Happiness is...

Finding my little series available to read on Hoopla through the TexShare Database! 

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National Dog Month

Bringing home a new puppy! She's so cute! First thing? Buy a book!

Written by: Libby Wilson

Published by: Apex

Here she is! We named her Rosie.

We didn't expect crazy sleeping positions,

hiding wherever she fits,

and waking with very bad hair days!

We also didn't expect such a great first year together...

hanging at the pool,

getting such cute haircuts,

and the playful, fun-loving and well-behaved dog that she's become!

We love our Rosie!

National Sewing Day

 . 

See what problems Little Ghost, who is a cozy but heavy quilt flies into. He wishes he was a light-weight white sheet like his ghost friends so he can zoom through the sky with them. Can being different be ok?  

As a quilter and former teacher and librarian, this is one of my favorites! Now that I have a grandchild on the way...I think I'll have to make a matching quilt to go with it! 

World Baking Day

 

Written by: Lynn Marie

Published by: Mac and Cheese Press

Here is a fun way to celebrate baking AND America!  Wombat is ready to celebrate his first July 4th by baking an apple pie. But where are all the apples?  In this friendship story, Wombat and his friends find a creative way to make a no-bake American pie - recipe included! 

Finley - My Favorite Moose!

                              

Written by: Candace Spizzirri

Published by: Gnome Road Publishing

Finley is back for another dream come true! I love how positive and persistent he is on his second adventure - Paris - for fashion week! With humor, heart, colorful costumes and French words sprinkled throughout, Finley makes a fabulous read-a-loud! I love how he sneaks on board the plane as a nod to the first Finley story. But, that's just the beginning of this one!

In case you forgot about the first Finley... He dreams of riding a caboose!

   

World Poetry Day

 

Written by: Susan Johnston Taylor

Published by: Gnome Road Publishing

What is this?! It looks so fun I have to check it out! It is a collection of poems from the point of view of famous poets pets! What?

This is what Goodreads says about it.

Read about Benjamin Franklin in an ode written by Mungo, his pet squirrel, or a new version of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven, as imagined by his cat, Catterina. Packed with facts about historical and literary figures and their pets, this collection of poems will have young readers returning for more ... and writing a poem or two of their own. Each spread contains at least one poem from a different poet, written in the unique style of each poet (or, in this case, their pet!), that is sure to have children and caregivers alike enjoying a laugh and looking with new eyes upon their own favorite pets.

Filled with bright, engaging illustrations and a fun assortment of animal characters, this book is the perfect combination of history and poetry that will inspire curiosity and encourage an early love for poetry. It's the perfect addition to elementary school classrooms and libraries, as well as a fun read-aloud for storytime and bedtime.

This is definitely on my shopping list!

Author Copies!

 

Learning Life Skills with Mythical Creatures series was a joy to work on! Jump! Inc. and my editor were amazing. They brought this series to the next level! The illustrator did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life with such vibrant colors. What a surprise when I first saw them online. I saw the griffin cover and literally thought someone stole my idea! Hahaha It was this series, but I hadn't seen the illustrations yet! I jumped on Amazon and bought some paperbacks right away, and then got on the publishing website and purchased some hardcovers. There's no feeling like receiving you author copies. Thanks to Jump! Inc. and my editor and the illustrator and the whole team who brought these into the world!

Gather Grateful by Megan Litwin

 

Book cover from Goodreads

Lyrical prose and luminous illustrations welcome the arrival of fall in a season of community and thanksgiving.

Gather twigs and sticks to nest.
Gather safety, strength, and rest.
Gather up and fly away.
Gather close. Prepare to stay.  
                        *Taken from Goodreads

This is a beautiful fall book. I love that it never actually uses the word Thanksgiving. Starting with the animals gathering to get ready for winter, all the way to people gathering to share a meal (Thanksgiving looking feast). I also love that it includes "gathering apart". With the use of technology, children see a way to gather with family who may be far away.

National Fishing Day - June 18

Skye has such a sweet can-do spirit and her persistence pays off! As Skye tugs on her fishing line, you'll notice she also tugs at your heartstrings. This nostalgic story by Candace Spizzirri is sure to be a good catch for your home or library! 

Book cover from Amazon

Or travel deep into the world of whales with a diver and meet a whale family. This is next on my reading list. It looks amazing, and I've heard so many good things about this one by Michelle Cusolito.

Bookcover from Goodreads

National Plant a Flower Day - March 12

Flowering gardens are beautiful! They're also fun to grow! Why not pick up a shovel and a few flowers and plant a flowering plant today? Maybe pick one that will come back next year.

This early reader teachers about choosing the right flowers to grow. It is full of colorful photos and writting by Libby Wilson.

Book cover from Goodreads

This lyrical book shares the secrets of the underground parts of the garden. Journey through the year and see what happens above the ground and below the dirt. This is part of Over and Under series by Kate Messner.

Book cover from Goodreads

Eeeek!

 

I have a secret something. It's a writerly secret something. And I'm thrilled to work on this project!!

