First, congratulations are in order. The winner of the signed Finn Finds a Friend is: Julie Rowan-Zoch Sometimes when you least expect it, you find exactly what you're looking for. I know there have been times when, searching for something, I swear I looked in the exact spot minutes ago where I found the item. Gnomes, pixies, house elves or just great camouflage? Can't be old age, as my kids have had the same problem. Talking about "hiding in plain sight." I finally found the Tawny Frogmouth Owl in our zoo. Although it supposedly roosts near the trail, free-roaming in an aviary, it remained hidden. Finally, this fall, I found it, perfectly blended into the bark of the tree. How to Find an E
Who hasn't missed something "right before their eyes?" That clue to a friend's feelings, the thing you're missing and just set down - somewhere, or perhaps that opportunity that you just didn't see. When I first saw the cover, I fell in love with How to Find an Elephant. I am honored to have the privilege to interview Kate Banks, who has won many awards, including the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for her picture book And If the Moon Could Talk. Kate lives in Europe, with her husband and sons. She's written everything from picture books to YA novels. As a second career, she's a certified hypnotist and practicing regression therapist. In addition, she "love[s] playing the piano, doing pottery,
While writers are often told to ask "what if?" or mash together two unlikely things, I find it interesting that Jenna's husband spurred this book, by asking her what if the sharks off the coast just wanted to find a friend. Check out her interview from this Monday - https://www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/2017/11/06/The-Picture-Book-Buzz---Interview-with-Jenna-Grodzicki. When I first heard the premise of a shark wanting to find a friend, I remembered the sharks in FINDING NEMO and their support group slogan - "Fish are friends, not food." Since those guys were adorable, as they struggled with their predator nature, I was curious to see how a lemon shark could finally convince a sea creatu
If you know me, or have looked around my website, you'll guess that I love spending time outdoors. I have hiked, camped, and explored most of the National Parks in the western U.S. Many of my favorite, and not so favorite (leaking tent camper and a long gravel road), memories occurred when I spent time with my family outdoors. So, when Scholastic asked if I would be interested in books on National Parks - how could I resist? Scholastic has created two new, nonfiction nature series exploring the history (both human and geologic) of the U.S. National Parks, the animals and plants found there, and the unique features that make each park special. I had the opportunity to examine and compare the
My love of the ocean came from my grandparents. They lived in Seaside, Oregon and I spent many summers and holidays living on the beach - playing in the surf, collecting seashells & sand dollars, and climbing rocks. The crash of waves and the varied motions of the surf still enthrall and relax me. Although I never saw a shark off the Oregon Coast, a good friend encountered one and kept his surfboard, with a shark bite out of the end, as a souvenir. Today, I am excited to share with you my talk with Connecticut author Jenna Grodzicki. A former librarian, her newest picture book, Finn Finds a Friend, wonders whether a shark could be lonely and just seeking friends. Hmm, what an interesting que
I love when seemingly simple picture and board books offer the potential to teach a science lesson, open a world of understanding, or show us that we are not alone. In her interview on Monday, Lisa Mantchev stated "in Narwhal, the main character might be someone who has mobility issues or suffers from agoraphobia. The books become what the reader needs them to be." To me this is the essence of literature and is not restricted to classics or novels. This book offers numerous ways for readers to connect with the story - such as friendship, disability, addressing fears, and perhaps pet care. Someday, Narwhal Author: Lisa Mantchev Illustrator: Hyewon Yum Publisher: Simon & Schuster (2017) Ages:
