Friday, April 15, 2016

Celebrating National Library Week with A BIG SURPRISE FOR LITTLE CARD by Charise Mericle Harper!

Hi guys and gals!
Welcome to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, the place to be whether young in age or spirit because there's always something bookish to delight, inspire, and enchant.

Today, we're joining in the celebration that is currently running through the blogosphere as well as at your local bookish institution as we shine the spotlight on NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK!



That's right!
Here's a little more official information on the celebration...

National Library Week (April  10 - 16, 2016) is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and library workers and to promote library use and support. From free access to books and online resources for families to library business centers that help support entrepreneurship and retraining, libraries offer opportunity to all. The theme for 2016 National Library Week is "Libraries Transform."

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.


While the celebration rolls on in the virtual world, your community is getting in on the fun with open houses, informational presentations, games, reading events and more.  So, after you're through with today's post, be sure to click over to your library's online presence to see what's cooking!  Now, on with today's post...

When I realized it was NLW, I knew just what title I wanted to put front and center.  It's a Picture Book ARC I received earlier in the year and while I missed the pub date due to scheduling conflicts(oops!), I couldn't think of a better time to celebrate this newish release.  It's fun, it's creative, it's colorful, and eye catching...but most of all, it celebrates the wonder of libraries for the tall to the small and the importance of one thing in particular when visiting them.  Ladies and gents, READERS of all ages, please join me as we welcome today's book of choice...


A Big Surprise for Little Card

by
Charise Mercile Harper
Illustrated by
Anna Raff
9780763674854
Candlewick Press

About the book...
In the world of cards, each one has a special job to do. Big Card keeps important papers in order. Tiny Card can be exchanged for a prize in an arcade. Round Card hangs out in a glamorous boutique. But is any card as lucky as Little Card? He’s going to school to become a birthday card — in other words, to sing, play games, eat cake, and be happy all day long. But wait! On the day he’s supposed to take his talents into the world, Long Card tells him there’s been a mix-up and they need to trade jobs. How can Little Card bring his exuberance into a library, a quiet place of books and rules and hushing? Offbeat and utterly endearing, this tale of a little guy who gives it all he’s got is complete with a sweet twist and a surprise ending.
                                                       
Fall in love with a disarming picture-book hero in this quirky ode to spirit, identity, and the joy of having (or being) a library card.




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Like I said, a perfect fit for the day.
This is an enchanting story about finding your niche in the world and OWNING it.  Little Card has NO IDEA he's destined to be a Library Card, after all...he's been practicing his party throwing skills and singing skills in preparation to be the life of the party (as in BIRTHDAY party -- card).  When the letter comes telling him his new role, he's confused...what fun could be had in a place where quiet ruled, page turns were considered exciting, and parties were shall we say, understated?  Ah, what fun indeed!  As you and I know, there's A LOT more going on behind the gorgeous architecture and stacks of papery fun...and our little pal is about to discover this hidden world too.


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Little Card and Alex exploring a rainbow of books...


Little Card is the perfect companion for little ones just starting out on their bookish journey, but older readers will love him as well for his childlike exuberance and wide eyed amazement of all the fun to be had in his new home.  From reading time to snack time, game time to simply browsing the stacks, there's something to marvel at wherever his gaze lands.  It was a brilliant way to explore the wonders that a library truly holds and will have readers reminiscing about their childhood days spend between the stacks.  Then again, there's no need to JUST remember, when a quick trip to your local branch could be the nostalgia in the here and now.  Just sayin'...

Recommended for readers of all ages.  Between the colorful illustrations that bring this cardy bunch to life and a story that is both informative AND entertaining, there's no downside to be seen in this Picture Book exploration of the reading institution created for the masses.


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About the author...

Charise Mericle Harper has written and/or illustrated more than twenty books for children, including the Just Grace series. Born in Vancouver, Canada, she now lives in New York State.



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About the illustrator...

Anna Raff has illustrated several books for children, including World Rat Day by J. Patrick Lewis. Her illustrations have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Kiwi magazine, among other publications, and she is the creator of Ornithoblogical, a blog of bird-related imagery. She is on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts Illustration Summer Residency Program in New York City, where she lives.




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Special thanks to Raquel at Candlewick Press for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, or National Library Week, feel free to click through the links provided above...or pay a visit to your local library.  The friendly librarians and fellow readers will be more than happy to make your acquaintance.  This title is available now via Candlewick Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!








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