The Finish The Story Challenge

Hi, it’s me Finley. I have a challenge for all you Frog On A Blog fans out there. Below, I’ve posted the start of a children’s story. What I want you to do is finish it! If I choose your story as my favorite, I’ll send you a surprise. You have to agree to have your story posted on the Frog On A Blog site. It can be as long or as short as you want. The contest will continue until I choose a winner. Good luck and have fun!!

     Lottie peered under her bed intently. “Nope, she’s not under here,” she said aloud. She stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. “Where could she be? I can’t go on vacation with Mama and Daddy for a whole week if I can’t find Lulu.” She pondered for a moment, and then she said, “Mama always says that if you’re trying to find something you’ve lost, you have to remember where you were the last time. So, I have to figure out where I was last time I played with Lulu. Hmm….” Lottie’s words trailed off, and soon she was deep in thought. Her nose and forehead wrinkled up as she tried hard to recall.

     She began to lean back on the bed, and as she did, her shoulder touched something hard. “Ouch,” she cried out, more startled than hurt. She jumped up quickly and turned around. She pulled the covers down and there she was. “Lulu, Lulu, there you are! You were here the whole time!” She scooped her favorite doll up in her arms and hugged her tight. “Mama must have made you up in the bed this morning by mistake. I’m so happy I found you.”

     She twirled Lulu around over her head. The little doll’s ruffled dress and silken hair fluttered as Lottie danced with glee. 

Now, continue the story of Lottie and Lulu!     

For information on how to submit your story, click on The Finish The Story Challenge link in the sidebar.

A Call For A New Alphabet

Cover image  Done in a colorful cartoon style, A Call For A New Alphabet (2011, Charlesbridge) by Jef Czekaj is engaging and lively. The author/illustrator managed to create a book that kids will enjoy, and at the same time, they will learn a lot about the alphabet. They will learn about “i before e except after c”. They will learn about consonants and vowels. They will learn about silent letters and how p and h together sound like the letter f and how sometimes the letter y acts more like a vowel than a consonant and they will learn a lot of new words. PHEW! Yes, he managed to cram all of that and more into one picture book and he did it in a super fun way. A Call For A New Alphabet is well worth a read.

Cat Secrets

Cover image  Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj (2011, Balzer+Bray) is a great pick for the youngest book lovers. The illustrations are cartoon or comic style, colorful, and lively. Kids will have a great time proving they are “cats” by meowing, purring, and stretching. This book would prove popular in a group setting, perhaps in school or in a library story-time session. See if the kids notice the little mouse sneaking onto the pages.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know and More About the Caldecott Process

 For those of you who are interested in the Caldecott award process, I have the ultimate resource. The following link was kindly given to me by Laura M. Schulte-Cooper (Program Officer, Communications, Association for Library Service to Children / a division of the American Library Association). At this link, under the heading Committee Resources, click on Caldecott Medal manual. There you will find everything from the history of the Caldecott award to what goes on at meetings to the presentation of metals. And you’ll learn the roles and responsibilities of committee members. You will also see sample nomination forms and much more. The manual is lengthy, but well worth a look. Super interesting!  

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottcomm/caldecottcommittee.cfm

Quick, Slow, Mango!

Cover image  Can you say “adorable elephant”? Quick, Slow, Mango by Anik McGrory (Bloomsbury, 2011) is a story about friendship. But it also conveys a message to young readers about when it’s appropriate to be quick and when it’s better to be slow. Fantastic pencil and watercolor illustrations adorn this action-filled story. The littlest picture book fans will fall in love with Kidogo the elephant and PolePole the monkey. Along the way, readers will learn some new words. A note in the front of the book says: “The word kidogo means little in Kiswahili. Pole, pole means slowly, slowly and is often used to remind people to take their time.”

Wolves

Cover image  Wolves by Emily Gravett (2006, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) is great fun! Would you like to teach your little reader about wolves in a fun and engaging way? This is the book for you. Here’s the gist of the story: A little rabbit goes to the library and checks out a book about wolves. As the story progresses, he learns more and more about wolves while being blissfully unaware that he is getting closer and closer to an actual wolf. This book is packed with interesting visuals from cover to cover and everywhere in between. I love the unique multimedia illustrations! There’s not a lot of color, but this book doesn’t need it. I think the lack of color, with the splashes of bright red, add to the drama of the story. Wolves is a terrific picture book. There’s even a surprise alternate ending! Check it out!

Urgent: RIF Needs Our Help

 The following information is taken directly from the Reading is Fundamental site. Click the link in the sidebar for more information and to see how you can help.

