tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24443936066051264802024-03-17T20:03:34.848-07:00Geo LibrarianExploring the world through childrens' literature.Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.comBlogger1954125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-38149708876143919152024-03-13T15:35:00.002-07:002024-03-13T15:35:09.450-07:00WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? by Steven J. Simmons & Clifford R. Simmons & Ruth E. Harper<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TIiBAxmkGJ_ht4ow95n1yV7jWTMl1qc3JkDlm-4OMO-BLbXbeJ-9JI8dTvBdpYKHHiHkplpYZsfZAwSzoLuDMj5Ij8B01s0kFj2RdsdlLGb7TGMHUeH0k8QvBKTafOmJhj8ew-xVP9OeJjKcpwJTLhtgi2tLED6WMTtStPXgKBYnRPkwks6b4HrA9LE/s1548/where%20do%20ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1548" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TIiBAxmkGJ_ht4ow95n1yV7jWTMl1qc3JkDlm-4OMO-BLbXbeJ-9JI8dTvBdpYKHHiHkplpYZsfZAwSzoLuDMj5Ij8B01s0kFj2RdsdlLGb7TGMHUeH0k8QvBKTafOmJhj8ew-xVP9OeJjKcpwJTLhtgi2tLED6WMTtStPXgKBYnRPkwks6b4HrA9LE/s320/where%20do%20ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">WHERE DO OCEAN CREATURES SLEEP AT NIGHT?</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">illustrated by Ruth E. Harper</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">Charlesbridge, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-62354-297-9</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: publisher for review (Thanks!)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190855039-where-do-ocean-creatures-sleep-at-night?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=k2ket2jBz8&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Ocean animals sleep, just like you! This informative, rhyming picture book dives deep to look at where and how ocean animals sleep in the sea.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many ocean animals are active during the day, but where and how do they sleep at night? From sharks to dolphins and sea turtles to octopuses, plus parrotfish and whales and more, discover what these ocean creatures do when it’s time to go to sleep and the day is through.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? is newest addition to a three-book series, which includes Where Do Creatures Sleep at Night? and Where Do Big Creatures Sleep at Night?</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATOR</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>Steven J. Simmon</b>s has been a professor of law and government, a White House aide on domestic policy, and a leader in the cable industry. He has five children and six grandchildren. His love of storytelling was inspired at a young age by stories his mother created about a character known as Mrs. Blueberry, who would dress in all blue and go on adventures with the children. Steven is also a sculptor and has previously sculpted aquatic animals, including dolphins and stingrays. Steven is the author of <i>Where Do Creatures Sleep at Night?</i>, and the best-selling <i>Alice and Greta: A Tale of Two Witches</i>, and coauthor of <i>Where Do Big Creatures Sleep at Night?</i> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Clifford R. Simmons</b>’s lifelong passion for writing and love for his nieces and nephews fuels his enthusiasm for children’s books and co-authorship with his father, Steven. He is the youngest of five siblings and has a sense of pride from working with his father as he has always looked up to him. Cliff formerly worked at Google and now runs his own business. He is the co-author of <i>Where Do Big Creatures Sleep at Night?</i> </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ruth E. Harper</b> is a self-taught artist from England. She loves to echo nature in her work. She lives in Iowa with an adorable husband – they have six grown-up kids between them (plus handfuls of grandbabies!). S<i>he is the illustrator of the NYT bestseller The Kissing Hand (with Nancy M. Leak), Happy Mamas, Where Do Creatures Sleep at Night?</i>, and <i>Where Do Big Creatures Sleep at Night?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>In rhyming stanzas, the Simmons father and son authors tell of some of the different ways that ocean animals rest (not all of them actually sleep). From stingrays that burrow in the sand to octopus that rest in holes or hideaways amongst rocks, young readers will discover the sometimes surprising ways that ocean creatures rest or sleep. Seahorses use their prehensile tales to hang on to something while they doze, while walruses can sleep on ice or while floating on top of the water. Young animal lovers will be fascinated by the variety of animals and the variety of ways they find to rest. It's also an important reminder that most living creatures need to rest or sleep at sometime. Whether sleeping with part of the brain still awake like a dolphin or sleeping in snatches like a sea turtle, or resting while cruising like a great white shark, children are likely to find lots of fun facts to share with their family and friends. Ruth Harper's lovely watercolor illustrations are relaxing and wonderfully complement the poetic text. While the text doesn't read out loud as smoothly as I'd like, it's still nicely done. This book would be great for teachers to use in class or parents to read with their young children going to bed. Lovely and informative all in one nice package.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-22417931430618108032024-03-11T16:00:00.001-07:002024-03-11T16:00:18.302-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: The Storyteller by Lindsay Bonilla & Noar Lee Naggan<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISRNvZKAlcb7XQRk6QEq0P40Ib6PIF_Iou1d-H1-lCdFurL_mbylq20yYkwbuWRfe9PmtgXGYjtkILbZznTFCEgr548TY8c3vpnQA2PaKmjd3w-Z1Z0TVqdWahEIpPTBtNJKTBl2kOpnW1Rs60J0UNHH-G4-h40Rf73tEVsKP2GSzshDrjQoJXJGKFbg/s450/The%20Storyteller%20Cover%20Photo%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="450" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISRNvZKAlcb7XQRk6QEq0P40Ib6PIF_Iou1d-H1-lCdFurL_mbylq20yYkwbuWRfe9PmtgXGYjtkILbZznTFCEgr548TY8c3vpnQA2PaKmjd3w-Z1Z0TVqdWahEIpPTBtNJKTBl2kOpnW1Rs60J0UNHH-G4-h40Rf73tEVsKP2GSzshDrjQoJXJGKFbg/s320/The%20Storyteller%20Cover%20Photo%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">THE STORYTELLER</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Lindsay Bonilla, illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-10958-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: publisher/Blue Slip Media</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 6 and up</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174156137-the-storyteller?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=5RtJmmoaSi&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover and summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com & Blue Slip Media.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Featuring an evocative text and luminous paintings, this stunning book celebrates the power of stories—how they connect us, inspire us, and keep memories alive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Griffin’s grandmother spins the most marvelous stories, from breathtaking fairy tales to fascinating family lore. These stories fuel his imagination and fill their days with magic. So when he sees her once-bright spark begin to fade, Griffin is scared to think of the future. Fortunately, though, he has her stories to guide him—and to remind him that he is braver than he could ever imagine.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Lindsay Bonilla</b> is a professional storyteller and author whose previous picture books include Parents’ Choice Award winner Polar Bear Island, I Love You with All of My Hearts, and The Note Who Faced the Music. She lives with her husband, two wild and creative kids, and her dog, Blitzen, in North Canton, Ohio. Learn more at <a href="http://lindsaybonilla.com">lindsaybonilla.com</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Noar Lee Naggan</b> (<a href="http://noarleenaggan.com">noarleenaggan.com</a>) also illustrated Lilah Tov Good Night (by Ben Gundersheimer). Originally from Israel, with a background in animation and graphic design, he is now a full-time illustrator in Edinburgh, Scotland.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A young boy delights in listening to his grandmother's stories. As she fills him up with bread and milk, she also fills him up with stories. Griffin's favorite stories are the ones in which his grandmother is a main character; where she has a best friend who's a talking cat or lived in a house that looked like a shoe. Griffin even finds himself becoming a character in her stories. The tender relationship between grandmother and grandson, storyteller and story listener, shines through brilliantly in this story that blends the real and the fantastical. When it comes time for the storyteller to depart (die), Griffin helps her go by using a toy cow to purchase magical beans (they look a lot like jelly beans) which grows a beanstalk into the sky. As he says goodbye, she reminds him, "Keep the stories alive, my love." And he does. Readers see the boy next as a storyteller himself, both verbal and visual. The book clearly honors the power of stories to inspire and connect us as people, even with those who are gone. The illustrations blend with the text in such a fantastical way showing both the relationship of the boy and the storyteller, but also the connections between fantasy and reality. The book would make a great discussion starter both in and out of a classroom as children allow their imaginations to roam free as they share stories from their own lives.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzbwKUOdc6jthpGC0_4xTZzXbFq8uCynnYPtADyHD58wwxzU5pOAIzX-W9He5MMCpAZ7_vEWibGJqYO3KZm9-SKIZNOUC6z3j8fRY1MPzty2MZCiZQZ1IhiKNKV-zeobxUg7r4IOJc3u1VZizZkPK-tLF1wZ_J7NZXNI8QnpSyN2IW0e8VTfcIXp36A0/s1000/Interior%20illus%20by%20Noar%20Lee%20Naggan%20from%20THE%20STORYTELLER%20by%20Lindsay%20Bonilla_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzbwKUOdc6jthpGC0_4xTZzXbFq8uCynnYPtADyHD58wwxzU5pOAIzX-W9He5MMCpAZ7_vEWibGJqYO3KZm9-SKIZNOUC6z3j8fRY1MPzty2MZCiZQZ1IhiKNKV-zeobxUg7r4IOJc3u1VZizZkPK-tLF1wZ_J7NZXNI8QnpSyN2IW0e8VTfcIXp36A0/w640-h245/Interior%20illus%20by%20Noar%20Lee%20Naggan%20from%20THE%20STORYTELLER%20by%20Lindsay%20Bonilla_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMEkybukJmfl7Vp5oXE1TwEWL_LJVxC9EGIh2MgTDFzjkjrY6JdpC7JFAEBK2pMAu9xazeyxqdmyHyKGIrg1ogvPjcE0u1h0bbHDXkqHhQ6qSQPouk_wtd560o-VDkDyaZ1i0RTZhPtSvKEaeCsuWdx6K3z0ZfvHLrTr705ui6HfF_EhDeiAvO7AY2zQ/s1000/Interior%20illus%20by%20Noar%20Lee%20Naggan%20from%20THE%20STORYTELLER%20by%20Lindsay%20Bonilla_4%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="1000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMEkybukJmfl7Vp5oXE1TwEWL_LJVxC9EGIh2MgTDFzjkjrY6JdpC7JFAEBK2pMAu9xazeyxqdmyHyKGIrg1ogvPjcE0u1h0bbHDXkqHhQ6qSQPouk_wtd560o-VDkDyaZ1i0RTZhPtSvKEaeCsuWdx6K3z0ZfvHLrTr705ui6HfF_EhDeiAvO7AY2zQ/w640-h244/Interior%20illus%20by%20Noar%20Lee%20Naggan%20from%20THE%20STORYTELLER%20by%20Lindsay%20Bonilla_4%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-69016870275044491302024-03-08T16:13:00.002-07:002024-03-08T16:13:17.565-07:00EARLY READER: The Cozy Home by Ame Dyckman & Mark Teague<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQiLEtm03h_gF3xAEKatUvPCmCXDiZmkffr0NPWmkkwMLqlGs6Q5oqLnoE7sIkPvCMc7CpJFGAvy64xlTlpd8BVrqNmx4iPfeo6jws6uqiF5joW79ULdUqxp9YzTNgXwDXj2fw5YmFthYol2wi538GwCJB7mLVKCYhwbUfU5tYN6YdwmMbP88n7gv9Hk/s2079/cozy%20home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQiLEtm03h_gF3xAEKatUvPCmCXDiZmkffr0NPWmkkwMLqlGs6Q5oqLnoE7sIkPvCMc7CpJFGAvy64xlTlpd8BVrqNmx4iPfeo6jws6uqiF5joW79ULdUqxp9YzTNgXwDXj2fw5YmFthYol2wi538GwCJB7mLVKCYhwbUfU5tYN6YdwmMbP88n7gv9Hk/s320/cozy%20home.jpg" width="215" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">THE COZY HOME</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">Bat, Cat & Rat #1</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Ame Dyckman & illustrated by Mark Teague</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">Beach Lane Books, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-6659-3042-0</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 6-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442799-the-cozy-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WDizlizl70&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Join Bat, Cat, and Rat on their three-and-a-half sweet and silly roommate adventures in this hilarious picture book, the first of a series, from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague.</div><div><br /></div><div>What happens when three friends—a bat, a cat, and a rat—move in together?</div><div><br /></div><div>In “Sharing,” Bat, Cat, and Rat find a cozy home to share. But will choosing rooms put their sharing skills to the test?</div><div><br /></div><div>In “Joking,” Rat sets off a series of pranks and shenanigans with his rubber spider that have the trio screaming in surprise and laughing in delight.</div><div><br /></div><div>In “Reading,” Cat catches Bat and Rat reading over her shoulder—or so she thinks, until it turns out they haven’t learned to read yet. Can Cat teach her friends to read along with her?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Cozy Home</i> finds three friends moving into a house together. Each chapter in this early reader finds the friends facing a conundrum. First, the friends must decide who is going to live in which room. But sharing proves to be challenging. Rat enjoys the prank he pulls on Cat, until Bat turns the tables on him. Lastly, the three friends discover the joys of shared reading. Dyckman's minimal text perfectly complements Teague's expressive illustrations making for a delightful read. Rat, Bat, and Cat discover the joys and challenges that being roommates brings. </div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-45700175316258674462024-03-07T16:58:00.003-07:002024-03-07T16:58:47.806-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter & Daniel Miyares<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMEHJHnYcEt5LtEYozQ2CcHqWH0F50AB0JQbijzkDR7eHGNpLbH7xgubG8E7pkcV2deQClviY3geYmi2HUe38fUzJBO_WdlpEKfL9QQWFHxiOfgKbrviYv_f3bfDtb6Xs8AQ7IYApOo82qDpTX4XcA8jjkEyNv0vNMmOwJLPp-4hxuSZgt5l_AYDL1nM/s400/Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMEHJHnYcEt5LtEYozQ2CcHqWH0F50AB0JQbijzkDR7eHGNpLbH7xgubG8E7pkcV2deQClviY3geYmi2HUe38fUzJBO_WdlpEKfL9QQWFHxiOfgKbrviYv_f3bfDtb6Xs8AQ7IYApOo82qDpTX4XcA8jjkEyNv0vNMmOwJLPp-4hxuSZgt5l_AYDL1nM/s320/Nell.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">NELL PLANTS A TREE</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">by Anne Wynter & Daniel Miyares</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">Balzer + Bray, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-06-286577-9</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60877574-nell-plants-a-tree?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Vyk4r7AG6J&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This gorgeous picture book shows how one little girl’s careful tending of a pecan tree creates the living center of a loving, intergenerational Black family. For Earth Day and every day! Perfect for fans of Matt de la Peña and Oge Mora.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before her grandchildren climbed the towering tree,</div><div><br /></div><div>explored its secret nests,</div><div><br /></div><div> raced to its sturdy trunk,</div><div><br /></div><div> read in its cool shade,</div><div><br /></div><div> or made pies with its pecans...</div><div><br /></div><div>Nell buried a seed.</div><div><br /></div><div>And just as Nell’s tree grows and thrives with her love and care, so do generations of her close-knit family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Inspired by the pecan trees of the creators' own childhoods, Anne Wynter’s lyrical picture book, brought to life with breathtaking illustrations by Daniel Miyares, brims with wonder and love.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The imagery found in <i>Nell Plants a Tree</i> makes the book stand out, both textually and visually. Not only does the book portray the planting of a literal tree, but also a figurative one. Before Nell's grandchildren climb and enjoy the tree, Nell planted a seed. The author goes back and forth between the ways the grown tree is enjoyed by Nell's grandchildren and the process that lead to the tree's existence. Themes of growth and careful tending bringing forth valuable 'fruit' highlight this beautiful homage to both the natural world and the world of a family. The careful tending leads to a beautiful tree as well as a wonderful family. Lyrical language combined with Miyares' beautiful art make for a tender read and a reminder that the best things in life require effort and time to come to fruition. </div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-55270464566053969032024-03-06T16:09:00.004-07:002024-03-06T16:09:29.169-07:00WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough by Hayley Rocco & John Rocco<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs6PyOsr9ffb-LicXnkcl67UHYVp1AsUzYGe6dUX83sTJoiF3dG3-FjEITCx9_7UfzxSEgP40X75fE47XORMeEr1gS6bQrPQTfw5J577MP2i3wdCX7ByRYte295G9DEUg6ZO4503r9iOsKi2_TUkG1rNUTbQh38rzoWCYPU90B1Nc_xlOIBQFZ9IJb9o/s400/wild%20places.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs6PyOsr9ffb-LicXnkcl67UHYVp1AsUzYGe6dUX83sTJoiF3dG3-FjEITCx9_7UfzxSEgP40X75fE47XORMeEr1gS6bQrPQTfw5J577MP2i3wdCX7ByRYte295G9DEUg6ZO4503r9iOsKi2_TUkG1rNUTbQh38rzoWCYPU90B1Nc_xlOIBQFZ9IJb9o/s320/wild%20places.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">WILD PLACES:</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Hayley Rocco, illustrated by John Rocco</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-61809-7</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Penguin Random House for Review (Thanks!)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 6 and up</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122773703-wild-places?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ViahsoWkdP&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An inspiring and accessible picture book biography of the beloved naturalist, broadcaster, and documentarian David Attenborough—stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honoree.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a boy, David loved exploring the wild places near his home in England, collecting fossils, rocks, and newts. When he grew older, he got a job in television, where he had an idea for a new kind of He would travel to wild places all over the world to film animals in their natural habitats. Over the span of seven decades, David's innovative documentaries have been treasured by millions of people.</div><div><br /></div><div>But as time went on, he noticed the wild places he loved were shrinking. What could David do to help? What could we all do?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the story of David Attenborough. It’s also the story of our planet, which has changed rapidly over the course of one person’s lifetime, and a clarion call for us to do our part to bring back the wild places and protect the creatures who call Earth home.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Combining a fascinating subject and gorgeous illustrations makes for an incredible read in this stunning new picture book biography by Hayley & John Rocco. "This is our planet." The book begins with a gorgeous illustration of Earth from space. Readers are then introduced to David Attenborough and his love of nature starting in childhood. The blending of city and wild environments highlights the stark contrasts between the two. David's love of the natural world shines through in both text and illustration and the inclusion of quotes from David himself adds to the personal nature of the book. In addition to shining a light on the incredible work David has done in documentary work, the story also points out the conservation work David has been involved in as climate change, animal endangerment, and the loss of wild places have become ever more important issues. The minimal text packs a punch, especially when combined with John Rocco's beautiful illustrations. The use of contrast is amazingly powerful. For example, the two-page spread highlighting overfishing has a damaged reef system overwhelmed by fishing nets right next to a picture of a healthy reef system with David scuba diving with the fish. Not only is this book a wonderful biography of a remarkable man but it's a salute to the importance of taking care of our planet. Additional information is provided in the Author's Note and selected bibliography available in the back matter. More information about the problems and solutions mentioned in the book are also included in the back matter. A superb picture book biography full of fascinating information and inspiring illustrations. Highly recommended.</div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-34279259204869842712024-03-04T17:09:00.002-07:002024-03-04T17:09:07.259-07:00#MMGM: Isabel in Bloom by Mae Respicio<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikENWN2RoyOmoncAJKEjRinb2tgO7woD-FsmBjdF_StXh90uz6tm30Mls7gugub7eNKicrUZNPf49sPSkW8PUJPtvW6kJLDcLrPM-HBtKMz0SikeIVSyy7bC4JoYpZ6AiRZTw4BLcdwcd7fwGl4zgBGsZ5gfYByYGA0mRYvBjhOwKAQ0NLMd21aZ5204I/s1200/Isabel%20in%20bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="795" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikENWN2RoyOmoncAJKEjRinb2tgO7woD-FsmBjdF_StXh90uz6tm30Mls7gugub7eNKicrUZNPf49sPSkW8PUJPtvW6kJLDcLrPM-HBtKMz0SikeIVSyy7bC4JoYpZ6AiRZTw4BLcdwcd7fwGl4zgBGsZ5gfYByYGA0mRYvBjhOwKAQ0NLMd21aZ5204I/s320/Isabel%20in%20bloom.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">ISABEL IN BLOOM</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">by Mae Respicio</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">Wendy Lamb Books, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 9780593302729 </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Netgalley ARC</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 9-12</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/186872456-isabel-in-bloom?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0JfNFtyReO&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>A Filipina-American girl discovers a connection between her two homes through a culinary garden in this middle grade novel that celebrates nourishment and growth—both in our lives and in nature.</div><div><br /></div><div>Twelve-year-old Isabel is the new kid in her San Francisco middle school. It’s the first time in many years that she’ll be living with her mother again. Mama's job in the US allowed Isabel and her grandparents to live more comfortably in the Philippines, but now Isabel doesn't really know her own mother anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Making new friends in a new city, a new country, is hard, but joining the gardening and cooking club at school means Isabel will begin to find her way, and maybe she too, will begin to bloom.</div><div><br /></div><div>In this beautifully rendered novel-in-verse, Mae Respicio explores how growth can take many forms, offering both the challenges and joy of new beginnings.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The way Isabel takes the initiative in finding a place to belong after arriving in the United States makes for an inspiring read. Flying to meet her mother in the U.S. by herself pushes Isabel into a world that is unfamiliar. Luckily she has her mother and other relatives and Native Filipinos to help her settle into her new home. Having not seen her mother much in the last five years, Isabel's uncertainty about her mother is completely understandable. The struggles she has adjusting to a new place, a new language, inspired empathy from me as I read. The use of free verse poetry allows Isabel's feelings to manifest themselves front and center. The symbolism to be found in the use of headings for the sections of the book works beautifully as Isabel finds a way to bloom in her new 'soil'. It's delightful the way Isabel uses her talents, interests, and knowledge to make a place for herself both at school and with her mother. Not only is this a fabulous immigrant story but also a great story about activism and stepping up to make the change you want to see. Isabel makes a great character, realistic and likeable. This book highlights the power to be found in novels-in-verse and what makes it such a great storytelling form.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-23412486700860117642024-02-28T17:06:00.000-07:002024-02-28T17:06:48.510-07:00#MMGM: Unstuck by Barbara Dee w/ AUTHOR INTERVIEW<div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPOrGHUUqTR2S9WLM2CU0BTj-EK95MDaQB8gzDYaGzQZj1y1YDgU5boYcK9f8GFz28lyvktyjRxfvh5AsRBux0SdkdS9Dkueh2wMlphdEDRze9YMYFnJOIaG7zSCU2cKALBRzuFXksMz1gIoGKIY761HG_j44NwaZpPhX9rkuzqw86lXwpIvPwFYnnas/s2550/9781534489868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1687" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPOrGHUUqTR2S9WLM2CU0BTj-EK95MDaQB8gzDYaGzQZj1y1YDgU5boYcK9f8GFz28lyvktyjRxfvh5AsRBux0SdkdS9Dkueh2wMlphdEDRze9YMYFnJOIaG7zSCU2cKALBRzuFXksMz1gIoGKIY761HG_j44NwaZpPhX9rkuzqw86lXwpIvPwFYnnas/s320/9781534489868.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">UNSTUCK</a></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">by Barbara Dee</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">Aladdin, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">ISBN: 9781534489882</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">Source: eARC from publisher for review</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">Ages 10-14</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176529483-unstuck?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=S6lrzUavOM&rank=1">Book cover, author photo, & book summary provided by the publisher.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel about a girl whose struggles with writer’s block set off unexpected twists and turns, both on and off the page.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade English language arts class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year, she’s been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here’s her chance to get it on paper! The plot to Lyla’s novel is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches and a mysterious one-toed-beast, but at its core, it’s about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister.</div><div><br /></div><div>But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and pretty soon Lyla finds herself stuck, experiencing a panic she realizes is writer’s block. Part of the problem is that she’s trying to impress certain people—like Rania, her best friend who’s pulling away, and Ms. Bowman, the coolest teacher at school. Plus, there’s the pressure of meeting the deadline for the town writing contest. A few years ago, Lyla’s superstar teen sister Dahlia came in second, and this time, Lyla is determined to win first prize.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, Lyla confides about her writing problems to Dahlia, who is dealing with her own academic stress as she applies to college. That’s when she learns Dahlia’s secret, which is causing a very different type of writer’s block. Can Lyla rescue a surprisingly vulnerable big sister, both on the page and in real life?</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6L-QRHHl-TuSORRZSG9ONiy6R-N8O3Hi9zDrkJywrLpfzYnM-Jy9gfFhgfx2RIKcn6NkfQXUPCBJscWMuWKHS8F9Klf2fGGDxmF5PBhSeV_qqbTvYXpINScvwdfXhScpZ4fuOPe1Dsab48gC5X-uRy70Q-5uvhsGgrZB6MiEFjaiYfMBP3S2QZsfT5k/s2400/Barbara%20Dee%20(photo%20credit-%20Carolyn%20Simpson).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6L-QRHHl-TuSORRZSG9ONiy6R-N8O3Hi9zDrkJywrLpfzYnM-Jy9gfFhgfx2RIKcn6NkfQXUPCBJscWMuWKHS8F9Klf2fGGDxmF5PBhSeV_qqbTvYXpINScvwdfXhScpZ4fuOPe1Dsab48gC5X-uRy70Q-5uvhsGgrZB6MiEFjaiYfMBP3S2QZsfT5k/s320/Barbara%20Dee%20(photo%20credit-%20Carolyn%20Simpson).jpg" width="214" /></a><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Barbara Dee is the author of fourteen middle grade novels including Unstuck, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet, Violets Are Blue, My Life in the Fish Tank, Maybe He Just Likes You, Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists, including The Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, the ALA Notable Children’s Books, the ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, the NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Barbara lives with her family, including a naughty cat named Luna and a sweet rescue hound named Ripley, in Westchester County, New York.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>AUTHOR INTERVIEW</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Barbara Dee for taking the time to answer some questions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>What is the "story behind the story"? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>During school visits, many kids kept asking me how I dealt with writer’s block. Kids also sent me emails: “I’m writing a fantasy novel, but I’m stuck on page six. Do you have any advice about how to keep going?” So I decided to answer by writing Unstuck.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What is your favorite thing about writing? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Getting lost inside my main character’s head. I’m also a big fan of words. I love playing with them, and inventing new ones.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What are you currently working on? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>My next middle grade novel, Tear This Down, will publish February 2025. It’s about a middle school activist who discovers that the namesake of her town didn’t believe women should vote, so she wants to tear down his public statue and replace it with one of a suffragette. As we head into the next election, with voting rights and women’s rights on the ballot, I hope this book will spark some important conversations.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What, to you, are the most important elements of good writing? </b></div><div><br /></div><div>To me it’s all about voice. If you can’t nail the character’s voice, you can’t nail the character. So when you’re writing a middle grade novel, especially if you’re writing in the first person, you absolutely can’t sound like an adult, with an adult’s sensibility. And you can’t sound like an adult’s concept of a kid;</div><div>you have to sound like an actual kid. This means you can’t be too wise or self-aware; you have</div><div>to be willing to get things wrong, and use the wrong words. If you’re at all inauthentic, kid</div><div>readers won’t read past Chapter One.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>When did you first call yourself a writer?</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>When I was five! You can see a photo of my first book on my website. It’s about a boy and his robot; the funny thing is that it has dialogue, which even back then was my favorite thing to write. When people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d always answer “authoress.” Somehow I got the idea that women weren’t just plain old “authors,” and nobody bothered to correct me!