Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts

Friday, June 29, 2018

Book Review - Dear Substitute by by Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

When their teacher Mrs. Giordano is sick and a new substitute teacher, Miss Pelly takes over, things are bound to go wrong.  A student writes in an epistolary poems format, explaining why Miss Pelly is doing things wrong and how she misses her teacher. 

I read this cute picture book to the tots I volunteered with. They thought the book was funny. However, I am not sure they grasped the entire message of the book until we discussed the book. The book had an interesting way to encourage children to try new experiences because they might enjoy it. A good book especially for children who are nervous in trying new things.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**



Title: DEAR SUBSTITUTE
Author: Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, &Chris Raschka (Illustrations)
Pub. Date: June 19, 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 40
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonB&NiBooksTBD

When a substitute teacher named Miss Pelly comes to class, one student bristles at the change in routine-Miss Pelly doesn't follow the rules like Mrs. Giordano. But in time, our student learns that even though the substitute may do things a little differently, and she may be a bit silly, mixing things up might not be so bad.

Told in a series of epistolary poems, this funny, relatable picturebook is a great fit for classrooms and for any child nervous about new experiences.

About Audrey:
Audrey grew up in Whitestone, New York, where she lived with her parents and two sisters and a not very bright small white dog. She has a freaky memory about the names of the kids in her class at P.S. 184Q, and even remembers where most of them stood in size order. 

She always loved to read and still rereads Harriet the Spy on a regular basis.  She was not one of those children who always knew she wanted to be a writer; she didn't love to write until college. She's been writing ever since. 

In addition to writing for children, Audrey has published more than a dozen short stories for adults in magazines and literary journals. She received an mfa from Sarah Lawrence College and has been honored with two fiction fellowships from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts. 

Audrey divides her time between writing (which is mostly spent revising) and visiting elementary schools to talk about writing and publishing. (For school visit info, click here.) She also speaks at conferences around the country. 

She lives near the ocean in New Jersey with her family and a semi-smart medium-sized dog.



About Liz:
Liz Garton Scanlon is the author of numerous beloved books for young people, including the highly-acclaimed, Caldecott-honored picture book All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, and her debut novel for middle grade readers, The Great Good Summer, as well as The Good-Pie Party; Happy Birthday, Bunny!; Noodle & Lou, and several others. Ms. Scanlon is also a poet, a teacher and a frequent & popular presenter at schools, libraries and conferences. She grew up in Colorado and Wisconsin, and now lives with her husband and two daughters in Austin, Texas.


Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of DEAR SUBSTITUTE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Link:

Tour Schedule:
Week Two:
6/25/2018- BookHounds YAExcerpt
6/26/2018- RhythmicBooktrovertReview
6/27/2018- Book Dragon LairReview
6/28/2018- Beagles & BooksReview
6/29/2018- Two Points of InterestReview

Monday, April 18, 2016

Book Review - The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice


Photo Credit - Amazon
A heartwarming tale of two inseparable sisters coping when a tragedy strikes leaving one of them paralyzed. Tilly's text message is the reason for Roo being in the hospital bed. Roo and Tilly are not only sisters but best friends. They are able to read and understand each other when no one else can. When Roo is lying in the hospital struggling for someone to understand her; Tilly is able to tell that her sister isn't in a coma and needs help. Roo went from being the independent older sister who takes care of her younger sister, Tilly to relying on others.  Will Roo and Tilly be able to to move past this and be together again? Will they be able to keep their bond intact?

I never had a sister but reading this novel made me wish I had one. Not to say growing up with a brother was horrible (although, the endless days of torturing...) but I sometimes wonder if I would have a strong bond as Roo and Tilly. But having a sibling, always does give you this bond of knowing someone will there for you even if you are at each other's throat. The special bond knowing you are never alone and growing up in the same house and sharing the sam experiences but turning out completely different. The book made me realize sometimes we just don't realize how lucky we are to be alive and we are holders of our future and actions. No one can't make us do something we don't want to do and we are responsible for the outcome of our actions.


**Disclosure - I received an uncorrected copy of this book from a giveaway for my honest opinion**