Imagine That: How Dr. Seuss Wrote The Cat in the Hat by Judy Sierra - A Mom Monday Review

A Mom Monday Review

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Author: Judy Sierra

Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes

Publication Date:  12 September, 2017

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Series:  Standalone

Genre:  Children's Biography

Age Recommendation: 4 and Up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

A lively new picture-book biography of the most beloved children's book author of all time: Dr. Seuss! 

Have you ever wondered how the great Dr. Seuss wrote his most famous book? Did you know that for The Cat in the Hat, he wasn't allowed to make up the fun words he was known for--like OOBLECK and IT-KUTCH and HIPPO-NO-HUNGUS? He was only allowed to use words from a very strict list!

This bouncy account of the early career of Dr. Seuss (a.k.a. Ted Geisel) proves that sometimes limitations can be the best inspiration of all.

Kid-friendly prose (with Seussian rhyme for Ted's dialogue) and whimsical illustrations by award winner Kevin Hawkes recall the work of Dr. Seuss himself. Writing tips from Dr. Seuss and exclusive letters from the author and illustrator, detailing how they created this book, are included!

My Review:

I love a book who's description starts with 'Have you ever wondered...', there is just something about those four words that will hook me, and honestly my children, every time.  Now 'IMAGINE THAT' it said "Have you ever wondered how the great Dr. Seuss....stop right there! Do you honestly need any more?  Have I ever wondered ANYTHING about Dr. Seuss, more like have I ever wondered EVERYTHING about Dr. Seuss!  Dr. Seuss is I believe for most of us likely to have been the very first author we ever read all by ourselves, his books told us, showed up that we can do it, WE CAN READ with out help. He is likely the start of many of our book obsessions and honesty you never grow out of loving a Dr. Seuss book, his books call to me even to this day, if I see one I can't walk by with out picking it up and flipping through the pages.  A Dr. Seuss book can brighten us on our dark days, will make us laugh and smile even if you have read the book a hundred times...I could go on and on, but this isn't a review of Dr. Seuss himself but of a little biography about a point in Dr. Seuss life and how this one little book of his that was a great big challenge ultimately has changed all of our lives forever.  

Imagine That is a wonderful children's biography revolving around the development of Dr. Seuss's iconic The Cat in the Hat.  Did you ever wonder how or why The Cat in the Hat came to be, did you know that The Cat in the Hat changed everything about the way children learn to read.  Did you know that Dr. Seuss and The Cat in the Hat have a favorite accessory in common?  Did you know that Dr Seuss, of all people, had to follow special word rules when writing The Cat in the Hat?  I loved this book for all the little tidbits and history that it gave me in a a mere 40 pages, and not only that but the wonderfully inviting art on the pages.  

I loved that this little biography about Dr. Seuss and The Cat in the Hat is more that just facts, there is an underlying story of never giving up.  A tale for children to read and be reminded that things are not always going to be easy but if they put their mind and heart into it they can accomplish great things.  It is a book that would be the perfect fit for any budding writer, little or big.  It is a fantastic book to have in your classrooms, I'd say from Pre-K to 3rd grade and on library shelves for any age.  It is the perfect book to read during Read Across America. What better book to add to your Dr. Seuss collection than a wonderfully written and illustrated story about how Dr. Seuss wrote and changed our reading lives with The Cat and the Hat!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

I took the long-cut to being an author. Out of college I did temporary work in offices and libraries, while at night, I wrote poetry and made strange life forms from cloth. When I teamed up with a puppeteer, Bob Kaminski (my husband), I was able to bring my cloth creations to life. We began performing on the streets of San Francisco, at Renaissance fairs, and at schools. After attending a workshop on Balinese shadow puppetry, we traveled to Bali and Java to learn ancient techniques from modern masters, and we adapted material from American folklore to the shadow screen. I became so fascinated by the power of ancient myth and folktale to engage a modern audience that I enrolled in the Folklore and Mythology Program at UCLA, where I received my Ph.D. While I was a student there, I attended a talk by the author-illustrator Uri Shulevitz, and heard him say that a picture book is like a small theater. A puppet theater is also a small theater, I thought. I can do that! My first children's books were adaptations of folktales, and soon, I was able to incorporate my lifelong habit of writing poetry into my work.

Currently (Spring 2014), I live in Eugene, Oregon, with my husband. I divide my writing time between children's books and a long term project on folktales, grandmothers and cultural evolution.

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Kevin Hawkes is the illustrator of over 35 acclaimed picture books and chapter books including Library Lion, The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, Weslandia, and Sidewalk Circus. His vibrant colors, unusual perspectives, an dry sense of humor are hallmarks of his work. He lives with his charming wife and children in Southern Maine where he is often found wandering aimlessly in his garden. When forced indoors, he works quite happily painting cobalt blue skies, imaginary landscapes, and flying pianos.

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Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl - A Mom Monday Review and Giveaway

 A Mom Monday Review:

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Author: Roald Dahl

Publication Date:  Reissue 2002

Publisher: Puffin Books

Series:  StandAlone

Genre:  Children's Poetry, Humor

Age Recommendation: 4 and up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Roald Dahl's inimitable style and humor shine in this collection of poems about mischievous and mysterious animals. From Stingaling the scorpion to Crocky-Wock the crocodile, Dahl's animals are nothing short of ridiculous. A clever pig with an unmentionable plan to save his own bacon and an anteater with an unusually large appetite are among the characters created by Dahl in these timeless rhymes. This new, larger edition is perfect for reading aloud and makes Quentin Blake's celebrated illustrations even more enjoyable.

My Review:

What a fun book to have a chance to review, but at the same time quite difficult to do.  My favorite thing about this book is the old world feel to it.  It reminds me greatly of a Grimm's fairytale or an Aesop's Fable: a bit harsh, a bit shocking, quite a bit scary, an important lesson to learn, but with Dirty Beasts we also get more than a bit funny!

I will say that as a parent or teacher you may want to read Dirty Beasts on your own first before sharing it with your child(ren) or classroom.  Dirty Beasts is fun and witty, but it is also a tad harsh and could be scary for little ones.  You've got a pig realizing his fate and let's just say he doesn't take it lying down. There's an anteater who after being severely neglected by a greedy and selfish child finally gets to eat and well, there's some confusion over the words ant and aunt.  In each of these tales is a little bit of a lesson to be learned...once you get over your gasps and giggles.  The pig will make you think about what you eat, where your food comes from...if you're on the fence about vegetarianism it may push you over. The anteater, reminds you of several points, 1. Grammar is important, 2. Animal neglect is animal cruelty. When you get a pet you have a responsibility to care for it. and 3. Greed and selfishness are unbecoming and undesirable traits.

There are 9 animals in all

The Pig
The Crocodile
The Lion
The Scorpion
The Ant-Eater
The Porcupine
The Cow
The Toad and The Snail
The Tummy Beast (I am still not entirely sure what that one was, haha)

and each poem is between 2-4 pages.  I can say that I loved each one, I started reading them on my own and then began laughing so hard I had to 'hunt' down the husband and read them to him. Once he was giggling my girls came running to see what was going on and stayed and listened while I read the entire book.  There were a few shocked face moments and quite a lot of laughter, but the best part was when I was done they grabbed the book from hands and raced upstairs to their room where I could hear them laughing as they went back through all the poems again.  I am definitely going to add it into our school curriculum this year and go through each poem to make sure they learn the lesson in each one.  Luckily for all of us they poems and pictures are so fun that reading them again will be no hardship.

The book will also give you a chance to talk about how our society has changed since the poems were first written.  There are a few moments here and there that as adults we might cringe (for example in the Flying Cow poem some one is called a filthy foreigner) but we must remember that this book was not originally published in 2002, Mr. Dahl published Dirty Beasts in 1983, times have changed.  So keep a light heart and if you find there is something that causes you concern in the way the book portrays someone use it as a learning moment for yourself or your children....Dirty Beasts is full of learning moments for everyone all while having fun.

Overall Dirty Beasts is a truly fun little book.  You can sit and read the entire thing in around 15 minutes or like I mentioned I will be doing, you can take each poem and break it down into a lesson.  Remember that some of the poems can be a bit scary so I would use caution when reading to your youngest readers, you don't want to give them nightmares, in fact I would steer clear of this as night time reading in general; at least if you do be prepared to read something more soothing before lights out.  It really is a genuinely delightful read, the verse is smooth and light even when the topic may not be, the pictures are fun, I like how the illustrator stuck to more of a water color palate allowing the words to be the brightest colors in your mind as you read.  Dirty Beasts is a great place to start on what will become a journey of love through Roald Dahl's stories and is a wonderful addition to any school or home library!

