Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Start of Another Cover for Solway

Here is another sketch for an upcoming book for Solway. Again I cannot say what it is about but I do hope you like it. Who do you think it is?




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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Show Me Some Lovin'...Blog Lovin!!! {AND a Puppy!}

Alright friends...a moment of truth! Sometimes it is so hard to keep up in this bloggy world. Everything is always changing! Me?!? I am not one for change! Ha! BUT...this change really isn't so scary. I am going to *try* and pretend like I know what I am talking about for a brief second and say that a little bird told me that Google Reader is about to be no more. Now...don't cry...just yet anyways! There are more than enough ways to stay in the loop with all of the shenanigans I've got going on here on my blog! 

Step 1: Blog Lovin'

You may choose to switch over to Blog Lovin' {which I like WAY better than Google Reader...shhhh!!!} and you will still be able to keep up with all of your favorite blogs. They even have a sweet little app for your phone which is what I have been using for months. I am telling you...super, super easy! 

So, if you would still like to follow along with my shenanigans, click on the image below.   Or...you can click on the tab to the right of my screen. It says..."follow this blog with bloglovin" {imagine that!} :)
Step 2: Facebook

My favorite way to stay current with all of the newest and coolest strategies and ideas on my favorite blogs would have to be through Facebook. I mean, everyone checks their Facebook account once a day {at least}. Some of us may or may not check it no less than 25...don't lie to yourself! :) So, if you are a Facebook lover like me, you can click on the image below to follow me on Facebook and receive the latest updates there! 


Step 3: Instagram 

Love Instagram! If you don't love it yet...you will...I promise! I am constantly posting updates on this account, so if you want to be the first to know about something new, this is your go-to place! You can follow my insta account by clicking on the images below. 




Okay...I hope you are not having a mild panic attack right now. BUT, if you are, my way too precious friend, Cara wrote an excellent post to explain everything. She is smart...what can I say?!? Check it out {HERE}. 

If you are still in a panic...this next little bit of information will make every single thing in the bloggy world perfect...yet again. 

Meet the newest {and cutest} member of The King Family...



Isn't she the cutest?!? I have to say, she is the cutest, sweetest, most loving puppy with a GIANT personality to boot. 

Hope y'all are having a great weekend! Thanks for being the best followers a girl could ask for! Love to all! XOXO!
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Friday, June 28, 2013

Twitterville Talk #106

While you are reading this post I am making the journey by car and train to the American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago.  To say I am thrilled for this opportunity is an understatement.  I am fortunate to be able to attend the Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder banquet on Sunday evening.  I hope to have many conversations about books and reading with colleagues I've met on Twitter, members of the Nerdy Book Club, every single one.  I am excited to able to meet authors and illustrators whose works I have admired for years.  Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend.  Take time for reading.  Look for the giveaways.



I really enjoyed reading this essay, Children's literature heroes---what they say about our times.  I'm thinking this would make for a good discussion in the classroom as well.

There is so much sharing within our PLN on Twitter.  These Summer Reading Suggestions 2013 by grade is yet another example.
To the first person who can name one of the two Newbery titles on the third grade reading suggestion list I will send a copy of White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan.
Send me a DM on Twitter with your answer or leave it in the comments below.



Thanks to school librarian and blogger at Great Kid Books, Mary Ann Scheuer for these posts and tweets.






Have you registered yet for School Library Journal's SummerTeen?  It's a free online event focusing on books and authors taking place on July 24th.

Thanks to Teri Lesesne, university professor and blogger at The Goddess of YA Literature, for this tweet.




In case you missed the June #SharpSchu Book Club on Wednesday 19, 2013 it has been archived by Mr. Schu.  Three beautiful wordless pictures books were discussed, The Boy and the Airplane by Mark Pett, Bluebird by Bob Staake and Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle.

They flock to him like bees to honey; our book trailer guru, Mr. Schu.










NPR's Backseat Book Club is asking for The Best Books for Kids Age 9-14? You Tell Us  Listen to the story, stop by the site and leave your suggestions.


Have you visited the Scholastic page for teachers titled Story Starters?  It's lots of fun!
To the first person who can name all the categories listed at the Story Starter page I will send a copy of The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel.  This is one of my all time favorite funny books. Send me a DM on Twitter with your answer or leave it in the comments below.

Many thanks to John Schumacher, teacher librarian, one half of the #SharpSchu Book Club, 2011 Library Journal Movers & Shakers, 2014 Newbery Medal Committee member and blogger at Watch. Connect. Read. for these tweets.





When Shark Girl was released in 2007 it was given starred reviews by four sources.  The sequel, Formerly Shark Girl had its book birthday last month, but has already received a starred review from Kirkus.  Enjoy this trailer.

Thanks to Kelly Bingham, author of both these titles and the picture book, Z is for Moose, for this tweet.




Get ready for the July #SharpSchu Book Club.  Get all the information at this link here and here.  Be prepared to laugh, be informed and enjoy both posts.

Thanks to Colby Sharp, educator, one half of the #SharpSchu Book Club, co-host with Donalyn Miller of the monthly #titletalk, co-founder of the Nerdy Book Club and blogger at sharpread for this tweet.





Absolutely amazing resource from ISTE June 24, 2013, Your School Library:  Mobile, Flipped and Curated

Thanks to Donna Macdonald, teacher librarian, tech integrationist and blogger for this tweet.






If you are looking for videos and books for all ages that address special needs look no further than this post, Styling Librarian: Connecting to books that address special needs.

Thanks to teacher librarian and blogger at The Styling Librarian, Debbie Alvarez currently residing and working in Hong Kong for this tweet and post.




There is something very special about this Nerdy Book Club post, Books Become Your Home by author Megan Frazer Blakemore (The Water Castle).


Thanks to the Nerdy Book Club for this tweet.






There is no end to the wonderfulness of new book releases---Penguin Fall Kids 2013|Preview Peek
To the first person who can tell me the title of the new book by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri, I will send a copy of Cheetah Can't Lose by Bob Shea.  Enter your answer in the comments below or send me a DM on Twitter.


Thanks to School Library Journal for this tweet.







Debut picture book author illustrator Aaron Becker unveiled his book trailer for Journey this week.  It is stunning.


Thanks to Aaron Becker for this tweet.







Candlewick Press announced four discussion guides available at this link for Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking series and for A Monster Calls.

Thanks to Candlewick Press for this tweet.






Now this is very interesting...all of it...Pew Survey Shows Power of Print

Thanks to Children's Bookshelf of Publishers Weekly for this tweet.






I recently reviewed a picture book written by Martha Brockenbrough with illustrations by Israel Sanchez titled The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy.  If you would like to be entered in a drawing for a piece of original artwork send in a picture of yourself with the book.  Follow this link for more information.

Thanks to Martha Brockenbrough for this tweet.




Here are some of my favorite quotes and comments from Twitter this week.



















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Into The Great Outdoors

The attraction of tents, whether shaped by quilts and chairs in the solace of your home or by any number of commercial manufacturers for use outdoors in any season, is undisputed.  There is a comfortable coziness inside especially at night within the warm glow from a flashlight or lantern.  Depending on where your tent is located (bedroom, backyard, National Park or wilderness), the sounds and visitors in the night, or day, may vary.

While most people at one point in their lives have reaped the benefits of camping outdoors in a tent, there are others who never have or never will partake in this form of adventure.  They prefer the risk factor of staying home versus venturing into the unknown.  As readers of the series can probably guess, Scaredy Squirrel falls into the former category. Little does our worry-wart friend know but in Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping (Kids Can Press) written and illustrated by Melanie Watts, life has one surprise after another in store for him.


Scaredy Squirrel never goes camping.

It's too unpredictable and needs more effort than he is willing to invest.  There are six, no more, no less, problems which might arise, skunks, zippers, mosquitoes, quicksand, penguins, and The Three Bears. (Are you laughing yet?  I am.)

He's got the perfect plan for camping without ever leaving his snug dwelling.  Television guide in hand, he's made a mental list of camping and adventure shows to watch.  Hmmmm....there is one small hitch though.  Scaredy Squirrel needs to complete the successful navigation to the nearest electrical outlet. 

Mr. Ready-For-Any Disaster begins preparations.  His necessary supplies make no sense at all unless paired with the aforementioned hazards; his logic defies explanation.  His attire from head to toe including a nose plug for whiffy smells and a penny for good luck will promote happiness...he thinks.  Every detail is considered.  There is a time schedule. A map from home to goal with notes for using the supplies is an essential.

With physical training successfully finished and the weather and natural phenomenon (volcanic eruptions) monitored, our "Nervous Nellie"  skitters along his pre-determined route until...gigantic trouble looms into his vision.  Fright ensues. All plans are abandoned in light of sheer survival.  Hours later Scaredy Squirrel makes a discovery which, he has to admit, changes his outlook about the outdoors.

Melanie Watt has created in the character of Scaredy Squirrel a means to face fears with silly, super-readiness. From the first page covered in zippers containing a message:

WARNING!
Scaredy Squirrel insists you check your zippers before reading this book.

followed by the title page showing him, eyes closed wearing a hat with netting as a mosquito waits at the ready, readers are treated to this little guy's special brand of thinking.  With short, matter-of-fact sentences, single word labels, explanatory guidelines and comments we are privy to the process in this latest episode.  His postscript sums up the entire narrative in a nutshell...acorn specifically.

Digitally rendered illustrations in natural shades of greens, browns, rusty oranges with red accents color Scaredy Squirrel's world.  The expressions on his face whether relaxing, in conversation, fearful, determinedly planning or at ease in blissful enjoyment are fully animated, charming and hilarious.  For emphasis he may appear in a circle within another picture. Rows of squares, two-page spreads, diagrams, maps, instructions, charts, and single page visuals match the mood of the story to perfection.


All year long in the "W" area of fiction there is a gaping hole where the Scaredy Squirrel books would be shelved. They are returned and leave again on the same day; sometimes in the same class period.  Fans of the series are going to love this newest installment by Melanie Watt, Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping.  Even if you've never read a Scaredy Squirrel title, this one is not to be missed.  How could you not read this book, looking at the face on the jacket and cover?  Pair it with your other camping books, funny books or those books to be read over and over.

A link to Melanie Watt's blog is embedded in her name above. She has lots of extras, several book trailers for other books in the series.  Scaredy Squirrel has his own website linked above.  Follow this link to a couple of activity pages. 
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Are You a Wild Thing?!?

Calling all safari/animal lovers...this one's for you! Sorry it took a little longer than expected. I only started the entire thing over once because I hated the first go 'round! Perfectionist much?!? I think so! ;) Both of these decor packs are now up in my TPT shop! 

Speaking of animals...I am off to Indiana to pick up my new little fur baby as we speak! I can't wait for everyone to meet her, and I won't even show you everything I went out and bought her yesterday. You would think this was an actual child coming home! Ha! Pictures to come...

Wild Things: Brights


















Click on the pictures below to view this decor pack in my TPT shop. 




Wild Things: Traditional


















If this is your style, click on the pictures below to snag this decor pack in my TPT shop. 



Alright...only 11 more hours to travel. Can you sense my excitement?!? ;) 

Xoxo! 


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