Candlewick Press has formed a partnership with Jumpstart. Every year, the executives behind this education nonprofit selects a book for a campaign to inspire communities to get together and read.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign; it will be launched on October 22nd. Bibliophiles around the world will crack open a special edition of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story written by Kelly Bennett and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones.
Here’s more from the press release: “Special edition copies of Not Norman: A Goldfish Story will be available through the Jumpstart website at readfortherecord.org. Each special edition features reading tips, vocabulary words, and extension activities provided by Jumpstart’s team of early education experts. Not Norman: A Goldfish Story will be available in both English and Spanish and pre-orders of the special edition are available now.”
I’m taking a break from the Fierce Reads Tour today to jump to the other end of children’s literature—picture books! Today I get to help celebrate the launch of Kelly Bennett’s newest picture book, ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING. Kelly has joined us for a little Q &A about the book.
I’m glad to have you here today, Kelly! I loved your concept of rambling: a long, lazy, keep-an-eye-out-for-interesting-thing-a-ma-jigs-treasures-what’s its-whose its sort of walk. It’s great for kids to do on their own or with friends, but also a fun way for parents and grandparents to play with their children. Did you like to ramble as a kid? Is this something you’ve done with the children in your life?
Kelly: Oh yes I’m a rambler—in thought and deed—always have been. Back in the day, they called it “daydreaming” and said, “She’s off in her own little world again.” “Where’d you disappear to this time?” and “What took you so long?”
When my kids, Max, Alexis and my heart daughter/friend, Chelsie, were younger we’d stroll around the neighborhood, along the beach, into the woods—often with a few of their friends in tow. Too, at least once a month, we’d pack our old VW Bus with whatever food we had in the house and set out on an adventure. A favorite spot was Robber’s Cave State Park in Southeastern Oklahoma. Belle Starr and her gang are said to have hid out there. Pert near impossible not to be on the watch for treasure in a place like that!
But you don’t have to go anywhere to ramble. A favorite car ramble is a riff on the “I Spy With My Little Eye” game where one person points out an interesting building, sign, tree, thing-a-ma-gig on the side of the road and everyone takes turns imagining what else it might be. Or what about playing the “Cloud Game,” where you find animals, faces and mystical creatures hidden in the clouds?
The illustrations are exuberant. You and the illustrator, Terri Murphy, also teamed up on the delightful Dance, Y’all, Dance. Your work goes so well together, it feels like you are good friends. Do know each other personally?
Kelly: Like her art, Terri Murphy is smart, creative, funny and most importantly, about 8 years old inside—and she gets it. Gets the “it”
This past weekend was a busy day for the Houston children’s writing community. Two of our local (or sometimes local) authors had picture book launches on the same day at different independent bookstores. I had a family event on the same day, so I couldn’t make it to both events, but one of my critique partners, Russell Sanders, managed to get to both bookstores. He sent these photos of Kelly Bennett’s launch for YOUR MOMMY WAS JUST LIKE YOU, at Katy Budget Books.
Now for this week’s event:
April 21, Thursday, 10:00 a.m.
Blue Willow Bookshop
Jennifer Solak
Jennifer Solak will lead a special storytime featuring GOODNIGHT HOUSTON, a 32 page, hardcover children’s book that takes families on a bedtime tour of the many points of interest that make Houston unique. It’s a journey that will have kids dreaming of the magical places they can visit in the biggest city in Texas.
Please visit Blue Willow Bookshop’s Special Events Page for information about this event.
Dad and Pop: (An Ode to Fathers & Stepfathers) by Kelly Bennett (Illustrated by Paul Meisel)
Review by: Chris Singer
About the author:
Kelly Bennett is the author of many books for children, including Not Norman: A Goldfish Story. About Dad and Pop, she says, “My children, Max and Lexi, and the loving relationship they have with their fathers inspired this story.” Kelly Bennett lives part-time in Houston, Texas, and part-time in Jakarta, Indonesia.
About the illustrator:
Paul Meisel is the illustrator of many books, including Harriet’s Had Enough! by Elissa Haden Guest and What’s the Matter in Mr. Whiskers’ Room? by Michael Elsohn Ross, among many others. About Dad and Pop, he says, “Creating this book brought to mind a quote from the Dalai Lama I once read: ‘Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.’” Paul Meisel lives in Newtown, Connecticut.
About the book:
I have two fathers. I call this one Dad, and this one Pop.
Dad is tall and wears suits. Pop is bald and wears boots. Dad’s into gadgets and Pop’s into plants; one paints on easels, the other on walls; and they certainly don’t share the same taste in music! In this funny, affectionate ode to fathers and stepfathers, a young girl explains that while Dad and Pop may seem completely different, in one crucial way they’re exactly the same — they both love her.
My take on the book:
I’ve been remiss in not having enough books on the site about stepfathers so when Candlewick Press sent this along with another book I request to review, I knew it was something I wanted to review.
As the title says, Dad and Pop is a wonderfully written and illustrated ode to fathers and stepfathers. I like how the story shows both the differences and the similarities between Dad and Pop with the similarities essentially being how much they both care for and love the little girl. I enjoyed seeing the little girl being doted on by both her Dad and Pop – an important thing to see in any family and little girls reading the story will enjoy seeing this as well. My favorite scene was during the soccer game when both dads are on the sideline cheering their little girl on.
This is a really nice book showing a beautiful and positive portrayal of a blended family. I really like the focus on the dad and stepfather as well. I would have to do a little research but I would guess this is very unique to see in picture books about blended families. I would recommend this for blended families as well as teachers and counselors who might be working with kids struggling to adapt to family changes such as having a new stepfather or stepmother.
Author: Kelly Bennett
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Published: 2008 Candlewick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 0763627631
Sunny stylized digital images and giggle-inducing grins, grimaces and gestures make a disgruntled pet-owner’s gradual shift in perspective an entertaining example of rejection, reflection and imagination.
Chapters.ca Amazon.com
by Lindsay Kaplan, Associate Publicist
The New York Times Book Review is the bible, but you wouldn’t know it. On any given Sunday, New York and its most intellectual denizens clutch the publishing industry’s holy text and systematically choose their next subway fashion statement. Sam Tanenhaus may or may not have brought the Bestseller List from Sinai, but he certainly leads his chosen people to the Holy Land better bookstores everywhere. (more…)
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What a fuuny, funny book. Full of color, humor, and imagination.
I read Not Norman and was delighted! My Grandson was tickled by their relationshop! What else has Ms. Bennet written, I would love to read more of her stuff!
I look forward to sharing this book with my school librarian and students!