KREX BOOK OF THE MONTH, MAY 2013, BEST OF THE WEST featuring LITTLE RED HOT, COWPOKE & DIRTY DAWG, AND COWBOY UP!

     What are the odds of having three newly released children’s’ books about the West land in your mailbox at the same time?  May has unfolded as an ace high hand of three very different and wonderful books.  COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DOG by Lori Mortensen, COWBOY UP! RIDE THE NAVAJO RODEO by Nancy Bo Flood, and LITTLE RED HOT by Eric Kimmel provide a trio of five apple books.

 

     Award winning author, Eric Kimmel is a master storyteller and re-teller.  LITTLE RED HOT with text by Kimmel and illustrations by Laura Huliska-Beith takes a classic and turns it into one creative hot read.  Set in Texas, Little Red Hot likes chili peppers.  Fearless and cleaver, she stands her ground with Senor Lobo.  What stands out in this book is Kimmel’s focus on his character’s uniqueness and strength allowing her to solve her own problem.  LITTLE RED HOT is a 1500 word, picture book. Heavy on the text like most classic tales, this book is for readers or is to be read aloud to school age children.  There are interesting facts about chili peppers placed strategically in the beginning of the book that make it clear the heat of chili peppers is serious business.

 I give this book 5 apples, outstanding. It takes a master storyteller to re-tell a story that has been over-told. LITTLE RED HOT feels new with just the right amount of heat.


     This book is a partial retelling of a classic tale, picture book that has a high word count. It is for children 6 and up.  It has high appeal for boys and girls.  The themes in the book are helping and helping your-self, and actions and consequences. 


     If you want to find out more about author Eric Kimmel, check out his website at: Eric’s Website.  LITTLE RED HOT is published by Amazon Children’s Publishing and is available online and through your local independent bookseller. 

 

     A cowpoke and his dog coupled with the rhythmic, rhyming, humorous romp of award-winning author Lori Mortensen and the dynamic, action oriented illustration of award winning illustrator, Michael Allen Austin energizes the reader in Mortensen’s latest book, COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DAWG.  Mortensen is a first class, wordsmith with seamless rhythm and rhyme.   This fast paced, page-turner, pleases the eyes, ears, and hearts from children to adults, including cowpokes and dog lovers of all shapes and sizes.  COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DAWG is a 32-page picture book for school age readers and is a fun and fast read aloud for adults.  Page after page, readers will smile and wonder what’s going to happen next.  How will Clyde solve his dirty problem? 

     I give this book, 5 apples, cream of the crop. COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DAWG is a one of a kind, creative book with topnotch writing and illustration.


     This book is a picture book that has an average word count with complex language.  It is for children 6 and up and will appeal to boys and girls.  It could be used in teaching about poetry, rhyme and rhythm.

The theme is about sticking to resolving problems, humor, and knowing things will work out.


     If you want to find out more about author Lori Mortensen, check out her website at:Lori's Website.  COWPOKE CLYDE AND DIRTY DAWG is published by Clarion Books and is available online and through your local independent bookseller.

     COWBOY UP! RIDE THE NAVAJO RODEO by award winning author, Nancy Bo Flood with photography by Jan Sonnenmair combines narrative poetry with detailed description of rodeo events that makes accessible a unique view of the Navajo rodeo.  COWBOY UP! is a non-fiction, story, picture book that captures what feels like the heart and soul of not just any ole rodeo, but a Navajo rodeo.  Bo Flood’s life on the Navajo Nation Reservation paired with research and skilled writing are precisely placed with poignant photographs that bring a charge to the page.  This nonfiction portrait is laced with narrative poetry and narrative from the rodeo announcer balanced with active description of the events.  Bo Flood not only carries out the task of writing from three different voices bringing them powerfully together She does it with the execution and confidence of the riders she depicts in her words. 

I give this book, 5 apples, cream of the crop.  COWBOY UP! RIDE THE NAVAJO RODEO is unique and beautiful in its’ depiction of this rodeo slice of life on the Navajo reservation.   The themes in the book are rodeo, family and community.


     This book is a story, picture book that has a long word count and complex language.  It is for school age readers.   It will appeal to boys and girls.  It could be used in teaching about rodeo, native cultures, and poetry.


     If you want to find out more about author Nancy Bo Flood, check out her website at: Nancy’s Website.  COWBOY UP! is published by the WordSong an imprint of Highlights and is available online and through your local independent bookseller.

A BEST OF THE WEST BOOK is being given away this month to a lucky winner who posts a comment on this blog or signs up as a follower or likes the Book Wisdom by Diane Facebook page.  If you sign up as a follower please let me know you did, I do not have access to your name or use your information as I value your privacy. Drawing happens in June.

