Books

 I’M A HARE, SO THERE! released in March 2021 with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Signed copies may be requested in the comment section of an order here – Old Firehouse Books; download Activity Sheets

“For anyone a bit hazy on the differences between a rabbit and a hare, a tortoise and a turtle, or, for that matter, a hog and a javelina, this cactus-country confab begins to clear things up.”—Booklist

“This clever rumination on the differences between commonly mixed-up animals is a sneakily educational readaloud.” – The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Animated and educational”; “Snappy back-and-forth paired with repetition and occasional rhyme enhances the story’s appeal as a read-aloud.‘ – Kirkus

“This humorous and informative book’s prickly main character is tired of being misidentified. “Rabbit?…I’m no Flopsy, Mopsy, or Cottontail. I’m a hare. H-A-R-E, hare!” Over the course of the brief, punchy (literally), dialogue-driven story, readers learn some differences between the two related species: for example, hares are larger: “Bigger ears, bigger feet. Check out my toes!” While relating this information to a ground squirrel—whom Hare rudely misnames “Chipmunk”—the self-obsessed leporid completely misses the fact that a predator is stalking them both. No matter; our pugnacious protagonist knocks out “Jackal” (really a coyote, as Chippie reveals) and moseys off into the sunset. No lessons were learned, or character flaws overcome, but readers should get some basic species knowledge and a few laughs. The Sonoran Desert–set digital spreads feature sandy-hued foregrounds, with plenty of wide-open sky. The main characters are outlined in strong black, with an appended search-and-find game challenging viewers to identify additional creatures in the book. A “Similar but Not the Same” page gives brief info about other oft-mistaken pairs: frogs and toads, turtles and tortoises, javelinas and hogs, and more.” -The Horn Book

LOUIS is OUT in the wild now, thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; downloadable activity sheets HERE. Signed copies may be requested in the comment section of an order here – Old Firehouse Books . “Paper doll” Halloween Costumes to download, print, and color in this post.

★ “Like a faithful teddy, sure to become a favorite for many readers.”—Kirkus, STARRED review

“Lichtenheld’s first-person narration is just the right amount of cranky, rendering Louis as both sympathetic (he does get thrown in the washing machine, after all) and clueless as to how good he has it.”—Publishers Weekly

“Rowan-Zoch’s colorful and expressive illustrations complement Lichtenheld’s silly story and truly bring Louis the grumpy bear to life…. Perfect for read-alouds or one-on-one sharing, this is a laugh-out-loud spin on a would-be runaway’s best-laid plans.”—School Library Journal

TRAILER

Sign up to have me read to your class on World Read Aloud Day, Wed., Feb.3, 2021 – HERE

LOUIS is OUT in the wild now, thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; downloadable activity sheets HERE. Signed copies may be requested in the comment section of an order here – Old Firehouse Books . “Paper doll” Halloween Costumes to download, print, and color in this post.

 

 

YOU’RE HERE! , YOU’RE ONE! and YOU’RE TWO!

published in October 2014 with Bailiwick Press