hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Ken Min

February 25, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 7 Comments

Ken grew up on the works of Margret & H.A. Rey, William Joyce, and DC Comics. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and studied illustration at Art Center, College of Design. He has storyboarded for various commercials and animated TV shows such as The PJs, Futurama and Fairly Odd Parents. His illustration work has been recognized numerous times by the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). In 2012, the first picture book he illustrated, Hot, Hot Roti For Dada-Ji, received the Picture Book Honor Award for Literature from the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). These days, you will find Ken illustrating, storyboarding, writing, and dreaming up stories for children.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: I’m not a coffee drinker (wha-?? that’s outrageous!) so when I’m in the mood for a hot beverage, I like a cup of tea or hot chocolate. BUT, I will say, nothing says literature like a cup of hot cocoa in an F. Scott Fitzgerald mug!

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESSES: What Does it Mean To Be An Entrepreneur?, written by Rana DiOrio and Emma D. Dryden (Little Pickle Press, January 2016) and Ah-Choo!, written by Lana Wayne Koehler and Gloria G. Adams (Sterling, March 1, 2016).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1960), The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman and Marla Frazee (HMH Books, 1997), The Book That Eats People by John Perry and Mark Fearing (Tricycle Press, 2009), Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex (HMH Books, 2011).

☕ Visit Ken Min’s Official Website

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Click here to read how Ken made the pictures for What Does it Mean To Be An Entrepreneur?!

☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Click the image below to read my review of Ken’s first book, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji!

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[review + recipe + giveaway] Fresh Delicious: Poems from the Farmers’ Market by Irene Latham and Mique Moriuchi

February 19, 2016September 6, 2017 ~ jama ~ 85 Comments

Grab your shopping baskets and bags, let’s go to the Farmers’ Market!

In Fresh Delicious (Wordsong, 2016), Irene Latham and Mique Moriuchi invite us to join a group of adorable animal friends as they celebrate the wonders of farm fresh fruits and veggies. This mostly free verse smorgasbord of 21 poems is chock full of mouthwatering sensory details, clever imagery and playful metaphors to whet the appetite and tease the imagination.

While nibbling on these whimsical poems, curious munchkins will meet basil (“a bouquet of minty green butterfly wings”), delight in how ears of corn listen to the sun, and consider that okra is really “a mountain of mouse-sized swords/stored in fuzzy sheaths.” Afterwards, they’ll likely be anxious to see, smell, touch and taste the produce in person, making up little scenarios so they can write their own poems.

Does crookneck squash really look like a question mark? How is zucchini like an exclamation point? Will wild honey really make our tongues “buzz with pleasure”? Can’t wait for summer, when it’ll be time to propel those seeds out of our mouths “like shooting stars.”

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hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Lester Laminack

February 18, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 10 Comments

Lester is the author of 20 books for teachers and/or children and has two new projects under contract. He works as a consultant and visiting author in schools and school districts throughout the country and abroad. When he isn’t working you’ll likely find him roaming around with a camera in his hand.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: Coffee (aka “writer fluid”) should be hot, strong, slightly sweet, and with a dash of half-and-half leaving it the color of a paper bag.

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESSES: Picture book: Three Hens and a Peacock, illustrated by Henry Cole (Peachtree Publishers, 2014). Professional book: Writers ARE Readers: Flipping Reading Strategies into Writing Opportunities, co-author with Reba M. Wadsworth (Heinemann, August 2015).

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: Saturdays and Teacakes, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet (Peachtree, 2004).

☕ Visit Lester Laminack’s Official Website

☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Check out Mammaw Thompson’s Teacakes recipe!

☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Book Trailer for Three Hens and a Peacock:

☕☕☕☕ STILL THIRSTY: Lester offers tips for effective read alouds.

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hotTEAs of Children’s Literature: Jessixa Bagley

February 11, 2016September 25, 2017 ~ jama ~ 15 Comments

Jessixa Bagley is a picture book author/illustrator known for her debut picture book Boats for Papa. She loves hamburgers and making things out of cardboard. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and son.

☕ CUPPA OF CHOICE: My current favorite hot beverage is Choice peppermint licorice tea! It’s personally a very controversial choice for me because I hate black licorice, but this tea is AMAZING!

☕ HOT OFF THE PRESS: Before I Leave (Roaring Brook Press, 2016) — comes out February 16 -yay! — is a book about having to move away from your best friend; Boats for Papa (Roaring Brook Press, 2015). Forthcoming: My third picture book, Laundry Day, is a fun and silly book and comes out winter 2017. I’m currently working on my fourth picture book, Vincent Comes Home, which a collaboration with my husband Aaron Bagley! It’s due out winter 2018. I’m super excited about it!

☕ FAVE FOODIE CHILDREN’S BOOK: Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola. I love that overflowing pasta pot overtaking the town. Those images have stuck with me for nearly 30 years!

☕☕ Visit Jessixa Bagley’s Official Website and blog, Rambling Meat.

☕☕☕ JUST ONE MORE SIP: Check out this cool feature about Boats for Papa (with sketches and final illos) at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

☕☕☕☕ CAN’T GET ENOUGH: Wonderful reviews of Boats for Papa by Sam Juliano at Wonders in the Dark, and Margie Culver at Librarian’s Quest.

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[sweet review] Timothy and Sarah: The Homemade Cake Contest by Midori Basho

February 2, 2016September 9, 2017 ~ jama ~ 18 Comments

Didn’t someone once say you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

Well, anyone who reads Midori Basho’s Timothy and Sarah: The Homemade Cake Contest (Museyon, 2015) will certainly be able to do both. First published in Japan six years ago, The Homemade Cake Contest is the first title from Basho’s popular 13-book Timothy and Sarah series to be translated into English, and it’s quite scrumptious.

In this charming story, mouse twins Timothy and Sarah are excited about helping Miss Flora and their mother raise funds to restore an old house in the forest. It was once a wonderful café where guests could have tea and chat while their children played outside. If only they could repair the building and reopen the café! Then young and old alike could enjoy it together!