Book Wisdom, 5 Apple Review, November 5, 2012

    

     Choosing books for children is like walking down the cereal isle in a grocery store.  There are lots of options, some boring, some sugary, some colorful, some healthy.  Knowing what to look for can save you time and money and perhaps an unpleasant scene.  It can also help you to make conscious choices about what you feed your child.  The same is true for choosing what you read to your child.  

     This month is Picture Book Month.   I am honored to share three outstanding picture books, one shared by an author, one an author/illustrator, and one by a Canadian illustrator. This trifecta is an exciting group of books because they are all exceptional examples of writing and illustration.  In addition, they are developmentally appropriate, and fun.  Each book is reviewed below and information on how to buy the book and my giveaway are located below the reviews.

     When I look at writing, I look for strong hooks, a line that pulls me into the book, clear voice, strong and unique characters, a solid story arc, humor, word use, and a climax and conclusion that is quick and ties the story together in the perfect little bundle.  This sounds easy, but in a picture book, it takes a great deal of skill to pull it off.  Picture books are also written for several readers, child and the adult who is purchasing and/or reading to the child.

      Strong illustration also takes clear voice and vision. It must carry through a story in images depicting unique characters and view points that add to the story, and execution of humor and emotion that evoke a similar response in the reader/viewer.  On top of that major task, an illustrator needs to have a strong command of art elements and design principles.  When used well, they create flow, evoke emotion, and draw the viewer further into the story.  This needs to look effortless. Most readers and children do not know that most of the time authors have no say in how the illustration will look unless they are the illustrator themselves.

     A story that is developmentally appropriate fits closely with the readers developmental stage.  Picture books can be written for a variety of developmental stages and may cross over several.  The most common picture book age range starts around age 3 and goes through age 8.  The cognitive, social, emotional, and physical changes that children go through during this time span are significant and should determine what is written and illustrated.   I will talk more about this a bit later.

    Children learn through play.  Play is children's work.  Healthy play is engaging and fun.  Reading picture books can be playful or full of play and fun.  It engages the child and is often their first introduction to reading.
  

The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

     Perfect timing allowed me to share TODD PARR'S 24 page picture book, THE THANKFUL BOOK with anchor Meaghan Wallace on Grand Junction's CBS affiliate, KREX, NewsChannel 5, This Morning.

     I chose Todd's book because the days until Thanksgiving are ticking down and thankfulness or gratitude is something that we can never have enough of.  I am very grateful for Todd writing and illustrating this book.  Thankfuls are an evening ritual in my home before we eat modeled by our nephew some years ago.  It stuck.  It allows us to stop amidst the chaos and reflect on what is important. 

     A new release, THE THANKFUL BOOK simply shares this point of view from the perspective of a small child.  It hooks the reader.  You want to know what is next,  Todd pulls it together with the simple truth there are lots of things to be thankful for.  His illustrations are friendly and full of bold colors, perfect for a young child learning about who they are.  

     It's fun and engaging.  I am thankful for underwear because I like to wear it on my head.  This is a priceless line.

  I rate this book a five apple book, cream of the crop. Easy to read aloud, the wonderful text and illustrations will touch the child and adult, alike. It matches the child's developmental stage.

    THE THANKFUL BOOK  is for children of both genders, ages three and up. 

    The themes in this book are cultivating gratitude and sharing gratitude.

    You can learn more about Todd,this children's book and his other award winning books at: Todd's Website or through his publisher Little, Brown & Company. 

I'M BORED by Michael Ina Black, Illustrated by Debbie Ohi

     I'M BORED is funny new picture book that takes a simple, common line, children love to repeat to adults and each other, and fully engages the reader. Michael Ian Black 's words are elevated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi's illustrations.  Try convincing a potato that there is nothing boring about a child.  Black and Ohi do exactly that with the spot on match of words and illustration.  I'M BORED is clever and fun.  Debbie's energetic illustration style captivates the reader through how it paces the book. Scale and dynamic use of line set the story in constant motion and emotion.  I read the story with only looking at the pictures and knew exactly what happening.  I'M BORED fits the pure definition of picture book.  

  I rate this book a five apple book, cream of the crop. Witty and fun, this book is sure to become a favorite.  

    I'M BORED  is for children of both genders, early school age and up. It's developmentally appropriate by the use of the challenge of looking at the world from a matter of fact viewpoint and having to deal with a potato. 

    The themes in this book are boredom, humor, and self assurance.

    Thank you Debbie for sending the book to me! You can learn more about Debbie,and this children's book at: Debbie's Website or through her publisher Simon & Schuster  Books For Young Readers.  

