category: Children's Books

If you haven’t seen except if yet, know that it’s been described as no less than a “short, sweet, philosophical speculation” (Publishers Weekly), an “existential” and “deceptively simple yet delightful tale” (Kirkus), and “contrarian” fun (Booklist). Readers’ expectations continue to be overturned with successive page turns—and the repeated use of “except if”—in this puzzler of a book, less of a story than a “convergence of fanciful possibilities,” as School Library Journal wrote. Adds the PW review, “{e}ven very young readers will find they’ve succeeded in following a rather convoluted piece of reasoning, clause by clause and picture by picture; it’s a book in which the action unfolds in the mind as much as it does on the page.” I don’t want to give it all away either and spoil your experience reading it, if you haven’t already, but let’s just say it ends as it started — with a pale blue egg and maybe, just maybe, a baby bird.

With a PHOOSH and a Grrrrrr and a CANNONBAAAALLLLLL! Little Dragon tears through his day (and the house). But even when he gets a little too rambunctious, there’s no OH NO! that Mama’s kiss can’t fix.

Jim Averbeck celebrates both the tremendous energy of a little boy and the tenderness shared between mother and child in this vibrant picture book that begs to be read aloud.

Oh no and uh oh! Little dragon has accidentally lost his spark. One moment, he was huffing and puffing streaks of fire here and there and the next, he swallows a little too much water in the bathtub…just enough to douse his flame. He tries valiantly to rekindle the flame, using tactics like eating hot chili peppers and dressing in his warmest clothing. Just when he thinks that nothing can put a spark back in his heart, he receives a gentle kiss on the snout from his mother, which does the trick! Don’t be afraid to pick up this book and get your hands sooty – meeting little dragon is well worth it!

A mischievous, original tale with a clever ending and rich authentic details from the author’s life in Cameroon (West Africa). Yoyo has listened to Mama Cécile’s song about how to make ndolé (bitterleaf stew) her entire life—long enough to know how to make it herself, now that she is finally old enough. But slicing the bitterleaf, grinding the pumpkin, measuring out the shrimp—it just takes too long. Yoyo is confident that her variation on the stew will be good enough.

As Mama Cécile and Yoyo set off to market, Mama reminds Yoyo what will happen if she refuses a fair price for the stew—Brother Coin, the Great Spirit of the Market, will put a curse on their market bowl. When Yoyo refuses to heed Mama’s advice, she is faced with the task of trying to regain a blessing from the god himself.

An original folktale set in modern-day Cameroon, The Market Bowl teaches readers a lesson about patience, humility, and the value of a fair price. Back matter includes further information about Cameroon and its people and traditions as well as a recipe for ndolé—Cameroon’s national food dish.

Layered like a puzzle, and sparked with OH!-dashes of humor, Jim Averbeck Presents …

An intrepid boy teams up with Alfred Hitchcock himself in this rollicking mystery rife with action, adventure, intrigue, and all the flavor of film noir.

After the mysterious death of his mother, eleven-year-old Jack Fair is whisked away to San Francisco’s swanky Fairmont Hotel by his wicked Aunt Edith. There, he seems doomed to a life of fetching chocolates for his aunt and her pet chinchilla. Until one night, when Aunt Edith disappears, and the only clue is a ransom note written…in chocolate?

Suddenly, Jack finds himself all alone on a quest to discover who kidnapped Aunt Edith and what happened to his mother. Alone, that is, until he meets an unlikely accomplice—Alfred Hitchcock himself! The two embark on a madcap journey full of hidden doorways, secret societies, cryptic clues, sinister villains, and cinematic flair.

With an especially strong voice, a fine supporting cast, and a clever non-fiction connection, A HITCH AT THE FAIRMONT is certain to be a bit hit among mystery-loving middle-grade readers.

Linda Sue Park agrees:
“HITCH is terrific. There is so much to like: a fun plot that really works; two wonderful characters with a fine supporting cast; belly-laugh humor; resonance of the movies in general and Hitchcock’s work in particular; and lots of truly lovely writing.”

As does Patty MacLachlan:
A HITCH AT THE FAIRMONT is clever, intelligent, and completely entertaining with wonderful characters. A fabulous book. Read it! –Patricia MacLachlan

“[The book includes] macabre twists that wouldn’t be out of place in a Dahl book. A fine read and a decent love letter to all that Hitchcock stood for.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

 

 

http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Jim-Averbeck/65519797m

http://scbwi.blogspot.com/2014/08/jim-averbeck-uses-augmented-reality-to.html

The precociousness of Olivia meets the self-confidence of Eloise here in Sophia, Jim Averbeck’s new literary heroine. Her “fancy” narrative vocabulary, wisdom and creativity will delight, entertain and even educate readers. And inspire, as well. No matter the obstacles in Sophia’s path–four very large ones, in this case–she perseveres to make her voice heard.

Sophia tries varied techniques to get the giraffe she wants more than anything in this playfully illustrated story about the nuances of negotiation.

Sophia has one true desire for her birthday. But she has Four Big Problems in the way: Mom, Dad, Uncle Conrad…and Grand-mama.

Will her presentations, proposals, and pie charts convince them otherwise? Turns out, all it takes is one word.

Verbose, effusive, loquacious … these are all “one word” descriptions of Sophia’s process. Ultimately, she finds the “right word.” Or two.

Through first-person poems and descriptive prose, thirteen different Latino and Latina young people are introduced to readers. The histories of immigrants from various countries and in numerous situations are presented in a way that is both heartwarming and informational. Young Latino and Latina readers will find themselves in the text and non-Latino children can learn of the breadth and depth of the contributions made by Latinos to the U.S.

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• 2010 Creative Child Award – Preferred Choice Award: Kids Story Books Category
• 2010 National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honor Award
• Mom’s Choice Gold Award: Children’s Picture Book Distinctive Illustration Category
• Mom’s Choice Gold Award: Children’s Picture Book Humor Category
• The Curriculum Materials Center of Livingston Lord Library, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota, is pleased to announce the 2011 Read Aloud Book Awards:   
  • Wanda Gág Book Award for 2011 MEMOIRS OF A GOLDFISH written by Devin Scillian, illustrated by Tim Bowers, and published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2010.
• 2011-2012 Alabama Camellia Award Program selections:  Memoirs of a Goldfish (as above) and First Dog’s White House Christmas
• The Nevada Young Readers’ 2013 Best Picture Book Award

A joyous picture book for the very young celebrating our incredible bodies, from a New York Times bestselling illustrator.

Our wonderful bodies—aren’t they amazing? Come celebrate all the things that make us who we are—from the tops of our heads to the tips of our toes, to our tummies, our freckles, our dimples, our skin, and everything in between! With silly, rhyming text and bold, simple illustrations, this fun and frank approach to exploring body parts provides factual information that is just right for the young reader.