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>BOOK REVIEW</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Lyla's struggle with writer's block highlights an issue that many young people must overcome. Lyla's excitement when her class starts a creative writing unit shines through clearly, as does her voice. She's full of ideas about what to write about the fantasy story that resides in her imagination. What she doesn't expect though is how hard it becomes to get those ideas down on paper. As the days and weeks pass she finds herself writing almost nothing despite all her ideas. Even worse, Lyla's determined to enter a writing contest that has a rapidly approaching deadline. Conflicts with her best friend and her sister's fights with their parents don't help her become 'unstuck' at all. Luckily, Lyla's newish friend, who has no interest in writing at all, provides some much needed perspective, as does Lyla's teacher, Ms. Bowman. </div><div><br /></div><div>One might not expect a book with such 'in the character's mind' problems to be so compelling. But Lyla's voice is so distinct and believable that she comes alive on the page. Her enthusiasm that turns into frustration and confusion is so relatable. Few readers will come away from the story without empathy for Lyla's struggles. The writing flows smoothly and the snippets of story that Lyla does write leave the reader wanting to know more about Lyla's fantasy world. Those snippets also parallel Lyla's own struggles with family and friends. All in all, a book that will be an easy sell to middle grade readers with it's winning heroine and relatable plot.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-4603050408866520532024-02-22T16:34:00.002-07:002024-02-22T16:34:10.915-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Go Forth and Tell by Breanna J. McDaniel & April Harrison<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45LfVwiNOIg1ewJswekn5_LEMMFErRTj-8YMu9dr1nwC_BObnyiCnyAxuJOn0U5Pm-cCV0Myj9CpQcHHIDrnNJVmPXk63cKlL1JGdOK5nvJh-X1Hzr5mDUnsUP4Th-l7J962OSe3mIbP-1D0l3CYzS6uYV5J9e_2iJLIeFp3k_r1Ke-Dp-f-6-mVQmO8/s400/Go%20forth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45LfVwiNOIg1ewJswekn5_LEMMFErRTj-8YMu9dr1nwC_BObnyiCnyAxuJOn0U5Pm-cCV0Myj9CpQcHHIDrnNJVmPXk63cKlL1JGdOK5nvJh-X1Hzr5mDUnsUP4Th-l7J962OSe3mIbP-1D0l3CYzS6uYV5J9e_2iJLIeFp3k_r1Ke-Dp-f-6-mVQmO8/s320/Go%20forth.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">GO FORTH AND TELL:</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Breanna J. McDaniel, illustrated by April Harrison</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">Dial Books for Young Readers, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-32420-2</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Publisher for review (Thanks!)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169933681-go-forth-and-tell?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=OzdLeZuXEU&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From an award-winning author and illustrator comes this picture book biography about beloved librarian and storyteller Augusta Braxton Baker, the first Black coordinator of children’s services at all branches of the New York Public Library. Before Augusta Braxton Baker became a storyteller, she was an excellent story listener. Her grandmother brought stories like Br’er Rabbit and Arthur and Excalibur to life, teaching young Augusta that when there’s a will, there’s always a way. When she grew up, Mrs. Baker began telling her own fantastical stories to children at the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in Harlem. But she noticed that there were hardly any books at the library featuring Black people in respectful, uplifting ways. Thus began her journey of championing books, writers, librarians, and teachers centering Black stories, educating and inspiring future acclaimed authors like Audre Lorde and James Baldwin along the way. As Mrs. Baker herself put “Children of all ages want to hear stories. Select well, prepare well and then go forth and just tell.”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>REVIEW</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Combining gorgeous art and lyrical text, <i>Go Forth and Tell</i> shares the story of Augusta Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public Library. Augusta loved stories from the time she was little, listening to her grandmother's tales. After growing up and attending teacher college, Augusta eventually became a librarian in Harlem. But she noticed that the few books about black people she found in the library were inaccurate and wrong. Using her own storytelling prowess, she shared her stories with young listeners, helping to inspire James Baldwin and Audre Lorde and other soon to be known BIPOC writers, educators, and librarians. Long before the terms "windows and mirrors" were being used to describe the importance of children seeing themselves in the books they read, Augusta worked hard to find and share such literature. Her skills as a storyteller lead her around the country sharing stories with everyone she met. Not only is this an important story for librarians such as myself, but it's an important reminder of the role storytellers have in human society, whether as a teacher, a journalist or TV reporter, an author, a politician, or an activist. Not only is this book an inspiring reminder to speak up and share our stories, but also the power a single person can wield through the power of stories. The illustrator's use of mixed media collage, acrylics and pens blends together to create stunning art that honors it's subject perfectly. A wonderful example of the storytelling that Augusta Baker spent her life advocating.</div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-78457865613925118452024-02-21T16:24:00.001-07:002024-02-21T16:24:02.755-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Do You Know Them? by Shana Keller & Laura Freeman<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZHgBggyFR-uwaFlXTI1Z0MUjKLKfyRAnyy4oim-a7Sf-tGtxkSLuSK1cLiGPkEDCMFWzqflr7fzgnTxDsqkL6s3KIQTD7h2Rz6_V3BCbxnUkbzFPbqQpdnASvc4rn5tv4N2UmbEfqrObhBHWfM7xPCAbS4HbpqQFplsf3nVzhakWeUmiYS00vIRhMCs/s1400/do%20you%20know%20them.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZHgBggyFR-uwaFlXTI1Z0MUjKLKfyRAnyy4oim-a7Sf-tGtxkSLuSK1cLiGPkEDCMFWzqflr7fzgnTxDsqkL6s3KIQTD7h2Rz6_V3BCbxnUkbzFPbqQpdnASvc4rn5tv4N2UmbEfqrObhBHWfM7xPCAbS4HbpqQFplsf3nVzhakWeUmiYS00vIRhMCs/s320/do%20you%20know%20them.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">DO YOU KNOW THEM?</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">Families Lost and Found After the Civil War</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Shana Keller, illustrated by Laura Freeman</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-6659-1307-2</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 8-12</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176442793-do-you-know-them?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MJfXv49Tb1&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div>A moving and triumphant picture book inspired by the printed newspaper ads placed by African Americans who were separated from family members by the Civil War, enslavement, and emancipation.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the war’s end, everyone is missing someone. Lettie’s missing her family. They had been sold and lost long before enslavement was abolished. Every week, she reads the advertisements in the newspapers to her congregation. “Do you know them? I would like to find my people. My mother’s name was Charlotte King, and when I was sold, I had five brothers.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Lettie is determined to find her loved ones, too. She saves every penny she earns, but not to buy candy or toys. She saves for something better—something that could bring her whole family together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every ad depicted in this poignant tale is authentically historical, bringing the heart-wrenching past to life.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The heart wrenching nature of slavery is brought home powerfully in this account of a woman and her uncle looking for lost & stolen family members. Lettie works really hard at a variety of jobs in an effort to save pennies. She plans to use those pennies to pay for an advertisement in the local paper asking for help finding her family. Each week she reads the posted ads to the church congregation in an effort to help families like hers, torn apart by slavery. The inclusion of real-life advertisements from the time period right after the Civil War made my heart ache. The story doesn't shy away from the fact that many advertisements didn't result in a happy ending. The sacrifices Lettie makes to pay for the advertisement demonstrates how badly people wanted to find their families. Freeman's illustrations not only beautifully highlight Lettie, her uncle, friends and congregation but also highlight real-life ads and pennies indicating how much was required to purchase these advertisements. A thought-provoking and powerful book about an important aspect of the United States history with slavery. This is one of those picture books that would work especially well with older students who are capable of thinking about the implications of the experiences highlighted. </div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-42929314898688254932024-02-15T17:06:00.002-07:002024-02-15T17:06:16.173-07:00PICTURE BOOK NONFICTION: Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Cline-Ransome & James E. Ransome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0r01MQs1Qw1L8mFvSB3wfPrQv2rVTJ24lVN99vNQAQEP1TelVqqOzvSVOxWXR_gPxpeRSPPNHOR8MDLUjOUr1jonPyucqNRDFJsEsCK5zHcGfUwR_E0awQTALzNR1zFr8AHTBfwig-7MoaIeI8lI1uF7jjK-j8tDsOoLJR2Y-ep0IloR4lkgZJtKvK8/s1500/fighting%20with%20love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1500" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0r01MQs1Qw1L8mFvSB3wfPrQv2rVTJ24lVN99vNQAQEP1TelVqqOzvSVOxWXR_gPxpeRSPPNHOR8MDLUjOUr1jonPyucqNRDFJsEsCK5zHcGfUwR_E0awQTALzNR1zFr8AHTBfwig-7MoaIeI8lI1uF7jjK-j8tDsOoLJR2Y-ep0IloR4lkgZJtKvK8/s320/fighting%20with%20love.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank"><br />FIGHTING WITH LOVE</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">The Legacy of John Lewis</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN; 978-1-5344-9662-0</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: publisher for review</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 9-12</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63200516-fighting-with-love?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oL9xQeYTWC&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The story of a groundbreaking civil rights leader, John Lewis, comes to life in this compelling and beautifully told nonfiction picture book.</div><div><br /></div><div>John Lewis left a cotton farm in Alabama to join the fight for civil rights when he was only a teenager. He soon became a leader of a movement that changed the nation. Walking at the side of his mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis was led by his belief in peaceful action and voting rights. Today and always his work and legacy live on.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Covering his childhood through to Bloody Sunday (the march to Selma), Fighting with Love, highlights the life of John Lewis. From a young age, Lewis hungered for greater fairness and better treatment for black people. As a child he spent much of his time helping on the family farm except when he attended church or could make it to school. Trips to town revealed to him the realities of segregation which bothered him a great deal. After hearing Martin Luther King, Jr. speak over the radio, John was inspired to get involved in the Civil Rights Movement when he left home to attend seminary. He marched, sat, rode, and spoke; he even went to jail over 40 times in defense of his beliefs. Cline-Ransome highlights the preparation that John experienced that lead him to become a leader of the movement. The book ends as he and the other marchers stepped forward onto the Edmund Pettus Bridge, moving toward the state troopers waiting on the other side of the bridge. As a picture book biography, the limited space made it impossible to cover Lewis's entire eighty year life. The author hits the most important moments that led him to become the leader he became. </div><div><br /></div><div>The back matter includes a photograph of Lewis on the bridge years later, along with photos of Lewis with the author and illustrator. The author's note gives additional information about Lewis's life after the march. A timeline, quote sources, and selected bibliography round out the back matter. The inclusion of quotes from Lewis himself makes the book all the more powerful. The length of the text as well as some of the references to events surrounding Lewis's life make the book appropriate for an older audience than most picture books. The book provides a powerful overview not only of Lewis's life but of the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement. Fighting for Love also highlights Lewis's focus on using principles of nonviolence and love in his work despite the violence he and so many others experienced, making the book a powerful teaching tool. The author and illustrator don't shy away from the realities of the violence but don't provide graphic details either. </div><div><br /></div><div>James E. Ransome's art is beautiful as I would expect from seeing some of his other work. Using pencil drawings along with cut paper makes for gorgeous artwork that honors its subject very well. The words and illustrations come together beautifully, making this not only an inspiring story but a work of art in and of itself.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-17549042222135754442024-02-14T16:37:00.000-07:002024-02-14T16:37:07.376-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper & Frank Morrison<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOzaHQbRN0jFzv3HKid6nl-34dI7-LdUud5-U3AXFGLzhjXV8zbdWRfHsFIErjPwGPVGGhS2YNy4-gGqraQhY-1tFUf7k4HJFZqefgilFOuFrMirmsNxuElyZIju6gFN31CZNRemt6Gm-c18KXJamr5yz0CG8zd1jZaPM1xb6LwgN7v1Vw9Y2plYKOcw/s400/My%20Block%20looks%20like.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOzaHQbRN0jFzv3HKid6nl-34dI7-LdUud5-U3AXFGLzhjXV8zbdWRfHsFIErjPwGPVGGhS2YNy4-gGqraQhY-1tFUf7k4HJFZqefgilFOuFrMirmsNxuElyZIju6gFN31CZNRemt6Gm-c18KXJamr5yz0CG8zd1jZaPM1xb6LwgN7v1Vw9Y2plYKOcw/s320/My%20Block%20looks%20like.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">MY BLOCK LOOKS LIKE</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Janelle Harper, illustrated by Frank Morrison</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">Viking, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-52630-9</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Publisher for review (Thanks!)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125094582-my-block-looks-like?