tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30311424351423845712018-07-17T07:07:52.406-07:00The Late Bloomer's Book BlogGigi McAllisternoreply@blogger.comBlogger640125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-3572338931363270402018-07-17T07:07:00.000-07:002018-07-17T07:07:52.346-07:00Countdown 2979 Days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade and Thomas Gonzalez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdmOSbmHR1k/W0Yg2gffZxI/AAAAAAAAuqw/Rp0zG2nVun4uSl8ndJ8CiiHu_MXpzMsPQCLcBGAs/s1600/38371977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdmOSbmHR1k/W0Yg2gffZxI/AAAAAAAAuqw/Rp0zG2nVun4uSl8ndJ8CiiHu_MXpzMsPQCLcBGAs/s320/38371977.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Countdown 2979 Days to the Moon&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Suzanne Slade and Thomas Gonzalez</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Expected Publication Sept. 1, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Peachtree Publishers</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">144 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Free verse and illustrations tell the true story of the American effort to land the first man on the Moon.<br />In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would try to land a man on the Moon within ten years. During the two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-nine days that followed his speech, eighteen astronauts climbed into spaceships; three of them died before even leaving the ground. Eight rockets soared into space. And four hundred thousand people--engineers, technicians, scientists, mathematicians, and machinists--joined Project Apollo in hopes of making the dream a reality.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I will admit that I normally shy away from nonfiction that is longer than a picture book. It is just not a genre I am drawn to.&nbsp; I received this book from Peachtree in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was immediately drawn in to the story. The story itself was compelling. I was familiar with Apollo 11 and the first Moon landing of course, but I had no idea about the first 10 Apollo missions and all that went into the US's quest to put the first person on the moon. Before I knew it, I had finished it in one sitting.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I found the free verse format very appealing and will make the book accessible to a wide-range of readers.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">The book itself is a bit larger (10"X10") with a mixture of beautiful illustrations and original photographs.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend this book for grades 4-7. It would be fun to read it aloud to students a little each day as they see how the events unfold.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Check out the book trailer!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_6-P-D7UM5s" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2018/6/20/countdown-2979-days-to-the-moon" target="_blank">Kid Lit Frenzy</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/suzanne-slade/countdown-slade/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-18729240567583393002018-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-15T00:00:00.589-07:00Review and Giveaway of All is Assuredly Well by Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOEmgzjA_Fs/W0iefZuXspI/AAAAAAAAutI/cFdRLVJmmJsIdoXyuzWQnefI7FxQey6nACLcBGAs/s1600/40540501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOEmgzjA_Fs/W0iefZuXspI/AAAAAAAAutI/cFdRLVJmmJsIdoXyuzWQnefI7FxQey6nACLcBGAs/s320/40540501.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40540501-all-is-assuredly-well?from_search=true" target="_blank">All is Assuredly Well&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Illustrated by Angela F.M Trotter</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published June, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Camille Lancaster Literary Children's Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Softcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Received a starred review from Kirkus</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Summary from Publisher</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">King Phillip the Good and his husband, The Most Excellent Don Carlos Emiliano Felipe de Compañero y Campañero, live sedate, uneventful lives until King Phillip dreams of having a baby girl. Structured around The Hero's Journey, King Phillip must follow his mentor, the Blue Star, and encounter allies (a newt and a bluejay) and overcome gatekeepers (a biting fish and a bear) as he completes a series of tasks to prove himself worthy of becoming a father. Once proven, the Blue Star presents him with a baby girl in the middle of a fairy circle of a thousand different flowers in a thousand brilliant hues. He returns home to present Baby Milliflora to his husband, and the loving husbands joyfully become loving fathers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This story definitely has a mystical fairy tale feel to it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">The fact that it is two husbands, and not the "typical" fairy tale scenario, really has not bearing on the story. I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">t is the story of a loving couple who wishes for a baby and is willing go to great lengths to get a little baby girl. After nearly two years of wishing, the blue star finally fulfills their wish. The authors include rich vocabulary of the period throughout the story.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">The font is set in a medieval type fitting for the story. Repetition lends a bit of predictability. The text is set in a text box and surrounded by detailed, colorful illustrations. It is a bit busy for my taste, but is reminiscent of Jan Brett's intricate Illustrations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend this book most for ages 4-7.&nbsp;</span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: large;">All is Assuredly Well is available at&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Assuredly-Well-Professor-Gore/dp/0999888005/?tag=wowwomenonwri-20">Amazon.com.</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">To win a copy of All is Assuredly Well, please leave a comment on this post by August 12:00 midnight on August 22, 2018.&nbsp; One winner will be selected at random. Book will be mailed from me to one winner in the US.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><u><span style="font-size: large;">About the author, Professor Gore</span></u><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Professor Gore's proudest hours were spent in Federal Court testifying as an expert witness and plaintiff against the city she loved. The city commission had passed an amendment that banned Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate from the children's section of the public library. A storyteller, Professor Gore is delighted to contribute to the canon she once defended.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><u>About the Author, Maestro Wilson</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Co-author Maestro Phillip Wilson is a retired band director, music teacher, composer, and arranger. A poet at heart, his love for word play and ear for rhythm and meter lend themselves well to the lyrical art of storytelling.</span><br /><br /><u><span style="font-size: large;">About the Illustrator, Angie F. M. Trotter</span></u><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Artist Angie F. M. Trotter holds a BA in Religion and Fine Art. Her pen and ink illustrations are an amalgamation of icons, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass window design, and her spiritual life. Her work has been compared to the masters of the Golden Age of British book illustration. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">You can find more about All is Assuredly Well and the authors and the illustrator online:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.allisassuredlywell.com/">www.AllisAssuredlyWell.com</a><br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/All-is-Assuredly-Well-355497344947289/">https://www.facebook.com/All-is-Assuredly-Well-355497344947289/</a><br />Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/AssuredlyWell">https://twitter.com/AssuredlyWell</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />- Blog Tour Dates (in Chronological Order)</span><br /><br />July 2nd @ The Muffin <br />Grab a morning treat over at Women on Writing's blog The Muffin and read our interview author Professor M.C. Gore and enter to win a copy of the book All is Assuredly Well. <br /><a href="http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/">http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/</a><br /><br />July 3rd @ Mari's #JournalingPower Blog<br />Author Professor M.C. Gore will be a guest writer over at Mari's #JournalingPower blog where she talks about writing the hero's journey.<br /><a href="https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog">https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog</a><br /><br />July 5th @ Mommy Daze: Say What??<br />Come by Ashley's blog Mommy Daze: Say What?? where she shares her thoughts on Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson's book All isAssuredly Well.<br /><a href="http://adayinthelifeofmom.com/">http://adayinthelifeofmom.com/</a><br /><br />July 6th @ Coffee With Lacey<br />Get your coffee over at Lacey's blog Coffee With Lacey where she shares her thoughts on the book All is Assuredly Well. <br /><a href="http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/">http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />July 7th @ Cassandra's Journey<br />Stop by Cassandra's blog where she interviews author Professor Gore about her book All is Assuredly Well. <br /><a href="http://cassandraulrich.blogspot.com/">http://cassandraulrich.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />July 8th @ Madeline Sharples Blog<br />Author Professor Gore is a guest writer over at Madeline Sharples blog where she shares her thoughts on alchemical literature and how it affects her thinking as a writer.<br /><a href="http://madelinesharples.com/">http://madelinesharples.com/</a><br /><br />July 9th @ Bri's Book Nook<br />Stop by Briennai's blog Bri's Book Nook where reviews Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well. <br /><a href="https://brisbooknook.wordpress.com/">https://brisbooknook.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />July 10th @ Break Even Books<br />Come by Erik McManus' blog Break Even Books to find out what he had to say about the book All is Assuredly Well.<br /><a href="https://breakevenbooks.com/">https://breakevenbooks.com/</a><br /><br />July 10th @ Georgia Ball's Author Blog<br />Come by Georgia's blog where she features a blog post written by Professor Gore about how the author found her illustrator and who she is.&nbsp;<a href="http://georgiaballauthor.com/category/book-review/">http://georgiaballauthor.com/category/book-review/</a><br /><br />July 12th @ Mommy Daze: Say What??<br />Professor M.C. Gore will be a guest writer over at Ashley's blog Mommy Daze: Say What?? where the author describes her experience on the witness stand as an expert witness when the city of Wichita Falls, Texas banned Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate.&nbsp;<a href="http://adayinthelifeofmom.com/">http://adayinthelifeofmom.com/</a><br /><br />July 12th @ George Ball's Author Blog<br />Come by George Ball's blog where she shares her thoughts about Professor Gore &amp; Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well.<br /><a href="http://georgiaballauthor.com/category/book-review/">http://georgiaballauthor.com/category/book-review/</a><br /><br />July 14th @ A Storybook World<br />Professor Gore is a guest writer over at Dierdra's blog A Storybook World and she'll be writing about how her local writers’ club convinced her to self-publish, and why/how she started her own micro-publishing company (including how a MAJOR publishing company editor she pitched to told her that she would buy the manuscript, but not the illustrations because she had a “completely different vision” for the book).&nbsp;<a href="http://www.astorybookworld.com/">http://www.astorybookworld.com/</a><br /><br />July 15th @ The Late Bloomers Blog<br />Come by Gigi's blog The Late Bloomers blog where she shares her thoughts on Professsor Gore and Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well.&nbsp;<a href="http://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/">http://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />July 16th @ Auden Johnson's Blog<br />Stop by Auden Johnson blog to read Professor Gore's guest post on her supernatural experience involving her Advanced Graduate Statistics professor and how that relates to this book.<br /><a href="https://www.audenjohnson.com/">https://www.audenjohnson.com/</a><br /><br />July 17th @ Coffee With Lacey<br />Come by Lacey's blog and read her interview with Professor Gore, one of the authors for All is Assuredly Well as well as with the illustrator of the series, Angie F. M. Trotter.<br /><a href="http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/">http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />July 19th @ The Writing Dreamer<br />Come by Jessica's blog where Professor Gore will be a guest writer and will be talking about how a workshop on screenwriting made her a better story writer.&nbsp;</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://wolfdreamer25-myjourney.blogspot.com/">http://wolfdreamer25-myjourney.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />July 22nd @ Just a Place to Drop My Thoughts<br />Stephanie will be reviewing Professor Gore &amp; Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well. Come by and see what she thought about this impactful book!<br /><a href="https://stephaniemathis.blogspot.com/">https://stephaniemathis.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />July 23rd @ Cassandra's Writing World<br />Check out Cassandra's blog to find out her thoughts on Professor Gore &amp; Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well. Professor Gore will also be discussing her thoughts on why attending conferences and workshops are worth the money (and how to make the best use of your time at one).<br /><a href="https://www.cassandra-mywritongworld.blogspot.com/">http://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/?m=0</a><br /><br />July 24th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog<br />Come by Anthony Avina's blog where he shares his thoughts on Professor Gore &amp; Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well.<br /><a href="https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/">https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/</a><br /><br />July 26th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog<br />Check out Anthony Avina's blog where he will be sharing Professor Gore's guest post on why she<br />selected Maestro Wilson as her co-author and how they worked together.<br /><a href="https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/">https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/</a><br /><br />July 27th @ The Faerie Review<br />Come by Lily Shadowlyn's blog The Faerie Review where she reviews the book All is Assuredly Well.<br /><a href="http://www.thefaeriereview.com/">www.thefaeriereview.com</a><br /><br />July 28th @ The Faerie Review<br />Make sure to catch Lily's interview with author Professor Gore, one of the co-authors of All is Assuredly Well.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.thefaeriereview.com/">www.thefaeriereview.com</a><br /><br />July 30th @ Books and Motivation<br />Come by Prakash Vir Sharma blog and read his interview with author Professor Gore.<br /><a href="http://www.booksandmotivation.wordpress.com/">www.booksandmotivation.wordpress.com</a><br /><br />July 30th @ The Faerie Review<br />Come by Lily's blog where author Professor Gore writes about fighting academic freedom after a student complained about Professor Gore's class material about LGBQT class material.<br /><a href="http://www.thefaeriereview.com/">www.thefaeriereview.com</a></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">To win a copy of All is Assuredly Well, please leave a comment on this post by August 12:00 midnight on August 22, 2018.&nbsp; One winner will be selected at random. Book will be mailed from me to one winner in the US.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></div></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-55949015239952483392018-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-13T00:00:09.811-07:00How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell and Jennifer Hansen Rolli <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsyDp0_CrK0/Wzyl7hCviOI/AAAAAAAAuXY/MavBLJHB6ZsK0OnbBAcgWITZKBl5kCdrACLcBGAs/s1600/36373573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsyDp0_CrK0/Wzyl7hCviOI/AAAAAAAAuXY/MavBLJHB6ZsK0OnbBAcgWITZKBl5kCdrACLcBGAs/s1600/36373573.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36373573-how-to-trick-the-tooth-fairy?from_search=true" target="_blank">How to Trick the Tooth Fairy&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Erin Danielle Russell&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Illustrated by Jennifer Hansen Rolli&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published May, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Trick-the-Tooth-Fairy/Erin-Danielle-Russell/9781481467322" target="_blank">Alladin (Simon and Schuster</a>)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Fiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hardcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">40 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Kaylee loves pulling pranks: from dropping water balloons on passers by to even tricking Santa Claus, she’s a prize-winning prankster!<br />But is she the Princess of Pranks? No! That title is held by none other than the Tooth Fairy. But when Kaylee loses a tooth and the Tooth Fairy goes about her usual tooth-taking business, Kaylee pranks her with a fake frog. As Kaylee and the Tooth Fairy try to out-prank one another, things get way out of hand, until the two finally see eye and eye and decide to share the crown!</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It is really fun to watch Kaylee and the Tooth Fairy prank each other back and forth.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">Neither wants to be out-pranked so&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">each prank getting messier and messier.&nbsp; I do wish there had been a more dialogue between the two, but there is a bit of talking provided in speech bubbles.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The illustrations are terrific. The characters are charming and include a variety of ethnicities. The Tooth Fairy is whimsical and glittery with pink hair and a silver dress. The cover has real sparkles and the end pages are gorgeous.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ex3S4pjmUU/Wzymi39t3_I/AAAAAAAAuXg/C0T5GP-HqgEYinhY0VrkxB3xK8zv4thlQCLcBGAs/s1600/how-to-trick-the-tooth-fairy-9781481467322.in02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ex3S4pjmUU/Wzymi39t3_I/AAAAAAAAuXg/C0T5GP-HqgEYinhY0VrkxB3xK8zv4thlQCLcBGAs/s640/how-to-trick-the-tooth-fairy-9781481467322.in02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from:&nbsp;http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Trick-the-Tooth-Fairy/Erin-Danielle-Russell/9781481467322</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder if this book would encourage kids to try to pull a prank the Tooth Fairy the next time they lose a tooth?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend it for ages 4-8.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Check out this book trailer!</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E7aZKnPyJg8" width="560"></iframe><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/erin-danielle-russell/how-to-trick-the-tooth-fairy/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4814-6732-2" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Visit the&nbsp;<a href="http://howtotrickthetoothfairy.com/" target="_blank">book's website</a></span></div></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-18393265857258673802018-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-12T00:00:07.184-07:00A Perfect Summer Trip Book: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpZ2ehsgg5w/WzyjiiUAOKI/AAAAAAAAuXM/wOBCtOuGTsU6k5z8UYmTBDnfk7DXvmijACLcBGAs/s1600/36081734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpZ2ehsgg5w/WzyjiiUAOKI/AAAAAAAAuXM/wOBCtOuGTsU6k5z8UYmTBDnfk7DXvmijACLcBGAs/s320/36081734.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36081734-national-geographic-kids-almanac-2019?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">National Geographic Kids Almanac 2019</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published May, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by National Geographic Society</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Paperback</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">352 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The world's best-selling almanac for kids is back and in demand! This year's includes the latest information about what's new and newsy in our world, special dates to anticipate, and fresh topics, and much more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Have fun keeping up with our quickly changing world with the New York Times best-selling almanac, curated and created just for kids. It's packed with incredible photos; tons of fun facts, crafts, and activities; and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology, and more. New features include an updated "Fun and Games" chapter filled with all-new games, jokes, and comics; all new weird-but-true facts; "19 Facts for 2019" feature in every chapter; updated reference material; and cool stuff on topics today's curious kids care about.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As usual, this almanac is packed full of interesting information. It is organized into 11 sections like <i>Your World 2019, Amazing Animals, Going Green, Wonders of Nature and Fun </i>and <i>Games. </i>There is something for everyone. Information is presented in narratives, captions, stats, lists, charts and tables. Most sections have a quiz at the end so kids can test their knowledge. There are fun mazes, fill-ins, comics, jokes and puzzles as well. National Geographic has provided online resources such as downloads, games, and videos to accompany the almanac (I did not examine these resources). Of course, w</span><span style="font-size: large;">ith over 500 pictures, this almanac is a visual feast for the eyes!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I can see this book going on car trips and kids spouting off facts they learn or a funny joke they find. I would recommend this book for ages 8+.&nbsp;</span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-16549500866977891832018-07-11T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-11T06:53:15.103-07:00Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs by Melissa Stewart and Stephanie Laberis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xR4FBPxwUuw/WzyfV3y2VMI/AAAAAAAAuXA/wor9GWM7l0Qi69bx2CtXsE4gFPCr_FAdwCLcBGAs/s1600/38371226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xR4FBPxwUuw/WzyfV3y2VMI/AAAAAAAAuXA/wor9GWM7l0Qi69bx2CtXsE4gFPCr_FAdwCLcBGAs/s1600/38371226.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38371226-pipsqueaks-slowpokes-and-stinkers" target="_blank">Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Melissa Stewart&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Expected publication Sept. 1, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Peachtree Publishers</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Puny? Poky? Clumsy? Shy? A lighthearted look at the surprising traits that help some animals survive.<br />Written with a lively, playful voice, Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers introduces young readers to a variety of "animal underdogs" and explains how characteristics that might seem like weaknesses are critical for finding food and staying safe in an eat-or-be-eaten world.<br />Award-winning author Melissa Stewart offers readers a humorous and informative nonfiction picture book with a gentle message of understanding and celebrating differences. Stephanie Laberis's bright, bold--and scientifically accurate--illustrations add to the fun.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Melissa Stewart has done it again! This nonfiction picture book is just wonderful. It is informative, interesting and witty.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I learned a ton!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For example, did you know that sleeping a lot, is a survival behavior? Animals like koalas and armadillos need much less food because they are not as active. I also learned about a really stinky bird called a hoatzin who uses its stench to deter predators.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Stewart effectively uses a variety of structures to present information. She often utilizes a question/answer structure to share information. I think students will find this format very appealing.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The illustrations help to support the information. Stephanie Laberis has created critters that are animated, but seem real at the same time. They have a cuteness that will draw children in.