December 2013 – Booktalking #kidlit

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas
by Susan Jeffers (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: Oh no! Emma is in trouble! In this new version of the classic song, Santa comes to the rescue.

Snippet: On Christmas Eve, when everyone was sleeping, I tiptoed to the closet and found a present from Santa.
When I opened the box, the music began to play.

(In the art on the next page, Emma trips and the partridge in a pear tree snow globe falls and breaks, so Emma cries herself to sleep. After that, Santa comes to save the day as the song plays on.)

The Baker’s Dozen

The Baker’s Dozen
by Heather Forest (Author) and Susan Gaber (Illustrator)

Booktalk: The baker Van Amsterdam becomes known far and wide in Colonial America for his St. Nicholas cookies but after he becomes prosperous, he also becomes stingy, and his luck changes…

Snippet: Van Amsterdam grew quite prosperous, and one night as he was busy counting his money, a thought occurred to him. “If I use just a little less butter, no one will know. If I use just one less egg, they will scarcely be able to tell. If I use just a little less honey, then there will be more money for me!”

Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol

Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol
by Erin Dealey (Author) and Nick Ward (Illustrator)

Booktalk: When the cousins come to visit, the result is a new take on the old holiday classic…

Snippet:
Feed the dog our peas and carrots.
Fa la la la la la la la la!

See the book trailer!

Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat!

Dessert Designer: Creations You Can Make and Eat!
by Dana Meachen Rau (Author)

Booktalk: Turn your kitchen into an art studio! Try some of these 51 fun creations–and eat the tasty results!

Snippet: Your kitchen is more than a place to make supper. It’s an art studio. When you combine dessert and your imagination, you can create amazing works of art that taste as good as they look! Turn cakes into roller coasters. Top cupcakes with crazy creatures. Make cookies hoot with awesomeness and candy flutter your taste buds. There’s no end to what you can do with desserts!

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Texas Chili? Oh My!

Texas Chili? Oh My!
by Patricia Vermillion (Author) and Kuleigh Smith (Illustrator)

Booktalk: The story of the three little pigs … Texas style!

Snippet: …deep in the south of Texas,
Mamadillo lived with her three little pups,
Bluebonnet, Mockingbird, and Sweet-Olive,
in a cozy little den!

**Patricia is one of my former students!**

Biscuit’s Christmas Storybook Collection

Biscuit’s Christmas Storybook Collection
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Author) and Pat Schories (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Merry Christmas, Biscuit! This storybook collection has nine Biscuit beginning reader books inside! Here is a snippet from Biscuit’s Christmas:

Snippet:
“Come along, Biscuit,” called the little girl.
“Christmas is almost here.
It’s time to choose our tree.”

Woof, woof!

Santa!: A Scanimation Picture Book

Santa!: A Scanimation Picture Book
by Rufus Butler Seder (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: Santa Claus is going to town! With the magic of Scanimation, you can see Santa move as you turn the pages.

Snippet:
Santa loves to hula-hoop.
Swish-swish-sway!