabric that binds us together. Theodore Roosevelt said, “The government is us; we are the government, you and I.” Like anything, being a civically engaged citizen takes exposure and practice. Paying attention to current events, knowing who your local representatives are, and voting are all habits to develop. If kids (and adults for that matter) understand that they can make a difference, they are more likely to participate in democratic processes. I think it is sometimes easy for everyone, kids and adults, to feel like we are powerless to affect anything around us, that our vote or our voice doesn’t matter, and to sort of opt out as a result. I hope this book shows that we can all make a difference if we take the time to participate in the process.

Where can readers go to learn more about their own state’s symbols?

JL: There are a lot of great resources for this, but the most comprehensive one I’ve found is a website I’ve included in the back matter of my book called statesymbolsusa.org. Each state’s government also usually has a site that lists the symbols. There are some standard symbols that every state has, like a flag and a flower, but what I find really interesting is what unique symbols states choose. For example, Alaska’s state fossil is a wooly mammoth, California’s state fabric is denim, Maryland’s state sport is jousting, and Mississippi’s state toy is a teddy bear! As far as I know, each of these items was created by law, and school children or specific groups of citizens are often behind the efforts to pass these types of laws. Some have very interesting stories about how they came to be. I’m from Colorado, so the illustrator showcased some Colorado symbols to show what Ella’s class was studying in the book.

How was Summer Morrison chosen to illustrate Vote for Turtle, and were the two of you able to collaborate at all on the art for your book?

JL: I love Summer’s art; it is so inviting and engaging. Summer was one of a few illustrators that my publisher offered, and we met a couple of times via Zoom during the process. I tried to leave a lot of room for the illustrator in the manuscript and to not be overly prescriptive of the pictures. It was amazing to me how Summer caught on to certain parts of the text and was able to enhance the words with her drawings. She added layers to the story through the illustrations, like showing Ella, the main character, wearing a hoodie as a way for her to hide, kind of like wearing a shell. As Ella gathers courage, her hood drops. I thought this was a beautiful way to show a character trait without adding to the story’s word count.

Can you share an interesting fact about turtles?

JL: I really love turtles! This is part of my collection of little turtles that my dad started many years ago and that I inherited and have continued to add to over the years.

They are fascinating creatures, in my view. My favorite fact about turtles is that they are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are nearly universal creatures, which is rare.

Turtles are known for being pretty stoic, and are not what you think of as cuddly. But, I had a recent experience that has me researching whether turtles show affection. My family and I were at Sea World last month and we were watching the giant tortoises. Two were parked right in front of us, and one was off to the side a bit. The one on the side slowly lifted its head and set out very purposefully but very slowly toward its friends. This was a tortoise on a mission! It took a minute or two, but this tortoise crossed the 15 feet to the others. My daughter and I were wondering what it was going to do – was it going to collide with the others? Was it being aggressive? It stopped directly perpendicular to another tortoise, and very slowly put its head right against the other. It was very sweet and made me wonder if even the hardest shelled creatures have soft feelings.

Vote for Turtle received a Firebird Book Award. Congratulations! Please tell us a little about that achievement!

JL: Thank you! I was very honored to receive this award. As an independently published author, I am thankful for awards like this that highlight the work of small presses that might not otherwise be recognized. I love that the entry fees for this award go to supporting people, including children, who are experiencing homelessness, and the children’s books, once reviewed and scored, are distributed at shelters. So I was delighted to win, and also delighted to help support a great cause.

Alaska-born and Colorado-raised, Jana Locke is a passionate public servant who has worked in state and federal government for over 20 years, including time as a Presidential Management Fellow. Bitten by the political bug early in life, Jana is excited to share the power of civic participation with kids. Her parents showed her how persistent and persuasive individuals can make an impact in the world, and she hopes this story passes that lesson on. Jana lives with her husband, two children, two cats, and a dog in Denver. Oh, and she loves turtles!

Visit Jana’s website, https://www.janalocke.com, for more information about her and her book Vote for Turtle, which was published in 2023 by Orange Hat Publishing.

Happy Book Birthday to THE WORLD IN OUR BACKYARD by Jami Gigot!

Title: The World In Our Backyard

Author: Jami Gigot

Illustrator: Jami Gigot

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Release Date: May 21, 2024

Format: Hardcover and eBook

Summary: As children play together, a sandbox becomes a desert, sidewalk chalk drawings become an art gallery, and everything that can be dreamed up is within reach. From forests to hike and mountains to climb, oceans to sail and castles to build, creative little ones don’t have to look any farther than their own backyard for wonderful things to be discovered!

“Sprightly, colorful digital illustrations and spare but stirring text brim with childlike creativity and wonder. There’s lots of fun to be had in your own backyard—and in this lively book.” – Kirkus Reviews, 4/15/24

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! For more information, CLICK HERE.

Happy Book Birthday to THE TRUTH ABOUT STEPMOMS by Renee Bolla!

Title: The Truth About Stepmoms

Author: Renee Bolla

Illustrator: Jack Button

Publisher: RNB Press

Release Date: May 12, 2024

Format: Hardcover and eBook

Summary: Join the adventure of a stepdaughter and stepmother as they discover the true magic of family in The Truth About Stepmoms.

The story follows a young girl’s humorous yet heartfelt investigation as she
attempts to uncover the truth about her new stepmom, Via. But to her surprise,
she discovers that Via does not change into the wicked figure she heard about
from friends, books, and movies but remains the same caring, fun-loving, and
kind-hearted individual who brings love and joy to her life in unexpected ways.

