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ALL THROUGH MY TOWN is out todayin bookstores and libraries throughoutmy town AND YOURS!
“This adorable trip around town will be a big hit with any toddler who has ever been a passenger alongside a busy grownup with errands to run. With fun-packed illustrations for little ones to look at again and again and a surprise ending that causes instant giggles, this book definitely earns a spot on the ‘favorites’ shelf.”Kids' Indie Next List
I'm celebrating, and I hope you'll join me. Here's how:
* Tweet or retweet the following message as written below for a chance to win an autographed book, bag and t-shirt!
ALL THROUGH MY TOWN #bookbday. RT anytime on 3/5 for a chance to win a bag, book and t-shirt. http://ow.ly/imyWc #towningaround
*From now until 3/31/13enter to win one of 3 autographed copies of ALL THROUGH MY TOWN on Goodreads. Easy peasy!
* Check out my awesome Teacher's Curriculum and Activity Guide linked to learning standards. Whether you're a teacher, librarian, child care provider or a parent, you'll find creative activities for fun and learning that reach beyond the book. * Pay it forward with my ALL THROUGH MY TOWN: Terrific Teacher/Librarian Contest coming this Friday, March 8th, right here on my blog. Stop by on Friday to enter the name of your favorite teacher or librarian for a chance to win him/her an autographed copy of the book.
* Are you a picture book writer? Polish up your manuscript and stop back here next Monday March 11th for an ALL THROUGH MY TOWN Picture Book Peek -a chance to win a free critique of your picture book manuscript.
Thanks Rachel! When I first saw the cover I was blown away. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. Jean
Grannie Annie Seisser Schmidt said, on 3/5/2013 8:19:00 AM
Goooooood morning, Jeannie! Thanks for inviting me to this awesome party. I've donned my silliest hat and I'm dancing to the music in my head. Can't think of a better way to celebrate with you in spirit. Woot woot!
Oh My goodness, so many fun things to choose from! Great ideas, Jean, and All Through The Town, looks like SO much fun! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!
Thank you, Diane. I'd love for you to share it. I have all your information. I just haven't had a moment to go through it. I will soon though. Thank you for stopping by!
Have you ever seen kids with picture books they love? They carry them around like security blankets. They chew on them. They sleep with them. They wake with them. And in turn, those beloved books awaken in children a love of reading.
The first book my oldest son Patrick loved was Big Wheels by Anne Rockwell. We always had to have a copy checked out at one of the many branches of our library, so that there would always be one in the house. Finally, Santa got smart and brought Pat Big Wheels. Pat chose it over all the other gifts under the tree to take to bed on Christmas night. A reader was born.
Reading aloud conjures the magic of picture books. And a large part of that magic is what happens off the page… the cuddling, chatting, discovery, and discussion. And if you think the child is the only one who benefits, think again.
I remember — when I was very, very young — cracking up on the couch as my Italian grandmother read me The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book Dictionary. I know what you’re thinking – a dictionary? Really? But, believe me, no one writes a dictionary like Dr. Seuss. And no one read it like Nonna. Nonna barely spoke English, yet she narrated page after page in the funniest voices. I then filled in my own words … and voices. We were on our reading journey together.
When kids learn to love reading, they can explore worlds, both real and imaginary, beyond their experience. But for the very young, those first picture books help them understand themselves and their own world, whether it’s their universe, their town, their timeout corner, their closet of clothes or even their cozy bed.
I encourage you to read through all the month's posts from celebrated authors and illustrators and then join us again next year.
Happy Reading!