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=03aBbl5neN&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="BookPageMetadataSection__description" data-testid="description" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.37; margin: 0.8rem 0px;"><div class="TruncatedContent" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;" tabindex="-1"><div class="TruncatedContent__text TruncatedContent__text--large TruncatedContent__text--expanded" data-testid="contentContainer" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-height: none; overflow: hidden visible; word-break: break-word;" tabindex="-1"><div class="DetailsLayoutRightParagraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; gap: 2.4rem; grid-template-columns: repeat(var(--num-right-col), minmax(0, 1fr)); margin-left: calc(-1 * var(--right-col-left-offset)); padding-left: var(--right-col-left-offset);"><div class="DetailsLayoutRightParagraph__widthConstrained" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: span 7;"><div class="DetailsLayoutRightParagraph__widthConstrained" style="box-sizing: border-box; grid-column: span 7;"><span style="font-family: times;">A love letter to the hustle, the bustle, the joy, and the grit of city life by debut author and Bronx native, Janelle Harper, and two-time Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Frank Morrison. "My block looks like a collision of cultures a melting pot of cool a burst of life my favorite groove. . .No matter what happens I’ve seen it for myself my block looks like the coolest place I’ve ever been." A lyrical and proud picture book that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing and Last Stop on Market Street, My Block Looks Like offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><b>REVIEW</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Harper's poem highlights all the things that a young black child loves about the Bronx. The hustle and bustle, the 'silver limo' (subway), hip hop, double Dutch, fire hydrants spraying water in the summer all show up in Morrison's luminous illustrations as well as the bouncy text. This book just begs to be read aloud and discussed with children. Young listeners are bound to want to talk about what they love about their homes after hearing this energetic book. As always, Frank Morrison's paintings glow with life; they convey a feeling of warmth and excitement. As the girl moves through her neighborhood, readers catch a glimpse of just what it is that she loves about the place she calls home. Both words and texts highlight the impact the Bronx has had on the arts: music, dance, and art. A wonderful book that reminds readers of the joy that can be found in the world around us when people take the time to look for it.</span></div></div></div></div><div class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;"></div></div></div><div class="BookPageMetadataSection__genres" data-testid="genresList" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0.8rem 0px;"></div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-36099133561419987222024-02-13T16:37:00.001-07:002024-02-13T16:37:03.805-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: The Last Stand by Antwan Eady & Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qlpfbnc4sAkjTs9cvyuQbl1s-HiO_eBvEk4wZUPDz8cJkiRv9AXE7te1W7uUZQ6fOxay9aS-2_GjgGVBpKVjKS3D6wKuTr4uxLbdWK3XzuzRzbPU_RzczyLw8vVGEsydIQ5tI2o5FWTaHdzPFglRQLk63XfH5M72176r6S0iGv8g39PK9ecP9vJT3oY/s3375/Last%20Stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="3375" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qlpfbnc4sAkjTs9cvyuQbl1s-HiO_eBvEk4wZUPDz8cJkiRv9AXE7te1W7uUZQ6fOxay9aS-2_GjgGVBpKVjKS3D6wKuTr4uxLbdWK3XzuzRzbPU_RzczyLw8vVGEsydIQ5tI2o5FWTaHdzPFglRQLk63XfH5M72176r6S0iGv8g39PK9ecP9vJT3oY/s320/Last%20Stand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">THE LAST STAND</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">Alfred A. Knopf, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-48057-1</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933665-the-last-stand?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=RW0qYa2v0E&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The author of <i>Nigel and the Moon</i>, delivers a tender intergenerational story inspired by his childhood in the rural south. Here's a farm stand that represents the importance of family, community, and hope.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every stand has a story.</div><div>This one is mine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday is for harvesting. And one little boy is excited to work alongside his Papa as they collect eggs, plums, peppers and pumpkins to sell at their stand in the farmer's market. Of course, it's more than a farmer's market. Papa knows each customer's order, from Ms. Rosa's pumpkins to Mr. Johnny's peppers. And when Papa can't make it to the stand, his community gathers around him, with dishes made of his own produce.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heartwarming illustrations complement the lyrical text in this poignant picture book that reveals a family's pride in their work, and reminds us to harvest love and hope from those around us.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Set in a small rural community, a young boy helps his grandfather prepare for the local farmer's market. Theirs is the last stand still operating, but it wasn't always that way. As the young narrator explains how he and his grandfather harvest, load, and sell produce from the farm, the Pumphrey's gorgeous illustrations highlight the tremendous amount of work involved. The boy's love for his heritage and his grandfather shines through brilliantly as do the connections they have with their neighbors. And when Papa can't do it any more the boy takes it on by himself. He struggles to harvest and haul the produce using only his bicycle. Unsurprisingly, things don't go so well, despite his best efforts. But he keeps working at it and finds solutions to his difficulties. The grandfather's generosity in serving his neighbors over the years comes back to him as the boy, the grandparents, and their neighbors enjoy a hearty feast. As the author explains in his note at the end of the book, the story is a love letter to his hometown, to family farms, and to those who keep farmer's markets going around the world. He acknowledges the challenges and mistreatment many have received over the years. The book oozes nostalgia, but what a fabulous way to introduce children to farmer's markets that still exist around the world. The clever cover under the book jacket will delight readers young and old. A true beauty of a book that can open eyes and hearts alike. It wouldn't be surprising if this one won some awards.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-59053040973620551042024-02-12T16:25:00.004-07:002024-02-12T16:26:18.920-07:00YA THRILLER/SURVIVAL ADVENTURE: Swarm by Jennifer Lyle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgvDRV8S0tF6swZVqVHkjFrxpmzdHWFI4drB1BPa4c9J3FM5Jb4KmzhVAm_L3asrRsRD7iNe1bRF-kJehsrWb782wIVY_R5mkqsBgZqoVala4e1zWAWpgY9akl1GE507A-s74ZA-kzeSBDUZQ5_g2MtvjLktsELVv6SC_r8RCji9TX99LfJAXR8jnQok/s500/swarm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgvDRV8S0tF6swZVqVHkjFrxpmzdHWFI4drB1BPa4c9J3FM5Jb4KmzhVAm_L3asrRsRD7iNe1bRF-kJehsrWb782wIVY_R5mkqsBgZqoVala4e1zWAWpgY9akl1GE507A-s74ZA-kzeSBDUZQ5_g2MtvjLktsELVv6SC_r8RCji9TX99LfJAXR8jnQok/s320/swarm.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">SWARM</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">by Jennifer Lyle</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">Sourcebooks Fire, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">ISBN: 9781728270913 </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">Source: eARC from NetGalley</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">Ages 14 and up</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141020373-swarm" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>On a sunny September morning, the creatures first appear. Shur sees one of them hovering outside the window in history it looks like a giant butterfly, at first too beautiful and strange to seem like a threat. But when emergency alerts light up everyone's phones around her, she realizes something very, very wrong is happening outside. These… things are everywhere. By the time Shur makes it back to her house with her brother, Keene, and their two best friends, it's clear they must face whatever comes next on their own. A terrifying species the world's never seen before has suddenly emerged, and few living things are safe. As the creatures swarm and attack outside, life for Shur and her friends becomes a survival game. They board the windows, stockpile supplies, and try to make sense of the news reports for as long as the power stays on. Yet nothing can prepare them for what follows. The butterflies are only the beginning. The next onslaught will be deadlier, and even closer to home.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>While I don't read a ton of young adult literature, I do enjoy a good thriller once in awhile. Several things made this stand out for me. First, our main character struggles with depression and severe anxiety, which plays an interesting role in the story. Second, I love a good survival story. Third, the inclusion of a young child complicates everything. The story starts with a bang as Shur sits in class at the end of the day. A large unusual looking creature appears outside the school window. It appears to be a butterfly but it's enormous. Despite seeming like a non-threat, as more and more of the creatures appear, tension grows and everyone is ordered to the gym. Shur, her twin brother, Keene, and their respective best friends flee the building, trying to get to their little brother and make it home. Along the way, they get a better glimpse of the creatures and realize that not only are there vast numbers of them, but they are highly dangerous with claws and fangs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Barricading themselves in their home, the teens try to stay calm as the world crumbles around them. They listen to the radio, they talk to their respective parents, and hope things calm down soon. But as days pass with no end in sight, Shur uses the preparedness skills that her anxiety has forced her to develop to make plans including boarding up the windows, setting up living quarters in the basement if needed, and making sure they ration their supplies. Various disasters strike including broken windows, neighbors firing guns randomly around the neighborhood, and a bite that could prove to be fatal according to the information Shur and the others manage to gather. </div><div><br /></div><div>As in all survival stories, one of the most interesting things is how the different characters respond to the challenges they face. Keeping a 5-year-old child from going bonkers proves to be one of the biggest challenges, along with keeping the creatures out. And just what does a bite from one of those creatures do to a person? Read and find out. A touch of romance adds to the tension between the characters as they struggle to cope and yet help each other. The story is certainly compelling with enough realism to be really creepy. In terms of content there is quite a bit of swearing (including liberal use of the f-word), along with a brief kiss, and some very violent life-or-death scenes. For those who don't mind such things, the story certainly drew me in and kept me turning the pages.</div><div><br /></div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-13371858313401108382024-02-07T18:52:00.005-07:002024-02-07T18:52:31.918-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney<div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xt1ZF5EjStWbuiO4FMAxuhl4Quu2ROm0WcL1gnaV1JoZ3lK6eG202c7iCrgY3zZJ8kpHHQ9669hWlpnlU5PxTQ6D99kZ1SR9eAZfZf55NKThcjEKZdBiKVbeOv9TNZSfoIktkYbprouORTUsjVVOTN9QtG8zZDZaFm9Ttf9REx1w9JEe0OcjzWE8OAU/s400/Walk%20in%20the%20woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="327" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xt1ZF5EjStWbuiO4FMAxuhl4Quu2ROm0WcL1gnaV1JoZ3lK6eG202c7iCrgY3zZJ8kpHHQ9669hWlpnlU5PxTQ6D99kZ1SR9eAZfZf55NKThcjEKZdBiKVbeOv9TNZSfoIktkYbprouORTUsjVVOTN9QtG8zZDZaFm9Ttf9REx1w9JEe0OcjzWE8OAU/s320/Walk%20in%20the%20woods.jpg" width="262" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">A WALK IN THE WOODS</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">Neal Porter Books, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-8234-4965-1</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">Source: purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">Ages 8 and up</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75295209-a-walk-in-the-woods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=0Yfs0W5ri2&rank=6" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>In this moving account of loss, a boy takes a walk in the woods and makes a discovery that changes his understanding of his father.</div><div><br /></div><div>A week after the funeral</div><div>I stare in the morning mirror</div><div>Angry that my father's eyes</div><div>Stare back at me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Confused and distraught after the death of his father, a boy opens an envelope he left behind and is surprised to find a map of the woods beyond their house, with one spot marked in bright red. But why? The woods had been something they shared together, why would his father want him to go alone?</div><div><br /></div><div>Slowly, his mind settles as he sets off through the spaces he once explored with his dad, passing familiar beech and black oak trees, flitting Carolina wrens, and a garter snake they named Sal. When he reaches the spot marked on the map, he finds pages upon pages of drawings of woodland creatures, made by his father when he was his age. What he sees shows him a side of his dad he never knew, and something even deeper for them share together. His dad knew what he really needed was a walk in the woods.</div><div><br /></div><div>New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes and the Caldecott Award winning illustrator Jerry Pinkney spent the early days of the pandemic emailing back and forth and talking about collaborating on a book, with Jerry sharing all of the pictures he took of the woods around his house. From this, they conjured a story of a boy's struggle with grief, and all the things he sees and feels on a walk through the forest. Jerry sadly passed away in the fall of 2021, but not before he delivered tight pencil sketches of the forests he loved. When his son Brian took on the task of completing the illustrations, he found himself connecting with his father in a whole new way, his experience mirroring that of the boy in the book. The result is a simultaneously touching and deeply authentic story about the ways shared pastimes keep us close to those we've lost.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>While picture books are generally written for children, there are some picture books that have such depth and beauty to them that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by almost anyone, young or old. This is one such book. Not only is the story behind it's creation a touching one (see the book description), but the art being a loving combination of a father's and son's complimentary talents makes this book stand out in every way. Nikki Grimes uses her skill with words to weave a picture of a grieving and confused young man who doesn't know what to think when he discovers a note left by his recently deceased father. But as he follows the instructions in search of a treasure he's reminded of all the memories he and his father made in the woods. And the treasure proves to be worth far more than any amount of money. Not only an ode to the relationship between the fictional father and son, but an ode to the real-life father and son whose stunning artwork graces the pages of the book. A tender, glimpse into father's effort to help his son from beyond the grave.