The Truth About Stepmoms celebrates the precious bond that can grow between children and their stepmothers, debunking common stereotypes and fostering a positive understanding of blended families.

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.

Happy Book Birthday to SUMMER: A SOLSTICE STORY by Kelsey E. Gross!

Title: Summer: A Solstice Story

Author: Kelsey E. Gross

Illustrator: Renata Liwska

Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Format: Hardcover

Summary: It’s early morning, and the forest seems silent, but life is all around. As the sun shines through the pines, one by one, the animals wake. Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to celebrate summer and offer loving wishes as they send their young into the world.

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.

Research, Not Just for Non-Fiction by Bridgitte Rodguez

Please welcome artist and picture book author Bridgitte Rodguez to Frog on a Blog! Bridgitte’s beautiful book A Walk Through the Redwoods, which published last fall from Reycraft Books, is overflowing with lovely imagery in both text and illustrations (by Natalia Bruno). It features an abundance of plant and animal life, as well as tons of factual information. On her website, Bridgitte says, “I write stories intended to create an experience for the reader. I want my readers, be they young or old, to go on a journey.” And that’s exactly what you’ll do as you accompany a girl and her aunt on a walk through the redwood forest.

Today is National Arbor day, the perfect day for Bridgitte to stop by and speak a bit about her journey writing A Walk Through the Redwoods, especially the research she did to add an extra layer to her fictional story. Let’s hear from Bridgitte!

The definitions we learned in school for fiction and non-fiction are pretty straightforward. Fiction is not real and non-fiction is real. However, there are many caveats to that. Especially these days, when children’s books can take on many forms: informational fiction, realistic fiction, narrative non-fiction, creative non-fiction, etc. I mostly write in the informational/realistic fiction space. Which by my definition means that the story itself is fictional, though could be based on real people, real places, and the characters do things and experience things that a real person could do.

My debut picture book, A Walk Through the Redwoods, illustrated by Natalia Bruno, published from Reycraft Books in September 2023. It is an example of informational fiction. The story of a kid going on a walk through the redwoods is fictional. But it could happen. Anyone can take a walk in the redwoods, which is what makes it realistic fiction. It is considered informational fiction, because the book provides facts about the real redwoods and the plants and animals that call it home, through the use of sidebars. In effect, you learn something real.

The fictional story of walking through the redwoods, comes through my many experiences of walking through the redwoods as a student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, which is nestled amongst a redwood forest. The events in the story did not take place as written, but come from many different experiences I had in the redwoods.

As I was writing the story, I knew I wanted to write a fictional story— create an experience for the reader. But because the redwoods are a real place, and so few books are written about them, I wanted to impart facts to the reader. I wanted the reader to learn a little bit about what makes the redwoods so unique and special.

In my original manuscript, the aunt character was imparting these facts to the kid, sort of in a question and answer format. It was my editor at Reycraft, Winsome Bingham—a true champion of the manuscript, who suggested that the facts be pulled out of the story text and instead be formatted as sidebars. I agreed, and it made for a much more compelling story! And two different ways to read and interact with the book.

Once the decision was made to include factual sidebars—I realized that the facts needed to be wholly accurate and not just based on my experiences. I also realized that I needed to include a few more so that they seemed purposeful and not random. Thus, I began to do some research.

Because this was not a true non-fiction story, I didn’t do a deep research dive. But I did look at non-fiction books about the redwoods, both for kids and adults to see what kinds of facts they provided. I also reviewed websites such as the National Park Service and the California State Parks where the redwoods are located for information on the other animals that live in the redwoods. Additionally, I read a few scholarly articles that I found through online searches, just to further flesh out the redwood ecosystem.

My research was purely casual. Meaning, the book’s intention is not to provide a science lesson, but rather to spark curiosity for the reader about a real place. To entice the reader to want to experience and learn more. Because they now know, they are reading about a real place and real animals and real plants.

Research doesn’t require huge amounts of effort or time. It all depends on what your goals for your story are. What do you want your reader to come away with? For informational and realistic fiction, a little bit of research can add another layer to your story. It can take your reader from the pretend to real possibilities of activities and experiences that they, too, can have.

Bridgitte Rodguez was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in sunny San Diego. She attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she fell in love with redwood trees and nature, as well as earned a BA in Anthropology. At George Washington University, in Washington, DC, Bridgitte earned an MA in Anthropology and spent hours at the many museums in the city and spent many years working at one! She now lives in New York City spending her days writing, making art, and wandering the streets.

You can occasionally find her on social media @KidsBookWriting or on her website www.BridgitteRodguez.com. She also attempts to regularly write the Substack columns: Everyday Creative and Bread & Books, as well as post her artistic experimentations to her Redbubble Shop; StickFigureArts.

Two Tree-Mendous Picture Books For Arbor Day And Earth Day (My View Book Review)

Title: Hello, Trees

Author: Bailey Bezuidenhout

Illustrator: Maria Lebedeva

Publisher/Year: Kane Miller/2023 (first American edition)

Topic/Theme: Trees, seasons, nature, emotions, self-reflection

Of Note: Expressive text and illustrations

Title: Tree Spirits

Author: Louise Wannier

Illustrator: April Tatiana Jackson

Publisher/Year: True Roses Books/2023 (second edition)

Topic/Theme: Trees, emotions, imagination

Of Note: Rhyming text, interactive illustrated overlays, and color photographs

I love trees of all shapes and sizes, so it’s my pleasure to share today, just in time for Earth Day and Arbor Day, which are both this week, two children’s picture books that take our relationship with trees to the next level. Before I tell you more about these books, let me back up just a bit. I mentioned that I love trees, but so do kids! There’s an interesting fascination that kids have with trees. Maybe it’s because trees are so big and kids are small. Or maybe it’s because trees come in many shapes and sizes and even colors. Trees are fun to climb and play in or play under. And trees often hold surprises, like birds and nests, squirrels and nuts, and pinecones and flowers. Let’s not forget the trees that change color in fall, like maples and oaks, and provide piles of crunchy leaves to jump in.

