2012 CYBILS Book App Winner - Dragon Brush

Creators: John Solimine and Andy Hollinger
Seller: Small Planet Digital
Category: Book App
Version: 1.2
Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Requires IOS 4.3 or later.
Website: http://www.dragonbrushapp.com/ 
Twitter | Facebook

Description of the App from Webpage:

Based on a traditional Chinese folktale, Dragon Brush is the story of Bing-Wen, a young boy who loves to paint. When given a magical brush that makes drawings come to life, Bing-Wen must use his art and his wits to outsmart the greedy Emperor. 

* Help Bing-Wen’s drawings come magically to life 
* Create your own drawings with Dragon Paint 
* Discover interactive elements on every page

Congratulations to Dragon Brush App & Small Planet Digital for winning the CYBILS 2012 Childrens and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards.  Congratulations to the CYBILS Book App Committe Rounds 1 & 2 for all of their hardwork as judges.  If you haven't seen this wonderful Book App take a peak at the video below.  The App is available on iTunes. 

Checkout Mary Ann Scheuer's review on Great Kid Books.

Video of the App:


Dragon Brush from Small Planet Digital on Vimeo.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Nelson Mandela

Author: Kadir Nelson
Paintings by: Kadir Nelson
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books (January 2, 2013)
Source: Copy for Review
Audience: Grades 2nd to 5th
Biography * South Africa * Political Leaders

Description from GoodReads:
One day when Nelson Mandela was nine years old, his father died and he was sent from his village to a school far away from home, to another part of South Africa. In Johannesburg, the country's capital, Mandela saw fellow Africans who were poor and powerless. He decided then that he would work to protect them. When the government began to keep people apart based on the color of their skin, Mandela spoke out against the law and vowed to fight hard in order to make his country a place that belonged to all South Africans.

Kadir Nelson tells the story of Mandela, a global icon, in poignant verse and glorious illustrations. It is the story of a young boy's determination to change South Africa and of the struggles of a man who eventually became the president of his country by believing in equality for people of all colors. Readers will be inspired by Mandela's triumph and his lifelong quest to create a more just world.

My thoughts on the book:
Over the past few years, Kadir Nelson has focused on what he does best - picture book biographies.  Kadir Nelson has taken on the former South African president Nelson Mandela as the focus for his latest book.  It is quite conceivable that someone would want to purchase a book by Kadir Nelson simply for the artwork.  The oil painting portrait of Mandela on the cover captures the illustrious leader with warmth and power.  Each two page spread demonstrates Nelson's ability to communicate deeply through his paintings which convey emotion and strength.  Yet, Nelson's choice of words including the verse-like style of text is perfectly suited to relay to the reader the story that is Nelson Mandela.

Kadir Nelson has created a picture book biography on Nelson Mandela that will provide young readers with an introduction to the South African leader from his childhood to the end of apartheid.    The author's note and additional bibliographical information at the end will provide readers with some further details about Nelson Mandela.  Whether you choose to pick up a copy of this book because of the amazing illustrations or as an addition to a school or classroom biography collection, Kadir Nelson's newest book Nelson Mandela is an excellent choice. 

For additional books to consider, check out the New York Times post Black History Greats.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction book reviews below:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - February 2013

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, I try to post new releases for the month.  Here are some of titles that I found being released in February 2013.  Books marked with an asterik (*) indicated full length chapter books for grades 5 to 8. 


February 1, 2013

*A Marked Man: The Assassination of Malcolm X by Matt Doeden (Twenty-First Century Books)

February 12, 2013

Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares (Candlewick Press)

February 19, 2013

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman (Henry Holt and Co.)

If you know of a book that should be included in this list, please include the title and author in the comments section and I will update the list.  

If you have posted any nonfiction book reviews, please link them up with this post:

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

After getting back from ALA Midwinter, I had a super busy week which limited the number of books that I could read.  Here are a few that stood out to me from the past week.

Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin - I found this title up in Seattle at the Secret Garden Bookstore.  The illustrations are beautiful and the text weaves together. 

Infinity and Me by Kate Hosford - This book is a good one for math fans.  I enjoyed how the author tries to help readers understand the concept of Infinity.

Jacob Lawrence in the City by Susan Goldman Rubin- An interesting board book that looks at various paintings of Jacob Lawrence.

Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon (release date April 16, 2013) - I had an opportunity to see an F&G of this one.  I love this follow-up to Penguin and Pinecone.


So, what are you reading this week?

Printed Books Giveaway Hop

The Printed Books Giveaway Hop is hosted by Kathy over at I am a Reader, Not a Writer.  This hop celebrates the printed book.  No e-books this time.


I will be giving away signed copies of the following Middle Grade Mystery/Adventure Pack:

The Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emerson (Walden Pond Press)

The Tell-Tale Start: The Misadventure of Edgar and Allen Poe by Gordon McAlpine (Penguin)

Girls' Best Friend: A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery by Leslie Margolis (Bloomsbury)

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Don't forget to check out the other blogs participating in this giveaway hop: