Happy Valentine's Day and the CYBILS Awards!

Valentine's Day offers a new way to give. Join the celebration with International Book Giving Day!

#bookgivingday poster art by Marianne Dubuc

Download posters, bookmarks and more. But most of all, show your love by giving books.
Local schools, community centers, shelters, daycares, and crisis pregnancy centers can all use good children's books, and they are well-placed to get the books into the hands of kids who need them.

While you're giving, don't forget to treat yourself to a new book. Supporting authors, illustrators, and publishing houses is the only way to keep books on the store shelves. Share your love of books today and everyday.

I was privileged to participate in the first round judging for the CYBILS Awards last fall. The winners have finally been announced. So head over to their site to see the top picks in each category, and do yourself a favor by reading the nominees as well. There were dozens of outstanding books nominated. Browse the CYBILS blog to read blurbs and reviews.

Congratulations to the winners!
You'll find some of my favorites reviewed here, and many of the elementary and juvenile non-fiction nominees reviewed on my Goodreads account.

Mira Forecasts the Future, by Kell Andrews and Lissy Marlin
Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion, by Alex T. Smith
A Morning With Grandpa, by Sylvia Liu and Christina Forshay
Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles, by Mara Rockliff  and Hadley Hooper
Six Dots: A Story of Louis Braille, by Jen Bryant and Boris Kulikov
The William Hoy Story: How A Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game, by Nancy Churnin and Jez Tuya
The Kid from Diamond Street: The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton, by Audrey Vernick and Steven Salerno
Kid Artists: True Tales of Childhood from Creative Legends, by David Stabler and by Doogie Horner
Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois, by Amy Novesky and Isabelle Arsenault
Dorothea's Eyes: Dorothea Lange Photographs the Truth, by Barbara Rosenstock and Gerard DuBois
Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams, A Life in Nature, by Cindy Jenson-Elliot and Christy Hale
Seeing Things: A Kids' Guide to Looking at Photographs, by Joel Meyerowitz
Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in a New Land, by John Coy and Wing Young Huie
Glow: Animals With Their Own Night-Lights, by W. H. Beck
The Great Leopard Rescue, by Sandra Markle and Tom and Pat Leeson
Poop Detectives: Working Dogs in the Field, by Ginger Wadsworth
Welcome to New Zealand: A Nature Journal, by Sandra Morris
The Slowest Book Ever, by April Pulley Sayre and Kelly Murphy
Animal Planet Animal Atlas, ed. by James Buckley Jr
In Focus: Close-Ups, Cross Sections, Cutaways, by Libby Walden and various illustrators
The Human Body: The Story of How We Protect, Repair, and Make Ourselves Stronger, by H. P. Newquist
Mighty Jack, by Ben Hatke
Ghosts, by Reina Telgemeier
Save Me A Seat, by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan
The Scourge, by Jennifer A Nielson and Tim O'Brien

MMGM: The Night of the Comet

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick

The Night of the Comet,
from the Bostock and Harris series

The Night of the Comet
Written by Leon Garfield
Cover art by Gordon Crabb

First edition, Kestrel Books, 1979
First American edition, Delacorte Press, 1979
Reprint New York Review Books, 2014
Grades 4-8
149 pages,  940L


Themes:
Comedy of Errors, historical fiction


Opening:
"Love turns men into angels and women into devils. Take Cassidy, of Cassidy & O'Rourke, Slaters, Thatchers, General Roofers and Sundries. He was a liar, a rogue, and so light-fingered it was a wonder that, while he slept, his hands didn't rise to the ceiling of their own accord. Whenever there was a night without a moon, suspicion, naturally fell on Cassidy."


Thoughts:
Like A Midsummer Night's Dream, cupids arrows go astray in this wacky historical comedy. The rogue, Cassidy, searches every town for his lost love Mary Flatley, but since "Cassidy had kissed the Blarney Stone...but by the squashed look of his nose, it must have been more of a collision than a kiss" he can't help sweet talking every lady he meets. No wonder she'd shut the door in his face a year ago.