“The House Appropriations Committee released its recommended spending cuts for the FY11 Continuing Resolution, which includes terminating funding for RIF’s nationwide services. This means 4.4 million of the nation’s most vulnerable children would no longer receive free books and literacy support.” (RIF)

It’s quick and easy to send a message to Congress asking them to support RIF. Just go to the RIF site and follow the instructions. I did.

Caldecott Thoughts

Cover image  And the winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal is…[insert drumroll here]……………………………………………………………………………………………..

 A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead and written by Philip C. Stead (Roaring Brook Press, 2010). 

I always imagined the announcement of the winner would be something like the scenario above, however, I believe in reality, once the winner is chosen by the Caldecott Medal Selection Committee (after much deliberation, I’m sure), the winner is simply and quietly called with the exciting news. How hard a decision it must be to narrow down, possibly from hundreds of picture books published in the previous year, to one winner and two honor books. If anyone has more information about the process, please share with the rest of us.

I like A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Something about the illustrations reminds me of Margret and H.A. Rey’s Curious George. Actually, until the Caldecott was announced, I didn’t realize the book was published just last year because the familiarity of the illustrations fooled me into thinking it had been around for a long time. I agree with Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Judy Zuckerman, who said, “Endearing, expressive characterization in spare illustrations rendered in muted tones distinguish this timeless picture book.”

Cover image Honor book Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier (Little, Brown and Company, 2010), is deceptively simple. But look closer and you’ll see amazing detail as well as interesting textures and patterns in the illustrations and backgrounds. Because this story is based on the life of a real person, you will most likely find this book in the nonfiction section of your library’s children’s room. It is a picture book though for sure. Many people don’t realize that picture books can in fact be nonfiction just as much as they can be fictional stories.

Cover image  Speaking of fictional picture books, this Honor book is fun, lively, and over-flowing with color. Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein (Candlewick Press, 2010) is humorous (with a sweet ending) and I think your kids will get a real kick out of it.   

2010 in Review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

Featured image

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 1,700 times in 2010. That’s about 4 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 52 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 73 posts. There were 54 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 910kb. That’s about a picture per week.

The busiest day of the year was February 7th with 56 views. The most popular post that day was Three Awesome New Interviews!!!.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were dewlib.org, writingforchildrencenter.ning.com, alphainventions.com, jacketflap.com, and en.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for sun clip art, clipart sun, frogonablog, clip art sun, and suns.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Three Awesome New Interviews!!! February 2010
1 comment

2

Interviews With Authors and Illustrators January 2010
4 comments

3

About Me November 2009
4 comments

4

Interviews With Authors and Illustrators (Part 2) February 2010
2 comments

5

Interview With Author/Illustrator Suzanne Bloom January 2010

Small, Medium & Large

  Wow! This is a gorgeous Christmas/Wintertime book! It’s virtually wordless, but so well done that I didn’t even realize it until-well-right now. The title is Small, Medium & Large. It was created by Jane Monroe Donovan and published in 2010 by Sleeping Bear Press. This book is full of beautifully detailed illustrations that tell the story of a little girl and the three special gifts that she receives for Christmas. I don’t want to give anything away, but here’s a hint-animal lovers of all ages will like this book too. This one is a must see! I’m going to look for more by this author/illustrator.

Update: 3/5/2011

Below is a review of Small, Medium, & Large by Emma Cortese, Ph.D. She offers a different and more detailed perspective than my review above.

This is a truly wonderful illustrated book that conveys a story about a little girl and the gifts of animal friends from Santa.  

Double pages introduce the exterior setting with regard to place and season, followed by more double pages which establish the interior setting and plot line.  The main character writes a letter to Santa, “…”I don’t need any new toys this year, but…”  From this start Donovan sets the stage for children to use critical skills such as prediction and speculation in a narrative that unfolds in linked events. 

Realistic depictions draw the reader in with familiar detail.  For example, the vivid two page depiction of small, medium and large gifts by the tree provides multiple instances where objects and their arrangement are suggestive for guided inferences. 

A series of 13 scenes over 8 pages depicts Sammy and her animal friends at snow play. These action packed vignettes are especially engaging.  The story further unfolds with inside activities of baking, fireside relaxing, and finally there is closure with a thank you letter to Santa.  

Young children will be totally absorbed in the large, soft color illustrations which present ample opportunity for an imaginative reading experience.

Thank you, Emma, for offering your interesting and descriptive take on this truly remarkable picture book.

2011 Caldecott Medal Winner Announced

  My thoughts on the winning book as well as the honor books coming soon.

                                  Click the American Library Association link in the sidebar for more information about the winners-current and past.

New Year’s Resolutions

Resolution means oath, pledge, promise, declaration. How many of us make resolutions at the start of each new year only to break them or give them up a few short weeks later? I count myself amongst the guilty. I admire those who are able to see their resolutions through, those who reach goals, those who make changes, those who conquer a fear or a long-over due task or see something to conclusion. I used to be like that when I had more time. Now, I try not to make a resolution at all. I don’t want another year of failure after all. Instead, I try. Yes, I try to write more. I try to exercise more. I try to clean more. I try to blog more. I do my best to accomplish my goals. But they are not goals set in stone. I allow myself the freedom to add, cancel, or change my goals-or even to put a goal on hold. If I’d rather spend time playing with my puppy than sweeping the kitchen floor, then that’s what I’ll do. At the end of the year, I don’t feel guilty if I didn’t reach all of my goals. By then, I probably have all new ones anyway. All you can really do is just keep trying and keep living. And hopefully enjoy life along the way. Happy New Year Everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Brand New Interview!

Product Details  Hello picture book fans! I’m excited because I have a brand new interview posted below. Illustrator Alison Edgson, who has illustrated many picture books including Little Puppy Lost, The Magical Snowman, Silly Goose, and others, was kind enough to answer questions for fans. I like her fresh, unique style that manages at the same time to bring back memories of childhood favorites with its coziness and warmth.

I find it fascinating to have a peek into the lives of authors and illustrators. I hope you enjoy the interview. Comments are welcomed.

Interview with Illustrator Alison Edgson (12/20/10) 

Q. How did you get your start in children’s book illustration?

AE. I used to work in the bank but I’d always wanted to go to art college and hadn’t got in when I first applied. Eventually I was able to take a redundancy package and I got to do a foundation course followed by a degree in Visual Communication at the University of Ulster in Belfast. After I graduated I started trying to get any illustration jobs I could and I sent flyers to publishers and agents in the hope that someone would notice me! Luckily I got a phone call from Child’s Play and they offered me my first book, which was Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Q. What do you enjoy most about creating illustrations for children’s books?

AE. I love lots of things about it so it’s difficult to say, but I think the nicest part is probably when I have already created a set of roughs for a book that everyone is happy with and I am painting the artwork from them. The pressure’s off a bit then ( apart from the looming deadline ) and I get to play with the tone and colours and listen to the radio while I work! 

Q. I know that you have illustrated several picture books. Do you have any favorites?

AE. Someone asked me this question yesterday! It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I think it might be Star Friends because of the lovely swirly space scenes

 Q. Do you have a preferred medium or technique you like to use when you’re creating your illustrations?

AE. Yes, I paint with acrylics onto either Bristol Board or Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper depending on the softness I want to achieve, and I use coloured pencils and sometimes pastels to finish off the details and add atmosphere 

Q. What picture book artists are your favorites?

 AE. Oliver Jeffers of course – he’s a friend of mine and super talented. I also love Emily Gravett and Anita Jeram. 

Q. How can fans learn more about you and your books?

AE. I have a blog which they can visit – it’s at www.alisillustrationblog.blogspot.com

 Q. Is there anything else you’d like to say to picture book fans?

AE. Yes – thank you for buying picture books and I’ll try to give you a few more to choose from over the coming years!

A Quick Fix

Thanks to the fine tech people at WordPress, my title now looks exactly how I wanted it to. And it was a quick and easy fix! It seems fitting that I should have a new look for a new year. Who knows, maybe I’ll even find the time to post more often. Maybe.

Please Take Me for a Walk

  Please Take Me for a Walk (Alfred A. Knopf, 2010) is a simple yet captivating picture book by Susan Gal. In easy words and interesting illustrations (charcoal and digital collage), she captures the true nature of our canine friends by creating a little dog who tells readers how eager he is to go for a walk. I know that my own little dog likes to do all the things that she mentions in this charming story-chasing squirrels, greeting neighbors, watching our neighbors shooting hoops, and more. This book would be a great choice in educating children (in a fun way) about the importance of walking the family dog (for reasons other than just letting him out to do his business).

A New Look

  Frog On A Blog is just over a year old and I thought a new look was in order. I wanted something a little more colorful-this is a children’s picture book blog after all. My new theme needs a little tweaking. My title is not displaying properly, but I’m hoping to have that fixed by the end of the year. I also plan to update my blog picture. My current picture (up in the right corner), though I like it, is just not colorful enough. And you all know how much I like color. Look for a new picture sometime next year. Until then, keep checking back for more updates, posts, and content. And remember, I welcome your comments and feedback.

