#Road2Reading Challenge: January Early Reader New Releasesf

Last week, I posted about several new early chapter books that were coming out this month. You can check out the post, here. Today, I am sharing about some new early reader releases from favorite authors. 

My Friends Make Me Happy (The Giggle Gang #3) by Jan Thomas (HMH Books for Young Readers, January 16, 2018)

Jan Thomas's Giggle Gang is back with two new titles. 

Don't you love the bright colors and the animated characters? They are so much fun to read. 

My Toothbrush is Missing (The Giggle Gang #4) by Jan Thomas (HMH Books for Young Readers, January 16, 2018)

And, not only do we have one Giggle Gang book but two that just came out this week. 

Look for these books at your local indie bookstore or community library.

Please, No More Nuts! by Jonathan Fenske (Penguin Young Readers, January 23, 2018)

Our two squirrel friends from WE NEED MORE NUTS! are back!

This time they may have had enough of nuts. Look for this new title coming out next week.

Pass the Ball, Mo! by David Adler (Penguin Young Readers, January 30, 2018)

And our favorite sports playing friend, Mo, is back in a new story about basketball. 

We will have to wait until the end of the month to get this one into classrooms.  Looking forward to sharing all of these with young readers.

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Do you work with readers who are starting their journey on the road to reading?  Join Michele Knott from Mrs. Knott's Book Nook and myself every Thursday as we explore books and ideas to help readers have a successful start to independent picture book and chapter book reading. If you blog or have a Goodreads page, please link up with us!

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Cover Reveal: Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers

Sometimes a request comes and you are honored to be the one asked. I am excited to be able to host the cover reveal for author, Melissa Stewart's 2018 title - Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs (Peachtree Publishers). I had the opportunity to read a very early copy of the book and I love it. Melissa uses her skill as a writer, understanding of the animal world, and knowledge of what children will love to create a fabulous new book that you need to add to your "list of books to read". 

Thank you Melissa for sharing the cover of your upcoming book and telling us a little about it. Let me turn the blog over to Melissa for her thoughts on the cover and ideas behind the book.

Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs
by Melissa Stewart, Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Peachtree Publishers (September 2018)

Don't you just love this cover? 

Okay, now here's the back. It's just awesome right?

Stephanie Laberis is crazy talented! The animals she creates are scientifically accurate and a whole lotta fun. Her style is absolutely perfect for this book.

Here’s the publisher’s description:
“Puny? Poky? Clumsy? Shy? Written in a lively and playful voice, Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs introduces young readers to a variety of “animal underdogs” and explains how some of the surprising characteristics we see as weaknesses actually play a critical role in their survival.”

There are lots of books out there about the biggest, fastest, tallest, strongest animals. You know,
creatures we admire. If they were people, we’d give them shiny gold medals. But our book isn’t
about them. Instead, it focuses on some of the world’s underappreciated animals and shows that
they’re pretty amazing too.

Even though the information is presented in a fun way, the book’s central nugget, its creative
core is serious. I was severely bullied as a child, and this book is my way of offering hope to
children who might be facing something similar right now.

Here’s my favorite spread in the book:

I was a clumsy, uncoordinated, unathletic kid, so the western fence lizard is kind of my hero. See how its “weakness” helps it catch prey? Let’s face it. Eating is pretty important if you want to stay alive, and this lizard has come up with a completely unique way to getting the job done.

Everyday across America, children get picked on for being small or slow or shy or overweight or clumsy, but sometimes these perceived flaws turn out to be a core part of what makes them successful adults. Using examples from the animal world, I encourage children to flip their thinking, and to be kind to one another. 

Thank you Melissa for stopping by and sharing your new cover and a few thoughts on your upcoming book.

About the Author: Melissa Stewart is the author of more than 180 science-themed nonfiction books for children, including award-winning A Place for . . . series. She holds a degree in biology from Union College and a master’s degree in science journalism from New York University. Melissa believes that nothing brings nonfiction writing to life like firsthand research. While gathering information for her books, she has explored tropical rain forests in Costa Rica, gone on safari in East Africa, and swum with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. www.melissa-stewart.com

Illustrator Bio:  Stephanie Laberis is a character designer and Illustrator who specializes in creating art for animation and children’s publications. She has illustrated several picture books, including My Little Golden Book of Sharks and Grumpy Cat ABC Book. She lives California. Visit her website at www.stephlaberis.carbonmade.com.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...

Book Review & Giveaway: Don't Forget DEXTER! by Lindsay Ward

Don't Forget DEXTER! 
by Lindsay Ward
Two Lions, January 1, 2018
Fiction * Animals * Dinosaurs
Audience: Ages 4 to 7 years
Amazon * WorldCat

Description of the book: 
Introducing Dexter T. Rexter, the toughest, coolest dinosaur ever. At least he likes to think so.

When his best friend, Jack, leaves him behind at the doctor’s office, Dexter T. Rexter panics. First he tries to find Jack. Then he sings their special song. Then he sings their special song even louder. But when Jack still doesn’t appear, Dexter starts to wonder. What if he’s being replaced by another toy? It can’t be—after all, he can STOMP, RAWR, and CHOMP! Right? Right?!

