CYBILS Awards Nominations open for 2017

Find out more at CYBILS.com

Hurry, hurry. Nominations for the CYBILS Awards open today and run through October 15. Now is the time to nominate your favorite book from the last 12 months and get it before the judges. Please read the rules carefully, submit to the proper category, and double check to make sure your book hasn't already been nominated (duplicate submissions are eliminated. Make your suggestion count!)


Check the blog for posts on the available categories. and remember, nominations are only open from October 1-15.

Follow the buzz on Twitter @cybils or FaceBook @CybilsAwards

InkTober 2017

Are you ready for the InkTober 2017 Challenge?

1. Grab pen and ink
2. Draw Stuff (Use or don't use the official prompt list)
3. Post it somewhere
4. Hashtag your art #InkTober and #InkTober2017
5. Love every minute

And Jake Parker will never tell you not to do digital ink. And no, I'm not a traditional media snob.
But this is an ink "challenge" so it's about drawing in "ink."

I don't get mad when people challenge themselves to use digital ink. But I don't understand them or their self-righteous ire.

I don't post centaurs during #mermay. I don't post black and white work for #colourcollective, and I don't post klingons during the #HobbitADay Challenge (Okay, I made that one up, but I'm considering it for my InkTober theme.)

So, yes! Let's celebrate your drawing successes during the month of October...but if you want to be a participant, then step away from the ipad, baby.

If you're still being your defiant, digital-ink little self, you can get free stuff from Autodesk Sketchbook in conjunction with this year's InkTober challenge.

PPBF: We're All Wonders

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

We're All Wonders, the picture book companion
to R. J. Palacio's Wonder.

We're All Wonders

Written and illustrated by R. J. Palacio
Art directed by Isabel Warren-Lynch
Based on illustrations by Tad Carpenter

Borzoi Books Alfred A. Knopf, 2017
Ages 4-8, 32 pp


Themes:
Differences, Individuality, Self-Esteem


Opening:
I know I am not an ordinary kid.

Sure I do ordinary things. 

I ride a bike. I eat ice cream. I play ball.

I just don't look ordinary.

I don't look like other kids.

Synopsis:

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio

Based on the best-selling middle grade book, Wonder, We're All Wonders spreads a simple message from MC Auggie's point-of-view: We are all wonderfully made. No two people are identical. Though some kids like Auggie have facial differences, every person is precious. The text encourages readers to look at another's similarities and build connections from there.


What I Love:
Anyone who has ever encountered another person with a difference so stunning that you've struggled with the proper reaction will want to read and share this picture book.

Under the urging of her publisher, the author turned her book into a picture book, choosing to do the illustrations herself in ProCreate, to get her message to an even wider audience. This is one of those stories you need to prepare kids for future interactions. We all hope we will do and say kind things, but until we walk a mile in someone's shoes (or ASK what should and shouldn't be said) we never know quite how we will respond.

A sweet, simple story with a powerful message.


Bonus: 

1. The movie version of the middle grade book, Wonder, comes to theaters November 17, 2017.

2. You'll find great interviews with the author on Brightly, NPR, and Publisher's Weekly.

3. Get involved or give to Choose Kind, the charity inspired by the original Wonder. PW shares more info.

4. On Mondays, I blog Middle Grade book reviews with the MMGM gang. Many of them have reviewed Palacio's MG version of Auggie's story. Here are links for our fearless leader Shannon Messenger, and a handful of my other MMGM reviewer friends: Heidi, the Geo-Librarian, Cindy, Pam, and Sue and her kitty.

5. Bible Study Tools has compiled a list of 40 verses which teach kindness and Bible Reasons has another dozen on being God's unique creation.*

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

Reviewed by Jennifer

Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Rhythm

Reviewed by Maria

Reviewed by Julie

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 29, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

*I do not necessarily endorse the ministry listed, but recommend the content of the link provided.

The First Key to Writing

"You write your first draft with your heart and you rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is to write, not to think."
—Mike Rich*



Crow and quill bookplate by Julius Diez

 *from the film Finding Forrester

MMGM: Three Times Lucky

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick:

Book #1 in the Mo and Dale mysteries

Three Times Lucky

Written by Sheila Turnage
Illustrated by Gilbert Ford
Penguin Random House, 2012
Ages 10+, Lexile 560L
320 pp, 62000 words


Themes:
Mystery


Opening:
Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt. Almost before the dust had settled, Mr. Jesse turned up dead and life in Tupelo Landing turned upside down.

Thoughts:
Reasons to love this book

• Stunning cover art
• Intriguing title
• Map of Tupelo Landing
• Curious character names (girls: Moses, Skeeter; boys: Lavender, the Colonel)
• Absorbing voice ("Dale swore, his voice soft as a breeze through the reeds. Dale started swearing last year. I haven't started yet, but the way things are going, I could at any moment.")
• Immediate dilemma (Not just the opening paragraph, but the constant questions which come to the readers mind by page three.)

If you're not hooked by the writing on page two, read on to page ten. Forgive my cheek, but if you're still not riveted, call me a liar and move on to another book, or better yet to the television, because you don't have an ear for fabulous storytelling. 

Bonus: 
1. Middle Grade Mafia posted fabulous Q & A sessions with Sheila Turnage and Gilbert Ford. You can view another author interview on KidsReads. Plus everything you ever wanted to know about cover illustrator Gilbert Ford on the All The Wonders podcast.

2. For previous MMGM reviews of Three Times Lucky, see the GeoLibrarian, Night Writer, Michelle Mason, and Shannon Messenger reviews.

3. Follow Mo's further adventures in The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing and The Odds of Getting Even.

Book #2, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing

Book #3, The Odds of Getting Even

4. Looking for books with a similar vibe? I highly recommend anything by Sarah Weeks particularly Pie or So B. It. Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead also has the same startling voice and mysterious elements. Find MMGM reviews for Liar & Spy on Always in the Middle, So I'm Fifty, and blogs by Michelle Mason and Melanie Conklin. Also give Green Glass House, by Kate Milford  a try. Reviews by Dead Houseplants, Reading Nook, and Completely Full Bookshelf.

Check out all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday for September 25, 2017 available on Shannon Messenger's Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.

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

2017 Hobbit Feast

Sorry I can't give you the recipe because
I can't remember where I copied it down from. 

For our Hobbit Day feast I planned eggs and hash for breakfast.

Second breakfast was bacon and potatoes.

We had freshly baked blueberry scones and lady fingers for Elevensies.

Luncheon was honey ham on bakery rolls with carrots, celery, tomatoes, and hummus.

I bought Fancy Yancy cheeses for our afternoon snack along with a selection of crackers.

Sam was an expert at cooking rabbit stew and PoTayToes! So I opted for Welsh Rabbit, smashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables (from Farmer Maggot's, of course.)

I laid out lady fingers and cream, apple cider, and fig newtons for a light dessert.

Mike Hendry’s ultimate Welsh Rarebit recipe
Courtesy Llansantffraed Court Hotel
Delicious!

Man was never built to eat like a hobbit. Today I plan to spend the day hiking to Mordor to work off the excess calories.

Eating was interspersed with sketching and reading, games, and our youngest son's first viewing of The Fellowship of the Ring, 2001.

Themed Monopoly by Hasbro and 
Ravensburger's LOTR version
of King's Gate

Prancing Pony dartboard made by
 the Noble Collection

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

PPBF: I Like Old Clothes

Happy Hobbit Day!

Tune in tomorrow for the gastronomical triumphs from our Middle Earthly feast.

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick


newly illustrated I Like Old Clothes,
by Mary Ann Hoberman and Patrice Barton

I Like Old Clothes

Written Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrated by Patrice Barton

Alfred A. Knopf
originally published 1976, New illustrations 2012
Ages 5-8, 32 pp


Themes:
Childhood, Differences, Individuality


Opening:
I like old clothes,
Hand-me-down clothes,
Worn-outgrown clothes,
Not-my-own clothes.

This book was originally published with illustrations by Jacqueline Chwast

Synopsis:
The main character tells how she loves receiving used clothes even though other people might not like old clothes. This is more of a concept book. The MC likes to imagine where the clothes have come from and in the beautifully circular ending, where they are going to next. She likes hand-me-downs because she can play without messing them up, or dress up, or remake them into something new.


What I Love:
This sweet circular "story" by Mary Ann Hoberman has been reissued with new illustrations. I love how Patrice Barton introduces a gentle, vintage vibe into her illustrations without being sentimental.
I love the creative ways the MC uses her clothes. I appreciate the book's ability to deflect embarassment over consignments shopping and an upcycled life-style. The book is perfectly suited to today's environmentally-conscious parents who take advantage of the used clothing that comes their way. The illustrator uses a nice variety of collage-style back grounds and vignettes with plenty of character appeal.

I generally flinch when a past illustrator's work is cast aside, but this new edition is worthy of the timeless text. It's so cute!


Bonus: 

Ingenious cookie packages from Cake Central

1. Reading Rockets never fails to disappoint with their author interviews in text or video format.

2. View a delightful sketch interview with illustrator Patrice Barton on the Texas: Austin SCBWI blog, or the traditional kind with Kathy Temean's indepth Q&A with lots of pictures!

3. Take kids on a shopping spree to the local consignment shop for school clothes, play clothes, dress up costumes, and clothes for crafting. Use the time to review making change and budgeting.

4. Blogger Marilyn Rodrigues posts about the ups and downs of the hand-me-down lifestyle while Recycle Now has suggestions for less-than-quality donations.

5. Teach kids about charity by donating to actual charities like Salvation Army and World Wear Project. Note that Goodwill is a for-profit business and Boxes like Planet Aid can be highly suspect. Do your research.

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

Reviewed by Jennifer

Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Rhythm

Reviewed by Maria

Reviewed by Julie

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 22, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.