Yes, kids love trees, and that’s a good thing because trees are so very important in many ways. They remove carbon dioxide from the air we breathe, filter water, slow flooding, provide shade, support wildlife, and supply food and even medicines. My hope is that kids will take their love for and fascination with trees into adulthood and always appreciate them and find ways to protect them and our environment. In the meantime, picture books, like the ones I’m sharing today, will help kids love trees even more.

Hello, Trees is a lyrical story that follows a little girl through the seasons from spring to winter and back around to spring again. The kind, unnamed girl clearly cares about trees and has many questions that show her concern for their wellbeing. She wonders if they have souls. She compares their trunks and roots and branches to bodies, legs, and arms. And she asks if they feel pain or cold. The text is simple yet thought provoking, and it also evokes emotions, such as happiness and sadness. The illustrations are charming and full of life. As the seasons change, we see leaves just beginning to sprout in spring, branches overflowing with green leaves in summer, fall-colored leaves in autumn (as in the picture below), and bare trees surrounded by snow in winter. Along the way, we meet an abundance of insects, birds, and squirrels. On a couple of spreads, the girl shares names of trees she knows, like pine and willow, and some with strange sounding names, like wisteria and rainbow eucalyptus. Overall, this is a lovely book to share with the tree lovers in your family.

Image from Hello, Trees/copyright © 2023 by Bailey Bezuidenhout and Maria Lebedeva

Back cover blurb: This is a book about trees. Do trees have souls? Why do they have such wrinkly skin? Do they smile? And how do they feel about birds’ nests in their branches? Let’s find out.

Tree Spirits is a fun, interactive picture book that also asks questions and introduces emotions and features cute animals, but in a very different way from the first book. Simple, rhyming text and color photos of various trees on each spread encourage kids to use their imaginations as they ask themselves what they see when they look at each tree. Here’s how it works: A tree is pictured on one page, then you turn the page and see the same tree with an illustrated overlay depicting an animal. About 10 different animals are included, such as an alligator, a rabbit (see the cover image above), an octopus, and a horse. Here’s the text that goes with the first tree image below: “Oh my, what have we here? I see five columns standing quite near.” Then, after the child turns the page, they see the next image (second image below), which has an illustrated overlay, and we read: “Could it be a young elephant deep in a funk, crying big tears as they run down his trunk? Little elephant is feeling quite sad.” This book is for tree enthusiasts of all ages, especially those who love to stretch their imaginations, and it’s also a good first introduction for kids to different feelings, including more complicated ones, like eagerness, shyness, and alertness.

Images from Tree Spirits/copyright © 2023 by Louise Wannier and April Tatiana Jackson

It’s worth noting that the reader may not always see the same image in the shape of the tree that the author or illustrator saw (I know I didn’t), and that’s part of the fun! For example, where they saw an alligator, I saw a dinosaur!

Out of the 25 known species of chipmunks (small, striped members of the squirrel family), 24 species are found only in North America.

Happy Book Birthday to DADDY, TELL ME A STORY by Kathleen Long Bostrom!

Title: Daddy, Tell Me a Story

Author: Kathleen Long Bostrom

Illustrator: Ela Smietanka

Publisher: WorthyKids

Release Date: April 16, 2024

Format: Hardcover

Summary: Bedtime is looming, and Sophie wants to hear a story. So she asks her dad—the best storyteller she knows—to tell her one. He’s just started telling a story about a queen and a unicorn when—HOLD ON—this is not the story Sophie had envisioned! She interrupts to request a teeny, tiny change. And then she interrupts again, and again, and again, resulting in an entertaining game of storytelling ping pong as Sophie and Daddy work together to create an unforgettable tale. This beautifully illustrated book is a sweet tribute to daughters, their daddies, and the time they share together.

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.

Interview Alert: Wendy Goldstein

Calling all dog lovers! Happy Dog Therapy Appreciation Day! Please welcome Wendy Goldstein to Frog on a Blog! It’s a real treat to have Wendy here today to talk about her picture book Oscar’s Blue Bandana, which she both wrote and illustrated. The book stars her very own adorable dog Oscar, a Havanese, who is a real-life therapy dog. Wendy and Oscar visit kids at a cancer treatment center in New York City and a home for children and their families who receive care at New York City hospitals. Oscar’s story melts my heart, and I know it will warm yours as well. Let’s hear more from Wendy!

Congratulations on the publication of your adorable picture book Oscar’s Blue Bandana! Tell us a bit about the story and what inspired it.

WG: Oscar is a playful and talented Havanese dog. He loves to make people smile by showing off his many tricks. When Oscar and I were given the chance to become a therapy dog team, we were so excited. After all, Oscar proved he would be a great therapy dog during his visits to my father when he was in the hospital. But on therapy dog test day, Oscar froze! You will need to read Oscar’s Blue Bandana to find out what happened next.