Sneezenesia

  Featured today is a super clever picture book by author and illustrator Deb Lucke. It’s called Sneezenesia (2010, Clarion Books) and it’s about a boy who sneezes so hard that all his memories are sneezed out. He forgets his name, and where he is, and who his Mom is, and all the things he learned in school, and more. How will he ever get all those memories back in his brain? You’ll have to read the book to find out. The story is fun, the illustrations are unique (done in paint, collage, and Photoshop), and you and your children will like it, I guarantee it. Fun facts on the back jacket flap include this interesting (albeit gross) tidbit: “Our noses produce between one and two pints of mucus a day.” Where does all that mucus go? Something to think about, isn’t it?

RIF Needs Help

 RIF is asking for our help. Click on the Reading is Fundamental link in the sidebar. Look for the Action Alert. Congress will be voting soon “on an amendment to ban ALL domestic earmarks in the FY11, FY12, and FY13 budget cycles.  Although RIF IS AN AUTHORIZED PROGRAM AND NOT AN EARMARK, this moratorium would cover all national projects, authorized or unauthorized, local or national in scope.  This would include Reading Is Fundamental and a number of other programs.” (RIF) You can help by using RIFs online form to contact the Senate and ask them to vote “no” on the moratorium. It’s quick and easy. The vote is tomorrow, so hurry!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

  

Art & Max

  Art & Max (2010, Clarion Books) is a brand new picture book from well-known author and illustrator David Wiesner. This clever book is about a friendship between Art, a serious artist, and happy-go-lucky Max. Mr. Wiesner pulled out all the stops to create this masterful work that is sure to be a hit. The story starts as Art is painting and of course, Max wants to paint too. What happens next is just the beginning of a non-stop thrill ride that succeeds in loosening up the serious Art by the end of the book. The illustrations were done in acrylic, pastel, watercolor, and India ink, which seems like a lot, but if you read the book, you’ll understand why Mr. Wiesner chose several different media. This is an unusual, must-see picture book!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Finley and me!!! Have fun, but don’t eat too much candy.

 

           

Yuck! That’s Not a Monster!

  A delightful (not scary) story about a monster family and wonderful, bright illustrations are what you’ll find in this picture book entitled Yuck! That’s Not a Monster! by author Angela McAllister and illustrator Alison Edgson (Good Books, 2010). This book is humorous and charming. It succeeded in making me laugh. My favorite paragraph is, ‘Then the third egg shook a bit. Frightful and Horrid gave it a poke. Out crept something very soft and pink. “UGH! HE’S SWEET!!” said the little monsters. “LET’S SQUASH HIM!”‘ It’s true, the little pink monster is unbelievably sweet and adorable. My favorite illustration is on the very next page. The looks on the faces of Mr. Monster and the other two little monsters is priceless. I think you’ll agree that the relationship between the little pink monster and his brother and sister is a lot like a real relationship between siblings. This book is definitely worth a look.

Happy 50th Green Eggs and Ham!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the classic Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham. Check out the following site for more information: http://www.drseussart.com/motions/eBlast/GEH50.html.

Dr Seuss Clip art Green Eggs and Ham Picture of Dr Seuss Character

Two Great Books!

     Okay, I had trouble picking just one book this time and since I haven’t posted in a couple of weeks, I have chosen two terrific picture books. How Rocket Learned to Read (2010, Schwartz & Wade Books) by Tad Hills stars an adorable and engaging canine character named Rocket (who incidentally reminds me of my own little dog). Besides the beautiful oil paint and colored pencil illustrations, what I like about this book is that it helps a young child learn to spell and read in such a way that I am convinced the child would not even realize he/she was learning. Your child will enjoy reading right along with Rocket. Reading is so important. I truly believe that it should be a fun experience for children. Picture books like this one will make that happen.

The second book in today’s review is The Library Gingerbread Man (2010, Upstart Books) by Dotti Enderle and illustrated by Colleen Madden. This is another colorfully illustrated story that teaches children about that all-important, yet somewhat mysterious, library classification scheme-The Dewey Decimal System. Again, I have to give credit to the author who managed to create a fun learning experience. I can see this book being utilized in classrooms as an enjoyable teaching aid. Also, fans of folk tales will recognize the familiar antics of the incorrigible Gingerbread Man as he runs away chanting, “Run, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!”