This hilariously neurotic dinosaur will do whatever it takes to get his friend back—even asking the reader’s advice—in this first book of a brand-new series.

Thoughts on the book: 
I am always excited for a new book by Lindsay Ward. So, I was particularly excited to get my hands on her latest title. 

DON'T FORGET DEXTER! is told from the perspective a a toy dinosaur who has been left behind in a doctor's office. Dexter is quite the character. He is very attached to his young buddy, Jack, who appears to have disappeared. After drawing a picture of Jack and trying to reach the receptionist to see where Jack has gone, he decides to sing his special friendship song. 

Dexter has a strong sense of self but there is a subtle tinge of anxiety as he begins to wonder if he was replaced by other toys and the reader can sense panic growing. 

Anyone who has spent anytime with a young child with a special toy or blanket will understand the trauma that can easily erupt when the precious item is lost or misplaced. Parents and family members have gone to great lengths to track down a toy or blanket. However, how often do we think about how it might feel from the toy's perspective? Ward captures the emotions with sensitivity and humor. Her trademark cut paper is paired with text written in crayon to emphasize different emotions.

DON'T FORGET DEXTER! will make for a fun read aloud.  Pick up a copy of this at a local bookstore or check it out at your community library.

About the author: 
Lindsay Ward was inspired to write this book after her husband texted her a photo of a toy dinosaur abandoned at a doctor’s office. The caption read: “Well, they left me here.” Lindsay thought it was so funny that she sat down to write Dexter’s story immediately. She is also the author and illustrator of Brobarians, Henry Finds His Word, and When Blue Met Egg. Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play.

Most days you can find Lindsay writing and sketching at her home in Peninsula, Ohio, where she lives with her family. Learn more about her online at www.LindsayMWard.com  or on Twitter: @lindsaymward.

Giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive a copy of DON’T FORGET DEXTER! courtesy of Two Lions (U.S. addresses).

#Road2Reading Challenge: January and February New Releases

Yesterday, I did a Nonfiction New Release post. Thought it would be fun to do one for January and February new releases for early chapter books and readers. So here are some of the upcoming new books that second and third grades will enjoy. 

The Haunted House Next Door (Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol #1) by Andres Miedoso, Illustrated by Victor Rivas (Simon & Schuster, December 12, 2017)

Ghosts Don't Ride Bikes, Do They? (Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol #2)  by Andres Miedoso, Illustrated by Victor Rivas (Simon & Schuster, December 12, 2017)

The Superstar Story of the Harlem Globetrotters: History of Fun Stuff by Larry Dobrow, Illustrated by Scott Burroughs (Simon & Schuster, December 12, 2017) 

Aleca Zamm Fools Them All by Ginger Rue (Aladdin, January 2, 2018)

Ellie Steps Up to the Plate by Callie Barkley, Illustrated by Tracy Bishop (Simon & Schuster, January 30, 2018)

Better Together (Heartwood Hotel Book 3) by Kallie George, Illustrated Stephanie Graegin (Disney/Hyperion, February 6, 2018)

Long Fin Silver (Shark School) by Davy Ocean, Illustrated by Aaron Blecha (Aladdin, February 6, 2018)

Fearless Flyers, Dazzle Painters, and Code Talkers!: World War I by Elizabeth Dennis, Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti (Simon & Schuster, February 6, 2018)

Super Turbo vs. Wonder Pig by Lee Kirby, Illustrated by George O'Connor (Simon & Schuster, February 27, 2018)

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznik, David Serlin (Scholastic, February 27, 2018)

Do you work with readers who are starting their journey on the road to reading?  Join Michele Knott from Mrs. Knott's Book Nook and myself every Thursday as we explore books and ideas to help readers have a successful start to independent picture book and chapter book reading. If you blog or have a Goodreads page, please link up with us!

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: January New Releases

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, one of the most popular posts are the round-up posts. Honestly, it is also my favorite post to put together.  This may not be a comprehensive list of releases for the month but I hope that it will help us kick of our year of nonfiction reading. 

Here are some of the 2018 new releases that I am looking forward to reading. What are you looking forward to?

Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship by Irene Latham, Charles Waters, Illustrated by Sean Qualls, Selina Alko (Carolrhoda, January 1, 2018)

How to Make a Rainbow: A Crayola Color Story by Laura Purdie Salas (Millbrook Press, January 1, 2018)

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington (HarperCollins, January 9, 2018)

Write to Me: Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind by Cynthia Grady, Illustrated by Amiko Hirao (Charlesbridge Press, January 9, 2018)

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Illustrated by Laura Freeman (HarperCollins, January 16, 2018)

Libba: The Magnificient Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten by Laura Veirs, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh  (Chronicle Books, January 16, 2018)

A Place to Start a Family: Poems about Creatures That Build by David L Harrison, Giles Laroche (Charlesbridge, January 16, 2018)

Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went From the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Simon & Schuster, January 23, 2018)

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Qin Leng (Balzer & Bray, January 26, 2018)

Artwork by Sarah S. Brannen ©2017

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...