2 Comments on Why Picture Books Are Important, last added: 12/7/2012
Hi friends, I'm getting so excited for my October 11th release of LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. And over the next few weeks, I'll be chatting with some awesome folks online. I hope you can join me at one or more of my blog tour stops.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT "A boy celebrates his place in the world in Reidy’s (Too Pickley!) soothing bedtime story. Removing the red-and-white quilt from his bed, the narrator fashions it into an open-cockpit jet and blasts into outer space: “These are my galaxy stars so bright—/ they light up the heavens late at night/ in my own little piece of the universe.” The cumulative verse follows the boy’s journey as he eventually zeroes in on Earth, where, after he pays tribute to his continent, country, town, and street, he returns to his house, bedroom, and cozy bed. Caldecott Honor artist Chodos-Irvine’s (Ella Sarah Gets Dressed) brightly colored matte prints portray the universe as a welcoming place, abuzz with activity, with swirling, starlit skies and friendly constellations, astronauts, and aliens. Acting as a confident tour guide, the boy remains literally in the driver’s seat, as his quilt-patterned vehicle transforms into a spaceship, prop plane, train, truck, and skateboard before reverting to its original form. The collaborators are entirely in sync as they remind readers that the universe and its wonders are theirs to revel in. "
Ages 4–8. (Oct.) Publishers Weekly
7 Comments on A Heartfelt Thanks to Publishers Weekly for this Lovely Review!, last added: 10/1/2011
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT[KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW!] By Jean Reidy; illus. by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
The coziest of quilts becomes a rocket ship in this gorgeous, mesmerizingly rhythmic read-aloud that explores a boy’s small place in a vast world. Sporting star-spangled pajamas, the not-too-sleepy astronaut wraps his red-and-white quilt around his shoulders and zooms off into outer space. The slow-building rhyme echoes the cumulative structure of “The House That Jack Built”: “These are the planets that circle the sun, / which hides its face when the day is done, / while stars glow bright / and light up the night, / in my own little piece of the universe.” The soothing rhythms and comforting refrain are just right for very young ears, and the geographical terms will stretch young minds. During the boy’s fanciful flight, his aerial view of Earth includes hemispheres, continents and countries—eventually zeroing in on his own town, house, street and bed. Caldecott Honor–winner Chodos-Irvine’s colorful illustrations are fun and friendly, from the retro linocut spot art of the boy in his bedroom (“This is me”)—to dramatic full-bleed spreads that capture the expansive galaxies, complete with a smiling moon, animal constellations, planets and four-eyed aliens. The richly textured mixed-media artwork—incorporating various printmaking techniques and what looks like cut-paper collage—offers many clever self-referential moments and something new to discover with each reading. A dreamy-yet-instructive ode to the universe. (Picture book. 2-6)
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT [HORN BOOK REVIEW]
by Jean Reidy; illus. by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Before bedtime, a young boy plays with his toys—vehicles of all kinds, from a truck to a spaceship. He quietly identifies himself by saying, “This is me,” captioning a small spot art illustration surrounded by white space. Why so small? Because, as listeners soon discover, he’s part of something big. His mother tucks him in, but he doesn’t go straight to sleep. Instead, he takes his blanket, transforms it into a rocket ship, and soars off into the vastness of the heavens. Thus begins a cumulative tale that takes him out of this world (“These are my galaxy stars so bright— / they light up the heavens late at night”) and back again to his “own little piece of the universe”: “This is my room, with my name on the door, and my dinosaur lamp, and my rug on the floor.” Soft assonant sounds soothe the cumulative rhyme that parallels nighttime routines through its repetition and structure. Visually, the most important object in the book is the boy’s best bedtime companion: his blanket. Reproduced on the endpapers, the blanket first swaddles the book and then the boy as pieces of it morph into the vehicles that transport him. Double-page spreads of bright but not overpowering collages depict his journey, while the opening and closing actions (of going to bed and going to sleep) are shown in smaller wordless panels, bringing the story full circle. Betty Carter
7 Comments on Lovely First Reviews for LIGHT UP THE NIGHT!, last added: 8/3/2011
Congratulations, Jean! The book looks adorable.
Thank you, Jody! Thank you for stopping by.
Congratulations! This looks so appealing.
Thanks, Marcia! Yes, Leo Timmers is amazing. Thanks for stopping by!
Jean
Congratulations, Jean! LOVE this one!
Congratulations! How exciting! If you'd like to do a guest post/visit/something on Cynsations, just drop me a note.
Thanks, Jennifer. Thanks for stopping by.
What a great cover! Congratulations, I can't wait to read it.
Great cover! Congratulations, I can't wait to read it.
Thanks Rachel! When I first saw the cover I was blown away. It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
Jean
Goooooood morning, Jeannie! Thanks for inviting me to this awesome party. I've donned my silliest hat and I'm dancing to the music in my head. Can't think of a better way to celebrate with you in spirit. Woot woot!
And I'm harmonizing with you Grannie Annie! I've got the alto part down. Beware of the punch - it's a little strong!
Thanks for stopping by!
Can't wait to get my hands on this one, Jean! Congratulations on the great early reviews!
Thanks for stopping by, Tara! And yes, I'm loving those reviews!
Proud of you Auntie...And I loved getting a peek at your work space!
Proud of you Auntie! Thanks for the peek inside your work space. Addie and I are going to Barnes and Noble to see if it's here yet!
Oh sweet Sarah! I think you need to visit my "workspace" is person and bring a couple of extras with you.
Thank you, Cynthia. Yes, I'd love a shout out on Cynsations. I'll send you that soon.
Oh My goodness, so many fun things to choose from! Great ideas, Jean, and All Through The Town, looks like SO much fun! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!
Thanks, Laura! I hope you have time to enter some of the contests! Thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations. I hope you might consider me sharing it here in Grand Junction on my blog and KREX. www.bookwisdombydiane.blogspot.com
Thank you, Diane. I'd love for you to share it. I have all your information. I just haven't had a moment to go through it. I will soon though. Thank you for stopping by!
It looks adorable, just like all your other books. Congrats!
Thank you, Katie! I owe it to my amazing illustrators and book designers.
Congratulations, Jean! This is the most adorable book yet. You are so talented. =)
And Kimberly - you are SO kind. Thank you for stopping by.
Congratulations, Jean! This looks like a fun book!
Thanks for stopping by, Tina!