Bonnie Ferrante's Blog, page 34

A is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet by Anthony D. Fredericks. Illustrated by Laura Regan.

This is not an alphabet book for preschool or kindergarten children. In fact, calling it an alphabet book could be misleading. It is, in fact, an extensive resource book for information about rainforests. For example, a is for anaconda. Most letters receive a two-page spread. The detailed and realistic illustration of the anaconda fills one … Continue reading A is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet by Anthony D. Fredericks. Illustrated by Laura Regan.

An Unexpectedly Expensive Dog – What Pete Ate by Maira Kalman. Book Review.

Click here to buy What Pete Ate from A to Z Pete is a yellow dog who can’t stop eating everything he comes across. The book is based on an actual pet and his naughty eating habit. After the introduction, the author goes through the alphabet listing things the dog has consumed. It begins with … Continue reading An Unexpectedly Expensive Dog – What Pete Ate by Maira Kalman. Book Review.

Writing/Righting History & Getting Toddlers to Eat – Author Delin Colón Three Random Questions Interview

Delin Colón is a writer and freelance editor with a background in clinical psychology. Bonnie Ferrante: Welcome, Delin. You have had a number of career paths. Tell us a little about them and how they led to your writing. Delin Colón: Thank you, Bonnie. Actually, I wrote my first poem at the age of eight … Continue reading Writing/Righting History & Getting Toddlers to Eat – Author Delin Colón Three Random Questions Interview

Now I Know My A B Cs

The focus for May is alphabet books mixed in with other books I have agreed to review. Graeme Base set a new standard when he created Animalia, an amazing seek and find alphabet book. Other authors/artists have interpreted the alphabet book differently. I have already reviewed some interesting takes on this type of book. In … Continue reading Now I Know My A B Cs

Apple Pie A B C by Allison Murray. Book Review.

This very simple alphabet book tells a cute story. It is done with woodblock prints using white, orange, yellow, red, black, and blue in bright chunks of color. It tells the story of a little girl leaving an apple pie on the table in front of a hungry beagle. It begins, “A apple pie” while … Continue reading Apple Pie A B C by Allison Murray. Book Review.

Aster Aardvarks Alphabet Adventures by Steven Kellogg. Book Review.

This book is basically an alphabetical tongue twister. The first letter reads: Aster Aardvark had an aversion to the alphabet. Appalled by Aster’s attitude, Acorn Acres Academy alerted her aunt Agnes, who arranged for an airplane to aid Aster’s academic advancement. After Aster applied herself and achieved and A, all assembled to applaud her amazing … Continue reading Aster Aardvarks Alphabet Adventures by Steven Kellogg. Book Review.

Mama Said I Could Have a Cat! i Mamá dijo que yo pudiera tener un gato! By S.J. Bushue and Deb McQueen. Book Review.

  Click on theClick on the cover to buy the book. This is another bilingual book produced by The Little Fig. It is in Spanish and English. It consists of double-page spreads with full color illustrations and superimposed English words on the left page in Spanish words on the right page. It begins, “Mama said I could … Continue reading Mama Said I Could Have a Cat! i Mamá dijo que yo pudiera tener un gato! By S.J. Bushue and Deb McQueen. Book Review.

Bowling is Not the Same as Baseball – Recycled Sundays

  “Action is eloquence,” wrote Shakespeare. I always thought he was referring to my sister. She could skate, swim and dive. She could bat, catch, steal bases and even pitch while in a cast. I cringed whenever anyone threw the ball in my direction and have been known to actually hop over it in an … Continue reading Bowling is Not the Same as Baseball – Recycled Sundays

Dragon Song by Nan Sweet. Book Review.

This is an 8 x 10 picture book about a dragon who loves to sing. But, “Nobody liked it when Glenna, the Dragon, sang. People were upset.” Not only do people dislike the sound but her voice knocks down trees and breaks things. A village girl finally helps Glenna to learn to sing softly and … Continue reading Dragon Song by Nan Sweet. Book Review.

Rosa and the Red Apron by Joan Leotta. Illustrated by Rebecca Michael Zeissler. Book Review.

buy link – Rosa and the Red Apron This is a story about a little girl named Rosa who, instead of napping, insists that her mother read the story of the Little Red Hen to her. Afterwards she helps her mother make cookies for her grandmother’s birthday celebration. Mother puts a red apron on Rosa … Continue reading Rosa and the Red Apron by Joan Leotta. Illustrated by Rebecca Michael Zeissler. Book Review.