Unusual Heroes Blog Book Tour - Sally's Bones

Today is the second day that I am participating in the Unusual Heroes blog book tour. Today I am going to tell you about another new book that Sourcebooks is promoting. Just like The Warrior Sheep go West, this book has a hero who is rather usual. Actually, he is VERY unusual.

Sally’s Bones

MacKenzie Cadenhead

Illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth

Fiction

For ages 9 to 11

Sourcebooks, 2011, 978-1-4022-5943-2

   After her mother dies, Sally Simplesmith’s life takes a very decided downward turn. Her father is withdrawn, and she is terribly lonely and quite angry as well. How could her mother leave Sally here all alone?

   When her old toddlerhood friend, Viola Vanderperfect, comes back to live in Merryland, Sally dares to hope that she will at last have a real friend, someone she can talk to about her problems. Sally soon finds out that Viola is a truly horrible stuck up little snob. Instead of refriending Sally, Viola does her best to make Sally’s life as miserable as possible.

   When her mother lay dying, Sally made a deal with her. Sally would “live every stupid day to the fullest,” and in turn Sally’s mother (dead or alive) would give Sally “whatever I want to make things right.” Sally has done her best keep her promise and it has all been a miserable failure. Now she feels her mother owes her since Sally has kept her side of the deal. Desperately unhappy, Sally goes to her mother’s grave in the cemetery and she tells her mother to “Give. Me. Death.”

   What Sally’s mother gives her is a dead dog. Literally. She gives her a little dog who is all bone and very little skin. At first, Sally is appalled, but she soon discovers that the little dog, even though it has no eyes, no flesh, and no fur, is an uncommonly clever and loving little thing. Soon the dog, Bones, is her best friend and steadfast companion.

   At last life is starting to look up for Sally, but, of course it does not stay that way for long. Something or someone is out to ruin what little happiness Sally has.

   In this decidedly odd and charmingly quirky book, readers will find out that love really can overcome death. In certain situations. It is hard not to feel pity for Sally, who so desperately wants a friend, and who finds one who is so unusual that he gets into trouble almost immediately.

   Readers who like tales that are strange, a little dark, but that have a happy ending will truly enjoy this title.

 Being a big dog fan, I decides to write to the Merryland Dog Pound to see if they have any dogs like Bones available for adoption. This is the letter that I got in response:

Dear Ms. Marya Jansen-Gruber,

Thank you for your interest in adopting a dog from the Merryland Dog Pound. We regret to inform you that, despite news reports to the contrary, we do not have any lovably lively but lifeless canines currently available. While the rumor is true – there is a living, breathing skeleton dog that goes by the name of Bones gallivanting all over town – he belongs to a girl named Sally Simplesmith and, as far as we know, he’s one of a kind. (And thank goodness for that! One petrified pooch is plenty.)

Might we interest you in a cocksure cocker or dashing dachshund? Perhaps a prancing poodle puppy? Or is a marvelous mutt more your style? No? Well, if you’ve got your heart set on a canine cadaver, I’ll tell you what I know. (Though if you ask me it’s your funeral.) As a breed I must warn you that the dearly departed doggie has a history of alleged criminal behavior. Though my colleague the Dog Catcher hasn’t been able to make anything stick, he assures me it won’t be long before he sends that spirited skeleton to Sing Sing! Still, there are some who consider the bloodless hound adventurous and clever, loyal and kind – like Sally. She never even had a friend before Bones showed up and now they’re practically Merryland royalty!

So, if it’s a life of dog treats and danger you want, go ahead; keep looking for a skeleton dog all your own. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Sincerely,

Ida Tolljyah

Adoption Coordinator, Merryland Dog Pound

I guess I need to hang out in the local cemetery and maybe I will find the dog I am looking for there.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and fifty

Many little children love to hear stories about what they were like when they were babies. "Did I cry a lot?" "Was I cute?" "Were you glad I was born?" are just a few of the questions they like to ask. They like to hear about how they rocked by one parent, or sung to by another. They laugh when they hear about how one of their parents drove around for hours with baby in the car seat just to get baby to stop crying.

In today's picture book, you will meet two new parents who discover that sometimes you need to be creative when you have an unhappy baby in the house.

Cinnamon Baby

Nicola Winstanley

Illustrated by Janice Nadeau

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Kids Can Press, 2011, 978-1-55337-821-1

   Miriam is a fabulous baker who makes all kinds of breads in her little bakery. Every day she ends her baking by making cinnamon bread. While she kneads the raisins into the dough, Miriam sings so that “the smell of cinnamon and the sound of her beautiful voice rose together and curled through the air.”

   One day Sebastian is going past the bakery when he hears Miriam’s lovely voice. He immediately goes inside the shop and buys a loaf of cinnamon bread. After buying a loaf of the wonderful bread every day for a year, Sebastian asks Miriam to marry him.

   Soon the happy couple have their first child, a baby girl with “big brown eyes and dusky skin.” At first all goes well, but then the baby starts to cry, and though they try everything they can think of, Miriam and Sebastian cannot get their daughter to stop crying. The baby is not sick, so what is upsetting her so?

   In this delightful picture book, a lyrical text is paired with multimedia art to give readers a story that is unusual and a joy to read. The tale explores the special connection a baby has with her mother. Children and parents connect on many levels, and in this book we discover that babies are soothed when all their senses are engaged by things that that make them feel loved and safe.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and forty-nine

It is an important moment in a child's life when he or she learns that money does not grows on trees, nor does it magically appear in purses and wallets. If you want to spend money, you have earn it. In today's picture book you will meet a little girl who wants to buy something, and since she is broke, she has to figure out how to make some cash. 

Pretty Penny Sets up Shop

Devon Kinch

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Random House, 2010, 978-0-375-86735-4

   Penny is a little girl who has “big ideas.” Among other things, she has written a novel and held a dog fashion show. Now she needs another big idea because she has no money and she wants to give Bunny, her grandmother, a birthday party.

   Thankfully, a big idea finally comes along. Bunny has an attic full of stuff and Penny asks if she can “turn the attic into a shopping mall.” Bunny loves the idea because she will be glad to get rid of all her miscellaneous and unwanted bits and pieces. Penny then gets to work, because hosting a sale takes some organization.

   In this cleverly written picture book, children will meet a character who will show them some financial basics. They will see how Penny prices items, how she sells them, how she saves the money she earns, and how she spends it. Best of all, they will see how a child can use her wits to give something to someone she loves.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and forty-eight

For today's picture book I have a graphic novel that is outrageously funny and enormously entertaining. Best of all, there are more titles in this series to enjoy. I won't tell you anything more about this book because I don't want to give too much away.

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Graphic Novel

For ages 7 to 10

Random House, 2009, 978-0-375-84683-0

   One day, during breakfast at school, Hector, Terrence, and Dee wonder what their school lunch lady does when she is not working in the school kitchen. Then Milmoe, the school bully, comes over and starts trying the shake the children down for their lunch money. Milmoe’s threats and intimidation are brought to an abrupt end when Mr. Pasteur, the new substitute teacher, turns up.

   After Mr. Pasteur leaves the lunch room, Lunch Lady and her friend Betty (who is another lunch lady) have a little chat. Lunch Lady has a feeling that something is not quite right about Mr. Pasteur and his presence in the school. Mr. O’Connell, the math teacher Mr. Pasteur is replacing, hasn’t been sick in twenty years. Why is he sick today? Also, Lunch Lady cannot help feeling that Mr. Pasteur’s name is somehow familiar.

   Soon Lunch Lady and Betty are in their secret laboratory in the Boiler Room. What no one knows is that Lunch Lady and Betty not only serve lunch at the school, they also do their best to keep the peace in their town by foiling the dastardly plans of villains.

   Betty the gadget making wiz and Lunch Lady use their spy cameras around the school to see what the teachers are up to. When Mr. Pasteur goes to the teacher’s lounge, Lunch Lady does a little snooping in his classroom, and what she finds is rather odd.

   When Mr. Pasteur leaves school that day, Lunch Lady follows him, and in her wake are Hector, Terrence and Dee, who still want to know what Lunch Lady does when she isn’t working at the school. The children have no idea that what lies ahead of them will rock their world.

   This is the first in what promises to be a hugely entertaining series of graphic novels. Readers will be amused to discover that this particular lunch lady has a very exciting secret life, and they will love the names of the secret gadgets that her sidekick Betty creates for her.

   Readers who enjoy graphic novels are sure to enjoy reading and collecting the Lunch Lady titles. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and forty-seven

Being an only child, I could always count on receiving my parent's love and attention. I never had to share them with anyone else. I cannot imagine what I would have done if my parents had announced that they were going to have another child. I probably would have thrown a fit. Today you will see how Little Pip the young penguin copes when his mother lays an egg. Only children dealing with the impending arrival of a new sibling are sure to find this story comforting. 

What’s in the Egg, Little Pip?

Karma Wilson

Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4169-4204-7

   Little Pip’s mother has a large egg resting on her feet, which means that Little Pip can no longer sleep under her mother’s “soft, warm belly.” Since the arrival of the Egg, Pip’s parents have been making a huge fuss over it. They talk about how a little brother or sister for “sweet Little Pip” will make their family “just right.” Pip cannot see how the egg can make her family any more right than it is already.

   When Mama goes to sea to fish, Papa takes on the job of taking care of the Egg. This means that he cannot slide on the ice with Pip, and his poor daughter feels very ignored. Why did the Egg have to come along to spoil everything? Then a storm blows in and Pip does what she can to help her Papa take care of the Egg. After all, her Mama said that Pip is big enough to help take care of the Egg.

