Lauri Fortino's Blog, page 53

Picture Books At The Library 62

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

Three children discover the wonder of words as the landscape around them transforms.

When a boy’s abuela accuses him of being careless with his beloved Bongo, he devises a trap and catches the toy thief red-handed.

Big or small, near or far, we...

Help Wanted: Seeking Picture Book Lovers

Frog on a Blog

Do you love picture books? Do you enjoytalking or writing about picture books? If so, I Need You!

I need quality PICTURE BOOK RELATED guest articles. Anything picture book related and of value to my blog readers is most welcome. My blog readers are parents, teachers, librarians, writers, picture book enthusiasts, artists, and, of course, kids.

The only compensation I can offer is publication on Frog On A Blog. If you’re a children’s picture book author or illustrator, you a...

The “Put Away Your Phone!” Blog Tour

It seems that everywhere we go, people are on their phones–restaurants, waiting rooms, grocery stores, walking down the street. Smartphones are not bad. They connect us to friends and family. They bring a world of information to our fingertips. They help us in a lot of ways. But often, smartphones don’t allow us to be present in the moment. They distract us from the people, places, and things that are right in front of us. What message are we conveying to our kids when we’re on our phones so...

Picture Books At The Library 61

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

Through 20 life lessons, Miss Moon imparts her wisdom on how to raise happy, healthy, well-mannered dogs and humans.

Using die-cut pages, the story explores the shapes and colors of an apple tree through the passing of the seasons.

Little Monkey...

My View Book Review: You Made Me a Mother

Title: You Made Me a Mother

Author: Laurenne Sala

Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser

Publisher/Year: Harper/2016

Perfect For: New moms, Mother’s Day, baby showers, bedtime reading

This Mother’s Day, in honor of moms new and old, I bring youYou Made Me a Mother.Now, I am not a mother (unless you count my fur baby), but I have a mother, so I put myself in her shoes as I read this sweet homage to motherhood. And though this book is clearly all about a mother’s unconditional love for her child,...

Help! PS191 in NYC needs a library

These kids need a school library. Read on to see how you can help.

Z is for Zampetti

Today I found out that my school is lending a helping hand to a neighboring school by hosting a book drive to help create a school library. How great is that?

So, in the interests of spring cleaning, my local friends – not-so-local friends can help out, too – won’t you give a book to a school?

Without further ado, from MV4NY and the amazing PS166 PTA:

Spring Break is a great time for cleaning out your book ca...

Picture Books At The Library 60

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

Peep can’t wait for Egg to hatch. They will have so much fun together! But Egg isn’t quite ready yet.

Sophie and her mother make very special treats for their party, but Sophie worries there won’t be one left for her.

This book encourages kids t...

Picture Books At The Library 59

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

Lucy and her dog, Mr. Barker, find themselves lost in a fairy tale where they meet new friends and find surprises around every turn.

As crickets sing in the breeze, hunting owls watch over the bay, and sea otters doze on the tide, two children o...

My View Book Review: Lolli and Pop Find Kindness by Carolyn Snelling

Title: Lolli and Pop Find Kindness

Author: Carolyn Snelling

Illustrator: Izzy Bean

Publisher/Year: Carpenter’s Son Publishing/2016

Series: The Fruit of the Spirit

If you’ve read my book The Peddler’s Bed, then you know it’s all about kindness. Kindness, often along with friendship, is a theme that shows up in most of mystories. It might take center stage or it might be more subtle, but it’s in there somewhere.

A terrific example of a story that puts kindness front and center isLolli and Pop...

Picture Books At The Library 58

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

A mother and son use their imagination to have fun on a rainy day.

After the zoo closes, monkey slips out of his cage to explore the zoo, introducing the reader to the other animals and the idea of opposites.

The little bears pick up their instr...