THE NIGHT BEFORE HANUKKAH and THE DREIDEL THAT WOULDN’T SPIN

Posted on 12/04/2014

THE NIGHT BEFORE HANUKKAH by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer

HANUKKAH – the Festival of Lights, eight wonderful days of families celebrating that miracles do happen. Sometimes the miracle of today is found in the unselfish act of giving. In Natasha Wing’s rhyming introduction to this special Jewish holiday, a little girl contributes the perfect solution to a missing eighth candle. THE NIGHT BEFORE HANUKKAH captures the fun spirit of the traditional aspects of this ancient holiday while weaving in a contemporary setting – plus a good sprinkling of humor. Family interactions are the heart of this book. Sharing and giving to others is the soul.

The Night Before Hanukkah

The Night Before Hanukkah

THE DREIDEL THAT WOULDN’T SPIN, a Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah by Martha Seif Simpson and illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard is a very different presentation of Hanukkah and a wonderful companion to Natasha Wing’s modern version. In Martha Simpson’s story-telling voice the reader is introduced to a mysterious peddler and a greedy shopkeeper. The peddler has a very special spinning top, a dreidel, carved from the finest wood and hand-painted with golden glistening colors. The shopkeeper is eager to have it and then sell it for a handsome price. But a terrible problem emerges. The top won’t spin. It wasn’t broken. It was a perfect dreidel with magical letters, but it would not spin until one day, a small miracle happened, “Nes katan hayah poh,” right in front of the shopkeeper, right after a small boy with little money, gave the precious dreidel a spinning twist. Perhaps this books brings to each reader a bit of a miracle as well, for miracles are never bought, they happen…sometimes when a book is shared, or a bit of chocolate, or time.

We invite you to leave a comment about a favorite book you like to share with a child during this holiday season, a season of remembering what is truly precious. And don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of  THE NIGHT BEFORE HANUKKAH and THE DREIDEL THAT WOULDN’T SPIN! Please email us at readerkiz (at) readerkidz (dot) com. Be sure to put HANUKKAH BOOK GIVEAWAY in the subject line.

Congratulations to Dyann Campbell, winner of the HANUKKAH BOOK GIVEAWAY. A second two-book giveaway is on its way to Linda Seibold. Thanks for stopping by ReaderKidZ!

TEN RULES OF BEING A SUPERHERO Giveaway!

Posted on 12/02/2014

Today we’re chatting with Deb Pilutti, author and illustrator of the charming picture book – Ten Rules of Being a Superhero (Henry Holt/Macmillan, 2014). Deb’s on board to participate in the ReaderKidZ December give-away extravaganza in a big, big way. Simply read through this post and you’ll find the contact information needed to register to win a free copy of this extraordinary story.

In Ten Rules of Being a Superhero, Deb explores the fine line between fantasy and reality. Her text portrays the attitudes of tenacity and fortitude required to follow the ten basic rules of being a superhero. Yet, the illustrations tenderly juxtapose the powerful nature of superhero-ness by quietly showing that tough guys need to have a tender side, too. As Rule Number 10 states: “Every superhero needs a sidekick. Because saving the day is more fun with a friend.”

deb pilutti

Author/Illustrator Deb Pilutti

We at ReaderKidZ are thrilled that Deb took the time to answer a few questions for us. Enjoy getting to know this delightful author/illustrator and then rush to sign up for a chance to win a copy of Ten Rules of Being a Superhero. You’ll be ever-so-glad that you did!

Also, should you be interested in a supplemental Discussion and Activity Guide aligned with the Common Core State Standards, Deb has one on her website ready and waiting for you to download!

ReaderKidZ: Describe the inspiration behind TEN RULES OF BEING A SUPERHERO.

Deb Pilutti: I have spent many, many hours discussing the merits of various super powers with my children. Seriously. It used to be a daily topic of conversation. That and my love for toys, especially retro and slightly awkward looking ones, inspired this story about a boy and his superhero toy.

ReaderKidZ: Weren’t you once a toy designer in a prior life? Explain how that background informs your writing and illustrating.

Deb Pilutti: Yes, I designed several toys when I worked for Oliebollen. Playfulness is a big part of designing for children, which also helps when writing and illustrating. I worked as a graphic designer for a long time and even though I didn’t think of myself as a storyteller, I was using words and images to tell a story or create an image, whether it was for an ad campaign or a theme park.

ReaderKidZ: Rule Number 3 states that “Every super hero has at least one superpower. That’s makes him SUPER!” Do you have a super power? Tell us what it is.

Deb Pilutti: I have an excellent sense of time – but that seems more like a sidekick power, doesn’t it? I’m good at teaching myself new skills, like learning how to program websites, or how to make an animated video like this one.

 ReaderKidZ: Describe both the challenges and rewards of being both the writer and illustrator in a project.

Deb Pilutti: Writing is a bigger challenge for me. I really have to work hard to make the story feel natural. This involves a lot of staring.

Usually my ideas start with an image or illustration. Then I’ll work on the text and go back and forth between the two. I may change the text based on the illustration or vice versa. Another plus for doing both is that I can be more efficient with my words, because the illustrations can communicate an idea or feeling.

Superhero graphicReaderKidZ: We’ve heard it said that each book teaches the author something about themselves, either personally or creatively. How about you? Tell us what you learned while creating TEN RULES OF BEING A SUPERHERO.

Deb Pilutti: This is the first book I’ve had published as both the author and illustrator. Even so, it isn’t just my book. Everyone has a vision of what the book can be. I looked at the editing process as an opportunity to make the story as tight as possible and enjoyed the interaction between my editor, Christy, and the design and marketing team at Henry Holt/Macmillan.

Quick! Take this moment to register with Deb for a free giveaway. All you need to do is contact Deb at deb [at] debpilutti [dot] com. Be sure to put “TEN RULES Giveaway” in the subject line. Hurry!!!! She’s waiting to hear from you. Tell her that the ReaderKidZ sent you!

Thanks to everyone for entering! and congratulations to winner RITA PAINTER!

December Holiday Extravaganza Give Away!

Posted on 11/30/2014

The long cold nights, and bright lights of the holidays are upon us again.

We at ReaderKidZ love this time of year. It’s perfect for picking out delightful books for children, reading them in front of a fire along with a hot toddy, and then giving them as gifts.

This is also the time of year when we focus on all that we have, as well as what we can give to others.

So, as we’ve done in years past, we’re holding a…

ReaderKidZ December Extravaganza GIVE-AWAY!

We’re coordinating with Santa until the last week of December (when we go on hiatus) to send lucky winners copies of our favorite children’s books. Check back often and follow each post’s instructions to win. You know the drill, though. Only if you ‘ve been nice.

Aviary-Wonders-cover

Starting today:

For a chance to win a copy of the 2014 Kirkus Young Readers Award-Winner, AVIARY WONDERS INC. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual: Renewing the World’s Bird Supply Since 2031 by Kate Samworth—a beautifully illustrated, tongue-in-cheek look at assembling exotic birds in a world where species and habitats are disappearing—

Email us at: readerkidz (at) readerkidz (dot) com. Please put “AVIARY WONDERS Giveaway” in the subject line, and your name and address in the body of the email.

Dianne, Stephanie, Deb, Nancy, Kristen, Carmen, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing in our love of literature for young readers, all year, and for stopping by when you do. We wish you a very merry, warm and bright holiday season, filled of course, with books.

Just in case you missed our interviews last month, Dianne White’s  picture book, BLUE ON BLUE, illustrated by Beth Krommes, will be available wherever books are sold on DECEMBER 9th!

Ho ho ho!

Thanks to all who entered yesterday and we wish we could send everyone a copy!! Congratulations to Brenee Mitchell and Karen Jameson, our winners.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on 11/26/2014

ReaderKidZ wishes all of you safe travels and happy reunions this Thanksgiving weekend.

Be sure to check back here in December! We’ll be giving away beautiful, fun and exciting books all month so that you can pass them on to a child who loves to read, or one who hasn’t yet been captured by the magic of books. It’s only a matter of finding the right one …

Happy Thanksgiving and know that we give thanks for YOU, our readers!

Balloons, Boys, and Boats

Posted on 11/25/2014

If you’re longing to be swept away on the adventure of a lifetime, then SEBASTIAN AND THE BALLOON (2014)  and JONATHAN AND THE BIG BLUE BOAT (2011) by Philip C. Stead (A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press) are justJonathan and the Big Blue Boat what you’re looking for. Whether it be Sebastian – who gathers “all the things he would ever need,” before boarding a balloon of patchwork quilts and afghans, or Jonathan – who climbs aboard a big blue boat in search of his favorite stuffed animal, the premise of both books – a search for something mysterious and elusive and just on the other side of a milky gray fog or a stormy sea – is timeless. The journeys are wild, imaginative, and delightfully charming, thereby encouraging readers to slow down to savor the beautifully rendered scenes. Whimsical and inviting, Stead’s books capture the magic of childhood in a way few have. Learn more about Philip Stead and his books at his website and enjoy more of his conversations with book people on art and bookmaking at Number Five Bus.

George Ferris: What a Wheel

Posted on 11/23/2014

George Ferris: What a Wheel (Grosset & Dunlap, 2014) is the tale of a bridge-building engineer named George Ferris who, as a child, was captivated by the repetitive turning of a waterwheel. This childhood memory served as inspiration for the much anticipated debut of his Ferris Wheel, the highlight of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. It’s a story of vision, struggle, danger, bull-dogged determination, and, ultimately, sheer delight!

Author Barbara Lowell’s well-researched, emotionally rich text paired with Jerry Hoare’s engaging illustrations and enhanced historical photos captures the imagination of any young reader with an inquiring mind. George Ferris: What a Wheel is part of the Penguin Core Concepts series, published with the intent to expose children to a diverse range of literary and informative texts.

Underpants Dance

Posted on 11/20/2014

If you’ve ever been around kids of picture book age, you know that underpants are giggle-worthy. Think of “that page” in David Shannon’s, No, David! or the fun kids have pulling Dav Pilkey’s Diaper Baby or Captain Underpants off the shelves. There can never, ever be too many underpants books! Enter, UNDERPANTS DANCE by Marlena Zapf with pictures by Lynne Avril.

Lily McBloom had fancy, lacy underpants. In fact, they were so lovely, Lily couldn’t help but make up a special fancy-pants dance to show them off. This did not go over well with poor big sister, Marigold. Lily embarrasses her and has to promise “never to do a “Leaping-Down-the-Steps Underpants Dance ever again.” Of course, there’s always the “Top-of-the-Slide Underpants Dance”  which is silly enough to give a whole class a case of the giggles.

With lively and hilarious illustrations by Lynne Avril, this book sets just the right exuberant tone. Underpants Dance. The title alone is reason enough to make kids want to check this book out over and over and over again.