Jordan Sonnenblick is on tour from his very own kitchen!
As part of his 5th-Grade World Tour to promote his Dodger and Me series, Jordan is conducting a virtual tour with elementary school classrooms from all over the country. Check out this write-up of one school's event in Wyoming, Ohio.
And don't forget to check out all the books about Willie, and his imaginary blue chimp friend, Dodger: Dodger and Me, Dodger for President, and coming this month, Dodger for Sale.
What better day than a birthday to remind your child that he or she is the "one and only ever you"? A fan of Nancy Tillman's did just that, and sent this wonderful photo of a birthday cake inspired by Nancy's books, along with the message, "You are loved."
NANCY TILLMAN is the author and illustrator of On the Night You Were Born (now available in board book format!), The Wonder of You, The Spirit of Christmas, and the upcoming Fall 2010 title, Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You, as well as the illustrator of It's Time to Sleep, My Love, written by Eric Metaxas.
with Tibbar and me, Ava Tree!
Happy Spring!
Best wishes,
Jeanne Betancourt and Angela Dominguez
Jeanne Betancourt is the author of Ava Tree and the Wishes Three, illustrated by Angela Dominguez.
Helen Stringer has a confession to make. She didn't write Spellbinder. He did:
We're just kidding, but Helen's adorable cat, Zulu, certainly looks like he would like to take all the credit!
Lisa Burnett Bossi signs at the L.L. Bean store.
For Babies and Pre-schoolers
From the New York Times-bestselling author of On the Night You Were Born, comes a Christmas classic you will want to read again every year. School Library Journal has called it, “A beautiful and timeless book.”
Written by Alison McGhee
Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
We are so proud of Only a Witch Can Fly, which is a New York Times Best Illustrated book of 2009. The New York Times Book Review said, “The effortless quiet of McGhee’s words is beautifully matched by Yoo’s pictures. …There’s more than enough magic in these pages…for young readers and for their parents, who might otherwise give up on finding anything truly enchanting about Halloween.”
Kids know that gum is fun, but for the two little pigs in this book, gum can be trouble. Trouble Gum was a Best Book of 2009 at the BookPage blog, "The Book Case." Kirkus Reviews said it, “Packs plenty of pop," and the San Francisco Chronicle called it, “Irresistible…graphically dynamic.” Here's a glimpse at the irresistible art:
From beloved author Ann M. Martin comes a novel perfect for anyone who has ever longed for a dog, or loved one. Everything for a Dog was a Best Book of 2009 at the BookPage blog, "The Book Case," and a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2009. Praise for Everything for a Dog:
“Animal lovers of all ages will cherish this moving tale of man’s—or in
this case, boy’s—best friend.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
This creepy tale about a newly orphaned boy on a quest to avenge his father's death, set in Dickensian-esque England, fits right in at Christmastime. Kirkus Reviews said, “Readers with a taste for lurid prose, macabre twists, riddles, exotic
poisons, high-society caricatures, murderous schemes and scenes of
stomach-churning degeneracy will find some or all of these in every chapter, and
though the author trots in multiple characters and references from previous
episodes, this one stands sturdily on its own.”
Here is a charming novel about Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, who lives in an enchanted theater that houses every character of every play ever written. It is a Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book of 2009, and has been praised as:
“Lisa Mantchev’s theatrical fantasy ‘Eyes Like Stars’ pits a plucky orphan, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, and her fairy attendants against the wiles of Ariel and a stuffy stage manager.”—New York Times Book Review
“Electric…delicious…fascinating…vivid…smart and sassy…bawdy and hilarious…Brava! Encore!”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
The Sweetheart of Prosper County
Austin Gray is tired of standing at the curb and watching the parade pass her by. She decides that this is the year to be be the Sweetheart of Prosper County. To do it, she needs to join the FFA and raise a prize-winning rooster, Charles Dickens. In a Starred Review, School Library Journal called the book, “A refreshing picture of teen angst, with realistic dialogue and memorable characters.”
Nonfiction
Illustrated by Christopher Bing
Conceived as a one-year anniversary edition of a newspaper written after President Lincoln's death, this book tells the story of his life. It is great for your junior history buff, but it might also be the perfect gift for a grown-up on your list, too.
Praise for Lincoln Shot:
"This book would serve as a good ‘first’ book on Lincoln, and I can imagine many young readers sprawled around it on the floor.”—The Chicago Tribune
"Wonderfully readable"—The New York Times Book Review
“…a gripping read for middle-graders ahead of the February bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, a big event in publishing for grown-ups but a slice of history in need of some wow for young people…. The faux-weathered pages have real advertisements from the time, rich pen-and-ink scenes from Lincoln's life and some gutsy archival photos that include dead bodies on the battlefield at Gettysburg and the hanging of John Wilkes Booth's assassination conspirators.”—The Associated Press
"This unique biography of Abraham Lincoln employs a richly-illustrated newspaper format and a vigorous, readable writing style to present the story of the Civil War president's remarkable life and tragic death. Written for young adults, it will appeal to readers of all ages. In this bicentennial season of Lincoln books, this one stands out with its attractive format and fast-paced prose."--James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom
Stocking Stuffers
Illustrated by Chuck Gonzales
These activity books will provide hours of fun for your budding fashionista or young rock fan.
On November 20, Maine illustrator Lisa Burnett Bossi helped kick off L. L. Bean’s Northern Lights Festival at the flagship store in Freeport, Maine. Bossi was there to sign copies of her book, The Happiness Tree: Celebrating the Gifts of Trees We Treasure (Feiwel and Friends, 2008) written by Andrea Alban Gosline. Hundreds were on hand for the sold-out signing and the lighting of one of the largest trees in the state which was hand strung with thousands of energy efficient lights. The Happiness Tree is an enchanting, poetic tale inviting tree lovers of all ages to discover life’s true gifts—peace, courage, compassion, gratitude, love, and tolerance—through their limbed and leafy friends. Printed on recycled paper the book includes lyrical tree bios, an index of state trees, and a pledge to care for our forests.
If you'd like to give The Happiness Tree as a gift this season, it's available at your local book store, or online:
Jill S. Alexander is the author of The Sweetheart of Prosper County, available now!
Remember that Whac-A-Mole game? The one where the moles pop up randomly and you try to compete by beating them back into their hole before they disappear? Just when you think you’ve got a chance, one disappears and another pops up from a different direction. Or maybe you’re a fan of the classic comedy Caddyshack and the futile attempts of Bill Murray’s character to battle the gopher. I always think about that game and movie when reflecting on my high school years and the #12 High-Lift Blondes.
The Sweetheart of Prosper County is available at your local book store, or online:
