This book is platinum, baby!
It’s totally boss and positively sizzles!
Title: Rock ‘n’ Roll Mole
Published by: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011
Written by: Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by: Lynn Munsinger
In one word: BOSS!
In one sentence: Mole is a leather jacket and shades wearin’ guy who can rock the house when he’s alone, but when he has to do it in front of others, what will he do?
Favorite pages:
Pig “shimmied and shook his bad pink self.”
How could you not love it?
Likes:
- The story reads effortlessly and the words just flow. This means it was probably A TON of hard work writing it!
- the “cool” words…struttin’, sizzlin’, boss, supersonic, GROOVELICIOUS.
- the text in the book is placed very well, and the sizes vary in places for emphasis.
- The illustrations are adorable. I mean, c’mon, he’s a CUTE Mole!
- the story is a sweet story of friendship that makes you want to go…”awwww…”
- the voice is awesome too.
- And the spine is really rockin! There’s music notes, guitars…it just looks like an awesome book by the spine alone!
Learns:
- Don’t be afraid to go all voice crazy. This one has so many cool words that it’s really REALLY fun!
- Don’t be afraid to write about animals…I’ll have to check; I don’t think I have too many about animals.
- And don’t be afraid to rock out in front of people…ok, maybe that doesn’t apply ONLY to writing??
Bookshelf time, baby!
What rockin’ book did you groove on today?
Enthusiastically yours (and rockin’ the house!)
Kathy Ellen and Singe Singe
What a fun looking book. I have never heard of it but will be sure to look for it now. 🙂
Today I read THREE NINJA PIGS by Corey Rosen Schwartz and illustrated by Dan Santat. In this version of the classic tale, set in Japan, the pigs decide to stude martial arts to battle their bully. However, only the third pig has the patience and pork chops to see her training through and defeat their foe.
I love this little fractured fairytale complete with the most precise and fun rhyme you have ever heard!
I actually worked with Corey and developed a Teacher’s Guide for this book. In fact, I am launching that guide and my new Teacher’s Guide Services business on my blog and Twitter tomorrow. Stay tuned.
But although I have studied this story inside and out for the past 2 months, it was wonderful getting my hands on the actual book. Its beautiful. I love the colors. Its surely to be a favorite on many bookshelves.
Marcie…that is great…congratulations!
I will be looking for that! I love teacher’s guides!!
I’m so excited for your teacher guides to take off, Marcie! I downloaded yours and read through it and I’m really impressed…you did a great job and I hope you have many more takers…
now I REALLY have to read The Three Ninja Pigs!
What a fun sounding book, Kathy Ellen! And lucky you, Marcie, to have seen Three Ninja Pigs up close and kiya personal!
Today I read The Gift of the Tree by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Henri Sorensen. It tells the story of the life and death of a huge oak tree, then shows what happens as the tree decomposes and provides shelter and food for wildlife and plants. Sounds rather depressing the way I’ve put it — the way Tresselt tells it, it is beautiful and inspiring and a great way to explain the life cycle of trees to kids. The artwork is exquisite, the text is lyrical. And unless the book that I got a message about from the library today is amazing, this book will be my Perfect Picture Book choice tomorrow.
I like the topic of this book, Beth.
Again, you are bringing such unique books to my attention…thank you!
Sorry I am so late today…I had back-to-back school story and craft presentations in the morning…and then my local critique group meeting in the afternoon, which I had to cut short to take my husband to the doc because he hasn’t been feeling well and was running a 102.8 fever. 🙁 His temp at the doc was normal…so we shall see. 🙂
Your book sounds like a lot of fun, Kathy!
Today, I read “Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl” written by Jane O’Connor and pictures based on the art by Robin Preiss Glasser. I’ll be sharing this book on Susanna’s PPBF and wanted to find a book that addressed bullying, since we are in the middle of National Bullying Prevention Month.
I opened the book with a preconceived notion that I would NOT like it…and at first, I was put off by the frequent definitions of words that a child might not know (there is also a page at the back of the book with the definitions). But I can honestly say that I DID like the book…loved the message of the importance of communication between parents and children and also the message that children can tell bullies and teasers that they don’t like what is happening.
The book is considered a ‘beginning reader’ as well as a picture book.
Hope everything’s ok, Vivian…and don’t worry one bit about being late….it’s the reading that counts!
I think I’ve seen this one…or maybe I’ve just seen it on your blog!
I like that it’s a combo early reader and picture book…
and even though I’m not very fancy,
I do like Fancy Nancy 🙂
We read Arthur’s Halloween by Marc Brown. My kids love Arthur books. I find it amazing that my 7 year old daughter is just as excited as my 2 year old. Such an amazing series.
That’s the sign of a great book…appealing to all ages.
I love Arthur, and I remember watching the TV show.
Come to think of it, I was probably too old to be watching it when I did but I thought it was so cool…and to this day I think my sister and I can sing the theme song word for word!
Bookshelf is lookin’ good! Can’t wait to see it filled!
Oh yeah, it’s fillin’ up fast over here!
I read “My Name Is Not Alexander,” by Jennifer Fosberry. This is a great pb for teaching kids to dream big and learn about role models, such as Theodore Roosevelt, Chief Joseph, & Thomas Edison. I love how every adjective has been carefully chosen to describe not only the famous person, but also the little boy.
Rock & Roll Mole looks adorable!! I hope to find it sometime!
This is the companion to “My name is not Isabelle, right?”
She came to Hicklebee’s, I think, and I couldn’t go 🙁
Sounds really good though! I’ll look for it at the library.
Your bookshelves are looking great! On this day, I re-read WOLVES by Emily Gravett. Something might be wrong with me since I love when picture book characters get eaten . . .
I love WOLVES.
Nothing is wrong with things getting eaten at the end of picture books…
Hi Kathy!
Today I read Littlebat’s Halloween Story by Diane Mayr and illustrated by Gideon Kendall. This is a story of a fruit bat living in the attic of a local library. Every day the librarian reads stories to the children and Littlebat peeks his head out of a small hole to listen. He wants to fly down and see the pictures but Motherbat tells him it’s too dangerous. Littlebat wonders if he will ever get to see them. The seasons pass as Motherbat tells him he has to wait for just the right changes to come along before he can join in the fun of reading with the children.
This is a wonderful story for ages 4 to 6 year olds. Lots of colorful “changes” to notice and talk about and even a mild scary scene when Littlebat accidently falls through a hole in the ceiling. The illustrations encourage young readers to discuss the changing seasons and makes for a great guessing game as to how Littlebat will be finally be able to see the pictures in the book.
I think I will have to add this one to my Christmas wish list!
Donna L Martin
http://www.donnalmartin.com
http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com
This sounds so cute….I love that a bat and a library have been put together into a story. You find the most fun books, Donna!