This originally appeared on a great blog by Anne E. Johnson, JESTER HARLEY’S MANUSCRIPT PAGE, where she reveals her own writing as well as highlights several fiction authors in all genres! Check it out here: http://anneejohnson.blogspot.com/ When I do school visits, I often talk to students about “potato ideas.” These are ideas that are not [...]

Before I get to today’s clever book, I want to announce the winner of my book, Finding My Place: One Girl’s Strength at Vicksburg from Juanita Noble’s blog. Drumroll. . . and the winner is Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan of Pittsburgh, PA! Thanks for entering, Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy the book! If you haven’t checked out [...]

*Early, early chapter book (like Amelia Bedelia), realistic fiction *6-year-old girl as main character *Rating: Well, I’m in love with the character, Katie Woo–this is just one book in a series. Young girls will eat these up and want more and more. Love the illustrations, too! Short, short summary: In Katie Woo: Moving Day, Katie [...]

Roses are Red, Your Feet Really Stink is one of my favorite Valentine books–especially when I was teaching. I read it to my class every year! Diana deGroat illustrated and wrote the book–such a talent. Here’s a summary of the story: “When Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines to his classmates, his prank quickly turns into [...]

*Picture book, preschool through 2nd grade, humorous *Harry, a little boy, as main character *Rating: Harry Goes to Dog School is right up my family’s alley. My 2-year-old LOVES “woof-woofs,” and this book teaches a lesson in a subtle way–the grass is not always greener on the other side. Although for just one day, I [...]

*Picture book for preschool through 2nd graders (Thanksgiving theme, talking animals) *Bear as main character *Rating: My daughter loves all these books (Bear Snores On, etc.), and so do I! The illustrations are so cute, and the story always holds her attention. (She loves animals!) Short, short summary: In Bear Says Thanks, Bear is hungry, [...]

*Picture book, preschool through first grade *Squirrels as the main subject matter *Rating: This is a really cute and neat book with amazing photographs of squirrels in Central Park by Murray Head. Since my 22-month-old daughter loves animals and not many words on the page, this is a perfect book for her! Short, short, summary: [...]

Today, I welcome author Maggie Lyons who will talk about her new novel, Vin and the Dorky Duet. Here’s a brief summary of the plot from Maggie’s website before we get on to the questions and her insightful answers! The moment he walks through the door and sees the sharky grin on his older sister’s [...]

*Picture book, (contemporary concept book), for preschool to first graders *Boys as main characters *Rating: If Waffles Were Like Boys (illustrator: Scott Magoon) is an interesting book that really captures children and their imagination. It is obviously targeted toward boys, but girls could read it and write their own version! Short, short summary: If Waffles [...]

There’s a lot going on this fine spring Thursday with my guest blogger and WOW! blog tour author, Ruth Kaiser, and her super, super, SUPER cute picture book, The Smiley Book of Colors. (Publisher: Random House/Golden Books) I absolutely love this book and can’t wait to share it with you. Ruth has seen Smiley Faces [...]