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y25TdncE1as/Wz6L92TFn0I/AAAAAAAAuhw/rXbJyYxCpr4COdRoeza4Twkdm5S6ZvJzwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180705_152929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1600" height="351" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y25TdncE1as/Wz6L92TFn0I/AAAAAAAAuhw/rXbJyYxCpr4COdRoeza4Twkdm5S6ZvJzwCLcBGAs/s400/20180705_152929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I would definitely add this book to your nonfiction collection. I would recommend it most for ages 5-9</span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/melissa-stewart/pipsqueaks-slowpokes-and-stinkers/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/09/pipsqueaks-slowpokes-and-stinkers.html" target="_blank">Celebrate Science</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-57260488634315103532018-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-10T00:00:11.054-07:00Amazing Animal Friendships: Odd Couples in Nature by Pavla Hanackova and Linh Dao<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvQ-9XvPsLI/Wzyb-QyZZKI/AAAAAAAAuWo/E91_hhIb2Jsktkxa7SPm311_ZZlf1g3gACLcBGAs/s1600/34028176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvQ-9XvPsLI/Wzyb-QyZZKI/AAAAAAAAuWo/E91_hhIb2Jsktkxa7SPm311_ZZlf1g3gACLcBGAs/s320/34028176.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34028176-odd-couples-in-nature?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amazing Animal Friendships: Odd Couples in Nature&nbsp;</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Pavla Hanackova</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Illustrated by Linh Dao</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published 2017</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Book House</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">36 Pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><u><br /></u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Talk about cooperation! This book is chocked full of examples of ways that plants and animals rely on each other.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Did you know...</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Baboons and antelopes live help keep each other safe from predators?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Aphids suck nectar from plants and often cannot absorb it all. The excess is released from their bodies and gobbled up by ants.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The information in this book is presented in bite-sized chunks with accompanying adorable illustrations of animals and plants. Some animals are quite silly and speak in speech bubbles.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Readers will learn content vocabulary such as mutualism, symbiosis, bacteria and many more. The book's organizational structure includes 2-page spreads depicting two animals or animal/plant combinations. The back matter consists of a short glossary and an index.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LLtI3IRALE/WzydQ6nONrI/AAAAAAAAuW0/_cEKEhYaAWEXRKE6BcH4ieBW__AFQD5UgCLcBGAs/s1600/91HVN9qyzvL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LLtI3IRALE/WzydQ6nONrI/AAAAAAAAuW0/_cEKEhYaAWEXRKE6BcH4ieBW__AFQD5UgCLcBGAs/s640/91HVN9qyzvL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from:&nbsp;https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Animal-Friendships-Couples-Nature/dp/1912006480</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This book would make a nice addition to any library. I think students ages 7-10 would enjoy it most.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/pavla-hanackova/amazing-animal-friendships/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lookingglassreview.com/books/amazing-animal-friendships-odd-couples-in-nature/" target="_blank">Through the Looking Glass</a></span><br /><br />Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-37455614709647235182018-07-09T06:42:00.000-07:002018-07-09T06:42:20.801-07:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading? July 9, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please visit the amazing blogs:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz28kdfkKP8" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">who host this terrific meme each week.</span></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here is my reading from the past couple of weeks. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Finished</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35238085-the-parker-inheritance" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S27Qr-lOiD0/Wz6OMLR9H2I/AAAAAAAAuh8/yZ9c3JbqX6Q7nMPXPs248SFSs-GOUNrSgCLcBGAs/s200/35238085.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Read</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39217633-louisiana-s-way-home" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="280" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYSCetFM2k8/WzPMYKWcc3I/AAAAAAAAuMs/mEdaZlyqpdQqdVovjxug2oJ-40wMrE1rgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/39217633.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37584983-harbor-me" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hK6LGt0X3hs/Wz6Oz_xgh0I/AAAAAAAAuiE/vEHkz5Ygi6wIjptmFsofxINe-hzJA9ISwCLcBGAs/s200/37584983.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32194556-after-zero" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZGQoOUvanU/Wz6PBssTAFI/AAAAAAAAuiI/iOEZwyLEur06JdaEsZwzjYBlE_wkhL13QCLcBGAs/s200/32194556.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29420389-in-your-shoes" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr0v0EBEnjY/Wz5QuORmBCI/AAAAAAAAugA/bo-87ZHKUwsKImK2Sb3y-tp9z8E1ByqfwCEwYBhgL/s200/29420389.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">See review <a href="https://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/2018/07/in-your-shoes-by-donna-gephart.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33004208-the-miscalculations-of-lightning-girl" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHiREMF9lvo/W0Nlegp6B5I/AAAAAAAAunc/ZV0pWLkJkHUGTjEu12NLpnxNfgojkEOoQCLcBGAs/s200/33004208.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Currently Reading</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28234691-my-year-in-the-middle?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmkXCyk5kMM/W0NlzO__AoI/AAAAAAAAunk/SDAmKgxVXtAf5wgmjAQa4wWiBYKK7Uo-wCLcBGAs/s200/28234691.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What are you reading friends?</span></div></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-83249261746952122832018-07-06T00:00:00.000-07:002018-07-06T00:00:03.448-07:00Two Counting Books for Babies and Toddlers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cP69epHiXQ/WzyUpmtPekI/AAAAAAAAuWE/9la6IgUo0TMUHfbFpWyBvYtpwHN2sr4fwCLcBGAs/s1600/35942846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cP69epHiXQ/WzyUpmtPekI/AAAAAAAAuWE/9la6IgUo0TMUHfbFpWyBvYtpwHN2sr4fwCLcBGAs/s320/35942846.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35942846-10-9-8-owls-up-late?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">10, 9, 8...Owls Up Late&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Georgiana Deutsch</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published February, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Silver Dolphin Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Board Book</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">26 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ten cheeky, bouncy, noisy owls are playing in a tree. It's bedtime, but they're having far too much fun to go to sleep! Uh-oh. Will Mummy Owl ever convince all her little owlets to fly down to the nest?</span></span><br /><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Thoughts</span></span></u><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh my gosh these owls are SO cute, but they are in no hurry to get to bed. Mama Owl keeps trying to get them to rest, but they always have an excuse to stay up. The book uses rich vocabulary on each page. Young readers will hear words such as chuckling, chortling, flittering, fluttering, and chittering to name a few. The rhyming and repetitive text offers a structure littles ones can learn as they read the story over and over again. Each little owl has its own look color pattern and they vary in size. Small speech bubbles are sprinkled in for a dose of dialogue.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little ones can count the owls in the cutouts and learn how numbers change when one is taken away.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The board book is very sturdy and is just the right size for little hands.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NubXI1JJHAA/WzyWRLJE8BI/AAAAAAAAuWQ/eTCBvSje-CQnA111PY4Yx_Fji12UE4RAACLcBGAs/s1600/10-9-8-owls-up-late-9781684121847.in01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="489" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NubXI1JJHAA/WzyWRLJE8BI/AAAAAAAAuWQ/eTCBvSje-CQnA111PY4Yx_Fji12UE4RAACLcBGAs/s640/10-9-8-owls-up-late-9781684121847.in01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Image from:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/10-9-8-Owls-Up-Late!/Georgiana-Deutsch/9781684121847</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://parentingpatch.com/10-9-8-owls-up-late-book-review/" target="_blank">The Parenting Patch</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=10,_9,_8..._Owls_Up_Late!_by_Georgiana_Deutsch_and_Ekaterina_Trukhan" target="_blank">The Bookbag</a></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQxerXMNXF8/WzyXfeYfGzI/AAAAAAAAuWc/fCuugO-sjQUBN_nzL6KP2a4UzR0CjIShgCLcBGAs/s1600/35566765%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQxerXMNXF8/WzyXfeYfGzI/AAAAAAAAuWc/fCuugO-sjQUBN_nzL6KP2a4UzR0CjIShgCLcBGAs/s320/35566765%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sesame Street: 5 Little Rubber Duckies</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published February, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">SFI Readerlink Dist</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Board Book</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">12 pages</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Join Ernie and his friends on Sesame Street as they try to find five little rubber duckies. With touch and trace elements perfect for little hands and plastic duckies to push and count along, this book is the perfect story time activity for early learners.&nbsp;</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Every kid loved Sesame Street characters. Combing their favorite characters and counting is a winning combination. Ernie's friends take turns borrowing his rubber duckies to play with. However, each time another character takes them, one seems to get misplaced. Finally all of them are missing and Ernie is sad. Then his 5 friends each return one duckie to him in the end.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The rhyming, simple text is sure to be a hit with young readers. They will be able to count the duckies on each page and run their finger over the indented number on each page. They will also be exposed to subtraction and counting backwards.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAXf7Gf-uAY/Wz5pYnp97nI/AAAAAAAAug4/X_H7BUYBlfI1U-ieicpkMo6G_G7SHkVxgCLcBGAs/s1600/four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="515" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAXf7Gf-uAY/Wz5pYnp97nI/AAAAAAAAug4/X_H7BUYBlfI1U-ieicpkMo6G_G7SHkVxgCLcBGAs/s640/four.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Another neat aspect of the book is the 5 little duckies at the top. These duckies can be moved to count, but will stay in the little box and be there for every page. I played with them and they moved very easily.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXPW46vmfDQ/Wz5pXXkJqrI/AAAAAAAAug8/6RTPth22rtQwB7mWpojCSbiCo3U30xlTACEwYBhgL/s1600/duckies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXPW46vmfDQ/Wz5pXXkJqrI/AAAAAAAAug8/6RTPth22rtQwB7mWpojCSbiCo3U30xlTACEwYBhgL/s640/duckies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I would recommend 5 Little Rubber Duckies for babies and toddlers.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://parentingpatch.com/sesame-street-5-little-rubber-duckies-book-review/" target="_blank">The Parenting Patch</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.onhoneysucklehill.com/2018/04/sesame-street-5-little-rubber-duckies-book-review/" target="_blank">On Honeysuckle Hill</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.aruplife.com/2018/05/summer-reading-series-sesame-street-5.html" target="_blank">A&nbsp;Rup Life</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-87813802583148899572018-07-05T11:12:00.000-07:002018-07-05T11:12:05.839-07:00In Your Shoes by Donna Gephart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr0v0EBEnjY/Wz5QuORmBCI/AAAAAAAAuf8/d92k9qZsigANuIHifXt018QBN0GzkmQOACLcBGAs/s1600/29420389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr0v0EBEnjY/Wz5QuORmBCI/AAAAAAAAuf8/d92k9qZsigANuIHifXt018QBN0GzkmQOACLcBGAs/s320/29420389.