Meanwhile our heroes, Harris and Bostock, are striking a deal. "They were friends and had been through thick and thin together, for which nature seemed to have formed them, Harris being thin and Bostock very thick." The lovesick Bostock will give Harris his father's brass telescope in exchange for Harris's help procuring the love of his sister, Mary Harris. Harris was, as in all things, an expert on courtship. In this case his expertise hailed from an article on mating rituals in the wild: displaying bright plumage, discharging scent, presentation of prey or stimulating objects, etc.

The trouble snowballs when Dorothy Harris is mistaken for her sister, Mary. Add in a jealous best friend, a music teacher, a young fish-monger, a magistrate, and a portentous comet, and you have the makings of romantic disaster.

Leon Garfield is largely unknown today, but he was a skilled writer whose complex plots and witty repartee have rightly been compared to Dickens's own. His books are most often historical, and usually swirled with supernatural elements. The only supernatural element in this novel is the astounding workings of Harris's scheming brain. The caricatures are hilarious, the word-play divine. The denouement rattles to a tidy conclusion worthy of the Bard. After all, Garfield spent a good deal of his life teaching and refashioning Shakespeare's plays for young people. Many of Garfield's books have been reprinted by New York Review Books in recent years; this one has been combined with its companion story The Strange Affair of Adelaide Harris in The Complete Bostock and Harris.


Bonus: 
 1. If you enjoyed The Night of the Comet, I suggest all of Leon Garfield's other books. If I had to choose a favorite, I'd say the delightfully complex Smith or the chilling, The Empty Sleeve. And I loved the plot of Sound of Coaches.



The Puffin edition of Smith
Recommended by Eoin Colfer

The NYRB edition of Shakespeare Stories
Illustrated by Michael Foreman



2. For more comedic buddy books and MG romance, MMGM reviewers recommend The Whipping Boy, reviewed by Janet on Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch, A Match Made in High School, reviewed by Briana, The Book Pixie, or Me & Miranda Mullaly, reviewed by Aeicha on Word Spelunking.



The Whipping Boy,
by Sid Fleishman,
Cover by Dan Andreasen

A Match Made in High School,
 by Kristin Walker

Me & Miranda Mullaly,
by Jake Gerhardt



 

Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for February 13, 2017.

MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?

Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest Entry

 At the eleventh hour I decided to enter Susanna Leonard Hill's 

Second Annual Pretty Much World Famous
Valen-tiny Writing Contest

Please go to Susanna's blog to read the amazing entries in the comments and click on the links to view even more Valen-TINY stories. Very tiny, as in 214 words or less. Don't forget to stop by Susanna's site on February 20th to vote for your favorites. Thanks for reading. And now...

 

A Picture-Perfect Valentine

by Joanne Roberts

 

   Moose eyed the pile of valentines. On top was a handmade card from Maya. Honestly, he was surprised to see any valentines, let alone one from Maya.

      On the card, she'd drawn a doughnut with sprinkles. "Sweet?" Moose whispered. "Sweetie? Sweet Thing?"

       Next was a picture of something with wings. "A bee," thought Moose.  

      Below that, a drawing of Maya herself. Moose stared, confused.

      Why would Maya give him a valentine? He broke her crayons and stole her snacks. Well, not every day. "Sweetie, be mine."

      Moose grinned.

      "Thanks for the valentine," he told Maya. Now Maya looked confused. "I figured it out. See? Something sweet…"

      "A doughnut," Maya corrected.

      "And a bee."

      "Actually..."

      "And that's you," Moose continued.

      "Well, sure, but…"

      "So the message is, 'Sweetie, be mine!'"

      "Actually," said Maya, her nose wrinkling, "that's just a bug. Get it? 'Donut bug me,' like, leave me alone and don't steal my candy today." Maya walked away, shaking her head.

      Moose blushed. He sank into a chair. Then he noticed another valentine on his desk, two candy hearts glued to construction paper. One said, "PUPPY LOVE." The other said, "NO WAY."  Signed, Chloe.

      "No way," he repeated. "Not puppy love? Then it must be true love."

      "Hey, Chloe," he shouted "thanks for the valentine!"

