"A windy day.
A brand-new kite.
For Penguin Blue
a maiden flight.
The kite so high. The wind so strong.
It's pulling Penguin Blue along."
And so begins the adventure!
Blown Away
by Rob Biddulph
Harper, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Poetry Friday: Blown Away
Happy Poetry Friday! Look at this cutie and consider adding it to your collection!
"A windy day.
A brand-new kite.
For Penguin Blue
a maiden flight.
The kite so high. The wind so strong.
It's pulling Penguin Blue along."
And so begins the adventure!
Blown Away
by Rob Biddulph
Harper, 2015
"A windy day.
A brand-new kite.
For Penguin Blue
a maiden flight.
The kite so high. The wind so strong.
It's pulling Penguin Blue along."
And so begins the adventure!
Blown Away
by Rob Biddulph
Harper, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Giveaway! Autographed Mini Myths board books for preschoolers.
Giving away 4 autographed Mini Myths board books
by readertotz co-founder, Joan Holub,
illustrated by Leslie Patricelli, creator of Yummy Yucky
and other amazing board books.
Please do this to enter:
"Like" readertotz on Facebook
"Like" Joan Holub and Lorie Ann Grover on Facebook
Drop a quick comment here on this post.
Entry rules:
Must be over 18. Must like books! :o)
USA only.
2 randomly chosen winners each receive 2 autographed Mini Myths books (author's choice).
Winners names posted here and notified via email (if email provided).
Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with any social networking site. Ends June 10th.
Good luck!
Friday, May 22, 2015
Poetry Friday: Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
Celebrate Poetry Friday with Vern Kousky's delightful owl, Otto. A secret poet eventually scorned, he finds his voice with the realization that, "Poetry should be shared with everyone." He quotes T.S. Eliot, Joyce Kilmer, and more, while writing his own words. "The more the owls listen, the less they feel like laughing."
"Dear Moon, you must be lonely
so high up in the sky.
I'm sure your heart's so heavy,
sometimes you want to cry."
Enjoy Otto the Bard, today!
Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
Vern Kousky
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015
Thursday, May 21, 2015
More, more, more: Before After
I love this book! Leaving it out on the coffee table, I've seen it engage all ages, totz to seniors. The wordless imagery usually plays across a spread, revealing a "before and after" scene, situation, or object. The touch of humor, or seriousness, and clean illustrations with a gentle palette sustain the page turns. Occasionally a full spread follows a full spread enhancing the beat of the book.
From acorn to tree, to more complicated strings echoing subjects: squid to ink, pigeon to quill pen, quill pen to typewriter, pigeon to airmail letter, the reader is engaged. Pick up this work and be caught between the profound and daily "before and afters." This work deserved a major award.
Before After
by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui
Candlewick Press, 2014
Monday, May 18, 2015
Guinea Pig Party: Holly Surplice
Counting with a troop of guinea pigs is a delight! What better place than in a party. From ten to one, the party winds down, yet when one wishes really hard for his friends again, the guinea pig party twirls into action.
Holly Surplice's pig party introduces counting backwards, patterns, active verbs, and bright colors. It's a little gem to celebrate or get a party going. Share it with your totz!
Guinea Pig Party
by Holly Surplice
Nosy Crow, 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015
#Giveaway The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations
Happy National Photo Month to everyone! I'm honored to be included in this excellent collection of poetry, highlighting celebrations: The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations. The contributors and compilers have created a treasure to inspire appreciation for poetry and days of joy.
"Like" readertotz on Facebook, drop a comment on the link relating to this post, and you'll be entered to win either a Teacher Edition or Child Edition. (Note if you are a teacher or librarian!)
Here is my poem to enjoy as you click those selfies this month!
You can visit Poetry Celebrations to see 12 more things to party about in May. Shout out to Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell for editing, supporting, and impacting the world through poetry!
The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations
Teacher/Librarian Edition
Children's Edition
edited by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell
Pomelo Books, 2015
"Like" readertotz on Facebook, drop a comment on the link relating to this post, and you'll be entered to win either a Teacher Edition or Child Edition. (Note if you are a teacher or librarian!)
Here is my poem to enjoy as you click those selfies this month!
You can visit Poetry Celebrations to see 12 more things to party about in May. Shout out to Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell for editing, supporting, and impacting the world through poetry!
The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations
Teacher/Librarian Edition
Children's Edition
edited by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell
Pomelo Books, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Recommends from Books Around the Table
I love it when Joan and I review the same books on readertotz. We live across the country from each other, and we work fairly independently on totz as we write our own works. So if you see a book reviewed twice you can believe we recommend it! i.e. the last two Harry posts!
In place of a review this week, I want to redirect everyone to Books Around the Table. Author/Illustrator Laura Kvasnosky looks over her new grandson's collection of board books and is heartened by what she finds. Enjoy!
In place of a review this week, I want to redirect everyone to Books Around the Table. Author/Illustrator Laura Kvasnosky looks over her new grandson's collection of board books and is heartened by what she finds. Enjoy!