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29420389-in-your-shoes" target="_blank">In Your Shoes&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Donna Gephart</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Expected publication</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">October 30, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Delacourte Books for Your Readers</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">336 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Realistic fiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review ebook obtained through Netgalley</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The critically acclaimed author of Lily and Dunkin delivers another heartfelt story that will remind readers you never know who needs a friend the most, about two imaginative tweens who help each other find new beginnings.<br />Miles is an anxious boy who loves his family's bowling center even if though he could be killed by a bolt of lightning or a wild animal that escaped from the Philadelphia Zoo on the way there. <br />Amy is the new girl at school who wishes she didn't have to live above her uncle's funeral home and tries to write her way to her own happily-ever-after. <br />Then Miles and Amy meet in the most unexpected way . . . and that's when it all begins. . . .</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In this middle grade novel, middle schoolers Miles and Amy are both dealing with many feelings of loss, grief, guilt, regret and fear. Amy, who has lost her mother, moves to a new town away from her best friend and her dog. She lives in a funeral home (the family business) and stays with her uncle during the week while her father is away studying at mortuary school.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Miles has lost his grandmother who loved the family bowling alley as much as Miles. He also goes through more difficult times later in the book. Miles has a lot of anxiety and feels that if he worries about enough, then maybe he can prevent bad things from happening. He has a couple of great friends, Randall, his best friend suffers with asthma and loves to bowl, even if he just ends up losing money in bets against Miles. Then there is his friend Tate who is also Randall's girlfriend. Tate is a likable, spunky character who befriends Amy and makes her start to feel a bit more comfortable.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Miles and Amy develop a cute and perfectly awkward tween relationship with shy smiles, blushing and even a game of spin the bottle.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Since Amy likes to write, the reader is treated to the fictional story Amy is writing about a girl locked in a castle tower and a prince who struggles to feel accepted.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I think many students will enjoy this story. Kids in grades 5-8 will especially appreciate the angst of being a preteen and navigating the challenges of friendships,&nbsp; family dynamics, and romantic crushes.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2018/04/in-your-shoes-by-donna-gephart.html" target="_blank">Watch. Connect. Read.</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/donna-gephart/in-your-shoes/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-80317608097282731082018-06-29T08:07:00.000-07:002018-06-29T08:08:00.189-07:00Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36xBucYGRtA/WzTCgETYDoI/AAAAAAAAuNg/MTr4Ir1nQjA3yuni65E5E0sOaq4xZMbbgCLcBGAs/s1600/35738079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36xBucYGRtA/WzTCgETYDoI/AAAAAAAAuNg/MTr4Ir1nQjA3yuni65E5E0sOaq4xZMbbgCLcBGAs/s1600/35738079.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35738079-pink-is-for-boys?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">Pink is for Boys&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published June 5, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.runningpress.com/imprint/running-press/perseus/running-press-kids/page/rp-kids/" target="_blank">Running Press</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fiction</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">40 pages</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Review copy (F&amp;G) was provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! This timely and beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every color of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of relatable characters, Pink Is for Boys invites and encourages girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do, whether it's racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up. Vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colors that surround them every day, from the orange of a popsicle, to the green of a grassy field, all the way up to the wonder of a multicolored rainbow.<br /><br />Parents and kids will delight in Robb Pearlman's sweet, simple script, as well as its powerful message: life is not color-coded.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How often have we heard kids (and adults) talk about colors like pink and purple being "girl" colors or associated with femininity?</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This book reinforces the concept that colors do not have a gender specificity and ALL colors are for ALL people.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The repeating text is sparse, but effective. Children will quickly be able to learn the story and read it themselves.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">However, the illustrations by Eda Kaban really bring this book to life. Each page is depicted in the color being showcased and the last pages put all the beautiful colors together. The characters are simply adorable with many ethnicities and abilities being represented so children will find someone that looks like them.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I would happily share this story to kids ages 2-6</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7624-6247-6" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></span></div><div><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/robb-pearlman/pink-is-for-boys/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kirkus</span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=16194" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-25724151330887539972018-06-28T04:45:00.000-07:002018-06-28T04:45:34.862-07:00Anna and Johanna by Geraldine Elschner and Florence Koenig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2TsWAnfsWc/WzTFCpQukyI/AAAAAAAAuNs/ZYYVsHXgPn07cJD0B5L9ZfyHeRQ7FR5agCLcBGAs/s1600/36717184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2TsWAnfsWc/WzTFCpQukyI/AAAAAAAAuNs/ZYYVsHXgPn07cJD0B5L9ZfyHeRQ7FR5agCLcBGAs/s320/36717184.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36717184-anna-and-johanna?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">Anna and Johanna&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Geraldine Elschner and Florence Koenig</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published February, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Prestel Publishing</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hardcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Picture Book</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 Pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although one is the daughter of a wealthy Dutch family and the other a household servant, Anna and Johanna become friends. Born on the same day, they celebrate their joint birthdays by making gifts for each other. But then a letter arrives that changes their lives forever. Told against the backdrop of the 17th-century Dutch city of Delft and its thriving commercial and artistic culture, this story of an unlikely friendship echoes the themes of Vermeer's luminous depiction of domestic life. Florence Koenig's brightly colored illustrations evoke Vermeer's style through the city's multifaceted landscapes, from misty mornings by the canals to busy households preparing for a special day. Young readers will be fascinated by this uplifting story of friendship inspired by Jan Vermeer.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This beautiful book was translated from the original French version. Each page looks like a painting in a museum. You can actually see the brush strokes on the page. I found this fictional story, inspired by two of Jan Vermeer's paintings, to be quite interesting. Readers will like the twist in the story and the satisfying ending.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I really like how this book ties art with story. It would be fun to show two paintings to students and have them create a story using the images for inspiration.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The back matter tells more about Vermeer, how works and more about the two paintings that inspired the book.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The book is not a short picture book to read and I struggled a bit with the font size and style. While it is listed for ages 4-8 I would recommend it for slightly older readers ages 6-10.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://katiereviewsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/anna-and-johanna-written-by-geraldine-elschner-and-illustrated-by-florence-koenig/" target="_blank">Katie Reviews Books</a></span></div><div><a href="https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018/06/anna-and-johanna-by-geraldine-elschner.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kiss the Book</span></a></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-32786326352026025872018-06-27T10:55:00.000-07:002018-06-27T10:55:53.043-07:00Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYSCetFM2k8/WzPMYKWcc3I/AAAAAAAAuMo/B53sS0xhECUEBFFV1vAPy_xFwIpEclgsACLcBGAs/s1600/39217633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYSCetFM2k8/WzPMYKWcc3I/AAAAAAAAuMo/B53sS0xhECUEBFFV1vAPy_xFwIpEclgsACLcBGAs/s320/39217633.jpg" width="224" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39217633-louisiana-s-way-home#" target="_blank">Louisiana's Way Home</a>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Kate DiCamillo</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Expected Publication Oct 2, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Candlewick Press</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Middle Grade</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">227 Pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Advanced Reader's copy provided by publisher</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo comes a story of discovering who you are — and deciding who you want to be.<br />When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town — including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder — she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes. (Which could be due to the curse on Louisiana’s and Granny’s heads. But that is a story for another time.)<br /><br />Called “one of DiCamillo’s most singular and arresting creations” by The New York Times Book Review, the heartbreakingly irresistible Louisiana Elefante was introduced to readers in Raymie Nightingale — and now, with humor and tenderness, Kate DiCamillo returns to tell her story.</span><u><br /></u><u><br /></u><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">First off, I LOVED Raymie Nightingale (DiCamillo 2016) and Louisiana was my favorite character in the book. I was thrilled to get to spend more time with her in this book. So my thoughts are probably a bit skewed. Louisiana is a character like no other. She has a unique way of expressing herself and her voice is very strong throughout the book. The way she views the world is very different to say the least. She is both brazen and innocent at the same time. Although the story seems a bit far-fetched, it all just seems very "Louisiana" to me. Nothing surprised me (well almost nothing). I was not surprised when Granny needed her teeth out or when 12 year-old Louisiana drove the car, or when they landed in a motel room with no money to pay. In true DiCamillo style, readers will meet and get to know new and interesting characters. There are two cranky women who are always in various stages of curling their hair, three characters named Burke, and a nurturing, cake-baking mother.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Of course Granny is an intriguing character in her own right. She is grumpy, non-nonsense, cunning and fiercely protective. I think she could have her own story explained in a book some time.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The ending is surprising and satisfying and just seems "right". Readers will love Louisiana with her swampy lungs, fainting spells, beautiful singing voice and her adorably woeful outlook.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend this book for grades 4-6.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span><br /><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/76302-kate-dicamillo-writes-companion-novel-to-raymie-nightingale.