Every night’s a celebration with Rainbow Nights
March 16, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
March is Small Press Month, so throughout the month, I’ll be highlighting books from small presses.
In Rainbow Nights
The little girl finds there are so many things to do in dreamland– you can use your imagination to raise honey bees, plant a patch of perfect peas, ride a rocket ship, or fly to the nearest star. She finds Dreamland’s busy with swirling colors and flashing lights, tuba music and rainbow nights.
So she closes her eyes and dreams pleasant dreams because soon she’ll wake to greet the sun.
The rhyming text makes this a beautiful read-aloud for bed. Children will be excited to drift off into their own dreamland as they experience the vivid colors and wild imagination of Rainbow Nights.
Additional Information:
Author: Sally M. Harris
Illustrator: Kit Grady
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 20 pages
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc (October 31, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616330023
ISBN-13: 978-1616330026
Source of review copy: Illustrator
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Win an autographed copy of Rene Has Two Last Names
February 23, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Want to teach your young readers about the importance of family? Rene Has Two Last Names / Rene tiene dos apellidos
Rene decides to add both last names to the sticker, which results in his classmates making fun of him. Rene tells his parents about it because to Rene, half of his world is missing when he doesn’t have both names. He can’t imagine a world without a mother and maternal grandparents who dance, make chocolate and fix his bike.
When his teacher assigns the students the project of creating a family tree, Rene is determined to show his classmates and teacher why he has two last names and the importance of his dos apellidos.
This is a wonderful book to teach young readers about an important Hispanic cultural tradition and why all of us should be proud of our heritage. Rene Colato Lainez came to the U.S. from El Salvador as a teen and writes about his experiences in children’s books such as Rene Has Two Last Names. To learn more about Rene Colato Lainez, read this previous interview.
If you’d like to win an autographed copy of Rene Has Two Last Names, please leave a comment below.
- For contact purposes, if you are a non-blogger or your email is not accessible in your blog profile, please leave a valid email address within the comment section.
- Contest is open to US only
- Contest ends on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.
- Winner will be chosen at random and notified on Monday, March 8, 2010.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Arte Publico Pr; Bilingual edition (October 31, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1558855300
ISBN-13: 978-1558855304
Source of review copy: author
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Who needs words in a story?
February 19, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
The story’s the same…After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he’d planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher’s trap.
What’s different…Pinkney’s cover says it all. The cover will definitely draw a reader in, but there’s so much more to be amazed at as Pinkney’s stunning illustrations are rendered in pencil, watercolor, and colored pencil on paper.
You’ll feel as though you stepped into the heart of the African Serengeti and you’ll experience the emotions of both the lion and the mouse. The only words that interrupt this purely visual storytelling are hand-lettered animal sounds, so that the readers can squeak, shriek and roar along with the animals. What I like most about this book is that the pictures are so stunning, it will spark intriguing conversations with your young ones. And even the youngest will catch on that even the tiniest can be of service, that no act of kindness is wasted and that small acts have large repercussions.
Just when you think the amazing illustrations have come to an end, don’t miss out on the bonus painting on the back cover– an homage to Edward Hicks’s Peaceable Kingdom recast with the animals of the Serengeti.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; First edition/first printing edition (September 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0316013560
ISBN-13: 978-0316013567
Source of review copy: Publisher
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Jeremy Draws a Monster
February 18, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Give a boy a book about a monster and, chances are, you’ll capture their interest. Jeremy Draws a Monster
The book kicks off, telling us a little about Jeremy. Jeremy lives on the third-floor in an apartment building and never goes outside. I guess you can call Jeremy a loner. So when Jeremy busts out his crayon and creates a blue monster to keep him company, Jeremy is unaware of what’s to come. The monster demands a sandwich, a checkerboard, a television, and a hot dog. But that’s not all. The monster is very demanding, so when the monster demands a hat because he is “going out,” Jeremy is a bit relieved. However, the monster returns, and Jeremy has to think fast on his feet to rid himself of this monster once and for all. And in the process, Jeremy learns the importance of friendship and ends up playing with the neighborhood kids he used to look down upon from his apartment window.
This book has really grown on me and it’s one that conveys such a simple message. As the School Library Journal writes, “Both story and illustration leave lots of room for speculation and discussion.” That’s what I like most about this book. It takes a little thought to realize Jeremy sees a little bit of himself in that blue monster and when he doesn’t like what he sees, he changes his ways.
Another great thing about this book…the next time your child up and demands a drink, food, etc…, you’ll find yourself reminding them of the monster in this book!
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0805069348
ISBN-13: 978-0805069341
Source of review copy: personal copy
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
The role of children in the march to freedom
February 17, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Okay, it’s Wednesday. I’m assuming you have the Cybils 2009 winners memorized by now, right? In any case, memorized or not, I’m hoping you get the chance to check out some of the amazing titles that were nominated. I’m always grateful for the Cybils because I’m introduced to books I normally wouldn’t find or discover on my own– that’s just one of the beautiful things about the community of children’s literature blogs! And that’s why I’m celebrating the Cybils all week and highlighting some of the wonderful finalists in the fiction picture book category in which I had the honor to judge.
One book that stood out among the others and had a truly unique voice was The Listeners (Tales of Young Americans) by Gloria Whelan
Gloria Whelan has written a beautiful book in the voice of Ella May, a child born into slavery. In addition to working hard in the fields, Ella and her friends, Bobby and Sue, have another important job–to sit quietly outside the plantation-house windows and eavesdrop on conversations between the owner and his wife. As slaves, they have no control over their lives, but being able to listen in on important news and reporting it to their families, gives the slaves the vital information they need about their future.
Benny’s beautiful watercolor paintings are warm and endearing, shining a light on the harsh reality of segregation, and the injustices of slavery. This book is an excellent choice to teach older elementary students that children had important roles and responsibilities in the march to freedom, and it stresses the importance of hope and family.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (September 2009)
ISBN-10: 1585364193
ISBN-13: 978-1585364190
Source of review copy: Publisher
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
We're celebrating the Cybils you Silly Goose
February 16, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, or are totally wrapped up in the Olympics, the Cybils 2009 winners were announced on Sunday. All week here at Lori Calabrese Writes!, I’m celebrating the Cybils and some of the contenders who fought hard in the fiction picture book category. Liz Garton Scanlon took home the gold with All the World, but one of the big contenders for me was Silly Tilly.
I have to admit, I’m a sucker for fun, rhyming picture books and Silly Tilly is one fun book that brings new meaning to the term, “You silly goose!”!
“Tilly was a silly goose, a daffy-down-and-dilly goose.” I mean really…how great is that first line? It only gets better from there. Her name is Silly Tilly and throughout the book, she does silly things–she wears a pancake as a hat, kicks a pickle to the hogs, sets the farmer’s underwear afloat–things any young reader will find amusing. I don’t know about you, but any underwear humor in our house is a sure fire hit! 
But when the rest of the farm has had it up to here with Silly Tilly’s antics, they ask her to stop her silly ways. But when she does just that, things are a little boring on the farm and they realize how much they miss the old Silly Tilly.
The rhyme scheme makes this a fun read-aloud and the use of language is just so silly, it’s excellent. The illustrations are sure to gather a chuckle and when tied with the text, it’s tops in humor–just goes to show that you can never be too silly!
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Corp/Ccb (March 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0761455256
ISBN-13: 978-0761455257
Source of review copy: Publisher
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
2009 Cybils Award Winner All the World
February 15, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Valentines, Schmalentines! Do you know what February 14th means? The 2009 Cybils awards have been announced. If you haven’t had the chance to check out the winners, head over to the Cybils site right now and gaze at all the awesome books chosen as the cream of the crop by a community of bloggers who write about children’s and young adult literature.
I was honored this year to be a judge in the fiction picture book category and, let me tell you, it was tough. Although All the World came in as a heavy favorite, there were so many contenders and each finalist has something incredibly different to offer. All this week, I’ll be celebrating the Cybils and will highlight some of the amazing picture books that the second round judges had the opportunity to talk about and analyze.
The one everyone’s talking about is the amazing picture book, All the World
Perhaps it’s the lyrical rhyming couplets that speak volumes about the world and the richness of humankind. Perhaps, it’s the amazing illustrations by Marla Frazee that show a family spending a day at the beach.
I have to admit, unlike many, I did not fall in love with this book on my first reading. I know–what’s wrong with me, right? But the more readings I’ve had with it, it’s come to be a picture book I truly adore. The text is simple, but powerfully written as a poem with bits of alliteration, rhyme and rhythm.
As Allyn Johnston, the publisher, pointed out at the NY SCBWI Winter conference, Liz Garton Scanlon left so much room in the text for the illustrator to add her special touch–hence, the magic of a picture book. The pictures, made with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors, primarily follow a multicultural family from a summer morning on the beach through a busy day and night. But highlight some things we might normally take for granted such as wind, storm, and a simple shell.
It’s a touching read-aloud that celebrates the connection between adults and children and has the whole package for a picture book.
Watch this video of Marla Frazee talking about why she loves drawing pictures for children. . .
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Beach Lane Books (September 8, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1416985808
ISBN-13: 978-1416985808
Source of review copy: publisher
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle helps Haitian relief
February 4, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Cover of Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle
I recently highlighted The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle that stressed the importance of living in harmony with nature. Another book about the love that can develop with sea turtles is
Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle/María y su amiga la Tortuga del mar/Marie et son amie la Tortue de mer: One book written in English/Spanish/French
I’m pleased to highlight this book because the author, Nicole Weaver, has turned her helplessness into action. From the depths of despair, Nicole has risen out of her own grief for her perished relatives in the Haiti earthquake. Fluent in Creole, French, Spanish, and English, Weaver is reaching out to American families who are contemplating adoption of Haitian orphans by offering support through her blog http://support4usparentsofhaitianorphans.blogspot.com as a one stop resource to make the transition of a Haitian adoption go as smoothly as possible. Weaver is also donating a portion of proceeds from this book to Haiti relief.
Marie is a little girl whose house is built near the bluest of oceans. Every morning, Marie likes to visit the shore to collect seashells. When she sees a large shiny object in the distance, she thinks she’s found the biggest seashell she’s ever seen. But it’s not a seashell, it’s a sea turtle. When she learns the turtle is stuck and cannot make its way back to sea, Marie must find a way to help her new friend get back to its home.
The book takes an unexpected twist as Marie realizes if her parents find the turtle, they’ll cut it up in pieces and make stew. When Marie’s parents arrive on the beach, how will she convince them to carry the sea turtle back to the ocean instead of enjoying a fine stew? I found this part of the story shocking, since I don’t consider turtle standard fare, but it’s also what stands out to me most about this book–Perhaps a different take than others you might read. To me, the story is not only an introduction to caring for nature, but also an introduction to different cultures.
Written in English, Spanish and French, the book can be used to create discussions about what different cultures eat, and all the unusual delicacies available around the world. It shows that food is a big part of our culture and our world. So remember the next time you throw your nose up at the thought of turtle stew, others might be saying, “Scrumptious!”
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (March 16, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1432723774
ISBN-13: 978-1432723774
Source of review copy: author
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
Black Diamond & Blake
January 27, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Cover of Black Diamond & Blake
What happens to racehorses when they lose their edge?
That’s the question Deborah Blumenthal sought to answer while writing her emotional tale, Black Diamond and Blake
Black Diamond is the fastest, the best. He wins race after race and is rewarded with a wreath around his neck, sweet apples, and never a shortage of friends. However, as Black Diamond begins to fall from the number one spot, he notices a change in the attitudes of the people who surround him. Black Diamond is greeted with boos instead of sweet apples. Even though he had tried his best, he wonders if they understand.
When nobody takes Black Diamond out to race anymore, a man puffing on a big cigar purchases Black Diamond and brings him to a prison as part of a horse-care program. At first he feels lost in his new home, but he soon makes friends with Blake, who opens up to Black Diamond about why he’s in prison. The friends take long walks together and enjoy their time together, but when Blake is released, Black Diamond continues to look for Blake. Whenever there are footsteps, his head shoots up, but it’s always another prisoner–not his friend.
One day, Black Diamond hears the hum of a car and is reunited with Blake, who has found a job miles away on a horse farm. Blake takes Black Diamond with him and the two are able to spend their days in amazing green fields.
Black Diamond & Blake is a touching tale, sure to reach the hearts of children and adults. The story is not only heartwarming, but it educates young readers to the importance of animal rescue programs. Blumenthal concludes the book with an author’s note and states, “In the end, the programs all have a common goal: animals and humans raising each other’s hopes and spirits to help them live better lives.” Black Diamond & Blake will raise your young readers’ spirits as well as they learn the importance of friendship, survival, and redemption.
Additional Information:
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (February 10, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0375840036
ISBN-13: 978-0375840036
Source of review copy: author
The importance of living in harmony with nature
January 22, 2010 by Lori Calabrese · View Comments
Cover of The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle
On April 21st, 2008, marine biologists at the St. Lucie Power Plant on Hutchinson Island observed a loggerhead sea turtle near the plant’s intake pipes. The biologists often encounter turtles in the area and observe their actions in order to determine their health. But something did not seem right with the sub adult turtle, so they contacted the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
With April 22nd being Earth Day, there was only one name for this youthful sea turtle, Eartha. When Eartha arrived at the center she was diagnosed with an infection, and a low red blood cell count. She was also a bit underweight, at only 86 pounds. She was put on a series of antibiotics, and cared for by the staff at the marinelife center.
When Dan Bodenstein, an avid nature photographer, met Eartha, he was inspired to write The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle
Fortunately, the real Eartha was returned to sea, just like Eartha in the book. This is an enduring tale that reminds us of the importance of living in harmony with nature. Your young readers will especially eat up the fun and vibrant illustrations. It’s a wonderful addition to any lesson on turtles and how we can help protect these endangered and threatened species.
Find out more about The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle, download and print free coloring pages, and see pictures of the real Eartha at www.earthatheseaturtle.com
Additional Information:
Author: Dan Bodenstein
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: Totem Tales Publishing (November 23, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0984322809
ISBN-13: 978-0984322800
Source of review copy: author
Disclosure: Some of the books I review are received from publishers , PR agencies, and authors, but it does not sway my opinion of the book. I maintain affiliate accounts with Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase a book through one of my links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). You can support this site by originating your purchase via these links and I appreciate your support of Lori Calabrese Writes!
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