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Giveaway:

(1 winner can pick 5 books from the Roald Dahl collection! US Only.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About ROALD DAHL:

Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was one of the world’s most imaginative, successful and beloved storytellers. He was born in Wales of Norwegian parents and spent much of his childhood in England. After establishing himself as a writer for adults with short story collections such as Kiss Kiss and Tales of the Unexpected, Roald Dahl began writing children's stories in 1960 while living with his family in both the U.S. and in England. His first stories were written as entertainment for his own children, to whom many of his books are dedicated.

Roald Dahl’s first children’s story, The Gremlins, was a story about little creatures that were responsible for the various mechanical failures on airplanes. The Gremlins came to the attention of both First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who loved to read the story to her grandchildren, and Walt Disney, with whom Roald Dahl had discussions about the production of a movie.

Roald Dahl was inspired by American culture and by many of the most quintessential American landmarks to write some of his most memorable passages, such as the thrilling final scenes in James and the Giant Peach - when the peach lands on the Empire State Building! Upon the publication of James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl began work on the story that would later be published as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and today, Roald Dahl’s stories are available in 58 languages and, by a conservative estimate, have sold more than 200 million copies.

Roald Dahl also enjoyed great success for the screenplays he wrote for both the James Bond film You Only Live Twice in 1967 and for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released one year later, which went on to become a beloved family film. Roald Dahl’s popularity continues to increase as his fantastic novels, including James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The BFG, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, delight an ever-growing legion of fans.

Two charities have been founded in Roald Dahl’s memory: the first charity, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, created in 1991, focuses on making life better for seriously ill children through the funding of specialist nurses, innovative medical training, hospitals, and individual families across the UK.

The second charity, The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre – a unique cultural, literary and education hub – opened in June 2005 in Great Missenden where Roald Dahl lived and wrote many of his best-loved works. 10% of income from Roald Dahl books and adaptations are donated to the two Roald Dahl charities.

On September 13, 2006, the first national Roald Dahl Day was celebrated, on what would have been the author’s 90th birthday. The event proved such a success that Roald Dahl Day is now marked annually all over the world. September 13, 2016 is Roald Dahl 100, marking 100 years since the birth of the world’s number one storyteller. There will be celebrations for Roald Dahl 100 throughout 2016, delivering a year packed with gloriumptious treats and surprises for everyone.

Official Website

Blog Tour

9/12 Fiction Fare Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes www.fictionfare.com

9/13 Nicole's Novel Reads The Missing Golden Ticket and Other Splendiferous Secrets http://nicolesnovelreads.blogspot.com

9/14 Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile Skin and Other Stories rantsandravesofabibliophile.wordpress.com

9/15 Intellectual Recreation Love From Boy http://www.intellectualrecreation.com

9/16 KellyVision More About Boy Kellyvision.wordpress.com

9/17 One Night Book Stand Revolting Rhymes https://onenightbookstandblog.wordpress.com

9/18 The Quiet Concert The Minpins http://thequietconcert.blogspot.com/

9/19 Reads All the Books Dirty Beasts http://www.ReadeAlltheBooks.com

9/20 Here's to Happy Endings The Enormous Crocodile http://www.herestohappyendings.com

9/21 He Said Books or Me D is for Dahl Hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com

9/22 Dizneeee's World of Books The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More http://dizneeeesworldofbooks.blogspot.com

9/23 The Innocent Smiley The Vicar of Nibbleswick www.theinnocentsmiley.com

9/24 PaperTrailYa Esio Trot PaperTrailYA.co.uk

9/25 Emily Reads Everything Danny, The Champion of the World Www.emilyreadseverything.com

9/26 Writing My Own Fairy Tale George's Marvelous Medicine Http://www.writingmyownfairytale.com

9/27 Rebelle Reads Fantastic Mr. Fox rebellereads.blogspot.com

9/28 Quest Reviews Going Solo http://www.questreviews.com

9/29 Mundie Kids Charlie and the Chocolate Factory http://www.mundiekids.blogspot.com

9/30 Stuck In Books Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator http://stuckinbooks.com

10/1 No BS Book Reviews Matilda http://nobsbookreviews.com

10/2 Novelgossip The Twits https://novelgossip.com

10/3 Forever Bookish Boy: Tales of Childhood foreverbookish.com

10/4 Miranda's Book Blog The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me https://mirandasbookreviews.blogspot.com