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Publishers Weekly</span></a><br /><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kate-dicamillo/louisianas-way-home/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kirkus</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-34396178104674898862018-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:002018-06-04T00:00:07.529-07:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading? June 4, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please visit the amazing blogs:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz28kdfkKP8" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">who host this terrific meme each week.</span></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here is my reading from this week. Click on the book covers to learn more about them.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35793020-jabberwalking" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JWU879ftTS8/WxPQ3B0iRcI/AAAAAAAAtWE/41JMJeQBW1AZpiCUq1q1WLOVqhVo-d57gCLcBGAs/s320/35793020.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Poetry-not for my taste, but interesting.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34963268-voices-from-the-underground-railroad" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ScJgjrV9b68/WxPgZ9Mv4AI/AAAAAAAAtWg/y066NjBa4JYyM_ENfoDmmlMTfANwKQlLACLcBGAs/s320/34963268.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An excellent historical fiction picture book for middle grades.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29625895-the-dollar-kids?ac=1&amp;from_search=true#" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mx29zISbXCA/WxPRYca-WVI/AAAAAAAAtWM/H3F_sJuKPJ8i0RojGcjKqnbwburuMRFJwCLcBGAs/s320/29625895%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Really enjoyed this new MG novel from Jennifer Richard Jacobson! Coming in August.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Currently Listening</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35238085-the-parker-inheritance?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b07i1-1Xi5g/WxPR0X5RfmI/AAAAAAAAtWU/V3Ez2Zui8HMT9umu13iDBkNyN2TnvdF1QCLcBGAs/s320/35238085.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What are you reading friends?</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-87866268577487581572018-05-30T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-30T00:00:06.572-07:00How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk and Sara Palacios<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxDHC1nrLPc/WwqlhiR962I/AAAAAAAAtHg/bL59QXaG1TYMhqJgPdHc2thxMvzjP1QvwCLcBGAs/s1600/35845088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxDHC1nrLPc/WwqlhiR962I/AAAAAAAAtHg/bL59QXaG1TYMhqJgPdHc2thxMvzjP1QvwCLcBGAs/s1600/35845088.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35845088-how-to-code-a-sandcastle?from_search=true" target="_blank">How to Code a Sandcastle&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Girls Who Code book.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Josh Funk and Sara Palacios</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">May 15, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Viking (Penguin Young Readers)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Fiction Picture Book</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hardcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">44 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">From the computer science nonprofit Girls Who Code comes this lively and funny story introducing kids to computer coding concepts.<br />Pearl and her trusty rust-proof robot, Pascal, need to build a sandcastle before summer vacation is over, and they’re going to do it using code. Pearl breaks the big we-need-a-sandcastle problem into smaller steps, then uses conditionals, loops, and other basic coding concepts to tell Pascal exactly what to do. But building a sandcastle isn’t as easy as it sounds when surfboards, mischievous dogs, and coding mishaps get in the way! Just when it looks like the sandcastle might never work, Pearl uses her coding skills to save the day and create something even better: a gorgeous sandcastle kingdom!</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thought<i>s</i></u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>How to Code a Sandcastle </i>takes a real problem and uses coding to try to solve it. The book shows how coding is just breaking things down to very small step and solving problems along the way.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For someone, like me, to whom coding is a completely foreign language, it is a nice beginning to understanding some of the steps involved. When one attempt doesn't work out, Pearl doesn't give up, she just modifies the code for Pascal to try again. Thankfully there are more detailed coding definitions and descriptions in the back matter of the book to explain sequences, loops, etc.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">With summer coming, <i>How to Code a Sandcastle</i> would make a great intro to coding with a summer theme.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend it most for grades 1-4.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/josh-funk/how-to-code-a-sandcastle/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://picturebookbuilders.com/2018/05/how-to-code-a-sandcastle-interview-with-josh-funk/" target="_blank">Picture Book Builders</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://reederama.blogspot.com/2018/05/reedaloud-how-to-code-sandcastle.html" target="_blank">Reederama</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Watch this great video review.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EENGtCdu3NE" width="560"></iframe></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-81614866020739725382018-05-29T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-29T00:00:05.311-07:00Albie Newton by Josh Funk and Ester Garay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvW-Cqa288w/WwqhJo6o1nI/AAAAAAAAtHU/9I--xGW9PmQ8gcuiM1KIADDA-Fbry-kKwCLcBGAs/s1600/35160619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvW-Cqa288w/WwqhJo6o1nI/AAAAAAAAtHU/9I--xGW9PmQ8gcuiM1KIADDA-Fbry-kKwCLcBGAs/s1600/35160619.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35160619-albie-newton?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">Albie Newton&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Josh Funk and Ester Garay</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published May 1, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Sterling Children's Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Fiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Picture Book</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hardcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Meet Albie Newton: child genius. He’s a whiz at inventing things. But is he inventive enough to figure out how to make friends? <br />When precocious inventor Albie Newton enters a new preschool, he concocts the perfect plan for making friends. Unfortunately, it involves stealing the hamster’s wheel, snatching the wings off of Dave’s toy airplane, and generally making a giant mess. Now everyone’s angry at Albie! Will his new invention delight the other kids enough to make everything right—and finally win their friendship?</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Albie Newton is certainly not like the other kids in his class. He is a big thinker who learned foreign languages, wrote poetry and was a whiz at math. Although he wants to make friends, he doesn't seem to know how to interact with the other children. When he seems to be stealing the classroom supplies, he is really trying to create a special invention to please his classmates.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The characters are adorable and represent various shapes, sizes, ethnicities and abilities. The story is told using Funk's signature rhyming text and exposes young readers to some more sophisticated vocabulary.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend Albie Newton most for grades K-3.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Check out the book trailer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMwUzIaO-JI" width="560"></iframe></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/josh-funk/albie-newton/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://pernillesripp.com/2017/10/23/cover-reveal-albie-newton-by-josh-funk-and-some-very-exciting-news/" target="_blank">Pernille Ripp</a></span></div><div><br /></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-10377214912183219252018-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-21T00:00:00.527-07:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading? May 21, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please visit the amazing blogs:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz28kdfkKP8" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">who host this terrific meme each week.</span></span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here is my reading from this week.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34495947-deep-water" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74HxQDCjgKo/WwGHjcMl3YI/AAAAAAAAtBA/w5Fq1GDNJQg7QuyWGNExy-iuaUBLa8TBwCLcBGAs/s320/34495947.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34495947-deep-water" target="_blank">Deep Water&nbsp;</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">by Watt Key</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Published April, 2018</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Farrar Straus Giroux</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">272 Pages</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Middle Grade</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fiction-Adventure/Survival</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Good Reads Summary</u></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A middle grade survival story about a scuba dive gone wrong and two enemies who must unite to survive.<br /><i>It's the most important rule of scuba diving: If you don't feel right, don't go down.</i><br />So after her father falls ill, twelve-year-old Julie Sims must take over and lead two of his clients on a dive miles off the coast of Alabama while her father stays behind in the boat. When the clients, a reckless boy Julie's age and his equally foolhardy father, disregard Julie's instructions during the dive, she quickly realizes she's in over her head.<br />And once she surfaces, things only get worse: One of the clients is in serious condition, and their dive boat has vanished--along with Julie's father, the only person who knows their whereabouts. It's only a matter of time before they die of hypothermia, unless they become shark bait first. Though Julie may not like her clients, it's up to her to save them all.<br /><br />I really loved this book! I read it in one day which is very fast for me. I just needed to find out what happened and could not put it down. I would highly recommend it for grades 5-8.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">I also read...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35353734-a-seed-is-the-start" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3BkvX1ZwrU/Wvhmcax8OII/AAAAAAAAslk/sVcPSVVQ4r0CFTOztEC13zY8qHPhHDotwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/35353734.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Read my post <a href="https://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-seed-is-start-by-melissa-stewart.html" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Currently Reading</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29625895-the-dollar-kids?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46LxyBjqnEM/WvhZmle3jKI/AAAAAAAAslM/L4NeNrIhP002_hk6uXgNwAIxlkKjWpIlACPcBGAYYCw/s320/29625895.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-14645829173227862152018-05-18T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-18T00:00:04.531-07:00A Seed is the Start by Melissa Stewart <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3BkvX1ZwrU/Wvhmcax8OII/AAAAAAAAslg/tb12nLnBQtsfLXyaMny01uyn1gNAeC3ZACLcBGAs/s1600/35353734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3BkvX1ZwrU/Wvhmcax8OII/AAAAAAAAslg/tb12nLnBQtsfLXyaMny01uyn1gNAeC3ZACLcBGAs/s1600/35353734.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35353734-a-seed-is-the-start?from_search=true" target="_blank">A Seed is the Start&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Melissa Stewart&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published Feb. 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">National Geographic Kids</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 Pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Beautiful photography and lyrical text pair with comprehensive picture captions in award-winning author Melissa Stewart's story about the surprisingly diverse world of seeds. Learn all about the plant cycle, from how seeds grow, the fascinating ways they travel, and what it takes for a seed to become a plant.