New Year=New Beginnings (plus a giveaway and free bookplates)

Happy 2017! 

Peddler Jump_Peddlers Bed

Image from The Peddler’s Bed

The Peddler is jumping for joy because it’s a brand new year, full of possibilities. It’s also a year full of giveaways! I’ll be giving away a prize each month to folks who comment on a post–any post–during the course of the month. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on the blog. Subscribing to Frog on a Blog is recommended (though not required) to keep track of posts and to see if you’ve won.

Those who share a post, will get an extra chance to win that month’s prize. Prizes will consist of picture books, picture book critiques from me, a set of pilot’s pens (Night Writer–for writing in the dark), and other fun picture book or writing related stuff.

To kick things off, for January, I’m giving away a signed copy of my book The Peddler’s Bed. All you have to do is comment on any post this month (including this one). If you share the post, you’ll get an extra chance to win. If you comment on or share more than one post during the month, you’ll get one extra chance to win as well. To make it as fair as possible, if you win for one month, you will not be eligible to win again. But feel free to leave comments anyway.This is my first time offering a year-long giveaway. If all goes well, I may do it again next year.

Important: If you share a post, please remember to tag me or let me know in the comments that you shared.

*Due to contest/sweepstakes regulations in other countries, this giveaway is available to U.S. residents only. I’m very sorry fans and followers from other nations. I still appreciate you!

For everyone out there who already has a copy of The Peddler’s Bed, I have free autographed bookplates to give away. Just use my Contact form and leave your name, address, and how you’d like the bookplate signed (to whom), and I’ll pop it in the mail to you asap.

Picture Book Personals (17)

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Picture Book Personals

Pup seeks bath to prove he is family’s dog.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

harry

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.

And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Owl Moon

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Did you get it?

Picture Book Personals (16)

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Picture Book Personals

Little girl and her pa seek Great Horned Owl in silent, snowy woods.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

owl-moon

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.

And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Where the Wild Things Are

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Too easy!

Picture Book Personals (15)

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Picture Book Personals

Boy seeks wild adventure, someone to love him, and supper that’s still hot.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

wild-things

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.

And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Miss Nelson is Missing

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You got it!

Happy Book Birthday to PEARLA AND HER UNPREDICTABLY PERFECT DAY by Rochel Lieberman

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Happy Book Birthday!

Happy Book Birthday

to

PEARLA AND HER UNPREDICTABLY PERFECT DAY

by

Rochel Lieberman

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  • Title – Pearla and Her Unpredictably Perfect Day
  • Author – Rochel Lieberman
  • Illustrator – Lloyd Jones
  • Publisher – Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  • Release Date – December 21, 2016
  • Format – 40 pages hardcover, includes guide for parents and discussion questions
  • Summary
    Pearla loves to bake! Her favourite foods are cookies and cupcakes, which she sells at her dad’s bakery. She always tries very hard to make her baking absolutely perfect, but one day Pearla is so busy that she makes a huge mistake! Have fun with Pearla as she learns how to adapt when her day doesn’t go to plan and realises it could turn out to be pretty perfect after all.

This is a scrumptious tale for children aged 4-12, particularly those who experience anxiety or developmental issues. It demonstrates that you can’t succeed unless you try and that it’s ok to make mistakes. Pearla’s strategies for solving her problems will help children to overcome their own hurdles.

Picture Books At The Library 93

PB at the library 2

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

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All the farm animals want to be let into the house on a rainy day.

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A boy from Haiti processes the grief of losing his parents by playing the drums.

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A determined young girl sets out to track down an elusive red fox.

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Pablo and his sister spend every day rummaging through garbage looking for items their mother can sell to put food on the table.

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The different inhabitants of a city wake up and start their days.

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In  a place called Hunger Mountain, there lives a lord who has everything imaginable, yet never has enough.

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Join in the search for the missing bear while duck tries to convince you a duck story would be better.

