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Double page spread from a picture book I illustrated titled Sort It Out! Published by Sylvan Dell Publishing. It has sold more copies than any other book I have illustrated and has won awards.  When I first read the manuscript I felt like it was the book I had always wanted to illustrate.   

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Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing for Children Center

Title: Moose and Magpie
Written by: Bettina Restrepo
Illustrated by: Sherry Rogers
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (June 10, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1607180421
ISBN-13: 978-1607180425

Moose and Magpie is one of the new books in the Sylvan Dell Fall 2009 line-up, and young readers will be double-served by this witty anthropomorphic tale by Bettina Restrepo as they learn fascinating facts about moose while also having their funny bones tickled. Mrs. Restrepo uses a clever play on words to create jokes and riddles within the text that are sure to garner a few giggles throughout the book. Educational material with a humorous twist—definitely a win-win choice for this age group!

Readers will discover all sorts of interesting information as they follow Moose, Magpie, and several of their friends on their adventures and activities through the seasons of one year and find out what changes happen during that time. For example:

How do moose antlers grow and why do they fall off? Then what happens to the antlers?

What is a girl moose called? A boy?

What is a moose’s bell?

What does a moose eat?

How is a moose’s hair different from the hair of other animals?

Does a moose migrate?

Is a moose a good swimmer?

How does a moose get a mate?

Of course, since Magpie is Moose’s joke-telling sidekick, we also learn more about magpies as well—and why the two animals get along so well. Do you know the reason? It’s a good one!

Sherry Rogers has done an outstanding job on the illustrations as well, and children will enjoy perusing all the hilarious and whimsical pictures on the full color two-page spreads. The illustrations of the “literally interpreted” antics of the raccoon, beaver, and skunk are wonderful!

I also like how the publisher has added in ‘fact boxes’ on certain pages to highlight pertinent facts throughout the story. And as always, the ‘For Creative Minds’ section at the back of the book is excellent, as well as helpful for parents and teachers. Included are: Is It For Real: Moose and Birds, What Do Moose Eat?, Moose Antlers, Moose Life Cycle, Match The Moose Body Part to Its Adaptation, and Moose Fun Facts. You can also find more activities and free online resources and support for Magpie and Moose, as well as other titles, at www.sylvandell.com.

About the Author: Bettina Restrepo lives with her family in Texas, and this is her first picture book. However, her writing has appeared in Highlights for Children, Nature Friend, and Boys’ Life magazine. Restrepo loves nature and traveling.

About the Illustrator: Sherry Rogers lives with her family in Northern California. She spent twelve years as a corporate graphic designer and artist before becoming a freelance illustrator. She has also illustrated several other books for Sylvan Dell.

Visit Amy at amyoquinn.com or www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.

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Check out my wonderful children's illustrator friend Sherry Rogers' interview here.
Not only is she a fantastic person, but her work shines with joy and professionalism.

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Happy Monday Everyone!

Today I am honored to be featured and interviewed on both the blogs of Stephanie Ruble. I had a great time answering her thoughtful and very fun questions. Why not stop on over to one of her blogs and check the interview out?

Here are the links.

http://sruble.blogspot.com

http://sruble.livejournal.com

Thanks for the interviews Stephanie!

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I am so lax in blogging lately. I've had way too much on my plate, and trying to keep up with it all, and rest and keep my sanity has been all I can do. I decided to post links to two of my favorite 'children's illustrator friends' who it is an honor to know and consider friends...
Ginger Nielson and Sherry Rogers...Their work and they themselves are incredible...take a look.

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I think the late Steve Irwin and now his daughter Bindi Sue have turned a lot of kids (and adults) onto Australia and its wildlife, so Kersplatypus will appeal to many young children, and they’ll be into learning even more about Australia.

The folks at Sylvan Dell have developed a wealth of learning activities in a variety of subject areas (math, science, language arts, etc.) and more to help you expand upon Kersplatypus. In fact, they have this with every book, which I think is wonderful.

First, in the back of Kersplatypus, they have a “For Creative Minds Section,” that offers expansion activities such as platypus facts, and discussion questions about bullies. This section is even available in pdf format online that you can print out and duplicate.

