Visiting Preschools

Visiting schools is a wonderful way to share books with children, give them enjoyment, teach them important life lessons, interact in a positive way and have fun while doing it! They teach us things as well while we are sharing.

My husband, Tom, and I have been doing quite a few visits recently and are so blessed by the little ones, their excitement and enthusiasm.

Here is an excerpt from each book that the children really like:

From Olive and the Great Flood:  "Olive trilled soft peaceful songs to help them sleep at night. When the ark tossed back and forth, her coos relieved their fright."

From Count 1,2,3 With Me:  "Eight legs help a spider to climb, which leaves a web behind each time. Mama Spider traps eight flies to eat. Spiders find bugs a tasty treat."

From Animal Sound Mix-up:  "What if in a pond on a log a quack was heard from a small frog? Or in a forest you could hear a honking sound come from a deer?" (Of course Tom's animal sounds make these mixed-up sounds even more delightful for the children!)

Looking at those sweet, smiling faces reminds me why I do what I do, and I am extremely thankful!

Magical Matthew

Children are fascinated by things that seem magical, and Matthew certainly fits into this category in this delightful book by Penelope Anne Cole. Matthew has a special talent that many people would love to have. When something is broken, he just thinks about it being fixed and it is.

But although Matthew has the magical power to fix objects, he discovers he can't fix everything. His young friend Lily is in a wheelchair and can't walk. He wants very much to make that happen, but he can't. He soon learns a valuable lesson about what can be accomplished without resorting to magic and in spite of handicaps as friends work together for a common goal of helping others and making things better.

The bold and colorful illustrations by Kevin Collier add to the attraction of the story for children, who will likely be asking for this book over and over, enjoying Matthew's gift, thoughtfulness and the surprise at the end.

Fantastic Flight

What's a grandparent to do when watching a child who is homesick and missing her parents? Read Barbara Bockman's book, Fantastic Flight, for an imaginative idea!

Jessica has no clue about the adventures awaiting her when she visits her grandparents at their beach house and is tearfully missing her Mommy and Daddy. Grandpa knows just how to entertain his granddaughter on a fantastic outing. Taking a balloon ride provides an exciting visit to the clouds and some interesting creatures along the way. But oh, no! An unfriendly bird pops their balloon, but what could have been a catastrophe leads to more fun. Children's imaginations can soar along with Grandpa and Jessica as they enjoy the unique and expressive illustrations by Jack Foster along the way.

Fantastic Flight is available from Guardian Angel Publishing and Amazon. Visit Barbara at her blog, Stories a la Mode, and enjoy more of Jack Foster's fun art at Jacktoon's.

Gunther, the Underwater Elephant

Doesn't that name grab your attention? And look at that sweet little elephant floating under the water! Ginger Neilson has written and illustrated an adorable children's book about a small elephant named Gunther who discovers he can float and swim underwater, holding his trunk up like a snorkel to breathe. He has been playing with his bigger cousins, and when they are distracted he floats away. Gunther is pleasantly surprised at how he can swim and breathe, and also at all he sees under the water as he floats along. Children will be delighted along with Gunther as they enjoy the beautifully illustrated, colorful pages of undersea scenes.

When night comes, Gunther falls asleep and wakes up washed up on what seems to be an island, surrounded by water. He is feeling frightened and alone until he meets a surprising new friend, who comes to his aid and leads him on a new adventure.

Gunther, the Underwater Elephant is filled with page after page of lovely underwater areas and creatures that will capture children's imaginations along with the creative story. And although it is a fun story, it also has a couple of important lessons to impart.

Published by 4RV Publishing, Gunther, the Underwater Elephant is also available from Amazon. You can visit Ginger at her blog.





Ferdinand Frog's Flight

Since I enjoy rhymes so much and like reading rhyming books to my grandsons, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to review a new picture book written by Marvin Mayer, illustrated by Stephen Macquignon and published by 4RV Publishing. Ferdinand Frog's Flight fills all the qualifications of what I'm looking for in a fun picture book!

Ferdinand is a sad frog. He doesn't like having to stay on the ground but has always wanted to fly. He is jealous of birds, who can soar above the trees. Although the birds try to convince Ferdinand that frogs belong on the ground and that things are not always fun for them, he remains unconvinced. When Ferdinand meets a helpful eagle, it appears his wish will come true. He is in for a surprise when he takes the big leap.

The flowing rhythm, catchy rhymes and expressive illustrations are added attractions to this delightful tale that soars with anticipation and suspense. Children can relate to Ferdinand with his dream and learn along with him on his adventure.

Ferdinand Frog's Flight can be purchased from 4RV or Amazon.

Don't you agree this is a fun book for young children? The bonus is that it's also fun to read!

November is Picture Book Month

November is Picture Book Month, a time to celebrate picture books and their importance in a child's life. Since this is the 11th month, I'd like to share with you recommendations for 11 children's books, with links to my review of each book and to the author's and artist's sites. First though, I'd like to share a poem with you!

Reading a book to a child is great fun,

a short one, a long one,

a rhyming, sing-song one,

one that has colorful, nice pictures, too

of animals, scenery,

earth, sky or sea, 

to offer enjoyment to your child and you!

No More Gunk by Donna Shepherd

illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

 Signs of Trouble by Janet Ann Collins

 illustrated by Jack Foster

Horatio Humble Beats the Big D by Margot Finke
illustrated by Ellen Gurak

Klutzy Kantor by J. Aday Kennedy
 illustrated by Jack Foster

A Wish and a Prayer by Beth Bence Reinke
illustrated by Ginger Nielson

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep by Kathy Stemke
illustrated by Jack Foster

Mr. Topper, the Potbellied Pig by Liam Maher
illustrated by Vanda Lavar

Where is Salami by Donna J. Shepherd
illustrated by Jack Foster

Trouble on Earth Day by Kathy Stemke

I Spy a Dragonfly by Carla Burke

And for the 11th picture book on the list, I couldn't forget  
Animal Sound Mix-up by Connie Arnold
illustrated by Kit Grady

Many more quality children's picture books can be found at Guardian Angel Publishing, 4RV Publishing, and Amazon.

Hope you find many opportunities to read picture books with a child this month and every month! What do you think are some of the advantages of sharing picture books with children at an early age?

A Wish and a Prayer

 

A Wish and a Prayer by Beth Reinke is the story of Jason, a boy whose pet parakeet, Sonny, flies out his window after being startled by a siren from an ambulance speeding down the street. Jason is upset about the loss of his little friend and wants to get him back. His friends encourage him with different ways to make a wish, including tossing a penny in a fountain and wishing on a star. He tries these wishes for a week, but Sonny doesn't return. Jason's mother asks him who hears his wishes, and what is the difference between a wish and a prayer. This causes Jason to do some serious thinking and realize that wishes are made on objects that can't hear or act, but prayers are heard by God, who has the power to answer those prayers.  This lovely book, beautifully illustrated by Ginger Nielson, provides a valuable lesson to children about the importance of prayer.

Beth is also the author of In My Bath, a cute story about a child's imaginative play in the bathtub, also illustrated by Ginger Nielson. Her newest book is Carla's Cloud Catastrophe, which releases this summer. All three books are published by 4RV Publishing. You can find Beth's books at 4RV Publishing 

(A Wish and a Prayer is on page 4)

Visit Beth on her website www.bethbencereinke.com and Ginger at www.gingernielson.com

Beth will be giving away a copy of A Wish and a Prayer and a sheet of 12 stickers with illustrations from the book, designed by Ginger. Leave a comment to enter, tweet about this post or share on facebook and let us know for extra entries! The contest is open to US residents only.