10/5 I Turn the Pages The BFG www.iturnthepages.com

10/6 The Irish Banana Review The Witches http://theirishbanana.blogspot.com

10/7 Actin' Up with Books The Magic Finger http://actinupwithbooks.blogspot.com

10/8 Swoony Boys Podcast James and the Giant Peach http://www.swoonyboyspodcast.com 

Bug Zoo by Andy Harkness - A Mom Monday Review

Mom Monday Review

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Author: Andy Harkness

Publication Date:  16 February, 2016

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Series:  Stand-alone

Genre:  Children's Picture Book
Age Recommendation: 3 and up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Ben loves bugs: armored, teeny, leggy, greenie, floaty, wingy, jumpy, springy bugs! After a trip to the city zoo, Ben collects all of the bugs he can find and sets up a bug zoo. He couldn't be happier--but what about his bugs?

Gloria's (6) Review:

" I really liked it a lot.  One reason I like it is the part about the bug zoo because I like some bugs a lot.  The pictures are pretty and I like that Ben tries to take care of all the bugs by feeding them.  The Luna moth part is my favorite part because the luna moth is pretty.  My favorite picture is when Ben is watching all his bugs when he lets them go.  Can I sit on the roof at night and watch bugs?  I wish there were more bug plans on the back instead of the same plans on the front. One day we should try the plans mom."  

"I think that Ben is a nice boy because he likes bugs and stuff and he tries to make them happy and lets them go."

Mom's Review:

I really enjoyed sharing this book with my youngest daughter.  The pictures are colorful and eye-catching while being soft at the same time making it perfect for bedtime reading.  Each page has so much going on it will surely keep your youngest listeners/readers engaged with out over stimulating them right before bedtime.  

This is an easy read for both parents (not stumbling over words, yea) and for young readers.  It is especially wonderful for those children who have a keen interest in bugs, but will also (as proven by my 10 year old) keep the attention of the most bug wary.  I enjoyed the concept and story, the learning moment that we can love things but we also have to allow them to be free.  I think it is a story that will resonate on many different levels for people.  As an educator you can use this book as just a fun read but also use it to start a basic dialogue on the virtues of freedom.   I think that is perhaps my as 'the mom' favorite part about this book, that I can take it as simply a gorgeously illustrated enjoyable story or I can stretch it's story to encompass something greater, to use it as a larger part of a learning experience for the youngest of readers/listeners.

I also really enjoyed the little 'field notes' that Ben leaves inside the cover of the book.  I know that both my daughters will be wanting to try them all out (even my bug wary child), I do wish like my 6 year old that the theme had followed onto the back inside cover with different 'field notes' just so we would have more interesting facts and experiments to have fun with.   

This is a great book for parents and Pre-K through First grade teachers to have on their shelf.  Your children will easily get lost in the art work and you will have a fun and meaningful story to share with them.  

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

  

Andy Harkness is an illustrator and Art Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios.  He is also the illustrator of one of my favorite short story animations, The Ballad of Nessie.  You can find him at:

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Simon Thorn and The Wolf's Den by Aimée Carter - A Mom Monday Review and Giveaway!

A MOM MONDAY REVIEW 

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 The Book Depository

Author: Aimée Carter

Publication Date:  2 February 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Series:  Simon Thorn, book 1

Genre:  Middle Grade Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 8 and up

Rating: 5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

A thrilling debut in the tradition of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull about a boy who discovers a secret race of animal shape shifters.

Twelve-year-old Simon Thorn’s life has never been easy or normal, but things like being bullied at school and living in a cramped Manhattan apartment with his Uncle Darrell are nothing compared to his biggest secret: He can talk to animals.

But when his mom is suddenly kidnapped by a herd of rats, Simon finds out that he, his mom, and his uncle are all Animalgams—people born with the ability to change into an animal at will.

In search of his mom, Simon discovers the Animalgam Academy based at the Central Park Zoo. There he learns about the fractured five kingdoms that make up this secret world . . . and realizes he may be the only one who can save it.

This action-packed page-turner is perfect for fans of the Spirit Animals and The School of Good and Evil series.

The Animalgam Academy

My Review:

I first read Aimée Carter when I picked up her Young Adult series The Goddess Test which I promptly fell in love with so when I saw that she was putting out a Middle Grade Fantasy I jumped at the chance to review it and I am so glad that I did.  Simon Thorn and The Wolf's Den is a fantastic beginning to a series that is going to have middle grade readers enthralled and clamoring for the next book in the series.  

Simon is your everyday run of the mill kid.  His family life isn't with out it's challenges, his mom is away from home most of the time, he lives with his uncle who clearly loves him but has some interesting rules in regards to animals.  He's just trying to make it through middle school, he has a  best friend...who he really isn't his best friend anymore, and then there are the bully's at school that Simon is learning to deal with.  The thing is Simon for all his ordinariness isn't so ordinary after all....Simon can talk to animals and they talk back!   Then Simon's world really gets turned upside down after a fateful trip through the park on his way home from school. 

I really enjoy Simon as a character.  He's a genuinely likable hero who you begin rooting for on the first page.  Yes, he makes some infuriating choices at times, may be a bit quick to do things with out considering the consequences but what character doesn't really?  I love that he stays true to himself and stands up for himself and others.  He fights back when bullied and stands up for others, he loves his family with all his heart even when they keep secrets, huge secrets, and he does what he needs to do to protect them.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching Simon grow and love the fact that he has so much more to discover about himself and the world around him.

Simon Thorn and The Wolf's Den is a fast paced read that will keep readers glued to their chairs and turning pages.  There are just enough twists and turns to keep the excitement factor of the book high with out getting to carried away into complex concepts and intrigues.  It has a perfect gasp inducing cliff-hanger that will have parents saying "I knew it!" and kids saying "OH My Gosh! When is the next book coming out?" 

Aimée has left this book with a ton of 'wiggle' room for more discoveries and future story lines.  I am really looking forward to sharing this series with my girls for a long time to come.  This is a great read for any middle grade reader, even the youngest ones and especially for those readers that love fantasy.  I think this is a great transition series for early Middle Grade readers who enjoyed series' like Suzanne Selfors Imaginary Veterinary or Lucy Coats Beasts of Olympus. This is a great series to send them on their way into the older Middle Grade reads like Rick Riordans Percy Jackson, but it is also going to be a hit with those readers who have already delved into those 'bigger' books in the past.  

~ HAPPY READING ~

Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of SIMON THORN

US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aimée Carter was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. She is the author of several series, including The Goddess Test series, The Blackcoat Rebellion series, and the Simon Thorn series.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

2/1: The Book Cellar - Guest Post

2/2: Mundie Kids - Review

2/3: Bookwyrming Thoughts - Top 10

2/4: Writing My Own Fairytales - Review

2/5: Reading with ABC - Q&A

Week 2:

2/8: Reads All the Books - Review

2/9: Live Love Read - Guest Post

2/10: Night Owl Book Cafe - Review

2/11: Fangirl Confessions - Playlist

2/12: Avid Reader - Review

The Lost Heir by Tui T. Sutherland - A Mom Monday Reivew

MOM MONDAY

(As reviewed by Olivia, 10 years old)

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Author: Tui T. Sutherland
Publication Date: 1 January, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Series: Wings of Fire, book 2
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 7 and up
Rating: 4 Stars

Book Description:

The WINGS OF FIRE saga continues with a thrilling underwater adventure -- and a mystery that will change everything!

The lost heir to the SeaWing throne is going home at last...

She can’t believe it’s finally happening. Tsunami and her fellow dragonets of destiny are journeying under the water to the great SeaWing Kingdom. Stolen as an egg from the royal hatchery, Tsunami is eager to meet her future subjects and reunite with her mother, Queen Coral.

But Tsunami’s triumphant return doesn’t go quite the way she’d imagined. Queen Coral welcomes her with open wings, but a mysterious assassin has been killing off the queen's heirs for years, and Tsunami may be the next target. The dragonets came to the SeaWings for protection, but this ocean hides secrets, betrayal—and perhaps even death.

(Fan Art by Olivia to go with book 2, The Lost Heir)

Olivia's Review:

Tsunami is finally going home to the kingdom of the sea.  But she doesn't know what mysterious things have been happening, and Queen Coral, Tsunami's mother has had her daughters mysteriously destroyed in their eggs.  Tsunami is determined to save the last surviving egg and discovers secrets even her mother didn't know of.

I like the mysteries, they are very strange and can be a bit spooky at times, but also a story filled with magic and fun.  I can't wait for the next book, I just finished Escaping Peril.  I really want a book about Kinkajou.

