SUSANNA HILL'S 6TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONTEST: Let Witchmas Begin by Lynne Marie

LET WITCHMAS BEGIN...

Word Count: 300

“Christmas is more snow than glow,” Octavia observed. “It needs a makeover. Santa’s

lucky I traded holidays with him!”

With a flick of her wand, Christmas became “Witchmas”

Elves turned from merry to scary,  

Colors from bright to just right and

                        Carols to scare-alls!

            A tear ran down Octavia’s nose as she sang along…

On the twelfth day of Witchmas
my Crypt-mate sent to me:
12 Demons Dribbling
11 Pookas Primping
10 Mummies Mumming
9 Vampires Vamping

8 Monsters Mashing
7 Souls a-Swirling
6 Toads a-Croaking
5 Black Batwings
4 Carrion Birds
3 Ravens
2 Cawing Crows
and a Vulture in a dead tree.

“It’s a nightmare come true,” she murmured. And it was, until…

Octavia knocked at house #1.

“Scary Christmas!”

A door slammed in her face.

She’d forgotten to use the chimney.

After bandaging her nose, she entered house #2 from the roof.

“Ouch!”

She’d forgotten about the Yule Log.

After applying burn cream, she entered house #3 through the window.

            “Crash!”

            She’d forgotten about the Christmas tree.

            She picked ornaments and pine needles from her hair.

            “This holiday is more unbearable than scareable. I’m exhausted.”  She threw up her hands. “I should be moon-tanning right now…”

With a flick of her wand, she brought back Christmas AND Santa. 

“Glad you’re here,” said Octavia. “I quit!”

“Not until you’ve visited EVERY home on my list. A deal’s a deal,” Santa reminded her. “Besides, I have ideas for cheering up Halloween.”

“But Halloween’s a perfectly frightful holiday,” Octavia protested.

“Not for long.” Santa grabbed Octavia’s wand.  “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Witchmas to all and to all a good night. See you on Holly-ween!”He pointed the wand at himself. “POOF!”

“I should be careful what I wish for,” said Octavia. “Where’s the cocoa? It’s going to be a long night.” 

PPBF: A Review of Drat That Fat Cat by Julia Patton

REVIEW BY: Lynne Marie

TITLE: Drat That Fat Cat
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Julia Patton
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman
PUBLICATION DATE: 2016

SNIPPET:
Cornelius Van Ploof lived alone. He collected very rare species of cacti. He disliked noises and mess.

One Sunday morning, there was a DING DONG meow at the front door.




REVIEW: From the onset the cover of this book hooks the reader with a not-your-run-of-the-mill-fat-cat via active and engaging art. As the story begins, we meet our somewhat funny-looking and quirky main character, with his fun-to-say name and unique characteristics that set him apart from generic main characters. His personality, by nature, hints at that the problem might be. And when that Ding Dong arrives, little ones will have fun knowing who is at the door and the chaos he will cause in Cornelius' life. They will definitely want to follow Cornelius' story as he strays from his usual, ordinary day to a life with that fat cat!

I loved this book. All of it. From the cover, to the end papers, to the last page which promises another adventure in the reader's mind, and perhaps another fabulous book! I love the subtle message that our blessings come in all shapes, sizes and weights, and that we don't always realize our blessings are blessings until we have time to reflect on them and see them in a proper light. But message aside, this is an adorable book that will appeal to many ages on many levels and truly a fun read aloud.

NOTE: The opinions reflected herein are my own.

TODDLER TUESDAY REVIEW & GIVE-AWAY: Goodnight Manger, Written by Laura Sassi, Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Buy At Amazon: http://amzn.to/2exmQdO

TITLE: Goodnight Manger
FORMAT: Board Book
AUTHOR: Laura Sassi
ILLUSTRATOR: Jane Chapman
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins
IMPRINT: Zondervan / Zonderkidz
PUBLICATION DATE: 2015 
ISBN: 978-0-310-75571-8











SNIPPET 
Stars are twinkling.
Baby's fed. 
Mama says, "It's
Time for bed."

Hug him, squeeze him,
Hold him tight.
Dim the lantern.
Say, "Goodnight."

From the moment the cover opens and this delightful bedtime story begins, it's broad appeal becomes evident. It is neither just a nativity story, nor just a bedtime story, but a wonderfully intertwined combination. And while technically a bedtime story, it is spirited and not without clever tension and pacing as angels, shepherds and kings come to welcome the new baby and influence his inability to go to sleep. 

This board book version of Sassi's picture book of the same name is perfect for toddlers as it is strong, durable. Importantly, it introduces elements of the nativity story in a fun, sweet and subtle way, with crisp rhyme that bears reading over and over again. Jane Chapman's art is absolutely charming and delightful, and presents characters that will appeal to children of all backgrounds. 

Zonderkidz is offering one fresh-off-the-press copy of the new GOODNIGHT, MANGER board book to one lucky winner.  To be eligible, you must be a U.S. resident and have a physical address, not a P.O. Box.  

To enter, please leave a comment for Laura in the comment section of this post. A winner will be chosen on December 7th. 

PLEASE CHECK OUT: Laura Sassi's writing advice here:
http://literallylynnemarie.blogspot.com/2016/11/squeak-what-mice-in-goodnight-manger.html

SQUEAK! What the Mice in GOODNIGHT, MANGER Can Teach us about Picture Book Writing by Laura Sassi

Purchase at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2etoInv

Aren’t picture books amazing?  I mean, in what other format, except maybe graphic novel, do text and illustration work together to tell a story in such a magical fashion.  To be successful, neither text nor illustration is complete without the other and each, in their own ways, must enhance the story.  When I first began writing picture books, I knew this intellectually, but I still needed work in letting my words leave room for an illustrator.  With my first book Goodnight, Ark and my second, Goodnight, Manger, I thought I had mastered that. But, as I learned from the wonderful Jane Chapman, there is always room to grow. Let me explain.  

