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A family from Sierra Leone moves to Atlanta and all is well.....until the little "big" brother learns his older brother will soon be living with them. Written by Aminata Jalloh.

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 Character sketches for "The Tales of Canterbury Rabbit's" is underway with author Laura Brigger....

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The 4th book in the Debbie Estrem's Seasons series for preschoolers is coming just in time for SPRING!

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You may find that what really makes Matt magnificent is not his cape, goggles or his lightening speed ......

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A Big Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 SCBWI Tomie dePaolo contest.....Now I can show you my submission, which I had a great time working on, even if it did not make the list!
Check out the winners!
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Check out the winners of the SCBWI Tomie dePaolo Contest

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The shepherds were invited first to see Him. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lordxappeared to them, and ythe glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all zthe people. 11 For aunto you is born this day in bthe city of David ca Savior, who is dChrist ethe Lord. 12 And fthis will be a sign for you: you will find a baby gwrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel ha multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14  i“Glory to God jin the highest, jand on earth kpeace lamong those with whom he is pleased!”3 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby mlying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.                                                              Luke 2:8-20 Merry Christmas from Picture Kitchen Studio

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Sermon doodles on Keeping our Focus on Jesus.....

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I you are looking for a series of picture books that share the delightful fun and magic of each season with your preschooler...Author, Debbie Estrem has a little collection for you.

Winter Wonderland

Written by Debbie Estrem
For ages 2 -5
Coming soon from Halo Publishing.



A Time for Fall Fun - Coming Soon from Halo Publishing





















It's Summertime! 

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Illustration work is completed for "Birthday Muffin" written by
author, Marcia Trimble.
A deliciously yummy cupcake adventure for the sweet toothed!
(ipad app coming soon)    

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Just finished the first "season" in a  four book series entitled "It's Summertime" with author Debbie Estrem. Go back to a simple, less complicated time for children....spider bikes, wonder soap bubbles, push pops and days down at the community pool eating Creamsicles and loads of outside play....before cell phones and home computers....when doing anything took longer and we really didn't mind so much. For ages preschool - adult. Coming soon from Halo Publishing.

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Rupert is acting very naughty at home and at school...
but one day someone new comes to class who is 
even NAUGHTIER... has Rupert met his match? 

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If you are a child of the 70's Summertime may have seemed much simpler, slower,
like molasses running up hill.
Kids made their own fun, used their imaginations to create forts and climb trees and play outdoor games. There were no cell phones, ipads or you tube....just lots of time spent with family and friends, and creating  new adventures!

Debbie Estrem and I
are working on a picture book
 for preschoolers that transports them back to the way kids spent their summers in the 70's. We hope it will spark some imaginative ideas for the wee folks and that adults will enjoy the little stroll in time.

"It's Summertime" is the first of a four book series from Debbie Estrem, who has also authored "Have You Ever Seen a Firefly?" and "Sights at the Zoo."

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Nickerbacher, The Funniest Dragon

Written by Terry John Barto
Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
AuthorHouse                 3/23/2015
978-1-4969-5454-1
34 pages             Age 5—8
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“Nickerbacher is a sweet-tempered, bushy-browed beast who spends his days guarding Princess Gwendolyn and dreaming of being a stand-up comic—not exactly a profession for a dragon! He’s true to his duty as dragon—as dictated by his Papa—but wants only to make the world laugh. Gwendolyn is supportive and encouraging, telling his he needs to do what makes him happy. It isn’t until the dashing Prince Happenstance comes along, ready for a fight, that they realize that instead of battling each other, they should do what’s in their hearts and pursue their true desires (the Prince wants to e a baseball pitchwer). With a winning set at The Comedy Castle and his family’s newfound support and pride, it’s all laughter, happiness, and dreams come true for the good-natured dragon!” [press release]
Review
The sign by Nickerbacher’s station below Princess Gwendolyn’s tower window states,

“BEWARE OF DRAGON”

Maybe at one time, but Nickerbacher is no threat to any Prince or enemy. The softhearted dragon loves the princess, but he would rather be doing something else—telling jokes—on stage, on the road, or just about any place he might land. Nickerbacher’s papa is not one for tomfoolery. The gigantic orange and red-spotted dragon strictly obeys one commandment,

“Every dragon has a duty to guard princesses.”

Nickerbacher is to be no exception and quickly stands guard—fearfully—whenever Papa checks up on him. Poor Nickerbacher, he tries to explain, but Papa will not budge. Nickerbacher may display his angst but will not disobey Papa. Kids will feel for him, but they will identify more with Prince Happenstance, who would rather be a baseball pitcher than a knight. (Did baseball exist at the time of knights and dragons?) The story is cute and the illustrations are captivating, nicely enhancing Barto’s story. I love the spread where Prince Happenstance flips a coin, which bounces off Nickerbacher’s nose.

Though he looks young for a knight (maybe eleven or twelve), Prince Happenstance is a tad full of himself, which fits his knightly role. Once the prince decides to follow his dream his attitudes takes a major shift. Nickerbacher’s family finally accepts his true self, encouraging him to pursue his comedic dreams. The story does not end there. We see Nickerbacher signing his book How to be Funny with modern appearing people waiting in a long line for his signature. Nickerbacher no longer looks like a dragon as he dons a red hat and an Hawaiian-styled shirt.

Being a tad fussy,]]] I notice out-of-place details: baseball, Hawaiian shirts, and modern looking people in the era of knights and dragons. I doubt kids will care and may appreciate the reference to a game most have played. Those details side, Nickerbacher is a good story about standing up for your true self. Barto gets his message across without hammering them by using kid humor. It is a shame the book is in paperback (eBook is available). Kids may well wear out the pages with repeat readings. They will love the goofy jokes. Parents who like read using different voices will have loads of fun with Nickerbacher, the Funniest Dragon. Barto’s first foray into children’s book was Gollywood (review here).

NICKERBACHER. Text copyright © 2015 by Terry John Barto. Illustrations copyright © 2015 by Kim Sponaugle. Reproduced by permission of the AuthorHouse, Bloomington, IN.

Purchase Nickerbacher at Amazon—Book Depository—AuthorHouse.

Learn more about Nickerbacher HERE.

Book’s website:  http://www.nickerbacher.com/
Meet the author, Terry John Barto, at his website:  http://www.tjbkids.com/
Meet the illustrator, Kim Sponaugle, at her website:  http://www.picturekitchenstudio.com/
Find more picture books at the AuthorHouse website:  http://www.authorhouse.com/

AWARDS
2015 Beverly Hills Book Awards Finalist: Picture Books
Mom’s Choice Award Gold

 Copyright © 2015 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews

Filed under: 4stars, Children's Books, Library Donated Books, Picture Book Tagged: AuthorHouse, baseeball, be yourself, comedy, dragons, follow your dreams, Kim Sponaugle, Nickerbacher, Terry John Barto, the Funniest Dragon

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No! Rupert refused to do his chores....

He would pull the girls long hair....

Spitballs.....

Visits to the Principal's office he did not like at all....

One day a new girl came to school.....and things changed......boy did they change!

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Terry John Barto’s innovative tale presents the story of Nickerbacher, a young dragon who wants nothing more than to be a stand-up comedian.

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Rupert is acting very naughty at home and at school...but one day someone new comes to class who is even NAUGHTIER... has Rupert met his match? 

Written by Laura Brigger

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Pencil sketches are underway for "RUPERT the Very Naughty Elephant" written by Laura Brigger....Yes, he's VERY naughty....but has he met his match? 


 

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Day One: FB Sketch Challenge












































Day Two

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