I think that this book is a bit scary and readers should be prepared.  Also, beware of enchanted statues.

Bah Bah Buuuuumm!

Mom Says:

Really after she leaves you with a Bah Bah Buuuuumm I am not sure what else I can say, haha.  

A few things...the world building for The Kingdom of The Sea is fantastic.  Anytime a young reader can fully visualize the world they are reading about and get excited about it you know you have a winner.  One of my favorite things about this series in fact is it's ease at pulling in reluctant readers and turning them into book-a-holics.  

I like that in this series each book gives us the point of view of a different Dragonet, but continues with the main original characters each fighting their own battles and working together to discover their world and find their way. 

As with the first book there are some moments that may be more difficult for sensitive readers, particularly one moment that involves Tsunami's father.  There are not too many scary moments so don't let that keep you from getting this book, but you might have a moment where your reader needs to talk to you about what is happening.  Of course if they are anything like my MG reader, they will want to talk your ear off about all these books regardless of any scary moments, these are books I find that readers just HAVE to share!  

This is a great book for Middle Grade readers, particularly reluctant readers. The books are both fun, with sarcastic and witty characters, they are balanced with poignant moments and battles.  I do recommend that they be read in order, you will be missing out on important facts by reading them out of order.  A great addition to any teachers classroom library!  

~ HAPPY READING ~

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Tui? What kind of name is that? Is it short for something?
Nope. Among the many great things to come out of New Zealand (the Lord of the Rings movies, cats that paint, my mom) is a bird called the tui—not as well known as the kiwi, but a heck of a lot noisier!

I was born July 31 (same birthday as Harry Potter!) in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived in Asuncion, Paraguay; Miami, Florida; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before moving to New Jersey in high school, where I started doing theatre—mostly backstage work, because (a) it was fun, and (b) you got to hang out in the dark with cute boys. (Er, I mean . . . because it was artistically fulfilling, yes.)

I graduated from Williams College in ’98 and I currently live in Boston with my husband, my perfect new baby, and my adorable yoodle Sunshine (what’s a yoodle? A puppy that’s three-quarters poodle and one-quarter Yorkshire terrier, of course!).

Much to my parents’ relief, I abandoned my theatrical aspirations after college for the far more stable and lucrative career of fiction writing.

My first two official books were beginning readers, part of Grosset & Dunlap’s “First Friends” series for kids learning to read. MEET MO AND ELLA is tough to find now, but FUN WITH MO AND ELLA should still be out there somewhere.

My first novel for teenagers was THIS MUST BE LOVE, which retells Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a modern-day high school, from the POV of the two heroines, Hermia and Helena.

And now I'm writing in a new project called SEEKERS! It's a children's book series that I'm writing with Erin Hunter. Check out my blog to find out more!

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My Favorite Children's Christmas Books - A Mom Monday Post

MOM MONDAY

As you may know by now, I love books.  I love all sorts of books including holiday books and my favorite holiday books have to be Christmas books.  There are so many great ones out there and I know that I have missed plenty of them, but over the last few years while my girls were (are) little our Christmas book collection has grown to about 25 books

Today I am going to take a moment and share my favorite 5 with you...I hope you will find one to add to your collection!

Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini

Illustrations by Henry Cole

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Book Description:

'Tis the night before Christmas and Moose is determined to make everything perfect for the big day. With checklist in hoof and ho ho ho's on his mind, he makes sure everything is perfect. He wraps, he decorates, he bakes and he sings. He does it all, except one thing. Somehow, some way, some moosetake has occurred, and one little item has gone unchecked. Moose has forgotten the Christmas tree. Nothing will ruin this Moose family's Christmas, though, and with a little imagination (and a lot of glue) Moose's moosetache turns him into a splendid, breathing Christmas tree.This sweet story is guaranteed to have children chuckling as they follow Moose through his holiday.

 ~ We love the fun of this book and the story reminding us that Christmas isn't about everything being "perfectly perfect" but about spending time with and the people you love the most and finding joy in the simple things even if things have gone awry.  Oh and Moose has the most amazing Moose-stach of them all, it is glorious.  

This is a great read for young children.  My 10 year old laughs at it, but it is more geared toward children 8 and under, although enjoyable for any age.  

One Snowy Night by M. Christina Butler

Illustrations by Tina Macnaughton

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Book Description:

Jewel-like colors, animals with unmistakable character, and a flocked woolly hat on every page enhance this tender story about a little hedgehog who is caught unprepared by a chilly winter wind.

~ This is one of those sweet stories that will have you trying to inconspicuously wipe away tears as you read to your children.  This is a beautiful story of a precious hedgehog and the journey of a very special gift.  We love the illustrations, the 'velvet' red hat that you can touch on every page as it makes it's way from one friend to another.  The thoughtfulness that each animal has and the coming together as a group of friends to help when it is needed.  

This is a beautiful and touching story that is perfect for reading to your youngest little ones, especially with the touch and feel aspect, but it will also move even the oldest of readers.  

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

Illustrations by Mark Buehner

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble

Book Description:

Snowmen at Night shared with us the magical, slip-sliding adventures of snowmen after dark . . . but have you ever wondered what snowmen do for Christmas? Well, now’s your chance to find out! The snowmen are back, and this time they’re celebrating Christmas—the snowman way! This snappy and entertaining companion to the New York Times bestseller Snowmen at Night depicts all the best parts of the holiday, replete with icy treats and a snowman Kris Kringle.Told in the same bouncy verse as the original, Snowmen at Christmas is perfect for a snowy evening read-aloud.

~ We fell in love with this happy community of snow people after reading Snowmen at Night and had to have this book when we saw it on our bookstores shelves at Christmas time.  The art is whimsical with a touch of Americana.  There is so much happening on each page that after you read the story you will want to just flip back through the book to look at the pictures.  Make sure you do too because you may be surprised to find some hidden pictures!  The story is a fun and the poetry flows nicely as you read it out loud to your children, no tongue twisters here, thank goodness.  

We love imagining that snowmen don't just stay in our yards all winter long but that they have families and nights filled with revelry and joy.  

This is a great read for anyone in your household, there is a little something for everyone in this book! 

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

Illustrations by Jane Chapman

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble

Book Description:

"The day before Christmas,
snuggled on his floor,
Bear sleeps soundly
with a great big snore...."

Bear's friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up -- by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents!

How a SURPRISE visit from someone very special gives Bear and his friends a Christmas to remember makes an enchanting holiday story for young readers. With Karma Wilson's memorable text and Jane Chapman's glowing illustrations, Bear Stays Up for Christmas is a book to cherish throughout the year.

~ This is a special book for me because I adore this entire series and I am pretty sure that while my children thoroughly enjoy this book I really bought it just for me, haha.  The illustrations are gorgeous and just wonderful to look at and get lost in and the story.  Ah, I love this story.  The story of Bear and his wonderful group of friends.  The narrative is rhyming and another lovely one to read out loud to your youngest children.  I adore the feeling in this book.  The knowledge that this group of friends who are basically family and how they care for each other.  There is are feelings of love, joy, and wonder throughout the tale.  Also if you haven't met bear before I highly recommend all his books :)

This is a great story to be read out loud to even your youngest 'readers' and a wonderful book for early readers and up to read to themselves.  A perfect Christmas eve story.  

A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

Illustrations by Michael Glen Monroe

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble

Book Description:

This charming tale of an overgrown pine always being passed by for Christmas, and what his woodland friends do to help him, is sure to become a Christmas classic. With delightful illustrations by wildlife artist Michael Monroe and enchanting text from Colleen Monroe, the birds, deer and squirrel of this story help make their special friend's wish come true.

~ Now I will start this by saying that this is a rather sad tale, but beautiful for it's sadness and it's ending.  This is another one of those books that will have you secretly wiping away your tears as you read it to your children, but it will also make your heart feel full when you get to the end so you know that the tears were worth it.  The illustrations are beautifully done, you can truly feel the emotion coming off the page as you look at them and read the story.  The prose is beautiful but it will be more difficult for your early readers to grasp, you have to get the rhyming tempo just right, making it a perfect out loud Christmas read for your family.  I love the message in the story, that you are more than you think you are and that you are important no matter how unimportant you might feel from time to time.

This is a perfect read-out-loud story for your family or a read-alone story for upper middle grade readers. It may be a bit heavy for a school story time, but it is a beautiful tale that deserves to be heard.

~ Merry Christmas Everyone 

Happy Reading ~

Peddler's Road by Matthew Cody - A Mom Monday Guest Post

MOM MONDAY

I am so excited to share this guest post from Matthew Cody, author of The Peddler's Road a Middle Grade read based of the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.  

