More, more, more: Three Little Engines

Empathy and compassion versus self-interest and personal success. Bob McKinnon's Three Little Engines brings a new perspective to The Little Engine That Could who has taught us for 90 years that the road to success is self belief. The journey isn't the same for all, and we can look about and help others forward as we have also been helped at times. 

Illustrations by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson are unique while they echo the older picture book. Fun patterns can be found in flattened shapes in rolling landscapes. 

Three Little Engines has reached the New York Times Bestseller list! Watch the recent CBS Sunday Morning interview here. Your first readers will cheer for all the engines as they learn a life lesson in care. The illustrators dedicate the work so beautifully: 

For all people who act for greater equitable good and say, "I know we can..."

Three Little Engines 

by Bob McKinnon 

illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson

Grosset & Dunlap, 2021

Who Was Babe Ruth? co-blogger Joan Holub's new release

Just in time for baseball season, I'm celebrating the release of my new chapter book biography! I'm a huge biography fan, so I thoroughly enjoy writing for Grosset & Dunlap's "Who Was" series. Also known as the "big head" biography series because of the striking cover illustrations. You can see a nice assortment of the titles in a face-out display at Barnes & Noble in the children's section.

Babe Ruth came from a poor Baltimore family and, as a kid, he was a handful. It was at a reform school that he discovered his talent for baseball, and by the age of nineteen, he was on his way to becoming a sports legend. Babe was often out of shape and even more often out on the town, but he had a big heart and an even bigger swing! Kids will learn all about the Home Run King in this rags-to-riches sports biography. With black-and-white illustrations throughout.
This is my 4th title in the series for ages 7-11:
Who Was Johnny Appleseed?
Who Was Marco Polo?
Who Was Jim Henson?
Who Was Babe Ruth?

Drop a comment at joanholub.blogspot.com for a chance to win an autographed copy! Winner will be announced on my blog in the comments on or about January 19th. Please either leave a contact email or be sure to check back to see if you're the winner.

~ Joan

Totz Celebration: Who Was Jim Henson?

From time to time Lorie Ann and I celebrate our new books on readertotz. Today, I’m pleased to announce the release of my newest paperback chapter book biography in the “Who Was” series published by Grosset & Dunlap. Aka, the “big head” books. Just take a look at the cover to see how they got this nickname.

The new book is Who Was Jim Henson?

Answer: He was the man behind the Muppets. He was Kermit the frog. He was the heart and soul of Sesame Street. He was a private person. A silly, but serious one. A guy who loved his work, and who inspired others to be excited about puppetry. A man who wanted to make a difference.

Jim Henson died twenty years ago at age 53.

This is my third in the WW series, and I’m currently working on a fourth. I like this series because the books are written in a brisk, kid-friendly way, and they include factual sidebars with information about things kids really want to know. I read every biography on the shelf in my elementary school library (starting with the girl ones), and remain forever a biography fan. Biographies rock!

Some other cool books about Jim Henson:
Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination
Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook

Who Was Jim Henson?

Ages 7-12

Grosset & Dunlap, paperback

Author: Joan Holub