Oscar’s Blue Bandana was inspired by Oscar’s journey to become a therapy dog. Although the book is fiction, it is based on fact. I became inspired to write the book after realizing that once you tell a story over and over, it should be written down and shared widely.

Meet the real Oscar! And view more pictures of this cute and talented dog on Wendy’s website, Oscar Tales (click the photo).

Why do you believe Havanese dogs make great therapy dogs?

WG: Any breed can be a therapy dog, but the dog must be well-trained, calm, friendly, and comfortable with new places and people. The Havanese traits tend to match these requirements. The breed is often described as happy, loving, playful, and social. They are also known to be highly intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please. Oscar fits this description. I also believe that Havanese likely have a genetic disposition to being therapy dogs as, historically, they were used as circus dogs who entertained Cuban royalty.

What route did you take to publish your book—traditional, self-published, hybrid—and why?

WG: I chose to self-publish Oscar’s Blue Bandana for two main reasons. First, it was very important to me that I was able to write and illustrate the story. Second, I wanted to control the timeline. My goal was to publish the story now while Oscar is fully engaged as a therapy dog.

How did you decide to illustrate the book yourself?

WG: As I was writing and editing the manuscript, it became clear that I would need to illustrate the book to ensure that the pictures depicted the actual events. I did not want the illustrations to fictionalize Oscar’s true journey. Oscar’s Blue Bandana is narrated in the first person by Oscar. The colorful, whimsical art reflects Oscar’s playful, childlike voice and is designed to bring joy to the reader.

What do you hope kids will take away from reading Oscar’s Blue Bandana?

WG: My hope is that this book will encourage kids to follow their dreams, act from the heart, and never give up.

Are you working on any more books? Will we see Oscar again in future picture books?

WG: My intent is that Oscar’s Blue Bandana is the first book in a series known as The Oscar Tales.

Where can people go to connect with you online or learn more about your books, about Oscar, and about therapy dogs?

WG: People can connect with me through my author website at www.Oscartales.com. The website includes fun information about Oscar, his habits, and personal favorites. The website also has activities for readers, such as coloring pages, word scrambles, word searches, and bookmarks. It also includes great videos of Oscar performing some of his tricks. Information about therapy dogs and how to register with a local therapy dog organization also is provided on Oscartales.com.

You can also follow Oscar’s adventures and his work as a therapy dog on Instagram at Oscar_myhavanese.

Wendy Goldstein never owned a dog before Oscar. Oscar quickly showed her that dogs are better than people. Wendy got the idea to write and illustrate books about Oscar when a crowd gathered and began cheering for him as he started dancing on his hind legs in the streets of New York City.

When Wendy is not volunteering at healthcare facilities with Oscar, or writing and illustrating books about him, she is an attorney in New York City representing clients in healthcare and life sciences. Wendy always tells Oscar that he is the best birthday gift she ever got from his dad, her wonderful husband.

Happy Book Birthday to THE MOCHI MAKERS by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson!

Title: The Mochi Makers

Author: Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson

Illustrator: Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Format: Hardcover and eBook

Summary: A girl and her grandmother spend the day making mochi together in this gentle and joyous “storytelling treat” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) celebrating family, tradition, and the memories that matter most.

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.

Two New Picture Books For Easter (My View Book Review)

Title: Journey with Jesus: an Easter Story

Author: Ann Ingalls

Illustrator: Steliyana Doneva

Publisher/Year: Paraclete Press/2024

Topic/Theme: Easter, the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christian holiday

Of Note: Meaningful, rhyming text and vivid illustrations

Favorite Line(s): And soon the ground began to shake. The skies grew dark, a huge earthquake! The guardians were terrified! “This was the son of God!” they cried.

Title: Bear Finds Eggs

Author: Karma Wilson

Illustrator: Jane Chapman

Publisher/Year: Margaret K. McElderry Books/2024

Topic/Theme: Friendship, eggs, helping others

Of Note: Sweet, rhyming text, vivid illustrations, and cute animals

Favorite Line(s): Bear leaves a present in the straw and the sticks. “Some sweet, dried berries for the soon-to-be chicks.”

It may be St. Patrick’s Day today, but did you know that Easter is just two weeks away? Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian faith because it celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the dead. Interestingly, the date of Easter changes each year because it’s based on the lunar calendar. It generally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (first day of spring). That’s why Easter can occur anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

Many people, including non-Christians, celebrate Easter around the world. I grew up Catholic, and I have fond memories of attending a special Easter mass at church (usually sporting a new outfit), having a delicious dinner at home, and dying eggs in lots of fun, bright colors. We also enjoyed Easter baskets filled with chocolate bunnies and eggs, jelly beans, and various other candies. Mom hid our baskets somewhere in the house, and we had a lot of fun finding them.

Some people include other things besides candy in their kids’ Easter baskets, such as toys and books. Including books about Easter is a no-brainer, and I’ve got two lovely–and very different–Easter-themed children’s picture books to share with you today.

Journey with Jesus: an Easter Story is a good first introduction to the origins of the Christian celebration of Easter. Detailed illustrations and rhyming text will capture a young reader’s attention as they follow the path of Jesus from the day He enters the city of Jerusalem upon a humble donkey to the night He was betrayed to His heartbreaking crucifixion to His joyous Resurrection from the dead. This Bible-based story is moving and, at times, sad and, perhaps, a little heavy, as it depicts scenes of betrayal and injustice, as well as Jesus’s death upon the cross, but the ending brings joy and hope. When sharing Journey with Jesus: an Easter Story with children, be prepared to reassure them and possibly answer questions. Pairing this book with others about Jesus is recommended so that kids can learn more about His life and who He is.

