PPBF: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick


Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion, by Alex T. Smith

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

Written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith

Scholastic Press, 2015
Ages 4-8, AD740L


Themes:
Fractured Folk Tale, Bravery


Opening:
"This is Little Red. Today she is going to be gobbled up by a lion."


Synopsis:
The story takes place somewhere in Africa and in this twisted tale, Little Red must take medicine to her Auntie Rose who has contracted a terrible case of the spots. Clever Red is not part of the hungry lion's very-clever-plan. Nor is having his mane tied in bows, getting his grotty teeth brushed, or being reprimanded for his bad manners. The solution to a lion problem may be easier than you think, but can this naughty lion change his ways?

What I Love:
I love the setting and the bright colors and the quirky, cartoon style. The story is not just an African Red Riding Hood. The cheeky humor is not just slapstick or over-the-top nonsense. This is a well-thought-out, well executed twist on an old classic with a terrific ending. The first of Alex Smith's books I've read, but not the last.

Bonus: 


Reese's peanut butter lions from Hungry Happenings

1. Learn more about Alex with interviews from Wee Red Writer, Arena Illustration, and One Word At A Time

2. Want more info? here's the Kirkus review of this book.

3. It's hard to resist lions made from Reese's peanut butter cups like those found on Family Fun cupcakes.

4. This book was shortlisted for the North Somerset Teachers Book Award.

5. Want more silly tales with an African flavor? Try Tinga Tinga Tales. Website, App, TV show. It's buckets of fun.

6. Enjoy more traditional folk tales from various countries in Africa free from the Fairy Tales of the World online collection.

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



Reviewed by Julie

Reviewed by Stacy

 

Reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Wendy

 

Reviewed by Catherine

Reviewed by Joanne

 

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, September 30, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Picture Book Gateway

"Simply, what format is better than the first one that takes children by the hand and turns them into book-lovers?"
—Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency*




Bookplate of Mary and little lamb
 by  Sarah Jane Wright of Sarah Jane Studios

*Via Writing For Kids While Raising Them

MMGM: Behemoth

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick
 

Behemoth, second in the Leviathan Series,
 by Scott Westerfeld, art by Keith Thompson

Behemoth

Written by Scott Westerfeld
Illustrated by Keith Thompson
Simon Pulse, 2010
Ages 12 and up
542 pages, 86,700 words

Themes:
Steampunk, WWI,

Opening:
       Alek raised his sword. "En garde, sir!"
       Deryn hefted her own weapon, studying Alek's pose. His feet were splayed at right angles, his left arm sticking out behind like the handle of a teacup. His fencing armor made him look like a walking quilt. Even with his sword pointed right at her, he looked barking silly.

Thoughts:
I loved the first book in this series. Of course, I love authors who spin history and mix anachronisms, imagining an alternate future. The Leviathan series explores an alternate WWI timeline. This world throws genetics and automatons into the mix. What's not to love?

Scott Westerfeld has proved himself as a writer who tackles dialogue, quirks, fantasy elements, and action with equal skill. His automatons lumber through a landscape as real as our own. His characters breathe. His action scenes keep us turning pages, gripping the edges of our books.

The plot of Behemoth meanders a bit more than the first book, but if I didn't have Leviathan to compare it to, I'm sure I'd find it less so. I also think the tension between main characters was stronger in the first book. Their growing friendship makes them more alike and somewhat more predictable. The re-envisioned Istanbul is certainly a fascinating setting, but I don't think it can compare with first book which introduces an entirely reimagined world. None of those things diminish Behemoth by itself. Only in comparison to the first book. And when was the last time you loved the second book in a series better than the first? (Chamber of Secrets? Point Blanc? Enna Burning? Prince Caspian? Empire Strikes Back? I didn't think so.)
So read it. Love it. Dive into the third book.

Bonus: 

Leviathan, book 1

1. Not familiar with this series? Start with the first book in the trilogy, Leviathan.

2. Already a fan? Tor books features an interview with author Scott Westerfeld and another with illustrator Keith Thompson. Airship Ambassador also interviewed the author.

3. Intrigued by this genre? Chronicles of Harriet gives a thorough overview of steampunk and all its subgenres (because technically, Leviathan falls into the category of Dieselpunk). The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences focuses on steampunk in the Victorian era. Lastly, Booklist Reader gives a few middle grade suggestions which fall into this category.
4. If you love alternate history, you might like The Clockwork Three or The Lost Kingdom, by Matthew Kirby , cover art by Brian Despain and Owen Richardson, respectively. Or try one of my favorites, Kronos Chronicles, Book 1: Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski or Mysteries of Cove, Fires of Invention, by J. Scott Savage, illustrated by Brandon Dorman.



Reviewed by Brooke

Reviewed by Jess

Reviewed by Kim

Reviewed by Greg

Reviewed by Shannon

And because you asked for it...I've added Impyrium to the list.
Thanks for the suggestion, Greg and Shannon.

If you want to join MMGM, blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday. You can post a straight review or contests, author interviews, etc. Then email Shannon Messenger at SWMessenger@hotmail.com

Put "MMGM" or "Marvelous Middle Grade Monday" in the subject line, include the title of the book you're featuring, and a link to your blog. Email your link by Sunday evening in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

For additional details, see Shannon's website.


Check out all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
for September 26, 2016 available on Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.

Feel free to leave your MG recommendations in the comments. Thanks!

Gearing Up For Inktober

Hit your local art supply store to stock up for this year's Inktober challenge.

I try to buy a new pen or colored ink or an unfamiliar paper to start the challenge. It loosens me up and lets me play.

I'd have loved to grab the exclusive collector box available from ArtSnacks. Have you seen it? Along with premium supplies, the kit includes an inky octopus print by Jake Parker. Just the inspiration one needs, don't you think?

Shop ArtSnacks for the Inktober box or monthly subscriptions.

Exclusive Inktober print by Jake Parker, Courtesy ArtSnacks

What are your great ideas to prep for Inktober?

PPBF: Race Car Count

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick


Race Car Count, by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Michael Slack

Race Car Count

Written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Illustrated by Michael Slack

Christy Ottaviano, Henry Holt 2015
Ages 2-7, 150 words


Themes:
Concept,  Counting



Opening:
Red light, yellow light, green light, GO!

Race car 1 honks, look at me!
He zooms in front with the turn of a key.


Synopsis:
A simple rhyming counting book featuring a variety of anthropomorphic race cars speeding for the prize.


What I Love:
Cars with eyes and rhyming text normally would have doomed this picture book before I even opened the cover, but Race Car Count is so well done. Kai Dotlich's rhyme and meter are a joy to read aloud. The rhyme actually carries the story forward. The illustrator made the cars interesting and imbued them with personality instead of drawing saccharine stereotypes. The color palette and composition add vitality to the book. I wish I had this book for my kids when they were little. They would have asked for it repeatedly, and I would have enjoyed every reread.


Bonus: 


Today's Parent offers how to make a DIY race car costume.

 1. Julie Hedlund has posted a fascinating interview with today's author, Rebecca Kai Dotlich.

2. Illustrator Michael Slack has designed a free downloadable activity kit for young readers on his website.

3. Great Kids Pirthday Parties has collected a variety of car-shaped snacks, from hotdogs to apple slices. Why not provide the fixings and let the kids decorate their cars with as much diversity as the racers in the book?

4. Homemade Preschool offers a free worksheet for counting race cars and you can find a race car  dot-to-dot on BigActivities.

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



Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Tracy



Reviewed by Penny

Reviewed by Joanna

Reviewed by Julie



Reviewed by Erik

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, September 23, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Be Cool

Got a library card? Get one today!

Oops! I forgot. It's library card sign-up month.

Sign up for a card, so you can dive into the stacks at your local library.

• Support your library.
• Support your community.
• Support your dreams.

The path to your dreams begins at your local library.

Writing is Easy

“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.”
~ Mark Twain*

Pastoral bookplate  by J. Winfred Spenceley (Joseph Winfred),
Courtesy Pratt University Libraries,

*Via Rosi Hollinbeck

MMGM: Ghosts

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick

Raina Telgemeier's latest graphic novel, Ghosts

Ghosts

Written by Raina Telgemeier
Graphix, 2016
Ages 8-12, Lexile 300
256 pages, 51000 words


Themes:
Terminal illness, Dia de los Muertos, Relationships, New kid

Opening:

Here's a peek at the first page of Ghosts,
by Raina Telgemeier

Thoughts: Watch out for some slight spoilers!

I love Raina Telgemeier's art. That is undisputed. Her characters are adorable and lively. Her comic panels read well. Her storytelling style is simply fun.

As for Raina's past graphic novels, they have a definite charm. I was never as big a fan of Smile as my middle school-aged daughter, but I appreciated the depth and honesty in the book and though Drama was full of three dimensional characters, I thought the story a bit lacking.

Now Ghosts has arrived. In general, I avoid ghost stories. Sorry, they're just not my thing. Enter the school book fair and a prime opportunity to check it out.

So checking it out turned to sitting on the floor reading it outright.

Ghosts captured my imagination immediately. The mc is a real girl with real emotions. Though she clashes with her parents, she isn't so rebellious that the mom in me cringes. Her sister bugs her, but the family ties are stronger than her teen hormones. Most stirringly of all, she is conflicted about her little sister's illness. The mc has to protect her sister, be responsible and grown-up, yet she longs to think about her own needs and being protected herself.

Ghosts tackles plenty of themes. Struggles with moving to a new place, fitting in, boy/girl relationships, and caring for younger siblings. On top of that, the little sister's illness is terminal. Now mix in the California culture and generation conflicts sewn together by the theme of seeing ghosts and celebrating Dia de los Muertos. The holiday provides a perfect setting for discussing grief and loss. I was a Happy Hollisters kid, but I can see this book sliding right onto that bookshelf. It's positive and idyllic despite the heavy themes. It presents a more realistic world for young readers, but with the same optimistic vibe. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

Bonus: Raina's ghosts and skeletons are SO CUTE!


Bonus: 
 1. Don't believe me? You can read the review in the NY Times.

2. Still not convinced? You can watch the trailer for Ghosts from YouTube or meet the author/illustrator in person. Dates, times, tickets for her tour are here.

3. You might also like some other graphic novels like the ones below.



Reviewed by Booksylvania

Reviewed by Books4Learning

Reviewed by Jasmine

Reviewed by Suzanne

Reviewed by Alyson

Reviewed by Alyson





4. And the winner is . . . Emily Martha Sorensen!
Congratulations on winning last week's book giveaway! Send me your mailing information and which prize you've chosen. I'll get that out to you this week. Thanks to all who spread the word.


Check out all the recommended titles for September 19, 2016 Marvelous Middle Grade Monday available on Shannon's blog.


If you want to join MMGM, blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday. You can post a straight review or contests, author interviews, etc. Then email Shannon Messenger at SWMessenger@hotmail.com

Put "MMGM" or "Marvelous Middle Grade Monday" in the subject line, include the title of the book you're featuring, and a link to your blog. Email your link by Sunday evening in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

For additional details, see Shannon's website.


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

Last Chance Book Giveaway

Last chance to win a copy of either Calling on Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede or The Fairy Tale Life of Hans Christian Andersen, by Eva Moore, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.



Calling on Dragons

Fairy Tale Life of
 Hans Christian Andersen

Tweet about the giveaway using #MGLit or comment on the contest post.

And stay tuned for tomorrow's middle grade book review of Raina Telgemeier's newest release, Ghosts.

Ghosts,by Raina Telgemeier

Join all the MMGM participants

PPBF: I'm Here

Love books?

Tweet about the giveaway: include #MGLit and a link.
More tweets= more chances to win!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a choice of fairy tale books from my Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post. Comment or tweet about the post to be entered in the drawing which ends September 19th.

Here's the link.


On to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick



I'm Here, by Peter H. Reynolds

I'm Here
Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2011
Ages 4-8


Themes:
Autism, Friendship, Fitting In


Opening:
Can you hear it? Voices. Splashes upon splashes of sound.

I hear it all like one big noise. A big drum. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

They are there.

I am here.


Synopsis:
A boy sits by himself on the playground, but when he constructs a paper airplane and stays true to himself, he finds a friend. Through simple pictures and dialogue, the book expresses the isolation some kids experience because of their autism.


What I Love:
By the second page, I could see my autistic friend's personality shining from the mc, though I had no idea this book was inspired by a real boy on the spectrum. In perfect Peter Reynolds style, I'm Here explores and explains what it's like for some kids with autism. A beautifully illustrated tale of friendship.


