Starred Books
Anywhere Farm — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Anywhere Farm Author: Phyllis Root Illustrator: G. Brian Karas Publisher: Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2017 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 4 to 8 Themes/Topics: Nature/Gardens, Neighbors Opening Sentences: For an anywhere farm, here’s all that you need: soil and sunshine, some water, a seed. Synopsis: In simple, delightful verse and equally simple, delightful illustrations,…
Read MoreAround Our Way on Neighbors’ Day by Tameka Fryer Brown — Book Recommendation
Title: Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day Author: Tameka Fryer Brown Illustrator: Charlotte Riley-Webb Publisher: New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 4 to 8 Themes/Topics: Neighbors, diversity, sharing food, friendship Opening Sentences: Blue sky, no clouds, Summer heat, side street, Whirling, whizzing feet. Everyone is out to play…
Read MoreA Strong Right Arm by Michelle Y. Green — Book Recommendation
I’ve been impatiently waiting until my planned alphabetical posts were complete so that I could share this book with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Title: A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Author: Michelle Y. Green Publisher: New York: Scholastic, 2002. Genre: Middle Grade biography Audience…
Read MoreJane Yolen
Jane Yolen is one of the wonders of modern writing. She has written and published over 300 books, most — but not all — for children (of all ages). She is a poet and a master of many genres. She is a mentor and teacher to many. One of the keys to the prolific nature…
Read MoreUp in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner — Book Recommendation
Title: Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt Author: Kate Messner Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal Publisher: San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2015 Genre: Picture book, fiction (with facts strewn through it like seeds sprinkled on dirt) Audience Age: 4 to 8 Topics: Gardening, time with Nana, what’s under the ground, ecology Opening Sentences: Up…
Read MoreSarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay — Book Recommendation
Title: Sarah’s Key Author: Tatiana de Rosnay Publisher: New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2007 Genre: Adult fiction Audience Age: 16 and up Themes/Topics: Holocaust, France’s role in deportation of Jews during World War II, Vélodrome d’Hiver roundup, truth, fear, justice Opening Sentences: The girl was the first to hear the loud pounding on the door.…
Read MoreParty Bears! (Of the Super Happy Persuasion) PLUS a mini-interview with author MARCIE COLLEEN!
It’s YAY o’clock, which means it’s time to join the Super Happy Party Bears in a party dance — “slide to the left, hop to the right…” Marcie Colleen’s delightful debut chapter book series will make kids laugh and want to dance and celebrate along with the bears, and they’ll cheer them on through every…
Read MoreKetzel: the Cat Who Composed, by Leslea Newman — Book Recommendation
This is the second K post today, because I couldn’t resist telling you about this delightful picture book. Sometimes we just need to enjoy the moment. And sometimes we can find inspiration in the most unexpected places, as happened in this delightful picture book. Title: Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed Author: Lesléa Newman Illustrator: Amy…
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