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-77242003931548444282024-02-06T15:57:00.000-07:002024-02-06T15:57:05.041-07:00PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Don't Trust Cats (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) by Dev Petty & Mike Bildt<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaiZUu9YFe3Ntvey7l3X4ErJSntkY9WveGaBE9j3D19CX-hOdeL9JTGsQigONbsOSkEvkUgDeMpKwxqAt04W93u4fxsz5RXNCf5fbT5T7eI5-LG69y-S1ecuH5uROUc3GM3Gd18OwL1xJHaCpPztJrU3klHUZomMFPw3CfaoGDIcEpfjIf1lFhLCCF_Y/s400/don't%20trust%20cats.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaiZUu9YFe3Ntvey7l3X4ErJSntkY9WveGaBE9j3D19CX-hOdeL9JTGsQigONbsOSkEvkUgDeMpKwxqAt04W93u4fxsz5RXNCf5fbT5T7eI5-LG69y-S1ecuH5uROUc3GM3Gd18OwL1xJHaCpPztJrU3klHUZomMFPw3CfaoGDIcEpfjIf1lFhLCCF_Y/s320/don't%20trust%20cats.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">DON'T TRUST CATS</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">(Life Lessons from Chip the Dog)</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">written by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-70678-7</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">Source: Publisher through Blue Slip Media</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/156738387-don-t-trust-cats?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=AxLpyiiUzR&rank=2" target="_blank">Book cover and summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Chip the dog from Don't Eat Bees is back, with more "wisdom" to share, including some hard-won life lessons about cats. From the favorite picture book comic duo of Dev Petty and Mike Boldt. Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he's a very good boy, he's going to share his tips on how to live your best life, Don't trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. No how, no meow. Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens. In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip's earnest yet ridiculous guide to life.<div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In this funny follow-up to <i>Don't Eat Bees</i>, Chip has much wisdom to share with readers. He's a smart dog and has much to tell a discerning reader about what to trust (porcupines) and what not to trust (bees and cats). Chip's advice combined with Boldt expressive, brightly colored illustrations make for an enjoyable, amusing read for adult and child. It very quickly becomes clear that Chip's advice is really not the best as he trusts a large dog to share his toy (a large dog with very large teeth), and thinks his persons are proud when he does his business (after all they collect it afterwards don't they?). And of course, Chip spends the whole book explaining why you can't trust cats until the end when he's fooled into trusting the cat with unfortunate consequences. As with <i>Don't Eat Bees</i>, Petty and Boldt have created a winning book that is bound to make children giggle with glee. </div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-27627768226983457842024-02-05T16:46:00.000-07:002024-02-05T16:46:28.041-07:00YA THRILLER: That's Not My Name by Megan Lally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID07XiBPp4j9c2BjSSfdlEHAR1S3SwPLFzuAu5y5B0jI5BZvlDsrPur1SE0C7gNNVxQFUVYSSgawjZFHG5X0-TIUpYDhbiQPUauZ0epHNLvdGAXP40mz7B3sj2olhtYOUKUfnKpH4BocPTNwme1HjrmRtkadWpyzuQBdD_5q7339Pd2VTYGH1I8QqXwY/s400/That's%20not%20my%20name.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID07XiBPp4j9c2BjSSfdlEHAR1S3SwPLFzuAu5y5B0jI5BZvlDsrPur1SE0C7gNNVxQFUVYSSgawjZFHG5X0-TIUpYDhbiQPUauZ0epHNLvdGAXP40mz7B3sj2olhtYOUKUfnKpH4BocPTNwme1HjrmRtkadWpyzuQBdD_5q7339Pd2VTYGH1I8QqXwY/s320/That's%20not%20my%20name.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">THAT'S NOT MY NAME</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">by Megan Lally</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">Sourcebooks Fire, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN:<span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(79, 79, 77); color: #4f4f4d;"> </span>9781728270111</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Netgalley eARC</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 14 and up</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123429195-that-s-not-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0MNnlydVcC&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div><br /></div>She thought she had her life back. She was wrong. It was a mistake to trust him. <br /><br />Shivering and bruised, a teen wakes up on the side of a dirt road with no memory of how she got there―or who she is. A passing officer takes her to the police station, and not long after, a frantic man arrives. He's been searching for her for hours. He has her school ID, her birth certificate, and even family photos. He is her father. Her name is Mary. Or so he says. <br /><br />When Lola slammed the car door and stormed off into the night, Drew thought they just needed some time to cool off. Except Lola disappeared, and the sheriff, his friends, and the whole town are convinced Drew murdered his girlfriend. Forget proving his innocence, he needs to find her before it's too late. The longer Lola is missing, the fewer leads there are to follow…and the more danger they both are in.<br /><br /><b>REVIEW</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>That's Not My Name</i> leads readers on a thrilling ride through two points-of-view. A teen girl wakes up by the side of the road, bruised and battered. After getting picked up by a local police officer and taken to the small station, she struggles to remember who is she and what happened to her that lead to her ending up in a ditch. A man claiming to be be her father shows up with all the proper identification and she leaves with him, despite a nagging doubt in her gut. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drew desperately wants to find his missing friend, Lola. Unfortunately, his efforts are hampered by the fact that most of the town, including the investigating sheriff thinks he murdered her. With the help of his best friend, and Lola's best friend, they sneak evidence past the sheriff in an effort to find her. One tip sends them on a road trip searching for answers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The two stories come together in a shocking, action-packed finale that leaves the characters, and the reader, stunned and surprised. Lally has created a compelling, page-turning story full of questions needing answers. Both the girl and Drew make for compelling, sympathetic characters with plenty of interesting, and sometimes irritating secondary characters. The tension builds quickly for both the girl and Drew. Although it builds slower for the girl while Drew is in trouble from the first page of his story. A page-turning thrill ride for young adult readers. The ending provided a surprise twist that I did not see coming. As far as content goes there are no sexual situations, but plenty of violence and swearing. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-78285481729276504562024-01-31T16:35:00.001-07:002024-01-31T16:35:09.018-07:00WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: I'm Trying to Love Germs by Bethany Barton<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpNkMJFtX4FZpN-WerKvSJpdTKwvlhnSit7RjvZIuXOb1jZSbmGZB7kQjyx3QvBPIOU36LZYeIsTJK7eTwC6LgSC5EhyRVpNtE2LdAOpovYW7pX_reW44MiGfCUC8WtANYR6Wn41AxBonuc6PMem86AEoCGDP03DQlWFNUvSVNYR4l8Uol-FMrt09qtU/s441/germs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="441" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpNkMJFtX4FZpN-WerKvSJpdTKwvlhnSit7RjvZIuXOb1jZSbmGZB7kQjyx3QvBPIOU36LZYeIsTJK7eTwC6LgSC5EhyRVpNtE2LdAOpovYW7pX_reW44MiGfCUC8WtANYR6Wn41AxBonuc6PMem86AEoCGDP03DQlWFNUvSVNYR4l8Uol-FMrt09qtU/s320/germs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">I'M TRYING TO LOVE GERMS</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">written & illustrated by Bethany Barton</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">Viking, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-593-32672-5</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: publisher for review (THANKS!)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 6-10</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">Picture book nonfiction</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/112976327-i-m-trying-to-love-germs?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eF2eoVl9Ln&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Children's Choice Award winner Bethany Barton dives into the microscopic world of germs with fascinating information and tons of humor! This book is covered in germs! But to be fair, so are we. Did you know that there are more viruses and bacteria on Earth than there are stars in the known universe? Learn all about the microbes in and on our bodies that help us survive, the ones that don't, and everything in between. Written in Bethany Barton's trademark balance of informative and hilarious,<i> I'm Trying to Love Germs</i> is a perfect entry point to viruses, the pandemic, and the importance of washing our hands.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As in the other books in the <i>I'm Trying to Love</i> series, Barton introduces readers to a nonfiction topic using humor and cartoonlike illustrations. The topic presented to readers is tiny in nature but enormous in scope. Microorganisms called germs by many are often seen as bad and to be avoided. But in her amusing conversations between the narrator and a microbe, the author highlights the difference between microbes and pathogens. Microbes are tiny living things, some of which are really important and do good things for us as humans. The microbes that cause harm are called pathogens. The differences between bacteria and viruses are also covered. Using dots and pretend zooming, the illustrations involve young readers in the book. Amusing illustrations that show the talking microbe changing the cover of the book add to the enjoyment. Admittedly the topic is a gross one, but it's an important one as well, especially after the pandemic and the ongoing challenges inherent in the flu and other diseases. I appreciated how the author/illustrator showed the differences in how the different microbes look and act despite being lumped together as 'germs'. The inclusion of the pronunciations for some of the actual names for some of these microbes makes it a bit easier to read them (especially if you are trying to read this out loud). The importance of washing hands and using appropriate protective gear as needed is included. Overall, an informative read presented in a fun way. </div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-34109175600927259462024-01-25T15:40:00.001-07:002024-01-25T15:41:07.885-07:00#READYOURWORLD: Hear Me by Kerry O'Malley Cerra <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMFc4mbk677C56wg1z75cGIa6JyW3-MLq09bcdbnFgkAxLsuORdBo-Gg3yeiiciAQfIguv_tAisL7QE0ECgOXnQge4aLZp88v1IfJ8XkKBD9fVQab_5kmGiFDZ_j2k2aMdgp7TeYasJHNorcTeFFjs3RbxezPcnKZC0VnCl_rwvu_X39Z0xUYi-XwTho/s1080/Book%20Reviewer%20Badge%202024.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMFc4mbk677C56wg1z75cGIa6JyW3-MLq09bcdbnFgkAxLsuORdBo-Gg3yeiiciAQfIguv_tAisL7QE0ECgOXnQge4aLZp88v1IfJ8XkKBD9fVQab_5kmGiFDZ_j2k2aMdgp7TeYasJHNorcTeFFjs3RbxezPcnKZC0VnCl_rwvu_X39Z0xUYi-XwTho/s320/Book%20Reviewer%20Badge%202024.png" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgy88kAZblWV1boQIwRmywVpZsah5QtoS5opBF11R6f8hB4uhKrvkyh2Px6H3eVt2kUwfdrVRQyMXTO4E2QzkbYcWGaXmSvAEEjXWRGWI87NLstEo-2v2yATxLkkGp1hA0q5J-IAJylgCg_-RLjgxWEaVZTby5rzn2h-Ls-_4sME8wLQrWmvAEfWWIHA/s1492/hear%20me.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="1058" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgy88kAZblWV1boQIwRmywVpZsah5QtoS5opBF11R6f8hB4uhKrvkyh2Px6H3eVt2kUwfdrVRQyMXTO4E2QzkbYcWGaXmSvAEEjXWRGWI87NLstEo-2v2yATxLkkGp1hA0q5J-IAJylgCg_-RLjgxWEaVZTby5rzn2h-Ls-_4sME8wLQrWmvAEfWWIHA/s320/hear%20me.jpeg" width="227" /></a> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">HEAR ME</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">by Kerry O'Malley Cerra</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">Carolrhoda Books, 2022</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-7284-2074-5</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: author for review</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 9-12</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55541407-hear-me?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MFr6VCArN2&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>A year after being diagnosed with hearing loss, twelve-year-old Rayne is doing her best to live a “normal” life and act like nothing has changed. <br /><br />But her hearing keeps failing her. Even with hearing aids, she has trouble following conversations and hanging out with her friends the way she used to. Her grades are slipping, surfing is now a wipeout, and she can’t understand the lyrics of her favorite singer’s new songs. Rayne’s parents are pushing for her to get cochlear implants, which could restore her hearing―though she would hear sounds differently than she did before her hearing loss.<br /><br />Rayne isn't convinced the surgery for CIs is worth the risks and challenges. In fact, she's terrified of it. She begs her parents to consider other options, but they're not budging.<br /><br />With the surgery looming, Rayne sets off on a search for alternatives. Along the way, she discovers that “normal” can have many meanings―and that even though her ears may be broken, she is not.<div><br /></div><div><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Kerry O’Malley Cerra is an award-winning author of middle grade books. Her first novel, Just a Drop of Water, landed on five state reading lists, won the Crystal Kite Award, a Florida Book Award, and was named to VOYA’s Top Shelf Fiction list for 2014. Her second novel, Hear Me, is out now. Stay tuned for her forthcoming books, Make a Little Wave, (Aug. 6, 2024 from Carolrhoda Books, Lerner Publishing) and a nonfiction picture book, The Gallaudet Eleven: The Story of NASA’s Deaf Bioastronauts (March 2026 from Little Brown BFYR). Kerry’s work has received praise from The New York Times, Kirkus, School Library Journal, Booklist, VOYA, and the Horn Book Guide calling her stories moving, perceptive, well-developed, and woven with an expert hand. Kerry lives in South Florida with her family and two poorly behaved rescue dogs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note: Biography comes from Kerry's website which you can visit here: <a href="http://kerryomalleycerra.com">kerryomalleycerra.com</a>. Be sure to check out her fun list of additional information about herself, with photos!</div><div><br /><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Rayne loves to surf, but as with so much in her life, she may not be able to much longer. Her ability to balance on the surfboard suffers with her loss of hearing. On top of that her parents want her to get cochlear implants which she doesn't want. As she tries to get her parents to understand her feelings and desire to look at other options before making a decision that feels so permanent, Rayne also struggles to maintain her friendships, grades, and position as 7th grade class president. When her best efforts to convince her parents to wait on the implant surgery don't pan out, she throws caution to the wind and takes off in an effort to prove to her parents that a stem cell study is the better option for her. But things don't go the Rayne hopes or expects and she's left wondering if her parents are right after all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rayne's a sympathetic character from the beginning. Having her tell the story puts reader's right into her conflicted heart and mind as she struggles to accept the changes that her hearing loss is forcing into her life. Taking out words and using asterisks to indicate when Rayne hasn't heard a word gives readers a glimpse into what it's like for her and the tremendous efforts she must make to understand what people around her are saying. And above it all, Rayne feels unheard by her parents, teachers, and even her friends who don't understand the depth of her frustration. The author does a great job of putting readers into Rayne's shoes. Readers will also learn a lot about hearing loss and what it entails in terms of adaptations and possible treatments. There's also a brief introduction to deaf culture. An eye-opening and empathy-inspiring read that I highly recommend for middle grade readers.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>BOOK TRAILER</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/--V4eOIxPQA" width="320" youtube-src-id="--V4eOIxPQA"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------------------------</div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8dc39399-7fff-6004-d9aa-293e9f89d890"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: medium; display: inline-block; height: 191px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/2024-big-giant-linky/" target="_blank"><img height="191" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/QylVINpQvCmvCbNnZq-IKl8ErHNv15bZD0hFAbNyyZQjVOT-tlBn6Q0VaCC16wkrDtKLev8ySiwg0VC0dyE-BtikI6s9Ibt8uSZ5HG3SQuUjxQeooIfbi9J60RLiuFN6Zf74rWq4iDUlzDuavHfDgv8" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span></div>