   Getting used to the idea that there is going to be a new person in the family is never easy for an only child. They cannot help feeling a little rejected and lonely. Reading about Little Pip’s struggles will surely help just such a child to understand that having a sibling will only add to the love in the family.

   This third Little Pip title will delight little children who have become fond of the little penguin, and who have enjoyed her adventures thus far.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and forty-six

Ideally every child should be happy, and every child should have lots of friends to spend time with. In the real world this is not, alas, how things work. There are many children who "do not fit in" and who sit on the fringes, lonely and left out. Cherry, the little girl in today's picture book, is just such a child. Cherry's best friends are her books until she meet a little dog who is lonely and in need of a friend. 

Cherry and Olive

Benjamin Lacombe

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Walker, 2007, 978-0-8027-9707-0

   Cherry is a lonely little girl who lives in an apartment with her father. From her apartment, Cherry can see the neighborhood children playing together, and she often wishes that she could have someone to play with too. Being shy, she finds herself unable to reach out to other children, so she buries her head in books. “Books are definitely more interesting than those kids,” she tells herself.

   In the afternoons after school, Cherry helps her father out by cleaning the cages in the animal shelter where he works. One day she sees a very lonely little dog sitting quietly in its cage. The dog is “adorable” and “wrinkly,” and Cherry quickly makes friends with her. Cherry even gives the dog a name, Olive, and she takes her for walks. Every day Cherry lives with the fear that Olive’s owners will come and claim her. What will Cherry do if someone takes Olive away from her?

   In this moving and heartwarming story, children will meet two characters who badly need each other. They will see how the love of a dog starts to change Cherry, and how Olive, bless her sweet wrinkly face, gives Cherry a very special and priceless gift.

   Throughout the book atmospheric illustrations are perfectly paired with the author’s sensitively written text.

Poetry Friday - A review of the Owl and the Pussycat

The Owl and the Pussycat is one of my favorite poems. I cannot explain why this is so, but there is something about the language that appeals to me. For today's poetry title, I have a review of a very unique version of Edward's Lear's famous poem.

The Owl and the Pussycat

Edward Lear
Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch
Poetry Picture Book
For ages 8 and up
Kids Can Press, 2007, 978-1553378280
An owl and pussycat are in love but they live in a place where owls and pussycats are not supposed to consort with one another. And so, the lovers decide to run away together. They get into a pea-green boat and after deciding that they will get married, they sail "away for a year and a day?" until they get to the island where the bong tree grows.

   Here the lovers meet a pig who has a ring in its nose. Being a kind and friendly creature the pig agrees to sell them its ring for a shilling. Then the pair are finally able to get married. Best of all, in this wonderful land they are surrounded by other couples like themselves, mixed couples who are together because they love one another and who do not need to fear that they will be persecuted in any way.

   In this unique book, Stephane Jorisch has created some extraordinary illustrations for Edward Lear's famous and much loved poem. He presents the voyage of the owl and the pussycat as being a special journey not just of lovers going to be married, but also of lovers seeking a place where they can live together in peace, a place where they won't have to worry about what others will say or do.

   Jorisch's quirky illustrations offer readers plenty to look at and to think about, and one cannot help feeling that Edward Lear would heartily approve of this new twist on his classic little love story.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and forty-five

Some children like to have adventure-filled and lively stories read to them before their naps or at bedtime. Others like to be soothed by soft words and pretty illustrations. Today's picture book is of the latter variety and it is a perfect title to read just before a nap or bedtime. The text is simple, the art is lovely, and children will  be charmed by the ending. 

Where to sleep

Kandy Radzinski

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Sleeping Bear Press, 978-1-58536-436-7

   Imagine that you are a kitten living in the country. Where would you sleep when the shadows are getting long, and when the time for playing and exploring is over? This little kitten considers sleeping in the vegetable patch, but she knows she will end up chasing bunnies instead of sleeping. She could sleep in the henhouse with the chickens, but everyone knows that the hens “stay up late and talk, talk, talk.” The porch swing is too covered with “toys and things,” and the soft brown shoe is far too small to accommodate a kitten. Surely there must be someplace that is just right for a cozy kitten nap.

   As they look through this book, little children will enjoy seeing where the little kitten goes and what she does as she tries to find the perfect sleeping place. With its simple and minimal text and its sweetly expressive illustrations, this book would be a perfect title to share with a child before nap time or last thing at night.

Unusual Heroes Blog Book Tour - The Warrior Sheep go west

Today I am participating in the Unusual Heroes blog book tour. The tour (set up by the publisher Sourcebooks) is promoting two new books, and in both of them the heroes of the stories are...well...rather unusual. Today I have a review of The Warrior Sheep go West. The review is followed by a letter from one of the main characters. Her name is Jaycey, and she is a sheep.