Thank you Matthew for taking a bit of time out of your day to answer my questions...I can't wait to read this story with my girls!  

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iBook ~

 The Book Depository

Book Description:

It is said that in the thirteenth century, in a village called Hamelin, a piper lured all of the children away with his magical flute, and none of them were ever seen again.

Today tough, pink-haired Max and her little brother, Carter, are stuck in modern-day Hamelin with their father . . . until they are also led away by the Piper to a place called the Summer Isle. There they meet the original stolen children, who haven’t aged a day and who have formed their own village, vigilantly guarded from the many nightmarish beings that roam the land.

No one knows why the Piper stole them, but Max and Carter’s appearance may be the key to returning the lost children of Hamelin—and to going home themselves. But to discover the secrets of the Piper, Max and Carter will have to set out on a mysterious quest down the dangerous Peddler’s Road.

1. Since the story is based off of the Pied Piper of Hamelin I was curious to know when you first came across this story, was it as a child or an adult and what drew you to it so much so that you decided to write an adaptation?

I honestly can’t remember when I first heard the story, but I think it’s always been special to me because it’s the fairy tale without a happy ending. Spoilers here, but in the original tale the Pied Piper steals away the children of Hamelin and that’s that. No brave princesses or heroic farm boys coming to the rescue. The Piper just leads the children away into a mountain never to be seen again. It’s a darkly ambiguous ending that obviously stuck with me.

And the other reason why I’m so fascinated with this tale has to do with the real life town of Hamelin. I’ve talked about this before, but it’s just so creepy that I want to tell everyone I meet! In Hamelin, Germany there is a piece of the old town wall that roughly translated reads, “This wall was built in 1556, 272 years after the magician stole 130 children away.”

I mean, come on! It gives you goose bumps, doesn’t it? Suddenly the fairy tale becomes a mystery. The moment I read about it I just knew that I would write about it. It percolated in my brain for a few years until I had enough of an idea to begin the Secrets of the Pied Piper series.

2. Did you find this adaptation to be more difficult to write than your previous two books?

Well, this is actually my sixth book all told, but yes it was pretty difficult (you’d think it would get easier!). It was challenging because that rather than being a straight adaptation, or reimaging of the Pied Piper of Hamelin story, The Secrets of the Pied Piper series presents the original tale pretty much as it’s been told, but then uses it as a jumping off point. So we begin with the premise that the tale was factually true. The Pied Piper did steal away 130 children from Hamelin in the year 1284, but why did he take them and where did they go? Our heroes, Max and her brother Carter, learn the answers to those questions only to discover that there’s a whole lot more to the story than we’ve been told, and that their own lives are hopelessly intertwined with the truth.

3. Loyalty is a strong theme in your previous books and I wondered if that is a theme that you found yourself carrying though into this story and more importantly what you are hoping readers will take away from the 'adventure' that Max and Carter find themselves on?

I agree that loyalty is a strong theme in literature for younger readers, my own work included. Most people think about things like loyalty and responsibility as more mature, grown up themes – work, parenthood, etc. But childhood and young adulthood are filled with conflicting loyalties and responsibilities. There’s the loyalty to friends and family, the responsibility to watch out for younger siblings. And I think most interesting of all, there’s the question when you are young of where do your own moral loyalties lie? Young people are still choosing what kind of person they are going to be and there’s a lot of soul searching that goes along with that. Great stuff for drama, and even better when you add magic and a few monsters into the mix!

In the end, I hope that readers will see a little of themselves in Max and Carter. I can confidently say that my very astute readers won’t be facing witches, ghosts, and hangman trees anytime soon, but I still think there’s something to be learned in sharing Max and Carter’s adventures. Safely, of course, in the comfort of one’s own best reading spot!

Originally from the Midwest, Matthew Cody now lives in New York City with his wife and son. When not writing books or goofing off with his family, he teaches creative writing to kids of all ages.

Website ~ Twitter

Make Sure to stop by the other fabulous blogs on the tour to see what they have in store:

Week 1:

10/19 - Reads All the Books 

10/20 - On Starships & Dragon Wings 

10/21 - Such A Novel Idea 

10/22 - Lili's Reflections 

10/23 - The Cover Contessa 

Week 2:

10/26 - Bookiemoji 

10/27 - I Turn the Pages 

10/28 - The Book Cellar 

10/29 - Swoony Boys Podcast 

10/30 - Alexa Loves Books