PRINCESS IN TRAINING BY TAMMI SAUER

     Award winning author, Tammi Sauer takes the training a princess to a new, royal level, in her hot off-the-press, picture book, PRINCESS IN TRAINING illustrated by Joe Berger.  Everyone knows a princess or two, a want-to-be princess, a princess in hiding. You might even live with one.  The glittery dynamic cover with Princess Viola Louise Hassenfeffer skate boarding across the front fuels the "must read this list" even for non-princess adults.  Tammi captures what it is like to not be an ordinary princess in a world of that wants ordinary princesses. Tammi's clear writing voice and strong, unique character in Viola sets the lively pace captured in the fun, intense, action packed illustrations. It's picture book perfect. This book is sure to help redefine and redirect the stereotype of princess in a positive way.

  I rate this book a five apple book, cream of the crop. Lively Viola is sure to race her way into your heart and onto your book shelf.

PRINCESS IN TRAINING will be high interest for girls and boys will also relate.  It is appropriate for early school age and up. Viola's strong desire to fit in and do right by what her parents and royal society wants while becoming more independent make it a very relatable theme for children. 

    The themes in this book are being ones self, fitting in, family obligations and stereotypes.

    You can learn more about Tammi,and this children's book at: Tammi's Website or through her publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group. 

You can find these five apple picture books from all the major book sellers.  Also, they can be ordered from your local independent book store.  In Grand Junction that bookstore is Grand Valley Books.

     Thanks for tuning in this morning or visiting this blog.  Leave a comment on this blog and/or like the Book Wisdom page on Facebook and be entered to win one of these great books.  If you sign up for the once or twice monthly post, you will automatically be entered monthly!  Just me know by email as your privacy is always respected.  I do not know who subscribes. 

August 24th, KKCO News 11, Today, Book Talk, Back to School

     
      As the new school year arrives, educators and parents often wonder about what books there are that help remind kids about building relationships or friendships, community, empathy and working together. Our complicated fast paced lives are easily filled with negative news and over reaction. Good people and their actions are easily forgotten unless we are in the middle of a crisis.  On KKCO, News11, Today with Terri Chappell, I shared two picture books that remind us that we and our children have choices on how we look at and interact with our world.

GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE by Lynea Gillen

     Author, Lynea Gillen knows that young children are very impressionable. Lynea's thirty years as an educator and counselor are the spine of her first children's book, GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.  Simply and perfectly stated, Lynea uses her masterful writing skills to touch the readers hearts reminding them "goodness" exists everywhere in our daily lives.  Kristina Swarner's soft and colorful illustrations sew the author's voice and text to them creating a satisfying child-friendly book that is sure to become a favorite read aloud at home or in a classroom. Written for children 3 and up, GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE is a much needed and subtle reminder to be mindful on how to look at the world and sharing that message with our children.

I rate this book a four apple book, great read. Easy to read aloud, the wonderful text and illustrations will touch the child and adult, alike.

    GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE is for children of both genders, ages three and up. 

    The themes in this book are goodness, working together to make the world a better place, and empowerment.

    You can learn more about Lynea,this children's book and her other award winning materials at: Lynea's Website.

     You can find GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE through the publisher, THREE PEBBLE PRESS or your local book store can order this book for you.  On the West Slope of Colorado, our local independent seller is Grand Valley Books. In addition it can be found online. 

THE LUNCH THIEF by Anne C. Bromley

     Observing real life situations with children, author, Anne C. Bromley utilizes her teaching experience to successfully write THE LUNCH THIEF, a book with multiple themes. With first rate observation and delivery, Anne focuses on the tricky subjects of responding instead of reacting, and hunger.  Believable characters carry this story portraying how easy it can be misunderstand others and situations. Illustrator, ROBERT CASILLA delivers the message in his strong use of point of view, line, and color that create additional emotional impact. For late elementary and middle grade readers and teachers, THE LUNCH THIEF shares difficult themes without being preachy.

I rate this book a four apple book, good - great read. I like how the author and illustrator were able to handle difficult subjects and making the story feel real.


THE LUNCH THIEF is for children of both genders, ages eight through middle school.

The themes in this book are responding appropriately, doing what is right, judgement, hunger, and kindness.

    You can learn more about Anne and her book at: Anne's Website.

     You can find THE LUNCH THIEF through the publisher, TILBURY HOUSE PUBLISHERS or your local book store can order this book for you.  On the West Slope of Colorado, our local independent seller is Grand Valley Books. In addition it can be found online. 

TO ENTER MY BOOK GIVE AWAY, PLEASE CHECK THE BOX ON THE RIGHT SIDE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO ENTER.  SEPTEMBER 11TH IS THE DATE FOR THE NEXT DRAWING.  GOOD LUCK!