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Travel back in time to dance and sing with a prehistoric posse of dinosaurs and kids.

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A young boy tries to imagine what has happened to his loved ones who have passed away.

Picture Book Personals (14)

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Picture Book Personals

Students from Room 207 seek missing mild-mannered teacher.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

miss-nelson

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.

And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Officer Buckle and Gloria

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Of course!

A Tub, A Bed, And A Book Review

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Thank you Terry Doherty at The Reading Tub for the lovely review of The Peddler’s Bed!

Click HERE to read the review. 

To all of my friends, fans, and blog followers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a New Year filled with an abundance of joy. May your dreams come true in 2017! 🙂

Picture Books At The Library 92

PB at the library 2

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

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A little boy pretending to be a dinosaur insists that dinosaurs do not have bedtimes.

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Badger must wait and wait and wait for snow, but patience does not come easily for Badger.

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The mice, hares, and deer settle down for the night, but Little Bear wants to stay awake a bit longer.

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Picnicking penguins from the South Pole lose their way and find themselves at the wrong pole.

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Bedtime is near, but from the end of dinner until lights are turned off, it is not time for sleeping, until a child receives a special good night wish.

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Gary is a racing pigeon who dreams of adventure and travel to far off places, but Gary can’t fly.

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Paul likes flower arranging, Antoinette likes mud, but could either really live without the other?

Picture Book Personals (13)

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Picture Book Personals

Man in uniform seeks canine partner to tour schools and teach safety tips.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

officer

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.

And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

The Giving Tree

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Too easy?

Picture Books At The Library 91

PB at the library 2

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

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This handy guide has everything you need to track, catch, and tame your very own pet truck.

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It’s Nanette’s first trip to get the baguette. With all the distractions in her way, she just might forget.

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When a fat cat arrives at Cornelius Van Ploof’s front door looking for a home, Cornelius’s perfect life gets turned upside down.

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A boy and his grandmother host a gathering in their small cabin in the middle of winter, where everyone is welcome and the soup pot is bottomless.

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Twin sisters take a bicycle ride through the forest, stopping for tea, sandwiches, and a woodland concert.

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Pete the cat and his friends have fun baking cupcakes for a party until some of them go missing.

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Little penguins dress up warm and have fun in the snow.

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Little Miss Bear refuses to go to sleep when winter comes because she will miss the stars, the moon, and the rolling hills.

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Each year, for as long as the forest has stood, a contest is held for the bears of the wood.

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It is December, and there are many things for the family to do around the farm to get it ready for winter.

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Mr. Panda is making something, and all of his animal friends are interested–but only Penguin is willing to wait to see what it is.

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An alphabet book with tons of examples for each letter on each page.

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The littlest family goes wandering in the woods and just when they think they are lost, they find their way home again.

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Cat thinks Duck should stop meowing and act like a duck.

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Ella’s afraid of the dark and misses the bright, sunny daytime.

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Princess Cassandra wants a frog for a pet, but every frog she kisses turns into a prince.

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Toddlers crawl, play and walk as they help the reader learn to count to ten.

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Heidi always wants to play hide-and-seek because she is good at it, but sometimes her friends want to play something different.

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Matisse is a little girl in a big world, until her baby brother is born and she discovers she is not so little, after all.

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Boss Baby used to be in charge, but that was before he got an even bossier baby sister.

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A group of happy green peas celebrates the special holidays of each month, and the passing seasons.

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Five little ducks go out Monday, through the woods and far away.

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Lots of black and white animals sport attire in various colors. Fun book of colors!

Picture Book Personals (12)

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Picture Book Personals

Tree seeks little boy to climb trunk, swing from branches, eat apples, play in shade, and make happy.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

giving-tree

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.


And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

The Little House

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That was a tough one!

Picture Books At The Library 90

PB at the library 2

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

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Big Bob likes trucks and throwing balls, Little Bob prefers dolls and bracelets. Can they be friends?

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Inspired by the true story of how the first international flight was in a balloon across the English Channel.

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Sophia knits a special hat for her elderly neighbor Mrs. Goldman.

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This book wants to be the happiest book ever, but what’s up with the frowny frog?

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A reluctant mother to four young geese, grumpy Bruce the bear loses his temper when he migrates home in the spring to find three mice have turned his home into a hotel.

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Fox really wants to win the jumping contest and take home the trophy, but he’s not a very good jumper. So he comes up with a clever scheme.

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Real cowboys are gentle, patient, and creative as they move hundreds of cattle, make camp, and dream under the stars.

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Grumpy Pug Man is having a terrible day. But when he’s offered three wishes by an overly eager fairy, what he wishes for is a bit unexpected.

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Every story needs a character and that character needs a problem to solve, so why not an octopus who wants to build a spaceship.

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A determined mouse makes his way up, up, up to the palace tower to find out if the cat is a friend or a foe.

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An increasingly frustrated narrator tries to put a stop to all the silliness in what is supposed to be a serious book.

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As a tiny shoot unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder.

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Nino’s little sisters get in on the wrestling action.

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The little bears are ready to go sledding, but their sled is too small to carry them all.

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A little girl named Lizzie meets an old man and his dog at the park, but she is afraid of dogs.

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If you give a mouse a brownie, he’s going to ask for some ice cream, and then a spoon, and then…

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With winter on the way and no money for new clothes, Mama stitches a coat for her little girl from a donated box of rags.

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If snowflakes tasted like oatmeal, honey, cocoa, gingerbread, or fruitcake, would you do what this child does?

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Mother and father trucks show their youngsters how to build in this variation on the classic “Over in the Meadow”.

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An ode to snow–how it forms, how it changes, and how it transforms everything it covers. Simply lovely!

Picture Book Personals (11)

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Picture Book Personals

Small house seeks hill covered with daisies and apple trees.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

little-house

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.


And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Harold and the Purple Crayon

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Easy peasy!

Picture Books At The Library: Christmas Edition 2016

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In my position as a technical processing assistant at the DeWitt Community Library, I catalog a lot of new picture books. Unfortunately, I cannot review them all, but I do try to read them all. Below are a few I’ve cataloged recently.

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On Christmas Eve, Santa looks everywhere for his special Christmas underwear with no luck. Will he have to wear shamrock long johns instead?

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Clark the Shark spends too much time trying to figure out who his Secret Santa is and not enough time being a good Secret Santa himself.

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A young boy named Alec and his grandfather lend their giant spruce tree to the city for the Christmas celebration.

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Santa is moving too quickly to see who actually lives in each house he visits. Will it be a Christmas disaster?

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Exquisitely illustrated version of The Nutcracker ballet with a surprise at the end.

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Clementine is a teeny-tiny girl who lives with her average-sized family. It’s mostly fun being the smallest, but Christmas can be tricky.

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Celebrates the joyful season of Christmas and the story of the nativity, told through the performance of a children’s Christmas pageant.

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When the Gingerbread Baby hears about the Christmas Festival, he wants to rush down to the village with his band.

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Greta likes to tell her younger sister Gracie everything she knows, especially about Santa.

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Santa has stopped believing in a boy named Harold.

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Maple and Willow love trees and now they are getting their first real Christmas tree.

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A retelling of Margaret Wise Brown’s book of the same name, (originally published in 1952) that tells the story of Jesus’s birth, with new illustrations by Anna Dewdney.

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Penguin discovers holiday magic in the most unexpected places.

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It’s Christmas Eve at the Babymouse house, and all is well, or is it?

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Hannah Greyweather’s life is changed when she finds a magic wish-granting boot in the forest outside her home.

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One windy Christmas Eve, a present tumbles out of Santa’s sleigh. Santa doesn’t notice, but four little animal friends do.

 

 

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One by one, from field and forest, the animals make their way to the barn. But the shy little fox has nothing to offer. So sweet and gorgeously illustrated.

 

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Late one night, Slipper the cat awakens to find a furry-booted man in her home and, like any curious cat would, climbs into his big red sack. Beautiful!

Picture Books At The Library 89

PB at the library 2

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

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Emma is trying to go to sleep, but the animals in her wallpaper are making too much noise.

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Gideon wants to be a hero and get his picture in the paper, but first he must figure out just what a hero is.

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Ollie the pig dreams of flight, and enlists his human friend Jack to help him build wings.

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Little Frog’s first autumn is filled with scary reds, golds, oranges, and purples.

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This book is an ode to that magical time in autumn when the leaves turn yellow.

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When Emma is asked to be the flower girl in her cousin’s wedding, nothing is quite how she expected.

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Imagine you were leaving for a new country, and could bring along only what would fit in a small suitcase. What would you choose to take with you?

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A boy brings along a teacup filled with earth as he leaves his home and sets off to a new home across the sea.

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A young boy is fascinated by the dot on his mother’s forehead and wants one of his own.

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Young Stella loves books so much they take over the farm house, so her pa builds her-her own library.

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Henry’s best friend Leo is accidentally lost and no one in Henry’s family believes Leo is real enough to find his way home.

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When Ruben picks up a hundred-dollar bill dropped by a neighbor, he’s excited to think he can finally buy a bike like his friend Sergio’s.

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Follow the dino-racers as they speed down the track or across the desert.

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The remote for Ben’s new fire truck isn’t working properly and causes complete chaos.

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A small child wishes for a snow day that brings silence and peace to a too-busy world.

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Little Frog does not want to grow up, and he gives his father all sorts of reasons why being small is best.

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A little girl visits her grandfather in a nursing home where he is suffering from memory loss.

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A counting book that leads readers through a day in the life of a construction worker building with bricks.

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Tiny speedcar racer, Max, goes on the imagined adventure of a lifetime after cleaning his room.

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A young pet owner knows lots about his dog, except what he dreams about. Super cute!

 

Picture Book Personals (10)

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Picture Book Personals

Crayon wielding boy seeks directions to bedroom window.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

harold

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.


And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

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Did you get it?

Picture Books At The Library 88

PB at the library 2

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

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In this retelling of the classic “Gingerbread Man” story, a ninjabread man with a cookie sword and cookie throwing stars escapes from the oven and runs loose.

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A crew of dinosaur pirates searches for treasure but finds another band of pirasaurs instead.

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Several animals tell a small child how much they care for him.

Farmer Falgu is tired of his noisy farm so he takes a trip to find some peace and quiet.

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The ripple effect of one child’s small action–placing a can into a recycling bin–shows how we can all make a big environmental difference.

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The apple is up high, but Toto is down low. Toto wants the apple. Toto has a plan.

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A child is awoken in the night by the sound of snow tapping upon her window.

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A magical blue bird grants the wish of a spoiled young girl in order to teach her compassion and generosity.

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Kai is a small, green and white pumper truck who does not fit in with the other fire trucks at Firehouse #10.

This book is a rhyming ode to unconditional love and the ups and downs of family life.

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All the forest animals hide in a tree after hearing a loud AAA-OOO sound and thinking it’s a monster.

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Bat thinks he’s found a perfect new home, except that squirrel already lives there.

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An ailing grandfather and his helpful granddaughter play a unique game of seek and find.

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When a boy doesn’t get what he wants because he didn’t say please, he makes up his own magic word.

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With a little bravery, a dash of creativity–and some paints–Little Mouse figures out how to tame even the scariest beasts.

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Cat has made a big mess, but she’d rather move it, jump on it, or hide it rather than clean it up.

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When Bob turns out the light, he sees two eyes in the dark. Who’s that peering in the window?

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When Bear can’t sleep, he goes on an adventure and discovers the wonders of New York City.

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A girl at the beach searches everywhere for her trumpet amid all the animal beachgoers.

