I Am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

I Am (Not) Scared 
by Anna Kang
Illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Published March 21, 2017
Two Lions
Hardcover Picture Book
Fiction
32 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Two fuzzy friends go to an amusement park. They try to convince each other that there are much scarier things than the roller coaster. Hairy spiders! Aliens! Fried ants! They soon discover that sometimes being scared isn’t as “scary” as they thought. With expressive illustrations and simple text, this giggle-inducing tale about (not) being scared features the endearing characters from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small.

My Thoughts
Which is scarier... riding a huge roller coaster or snakes? How about riding a huge roller coaster WITH a snake? This the third book in the "I Am (Not)..." series. These two adorable characters are together again to discuss being scared and scary things in general. 
The story is told with simple, sparse text. It is written in a large font and contains many high frequency words making it easier for young readers to read. The characters themselves are friendly, furry creatures of two distinctly different sizes. The backgrounds are white, making the colorful illustrations the main focus. 
This book (and series) presents feelings in a way that young children can relate to. The books open the door to lots of great dialogue possibilities. 
I would recommend I Am (Not) Scared for ages 2-7. 

About the Authors

Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant are the creators of two other books featuring these characters: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small and That’s (Not) Mine. Christopher’s work can be seen regularly in The New Yorker magazine and his cartoons are syndicated worldwide. This husband-and-wife team lives in New Jersey with their two daughters and their Bich-Poo. Visit them at www.annakang.com and www.christopherweyant.com.

Twitter: @annakang27 @chrisweyant05

Instagram: annakangbooks; christopherweyant   

Facebook: Anna Kang - Author; Christopher Weyant

For more information, and to download a free activity kit, visit annakang.com, or download at: http://bit.ly/2mKbFWi

See what others have to say about this book:

The Children's Book Review

Publishers Weekly

Unleashing Readers

Enter the Giveaway

I would like to thank Two Lions and Blue Slip Media for offering a giveaway prize pack. Pack includes squeeze balls, two plush characters and a copy of the book!

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Brobarians by Lindsay Ward

Brobarians 
by Lindsay Ward
Published March 28, 2017
Two Lions
40 Pages
Hardcover
Fiction Picture Book
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

This is the tale of the mighty Brobarians. Two warriors, once at peace…now at odds.

Iggy the Brobarian has taken over the land. Can Otto the Big Brobarian win it back? Or maybe, with a little help, the two brothers can find peace again…

This is an epic—and adorable—story of sibling rivalry and resolution.

My Thoughts

This engaging book shows the power and fun of two small siblings with big imaginations. The dramatic prose tells of an epic tale while the childlike illustrations offer adorable juxtapostion. It would be very fun to read the text to students first before showing them the illustrations to see what they picture. 

Young readers are exposed to rich vocabulary such as: counsel, plundered, conquered, colossal, seized, mischief, and many more throughout the story. 

The creative illustrations are not to be outdone by the inventive text. I loved looking at the pictures that were rendered in cut paper, pencil, crayon on chipboard (according to the front pages).  I know my 4th graders will really enjoy looking closely at each page. You can see the pencil marks in the drawings and each pages has a wonderful blend of overlapping textures. The end pages feature a backyard map that I would swear was drawn by a 5 year-old if I didn't know better. 

I would recommend Brobarians for ages 3-8, but it would also make a great mentor text for older elementary students. 

See what others have to say about Brobarians:

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus

About Lindsay Ward

Lindsay Ward would never have written this book if she hadn't stayed up late one night watching Conan the Barbarian. She finds the idea of baby barbarians to be very funny . . . and hopes you do too. Lindsay's recent books include Rosco vs. the Baby and The Importance of Being 3. Most days you can find her writing and sketching at home in Ohio with her family. Learn more about her at www.lindsaymward.com or on Twitter: @lindsaymward.

I would like to thank Two Lions and Blue Slip Media for providing a giveaway of this book. 

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It's Monday, What Are You Reading? March 13, 2017

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Hey remember me? I used to have a blog where I read lots of books and shared them? Well, I have still been reading, but wow has it been a long time since I shared! I am blaming my focus on trying to obtain national board certification and just the craziness of school and family. I hope you are all doing well!

Here are a few books I have read recently.  

Click on the covers to learn more about each book. 

Check out my post and enter the giveaway that still has a couple of days to go! Really sweet story of friendship and teamwork. 

It is very clear to me now, why this book was an award winner! #weneeddiversebooks

Really loved this middle grade novel. #weneeddiversebooks

What an amazing collection of authors and stories for upper middle grades! #weneeddiversebooks

Currently Reading

Duck and Hippo In the Rainstorm by Jonathan London and a Giveaway

Duck and Hippo In the Rainstorm
by Jonathan London 
Illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Published March 1, 2017
Two Lions
Picture Book
Fiction
32 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher and Blue Slip Media

Goodreads Summary
Duck and Hippo may be completely different, but they are best friends. When playful Duck invites careful Hippo to go for a walk in the rain, they have trouble sharing Duck’s umbrella. But Duck and Hippo won’t let that stop them. Soon they are puddle-jumping and sailing down the river! Until…WHOOOSH! A terrible wind sends the umbrella flying up, up, up into the air, with one friend holding on. What will Duck and Hippo do now? Jonathan London’s charming text and Andrew Joyner’s delightful art bring to life two lovable friends in this fun new series.

My Thoughts

These two great friends are not about to let a little rain stop them from enjoying a spring day. Although they face some obstacles, they always cooperate and think outside the box to make everything work out "just fine". The story reaches a tense climax when Duck is blown way up in the air by a gust of wind with his open umbrella as Hippo frantically chases him. 

Jonathan London uses rich vocabulary such as plopped, creek, whirled, boulders, spluttered, and sloshed when telling this story. The repetitive pattern of "But that didn't work." and "...that worked just fine" will invite young readers to read along. 

The illustrations by Andrew Joyner offer a variety of layouts, patterns and sizes. Duck, with his bright red jacket, and Hippo, in his blue stripes and red bowtie, capturing the readers focus on each page. 
With themes of friendship, teamwork and resilience, Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm is sure to be an entertaining and valuable read aloud for ages 3-8. 

See what others have to say about this book:
The Children's Book Review
Kid Lit Frenzy

Enter the Giveaway! I would like to thank Two Lions and Blue Slip Media for sponsoring a giveaway of a copy of the book. 
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