 

Necco conversation hearts candies

PPBF: Valentine's Edition

In Lieu of Perfect Picture Book Friday, Susanna Leonard Hill is holding her Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest.

While you're digging

into that box of chocolates,

why not dig into some of these

LOVE-ly books.



The original Guess How Much I Love You

Guess How Much I Love You

Written by Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Anita Jeram

Candlewick, 1994
Preschool+, 690L, 400 words

Thoughts:
Like many others, I have loved this book since its debut, and have shared it with those I love. Choose the first edition, a sequel, or the new diorama pop-up version to love as high as you can reach. Need more nutbrown hares? Candlewick has shared a peek behind-the-scenes of its creation.

Opening:
Little Nutbrown Hare, who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears. He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening. "Guess how much I love you?" he said.

Aida, by Leontyne Price and Leo and Diane Dillon

Aida
Told by Leontyne Price
Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Clarion, Harcourt Brace & Company, 1990
Ages 8+, 730L, 2900 words

Thoughts:
This retelling of Verdi's classic opera is beautiful in all its facets. Though this is a tragic love story, I think it's one well worth sharing.

Opening:
"Long ago, in the faraway land of Ethiopia, there lived a Princess named Aida. She was fair as the sunrise and gentle as starlight touching a flower. Her father, King Amonasro, loved her dearly."

Mr. Potter's Pet, illustrated by Mark Teague

Mr. Potter's Pet
Written by Dick King-Smith

Disney-Hyperion, 1996
Ages 8+, 128 pp

Thoughts:
Dick King-Smith has a knack for writing fiction kids love. The writing is cozy, old-fashioned. He often breaks the rules, in this case, the protagonist is a bumbling older gentleman. But the story of this man and his bird is hilarious and heartwarming. We love his books for car trips and fireside read-alouds.


Opening:
 "Ever since he was a small boy, Mr. Potter had a prot was not a medical problem, for he enjoyed excellent health. Nor was it a matter of money, for he had never felt the lack of it. Nor did he ever fall out with the neighbors or fall afoul of the law.
       What Mr. Potter suffered from was an addiction.
       Not to cigarettes—he didn't smoke; nor to alcohol—he didn't drink; nor to food—for though he had a good appetite, he was not greedy. Mr. Potter's addiction was not at all a usual one, and I doubt you would ever guess what it was. So I'll tell you.
       Mr. Potter had never been able to stop himself from looking into the windows of pet shops."


 

Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl
Written by Jerry Spinelli

Alfred A. Knopf, 2000
Ages 12+, 590L, 208 pp

Thoughts:
Stargirl is a great boy-meets-girl tale. She has a style all her own. Think Luna Lovegood. Leo falls for her, and so will you. Read it? Try the sequel, Love, Stargirl.


Opening:
       When I was little, my Uncle Pete had a necktie with a porcupine painted on it. I thought that necktie was just about the neatest ting in the world. Uncle Pete would stand patiently before me while I ran my fingers over the silky surface, half expecting to be stuck by one of the quills. Once, he let me wear it. I kept looking for one of my own. But I could never find one.
       I was twelve when we moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona. When Uncle Pete came to say good-bye, he was wearing the tie. I thought he did so to give me one last look at it, and I was grateful. But then, with a dramatic flourish, he whipped off the tie and draped it around my neck.

       “It’s yours,” he said. “Going-away present.”

       I loved that porcupine tie so much that I decided to start a collection. Two years after we settled in Arizona, the number of ties in my collection was still one. Where do you find a porcupine necktie in Mica, Arizona-or anywhere else, for that matter?
       On my fourteenth birthday, I read about myself in the local newspaper. The family section ran a regular feature about kids on their birthdays, and my mother had called in some info. The last sentence read: “As a hobby, Leo Borlock collects porcupine neckties.”
       Several days later, coming home from school, I found a plastic bag on our front step. Inside was a gift-wrapped package tied with yellow ribbon. The tag said “Happy Birthday!” I opened the package. It was a porcupine necktie. Two porcupines were tossing darts with their quills, while a third was picking its teeth.
       I inspected the box, the tag, the paper. Nowhere could I find the giver’s name. I asked my parents. I asked my friends. I called my uncle Pete. Everyone denied knowing anything about it. 

       At the time I simply considered the episode a mystery. It did not occur to me that I was being watched. We were all being watched.



Cyrano, 2006
Cover by Greg Swearingen

Cyrano
Told by Geraldine McCaughrean

Harcourt Children's Books, 2006
Ages 12+, 830L, 114pp

Thoughts:
Cyrano, a prose version of Rostand's Cyrano De Bergerac, will have you laughing and crying. Try the audiobook version from Full Cast Audio. My kids fight over it.




As bookish as I am, I'm not opposed to a night in front of the television.
May I recommend some romantic films based on books?

Disney's version of The Princess Diaries, 2001

Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries has been made into a sweet, funny RomCom that's nothing like the book, in my opinion. But I love the bittersweet romance between Anne Hathaway and Robert Schwartzman, and, well, the film features Julie Andrews! She's practically perfect in every way, right?



BBC Wives and Daughters, 1999

And once the little ones go to bed, pop in the DVD of Wives and Daughters. Super sigh! Based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell, this awesome miniseries is perfect for Valentine's Day. Besides, the performances by Michael Gambon and Francesca Annis are not to be missed.


Bonus:
Check out these and other Perfect Picture books at your local library.



Reviewed by Julie



Reviewed by Barbara



Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Joanne

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

My New Rule of Thumb

"So now, when I work on any story, from first draft to final revisions, I have a simple goal in mind: I just have to make it . . . slightly less awful than whatever I had before."
—Rhiannon Thomas*

Bookplate by Diana Chien

*Via Janice Hardy's Fiction University

 

PPBF: Best in Snow

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Best In Snow, poetic photo essay about snow

Best in Snow

Written and photographed by April Pulley Sayre

Beach Lane Books, 2016
Ages 3-8, 40 pp


Themes:
Winter, Nature, Science


Opening:
A freeze.
A breeze.
A cloud.
It snows.


Synopsis:
An incredible poetic and photographic journey. The text tells the story of a snowfall in spare, lyrical language. The breathtaking photos capture the snowy woods, the icy branches, squirrels, birds, and deer. I like this even better than its predecessor, Raindrops Roll. Beautiful from start to finish. Includes pages of scientific facts in the back matter, describing how snow flakes form and the snow/water cycle.


What I Love:
I love the rhythm of the page-turns, the sound of the words in my head or read aloud, the stunning photos of the snow-covered trees or the animals startled into stillness. Reading this book, I found myself holding my breath, like I do when I step out into the cold, muffled woods outside my door after a snowstorm. It is a great introduction to science for young readers, and for slightly older readers a doorway to further exploration. This book would be perfect in any home library as a cozy goodnight read or the kind of book kids pick up just to stare at the pages.


Bonus: 
1. Follow the link to You Tube where the Indiana Public Library has posted a video interview with April Sayre.



Raindrops Roll, the predecessor to Best in Snow

2. Michelle at Polliwog on Safari and Carol on Writers' Rumpus each interviewed April during the release of Touch A Butterfly.

3. Empress of Dirt posted a recipe for fake snow and a darling snowman craft.

4. Taste of Home features a snowglobe cake using edible snow, or find the recipe for coconut snow on Uncommon Designs.

5. For a sensory learning experience, Kids Play Box has collected 10 ways to make play snow from all over the internet.

6. Check out other books by April Pulley Sayre. Susanna reviewed Eat like a Bear and Vivian reviewed Raindrops Roll. And for a slightly older audience, The Slowest Book Ever, reviewed by Sue and recommended by me!

7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



Reviewed by Joanna

Reviewed by Susanna



Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Julie





Reviewed by Beth

Reviewed by Grade Onederful
and don't miss their review
for The Story of Snow



Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, February 3, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Idea Conversion

"A lot of people have lots of ideas but they stay ideas, and they never turn them into something tangible. I think finishing something, no matter how small, is much better, because you get experience of the entire process of creating something, not just coming up with ideas."
— Tim Fitzrandolph*

Caterpillar bookplate by A. Vazlavsky

*Via Oh My Disney