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The boy’s alien friend returns and this time the boy goes back with him to his planet where he begins to feel a bit alienated.

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Squirrel meets a bird and at first it seems they have nothing in common, but each encourages the other to try some new things.

Picture Book Personals (9)

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Picture Book Personals

Boy seeks trip to Australia to escape worst day ever.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

alexander


Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.

And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Miss Rumphius

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Did you know it?

Interview Alert: Kathryn Carr

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It is my pleasure to welcome Kathryn Carr to Frog on a Blog. Kathryn is the illustrator of Lizbeth Lou Got a Rock in Her Shoe, a beautiful picture book written by Troy Howell and published by Ripple Grove Press. I was so intrigued by her incredible cut-paper art, I had to learn more about her and how she does it!

Kathryn, did you know from an early age that you wanted to be an artist?

I knew I had a special connection with art from a very early age. I remember when I was about 4 my mother would lay out big sheets of paper on the kitchen floor so I could get messy and paint. I loved my art classes in school and knew that I wanted to be involved in the arts in some way.

How did you develop your unique and whimsical cut-paper style?

I began paper cutting in 2008. I had a desire to work with simplistic materials and to create a visual that was similar to block printing. I achieved the look I was striving for by sketching my ideas on the back of black paper and cutting away the positive or negative shapes using a knife blade.

It was like a whole new world opened up for me when I started with the art of paper cutting. I never really enjoyed drawing because I felt like I had to worry about perspective, shading, and lots of detail work. Now, when I draw imagery for my silhouettes I can make my buildings curve and sway and create fantastic scenes without spending time on the details or stressing about making everything just so. Over time my paper cutting skills improved and I just kept doing what I loved and an iconic style evolved.

How did Ripple Grove Press approach you about illustrating Troy Howell’s Lizbeth Lou Got a Rock in Her Shoe?

A friend of mine encouraged me to become a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators group in my area. So I signed up and posted my art and information on their website. It was about two weeks later when I received an email from Rob at Ripple Grove Press expressing that he liked my silhouette style and wondered if I would be interested in illustrating a book.

How did you create the lovely glow we see behind the cut paper silhouettes in the book?

When I read the story I felt I needed to create a more dynamic illustration style then what my black and white silhouettes offered. I wanted a warm and inviting atmosphere and something that would engage the readers. With a lot of experimentation and trial and error I found a way to achieve that sense of depth and interest I was looking for. I began with cutting images from white paper and set them up in a diorama. Some lamps were positioned behind and below the art and then I took a photo of the whole scene. The sepia color is just what the camera registered from the lights I used.

What projects are you working on now?

I am getting a body of work together for a solo gallery show this spring at West Liberty College in WV.

Why do you believe picture books are important?

Picture books encourage imagination and create a special bond with the reader/viewer. The books from my childhood have had a profound impact on my art today.

Where can fans go to learn more about you and your art?

I have a website: www.gocarrgo.com

Do you have any advice for aspiring picture book illustrators?

My best advice is to hone in on your own style of art and always continue to learn about your craft.

Thank you, Kathryn!

Picture Books At The Library 87

PB at the library 2

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

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Count down to bedtime as sleepy animals tiptoe to bed, curl up tight, and whisper “nighty-night.”

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Madeline Finn does not like to read, until she meets Bonnie, a library dog.

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A penguin complains about his life–he’s cold, the ocean is too salty, he looks the same as everyone else.

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Wearing his perfectly clean suit and living in his perfectly tidy room, Edward the pig avoids getting messy, until a tub of paint falls on his head.

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A baby owl leaves the nest one night, explores the world around him, sees his own reflection, and then returns to the safety of home.

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Life isn’t perfect and things don’t always go as planned. But that’s what makes life interesting.

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Shy loves birds, but when one comes along singing her beautiful song, he’s too shy to come out and say hello.

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The children want to go to the park with Grandad, but they can’t leave until they find his lost socks, shoes, teeth, and more.