Word Nerd Day - January 9

I have to say, I LOVE fun words! When I read a book, I like to pick out a cool new favorite word. Notice I say "new" favorite word, because it changes regularly, weekly...daily...actually it's with each book I read. When I saw Tara Lazar's book, I bought it right away! It has inspired me to actually keep my own fun word list. It's like a treasure hunt while I'm reading.

Book cover from Goodreads

Here's what Goodreads had to say about it!

Why use boring old words when you can expand and build your vocabulary―and have fun doing it! A user-friendly, engaging book about the power of words―perfect for educators, parents, and future word nerds. Build confidence and become a stronger reader, writer, and communicator! This fun and hilarious vocabulary Kids with strong vocabularies are better readers, better writers, and even feel more confident tackling math and science. When a kid wants to learn a new word, we often send them to the dictionary or a thesaurus. But dictionaries only work if you know exactly the word you want. This dictionary-thesaurus hybrid is organized by theme and puts words in context with fun, engaging and hilarious sentences, pictures, and fun facts. You'll learn what words mean and then actually use them!

This bolded part is what I love most. It's a book full of my favorite things!
 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night

 

Book cover from Goodreads

A twist on the classic Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, we see all the beauty of lights from different nighttime sources. A delight to both the eyes and ears. Snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night and delight in the beautiful illustrations by Nneka Myers and the magical words by Megan Litwin.

A Sweet Diwali

 

Book cover from Goodreads

A sweet little girl and her dog named Lion are sure to encourage a young reader to open this story again and again. With a sparkly lights, fun food and fireworks, Lion gets into a little trouble, but Raina is right there. Read along as Raina and her family celebrate the festival of lights. The adorable illustrations by Geeta Ladi and the playful words by Harshita Jareth come together in a colorful celebration!

National Lemonade Day - August 20

 

Book cover from Goodreads

Cooler than Lemonade, by Harshita Jerath, is a tasty treat for readers' imaginations. In the face a of lemonade stand competition, Eva puts her imagination to work to win more business. Her persistence pays off, at least for awhile... 
The illustrations add to the cool factor of this story. And I enjoyed all the fun fonts. Cooler than Lemonade is a sweet story that can easily be used in early elementary science classrooms, too. Keep cool!

National Be Nice to Bugs Day - July 14

 Yes! Bugs need some love, too! 

Meet Dirt and Bugsy, two of my best bug catching buds! In Bug Catchers, when it starts to rain, Dirt and Butsy must figure out how to build a bug barn to keep their bug buddies dry. In Beetle Mania, they catch bugs that crawl, bugs that fly, bugs that slide and bugs that hide. How will they sort them all? Read Megan Litwin's early readers and find out!

For all my bug catching friends, don't forget to set your bugs free!

World Flour Day - March 20

I didn't know this was a thing. Evidently, it is! This day is to show us the importance of flour in our health and in what we eat. 

But, I have a better idea. Let's celebrate a new book! A book that spotlights what you can do with old flour sacks by Claire Annette Noland!

Book cover from Goodreads

I love quilts and I love Nancy Bess! Such a sweet character who uses her thrifty gifts to 'make do'. Flour sacks and sewing...sold! And you see why it's my book pick today! One of my favorite parts is the repeating line that is so fun to say, 

"She measured, cut, 

stitched 

and saved the unused bits." 

Nancy Bess is creative and resourceful and will give kids lots of fun ideas. There might be a little something squeaky hidden on every page. 

Thanks to Claire, Angela and Gnome Road Publishing for creating this lovely book! After losing three heirloom quilts from my two great-grandmas and my grandma, Nancy Bess has earned a special place in my heart!

New Take on The Gingerbread Man

Let me introduce THE LEAPING LADDOO by Harshita Jareth!

Instead of running from a cow, a horse and a pig - join the leaping laddoo, an Indian dessert, past a tea seller, a groom on an elephant and more!

Instead of chanting Run, Run as fast as you can - chant Bhago, Bhago as fast as you can!

Instead of baking a gingerbread man - make a leaping laddoo with the included recipe!

Bhago, Bhago to a store or library near you to see if Laddoo finds a way to escape...  

Book cover from Goodreads

Raven's Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith

 

from Goodreads

Raven is bored. Nothing ever happens in the fields around Bethlehem until...
One night, a dazzling star lights up the sky and angels gather to sing. The Savior has been born!
Now Raven has a mission. He will fly and bring the message to the other birds. They are excited to bring gifts to the Christ child, but what, Raven wonders, could he possibly bring?

This is a lovely new addition to my pile of beloved Christmas stories! Thanks to Claire, Desiree and Little Press Publishing!

Finley: A Moose on the Caboose

 
Let's celebrate - Alaska Day!

Book cover from Goodreads

Finley, the moose who wants to ride the caboose, is a fabulous character! Kids will love the hilarious ways he shows his determination to ride the train to Alaska. The colorful illustrations are engaging and add to the fun. (Look for a little bluebird friend on each page.) Finley is sure to grinny-grin and clippety-clop his way into little readers' hearts and their parents, too! Kuddos to Candace Spizzirri and Chantelle and Burgen Thorne!