Image from Journey with Jesus/copyright © 2024 by Ann Ingalls and Steliyana Doneva

Summary from the back cover: Walk with Jesus through the special days of Holy Week. From the joy of Palm Sunday to the love and mystery of the Last Supper, from the sorrow of the Garden of Gethsemane to the triumph of the empty Garden Tomb, young readers are invited to journey with Jesus all the way to Easter and experience His great love for each one of us.

Bear Finds Eggs is the latest book in Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman’s popular The Bear Books series. This super sweet, brightly illustrated (in acrylic paint) story follows all of the familiar and adorable animal friends on a mission to find Mama Meadowlark’s four lost eggs. As they discover each one, they decide to paint them so that they’ll be easier to spot if they ever go missing again. Told in fun-to-read rhyme, Bear Finds Eggs isn’t overtly Easter-themed, but, instead, the holiday is alluded to via the painted eggs, the egg hunt, the way the word Eggs is colorfully depicted on the cover, and the fact that it’s Hare who brings a basket to put the eggs into. This simple friendship story is actually perfect for spring because it’s brimming with cute, baby birds–robins, ducklings, and, of course, meadowlarks–who all hatch from pretty eggs discovered by Bear and his pals.

Image from Bear Finds Eggs/copyright © 2024 by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Summary from the jacket flap: In the forest, near the glen, on a wild, wooded trail, Bear and his friends spot eggs! Bear is leaving little presents for the soon-to-hatch chicks when he hears the call. Mama Meadowlark has lost her eggs! How will she find them all?

A hinny is the result of a cross between a female donkey and a male horse, while a mule is the result of a cross between a male donkey and a female horse.

Happy Book Birthday to MISS MACDONALD HAS A FARM by Kalee Gwarjanski!

Title: Miss MacDonald Has A Farm

Author: Kalee Gwarjanski

Illustrator: Elizabet Vukovic

Publisher: Doubleday, Random House Children’s Books

Release Date: March 12, 2024

Format: Hardcover

Summary: In this female-forward spin on the traditional children’s song “Old MacDonald”, readers can join Miss MacDonald on her vegetable farm and see all the work that goes into growing healthy and delicious produce. With a “weed-weed” here and a “pick-pick” there, young readers can follow Miss MacDonald as she tends to her vegetable farm. It’s a rollicking, rhyming read-aloud that ends in a community feast and celebrates themes of healthy eating, plant-based meals, local produce, gardening, seasons, and female farmers.

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.

Interview Alert: Leslie Eva Tayloe (+ a Giveaway!)

Please welcome picture book author Leslie Eva Tayloe to Frog on a Blog! When Leslie first reached out to me about her upcoming book Save the Trees, I knew I wanted to hear more because I love trees and I know she does too. And when I learned her story was about invasive vines overtaking trees, which is something that’s happened here in my town, too, I was more than happy to feature an interview with Leslie on my blog.

Let’s hear more from Leslie about Save the Trees, which has received a lot of advance praise! (Be sure to read to the end for a chance to win either a 30-minute Zoom book read and Q&A with a classroom OR a picture book manuscript critique from Leslie!)

Congratulations on the publication of your upcoming picture book Save the Trees, which officially publishes April 11, 2024, not long before Earth Day! Tell us about the story and what inspired it.

L.E.T.: I’m so glad to be here. Thank you so much.

Save the Trees is about a little boy named Ronnie. He loves trees. So when strange vines appear all over town on the trees, strangling them and making them fall over, he and his friend Leona pick, pull, and pluck the vines from the trees. But they need help, so Ronnie rallies community support to help save the trees!

This story was inspired by my partner, Michael, and I moving to a 74+ acre property. On our small farm, we have over 25 species of trees. We discovered invasive vines posed a threat to our native trees and plants. We conducted a lot of research and reached out to the local county’s agricultural office, inviting them to look at the invasive plants and vines on our property. To help solve our invasive plant problem, we picked, pulled, and plucked the vines and plants both from the trees and the ground. This is an ongoing effort every year, and can be very overwhelming, but we’ve saved many of our native trees and plants. Last year we planted over 200 native trees on our property.

Image from Save the Trees

Why do you feel this story was important to tell?

L.E.T.: This story is important to tell to educate kids and adults about the problem with invasive plant species and their impact on native plants and trees. The green vines climbing trees may be pretty to some people, but the vines will actually bring down a tree. Teachers can use this book as a starting point for hands-on activities like tree planting, gardening, or organizing a community project to combat invasive species. It’s important to instill a sense of environmental stewardship by encouraging kids and adults to take actions to protect and preserve trees in their communities. Also, it’s important to note that people should research the type of plants they are purchasing for their gardens, as many garden shops sell invasive plants, and if not taken care of, can spread to other gardens and open fields.

What route did you take to publish your book—traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing—and why?

L.E.T.: My first book, I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today (Austin Macauley Publishers, 2022), and Save the Trees (Brandylane, April 11, 2024), are both published by traditional publishers with a hybrid imprint. I heard from Austin Macauley Publishers fairly quickly after submitting in 2020. I did my research on the company, and I could afford the small hybrid cost, so I went for it. And it was the same with Brandylane Publishers. I wanted my story to be published, and I definitely wasn’t interested in self-publishing, so I signed. Both publishing companies are so different to work with that it was a huge learning experience. I have enjoyed working with both companies. I think some people get confused over hybrid vs. vanity. A legit hybrid publisher has a vested interest in the author and the book, and they are selective in what they publish. Whereas a vanity press publishes anything. I believe that both of my publishers have a vested interest in me as an author and my books.