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Pug is happy at home until Pig arrives, when he must share his bowl, yard, and bed.

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Stripes is a tabby cat with big dreams to be a tiger.

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Mervin the sloth is about to do the best thing in the world, but none of his friends have the patience to wait and find out what, except for one.

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A girl in a wheelchair looks down from her balcony and calls to passersby below: “Look up!”

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Lucy is devastated when her favorite doll Smelly Baby goes flying out of the car window on her way home from her grandmother’s house.

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Running through town to get a pizza for himself and his mother, Pinky unwittingly becomes covered in snow and everyone thinks he’s a walking snowman.

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Bird is hiking with his friends when his tummy rumbles. But none of his friends have packed him a snack.

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When the snow comes, Samson worries about the little red bird, so he sets off to find her.

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When Little Bot is thrown out with the garbage, he lands in a strange new world. But Sparrow is there to take him under her wing.

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Roxy’s trying to help Mom with the shopping, but when she sees her favorite cake, she wants it…and she wants it now!

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Two turtles have found a hat and it looks good on both of them. So who gets the hat?

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An old dog and a baby spend time together on the kitchen floor.

Picture Book Personals (8)

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Picture Book Personals

Adventurous woman seeks ideas to make the world more beautiful.

What Classic Picture Book Am I?

miss-rumphius

Leave your best guess in the comments below. Find out the answer when the next Picture Book Personals is posted.


And the answer to last week’s Picture Book Personals is…

Make Way For Ducklings

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Too easy?

Picture Books At The Library 86

PB at the library 2

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

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Each animal sleeps where it’s supposed to, but flip the book over and you’ll see where each dreams about sleeping.

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This book highlights the rigorous daily schedule of a baby.

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When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are as different as the families.

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Fiona has promised to bake cupcakes for the whole class for Felix’s birthday, but she forgets and then lies about what happened.

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Panda wants to wear pants, but father Panda does not agree.

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On a ninja mission to find the Golden Carrot of Awesomeness, a young rabbit meets his biggest challenge yet–his annoying little sister.

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This is the beginning of one young girl’s quest to bring clean drinking water to her African village.

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This is the story of astronaut Chris Hadfield and how, as a boy, he faced his fears and went on to reach the stars.

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In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, set on the African plains, Little Red realizes what the hungry lion is up to, and teaches him a lesson before sharing her donuts with him.

Whether searching for his next meal or avoiding becoming a meal, an octopus is an underwater master of camouflage and escape.

This grasslands variation of the classic song “Over in the Meadow” introduces animals and their offspring that dwell on the savanna of Africa.

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Henry likes to take his time and often sees things that his family misses in the rush.

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A little white mouse always manages to find trouble and gets his three littler friends into trouble too.

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Follow a family through frosty fields and snow-covered woods as they walk and play together.

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When Tony, a little boy, offers his stuffed animals to the animal shelter to raise money, it touches his mom’s heart.

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When a branch from her beloved tree snaps off in an ice storm, a plucky girl refuses to let it be hauled away.

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Matt, Katie, and Pablo work hard to restore a pond to its former glory.

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Count from one to ten and back again as a jolly group of fish explore their undersea world.

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After a day at the track, zipping and zooming, a race car is tired and ready for bed.

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Walking with his energetic puppy in their neighborhood, a young boy hops, bends, spins, and jumps with friends he encounters along the way.

My View Book Review: Nadia by Karlin Gray

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Title: Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

Author: Karlin Gray

Illustrator: Christine Davenier

Publisher/Year: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/2016

Perfect For: Young gymnasts, Olympic fans, Biography collections

Nadia Comaneci was born in Romania on November 12, 1961. From an early age, she was filled with boundless energy, which sometimes got her into trouble. She especially liked to climb trees and even tried to climb her family’s Christmas tree one year. But instead of reaching the top, she ended up underneath the fallen tree. Nadia’s mother signed her up for gymnastics lessons to help her expel her energy in a positive way.

One day, while cartwheeling around the playground at school, she was spotted by Bela Karolyi. He asked Nadia to join his gymnastics school. Bela and his wife Marta became Nadia’s coaches. Before long, Nadia was “flying from bar to bar, from floor to vault, and high above the beam.” A few years later, she was competing and winning trophies and metals in national competitions. In 1976, Nadia and her Romanian teammates entered the arena for the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada. During the games, Nadia was the first gymnast to ever receive a perfect ten score. She was just fourteen years old.

Author Karlin Gray has written a fantastic account of Nadia Comaneci’s life. Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still is extremely well written and enjoyable to read. Though packed with facts, the book feels like a story and doesn’t overwhelm the reader. Illustrator Christine Davenier’s artwork is full of life and movement, perfectly capturing the essence of young Nadia. 

Growing up, I had an older sister who could walk on her hands, turn cartwheels with ease, and bend completely over backwards so that both hands and both feet were touching the floor. I was lucky if I could pull off a forward somersault across the floor.

People who can do these extraordinary feats of balance have always fascinated me. They seem to have an incredible sense of body position, something I will never fully understand. I think that’s why the gymnastic events during the Summer Olympics are some of my favorites to watch. I’m amazed at what these young men and woman can do. They make it look so effortless, though I know weeks, months, even years of practice have gained them that level of skill. Still, I can’t help but think, that like Nadia Comaneci (and my sister), they were born with a special gift.

Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still would make a special gift too!

Interview Alert: MaryAnn Sundby

 

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Please help me welcome author MaryAnn Sundby to Frog on a Blog! She’s the newest member of the Ripple Grove Press family. Her debut picture book Monday Is Wash Day, which was illustrated by Tessa Blackham, is available now. Let’s get to know MaryAnn a little bit. Read on!

maryann-sundbyMaryAnn, what inspired you to write your debut picture book Monday Is Wash Day? Do you have a personal connection to the message of the story?

People often say “write about what you know”. Monday is Wash Day is based on my experience growing up on a farm where I helped do the wash. I wanted children of today to understand that in years gone by, children helped do family chores. It was a wonderful part of family life.

How did you hear about Ripple Grove Press and why did you decide to submit to them?

The 2013 summer bulletin of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (a writer’s group I have joined) mentioned that Ripple Grove Press was accepting submissions for children’s picture books. I immediately mailed in Monday Is Wash Day for consideration. I was excited, knowing my manuscript would be read, as publishers often don’t have open submissions.

What’s your favorite illustration in Monday is Wash Day?

Tessa Blackham’s illustrations are fun and detailed. I especially like the pages of the children carrying the buckets of water to the porch; the family dog is helping!

Have you always wanted to be an author?

During the last several years, I pursued writing as an alternative to watching TV, which is too passive for me. Writing has been a positive avenue to learn about people and our world and to share ideas and memories.

What do you believe makes picture books special?

Picture books are special when carefully chosen words are braided into a captivating story enhanced with illustrations. With the wonderful mix of good words, a good story and good illustrations, a child’s understanding of the world grows. Consider the stories of the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan. Children are drawn to these classics, especially with compelling illustrations to highlight the drama.

Besides writing, what are some of your favorite things to do? Do you have favorite places you like to visit?

I enjoy being with family and friends. I enjoy traveling and learning about history all around me. I enjoy good food. I live near the mountains in Colorado where I see beautiful sunrises and sunsets nearly every day.

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Are you working on more books?

Yes! I am writing about Maria, who leaves the family’s failing homestead to work in a boarding house kitchen. She doesn’t know what the future holds but she is content knowing she’s helping those she loves.

Where can fans connect with you online?

I welcome email messages from readers. They can reach me at: msundby@q.com

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Yes. Reading good books is part of a good life!

So true, MaryAnn! Thank you so much for joining us on Frog on a Blog. May you experience much success with Monday Is Wash Day!