The Story of Diva and Flea - Review and Giveaway

The Story of Diva and Flea
by Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi
Disney Hyperion (October 13, 2015)
udience: Grades 1 to 3
Fiction * Friendship * Bravery
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the Book:
Diva, a small yet brave dog, and Flea, a curious streetwise cat, develop an unexpected friendship in this unforgettable tale of discovery.

For as long as she could remember, Diva lived at 11 avenue Le Play in Paris, France. For as long as he could remember, Flea also lived in Paris, France–but at no fixed address. When Flea flâneurs past Diva's courtyard one day, their lives are forever changed. Together, Diva and Flea explore and share their very different worlds, as only true friends can do.

Learn about the creative process behind Diva and Flea:

My thoughts on the book:
Odd couple friendship stories always seem to attract readers. Maybe because in a book like The Story of Diva and Flea so many of us can see ourselves in one of the characters that it makes it easier to relate. 

In the newest book by the creative team of Mo Willems and Tony DiTerlizzi comes a story about an unlikely friendship of a small timid dog named Diva and a large, adventurous cat named Flea. Diva lives in a comfortable home with regular meal times and a caring owner. Flea lives on the streets and has stories for every adventure that he has taken. 

However, despite their differences, Diva and Flea have some similarities that readers discover as they read through the book. 

The story is truly charming and I found myself falling in love with Diva and Flea for different reasons. Another thing that I loved about Diva and Flea is how the story will appeal as both a classroom read aloud as an independent read for first and second graders looking for a little bit of a challenge. Though the story concept is one that will easily be grasped by young children, they can certainly relate to some of the fears that Diva shares, the vocabulary may be a stumbling block for children with a less sophisticated vocabulary. 

Overall, a wonderful new book and I hope to see one or two more stories featuring this unlikely pair of friends. 

Pick up a copy of The Story of Diva and Flea at your local indie bookstore or public library.

About the Author
Mo Willems (www.pigeonpresents.com), a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity). Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! was also an inaugural inductee into the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame. The celebrated Elephant & Piggie early-reader series has been awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal on two occasions (for There Is a Bird on Your Head! and Are You Ready to Play Outside?) as well as garnering four Honors (for We Are in a Book!, I Broke My Trunk!, Let's Go for a Drive!and A Big Guy Took My Ball!). 

About the Illustrator
Tony DiTerlizzi (www.diterlizzi.com), a number-one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, created the middle-grade series The Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black, which has sold millions of copies, been translated into more than 30 languages and made into a feature film. He won a Caldecott Honor for illustrating The Spider & The Fly, and in 2014 he teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy in a picture book featuring artwork by Academy award-winning concept artist, Ralph McQuarrie. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with his wife, daughter and dog, Mimi.

BONJOUR, AMI prize pack
Hello, Friend! One (1) winner receives:

·         A kit for DIY friendship bracelets;
·         and a copy of The Story of Diva and Flea to read with your best friend.

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Disney Publishing.

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Blog Tour: Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler - Interview & Giveaway

Today, we welcome Sonia Gensler to Kid Lit Frenzy to answer a few questions about her new Middle Grade novel, GHOSTLIGHT.  Thank you Sonia for stopping by and for the great responses. I am so excited to share them and your book with readers.

First, check out the official book trailer:

Writing a scary ghost story Middle Grade novel can be hard. You need to find just the right balance between scary and not too scary. What are those boundaries for you and how did you work that out in Ghostlight?

This is an interesting question, because for me it might have had more to do with personal rather than age group boundaries. I am not a fan of gore in fiction, nor do I like an extended emphasis on physical terror. I really prefer to read stories of mystery, dread, and the slow burn of psychological horror. 

That said, there is a moment in Ghostlight that could almost be compared to a “jump scare” in a movie—and in that moment things look pretty disturbing—but there’s more to the story! My intention was for young readers to enjoy a hair-raising moment, but soon after they would realize that the real horror behind the terrifying moment was a betrayal of friendship.

Any weird or strange things happen while you were working on Ghostlight? 

I wish! Writing any story usually involves hard work that would seem quite boring to an outsider. However, before I started writing Ghostlight, I did stay in the bed & breakfast that inspired Hilliard House. I arrived at the house with mixed feelings. Part of me really wanted to have a ghostly encounter; the other part of me knew that I would be scared out of my mind if anything spooky happened—particularly because I was staying there by myself. As it turned out, I had a quiet night at Lylewood Inn. I have since learned that there may actually be a presence at the house. The owner has video-recorded spectral images during the night, but the presence seems quite benign. No moments of terror!

What was the scariest book you read as a 12 or 13 year old? What was the scariest movie/TV show that you saw as a child? Why? And do you think books or movies are scarier? Why or why not? 

I did not read many spooky books as a child because I was oversensitive. Creepy stories would either give me nightmares or keep me up all night staring at the shadows in terror. I remember my brother having an illustrated book of horror film monsters that disturbed me for most of my childhood. My mom had a paperback of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot that included photos from the movie adaptation. Oh, the horror! And yet, I was so intrigued by these stories and couldn’t help taking a peek. Personally, I think films are scarier than books, but in either case I need to care deeply about the characters for the horror to really get its grip on me.

Though we still have about a month to go before Halloween, people are already starting to think about their costumes. What is on your short-list for costumes? 

I’ve always had terrible luck with costumes. When I was trick-or-treating age, we never had enough money to actually buy costumes. Instead Mom would make them, and though they were very creative, they also were fragile and flimsy. One year she dressed me as the Headless Horseman, but I couldn’t see very well and ended up falling into a prickly bush and tearing the costume.  

My dream costume would probably be something Gothic—a Victorian mourning dress with an elaborate veil, perhaps. Maybe under the veil my face would be painted to look ghostly or skeletal? That sounds deliciously creepy, but I’m sure I’d be fainting from the heat in such a heavy costume!

Any new projects that you are working on that you can share with us?

 My new projects are still in early stages, and therefore it’s difficult to share anything specific at this time. But stay tuned and rest assured that there will be all sorts of Gothic elements in the next book—remote country houses, dark secrets, hauntings, betrayals—all my favorite stuff for fiction!

Ghostlight
by Sonia Gensler
Knopf Books for Young Readers (August 4, 2015)
Audience: Ages 9 to 12
Fiction * Ghost Stories * Motion Pictures
Indiebound | WorldCat 

About the book: 
Things that go bump in the night are just the beginning when a summer film project becomes a real-life ghost story!
 
Avery is looking forward to another summer at Grandma’s farm, at least until her brother says he’s too old for “Kingdom,” the imaginary world they’d spent years creating. Lucky for her, there’s a new kid staying in the cottage down the road: a city boy with a famous dad, Julian’s more than a little full of himself, but he’s also a storyteller like Avery. So when he announces his plan to film a ghost story, Avery is eager to join in.
 
Unfortunately, Julian wants to film at Hilliard House, a looming, empty mansion that Grandma has absolutely forbidden her to enter. As terrified as Avery is of Grandma’s wrath, the allure of filmmaking is impossible to resist.
 
As the kids explore the secrets of Hilliard house, eerie things begin to happen, and the “imaginary” dangers in their movie threaten to become very real. Have Avery and Julian awakened a menacing presence? Can they turn back before they go too far?

Photo Credit: Eden Wilson Photography

More about the author: 
Sonia Gensler is also the author of the young adult novels The Dark Between and The Revenant. She grew up in a small Tennessee town and spent her early adulthood collecting impractical degrees from various Midwestern universities. A former high school English teacher, she now writes full-time in Oklahoma. To learn more, and to download a free curriculum guide, visit soniagensler.com.  Twitter: @soniagensler

Check out the final stop on the blog tour, tomorrow, at the Mother Daughter Book Club.

Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway to enter for a chance to win a copy of GHOSTLIGHT. Please note that participants must be 13 years or older and have a US mailing address.

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Happy Book Birthday to Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate
Macmillan (September 22, 2015)
Fiction * Homelessness * Imaginary Friends
Audience: Ages 8 to 12
Indiebound | Worldcat | GoodReads
website: crenshawthebook.com

About the book: 
In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.

Check out the official book trailer:

Check out the nationwide Crenshaw the Food Drive, here. 

My thoughts on the book:
Childhood can be tougher than most adults realize. Teachers see this all the time. The children who have little to no control over what is happening in their lives and must come to school and try and focus on learning. Not always the easiest thing to do and then we wonder where the acting out or anger or attention seeking behaviors come from?!  

As an educator, in a school district with a large population of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, I have seen how poverty or financial instability impact students in very real ways. The effects of unemployment or jobs that do not pay a sustainable or living wage reach far beyond what we imagine.  

In CRENSHAW, Katherine Applegate introduces readers to Jackson, his little sister, and his parents. Due to a variety of life situations beyond Jackson's control, childhood is far from carefree and easy. When Jackson was younger and the family faced living in their van for a period of time, Crenshaw, a large, imaginary cat came into Jackson's life to help him cope. Though Jackson is older, life is still presenting a lot of challenges for his family and the possibility of living in their van is a again looming over them. And Crenshaw is back. What does it mean?

In a very real and very touching manner, Applegate deals with the issue of homelessness and hunger facing children today. CRENSHAW provides children who live with financial uncertainty with a way of seeing themselves in a book, and hopefully for a means of being able to speak with a caring adult of their own concerns and fears. It also provides teachers with another lens in which to understand the issue of childhood homelessness. Additionally, don't we all need an understanding imaginary friend who shows up just when we need a listening ear or a way to feel secure when all else is uncertain? 

Pair CRENSHAW with Yard Sale by Eve Bunting; Illustrated by Lauren Castillo (Candlewick, 2015).

I have been book talking CRENSHAW to teachers for the past few months. I am so excited that it is finally out in the world for everyone to read and I look forward to hearing about students' reactions when they hear CRENSHAW read aloud. Applegate has created another heart-print book that will touch the lives of everyone who reads it.

Pick up a copy of CRENSHAW at your local indie bookstore or public library. 

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the giveaway. Participants must be 13 years old or older and have a US Mailing address.  Complete the rafflecopter below to enter to win: 

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Blog Tour: Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Max the Brave
by Ed Vere
Audience: PreK to 2nd Grade
Fiction * Animals * Cats
IndieBound | WorldCat | GoodReads
Activity Kit | Educator's Guide
 

About the book: Max is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There’s only one problem—Max doesn’t know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn’t have to be Max the Brave all the time…

Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse. Young readers will delight in Max’s mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children’s classic.

Watch the Official Book Trailer:

My thoughts on this book: 
First, I  must confess that I am a cat lover, which means that it is pretty easy to fall in love with a book like Max the Brave. Second, I work with young children and I appreciate a good read aloud.  Though good read alouds may be harder to come by, Max the Brave works well in this category too.

Max is a small black cat. Some may even say that he is adorable.

Max doesn't appreciate the adorableness as much as he does being a brave adventurer. 

Max is out to find and chase a mouse, but this is difficult when you don't know what a mouse looks like.  

Max encounters a fly, goldfish, birds, and more in his search for a mouse. Of course, the real mouse sends Max off on a wild goose chase.  Instead of chasing a mouse, Max finds a monster that he thinks is the mouse. 

Of course at some point, Max decides that chasing mice may be overrated.  The twist at the end will have children laughing and asking for the book to be read again. 

For cat lovers and those who just like a good read aloud, pick up a copy of Max the Brave at your local indie bookstore or public library. 

Note: Check out the downloadable wallpaper (used in this post) on the Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky page, here.

About the Author: Ed Vere is an author, artist and illustrator with a long track record of success in the picture book category. Max the Brave was named one of The Sunday Times’s 100 Modern Children’s Classics. His book Bedtime for Monsters was shortlisted for the 2011 Roald Dahl Funny Prizeand Mr Big was chosen by Booktrust as the official Booktime book for 2009 (and was distributed to 750,000 British schoolchildren making it the largest single print run of a picture book). Vere was the World Book Day illustrator for 2009.  Find him on: website | twitter

Enter the Giveaway:

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The Marvels Blog Tour: You Either See It Or You Don't

The Marvels
by Brian Selznick
Scholastic Press (September 15, 2015)
Website | Social Media #TheMarvels
 

About the book: 
From the Caldecott Medal–winning creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret andWonderstruck comes a breathtaking new voyage.

In this magnificent reimagining of the form he originated, two stand-alone stories—the first in nearly 400 pages of continuous pictures, the second in prose—together create a beguiling narrative puzzle.

The journey begins on a ship at sea in 1766, with a boy named Billy Marvel. After surviving a shipwreck, he finds work in a London theatre. There, his family flourishes for generations as brilliant actors until 1900, when young Leontes Marvel is banished from the stage.

Nearly a century later, Joseph Jervis runs away from school and seeks refuge with an uncle in London. Albert Nightingale’s strange, beautiful house, with its mysterious portraits and ghostly presences, captivates Joseph and leads him on a search for clues about the house, his family, and the past.

A gripping adventure and an intriguing invitation to decipher how the two narratives connect, The Marvels is a loving tribute to the power of story from an artist at the vanguard of creative innovation.

Quick thoughts on the book: 
At the American Library Association Annual Conference, I was able to pick up an advance copy of THE MARVELS. I read it as soon as I got home. Brian Selznick has taken his art and storytelling to new heights with his latest book. Though I love all of his books, this may have earned a special place in my heart and emotionally moved me the most. If you are like me, you may even need a pack of tissues for the end of the book. Definitely pick this up from your local indie bookstore and create time to read this book when it comes out on Tuesday, September 15th. 

Artwork #1

Artwork #2

Artwork #3

Artwork #4

Check out the official book trailer: 

Photo Credit: Jamey Mazzie

About the Author: 
Brian Selznick is the Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret which was adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning movie Hugo. Selznick's books have garnered countless accolades worldwide, and have been translated into over 35 languages. He has worked as a set designer and a puppeteer. He lives in San Diego, California, and Brooklyn, New York.

Piece together the mystery of THE MARVELS.

Join Joseph, a young boy in 1990 London, as he pieces together clues found in his uncle’s mysterious house. Who are the Marvels? And how are they connected to Joseph?

Follow the YOU EITHER SEE IT OR YOU DON’T tour to hear mysterious recordings by Brian Selznick, get a sneak peek at artwork from the book, and discover souvenirs from inside THE MARVELS house. What do they mean? You either see it or you don’t.

September 7th - The Book Smugglers
September 8th - Hypable
September 9th - Super Space Chick
September 10th - The Reading Room
September 11th -  Pop Wrapped

Enter to win a copy of The Marvels and The Marvels Jigsaw Puzzle.

Giveaway open to US addresses only.  Prizing and samples provided by Scholastic.

Please complete the rafflecopter below to enter for a chance at winning these special prizes.

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