STORYBOOK SUNDAY: William's Winter Nap by Linda Ashman

HI guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Sunday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

Today, we're sharing the storybook spotlight with a new Disney Hyperion title currently touring the blogosphere, and calling SFIR home for the day.  Sweet!  It's the perfect addition to your winter bedtime reads filled with adorable images and a sweetheart of a story.  So scooch the books on your shelf over a bit and make room for today's book of choice...

William's Winter Nap

by

Linda Ashman

Illustrated by

Chuck Groenink

9781484722824

Disney Hyperion

Once upon a midnight dreary,

William was decidedly weary...

...as were SEVERAL animals in his neck of the woods, quite literally.

KNOCK KNOCK!

Who's there?

Squirrel, raccoon, porcupine...shall I continue?

All were looking for a place to spend the night, and wouldn't you know it, William was a kind soul.  That's right.  His parents taught him to share and having a warm bed with plenty of room to scooch over in, William was happy to accommodate his furry and prickly little guests...and while they too made room for more, they were quicker to draw the line when it seemed there was no way yet another guest could fit.  Good thing William's big heart and determination are contagious...not only for the little guys he's already welcomed, but for the BIG guy at the door.

A touching wintry tale with enough heart to warm you from head to toe on the coldest of winter nights.  It reminds us that sharing IS caring, and that there is always room for more, whether it be kindness, gratitude, love, or gentleness in this great big world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author...

LINDA ASHMAN is the author of more than thirty picture books and the creator of The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books. To her, "The real magic happens when a picture book is shared and a child laughs, asks questions, studies the illustrations, and says, 'Read it again.'" Her books have been included on the "best of the year" lists of The New York Times, Parenting and Child magazines. She leads writing workshops and gives presentations about writing and children's books at conferences and schools. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with her husband, Jack, their son Jackson, and their two dogs. 

Visit her website at lindaashman.com or on Twitter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

About the illustrator...

CHUCK GROENINK hails from an overgrown village among the peat bogs in the north of the Netherlands, where he spent his formative years climbing trees, drawing, reading, and cycling. He attended the Artez Institute of Visual Arts in Kampen, graduating from the department of illustration in 2004. He lives in Hudson, New York with his wife and two cats. 

Visit his website at www.chuckgroenink.com or on Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Amy at Disney Publishing Worldwide for the copy for review as well as the chance to bring this blog tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Disney Hyperion, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

The Thing About Yetis by Vin Vogel

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're shining the holiday spotlight on an ADORABLE title that arrived on my doorstep last month and was awaiting the arrival of winter for its site debut.  So, okay...winter in MY neck of the woods is a little late arriving, and even now, the temps outside reach over 80 degrees in the daytime, but I've had enough of keeping this one on the backburner.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...blog wise that is.  I hope there's room on your holiday reading list because we're about to add a new title.  You're welcome.  ^-^  Today's book of choice is...

The Thing About Yetis

by

Vin Vogel

9780803741706

Dial Books

In a word...ADORABLE!

(Yes, I might have indeed already said that...)

In two words...BEYOND ADORABLE!

This is the story of a little Yeti and how very much they love winter.  BUT...as with anything, too much can turn a good thing sour.

A great way to introduce kiddos to the legendary critter while delighting readers of all ages with the cuteness within.  Seriously, when I opened the package, I squee-d with delight.  As cute as the image is above and below, it's THAT much cuter in person.  I mean really, just look at the cover!  He is so (I know you're tired of this word) cute and he even has a little yeti pal to keep him company...think "American Girl" but for yetis.

Every page takes us further into this little guy's winter (and non) celebrations.  From drinking hot chocolate the same way I do (with MOUNTAINS of marshmallows!) to pretending to be Godzilla in his little self-made village, ice-skating yeti style to BEING the snowman; there's much fun to be had with every turn of the page.  Even when winter bares its ice coated teeth, we are treated to a visual treat, even if the yeti may not share in the mirth of the moment.  Let's just say if you thought he was adorable before, HE GETS EVEN MORE SO!  I know, right?  How is that even possible?!  Trust me, it is. 

By book's end, we discover the way to bring back summer during the coldest days of winter, the yeti way...and I'll tell you what, he's got the right idea (though in order for ME to try it out, I'd have to move.  *-*).  Despite my affection for winter time (and the limited amount we get down here), even I can see the fun to be had with an afternoon of sunny fun indoors, especially with a yeti friend like this by your side, and do believe that readers young and old will too.  Bravo to the author for his story telling and illustrating skills.  I can see this becoming a story time favorite in many circles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author...

Vin Vogel is a Brazilian illustrator and character designer based in New York City. He has illustrated more than 45 books for children and young adults in Brazil, and has illustrated and provided character designs for a variety of print, animation, apparel, and web projects. THE THING ABOUT YETIS is his debut picture book as an author-illustrator.

SITE   |   FACEBOOK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Katherine at Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!



Max and Marla by Alexandra Boiger

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're facing our fears in true seasonal style with a Children's Storybook that is sure to please both the eye, the mind, and the heart.  Having celebrated its book birthday mere days ago, its fresh off the presses and ready for you to indulge in a little weekend repast.  Without further ado, now arriving at breakneck speed down track one is today's book of choice...

Max and Marla

by

Alexandra Boiger

9780399175046

G.P. Putnam's Sons Book for Young Readers

Max and Marla is an adorable read from start to finish.  The moment my eyes lit on the cover, I knew I was in for something magical.  

No, really!  I'm not overstating about this book or its merry brethren. There's just something about this particular genre that captures your imagination like no other.  It sets your mind reeling in so many directions from the simplest combination of words or beautifully complex illustrations.  Things you may have never pondered come to light while those ideas you've ruminated about on and off over time finally reach a stage of full development.  I'd like to believe that the reason for this magic is as simple as the freedom these books give us to interpret, explore, and change our worlds...and whose to say it isn't?  You can't tell me that you haven't had your melted by or a smile grow from ear to ear after reading a storybook at some point or another.  It brings out the kid in all of us and that's something we should never let go.  Back to the book at hand...

The story is simple yet true.  Dreams are not achieved lying down and life is much better with a friend by your side through thick and thin.  Yes, the words certainly have a shine of their own, a fact I won't discount in the least, but for me, the illustrations had my heart from the start.  I thought I recognized the style of the artwork and upon looking into the author's previous works, I did.  (She's the creative mind behind the art in the Tallulah series!)  That being said, even if I hadn't seen the style before, I would have fallen in love with these two.  Max and Marla are equally adorable as they help each other reach their sledding goals and when the going gets tough, they...pull together even more because THAT'S what friends do!  It was heartwarming to see them work as a team to get the sled back in tip top shape, even if one of them tuckered out before the job was completely done.  When they were preparing for the day, the process of getting all bundled up for the weather had me in smiles for miles as little Marla's was wound up to her eyes in a scarf and Max wrapped his own to match.  Their trips through the winter snow were beautifully represented with backgrounds that easily place you by their side as the wind whips and the snow flies. ~shiver~

In the end, the overall message is clear...one should never give up on your dreams, no matter how big or small THEY or YOU might be.  Bookmarks up to the author on her first dual role endeavor.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us in the future.  Recommended for readers of all ages, shapes, sizes, and species...after all, what would little Marla say if we excluded her woodland friends?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

About the author...

Alexandra Boiger grew up in Munich, Germany as the youngest of seven children.  She studied Graphic Design at the Fachhochschule Augsburg before working in Feature Animation at  Warner Brothers and Dreamworks.  After working in animation, Alexandra decided to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a children's book illustrator, gathering a following as the illustrator of the popular Tallulah series.  MAX AND MARLA is her debut title as both author and illustrator.  Alexandra now lives in Northern California with  her husband and daughter.

SITE   |   BLOG   |   FACEBOOK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Katherine at Penguin Young Readers for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Winter Wonderland: Mimi and Bear in the Snow by Janee Trasler

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're stepping out of the holiday haze with a read that still celebrates the fun to be had this time of year just in a seasonal aspect.  It comes to us from Farrar Straus Giroux and features a tale of friendship, loss, and celebrated return, all in the pages of a Storybook.  Ready to read all about it?  Today's book of choice is....

Mimi and Bear in the Snow

by

Janee Trasler

Farrar Straus Giroux

9780374349714

This is the beyond adorable story of Mimi and her Bear.  They do EVERYTHING together, including play in the snow.  One day, they are out building a snowman and what do you, Bear gets lost!  (~GASP~)  Mimi looks high and low, near and far, here and there, only to find that....Bear is nowhere to be found. Mimi is justifiably sad, I mean come on!  What would YOU do if your best buddy up and disappeared?!  EXACTLY!  Mimi is down at the mouth, having a hard time finding joy in anything all by her lonesome.  She heads to bed, worried and weary.  The world outside takes notice, shedding its coat of white overnight, and reveals things (and BEARS!) that were thought lost forever...

It's short.  It's sweet.  It's a treat of a read for the little ones and an adorably illustrated picture fest for those exploring things beyond the written word.  You'll revel in the fun Mimi has with Bear while sharing in her sadness at his lost status....only to once again celebrate his return!  (Okay, so that's a spoiler but really, I couldn't leave you worried about Bear!)  Recommended read for Storybook fans of all ages, shapes, and sizes.  Best read with a cup of hot cocoa and a friend (man or beast, it matters not).

ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, or catch up with them on Twitter.  This title was released October this year, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Snowman's Story by Will Hillenbrand

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking things in a different direction.  How so?  Oh how I LOVE how inquisitive you all are!  ^_^  The how is not in the genre, because we're still in the land of Storybooks; the how is in the review style.  Whereas I can be wordy at times, I am essentially hitting the MUTE button on myself today in keeping with the spirit of the book.  You see, it's a holiday tale that shares the joys of reading in a Frosty the Snowman type adventure...but without words.  Yep, so I suppose that makes it a PICTURE BOOK rather than a Storybook but I'll leave that for the stores to sort out for shelving purposes.  Without further ado and words (for a while anyway) from yours truly, I invite you to grab your warm jacket and hat as we are spirited away by today's book of choice...