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</div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-69675057286176288052024-01-25T08:00:00.002-07:002024-01-25T08:00:00.142-07:00MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S BOOK DAY!<div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8dc39399-7fff-6004-d9aa-293e9f89d890"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><a href="http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Multicultural Children’s Book Day</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2024 (1/25/25) is in its 11</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history </span><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/mission/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HERE.</span></a></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: medium; display: inline-block; height: 191px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="191" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/QylVINpQvCmvCbNnZq-IKl8ErHNv15bZD0hFAbNyyZQjVOT-tlBn6Q0VaCC16wkrDtKLev8ySiwg0VC0dyE-BtikI6s9Ibt8uSZ5HG3SQuUjxQeooIfbi9J60RLiuFN6Zf74rWq4iDUlzDuavHfDgv8" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Your World celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day and is honored to be Supported by these Medallion and Ruby Sponsors!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FOUNDER’S CIRCLE</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mia Wenjen (</span><a href="https://www.pragmaticmom.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pragmaticmom</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and Valarie Budayr (</span><a href="https://audreypress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Audreypress.com</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">🏅</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Super Platinum Sponsor: </span><a href="https://makeawaymedia.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">🏅</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Platinum Sponsors</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><a href="https://www.publisherspotlight.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Publisher Spotlight</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.languagelizard.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://lernerbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lerner Publishing Group</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">🏅</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Gold Sponsors: </span><a href="https://www.barefootbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barefoot Books</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://astrapublishinghouse.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Astra Books for Young Readers</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">🏅 Silver Sponsors: </span><a href="https://www.redcometpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Red Comet Press</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.eerdmans.com/youngreaders/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eerdmans Books for Young Readers</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.cocoakidscollectionbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lee and Low Books</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://cardinalrulepress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cardinal Rule Press</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 8pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">🏅</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bronze Sponsors: </span><a href="https://www.carlislemalonebooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CK Malone</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://tonyaduncanellis.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tonya Duncan Ellis</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.acrawfordclark.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anita Crawford Clark</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://starbrightbooks.com/index.php" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Star Bright Books</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.bluedotkidspress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blue Dot Kids Press</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://themilitaryeditor.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brunella Costagliola</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.redfin.com/cost-of-living-calculator" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Red Fin</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://pippapark.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fabled Films </span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 8pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: medium; display: inline-block; height: 20px; overflow: hidden; width: 20px;"><img alt="🔴" height="20" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/W2Qv9BrxOWs_QLmYlilbZRRSKMwQTxzJ10SVPBpnIAo4w_RxvxurWjdEWQY-otbrP3a7zCmDeVV7Kse48ZGOEJvm45WAca7N0cX9EbxWwHWVu5D6v7ZQsvZTtERMp7vDOdL_aAM1lHHqXWXHuxKBA80" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="20" /></span></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ruby Sponsor: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: medium; display: inline-block; height: 20px; overflow: hidden; width: 20px;"><img alt="🖍️" height="20" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/8VEnSXIscX-fJGcpoUnSH5khjlLDfoLlR8kD905OZpo_01eJa7bBU7QaqwXVF8HscLlJj6Cp6SPRmdxOl7l-v9h17jaq3bWwgfjVb9yGfwB0E2Gv172h5uLixC-s02Gkjxb6oB7CWAT1nIMwivqVfP0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="20" /></span></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://creativity-week.squarespace.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crayola</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: medium; display: inline-block; height: 261px; overflow: hidden; width: 201px;"><img height="261" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/65w3jbxSmQvaWosFWK3UOruuaQdYZ_4y39E0j8lsCtZGkRyv_exqOYnwd610RT3LAKwoqkSfZRISZLqXxAUbUaZ9__UJ8LTdOTP_0m-VBEGVEmeIC9pTpb-9F-f3RV7lPH6aYHvaGL4v-nAELVqOTdo" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="201" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poster Artist: </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rebecca Burgess </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: medium; display: inline-block; height: 276px; overflow: hidden; width: 214px;"><img height="276" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/opuR6khp6BAz4_DASmlfufdeiii7vPMYtzVrpQ23OJYNotBuiDnlFgl2lXU9yHAmhuVuAAdHPa5bU2btqA4AQsM0XYDkgFZQvPCnMfxjcAig0z7gPBasaERKsAZMXIY2w61P6-VZQLKPcU7qfaHvKKM" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="214" /></span></span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Classroom Kit Poster: Barefoot Books </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MCBD 2024 is honored to be Supported by these </span><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/2024-author-sponsors/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Sponsors</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 7.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Authors: </span><a href="http://www.gwenjacksonstories.com/about-the-book.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gwen Jackson</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #8ca6a4; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Josh Funk</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://eugeniachu.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eugenia Chu</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://sivanhong.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sivan Hong</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://martamagellan.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marta Magellan</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://kathleenburkinshaw.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kathleen Burkinshaw</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://angelahdale.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Angela H. Dale</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.luzdelmes.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maritza M Mejia</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://jckato.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.²</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.quarto.com/books/9780760374597/lift-every-voice-and-change-a-sound-book" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charnaie Gordon</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.alvasachs.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alva Sachs</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.misspandachinese.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.lisachongbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lisa Chong</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.dianahuang.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diana Huang</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.martha-seif-simpson.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Martha Seif Simpson</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.dariamusic.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DARIA (WORLD MUSIC WITH DARIA) Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://icarepress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gea Meijering</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.stephaniewildman.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stephanie M. Wildman</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.traceykyle.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tracey Kyle</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.afsanehmoradian.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Afsaneh Moradian</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.kimcleewrites.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kim C. Lee</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://rochellemelander.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rochelle Melander</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Beth Ruffin, </span><a href="http://www.shifasafadi.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shifa Saltagi Safadi</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://alinachau.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alina Chau</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://michaelgenhart.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michael Genhart</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://sallyjpla.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sally J. Pla</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.ajuanmance.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ajuan Mance</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.kmarcuswrites.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kimberly Marcus</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.wigglesstompsandsqueezes.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lindsey Rowe Parker</span></a></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MCBD 2024 is Honored to be Supported by our </span><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CoHosts and Global CoHosts!</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our </span><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/partner-organizations/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Partner Organizations! </span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pragmaticmom/multicultural-books-for-kids/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pinterest Board</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face=""Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">📌</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/mcbd2023-poster-reveal/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MCBD 2024 Poster</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-childrens-book-day-classroom-kit-2022-mental-health-support-for-stressful-times/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diversity-book-lists-for-kids/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/diverse-kidlit-booklist-activity-kit-for-homeschoolers/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/free-teacher-classroom-activism-and-activists-kit/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teachers-classroom-kindness-kit/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/free-teacher-classroom-physical-and-developmental-challenges-kit/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/teacher-classroom-poverty-kit/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/multicultural-reading-resources/gallery-free-posters/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gallery of Our Free Posters</span></a></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/our-programs/freebooksforteachers/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face=""Quattrocento Sans", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">📌</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Register for the </span><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfuitrD4sGNbYdoYtet-LmApWC71XBMpY?_x_zm_rtaid=YALd1Y5CS4WJiF_p-q0AFA.1673128558333.5aae550348516e677368d7207453a607&_x_zm_rhtaid=344" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MCBD Read Your World Virtual Party</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join us on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 9 pm EST celebrating more than 10 years of Multicultural Children's Book Day Read Your World Virtual Party! Register </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuc-uprDMsHtc0sLVV5GUWgIUAtDJf2RAa" style="text-decoration: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 14pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 25, 2024, at our virtual party!</span></p></span></div><p><!--start InLinkz code--></p><div class="inlinkz-widget" data-uuid="ff851e13c3de4bd0b9c376498d30b7bc" style="background-color: #eceff1; border-radius: 7px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 30px 0px; text-align: center; width: 684px;"><div style="padding: 8px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 15px;">You are invited to the <strong>Inlinkz</strong> link party!</p><a href="https://fresh.inlinkz.com/p/ff851e13c3de4bd0b9c376498d30b7bc" rel="nofollow" style="background: repeat rgb(32, 156, 238); border-radius: 4px; color: #efefef; padding: 5px 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click here to enter</a></div><div style="padding: 8px;">The link opens January 25, 2024 and remains open until April 30, 2024.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-26245492582373252982024-01-17T20:10:00.002-07:002024-01-17T20:10:31.590-07:00WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Climbing the Volcano by Curtis Manley & Jennifer K. Mann<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXNl-q9pdmhB56bCAO-ds7DT4wB1jtMPvFxYVBMJFbXuNJWFLXZuqR3tAwxm4Bi9Lr1lrvfDpIO5CIhRc3l1XHY51noTt-qA69AR0upmXKYbO22RzqErby-WzJDGJEH_-nXfuRAQOrut6ICZ3psl5tt6BGkEUDIz0wpVuBcbQuAU7snYO0lYhyZcPxCA/s543/Climbing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="543" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXNl-q9pdmhB56bCAO-ds7DT4wB1jtMPvFxYVBMJFbXuNJWFLXZuqR3tAwxm4Bi9Lr1lrvfDpIO5CIhRc3l1XHY51noTt-qA69AR0upmXKYbO22RzqErby-WzJDGJEH_-nXfuRAQOrut6ICZ3psl5tt6BGkEUDIz0wpVuBcbQuAU7snYO0lYhyZcPxCA/s320/Climbing.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">CLIMBING THE VOLCANO</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">A Journey in Haiku</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">written by Curtis Manley, pictures by Jennifer K. Mann</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2024</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-0-8234-5166-1</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">Source: purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127461619-climbing-the-volcano" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Through haiku, a young boy narrates his family’s invigorating hike to the peak of Oregon’s South Sister volcano. For centuries, haiku has offered meditation on the grace and majesty of nature. In Climbing the Volcano, old meets new as a young protagonist uses the poetic form to voice his wonder. Trekking uphill, the family encounters tiny toads, colorful butterflies, soaring birds of prey, and so much more to see, do, and feel, dormant volcano—but at sunrise each day it blazes. Climbing the Volcano is a call to adventure in the natural world, and a wonderful introduction to poetic forms. Young readers will be inspired to summit their own peaks and to find their own voices to share what they discover there. Whether you live in the shadow of a volcano, amid sprawling flatlands, or anywhere in between, Climbing the Volcano invites you to get out there and explore. Jennifer K. Mann’s breezy, childlike artwork harmonizes with Curtis Manley’s poetry to detail this mesmerizing Pacific Northwest journey. <br /><br /><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The combination of several different mediums presents readers with a panoramic view of the South Sister volcano that the young hero climbs with his family. The use of printmaking, pencil drawing, and digital collage and paint creates a lovely collection of images of both the natural world and the wonder of the boy. In its brief moments, the haiku highlights the simple moments that make up the family's journey up the mountain. From</div><div><br /></div><div>"how do you </div><div>climb a mountain?</div><div>one step at a time"</div><div><br /></div><div>to</div><div><br /></div><div>"trying to sleep--</div><div>what mountain will I climb</div><div>next?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Manley takes readers on an awe-inspiring trip up a mountain. I could almost breathe in the chilly, fresh air as I read. The variety of different sized illustrations differentiates between the huge, stunning views of the mountains and the small natural wonders such as mosquitoes and paw prints in the snow. A wonderful book perfect for sharing before a trip into nature or for inspiring young listeners into sharing their own journeys.</div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-68248594944901324582024-01-11T16:31:00.001-07:002024-01-11T16:31:06.086-07:00CHAPTER BOOK: Mercy Watson Is Missing! by Kate DiCamillo & Chris Van Duden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG_63gzQkudcR0Lml1Mu2RiHiLU36JI74v-7T0i739-svoRHrmM5CePwY0TnTsV9xexQOvm9qEyk32g9nf9hxE1tUG6Bw-U8kfvzUyhop6rnRkOdJ9IbU7RwrrCIncpGChEW-lK_28EqbQZtiglgg2tvI_3TZqFNtACUgkCW2flS3BeTnpUG3md31SeY/s700/Mercy%20Watson%20cover.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG_63gzQkudcR0Lml1Mu2RiHiLU36JI74v-7T0i739-svoRHrmM5CePwY0TnTsV9xexQOvm9qEyk32g9nf9hxE1tUG6Bw-U8kfvzUyhop6rnRkOdJ9IbU7RwrrCIncpGChEW-lK_28EqbQZtiglgg2tvI_3TZqFNtACUgkCW2flS3BeTnpUG3md31SeY/s320/Mercy%20Watson%20cover.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">MERCY WATSON IS MISSING!</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">Tales of Deckawoo Drive #7</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Duden</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">Candlewick Press, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-5362-1023-1</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: publisher for review (Thanks!)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 6-10</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123230323-mercy-watson-is-missing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=alhSA78KAc&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Every favorite character from Kate DiCamillo’s New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson books makes an appearance in this extended, riotously funny series crescendo.<br /><br />When Mercy Watson the pig goes missing, all of Deckawoo Drive is in an uproar. The Watsons are inconsolable, and the local police, fire, and animal control departments are no help whatsoever. Bossy neighbor Eugenia Lincoln is not quite as sad as she might be, but thankfully her sister, Baby Lincoln, has the idea to hire a private investigator. Granted, Percival Smidgely, PI, may be more bumbler than gumshoe, but his pigeon, Polly, is there to point the way. Meanwhile, Frank and Stella Endicott and Stella’s friend Horace Broom are ready to do some investigating of their own. Will the clever neighborhood sleuths manage to follow the trail of hoofprints—and a certain overwhelmingly enticing scent—and recover their porcine wonder?<br /><br />With deftly paced narrative comedy, visual slapstick, abundant artwork in both black and white and full color, and warm affection for their cast of characters, Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen bring us a highly satisfying, extra-special series finale that rewards loyal fans—and invites new readers to explore the stories that came before.<div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Another great Mercy Watson tale, but sadly the last in the Tales of Deckawoo Drive series. Combining DiCamillo's great writing and Van Dusen's appealing illustrations, <i>Mercy Watson is Missing</i> finds the Watsons and their friends searching for Mercy who has disappeared. The Watsons' are naturally very upsets and call everyone they can think of: the police, the fire department, the neighbor ladies, the Endicott kids, etc. After the police and fire department refuse to help, it's up to the rest to discover Mercy's whereabouts. Unfortunately, hiring a private detective doesn't seem to help, although a friendly pigeon might be just what they need. Meanwhile, Mercy is following the smell of butter while being hunted by two men who want barbecued pig for supper. The author brings back pretty much all the characters from the first six books in the series for one last caper. Amusing and sweet, <i>Mercy Watson is Missing</i> makes for a perfect conclusion to a delightful series.</div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-24684971223942373642024-01-10T16:43:00.000-07:002024-01-10T16:43:41.790-07:00WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: The Bone Wars by Jane Kurtz & Alexander Vidal<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrQYsNom_qoNG-Rk1jYXCj6XC_Mg0lHSvxguQj7R7JsWKJntNdNS1eHiX7vjwscNKQBEH2nDIB055cmc8yc02wsOPHpI5iB9eul7HfXgdFW9zFvV0mq04k5TcoknnMRLL9wxg7BZuWa5U95VtGiLkfem4LEei0iJGhiM0JXEo3Iusz6MxgZakGGyYA0E/s1273/THE%20BONE%20WARS%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrQYsNom_qoNG-Rk1jYXCj6XC_Mg0lHSvxguQj7R7JsWKJntNdNS1eHiX7vjwscNKQBEH2nDIB055cmc8yc02wsOPHpI5iB9eul7HfXgdFW9zFvV0mq04k5TcoknnMRLL9wxg7BZuWa5U95VtGiLkfem4LEei0iJGhiM0JXEo3Iusz6MxgZakGGyYA0E/s320/THE%20BONE%20WARS%20cover.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">THE BONE WARS:</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">The True Story of an Epic Battle to Find Dinosaur Fossils</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">written by Jane Kurtz, illustrated by Alexander Vidal</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">Beach Lane Books, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-5344-9364-9364-3</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Blue Slip Media/publisher</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 6-10</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & illustrations provided by Blue Slip Media.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101008984-the-bone-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=KLYscJYjpQ&rank=1" target="_blank">Book summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Discover the true story of the race between two paleontologists to find the best dinosaur fossils in this fascinating, fast-paced nonfiction picture book. Who will win the Bone Wars?<br /><br />Did you know that many of the dinosaur skeletons you see in museums are rooted in a scientific battle between two paleontologists? O. C. Marsh and Edward Cope met in 1863 and bonded over their shared love of fossils, becoming the best of friends…until the day Marsh discovered an error in Cope’s work, and the Bone Wars began!<br /><br />Marsh and Cope stopped collaborating and started competing, excavating fossils as fast as they could, and trying to find the most important never-before-seen discoveries. They each wanted the biggest, best dinosaur bones. And fast! They used code names and disguises, they snooped and tricked, and did everything possible to keep their finds secret. The race was messy and there were many mistakes along the way, but in the end, Marsh and Cope discovered all kinds of new dinosaur skeletons to share with the world—fossils we still get to see today!<div><br /></div><div><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR</b></div><div><br /></div><b>Jane Kurtz</b> fell in love with dinosaurs as a seven-year-old visiting Dinosaur National Monument. She is on the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program, lives in Portland, Oregon, and is the author of many fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including Most Bones: Dinosaur Hunter, What Do They Do with All That Poo?, and The Clues Are in the Poo: The Story of Dinosaur Scientist Karen Chin. To learn more, and to download a free curriculum guide, visit her website: <a href="https://janekurtz.com/">janekurtz.com</a>.<br /><br /><b>Alexander Vidal</b> spent his childhood summers searching for fossils and learning about prehistoric life at a camp hosted by the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he writes and illustrates books about wildlife and nature, including Just You and Me: Remarkable Relationships in the Wild by Jennifer Ward and Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood’s celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife by Meeg Pincus. Visit his website: <a href="https://alexandervidal.com/">alexandervidal.com</a>.<div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The best picture book nonfiction provides readers with a glimpse into unique topics and/or times, places, and people. <i>The Bone Wars </i>introduces young readers/listeners to two remarkable scientists whose careers in paleontology brought them into contact with each other. O.C. Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope started out as friends and colleagues before a mistake made by Cope in putting a fossil together led to Marsh making fun of him and their once cordial relationship turned nasty and competitive. Over time, the two men became so competitive that it harmed both of their careers as their teams resorted to lying, snooping, and even sabotage to get ahead of the other. Kurtz's text provides a very readable and exciting introduction to two accomplished men who let their animosity destroy what could have been two distinguished careers. Despite the conflict, an amazing number of fossils were discovered and shared with the world. Not only does this informative book provide a fascinating glimpse into an era of amazing discoveries but the dangers of competition. Vidal's remarkable digital illustrations wonderfully complement Kurtz's fine text. A book great for teaching and learning both at home and at school. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkXYnQlgx-cXVEUpJnQTpD9leHQr1Xwauj29Ti_awR-_HCE5QYd3o56ajhnb768viBNS5p1A_8BYlrGA_rig34hbZNdPyoV7ijBk2cdV_MbCb8zQ-ZaaMmNl-vc_kjdZlE5RWJMQOmcE6M_3wkLFBhYV29txcPJbiPyuydcum09MyJFVMn1wBehEkqNI/s1000/Interior%20illus%20by%20Alexander%20Vidal%20from%20THE%20BONE%20WARS%20by%20Jane%20Kurtz_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkXYnQlgx-cXVEUpJnQTpD9leHQr1Xwauj29Ti_awR-_HCE5QYd3o56ajhnb768viBNS5p1A_8BYlrGA_rig34hbZNdPyoV7ijBk2cdV_MbCb8zQ-ZaaMmNl-vc_kjdZlE5RWJMQOmcE6M_3wkLFBhYV29txcPJbiPyuydcum09MyJFVMn1wBehEkqNI/w400-h255/Interior%20illus%20by%20Alexander%20Vidal%20from%20THE%20BONE%20WARS%20by%20Jane%20Kurtz_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD1xtzkij9t1rAxTAg8a58Pv4T-oYxRfmyrwovgkN3p10mvoEGAhdHMQyjvbBkb6j3Vp9XO12j6333uq8Qq4UfCbeY8lqLPF4h8v_mwQDS3dovWR38si7b8lVLEHBMFTuI39_hKc7N4ZNZNgQ9Y-TpmQ0MKlZil4RmEN6DxoFFcKRgafPC-09-dWVdRU/s1000/Interior%20illus%20by%20Alexander%20Vidal%20from%20THE%20BONE%20WARS%20by%20Jane%20Kurtz_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD1xtzkij9t1rAxTAg8a58Pv4T-oYxRfmyrwovgkN3p10mvoEGAhdHMQyjvbBkb6j3Vp9XO12j6333uq8Qq4UfCbeY8lqLPF4h8v_mwQDS3dovWR38si7b8lVLEHBMFTuI39_hKc7N4ZNZNgQ9Y-TpmQ0MKlZil4RmEN6DxoFFcKRgafPC-09-dWVdRU/w400-h255/Interior%20illus%20by%20Alexander%20Vidal%20from%20THE%20BONE%20WARS%20by%20Jane%20Kurtz_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-51394757926917021902024-01-09T16:24:00.002-07:002024-01-09T16:24:14.331-07:00#MMGM: Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8pVFqo-49R53ShR3BsgI9YjhvXOGJZQ3UM4zjK4cDLToppxpxEG5tUlc17bXgQ8uak1acBNIEqFP9lpmk-hyyY6Ll4RGD6qZ75HBIMd0NaMpntdFr243XDERSKVxhXsYiWT13my3iOAxmQqrxkMHiZLmJQI-dr98WgRV6i1DS-Q3TlWsR7ec3NpzU-g/s2550/Something%20like%20home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8pVFqo-49R53ShR3BsgI9YjhvXOGJZQ3UM4zjK4cDLToppxpxEG5tUlc17bXgQ8uak1acBNIEqFP9lpmk-hyyY6Ll4RGD6qZ75HBIMd0NaMpntdFr243XDERSKVxhXsYiWT13my3iOAxmQqrxkMHiZLmJQI-dr98WgRV6i1DS-Q3TlWsR7ec3NpzU-g/s320/Something%20like%20home.jpg" width="212" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">SOMETHING LIKE HOME</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">by Andrea Beatriz Arango</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">Random House Books for Young Readers, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">ISBN: 9780593566190 </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">Source: eBook purchased</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">Ages 9-12</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70916843-something-like-home?