Bonus: 


1. The above short film was commissioned by the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center in 2007. It's not as effective as the book, but worth seeing.
2. Educate yourself on the SAARC website, or get involved in their F.R.I.E.N.D. program to learn strategies for interacting with children on the Autism spectrum and as importantly, teaching our children how to strengthen their friendships with kids with ASD.
3. Explore Fablevision's website. The animation company, brainchild of Peter H. Reynolds, produces fabulous educational and entertainment software and short subject cartoons.
4. Visit Teaching Community to learn 22 tips for supporting autistic students in the classroom.
5. Visit Autism Speaks for 10 things parents of kids on the spectrum wish you knew.
6. Choose one of a dozen paper airplane styles from Fun Paper Airplanes, from beginner to advanced with instructions and downloadable templates.
7.  Blue Skies Ahead has invented a simple, fun paper airplane flight school.
8. Creative Youth Ideas uses paper airplane games to help kids build their relationship with God as well as with others.
9. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



Reviewed by Sn Taylor

Reviewed by Patricia

 



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!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, September 16, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Bookish Escape

"Occasionally, I just need to escape from my work or be reminded of the comparative bliss of my own life so I pick up a novel."
 —David Macaulay*

Art nouveau bookplate courtesy Briar Press

*Via Publishers Weekly

MMGM: Dealing With Dragons

Welcome to my first review for

Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays.

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 by blogging about your favorites?

If you're looking for my weekly bookish quote and bookplate, they've permanently moved to Wednesdays.


Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick

Dealing With Dragons,
Enchanted Forest Chronicles, book # 1,
First edition cover by Trina Schart Hyman

Dealing With Dragons


Written by Patricia C. Wrede
HMH Books for Young Readers,
originally Harcourt Childrens Books, 1990
Ages 10 and up
240 pages,51000 words


Themes:
Fantasy, Humor, Challenging Assumptions


Opening:
       Linderwall was a large kingdom, just east of the Mountains of Morning, where philosophers were highly respected and the number five was fashionable. The knights kept their armor brightly polished mainly for show —it had been centuries since a dragon had come east. There were the usual periodic problems with royal children and uninvited fairy godmothers, but they were always the sort of thing that could be cleared up by finding the proper prince or princess to marry the unfortunate child a few years later. All in all, Linderwall was a very prosperous and pleasant place.
       Cimorene hated it.


Thoughts:
In Dealing With Dragons, author Patricia Wrede  challenges the reader to look at traditional fairy tale tropes in a new light. Her book is fun, funny, and thought-provoking as it follows the adventures of Cimorene.

Princess Cimorene is practical, witty, and resourceful, anything but a typical princess. She feels constrained by the expectations of her society and frustrated by the machinations of others. As she fights against stereotypes, she forges a new path for herself, one of her own choosing, despite limiting circumstances. She is a strong character who dares the reader to examine her own beliefs and design her own destiny.

Wrede's humor is clever. She sprinkles the story with anachronistic references and peppers it with hilarious explanations for fairy tale behaviors. Today, the market is littered with twisted fairy tales, but few have the charm or freshness of Patricia's original style.


Bonus: 
 1. If you enjoyed Dealing With Dragons, don't miss the other books in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. Or travel to an alternate history in Patricia's Thirteenth Child, a mix of magic on the American frontier.

2. You might also like A Hidden Magic, by Vivian Vande Velde, a similar tongue-in-cheek remix which features another cover by illustrator Trina Schart Hyman.



Thirteenth Child,
Frontier Magic book #1,
by Patricia Wrede

A Hidden Magic,
by Vivian Vande Velde

3. Plus, I'm giving away a used copy of Calling on Dragons or The Fairy Tale Life of Hans Christian Andersen, your choice. You can enter to win by tweeting a link to this post using the hashtag #MGLit. If you don't have a twitter account, you can leave a comment below.

Win a copy of Patricia's
Calling on Dragons
OR

This book by Eva Moore,
art by Trina Schart Hyman

A Winner will be drawn and notified September 19. Thanks for reading, and good luck.

4. Check out all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
for Monday, September 12, 2016 available on Shannon Messenger's blog. 

If you want to join MMGM, blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday. You can post a straight review or contests, author interviews, etc. Then email Shannon Messenger at SWMessenger@hotmail.com

Put "MMGM" or "Marvelous Middle Grade Monday" in the subject line, include the title of the book you're featuring, and a link to your blog. Email your link by Sunday evening in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

For additional details, see Shannon's website.