My third book, Eduardo’s Attic Door, was written in 2021, and after two years of submitting it to publishers, Doodle and Peck Publishing picked up the story in 2023. Doodle and Peck Publishing is a straight traditional publisher—no hybrid. This was a dream of mine to have one of my stories traditionally published where I didn’t have to shell out any money! I’m very excited. Eduardo’s Attic Door releases this winter, 2024.

Advance praise (on back cover) for Save the Trees

How well do artist Lintang Pandu Pratiwi’s illustrations capture the message you express in your text?

L.E.T.: As part of the process of working with Brandylane Publishers, I selected Lintang as my illustrator. I reviewed other artists’ work and thought Lintang would do a great job. I wanted to make sure the illustrations captured invasives harming the trees and the struggle that the main character had with saving them. I’m very pleased with Lintang’s work. She did a beautiful job in capturing the message.

Please share tips on how people can get started helping trees in their own communities.

L.E.T.: There are many things that people can do to help save the trees:

  • Look in their own backyards and pick off the invasive vines that are growing on them, so they don’t spread.
  • Check out their local tree-planting events.
  • Join environmental organizations. Several of the endorsements I received for Save the Trees are from people who work for and enjoy nature.
  • Raise awareness of what invasive plants can do to native plants and trees.

Where can people go to connect with you or learn more about your books?

L.E.T.: You can learn more about me and my books at leslieevatayloe.com. Follow me on X: @LeslieTayloe and Instagram: @LeslieEvaTayloe.

Book trailer for Save the Trees:

My book is available through https://www.brandylanepublishers.com/product/save-the-trees/. And online at Barnes and Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon.

During the months of March and April, I will have many ways for people to help promote my new book. I hope they can join me in celebrating!

Each month, I interview an author on my website/blog and do a free book giveaway. If anyone is interested in a free book giveaway, they should subscribe to my newsletter.

GIVEAWAY!

Leslie is generously offering one lucky commenter a choice of either a free 30-minute Zoom book read and Q&A with a classroom OR a picture book manuscript critique (fictional story not over 800 words, no rhymes or poems). I will randomly choose a winner from those who comment on Leslie’s blog interview by March 15th and connect them with Leslie. Good luck!

Leslie Eva Tayloe is a children’s picture book author. Her inspiration for writing I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today (Austin Macauley Publishers, 2022), Save the Trees (Brandylane Publishers, April 11, 2024), and Eduardo’s Attic Door (Doodle and Peck Publishing, Winter 2024) came from her personal life experiences. Leslie also wrote an article for Children’s Book Insider, April 2023 Issue, titled, Marketing Group Helps Writers Collaborate for Success.

She’s a former analyst with the federal government and worked as a substitute teacher for elementary school-aged children. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland. Leslie lives in Virginia with her partner, Michael, two cats, and a dog. She loves to fish on the Rappahannock River, read, take long walks with her black lab Frankie, and craft anything.

Interview Alert: Laura Roettiger (+ a Giveaway!)

Please welcome author Laura Roettiger back to Frog on a Blog! Laura’s been here several times. She reviewed a few picture books here in 2018, she wrote a guest post in 2019 about her debut picture book Aliana Reaches for the Moon, and I reviewed her debut that same year.

Today, it’s my extreme pleasure to feature an interview with Laura about her brand-new picture book An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story, which just published on February 12th by Eifrig Publishing. This adorable book, told in a “news report” style, stars a loveable and humble little wombat, a creature we don’t often see in picture books, along with a cast of other cute animals. Another great feature of the book are all of the factual elements that Laura expertly weaved into the story and included in the back matter about forest fires and about several of Australia’s unusual animals, many of which can’t be found any place else on Earth, like wombats, which, like their well-known koala cousins, are also marsupials!

Let’s hear more from Laura about An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story. And be sure to read to the end for information about how to win either a picture book manuscript critique or a 30-minute Ask Me Anything session from Laura!

Congratulations on the publication of your amazing new picture book An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story! Tell us about the story and what inspired it.

LR: Lauri, thank you so much for having me on your blog! Four years ago, one of the biggest international news stories was the devastating bushfires in New South Wales, Australia. Day after day, the news felt overwhelming, until I saw a story that showed rescuers found other animal species sheltering in wombat burrows. It was early 2020, before the global pandemic, and resulting shutdowns took front and center on everyone’s minds.

Why was this story important to tell?

LR: The bushfires were scary to see, and children were seeing daily reports of animals dying. As a teacher and now an author, my goal is finding a way to take a scary subject and make it manageable. How do we allow children to process the reality of bad things happening?

The cover of An Accidental Hero is really eye catching! How do you feel about Debbie Palen’s incredible illustrations?

LR: The cover, the color palette, and the illustrations are all fantastic. I know it’s unusual in publishing, but the editor wanted my input, so he set up Zoom meetings for the three of us. I had ideas, of course, so I made a few suggestions and some input early on in the process. You mentioned the cover, at one point, Debbie and I shared covers we liked based on color, layout, or other factors to get a sense of what she would create. It was fun to see how those ideas became the eye-catching cover of An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story. It was collaborative in the planning stages, and Debbie definitely brought her own ideas and talent to make the book what you see.