<br />Meet seeds that pop, hop, creep, and explode in this vividly illustrated introduction to the simplest concepts of botany. The story, which is perfect for elementary school Common Core learning, carefully highlights the many ways that seeds get from here to there, engaging children's curiosity with strong action verbs. Stunning photographs with fact-packed captions provide supporting details, explaining the role of seed features and functions in creating new generations of plants. Complete with an illustrated glossary and back matter featuring more resources, this book inspires wonder as it encourages budding botanists of all ages to look with new eyes at plants and their seeds. </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Whenever I see a new book by Melissa Stewart, I just know that I have to get it. She has written dozens of wonderful books about science and nature that kids love. So when I got her newest book, <i>A Seed is the Start,</i>&nbsp;I knew it would be great.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This book is loaded with easily accessible facts written with accompanying photos from National Geographic and it is a winning combination for sure. I learned a ton! Kids will enjoy learning more about seeds and how they travel, take root and sprout.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The back matter contains an index, selected resources and places to find more information. There is also a "Words to Know" page in the beginning to teach children words like seed, seedpod, nut and fruit.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Spring is the PERFECT time to share this book with kids. Since Melissa is the queen of <a href="https://www.melissa-stewart.com/books/teachers/bk_perfectpairs3-5.html" target="_blank">companion texts</a>, here are a few that would par well with <i>A Seed is the Start</i>.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15926775-sophie-s-squash?from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fETl3Pzktbw/Wvhr42bJ8-I/AAAAAAAAslw/kQoxJIYcHVEl1BURW5c8wdJB21YOUJVxACLcBGAs/s200/15926775.jpg" width="161" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/863910.A_Seed_Is_Sleepy?from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qv9YAGZKpWY/WvhsGBGJf_I/AAAAAAAAsl0/eb5haflKRgUMA_uZQAeeRq4POPhO0VhtQCLcBGAs/s200/863910.jpg" width="164" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2533009.Flip_Float_Fly?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="318" height="198" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qk9u0r0-glA/WvhsTleuF5I/AAAAAAAAsl8/9Vk3wPAijAgfzCw1udnhFC3FuuEbeDZCgCLcBGAs/s200/2533009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/books/pdfs/Seed-Is-Start-Ed-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">Educator's Guide</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.melissa-stewart.com/index.html" target="_blank">Melissa Stewart's Website</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4263-2977-7" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></span></div><div><br /></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-55789919467446030582018-05-17T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-17T00:00:11.016-07:00The Mad Wolf's Daughter by Diane Magras<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7GRPwro5xY/WtN0XpjR12I/AAAAAAAArr0/XR_fGjK1TtwIOMMR5FYn2LZvRIMQRg9tQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/35034197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7GRPwro5xY/WtN0XpjR12I/AAAAAAAArr0/XR_fGjK1TtwIOMMR5FYn2LZvRIMQRg9tQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/35034197.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36441547-the-mad-wolf-s-daughter" target="_blank">The Mad Wolf's Daughter&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Diane Magras</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published March, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Kathy Dawson Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">288 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hardcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A Scottish medieval adventure about the youngest in a war-band who must free her family from a castle prison after knights attack her home.<br />One dark night, Drest’s sheltered life on a remote Scottish headland is shattered when invading knights capture her family, but leave Drest behind. Her father, the Mad Wolf of the North, and her beloved brothers are a fearsome war-band, but now Drest is the only one who can save them. So she starts off on a wild rescue attempt, taking a wounded invader along as a hostage.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hunted by a bandit with a dark link to her family’s past, aided by a witch whom she rescues from the stake, Drest travels through unwelcoming villages, desolate forests, and haunted towns. Every time she faces a challenge, her five brothers speak to her in her mind about courage and her role in the war-band. But on her journey, Drest learns that the war-band is legendary for terrorizing the land. If she frees them, they’ll not hesitate to hurt the gentle knight who’s become her friend.<br />Drest thought that all she wanted was her family back; now she has to wonder what their freedom would really mean. Is she her father’s daughter or is it time to become her own legend?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit that I don't read a lot of medieval fiction, but I enjoyed this book very much.&nbsp; Drest is a fantastic, multi-dimensional character. She is brave, clever, strong and, in spite of herself, compassionate.&nbsp; She is quite creative with her Scottish insults. Some of my favorites included, "rot-headed prickle fish" and "toad-faced boar's bladder".&nbsp; Drest is faced with moral challenges along her quest. She needs to get the knight, her enemy, safely to the castle. This means that she must tend to his wounds and help him to walk throughout the long journey. It is hard to harbor ill-will for someone you are caring for and Drest begins to see her enemy in a different light. She also learns things about her father and brothers who are hated and feared far and wide for the terrible things they have done. Surely the father who loves her and the brothers that protect her could not intentionally hurt people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Magras does not shy away from the language of the age.&nbsp; Thankfully there is a glossary for readers can look up some of the terms. She also provides more information on medieval life in the author's note and there is a map in the front of the book so readers can follow the journey.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I would highly recommend The Mad Wolf's Daughter for grades 5-8. This is Diane Magras' debut novel and I certainly hope we get more gems from her in the near future.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Check out the official book trailer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7oTgMH6zHn0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2018/02/08/review-of-the-day-the-mad-wolfs-daughter-by-diane-magras/#_" target="_blank">School Library Journal</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/75733-galley-talk-the-mad-wolf-s-daughter.html" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/diane-magras/the-mad-wolfs-daughter/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s456gk3hems" target="_blank">One Minute Books</a></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-27783107473150770532018-05-16T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-16T00:00:15.370-07:00A New Literacy Resource-Help Appreciated<span style="font-size: large;">Hello literacy friends,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">How many times have you heard people talk about what "research says" in education, but they fail to provide or cite the actual research? Well, I have developed a website that just might help.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I am excited, and a bit nervous, to share a new literacy website I created as part of my capstone project for my post-masters literacy CAS.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">It is called </span><a href="https://literacyresourcesandresearch.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Literacy Resources and Research</a><span style="font-size: large;">. I created it to help educators that are looking to locate pertinent research supporting literacy instructional practices and resources to help them implement these practices. It is, by no means, an exhaustive list and will continue to develop over time.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I hope this website is of help to others. Please check it out and offer any comments with research, resources or topics that you think should be included.</span>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-35026672180120143402018-05-15T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-15T00:00:10.243-07:00It's a Puppy's Life by Seth Casteel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8YpOND2LMs/WtYACtd60-I/AAAAAAAAr0A/NZ3TuPiShoknB53Y2iMLNrkHRGOL2OzgQCLcBGAs/s1600/35584909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8YpOND2LMs/WtYACtd60-I/AAAAAAAAr0A/NZ3TuPiShoknB53Y2iMLNrkHRGOL2OzgQCLcBGAs/s1600/35584909.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35584909-it-s-a-puppy-s-life?from_search=true" target="_blank">It's a Puppy's Life&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Seth Casteel&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published March, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">National Geographic</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This book is just cuteness overload! With sparse, rhyming text, the author shows young readers a bit of what life is like for puppies. From taking walks, making messes, sniffing, bathing and napping, these adorable pups are very busy. Each of Seth Casteel's photos are clear, colorful and make you want to reach in and snuggle these cuties.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large;">Kids (and grown ups) will "ooh" and "awww" for sure.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c54-_4k7mP0/WtYAsSzxQ2I/AAAAAAAAr0I/5LxOd4Gp-PEMS3AwCaxT2WTuZxY0_epCwCLcBGAs/s1600/PuppyLifePage3.ngsversion.1520523792609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c54-_4k7mP0/WtYAsSzxQ2I/AAAAAAAAr0I/5LxOd4Gp-PEMS3AwCaxT2WTuZxY0_epCwCLcBGAs/s640/PuppyLifePage3.ngsversion.1520523792609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from National Geographic site</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">The back matter contains an author's note and a breed guide so kids can match the photos to the breed.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would recommend this book for ages 2-6.&nbsp;</span><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://christyscozycorners.com/2018/03/adopt-dont-shop-its-a-puppys-life/" target="_blank">Christy's Cozy Corners</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://kristisbooknook.blogspot.com/2018/03/its-puppys-life.html" target="_blank">Kristi's Book Nook</a></span>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-44472291470515542502018-05-14T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-14T00:00:16.303-07:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading? May 14, 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gUye3QTOrY/Vf8-rbFwOcI/AAAAAAAAFlI/EdFd0glr7GI/s1600/IMWAYR%2B2015.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please visit the amazing blogs:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz28kdfkKP8" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">who host this terrific meme each week.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Not a lot this week, but I am hoping to have more reading time this week.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Click on the covers to learn more about each book.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35584909-it-s-a-puppy-s-life?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8YpOND2LMs/WtYACtd60-I/AAAAAAAAr0E/4wP6_5Au4WEVx6ykdUkzg7P_PQs7HvrIACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/35584909.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it is as cute as it looks. Review tomorrow.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Currently Reading</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29625895-the-dollar-kids?from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46LxyBjqnEM/WvhZmle3jKI/AAAAAAAAslI/jKP_cboIilExBUmx1e2JxK6HGfvkoDRrgCLcBGAs/s320/29625895.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Up Next</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068662-granted?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3azIWOz4Zu4/WvhaBiWgVLI/AAAAAAAAslQ/uaVFCfSWRKwzK_gjrmxRbHNwJl6IEGH5gCLcBGAs/s320/35068662.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What are you reading friends?</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-79978654372890382882018-05-09T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-09T00:00:10.083-07:00The Truth About Dolphins by Max Eaton III<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mO2guCieFl4/Wu8Y56EySyI/AAAAAAAAsdA/xrePD28sgFQfZ5JD33LZh0kU1fWK-SG3wCLcBGAs/s1600/36482202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mO2guCieFl4/Wu8Y56EySyI/AAAAAAAAsdA/xrePD28sgFQfZ5JD33LZh0kU1fWK-SG3wCLcBGAs/s320/36482202.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36482202-the-truth-about-dolphins?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">The Truth About Dolphins&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Max Eaton III</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published May 8, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Roaring Brook Press</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 Pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nonfiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Did you know that dolphins find their dinners by using sound to track down the location of their prey?<br />Did you know that baby dolphins are born tail-first?<br />Did you know that each dolphin has a unique whistle (like human fingerprints) that makes them recognizable to other dolphins?<br />Discover these facts and more in this new addition to the popular series that combines raucous amounts of humor with a surprising amount of information on beloved animal friends.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I am delighted to have author/illustrator Max Eaton III here today to share his creative process in a most unique way. Enjoy!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YSAhnCMvvSE/Wu8OAd1rJfI/AAAAAAAAsbQ/C4ovFNgYpLQYROVriLJnxgBJKZ0JOQ_XQCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="900" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YSAhnCMvvSE/Wu8OAd1rJfI/AAAAAAAAsbQ/C4ovFNgYpLQYROVriLJnxgBJKZ0JOQ_XQCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFwT1mu0yWM/Wu8OnEg4LsI/AAAAAAAAsbk/6Yutrs-123YsESK9iZ-O02BgJnxh5g_cQCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFwT1mu0yWM/Wu8OnEg4LsI/AAAAAAAAsbk/6Yutrs-123YsESK9iZ-O02BgJnxh5g_cQCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11M9ElEbIGg/Wu8O3ZXV1NI/AAAAAAAAsbs/5dSqeNJ6Boo-0owg-TCReYIUnw9uK1GUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="900" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11M9ElEbIGg/Wu8O3ZXV1NI/AAAAAAAAsbs/5dSqeNJ6Boo-0owg-TCReYIUnw9uK1GUQCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xVA5yGYAlc/Wu8PFQszZWI/AAAAAAAAsbw/muSWmhEnx5YyTtt7iPXeIAGNDqQ0ILfIgCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="900" height="252" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xVA5yGYAlc/Wu8PFQszZWI/AAAAAAAAsbw/muSWmhEnx5YyTtt7iPXeIAGNDqQ0ILfIgCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oYcJqgAY1Y/Wu8WYbFknfI/AAAAAAAAscE/imVaGhqL3twC5qEJ_Ty-Y6KEriT_41bBwCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="900" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oYcJqgAY1Y/Wu8WYbFknfI/AAAAAAAAscE/imVaGhqL3twC5qEJ_Ty-Y6KEriT_41bBwCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8T-J-oMxyw/Wu8WlJ_11XI/AAAAAAAAscI/CGbABuic2_8VzAP1SJpIU7iAB_xaQQneACLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="900" height="277" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X8T-J-oMxyw/Wu8WlJ_11XI/AAAAAAAAscI/CGbABuic2_8VzAP1SJpIU7iAB_xaQQneACLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxHUK62HOAI/Wu8Wzyql5wI/AAAAAAAAscQ/PtRMUbUAkeIfEwZtg6cfsC5N8JUgoPRrACLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="900" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxHUK62HOAI/Wu8Wzyql5wI/AAAAAAAAscQ/PtRMUbUAkeIfEwZtg6cfsC5N8JUgoPRrACLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XN5XeobdElE/Wu8XERTSdCI/AAAAAAAAscc/dQy0jT8OeRM9AUmho6wWx8n6WTcs10RTQCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="900" height="243" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XN5XeobdElE/Wu8XERTSdCI/AAAAAAAAscc/dQy0jT8OeRM9AUmho6wWx8n6WTcs10RTQCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cl1RYwl5ITs/Wu8XYfkfR-I/AAAAAAAAsck/gZHLjJAaDE0JguYRwcJAa9MFT6pwJaICQCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="900" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cl1RYwl5ITs/Wu8XYfkfR-I/AAAAAAAAsck/gZHLjJAaDE0JguYRwcJAa9MFT6pwJaICQCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNBvuudF8p8/Wu8XzJ_bI1I/AAAAAAAAscs/U93rpBnf7vAI6VA1rGwg7nSL7FYbrAn6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="900" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNBvuudF8p8/Wu8XzJ_bI1I/AAAAAAAAscs/U93rpBnf7vAI6VA1rGwg7nSL7FYbrAn6gCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thank YOU Max! I LOVE this glimpse into your process and your sidekick is adorable!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friends, there are two other books in this engaging series that combines humor and nonfiction.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34506927-the-truth-about-hippos" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IW9rtky5iIc/Wu8ac1tY7WI/AAAAAAAAsdM/xD1_S8BgVuUSJrKwSD8y2jVS-DnnoolOwCLcBGAs/s200/34506927.jpg" width="160" /></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34506926-the-truth-about-bears" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oK6m0rw-PpQ/Wu8aoV_SosI/AAAAAAAAsdQ/g86Y_YNRvcASkzR-l1SIiFZX9dIQgxnBQCLcBGAs/s200/34506926.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Check out <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/393330.Maxwell_Eaton_III" target="_blank">other books</a> by Max Eaton.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-3045419171450689342018-05-08T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-08T03:04:20.669-07:00Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul-Guest Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5v_sTrgkYoc/Wu8HETNsQTI/AAAAAAAAsak/Y6kC3Gd0MR8MvoaPOoheIPhhumBtebdIQCLcBGAs/s1600/34475297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5v_sTrgkYoc/Wu8HETNsQTI/AAAAAAAAsak/Y6kC3Gd0MR8MvoaPOoheIPhhumBtebdIQCLcBGAs/s1600/34475297.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34475297-the-breaking-news?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">Breaking News&nbsp;</a></span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">by Sarah Lynne Reul</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Published April, 2018</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Roaring Brook Press</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">48 pages</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Goodreads Summary</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When devastating news rattles a young girl's community, her normally attentive parents and neighbors are suddenly exhausted and distracted. At school, her teacher tells the class to look for the helpers—the good people working to make things better in big and small ways. She wants more than anything to help in a BIG way, but maybe she can start with one small act of kindness instead . . . and then another, and another. Small things can compound, after all, to make a world of difference.<br />The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul touches on themes of community, resilience, and optimism with an authenticity that will resonate with readers young and old.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />I am thrilled to have author author/illustrator Sarah Lynne Reul here today for a guest post.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjDXIjYtEWU/Wu8YJKolCzI/AAAAAAAAsc0/dhyM2yINRJ8e0X-4N-dOEHGAGVRfTwe8wCLcBGAs/s1600/flowers_for_social_media.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjDXIjYtEWU/Wu8YJKolCzI/AAAAAAAAsc0/dhyM2yINRJ8e0X-4N-dOEHGAGVRfTwe8wCLcBGAs/s200/flowers_for_social_media.gif" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Sarah Lynne Reul Picks Up A Pencil <br /><br />On the jacket flap of many picture books, I’ve seen countless illustrator bios that state, “so &amp; so has been drawings ever since she could hold a pencil”. I very much admire people who have been able to consistently draw since childhood, but . . . that wasn’t the case at all for me. <br /><br />When I first picked up a pencil, I absolutely, unabashedly loved to draw. I was even one of those arty kids in elementary school, drawing on every surface of my binder, in and out of art class. However, sometime around middle school, I started to hesitate – why didn’t my drawings look “real”? Why couldn’t I draw exactly like my favorite artists? I had no idea how to get better. It felt like maybe that was as good as I would ever be, and that certainly didn’t seem like it was good enough. At a certain point, I put the pencil firmly down, and it took me a long time before I could confidently hold it again. <br /><br />Perhaps it was a lack of formal instruction – the schools I attended were known for science and math academics but had limited funding for arts education. I can’t recall taking any visual arts classes in high school, and I didn’t have access to mentors who could help me figure out how to break through issues of perspective, shading, color, linework or any of the other foundations of representational drawing and painting. <br /><br />In college, my undergrad degree focused on life sciences and agriculture. I loved the small handful of drawing classes I was able to squeeze into my schedule. As part of one class, I studied Betty Edwards’ wonderful book <a href="http://drawright.com/theory/">DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN</a>, and it helped me start seeing the issue differently. Rather than continuing to believe that some people are simply born with a natural talent for drawing, I began to understand that drawing accurately is a skill that can be taught, just like reading or a foreign language. Just like any of those pursuits, it’s not impossible to make progress on your own, but it’s quite difficult to attain proficiency without someone to teach you the basics or to help you break through plateaus. With the help of an excellent instructor, I felt at last that there was a small potential that I could actually get better at drawing, but I wasn’t quite sure how, or what value learning to draw would bring to my life. <br /><br />When I graduated from college, I spent nearly a decade working for non-profits &amp; social ventures, fondly remembering the art classes but not really finding the time to practice my drawing skills. It wasn’t until a personal event upended my life that I started to reconsider the value of drawing again. <br /><br />I evenutally decided to go back to school to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in hand-drawn, traditional animation. I’d always found “pencil tests” of early animation to be fascinating – you can truly see how drawings have been brought to life (some excellent pencil test examples can be found here <a href="http://www.penciltestdepot.com/">http://www.penciltestdepot.com/</a>). I wanted be one of the people who got to create that magic. At the time that I started the program, there were several sizable animation companies in the Boston area where I was hoping I might be able to work. However, just as I graduated, about half them happened to go out of business, and I realized that I needed to pivot – to use the skills that I had gained in another field. <br /><br />Becoming a picture book writer and illustrator seemed like a perfect fit – throughout my life, I’ve loved to read, and a good illustration always feels like magic. Many of the skills that I gained in my MFA have transferred into the kidlit world – character design, storytelling, layout, drawing skills, color theory, to name a few. I quickly learned as much as I possibly could about the field, attending SCBWI conferences and other events, joining critique groups, reading any blogs or other articles I could find, and then just practicing writing, drawing, revising, creating book dummies, sharing with my critique groups – rinse and repeat. <br /><br />I still struggle from time to time with picking up my pencil - procrastination is a constant companion and with a family to manage, there are always other things that need to get done. To avoid putting it down for too long, daily practice and projects like <a href="https://taralazar.com/storystorm/">Storystorm</a>, <a href="https://www.mrjakeparker.com/inktober-1/">Inktober</a> &amp; the <a href="https://reuler.com/100daysofdrawingonphotos/">100 Day Project</a> all help keep me honest and creating in between projects (as well as sparking ideas for new projects). THE BREAKING NEWS was sparked in just this way – an idea that flowed from my pencil as I attempted to jot down thirty picture book ideas in thirty days during my first Storystorm in 2015 - and I am so pleased to be able to share it with the world this month. <br /><br />Do you have a similar story? Have you ever reconnected with something as an adult that you used to love doing as a kid? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Sarah!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to visit Sarah Lynne Reul's website here.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Praise for Breaking News!</u></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“An absolute-must for most libraries.” – School Library Journal</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />“…a useful classroom and parental tool in tough times.” – The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (STARRED review)<br /><br />“…the heavily outlined images are steady and solid, including the closing spreads of the girl and her family planting flowers, which circle back to a scene at the beginning, affirming the resilience that can result when small acts are focused on community.” – <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/books/review/childrens-picture-anxiety-kindness-kerascoet-jessica-love.html">The New York Times</a><br /><br />*A Scholastic Teacher’s magazine summer 2018 reading list pick*</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(praise copied from </span><a href="https://reuler.com/2018/04/10/the-launch-of-the-breaking-news/" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> <br /><br /> </span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-79221346643017839212018-05-04T00:00:00.000-07:002018-05-04T00:00:10.657-07:00On Gull Beach by Jane Yolen and Bob Marshall Blog Tour and Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGOe7fwa0vo/WuN4IkCyzFI/AAAAAAAAFFc/LfkEhogrdosllIf-V4aawz62nztehOPOwCLcBGAs/s1600/gull%2Bbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="500" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGOe7fwa0vo/WuN4IkCyzFI/AAAAAAAAFFc/LfkEhogrdosllIf-V4aawz62nztehOPOwCLcBGAs/s320/gull%2Bbeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Welcome to Day #5 of the <i>On Gull Beach</i> Blog Tour!</span></b></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To celebrate the release of <b><i>On Gull Beach&nbsp;</i></b>by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Bob Marstall on <b><u>March 27th</u></b>, blogs across the web are featuring a scavenger hunt interview with Jane, plus 10 chances to win a&nbsp;set of <i>On Bird Hill,</i>&nbsp;<i>On Duck Pond, </i>and <i>On Gull Beach</i>! Follow along each day to see a new answer or poem from Jane!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Q: How long does it take you to write a picture book?</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Jane</b>: Somewhere between 2 days and 20 years. It depends on the book and whether I see it whole or have to arm wrestle it for many moons. Speaking of moons--OWL MOON took twenty years. GULL BEACH a great deal shorter than that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*****</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Blog Tour Schedule:</u></b></span></div><div><div style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>April 30th</b> - <a href="http://www.ecolifeandstyle.com/" target="_blank">The Eco Lifestyle</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 1st</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Mommy BookNerd</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 2nd</b> - <a href="http://owlforya.blogspot.com/">The OWL</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 3rd</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foodiebibliophile.com/">Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 4th</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/">Late Bloomer's Book Blog</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 7th</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://wordspelunking.blogspot.com/">Word Spelunking</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 8th</b> - <a href="http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/">GeoLibrarian</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 9th</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/">Chat with Vera</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 10th</b> -&nbsp;<a href="https://booksmykidsread.wordpress.com/">Books My Kids Read</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>May 11th</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/">Mundie Kids</a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: normal;"><div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGOe7fwa0vo/WuN4IkCyzFI/AAAAAAAAFFc/LfkEhogrdosllIf-V4aawz62nztehOPOwCLcBGAs/s1600/gull%2Bbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="500" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGOe7fwa0vo/WuN4IkCyzFI/AAAAAAAAFFc/LfkEhogrdosllIf-V4aawz62nztehOPOwCLcBGAs/s320/gull%2Bbeach.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Buy</b>: <a href="https://cornelllabpublishinggroup.com/product/on-gull-beach/?v=7516fd43adaa">Cornell Lab Publishing</a></span></b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Together again! <i>On Gull Beach</i> reunites bestselling children’s author Jane Yolen and award-winning illustrator Bob Marstall for the third installment of the acclaimed <i>On Bird Hill and Beyond </i>series of children’s books written for the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In <i>On Bird Hill</i>, Yolen and Marstall took readers on a surreal journey with a boy and his dog as they see the natural world, ultimately witnessing the miracle of a chick emerging from an egg.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>On Duck Pond </i>continued their journey, this time at a serene pond filled with birds, frogs, and turtles who are suddenly disrupted by their intrusion, but soon settle back into a quiet equilibrium. <i>On Gull Beach</i> brings us to an idyllic shoreline in Cape Cod, where gulls hover, dive, and chase with pitched acrobatics in pursuit of a seastar. This enchanting sequel in a brand new habitat will delight readers young and old.</span></div></blockquote></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjVWK3gyPHw/V2TSavNzRZI/AAAAAAAAEec/HZ_cyTuLBKE6FGqY0A3b5jToN6LgyEQOQCLcB/s1600/frontpage2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjVWK3gyPHw/V2TSavNzRZI/AAAAAAAAEec/HZ_cyTuLBKE6FGqY0A3b5jToN6LgyEQOQCLcB/s200/frontpage2.png" width="155" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>About the Author:</u></b>&nbsp;Jane Yolen has authored more than 370 books, including the Caldecott-winning <i>Owl Moon</i>, which every budding young ornithologist owns, <i>You Nest Here With Me,</i> which is a popular new favorite, and the <i>New York Times </i>bestselling series <i>How Do Dinosaurs</i>. Jane Yolen’s books have been translated into over 20 languages and are popular around the world. Jane's husband, David Stemple, was both a well known bird recordist and a professor of computer science and he taught the entire family how to identify birds. Many of Jane’s books are about wildlife subjects, especially the winged kind. Jane lives in Easthampton, MA. Visit her online at <a href="http://janeyolen.com/">janeyolen.com</a>. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I5tiTC3DFz0/V2TSuTKHKRI/AAAAAAAAEek/SzMmqLpnKzww2LRClHEX5M-jDrnLwxkbwCLcB/s1600/BobatTheCarleJn11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I5tiTC3DFz0/V2TSuTKHKRI/AAAAAAAAEek/SzMmqLpnKzww2LRClHEX5M-jDrnLwxkbwCLcB/s200/BobatTheCarleJn11.jpg" width="151" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>About the Illustrator:</u></b> Bob Marstall is the illustrator of nine nonfiction children’s books, including the The Lady and the Spider, which sold over a quarter-of-a-million copies and was a Reading Rainbow selection. Bob has also been honored with an ALA Notable; an IRA Teachers’ Choice; a Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children; and three John Burroughs selections.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In addition, two of Bob’s books are included in the New York Times Parent’s Guide’s “1001 Best Books of the Twentieth Century.” Bob Lives in Easthamton, MA. Visit him online at <a href="http://bobmartsall.com/">bobmartsall.com</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>About the Cornell Lab:</u> </b>The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Our hallmarks are scientific excellence and technological innovation to advance the understanding of nature and to engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the planet.&nbsp;<a href="http://birds.cornell.edu/">birds.cornell.edu</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">GIVEAWAY</span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TaGoPscB5s/WuN7Nd8Th1I/AAAAAAAAFFo/Ecf3XijkkOAdZqVrrfKyyvMxojjcu0dHQCLcBGAs/s1600/gull%2Bbeach%2Bgiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TaGoPscB5s/WuN7Nd8Th1I/AAAAAAAAFFo/Ecf3XijkkOAdZqVrrfKyyvMxojjcu0dHQCLcBGAs/s400/gull%2Bbeach%2Bgiveaway.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One (1) winner will receive a set of&nbsp;<i>On Bird Hill,</i>&nbsp;<i>On Duck Pond, </i>and <i>On Gull Beach</i>&nbsp;-- great summer reads!</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">US only</span></li></ul><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="acfd8dae41" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/acfd8dae41/" id="rcwidget_zz8wjdo5" rcptr="" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3031142435142384571.post-63287633258593584102018-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:002018-04-25T00:00:09.913-07:00But the Bear Came Back by Tammi Sauer and Dan Taylor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hauUQEborDY/WtX59l0nLLI/AAAAAAAArzM/F26WdSeIjq4RqDz_E1elmLwlxHTXpPudwCLcBGAs/s1600/36210742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hauUQEborDY/WtX59l0nLLI/AAAAAAAArzM/F26WdSeIjq4RqDz_E1elmLwlxHTXpPudwCLcBGAs/s1600/36210742.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36210742-but-the-bear-came-back?ac=1&amp;from_search=true" target="_blank">But the Bear Came Back&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">by Tammi Sauer</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Illustrated by Dan Taylor</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Published April 3, 2018</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Sterling Children's Books</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">32 Pages</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hardcover</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Fiction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Review copy provided by publisher</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span><u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Goodreads Summary</span></u><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What happens when a bear comes knocking at your door—and won’t go away?<br />“And I said, ‘Go home, bear.'<br />And that was that.<br />But the bear came back.” <br /> <br />Knock, knock. Who’s there? A BEAR! A furry, friendly PERSISTENT bear. And no matter how many times a grouchy little boy tries to tell him that bears don’t belong in houses, he keeps coming back—until, one day, he doesn’t. Only then does the boy realize how much he cares about the bear . . . and misses him. Can he find his friend again?</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>My Thoughts</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You never know what you've got until it's gone. The little boy learns that lesson in this book. He finds the bear annoying and sends him away time and again only to have him return. Then after he screams at the bear to go home, the bear does not return. After a few days the boy realizes that he misses the bear and starts looking for him. He enlists the help of the neighborhood and even draws pictures of the bear to post around town. Does the bear come back? I'll never tell, but little ones will be waiting on the edge of their seats to see if he does.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The illustrations are really great. The bear is absolutely adorable and the illustrator, Dan Taylor, takes great care by including small details in the background.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRCzQjoFjj8/WtX7c-Z9zcI/AAAAAAAArzY/IT7JNqD52EU35RkMxNEGRQvLUMONi_-3gCLcBGAs/s1600/9781454920984_p4_v5_s550x406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="550" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KRCzQjoFjj8/WtX7c-Z9zcI/AAAAAAAArzY/IT7JNqD52EU35RkMxNEGRQvLUMONi_-3gCLcBGAs/s640/9781454920984_p4_v5_s550x406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from Barnesandnoble.com</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I would highly recommend <i>But the Bear Came Back </i>for ages kids 3-7.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">See what others have to say about this book:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tammi-sauer/but-the-bear-came-back/" target="_blank">Kirkus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://picturebookbuilders.com/2018/04/but-the-bear-came-back-plus-giveaway/" target="_blank">Picture Book Builders</a></span></div><div><br /></div>Gigi McAllisterhttps://plus.google.com/105768794603245381258noreply@blogger.com1
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