Second, they offer a comprehensive guide chock full of teaching activities that can help you discuss the book and teach more about Australia. There are language arts, science, math, research and geography, and character activities.

Third, they offer a wealth of learning links where you and your child can go online to learn more about Australia and its animals.

Next, you can go online and listen to each published book in audio format. Kersplatypus is not available yet.

Sylvan Dell also offers online comprehension quizzes teachers can use to test reading comprehension.

Finally, Sylvan Dell offers a variety of ideas for craft activities for your budding artists.

Finally,

In an effort to continue developing our Teaching Activities section we encourage teachers, parents and librarians to submit additional activities to go with any Sylvan Dell title. Please e-mail [email protected] for further information and/or submissions. If accepted, we will send you two free books as a "thank you."

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Kersplatypus by Susan K. Mitchell, illustrated by Sherry Rogers

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (February 10, 2008)

On February 10th, Sylvan Dell is bringing us Kersplatypus, the story of a creature who appears in the Australian Outback after the big rains. The other animals, including Kookaburra, Wallaby, and Blue-Tongued Skink among many other animals indigenous to the Outback, have never seen a creature this before and have no idea what he is. Even the poor creature himself doesn't know, so they all set upon a mission to help him discover where he belongs. They first lead him to a tree, which he attempts to climb but falls down with a KERSPLAT! Determined to help him find his place, the animals go through a number of similar scenarios until, with the help of wise, old Bandicoot, he finally figures it out.

Susan K. Mitchell does an excellent job with characterization. Brushtail Possum is the nurturer of the group as she is the first to help the creature, and mischievous Blue-Tongued Skink reminds me of my little brother. We get a clear picture of his personality early on in the story when he first sees the creature, " 'You're the craziest looking thing I've ever seen,'… 'What are you supposed to be?'" Mitchell also does a great job of giving young readers interesting facts about Australian wildlife through her story without making it seem like they're being taught a lesson. Through the creature's attempts to find where he belongs, readers learn that possums live in trees, kookaburras fly, wallabies bounce high in the air, and much more.

Sherry Rogers' vivid and detailed illustrations perfectly complement the story and bring the characters to life. One of my favorite illustrations is the scene where Wallaby is bouncing in the air. Blue-Tongued Skink is lying on a rock, hands under his chin, with a grin on his face just waiting to see the creature go KERSPLAT!

Children, teachers, and parents will also enjoy the "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book where there are a number of activities including more fun facts about the platypus and much more. Also, be sure to visit Sylvan Dell's website where you can find a multitude of learning links to learn even more about Australia and its creatures.

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Anyone in the market for a home in Oregon? Check out this beautiful home for sale in Oregon. My friend Sherry (talented children's illustrator) is blogging it for her parents. The house and the people are wonderful. I'm hoping maybe the eyes of the new owners will see the post there and buy it!

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Check out Loree Griffin Burn's blog. She is highlighting Sherry Rogers, whose beautiful snowflake is up for auction at Robert's Snow.

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My goodness the flakes are truly falling. But as they 'fall' they also lift spirits and promote not only cancer awareness but help to fund research that can wipe out the disease. Sherry Rogers a member of the Picture Bookies has painted a beautiful snowflake for Robert's Snow. Visit her blogsite to find out more about her flake, her life as an illustrator, and all the other flakes that will be auctioned off during November.

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Author: Katherine Rawson
Illustrator: Sherry Rogers
Published: 2006 Sylvan Dell Publishing
ISBN: 0976494396 Chapters.ca Amazon.com

How can I have lived this long and never noticed that two of a parrot’s toes are on backwards? This playful and original book about life as a parrot is as entertaining as it is educational. My view of parrots is forever changed!

Tags:childrens book review, katherine rawson, Podcast, sherry rogerschildrens book review, katherine rawson, Podcast, sherry rogers

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Here's a fun one for you to play with. It's called Artnatonmy. Sherry showed it to me.

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Dani sure DOES draw. Look at her website. She has a video of her digital painting process. I found it in Sherry's blog links...another great place to peruse.

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