I enjoy seeing the photographs you post on social media of sunrises, the moon, and the outdoors. Tell us about your love of nature and how that translates to your picture book writing.

LR: Thank you, Lauri! I am fortunate to live in Colorado where it is beautiful, and I don’t have to go far to take great pictures. But, truthfully, I have a collection of photographs of roses that people love from my last visit to Evanston, IL. And, of course, people can see the moon or a sunrise wherever they are. I think it’s about stopping to admire the beauty, and I’ve been told I have “an eye” for photography. It’s my art. Just as Debbie creates art through illustration, I create art through photography. I think spending time outdoors is part of my writing process. Nature is always changing if you look closely.

Why do you feel picture books are important for children?

LR: Picture books are an excellent way for anyone, not just children, to be entertained, to learn, to have their imagination and curiosity sparked, and to have their world expanded.

How does your experience as a reading specialist help you as you write, and what are you working on now? More STEM picture books?

LR: My background as a reading specialist allows me to consider different audiences for my writing, and it helps me add different layers and themes in one story. It’s always fun when someone notices another layer I’ve woven in that’s subtle, but important, because I know it spoke to them as a reader. I’m currently working on a middle grade novel, and I always have picture books in the works. I have one picture book that’s newer. It’s a lyrical intergenerational story that I’m revising, and I hope the world loves it as much as I do.

GIVEAWAY!

Laura is generously giving away, to one person who comments on this blog post, their choice of either a picture book manuscript critique or a 30-minute Ask Me Anything session. Just comment on this post by Thursday, March 7th, for your chance to win. I’ll choose the winner at random and connect them with Laura. Good luck!

Laura Roettiger is a reading specialist and award-winning elementary teacher from Chicago, IL, who weaves her passion for STEM learning and fostering kindness into stories for children. Her roots in Chicago remain deep, but now her home and heart are firmly settled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her Goldendoodle Charlie.

After moving to Colorado, Laura focused on writing for children, working in environmental education, and mentoring new teachers at a STEM school. She focuses her writing on characters demonstrating creativity and kindness. 

Her debut, Aliana Reaches for the Moon (Eifrig Publishing, 2019) combines science information with the story of a girl whose curiosity and patience pays off with the light of the full moon.

Her book, An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story (Eifrig Publishing, 2024), is based on events during the aftermath of Australian bushfires in 2019-2020. When Wombat sees the bushfires raging out of control, she learns that helping those in need of sanctuary in a time of crisis provides unexpected rewards.

Laura combines her enthusiasm for helping others with the knowledge and experience she’s gained along the way. This is most recently evidenced in her co-creating the promotion group https://picturebookgold.wixsite.com/website.

To connect with Laura or learn more about her books, please go to her website LauraRoettigerBooks.com or visit her on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.roettiger

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ljrwritenow

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18549873.Laura_Roettiger

Blog: https://lauraroettigerbooks.com/blog/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ljrwritenow.bsky.social

My View Book Review: CREEP, LEAP, CRUNCH: A Food Chain Story by Jody Jensen Shaffer

Title: Creep, Leap, Crunch: A Food Chain Story

Author: Jody Jensen Shaffer

Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal

Publisher/Year: Alfred A. Knopf/2023

Favorite Line from the Book: There was a huge forest of grasses and trees that blew in the cool of a blustery breeze.

If you’re searching for an action-packed picture book that features animals, nature, educational back matter, and rollicking rhyming text, you’ve found it! Author Jody Jensen Shaffer’s book Creep, Leap, Crunch: A Food Chain Story, has all of that and more. The story, told in a cumulative fashion akin to There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, introduces and “connects” a food chain in a deciduous forest in a satisfying way. Not only that, but the lyrical text is so much fun to read aloud.

I must admit, being an animal lover, I was a tad concerned about how the story was going to turn out. After all, it follows six hungry animals from sunrise to sunset as they swoop in on their prey. But I’m ecstatic to report that, after several daring escapes, the ending is delightful and happy.

Illustrator Christopher Silas Neal’s depictions of landscapes, vegetation, and animals, including various insects, such as a cricket, as well as a deer mouse, a red milk snake, a red-tailed hawk, a red fox, and a black bear, are charming and detailed, and were rendered in slightly muted tones, using mixed media. Be sure to look under the book jacket for a surprise case cover (also known as an undie!).

Back matter features a short glossary and interesting information about each specific animal in the book. For example, black bears can be black, gray, cinnamon, or white. And red milk snakes can grow up to two feet long.

Overall, Creep, Leap, Crunch: A Food Chain Story is a great first introduction to food chains for kids. The very youngest readers may find some of the images a smidge scary, though not enough to deter a parent and child from enjoying the book together.

A female red fox, known as a vixen, can have between 2 and 12 pups per litter.

Happy Book Birthday to AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? A PASSOVER HIDE-AND-SEEK ADVENTURE by Rebecca Gardyn Levington!

Title: Afikoman, Where’d You Go? A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure

Author: Rebecca Gardyn Levington

Illustrator: Noa Kelner

Publisher: Penguin Random House/Rocky Pond Books

Release Date: February 13, 2024

Format: Hardcover, Kindle

Summary: Ask any Jewish child what their favorite part of the Passover seder is and they will undoubtedly say “searching for the afikoman!” This ritual, in which a piece of broken matzah is hidden for the kids to find after the meal, is always a huge hit.

AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? brings this Passover tradition to life — literally. It is Where’s Waldo meets The Gingerbread Man — a fast-paced hide-and-seek romp, starring a smug and sneaky piece of matzah on the run and a kid who will not quit until he’s brought back to the seder table.

Readers are invited to join the hunt by helping the narrator find the clever Afikoman hiding in the illustrations on each page. The text is sprinkled with Hebrew words, and the back matter includes a glossary where readers can learn more about this fun Jewish tradition.

Do you have a children’s picture book coming out soon? I’d love to wish it a Happy Book Birthday here on Frog on a Blog! CLICK for more information.

Interview Alert: Colleen Olle

Please welcome author Colleen Olle to Frog on a Blog! Besides children’s picture books, Colleen also writes literary fiction for adults. Colleen enjoys writing picture books that combine elements of the natural world with fictional characters and plots. That’s exactly what she did in her latest book Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!, the second book to feature the adorable animal friends Sophia the rabbit and Sinclair the turtle.

On her website, colleenolle.com, Colleen says that one of the reasons she writes is because “it provides a playscape for my imagination, a garden, a maze.” Those words are nicely reflected in her book, especially since Sophia and Sinclair find themselves trapped in a maze made of hay bales. Let’s hear more from Colleen about Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!

Congratulations on publishing your second picture book Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost! Tell us a little about the story and what inspired you to write it.

CO: In their second adventure, Sophia, a tireless rabbit, and her best friend Sinclair, a thoughtful turtle, want to play, but their neighbors (a beaver family and a horse) are too busy with autumn chores. Not content to wait, Sophia hops away and finds a strange forest. She and Sinclair wander inside this hay maze and promptly get lost. They argue about which way to go, grumpily separate, and become even more lost—and lonely. Other animals try to help, but nothing works. How will they find each other? How will they find their way out?

Sophia and Sinclair first appeared in Sophia and Sinclair Go on an Adventure!, which I coauthored with my husband. I enjoyed this project so much, I wanted to accompany Sophia and Sinclair on a new adventure.

Your story features some real behaviors that wild animals exhibit. Why was it important to you to include realistic animal actions in your story?

CO: First, I’m drawn to realistic details. In all my writing—picture book and literary fiction, I gravitate toward imagining and bringing to life on the page what I, or my characters, experience in our everyday world. Second, nature amazes and fascinates me. Did you know that moles eat 25 to 40 percent or more of their weight in food each day? Moles eat mostly earthworms and keep them alive and immobile by biting their heads and storing them in the kitchen part of their underground tunnels. I love learning facts like this and incorporate them into stories whenever possible and appropriate. While readers don’t see Olympia, the mole, decapitate her worms, Sinclair does help himself to a mound of earthworms he discovers in her kitchen chamber.

Third, what is imaginary or magical or fantastical in any story often becomes so or feels so because it’s placed or happens within a realistic framework. If I’m grounded in my own reality, like Lewis Carroll’s Alice feeling hot and bored while sitting beside her sister on a riverbank, then I’m more apt to believe that the white rabbit who scurries past me is muttering to himself while taking a watch out of his coat pocket, and why wouldn’t I, consumed by curiosity, chase after him? After all, I’m safe in my own world, at least at the start. I’ve merely discovered what I’ve always hoped possible: other lives and worlds that exist close to but not the same as my own. Finally, given our climate crisis and the probability that our activity is causing the sixth mass extinction on our planet, I’d like to show readers the wonder of the flora and fauna currently around us and to celebrate and enjoy its beauty.

What route did you take to publish your book—traditional, hybrid, self-publishing—and why?

CO: When my husband and I wrote the first picture book, we’d planned on sharing it only with our families, especially our nieces and nephews. Once our illustrator, Marcy Tippmann, started sending us sketches of the characters, we began to think more people might enjoy this book. Around the same time, the pandemic was lasting longer than anyone first predicted. As fear and anxiety took hold and life darkened for many, Jeff and I wanted to share the hope and good cheer of two best friends enjoying the beauty of the world around them. Consequently, in December 2020, we self-published Sophia and Sinclair Go on an Adventure! Since Sophia and Sinclair are in the new book, I of course wanted Marcy to illustrate them again.

How do you feel about artist Marcy Tippmann’s delightful illustrations in Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost?

CO: I love them! We hired Marcy based on her portfolio and her initial character sketches of Sophia and Sinclair. She loves illustrating animals who act like people. As it does me, nature inspires and informs her work.

What do you like most about writing picture books?

CO: Writing picture books engages a different part of my brain, at least it feels that way, than when I write literary fiction. As in a poem, in a picture book, each word matters in sound and sense and simultaneously serves the story. So I love the challenge of shaping the language in a way that will entertain readers. I also enjoy thinking about each scene and imagining what will appear in illustration, at least broadly, on each page.

Are you working on more picture books? Will we see Sophia and Sinclair again in the future?

CO: Yes, Sophia and Sinclair will return! If all goes well, they will next enjoy a wintertime adventure.

Colleen Olle writes incisive and quietly funny literary fiction and charming, naturalistic children’s picture books. She earned an MFA in fiction from the Bennington College Writing Seminars and is a member of 12 x 12, the California Writers Club–San Francisco Peninsula Branch, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

The oldest of five, she grew up in southeast Michigan and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her talented husband, co-author of the children’s picture book Sophia and Sinclair Go on an Adventure!

To learn more about Colleen and her books, please visit her website https://colleenolle.com/ or connect with her on Twitter X and Goodreads.