The Music in George’s Head
George heard music all the time. At home. At school Even when he was roller-skating down New York’s busy streets. … More The Music in George’s Head
George heard music all the time. At home. At school Even when he was roller-skating down New York’s busy streets. … More The Music in George’s Head
For today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday selection, I’m sharing one of my favorite biographies. Now three years old, it still stands as a primo example of a biography for kids. Title: Star Stuff, Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos Written and Illustrated by: Stephanie Roth Sisson Roaring Brook Press, 2014, biography Suitable for … More Star Stuff, Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos
Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday choice is about an amazing woman who, from a young age, has had the strength to stand up for what’s right. This seems the perfect time to share Justice Ginsburg’s story. … More I Dissent, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
Some Fridays, I share middle grade titles. Others, I share picture books. Today, I offer a special combo – a middle grade biography filled with pictures. Check it out! Title: Some Writer! The Story of E.B.White Written and Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet Hougton Miflin Harcourt, biography 2016, 176 pp. Suitable for ages: 7-10 Lexile: 1030 … More Some Writer!
An incredibly interesting and engaging book… Title: Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras Written and illustrated by: Duncan Tonatiuh Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015, biography, 40 pages Suitable for ages: 6-10 (and older) Themes/topics: art, Mexico, Day of the Dead Opening: Skeletons riding bicycles…skeletons wearing fancy hats…skeletons dancing and strumming … More Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
Writing a picture book biography? Follow the dream! … More Mining for Heart: “Follow the Dream,” by Nancy Churnin
PPBF: Six Dots. Another gem from Jen Bryant. She’s amazing! … More Six Dots
When anyone can look up anything, what makes a story different than a Wikipedia entry? What is it that lingers after a child reads a book, bringing new perspective and inspiring thinking? To me, that’s heart, the most essential and difficult part of writing. It’s a thread that you won’t find in the research, but something that comes from the research. It might hit ten seconds before sleep, during a walk, while reading something entirely unrelated, or may never surface at all. Barb Rosenstock, author of a number of picture book biographies, calls it the “So What?” … More Mining for Heart: “Writing a Picture Book Biography? So What?” by Barb Rosenstock
Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post features a man of seemingly endless talents, author /illustrator Don Tate. Looking forward to meeting him at the WOW retreat and learning about his process, with text and art! Title: It Jes’ Happened, When Bill Traylor Started to Draw Written by: Don Tate Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie Lee and … More It Jes’ Happened and more from Don Tate
Another WOW Retreat author is Audrey Vernick. She’s definitely a baseball fan and writes nonfiction as well as fiction picture books. Title: The Kid From Diamond Street, the Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton Written by: Audrey Vernick Illustrated by: Steven Salerno Clarion, HMH, 2016, biography Suitable for ages: 4-7 (easily extends to age 10) … More The Kid From Diamond Street and other Audrey Vernick favorites