Geo Librarian

Jennifer A. Nielsen has a new historical novel coming out in March of 2021.  To tide us over while we wait, she is offering a cover reveal trivia contest.  Her historical novels are fabulous and I'm excited about this upcoming one.  Here are the covers from her other historical novels. Click on them to visit the Goodreads summary of each one. BOOK SUMMARY FOR NEW HISTORICAL NOVEL (You will have to wait to find out the title until the cover is revealed.) Six hundred and fifty-seven days ago, Meg Kenyon's father left their home in France to fight for the Allies in World War II, and that was the last time Meg saw him. Recently, she heard he was being held prisoner by the Nazis, a terrible sentence from which Meg fears he'll never return. All she has left of him are the codes he placed in a jar for her to decipher, an affectionate game the two of them shared. But the codes are running low, and soon there'll be nothing left of Papa for Meg to hold on to at ...

Welcome to Day #7 of the On Gull Beach Blog Tour! To celebrate the release of On Gull Beach  by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Bob Marstall on March 27th , blogs across the web are featuring a scavenger hunt interview with Jane, plus 10 chances to win a set of On Bird Hill,   On Duck Pond, and On Gull Beach ! Follow along each day to see a new answer or poem from Jane! And this one, too, [happened to me] though slightly exaggerated. Once I Stood On That Peak Once I stood on that peak, looking down on the vast blue slate, where dolphins wrote the news with spumy script, and the mystical breath of whales punctuated each sentence. Once I stood on that peak where gulls read out the news, cormorants commenting on every passage, waving feathered arms to underline the message. Once I stood on that peak and heard the waves chorus sonnets of praise and forgiveness, knowing at that moment I was but one small reader of the sea. ©2018 Jane Yole...

THE WORLD'S GREATEST ADVENTURE MACHINE by Frank L. Cole Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2017 ISBN: 9780399552823 Middle grade adventure/speculative (fantasy) Ages 9-12 Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK An adventure novel about four lucky kids and a mysterious, but thrilling ride for fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Jurassic Park! CastleCorp and the famous Castleton brothers are unveiling the World's Greatest Adventure Machine! The roller coaster is an experience like no other, and four lucky kids have won the chance to be the first to ride it. There's Trevor, whose latest stunt got him in trouble at school again. There's Devin, whose father is pushing him to be the next Internet sensation. Nika's wealthy grandfather isn't too pleased about her participation. And Cameron, he'll be the first to tell you, is a certified genius. The whole world is watching. But as the k...

Welcome to Day #1 of the  One Good Thing About America  Blog Tour! To celebrate the release of One Good Thing About America  by Ruth Freeman (3/14/17), blogs across the web are featuring exclusive content from Ruth and 10 chances to win a copy of One Good Thing About America, as well as a chance to win a Skype visit with Ruth in the  Grand Prize Giveaway ! Ruth's Experiences as an ELL Teacher by Ruth Freeman Let me introduce you to the world of an ELL teacher, the best part of which is the students themselves. Some come with years of English, some come with no English at all. They may be young or fairly mature but, being in a totally new environment, they are looking for our help. Because we work with them one-on-one or in small groups, they tend to be a bit more relaxed about talking and asking questions. It is such a privilege to watch them open up and to help them adjust to their life in America. We do everything we can to help them ...

I’ll Hug You More By New York Times bestselling author and Ambassador of Hugs, Laura Duksta January 3, 2017; Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-4926-2618-3 Book Info: Title: I’ll Hug You More Author: Laura Duksta Release Date: January 3, 2017 Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky Praise for I’ll Hug You More “Cheery, multi-textured illustrations highlight the sheer versatility of hugs one can give  a small hippo offers a one-handed, behind-the-back number as it eats cereal at the breakfast table, a ladybug uses all six limbs to cling to its parent, and two snakes entwine in a cozy, circular embrace....[Duksta’s] reassuring message comes through loud and clear.” – Publishers Weekly “A menagerie of lovable beasts from rhinos to raccoons and ladybugs to lemurs snuggle up to mom and dad, in Laura Duksta’s I’ll Hug You More . Feathers, fur, and scales embrace in a rainbow of hues from illustrator Melissa Iwai as heartwarming rhymes told from the chi...

Brightly is a fun website designed to encourage book sharing between parents and children and teachers and students.  I have found a number of fabulous lists and ideas on this website.  Here are a few of the most recent lists (I found them intriguing and helpful).  I've also included the link for a giveaway they are running. 17 Picture Books Not to Be Missed in 2017  2017 boasts new offerings from bestselling authors, funny debuts, poetry collections, inspirational biographies, and much, much more. Highlights include a picture book for younger children from the author of the middle grade phenomenon  Wonder , a math-infused bedtime story from actress and mathematician Danica McKellar, and a tale that’s part mystery, part fable, and all fun from award-winning author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Helen Oxenbury.     17 Middle Grade Books to Look Forward to in 2017 Check out this list of incredible 2017 middle grade books that B...

FANCY NANCY TEA PARTIES FOR FANCY ________ by Jane O´Connor, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser Put Me in The Story, 2016 $29.99 Source: publisher for review (personalized for my niece) All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Fancy   Nancy  Tea Parties $29.99 Hardcover Personalized Book Fancy Nancy, hostess extraordinaire, can’t wait to share her party-planning expertise with your little one! From recipes and crafts to etiquette tips and French lessons, this precious personalized book contains everything your child needs to throw the perfect tea party. A personalized letter from Nancy herself to your fancy kiddo? Oui! Plus, your child’s name is worked into the text and adorable illustrations throughout the book. Wrap up with a set of recipe cards from the Kitchen of Fancy Nancy, and best of all, cut out and frame the certificate declaring your child a graduate of Fancy Nancy’s Tea Party Course! Que magnifique! REVIEW Any Fancy N...

PETE THE CAT and _______'s MAGIC SUNGLASSES by Kimberly & James Dean Put Me in the Story, 2016 available thanks to HarperCollins Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) $29.99 for a hardcover ABOUT THE BOOK Pete the Cat is having one of those days—the kind where nothing is going his way. But when Grumpy Toad lends Pete a pair of cool, blue, magic sunglasses, that gloomy, dreary day turns itself around! This personalized book about learning to see the world in a whole new way features your child’s name and photo along with an encouraging dedication message from you. Your child plays a special part in the story—they are the one to let Grumpy Toad borrow the magic sunglasses in the first place! As Pete the Cat travels through town, he meets friends that could use a little bit of magic. A hungry squirrel, a tipped-over turtle, and a lonely alligator all get a boost of positive vibes from the magic sunglasses. But what happens when those magic sunglasses brea...

ENTER HERE PUT ME IN THE STORY AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS PRESENT… THE LITTLE EXPLORER DRAWING CONTEST! Help us celebrate the new National Geographic Kids personalized books and the San Diego Zoo’s 100 th Anniversary! Enter the contest for your chance to win a trip to the San Diego Zoo to celebrate their 100 th anniversary! The San Diego Zoo has an extra special year of fun planned and we want YOU to be a part of it! With displays on Centennial Plaza, new film experiences, new shows and more, this year will be one of the most exciting at the San Diego Zoo! Contest Open: May 16 – July 8 To Enter: Adults 18+ can fill out the form on the contest page to enter. For EXTRA entries: Download the free coloring pages on the contest page and share a photo of your child’s drawing on their coloring page with the hashtag #ColorAndExplore on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook! You can also upload the drawing to the photo gallery on the contest page. *S...