 The Warrior Sheep go West

Christine and Christopher Russell

Fiction

For ages 9 to 11

Sourcebooks, 2011, 978-1-4022-5925-8

   It has been raining for several days, and Ida White’s five rare breed sheep are taking shelter in the barn with the chickens and Ida’s laptop. Ida likes to provide her chickens with music, and while the sheep are listening to a download on the laptop a pop-up appears on the screen showing a big red tongue. A voice says, “you Rams and Ewes and Lambs. This message is for you. We’re gonna slaughter you. We’re on our way. Red Tongue! Remember the name!”

   Sal remembers that the Songs of the Fleece, the sheep verses that had been handed down from ewe to lamb for centuries, refers to this threat. It is up to her and her friends to stop the dreaded Red Tongue from killing helpless sheep and they must go west to a place where “the sun scorches and the hottest winds blow.” Since there are no hot winds in Wales, the sheep are going to have to go much further west, to America.

   What the sheep don’t know is that Holly, a crackpot American scientist’s wife, has decided that the five sheep, who are famous, are perfect specimens to be used in her husband’s big project. Being a very rich person, Holly quickly arranges to have the sheep flown to America, along with Ida White and her grandson Tod.    

   Before they quite have the time to think things through, Ida and Todd are on American soil and their sheep are destined to be used for nefarious purposes by Holly’s mad spouse. Holly knows the sheep are smart, but she does not know that these five animals have an uncanny ability for getting in, and then out, of unfortunate situations. Holly may have plans for the sheep, but they are bent on stopping Red Tongue before it is too late, and nothing is going to stop them.

   Readers who enjoyed the first Warrior Sheep title are sure to enjoy this new adventure. Once again the sheep set out to save sheepkind at great risk to their wooly selves. Chases across a desert, a mad scientist, a Wild West ghost town, and five loveable main characters makes this a winning title for young readers.

A letter from Jaycey, a sheep who has a keen fashion sense.

Dear Marya,

Ohmygrass….Did I actually say that? I’m a sheep. Well, actually I’m a Jacob sheep and as everyone knows, Jacobs are the prettiest sheep in the Universe. I have the cutest little horns and a super soft black and white fleece. Sal, the ewe I share a field with, says I shouldn’t be so vain. Not after the trouble I got us into in Las Vegas! And I suppose she’s right. I very nearly got chopped up by a crazy stage magician. Really! It was sooo scary! Ohmygrass…I’ve gone all wobbly on my dainty hooves just thinking about it. If it hadn’t been for my friends Wills and Sal and Links and Oxo I wouldn’t be here now enjoying a rainy day in England. Actually, I’m not totally enjoying it because the rain makes my fleece frizzy.

   Wills and Sal and Links and Oxo are Rare Breed sheep like myself – though obviously not so pretty. TBH Sal’s got a rather fat bottom and Oxo eats all the time and Links, who fancies himself as a rap musician, can hardly see through his curly fleece and Wills is a really skinny lamb. But you know all that.

   What you probably don’t know is why we went to America in the first place. Well, it was because Sal told us about Red Tongue, an evil monster who wanted to kill all the sheep in the world. Starting in the West! That’s where you live, I guess, but you don’t have to worry. We tracked him down and finally got rid of him. He was baaarking mad and got the end he deserved. Huh! He learned not to mess with us Rare Breed sheep!

Ohmygrass...Ida, the farmer who owns us has just tipped a great heap of cauliflowers into our field. I’d better go and snaffle one before Oxo eats the lot!

It’s been sooooo nice talking to you.

Love and kisses from Jaycey


Join me on September 5th for another Unusual Heroes Blog Tour Post, which will be about a book called Sally's Bones. To say that this book is unusual is an understatement.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and forty-four

For many children a new school year is just around the corner. Backpacks have been packed up, new school clothes are ready and waiting, and children are trying to adjust to the idea that soon they will not be able to sleep in every morning.
   For today's picture book  title I have a charming little picture book about two little chicks who go to school for the first time.      

Two little chicks go to school

Valeri Gorbachev

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

NorthSouth, 2011, 978-0-7358-4027-0

   Two little chicks are going to school for the first time, and not surprisingly they are feeling rather scared. They tell their new teacher, Mrs. Heron, that they “don’t know anyone,” and she reassures them that they “will make friends quickly.”

   Unfortunately, every time the two little chicks try to make friends with someone, the person they are trying to befriend tells them to “Shhhhhhh.” Beaver, Rabbit, and Frog are all too busy doing something else to pay attention to the two little newcomers. At snack time, the two little chicks sit all by themselves. Their first day of school is turning out to be rather a disappointment.

   Children who are going to the school for the first time will be very reassured by this story. They will see that sometimes it takes a little time to makes friends, and that school is not something to be afraid of.