December 18 – Get Ready for Christmas

About the Holiday

Traditionally, the holidays are a time for special choir performances, plays, and orchestra and band concerts that can be exciting – or a little nerve-wracking – for kids. For parents and caregivers, these performances bring pride and even a tear or two. While this year holiday celebrations may be different, kids and adults are still finding ways to use their talents to make Christmas fun. Reading holiday stories together is one of the best ways to share favorite traditions.

The Star in the Christmas Play

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by Lorna Hussey

While Raffi usually ran to savannah school, today “he dragged his hooves.” When his mother asked what was wrong, he told her that he worried he was too big to get a part in the Christmas play. His mother reassured him that he was “just the right size” and that someday he would appreciate being so tall. When Raffi got to school, all of his classmates were in line for auditions, and they all knew exactly what part they wanted to play.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-star-in-the-christmas-play-audition

Image copyright Lorna Hussey, 2018, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2018. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Raffi felt downhearted—he “could never be a star,” he thought. When his turn came to audition, everyone told him he’d done an excellent job of reading Joseph’s part. Perked up, Raffi galloped home to tell his mother that maybe he could be a star after all. She gave him a nuzzle and said, “‘You’re my star.’” In the morning Raffi raced to school, eager to find out who got which parts. As Mrs. Ostrich read off the names and their parts, Raffi listened for his name. The parts of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the wisemen and shepherds, and the animals all went to his friends. Raffi watched sadly as they celebrated their parts. He wished he could go home.

Just then Mrs. Ostrich said his name and added, “‘I’ve not yet assigned your role….’” Raffi whispered his fear to his teacher, and she agreed that he was too big to play some parts. Still, she said, they would think of something. Raffi gazed at the stage, hoping he could be up there too.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-the-star-in-the-christmas-play-slumped

Image copyright Lorna Hussey, 2018, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2018. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Then he remembered what his mother had told him and he had an idea. He quietly shared it with Mrs. Ostrich. She thought it was wonderful. On the day of the play, all the little animals took their places behind the curtain as their parents found seats on the benches. When the curtain rose, Raffi knelt near the manger. A large, shining star surrounded his head. “Raffi beamed.” He was a star-—the star who guided the wise men and the shepherds to find the baby Jesus in the stable.

CPB – the star in the christmas play nativity

Image copyright Lorna Hussey, 2018, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2018. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Lynne Marie’s sweet story of a little giraffe trying to find his place is endearing through and through. Children will empathize with his wish to be included in the Christmas play and his worries about his size. Raffi’s loving mother offers encouragement and snuggles, and their trusting relationship in which Raffi feels comfortable revealing his doubts is a highlight of the story. By allowing Raffi to create an important part for himself, Marie also empowers readers to find their own perseverance, creativity, and voice. Raffi’s beaming smile as he sits straight and tall while playing the Christmas star, shows children that they should always be proud of who they are and their important role in the world. Marie includes many opportunities for kids and adults to discuss various emotions and aspects of friendship—from celebrating others’ accomplishments to feeling left out of the fun—making the book an excellent choice at any time of the year.

Lorna Hussey’s savannah animal children are adorable as they demonstrate why they’d be perfect for their preferred roles in the play. Kids will enjoy studying the clues and guessing which part each animal wants to play. Contrasting their exuberance with Raffi’s bent neck, droopy ears, and sad expression, readers can clearly see how Raffi’s worries weigh on him. The tender love between sunny-spotted Raffi and his mother will touch readers. The final spread of the Nativity play is lovely and uplifting, and children will love lingering over this page to point out all the details.

A heartening and layered story for Christmas and throughout the year, The Star in the Christmas Play is highly recommended for making every child feel like the star they are. The book would be charming addition to home, school, and public library collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Beaming Books, 2018 | ISBN 978-1506438139

Discover more about Lynne Marie and her books on her website.

A Chat with Lynne Marie

Lynne Marie is the author of Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World, illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books, 2019); Moldilocks and the 3 Scares, illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, 2019); The Star in the Christmas Play, illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018); Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten, illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011); and Hedgehog’s 100th Day of School, illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, 2017). Her stories, poems, and folk tales have appeared in many magazine markets, including Family Fun, Highlights, High Five, Spider, Baby Bug, and more.

Hi, Lynne! I’m excited to have the chance to talk with you a little about Lorna Hussey’s adorable art. Lorna adds such a sweet dimension to your story, and Raffi will melt readers’ hearts. How did you two get together to create this moving, family story?

I absolutely LOVED Lorna Hussey’s art in my second picture book, Hedgehog’s 100th Day of School. But for some reason, I didn’t have anyone in mind for this book. Then, when Beaming Books editor Naomi Krueger said I could offer up a list of illustrators whose styles I would like them to consider, I posted an open call on my Facebook Page for Illustrator friends to hit me up with their African Animals. People quickly posted samples, including Lorna, who posted a picture of a Lion, and I knew right away she was the one, without any doubts!

Beaming Books loved her work too, and she was offered a contract. However, she didn’t know it because her Agent was on holiday for three weeks. When the Agent returned, everything came to light, but due to no response, Beaming Books had offered the contract to another artist. Lorna and I fought very hard to win back the contract under the extenuating circumstances and we won!

I am so totally *over-the-moon* pleased with how the book turned out and have just hung some of the original art from both books in my office! Lorna also provided pictures for me to use as a Christmas postcard and a Christmas card!

I am honestly trying very hard to find another project to work with Lorna on! She’s so talented and such a kind soul!

What a wonderful story! I’m glad – I’m sure readers are too – that Lorna found her place on your creative team! I wish you all the best with The Star in the Christmas Play and all of your books!

You can discover more about Lynne’s inspiration for her story, what she’d like children to learn from it, and a favorite family Christmas tradition, read an interview with Carolyn Bedford on the Beaming Books website.

Get Ready for Christmas! Activity

Tell the Good News! Word Search Puzzle

Find the sixteen words about the first Christmas in this printable Tell the Good News word search puzzle.

Tell the Good News! Word Search Puzzle | Tell the Good News! Word Search Solution

**You can find The Star in the Christmas Play at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

October 28 – It’s Eat Better, Eat Together Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Eat Better, Eat Together Month encourages families to gather for at least one meal a day. When families gather for a meal, they tend to make more balanced food choices. Uninterrupted time together also allows each member of the family share stories about their day and lets everyone laugh, commiserate, and build strong bonds. Spending more time together this year provides families the opportunity to get everyone involved in everything from choosing recipes and shopping to preparing and cooking the food to cleaning up. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics he benefits of eating together are wide ranging and can include better grades, better health, and fewer behavioral problems. To celebrate this holiday, make your own plans for family meals and discover how families from around the world enjoy their meals with today’s book!

Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by Parwinder Singh

If you’re raising a culinary conscious and curious kid satisfies that gnawing hunger for more information on world cuisine. Visiting families around the globe at breakfast, lunch, and dinner time, Lynne Marie offers up tidbits about what kids eat plus other interesting food facts. The first stop is China, where Yu Yan is enjoying a bowl of congee—or rice porridge—before heading out to school. This morning, the congee includes squid that her father has caught. Yu Yan “slurps loudly to show how much she likes it.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-let's-eat-mealtime-around-the-world-peru

Image copyright Parwinder Singh, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

High in the mountains of Peru, Luz is bundled up in the early morning air as she gets ready to help out with her grandfather’s llamas. First, she warms up with chuño cola—a soup made from freeze-dried potatoes. For Luz, breakfast usually consists of leftovers from dinner the night before. Hospitality is so important to people in the Philippines that one of the most common greetings is “‘Kumain ka na?’ meaning ‘Have you eaten yet?’” If not, you may be invited to join in a breakfast of spamsilog—a dish of fried SPAM, fried eggs, and garlic rice.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-let's-eat-mealtime-around-the-world-philippines

Image copyright Parwinder Singh, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

In Jamaica, Zhade and her mother make savory pastries filled with spicy ground beef. These can be eaten on their own or wrapped in coco bread—a soft, sweet bread—to make sandwiches. For Camille, living in France, lunch is a four-course meal served at school. Today, Camille and her friends are having “a cucumber and tomato salad, then a main course of roast beef with cooked broccoli. Next, a small plate of cheese, finished with apple tart for dessert.” It must not be Wednesday, though. In France, there’s no school on Wednesday afternoons. “Instead, many attend on Saturday mornings.”

It’s dinnertime for Priya, who lives in India. She and her family are at their favorite restaurant, where Priya has ordered Tandoori chicken. “Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices then roasted in a tandoor, a round clay oven.” After dinner, she and her family go home to watch cricket on TV.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-let's-eat-mealtime-around-the-world-jamaica

Image copyright Parwinder Singh, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

For many families in Sweden, Thursday dinners follow a tradition that goes back to the fifteenth century. Tonight, Hugo is having “pea soup and pancakes with lingonberry jam. Perfect for keeping warm on a cold winter night.” Lingonberry jam isn’t just for pancakes. It can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

At last! It’s time for dessert! In Egypt, Mandisa and her brother are enjoying basbousa—a coconut cake. They especially like it with a topping of rose-blossom or orange-blossom syrup that makes it taste extra sweet. In Nigeria, Chetachi can’t wait to dig into the bowl of tropical fruit sprinkled with coconut. It looks like his sister would like some too! All over the world, people sit down to meals with foods they love. Learning more about these dishes and trying them is a great way to feel a sense of community with other kids.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-let's-eat-mealtime-around-the-world-egypt

Image copyright Parwinder Singh, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

In her conversational tour around the world, Lynne Marie invites readers to sit down with their peers and enjoy a variety of meals and snacks while also learning a little about the history, culture, environment, and animals of each area. A question prompting readers to think about their own connection to food accompanies each two-page spread and offers an opportunity for classroom or home discussion and exploration.

Parwinder Singh populates his illustrations with enthusiastic kids dipping into soups, dishing up a plateful around the family dining table, helping out in the kitchen, and licking their fingers to enjoy every drop of a delicious treat. Singh’s colorful backdrops give kids a glimpse into the homes that nourish each child and the landscape that often influences the ingredients that make up their favorite foods.

Sure to spark children’s interest in tasting foods from around the world and learning more about the cultures of the thirteen countries represented here, Let’s Eat! Mealtime around the World makes for a deletable lead-in for social studies and geography lessons, events highlighting international foods, and multicultural explorations at home.

Ages 4 – 8

Beaming Books, 2019 | ISBN 978-1506451947

Discover more about Lynne Marie and her books on her website.

You can view a portfolio of artwork by Parwinder Singh on ArtStation.

Eat Better, Eat Together Month Activity

Pancake Flip-Out Game

A favorite family breakfast is pancakes! If you can’t get enough of pancakes at breakfast (or that other treat: breakfast for dinner), you can play this Pancake Flip-Out Game to fill your plate.

Supplies

Printable Pancakes Template
Printable Breakfast Plate Template (or use your own paper plate or dish)
Heavy stock paper, poster board, cardboard, or foam sheet
Glue
Scissors
Spatula (optional)

You can play this game several ways:

Print and cut out the pancakes and plate (or use your own paper plate or other dish) and glue them to the heavy paper, poster board, or foam sheet
Place the plate on the floor
Draw 3 concentric circles around the plate about 12 inches apart. For younger children make the circles closer together.
Give each player the same number of pancakes and choose someone to go first
Each player takes turns tossing or flipping their pancakes, trying to get them onto the plate
When a player has used all of their pancakes add up their score:

Hitting the target can earn you 20 points
Getting your pancake in the first circle around the plate earns you 15 point
Hitting the second circle is worth 10 points
Pancakes landing in the third circle are worth 5 points

Rotate through the players as many times as you like and add up the points at the end. The player with the most points wins!

Try this Option:

Instead of tossing the pancakes with your hands, try flipping them with a spatula!

Or: Make up your own rules—and have fun!

**You can find Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Bookshop | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

February 21 – It’s Hot Breakfast Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Hot Breakfast Month was established to encourage people to have a hot, healthy breakfast before they go off to work or school. A good breakfast can keep your brain and your body working longer and better, which will result in a good day and more happiness in your life! And during this cold month, it feels good to get the day started off with a warm, satisfying meal. So scramble up a few eggs, make a bowl of yummy oatmeal, or whip up a batch of pancakes or waffles. And if you’re following a more plant-based diet, there are lots of grains and greens that will give you a nourishing sendoff.

Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by Parwinder Singh

Image copyright Parwinder Singh, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Finally! It’s time for dessert! In Egypt, Mandisa and her brother are enjoying basbousa—a coconut cake. They especially like it with a topping of rose-blossom or orange-blossom syrup that makes it taste extra sweet. In Nigeria, Chetachi can’t wait to dig into the bowl of tropical fruit sprinkled with coconut. It looks like his sister would like some too! All over the world, people sit down to meals with foods they love. Learning more about these dishes and trying them is a great way to feel a sense of community with other kids.

Image copyright Parwinder Singh, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Beaming Books.

Ages 4 – 8

Beaming Books, 2019 | ISBN 978-1506451947

Discover more about Lynne Marie and her books on her website.

Hot Breakfast Month Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-pancake-game

Pancake Flip-Out Game

Pancakes are served in a stack because they’re so delicious that each one doesn’t last long! In this game see how many pancakes you can flip onto the plate!

Supplies

Printable Pancakes Template
Printable Breakfast Plate Template (optional – you can use your own paper plate or other dish)
Heavy stock paper, poster board, cardboard, or foam sheet (optional)
Glue
Scissors
Spatula (optional)

You can play this game several ways:

Print and cut out the pancakes
Glue the pancakes to the heavy paper, poster board, or foam sheet to make them heavy enough to toss and fly
Print and cut out the plate template or use your own plate
Place the plate on the floor
Draw 3 concentric circles around the plate about 12 inches apart
Give each player the same number of pancakes and choose someone to go first
Each player takes turns tossing or flipping their pancakes, trying to get them onto the plate
When a player has used all of their pancakes add up their score:

Hitting the target can earn you 20 points
Getting your pancake in the first circle around the plate earns you 15 point
Hitting the second circle is worth 10 points
Pancakes landing in the third circle are worth 5 points

Rotate through the players as many times as you like and add up the points at the end. The player with the most points wins!

Try this Option:

Instead of tossing the pancakes with your hands, try flipping them with a spatula! Or: Make up your own rules—and have fun!

**You can find Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

November 20 – It’s National Adoption Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

National Adoption Month was instituted in 1976 as a week-long celebration of adoption and raise awareness for the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care. The holiday was expanded to include the entire month of November in 1995. This year’s theme is Youth Voices: Why Family Matters. This month gives adoptive families and families considering adoption a chance to talk about their experiences and find resources for this important type of family-building. To learn more, visit the American Adoptions website.

Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo

“In a big haunted house—with room enough for four, there lived three Scares: Papa Scare, Mama Scare, and Baby Scare.” One cold night Papa Scare prepared a midnight snack of “sliced finger sandwiches” and “Alpha-Bat Soup.” Mama Scare was working in her lab and wishing she had an assistant, while Baby Scare wished he had someone to play with. When the food was ready, Papa poured a tub of soup for himself, a medium-size bowl for Mama, and a tiny bowl for Baby. But the soup was so hot that they couldn’t eat it and decided to take a walk while the soup cooled.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-moldilocks-and-the-three-scares-soup

Image copyright David Rodriguez Lorenzo, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Sterling Children’s Books.

Meanwhile, Moldilocks, a zombie, was sleepwalking through the graveyard when she smelled the aroma of the Alpha-Bat Soup. Finding the house empty, she climbed in the window and headed for the kitchen. Papa’s soup was too hot; Mama’s soup was too cold; but Baby’s soup was just right—so “she gulped it all up.” With a full belly, she went in search of somewhere to sit and found three chairs in front of the TV.

First, “she strapped into Papa’s chair,” but it was too hard. Mama’s chair was too soft. But Baby’s chair was just right—until it’s bony seat snapped. Moldilocks decided it was time for a nap anyway, so she looked for a place to sleep. Papa’s slab was too hard; Mama’s sarcophagus was too tight; but Baby’s bed was just right. “She buried herself under the sheets and fell asleep. Zzzzzz…”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-moldilocks-and-the-three-scares-mildilocks

Image copyright David Rodriguez Lorenzo, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Sterling Children’s Books.

When the Scares came home, they immediately noticed that someone had been tasting their soup and that Baby Scare’s bowl was empty. Then they discovered that someone had broken all of their chairs—leaving Baby’s chair nothing but a pile of dust. Their ghost dog, Plasma, tracked Moldilocks to the bedroom, where the Scares learned that someone had been lying on Papa and Mama’s beds and found Moldilocks snoozing in Baby’s bed.

“‘How dare you…’” Papa bellowed to a quivering Moldilocks “‘…eat without us!’” Then Mama Scare hugged Moldilocks and told her she could be her lab assistant. And Baby Scare wondered if she’d like to play “Corpse and Robbers” with him and his “Deady Bear.” Mama Scare gave Moldilocks another squeeze and said, “‘A little ghoul is the perfect addition to our family!’” Moldilocks agreed, and they all “lived hauntingly every after.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-moldilocks-and-the-three-scares-soup-eaten

Image copyright David Rodriguez Lorenzo, 2019, text copyright Lynne Marie, 2019. Courtesy of Sterling Children’s Books.

Lynne Marie’s monstrously cute take on Goldilocks and the Three Bears offers up a tale of a family who would love to add another member to play, eat, and work with. When Moldilocks wanders into their empty house and makes herself at home, her discovery by Papa, Mama, and Baby answers all their “nightmares,” and they happily welcome her into their family. Full of spooky puns and funny allusions to monster culture, Marie’s storytelling will have kids howling with giggles. A gently suspenseful twist reveals the deeper layer to this fractured fairy tale—one of inclusion, belonging, and adoption.

David Rodriguez Lorenzo’s eerie and comic illustrations abound with bats, tombstones, spiderwebs, skulls, and bubbling cauldrons, and readers will love the spookily stylish décor of the Scare’s home. But the heart of the story lies in Lorenzo’s depictions of the monsters as a close family and Moldilocks as a little zombie looking for a place to call home.

Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale is A frightfully fun addition to home, school, and library fractured fairy tale collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Sterling Children’s Books, 2019 | ISBN 978-1454930617

Discover more about Lynne Marie and her books on her website.

To learn more about David Rodriguez Lorenzo, his books, and his art on his website.

National Adoption Month Activity

cpb - monster love maze

Monster Love! Maze

Help this little monster collect all the heart snacks in this printable puzzle.

Monster Love! Maze | Monster Love Maze Solution

**You can find Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale at these booksellers**

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

The Star in the Christmas Play

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by Lorna Hussey

A Chat with Lynne Marie

Get Ready for Christmas! Activity

Tell the Good News! Word Search Puzzle

You can find The Star in the Christmas Play at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

Like this:

About the Holiday

Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by Parwinder Singh

Eat Better, Eat Together Month Activity

Pancake Flip-Out Game

You can find Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World at these booksellers

To support your local independent bookstore, order from

Share this:

Like this:

About the Holiday

Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by Parwinder Singh

Hot Breakfast Month Activity

Pancake Flip-Out Game

You can find Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World at these booksellers

Share this:

Like this:

About the Holiday

Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale

Written by Lynne Marie | Illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo

National Adoption Month Activity

Monster Love! Maze

You can find Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale at these booksellers

Share this:

Like this:

**You can find The Star in the Christmas Play at these booksellers**

**You can find Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World at these booksellers**

**You can find Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World at these booksellers**

**You can find Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale at these booksellers**