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Welcome to my first book list! Here are a few things you should know: I am a school librarian, teacher, mom of four AND a new grandma! I love bugs! You’ll find out why a little later. I have ALWAYS struggled with reading comprehension. So, how do these random tidbits of info impact my list? Read on…
As you prepare for Christmas, here are some wonderful choices for every kid, parent-to-be’s baby shower, daycare provider, teacher and grandparent! They are also great in gift baskets for auctions, or donating to pediatric wards at hospitals! I’ve even left a few behind at my hairdressers, so kids can read aloud while they get their hair cut.
My first list is compiled from experience. As a librarian to grades 6-12, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting many authors, illustrators, and even an AuthoratorTM I’ve been able to not only know them in a business setting, but many have become life long friends. I get to see their journey from concept to product and everything in between. The amount of research, yes research, that goes into a fictional children’s book is mind blowing! I’ll let you see how they all mastered it perfectly…here we go:
DAVID BIEDRZYCKI – I met David at my college’s annual literacy festival. I love attending this event to see how authors/illustrators interact with kids prior to hosting them at our school and David knocked it out of the park! Don’t worry about needing to spell that name – I’ve given you all of the links! He has trademarked his job title of Authorator TM– one well deserved as author, illustrator and author/illustrator of characters such as a dragon, kitty, lacewing, bear, Santa, groundhog, unicorn and more! 100% awesome!
I had him not only present to my middle school kids, but to 6 elementary schools that week, so we were on the go and chatting a lot! Once a roadie, always a roadie for this guy! 🙂 He even included my name in the dedication of every single published Santa Retires! His digital talent is mind blowing and he often posts videos of the process on Facebook.
50% Author 50% Illustrator. 100% AWESOME
Grab your great reads and more from these affiliate links:
- Santa Retires – the epic adventure which awaits my future! Thank you, David, for this dedication!! 🙂
- Me and My Dragon: Christmas Spirit – what does one get a dragon for Christmas?
- Me and My Dragon – my favorite character!!
- Bear Alert – two bears cause hilarious chaos and provide for a surprise ending!
- The Beetle Alphabet – it’s bugs and educational – SO MUCH FUN!
- Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow – grab a flashlight and read this one in the dark while making shadows on the wall <3
RALPH MASIELLO – I have not met Ralph in person but through David above, and a friend of David is a friend of mine! Ralph is incredibly talented in many mediums – his exquisite attention to detail and often using bold colors is what drew me in. He has done thousands of school visits, and even many projects with kids that turn into amazing murals and large scale artwork that they get to see daily on their campuses!
Audience participation and spontaneity is highly emphasized and always leads to boisterous, but stimulating and educational, fun for kids. ~Charlesbridge.com
If your child is like me, and their minds are often all over the place, drawing can be amazing therapy not only forcing some focus, but allowing for creativity simultaneously. I could draw for hours and it’s evident Ralph can too! Grab a bunch of his books geared toward a wide age range (do you know someone in a nursing home who would benefit from drawing??!!)
Ralph tells his audience about his own education, stressing reading and library skills as they relate to the research and development of an accurately illustrated book. ~Charlesbridge.com
I happened upon The Skull Alphabet book at a Scholastic book fair and was in love! The stunning illustrations were not any of those that could be done from memory so I knew there was a great deal of work behind the scenes. Around the same time, I had also come across Skulls Unlimited on a late night episode of Mike Rowe’s Dirty Jobs tv show. They were just opening their shop and museum in Oklahoma City and I was fascinated by the use of bugs in cleaning the deteriorating flesh off at warp speed! I messaged Ralph to see if he had heard of it, and in fact, they had sent him some skulls to use in person to do his illustrations! What a fabulous world of networking for the sake of learning, reading and creativity!!! I would have it no other way!
Grab his great books at these affiliate links here –
- Skull Alphabet – Become a Bone Sleuth!! Can you figure out what animal the skull is from based on the clues? Hidden in the artwork is a list of US presidents too!
- The Bug Drawing Book – with common shapes, anyone can create these fun bugs!
- The Farm Drawing Book – a pig, a cow AND a rooster? Yes please – have them practice the sounds as they draw or research more info about each animal as extended education
- The Ocean Drawing Book – So many species in one place!
- The Alien Drawing Book – um, I live in Nevada – I have to include all things Alien related :)
TEDD ARNOLD – Like David, I met Tedd at my alma mater’s literacy festival. I knew who he was and was giddy about meeting him after seeing him present to the kids. Their was a torrential rain storm, and he and his wife graciously shared their umbrellas – we ran across campus dodging the giant, slippery tree roots bulging from the damp soil. Then we grabbed lunch over quick conversations before he had to assume his post at the autographing table, dipping from the weight of all of the books to sign!
I had been a fan of Fly Guy forever, and had even used those books in the middle school class I created call Fun with Plants and Bugs.
What is not to love about a bug-eyed bug??? ~ Melanie Bowline
Follow Fly Guy in his fun fictional adventures as well as educational, non-fiction journeys to places every kid will love…insect adventures, castles, fire stations, with dinosaurs and more are perfect for homeschool curriculum. I’ve even donated some to children’s units at hospitals and hair salons for kids to enjoy!
Fly Guy and his aptly named human, BUZZ, have so much fun together.
My family pediatrician had a crazy, silly sense of humor. He made noises, told jokes and was always looking to make kids laugh. When Tedd signed my copy of Parts, I knew exactly who it would go to. This book in the trio of silly rhyme and idioms about the human body is sure to make the most stoic adult crack a smile or giggle hysertically like I do every. single. time I read it 🙂
Don’t wait – they go fast – grab yours here at my affiliate links:
- Fly Guy’s Ninja Christmas – what do you give your best (human) friend for Christmas?
- Fly Guy Presents Insects – fun facts about bugs while Fly Guy buzzes around the outdoors
- Fly Guy Presents Firefighters – firefighters, trucks and fire safety rolled in one fun read
- Parts, More Parts and Even More Parts – hilarious rhyme and idioms about the human body
Don’t forget – if you’re a teacher, most authors and illustrators do live visits or virtual visits during the pandemic of 2020. Check their sites or email me if you want to connect with them. Wouldn’t it be great to surprise your students and bring books to life with the real author/illustrator!!! Read on!