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=HXNKuyZSLC&rank=1">Book cover & summary provided by goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>A moving novel in verse in which a lost dog helps a lonely girl find a way home to her family . . . only for them to find family in each other along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Titi Silvia leaves me by myself to unpack,</div><div>but it’s not like I brought a bunch of stuff.</div><div>How do you prepare for the unpreparable?</div><div>How do you fit your whole life in one bag?</div><div>And how am I supposed to trust social services</div><div>when they won’t trust me back?</div><div><br /></div><div>Laura Rodríguez Colón has a plan: no matter what the grown-ups say, she will live with her parents again. Can you blame her? It’s tough to make friends as the new kid at school. And while staying at her aunt’s house is okay, it just isn’t the same as being in her own space.</div><div><br /></div><div>So when Laura finds a puppy, it seems like fate. If she can train the puppy to become a therapy dog, then maybe she’ll be allowed to visit her parents. Maybe the dog will help them get better and things will finally go back to the way they should be.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, how do you explain to others that you’re technically a foster kid, even though you live with your aunt? And most importantly . . . how do you explain that you’re not where you belong, and you just want to go home?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Laura's life was upended when she called 911 after finding her parents passed out in her house. Now she lives with the aunt she never met and wonders how to fix the mess she feels she made of her life. Laura's discomfort and guilt shines through the lovely free verse as she struggles to adjust to life with her aunt, who is pretty much a stranger, and a rather particular one. She desperately wants to live with her parents but can only contact them through physical letters to which they do not respond. She resents the social worker who doesn't seem to understand or listen to Laura's feelings.</div><div><br /></div><div>After finally making a friend who has troubles of his own and rescuing a dog, Laura comes up with a plan. She wants to turn her new found dog into a therapy dog and visit her parents. This enjoyable book opened a window for me into what life might be like for a child who's been removed from their home. As with most novels-in-verse, the carefully chosen words highlight the emotions that Laura is wrestling with as she adjusts to a new living situation (she doesn't call it a home), a new school, new friend, and new pet. A thoroughly engaging, empathy-inducing tale that many middle grade readers are bound to love.</div></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-25396206027927229542024-01-02T17:16:00.000-07:002024-01-02T17:16:36.942-07:00PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY REVIEW: Beulah has a Hunch! by Katie Mazeika<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8yE6qpAstjSVLvbXXCpGjAvrAi6mO0FqIuVUJ74IBzkIq-O3Kn-4xHgWV6yamC3JxbrNB0h4emX8I0Jn8tKIOa7grZTuEsZ1Llmh2Z7Ozps4Y5rjOx5qWWOPx7MCLtnNK24t4NhaoWRYX5j1r5GHJO0qsuIHxGevONfJCGmh8UxeDojHLj_OnCzvDv8/s1866/Beulah.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8yE6qpAstjSVLvbXXCpGjAvrAi6mO0FqIuVUJ74IBzkIq-O3Kn-4xHgWV6yamC3JxbrNB0h4emX8I0Jn8tKIOa7grZTuEsZ1Llmh2Z7Ozps4Y5rjOx5qWWOPx7MCLtnNK24t4NhaoWRYX5j1r5GHJO0qsuIHxGevONfJCGmh8UxeDojHLj_OnCzvDv8/s320/Beulah.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">BEULAH HAS A HUNCH:</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">Inside the Colorful Mind of Master Inventor Beulah Louise Henry</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">written & illustrated by Katie Mazeika</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">Beach Lane Books, 2023</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">ISBN: 978-1-6659-0363-9</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">Source: Blue Slip Media</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">Ages 4-8</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/101137843-beulah-has-a-hunch?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zCcyRurQ9a&rank=1" target="_blank">Book cover & illustrations provided by Blue Slip Media. Book summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Meet Beulah Louise Henry, a girl with a knack for problem-solving who grew up to be a world-famous inventor, in this captivating picture book biography for fans of Just Like Rube Goldberg and The Girl Who Thought in Pictures.<br /><br />Growing up in the 1890s, when Beulah Louise Henry spotted a problem, she had to find a solution, turning it around and around in her mind until…aha! She had a hunch—what she called the inventions she came up with to solve the puzzles she saw all around her.<br /><br />Beulah’s brain worked differently. She had hyperphantasia, which meant she saw things in extreme detail in her mind, as well as synesthesia, which caused words and numbers and even music notes to show up as different colors in her brain. Beulah’s unique way of seeing the world helped her think up vivid solutions to problems—her hunches came to her fully formed with gears whirring and wheels spinning. She invented everything from a new and improved parasol to cuddly stuffed animals and from ice cream makers to factory machinery. Beulah’s inventions improved daily life in lots of ways, earning her the nickname “Lady Edison,” and she became one of the most prolific inventors in American history.<div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(30, 25, 21); color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Katie Mazeika is an author and illustrator with a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design. When she isn’t in the studio, she likes to spend time at the theater, in her garden, or getting lost in a good book. She is the author-illustrator of picture book biographies including Annette Feels Free and Beulah Has a Hunch!. She lives in Ohio with her family and two dogs. To learn more, and download a free curriculum guide, visit her website at <a href="https://www.katiemazeika.com/">katiemazeika.com</a>.<div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Picture book biographies fascinate me with their combination of illustrations based on photographs and imagination along with facts turned into a narrative. The text wonderfully introduces readers to Beulah Louise Henry, who saw the world rather differently than most people. With both hyperphantasia and synesthesia, Beulah saw things in great detail in her mind as well as seeing words, numbers, and music as colors. She used her unique mind to design things and refused to let others stop her from doing what she wanted to do. By the time she died she had 49 known patents and had created her own successful company. The story is fascinating and well-told with lots of great back matter, including additional information about Beulah, photographs, and a time line of some of her inventions. The illustrations are bright and colorful and very appealing. The way her unique way of seeing and thinking about the world are illustrated complements the text very well. Picture book biographies like this one are a great way to help open children's eyes to some of the amazing things people have done, but also the unique ways they manage to do them despite opposition and difficulty. A wonderful resource for teachers and parents who want to encourage their students/children to follow their dreams.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>ILLUSTRATIONS</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6zI12OxeXJ0Qt4qW2OklKTFG92Qk8zetouKtnNmdYU39z2dE-9BKWNcHtuuCimnq-RjR_yfZBwK6pUePhlxWdrp5TPbM6hbYHvA-f67dz5HtgS_kjKaH_lfUXIwjzldNCq42PI2UC3sLvgg7EEV-RBkZnWWCnWJUU305wJnFpFYxaQ52Z3-deHflrRE/s5400/Interior%20from%20BEULAH%20HAS%20A%20HUNCH%20by%20Katie%20Mazeika_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6zI12OxeXJ0Qt4qW2OklKTFG92Qk8zetouKtnNmdYU39z2dE-9BKWNcHtuuCimnq-RjR_yfZBwK6pUePhlxWdrp5TPbM6hbYHvA-f67dz5HtgS_kjKaH_lfUXIwjzldNCq42PI2UC3sLvgg7EEV-RBkZnWWCnWJUU305wJnFpFYxaQ52Z3-deHflrRE/w400-h266/Interior%20from%20BEULAH%20HAS%20A%20HUNCH%20by%20Katie%20Mazeika_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2PEccra0HQKEY9KQpCorL1ps68JxX5sCAt9_fQ49TqOmAX7kkHOYONvXgTBFIL7LQmXFGckBgvkPoHpqkUQeV7-9FmT26V1rFDveoj5qZT-54xzyqnpTcMr-D60JhWB2KJrwneup1pt1OTIIbh9JmsI-BqrFhFTdfqBtGK3MN7ARvYyZLsHBLgcgVH4/s5400/Interior%20from%20BEULAH%20HAS%20A%20HUNCH%20by%20Katie%20Mazeika_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2PEccra0HQKEY9KQpCorL1ps68JxX5sCAt9_fQ49TqOmAX7kkHOYONvXgTBFIL7LQmXFGckBgvkPoHpqkUQeV7-9FmT26V1rFDveoj5qZT-54xzyqnpTcMr-D60JhWB2KJrwneup1pt1OTIIbh9JmsI-BqrFhFTdfqBtGK3MN7ARvYyZLsHBLgcgVH4/w400-h266/Interior%20from%20BEULAH%20HAS%20A%20HUNCH%20by%20Katie%20Mazeika_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN4vKrlIAMSUHU5BfrylEDOKsVtWOtsCo3FMmnHuGapwVwQxpwqUxsqxvf5qYDIHSGBuBg1gnErSeobfk5CP8kLjuhJcFzuvxzXPTVYWy6LchufJsrI_BtzcMshYng33xlGhh3GDiYOXHCEFciOdw4OSCjItboPjd4EQ48DZylAZIowAHTF_jPS9HCM0/s5400/Interior%20from%20BEULAH%20HAS%20A%20HUNCH%20by%20Katie%20Mazeika_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN4vKrlIAMSUHU5BfrylEDOKsVtWOtsCo3FMmnHuGapwVwQxpwqUxsqxvf5qYDIHSGBuBg1gnErSeobfk5CP8kLjuhJcFzuvxzXPTVYWy6LchufJsrI_BtzcMshYng33xlGhh3GDiYOXHCEFciOdw4OSCjItboPjd4EQ48DZylAZIowAHTF_jPS9HCM0/w400-h266/Interior%20from%20BEULAH%20HAS%20A%20HUNCH%20by%20Katie%20Mazeika_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444393606605126480.post-73260641841096930632024-01-01T19:22:00.000-07:002024-01-01T19:22:19.745-07:00#MMGM: The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett<div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq8uBwdSoejfHnELMU8cnc6MjaahUN7rEr2ZuxiTN-Jy5M_d9EA6fmGQfzw1vngceujVOMcyeQAs7rGvdPvC2TYLowfyemsLPuRBQrcgbl1ddNHKgGcBs65SBVIV-4POHIk1Qo7NfFGstUB3_IaupfisS7YdG-MbTdButdLYk9MP4PtCtPjIiEzVDyEs/s400/Probability%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq8uBwdSoejfHnELMU8cnc6MjaahUN7rEr2ZuxiTN-Jy5M_d9EA6fmGQfzw1vngceujVOMcyeQAs7rGvdPvC2TYLowfyemsLPuRBQrcgbl1ddNHKgGcBs65SBVIV-4POHIk1Qo7NfFGstUB3_IaupfisS7YdG-MbTdButdLYk9MP4PtCtPjIiEzVDyEs/s320/Probability%20.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">THE PROBABILITY OF EVERYTHING</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">by Sarah Everett</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">Clarion Books, 2023</a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">ISBN: 9780063256552</a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">Source: purchased eBook</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">Middle grade contemporary/realistic</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">10-14</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">All opinions expressed are solely my own.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=BZpG8K1XGw&rank=1">Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></div><div><br /></div>A heart-wrenching middle grade debut about Kemi, an aspiring scientist who loves statistics and facts, as she navigates grief and loss at a moment when life as she knows it changes forever.<br /><br />Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter loves scientific facts, specifically probability. It's how she understands the world and her place in it. Kemi knows her odds of being born were 1 in 5.5 trillion, and that the odds of her having the best family ever were even lower. Yet somehow, Kemi lucked out.<br /><br />But everything Kemi thought she knew changes when she sees an asteroid hover in the sky, casting a purple haze over her world. Amplus-68 has an 84.7% chance of colliding with earth in four days, and with that collision, Kemi’s life as she knows it will end.<br /><br />But over the course of the four days, even facts don’t feel true to Kemi anymore. The new town she moved to that was supposed to be “better for her family” isn’t very welcoming. And Amplus-68 is taking over her life, but others are still going to school and eating at their favorite diner like nothing has changed. Is Kemi the only one who feels like the world is ending?<br /><br />With the days numbered, Kemi decides to put together a time capsule that will capture her family’s truth: how creative her mother is, how inquisitive her little sister can be, and how much Kemi's whole world revolves around her father. But no time capsule can change the truth behind all of it, that Kemi must face the most inevitable and hardest part of life: saying goodbye.<div><br /></div><div><b>REVIEW</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've read a lot of middle grade books over the years I've been an elementary school librarian. But this book stands alone in both the story line and the way the story is told. I was surprised when I discovered the book described as having an unreliable narrator, because the story seems pretty straight-forward at first. Kemi Carter tells the story from her 11-year-old point of view. She loves science and math and references both liberally throughout the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>The announcement of an Astroid soon to hit earth most likely ending life on earth leads Kemi to focus on how to face the end without letting fear overcome her and her family. After her family, father, pregnant mother, and toddler sister move in with her aunt and uncle, Kemi starts to put together a time capsule. She hopes that she can leave something behind for future 'earthlings'. Divided into parts based on the time left until the astroid hits, Kemi works to put together her time capsule. Tender moments between Kemi and each of her parents and extended family members as well as her best friend highlight the importance of family. This left me vulnerable when a shocking twist three-quarters of the way through the book changes everything. I spent the last quarter of the book crying off and on as the picture that Kemi created with her words, her math, and her science takes a drastic turn leaving the characters grieving and me along with them. </div><div><br /></div><div>The imagery used in the book proves to be all too easy to relate to once the twist is revealed. Not only is <i>The Probability of Everything</i> well written but it's emotionally powerful as well. Not a book I'm likely to ever forget, the book inspires empathy in a way that few books do and makes a powerful point about the state of American society. Note: the subject matter makes this one more appropriate for older or more mature middle grade readers. Parents may want to read this one with their child(ren) as there is much to talk about in regard to the heart-wrenching events of the story.</div>Geo Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15618854343507111793noreply@blogger.com0