Snowman's Story

by

Will Hillenbrand

9781477847879

Two Lions

About the book...

One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. Hiding inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. When the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit hops away with the book. But the snowman isn't about to let his story—or the mischievous rabbit—get away. The chase is on! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Deborah at Amazon Publishing for the review copy as well as the chance to bring this title to all of you.  (THANKS!)  This title is available now via Two Lions in both hardback and ebook editions.

Until next time....happy holidays and happy reading!

Dashing through the snow, in a ....One-Dog Sleigh by Mary Casanova

Why hello again!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place where “walkin’ in a winter wonderland” is not merely a lyrical string, but a daydream traipsed after each and every day of the season for this reader.

 Yes, although I live in the “sunshine state” (*cough* LIQUID *cough*), I’m dreaming of a white Christmas too.  *le sigh*  If only, right?  Hey, one can DREAM…and dream I shall thanks to a vivid imagination AND today’s featured title!  Ready to get in on the winter time fun?  Grab your scarf and hat, and make room in the sled.  It’s time for today’s book of choice…

One-Dog Sleigh

By

Mary Casanova

Pictures by

Ard Hoyt

9780374356392

Farrar Straus Giroux

Dashing through the snow,

In a ONE DOG open SLEIGH;

Over the fields we go,

Giggling all the way!

Each woodland creature seen,

Every furry friend we meet;

Their little eyes do glean,

Hoping to procure a seat.

But oh, our sleigh is small,

With only so much room;

However will we fit them all,

Avoiding wintery gloom?

The secret my dear friends,

Lies in our heart of hearts;

For love, it knows no ends,

Nor friendship, at it starts.

Such is the case in this adventure,

Through the white and snowy drifts;

One friend and dog set out as two,

For a merry little day trip.

Upon the way, their passenger count,

Grows and grows some more;

With each new member of their posse,

Bulging out the sleigh door.

Small sleighs won’t slow us down,

Nor all the extra weight (*ahem*);

We’ll pull together, no need to frown,

Shan’t even hesitate.

The more the merrier, I always say,

Though the going may be slower;

You’re paid by way of kindness,

Happy times and friendly shoulders.

Our girl and pup prevail,

On this fateful wintery day;

In bringing cheer to others,

As they go their merry way.

So, this winter season,

I beseech of each of you;

Spread some holiday cheer

Enough to last the whole year through.

Lend a hand, share a smile,

Delight in a great read;

For to give the gift of reading,

Brings many happy returns, indeed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recommended read for all ages.  With delightful illustrations and a smile worthy rhyming scheme, there’s much to treasure this season and many more hereafter.  ARC for review courtesy of Ksenia at MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their site, friend them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This title celebrated its book birthday this past September, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!

When It Snows by Richard Collingridge

Why hello again!

Welcome back to a wintry blustery day of snowy fun here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Tis the season for COLD weather, SNOW (if you’re lucky), and magical reads.  Today’s selection DEFINITELY fits that category as we journey into the land of imagination with a storybook starring a young lad eager to explore a winter wonderland to a surprising end.  From MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group, today’s book of choice is…

When It Snows

By

Richard Collingridge

978125002831

Feiwel and Friends

Okay, before we continue on our path to review land, I’m gonna ask you to do me a favor.  Just pause a moment and take a look at that cover…really examine it; after all, half the joy of a storybook is in the pictures.

Now then, do you see the magic and wonder in the little boy’s eyes?  See how he hugs his furry friend close while the snow swirls in the air lit from some source as yet to be discovered?  Notice the texture of his hat, the weave and pattern of his scarf, the warmth radiating from his coat as well as his smile.  They all add up to a moment captured that we can only begin to suppose at…at least, until we go behind the cover.

Cracking the spine, we are enchanted once again with the amazing imagery.  From snow covered cities to wintry forests, fields of snowmen to the Queen of the Poles, it’s all there waiting for you to discover as our young narrator leads us through the pages…in more ways than one.  What’s that?  Got your curiosity going there huh?  Good!  That means you’re listening, or rather actively reading, the effort of which I appreciate.  You see, as the story moves along, it gets even more magical, if not a tinge darker, all leading up to a surprising twist that will delight readers of all ages…as well as readers to be.

So, if you’re looking for a magical read perfect for this time of year (or anytime for that matter), this is definitely the book for you.  It not only lets you wander a magical wood with a cute little boy ready to take your hand and guide you on an adventure, it also celebrates the joys of reading..a good combo indeed.  Recommended read for all ages; from the tall to the small, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

ARC courtesy of Ksenia at MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their current catalog of wonders, be sure to stop by their official site, friend them on Facebook, or catch them chatting up all things bookish on Twitter.  This title reached publication August 2013, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.  Oh, and don't forget to stop by the publisher's site too where you can download and activity guide to help take the fun from the page to your living room.

Until next time…happy reading!