There is so much to be gained from sketching speakers at conferences, and while I enjoy being there in person the virtual sessions allow a much better closeup for features. I enjoyed myself immensely this year!
SCBWI Big Five Oh Conference Sketches
Julie Rowan-Zoch
PPBF: The Snail and the Whale and a WINNER!
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Dial, 2004
Age: 3-8
Themes: snails, whales, stories in rhyme
Opening: see opening page below image of title page.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Wanting to sail beyond its rock, a tiny snail hitches a ride on a big humpback whale and then is able to help the whale when it gets stuck in the sand.
I like this book because: it’s such fun to read aloud, written so well that one doesn’t stumble trying! And the vocabulary for younger kids (as well as for people like me!) is exhilarating! The story is so heartwarming and humorous, and the illustrations are rich – I love when an illustrator can use a lot of black for drama! Yes, this book needs no boosting from me, but a reminder of a good book to pull out for pure enjoyment is always welcome!
Resources/activities: The relationship between the two main characters may not be a real-life symbiotic relationship, but there are numerous in nature – would be fun to lest ones we know and research more. Have kids write a poem – in rhyme or not – about a symbiotic relationship.
For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
And now for the winner of LOUIS’s #picturebookpicnic giveaway is… ptnozell, better known as Patricia, Head Cheerleader of Picture Books!!! Thanks to everyone who participated! It was such fun to share picnics – and a few cupcakes!
Day 5 #picturebookpicnic giveaway
LOUIS will be celebrating World Picnic Day with picnics and his picture book friends – and stuffies – all WEEK! I’ll post pictures on Instagram where anyone (in the US) can comment – on any of the week’s posts – for a chance to win. Deadline is Thursday, 6/24/21 12pm MDT. Winner will be announced on the next Perfect Picture Book Friday!
Back in a secluded spot in the garden in honor of Miss Olivia’s birthday (see photo in the photo)! Invited stuffies: Livvy’s dragon, Livvy’s horse, Livvy’s birdie and kangaroo! LOUIS picked all the books for their splash of red on the cover (wonder why?!) and the book Olivia had wanted read over, and over, and over!
Ada’s Ideas, by Fiona Robinson, Harry N. Abrams, 2016: A picture book biography of mathematician Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, by the award-winning author/illustrator Fiona Robinson
Hello, Lighthouse, by Sophie Blackall, Little Brown, 2018: Explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper.
Go Show the World, by Wab Kinew illus. by Joe Morse, Tundra, 2018: Go Show the World is a tribute to historic and modern-day Indigenous heroes, featuring important figures such as Tecumseh, Sacagawea and former NASA astronaut John Herrington. Celebrating the stories of Indigenous people throughout time, Wab Kinew has created a powerful rap song, the lyrics of which are the basis for the text in this beautiful picture book, illustrated by the acclaimed Joe Morse. Including figures such as Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Canadian NHL goalie Carey Price, Go Show the World showcases a diverse group of Indigenous people in the US and Canada, both the more well known and the not- so-widely recognized. Individually, their stories, though briefly touched on, are inspiring; collectively, they empower the reader with this message: “We are people who matter, yes, it’s true; now let’s show the world what people who matter can do”
Noah, Noasaurus, by Elaine Kiely Kearns and illus. by Colin Jack, Albert Whitman, 2019: Noah is in a grumpy mood and wants to be alone, but when his friends follow him around he cannot help but have fun.
A Porcupine Named Fluffy, Helen Lester, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, HMH, 1989: A porcupine named Fluffy is happier with his name after he meets a similarly misnamed rhinoceros.
*Book descriptions form my library’s catalog.
AND LOUIS is on SALE right now on Amazon: HERE! ★Don’t forget to enter by commenting for the GIVEAWAY on my Instagram page: @jrzoch
Flash Giveaway on Twitter!
Enter by midnight, 3/30 (PDT). It might not arrive on time but I will hop over to the PO and it will go out 4/1/21!!
Direct link: https://twitter.com/JulieRowanZoch/status/1376630404682158081?s=20
PPBF: Louis and Valentine cards
Author/Illustrator: Julie Rowan-Zoch (ME!)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020
Age: 3-7
Themes: teddy bears, frustration, friendship,
Summary: (from my library catalog) Tired of the “dangerous adventures” with his human boy, a teddy bear decides to run away but reconsiders when bedtime arrives.
Why the shameless self promotion: yes, it might be a bit much BUT I wanted to maximize the sharing of the ♥️ Valentine cards to print and color which Tom and I created in time for World Read Aloud Day (2.3.21). That’s it! ♥️ Go to HMH and click on the links to the right under “Available Resources”.
Resources/activities: print out and color 🎁 LOUiS’ Valentine cards and share; make a 🧸teddy with a small towel (see below); have a ☕️🫖 tea party with 🧁cupcakes and invite your friends and stuffed-ones; 🔖tag your most beloved stuffies with contact info; print out LOUiS activity sheets at HMH (click on the links on the right under “Available Resources”.)
For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
AND while I’m at it, here’s another nice review my upcoming book!
LOUIS ★starred review★!
A star from Kirkus! The review is in their August 15th issue – read the full review online now here.
This one in the August issue of SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
PreS-Gr 3–Louis is a teddy bear who has truly seen it all. And he’s a teddy bear who has had enough. He has been used and abused as a pillow, a hankie, and as lunch for a prehistoric beast. He’s been buried alive, thrown into a hurricane, hung out to dry, and has even been made an accessory to a nightmare-inducing crime! Lichtenheld lets readers know that Louis is ready to break free—but there is always a reason not to leave, and he’s going to need more cupcakes. Rowan-Zoch’s colorful and expressive illustrations complement Lichtenheld’s silly story and truly bring Louis the grumpy bear to life. Fans of the author’s Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site will delight in this enjoyable picture book. VERDICT 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.–Elizabeth Blake, Fields Corner Lib., Dorchester, MA
To pre-order: links on my Books page HERE and at Soaring 20s HERE!
Random Tandem with Catherine!
Julie skipped passed the billy goats and gave them her signature facial expression.
They laughed and said, Mornin’ Julie, good day to ya.
– Catherine M. Johnson
We are at it again! It’s been far too long since Catherine and I did a tandem post, pairing either drawing, paintings, or verse – or all of the above! This time Catherine suggested the animal and the gesture. Come to think of it, I think Catherine has made most of the suggestions, and I have profited from them immensely. Some have gone on to become full fledged picture book manuscripts. Fingers crossed that it happens again!
I also had to nab this painting of Catherine’s (off Instagram) to show you too. I love the colors and its sweet hugable face!
PPBF: Zoozical
Illustrator: Marc Brown
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011
Genre: fiction
Themes: rhyme, talent show, zoo animals
Age Level: 3-8
Opening: One blustery morning, when frosty winds blew, When families stayed home, and when field trips were few, The midwinter doldrums arrived at the zoo.
Synopsis: When the winter doldrums arrive at the zoo, a very small hippo and a young kangaroo decide to stage a ZooZical, to display their singing, dancing, acrobatic, and other talents to the people of Springfield.
Why I like this book: This book had me with the end papers! Simple line drawings and coarse (yet not itchy!) textures compliment such funny rhymes : Then the snakes (by mistake) tied themselves up in knots. Ocelots lost their spots.
For more posts on Perfect Picture Books and resources visit Susanna Hill’s blog every Friday.
PPBF: The Twin’s Blanket
Author/Illustrator: Publisher: Frances Foster Books, Farrar Strauss Giroux 2011
Genre: fiction
Themes: twins, sisters, blankets, sharing, individuality
Age Level: 3 and up
Opening: We’re look-alike twins. That means we look like each other. That means we share everything.
Synopsis: Told from their POV, five year old twin girls, who have always shared everything, sleep in separate beds with their own blankets for the first time.
Resource/Activity: Project Linus: strives to offer comfort for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.
Why I like this book: I love the mother’s creative solution (isn’t that what makes a good mother – resourcefulness?!), and the simple and beautifully colored illustrations. Also one of School Library Journal’s Best Picture Books of 2011.
For more posts on Perfect Picture Books and resources visit Susanna Hill’s blog every Friday.
IF: Suspend
julie rowan-zoch 