In her delightful style, illustrator Jane Chapman has included an adorable pair of mice in almost every spread of my Christmas picture book, Goodnight, Manger.  The pair actually had their own verse in the almost final version. That verse, however,  got cut from the text in the interest of tightening and streamlining the plot.  In the almost final version, they played an active role in trying to soothe and comfort the crying Baby Jesus.  Here is the outtake:

Field mice come

On bitty toes.

Tickle Baby’s

Ears and nose.

This was actually one of four verses that both Jane and my editor suggested be cut in an effort to streamline the story.  A total of 43 words were cut, bringing the final word count to a slim 256. At first I thought I would miss this mouse-y verse as well as the others, but I don’t. In the process finalizing the these last edits, Jane said something to the effect that if an action is described in the text, it MUST be included within the pages.  But, if it’s not, the illustrator can still make a nod to it in the illustrations.  And that’s exactly what Jane has done with the humorous inclusion of the mice. 

For little readers, it’s engaging to look for the mice on each page spread. And for me as a writer, and perhaps now for you, too, they are serve as a cute visual reminder of the importance of leaving room for the illustrations to tell part of the story.  

Happy writing and reading all! 

BIO: Laura Sassi has a passion for writing picture books in rhyme and prose. She is the author of two picture books GOODNIGHT, ARK (Zonderkidz, 2014), GOODNIGHT, MANGER (Zonderkidz, 2015) and is excited to announce that there are more on the way! Laura grew up overseas and in the US, but has spent most of her adult life in New Jersey where she lives with her husband, two children, and a black Cockapoo named Sophie. For her reflections on reading, writing and life,visit her blog at www.laurasassitales.wordpress.com or on Twitter: @LauraSassiTales. She can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LauraSassiTales.

Book Trailer:   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kppv9AMwJrA

PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW....
For a Review of Goodnight Manger and a book giveaway! 

REVIEW: Puddles by Kevan Atteberry

TITLE: Puddles
AUTHOR: Kevan Atteberry
ILLUSTRATOR: Kevan Atteberry
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins
IMPRINT:  Katherine Tegen Books
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2016








OK some books are just FUN. Plain old stomp in the mud FUN! This is one of them. 

Geared to toddlers and pre-readers, this simple story of just one or a few paired words (hello, sun, clouds, rain, puddles, splash, etc.) actually has a narrative arc, pacing and tension! As well as fun. Did I mention fun? I loved this enthusiastic, energetic fun-loving monster, who is not without his fears. And who would not just love those adorable bunnies, even though they don't like puddles. 

This is a great book for re-readability, and I am sure any toddler will be repeating and or reading it in no time!

Reviewed by: Lynne Marie. The opinions herein are my own. 

REVIEW: Before I Leave by Jessixa Bagley

TITLE: Before I Leave
AUTHOR: Jessixa Bagley
ILLUSTRATOR: Jessixa Bagley
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press 
EDITOR: Neal Porter
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2016







SNIPPET: I found out we're moving.  Mom said I need to pack. She said you can't come with us.

On the heels of A Boat for Papa, Jessixa Bagley again creates a simply stated, yet emotional portrait of loss. While this time the loss is just geographic, she still handles the topic with a careful concern and empathetic manner that points toward acceptance and coping with a glimmer of hope.

Despite knowing the inevitable will arrive, the main character, a little hedgehog named Zelda, enjoys all of her favorite activities with her friend Aaron Badger, enjoying the moments, "like nothing is changing." Good advice to young and old when dealing with any kind of loss.

Because of its careful handling of a difficult topic, AND because of its sweet portrayal of friendship and fear of loss, I simply adore this book's text AND illustrations of Zelda and Aaronr. I appreciate that it a boy/girl friendship because boys and girls can be best friends, too.  And because it is both cute and hopeful in its ending, it is a book that a child will enjoy reading again and again.

REVIEWED BY: Lynne Marie. The opinions are my own.

BOOK REVIEW: I Am A Story by Dan Yaccarino

PICTURE BOOK: I Am A Story
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Dan Yaccarino
PUBLISHER: Harper Collins
IMPRINT: Harper
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2016
ISBN.: 978-0-06-241106-8

BEGINNING: I am a story. I was told around a campfire...

REVIEW: What I love most about this book is that the art adds not only an illustrative, but a factual level. As a result, like a true picture book, the text and art become something more than their separate parts.

The text and art also work together to make this book appealing to little ones AND older ones. While a seamless, forward moving tale, the art invites the older reader to sit, investigate the details, and ponder.

For example, the art in the first spread (see text above) shows a community of cave men around a fire, with the constellations outlined in the sky.  Without saying it, it infers that early stories where based on constellations and date as far back as the caveman -- aspects that would definitely intrigue and appeal to older children. Continuing the characterization of a story by sharing the methods by which stories were told.  An older child may very well pick up on the settings depicted in the pictures from clues, including Israel, Egypt, Japan and others. Adults may even deduce the exact historic reference, like Giza in Egypt or the prehistoric caves in Lascaux, France.

The brilliant ending depicts a spread very much like the beginning, in which now a modern family, sits around a campfire and tells stories. And the cycle goes full circle.

A great resource for the story and history of the story!

ENDING: I can go with you everywhere and will live forever. I am a story.

REVIEWED BY: Lynne Marie. The opinions contained herein are my own.