Ron Sleeps Alone - a bookwrap

  Sometimes it can be very scary for your child to learn to sleep alone.  The  night shadows,  the pitch-black darkness,  the unfamiliar noises and just lying there wide awake can cause anxiety and fear to your little one as he tries to cope with his aloneness in his own bed.  If you have a child you probably will be able to relate to today's featured book...

Unwrapping...

Authored by S. Adler and illustrated by Abira Das

Perfect for ages 3-7

Unwrapping some illustrations for you...

About the book...

This wonderful book is about a little boy named Ron who is frightened to sleep alone.  It is written in rhyme and the illustrations are amazing.  The colours and expressions of the characters deeply enrich the text.   Dad reads his little boy a bedtime story then tries to exit his room ...

"Good night Ron, " said Dad, "dream of good things,

Sleep well so you'll be rested for what a new day brings."

Every time Dad tries to leave the room Ron has another request.  He keeps asking his dad to bring him his teddy, his bunny rabbit, his broken train, his soccer ball, and even his red bicycle.  Dad is getting short tempered with Ron because he has had a long day and needs to rest himself.  

Are all his toys heaped in his bed the winning combination to get him to finally fall asleep and feel comforted?  

"There wasn't enough room on the pillow for his head,

Teddy Bear and Bunny took up most of the bed.

That big ball kept moving and rolling around,

The broken train was making a creaking sound."

Ron realizes this won't work, he is too crowded, so he calls on dear old Dad to save the day.  How does Dad make everything right and solve the problem so Ron can finally close his eyes and get a good night's sleep?  You will have to get the book and find out.  Dad becomes a super hero!

This is a perfect bedtime story and I am sure kids (and parents) will be able to relate, enabling everyone in the family to slumber on..... 

About the author...

Sigal Adler is an Israeli children's author with a refreshing, rhythmic writing style.  
The combination of catchy rhymes spiced with humor and an ethical message appeals to the hearts of children.

Originally published in Hebrew, Sigal's books quickly became 
best-sellers in Israel. She has recently begun translating her work into 
English so as to reach and delight a new audience.


We hope you have an enjoyable reading experience!

About the illustrator...

Been working as a children's book and comic artist for 3 years. I am fluent with a variety of styles in illustration with a sound knowledge of Photoshop. Aiming to set up my own Illustration house soon. :)




Read on and read always!



It's a wrap.




Contact me at storywrapsblog@gmail.com

This Old Van - a bookwrap

Unwrapping...

Authored by Kim Norman and Illustrated by Carolyn Conahan

Ages 3-7

Unwrapping some of the fabulous illustrations for you...

About the book...

What a fun rollicking book!  Get your cool on man, because these well-preserved hippies are on a roll.  The book is written in rhyme and playfully sung to the tune of "This Old Man,"

"This old van, she passed one,

shining in the rising sun.

"With a click clack rattle rack,

ready for some fun,

this old van says,

"GOODBYE-BYE, ONE !"

When an invitation arrives from Jake requesting a visit from his grandparents for a special event - and not be late - the two groovy flower children get decked out in their tie-dye duds, hop into their dated, funky hippie-mobile, take their puppy, and flee the scene. 

As they head to their destination they encounter a train, two bulldozers, three tractors, and four trucks...you get the idea... right up to ten. "What a gas"! They are in the groove baby, ready to go and to make it on time for Jake's big event.  

The illustrations are "Wicked!"  Canon's elaborate pastel illustrations are buzzing with activity, bright colours, and happiness. "Far out!" 

 I highly, highly recommend this book.  It is "Out of sight." 

About the author...

Kim Norman's children's books have been published by Dial, Dutton, Sterling and Scholastic. Her books have been well-reviewed in publications such as the New York Times and Publishers Weekly, and have been distributed in Scholastic Book Fairs and take-home Club fliers. Kim has built a national reputation as a school presenter, having done author visits in more than a hundred schools around the country.

Kim is an actress and singer, and has been known to practice her time step in a grocery line. Her books often feature animals, which were a big part of her childhood. Family pets included unusual critters such as a squirrel, an iguana and a raccoon named Danny.

She lives in Smithfield, Virginia, with the REAL Crocodaddy (her husband of more than 25 years.) They're the parents of two grown sons and the grandparents of one very large, shaggy Newfoundland. www.kimnormanbooks.com

About the illustrator...

Growing up at my mom's house, I rode bareback, picked wild berries, hauled hay, and made jam. At my dad's house, I got summer jobs in aerospace, watched rocket launches, went on long road trips in the VW van, swam with pretty fish, and sharks, barracudas, and alligators, too. I've always found the world to be an interesting place full of contrast and surprises. I'm happy to have a job that means I get to explore the world and any idea I scare up, and call it work. Photo: Judi Gardiner (Carolyn at Silver Falls) 

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me at storywrapsblog@gmail.com

Open Mic Wednesday - Welcome

Welcome to Open Mic Wednesday everyone. So glad you could join me.  Today's guest blogger is my friend Teddy O'Malley.  

Thank you so much Teddy for consenting to be my guest here on Storywraps. Teddy is going to talk to you about bullying,  a very important topic that needs to be addressed with your kids.  I appreciate your input friend and the mic is all yours...

Bullies can come in all shapes and sizes. From a young age we're told what a bully is. Maybe you have a mental image of the typical t.v or movie bully who steals a kid's lunch and knocks him over. Maybe your cousin who took your toys and made you cry when you were little comes to mind.

The dictionary defines a bully as a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker.

In the book, Nicu: The Littlest Vampire by Elias Zapple, the bullies are the kids at school and Nicu's brother. They are the types of bullies almost all of us have dealt with at some point in our lives. They mock us or push us around. Nicu's parents are even bullies, something that kids who have been abused or bullied by their own parents will be able to empathize with.

Nicu, the protagonist, is an empathetic character. Most of us see ourselves in him. We don't want to be the older brother who pushes Nicu around. We don't want to be Nicu's mean parents. We don't want to be the kids at school who endlessly harass Nicu. We all want to be the good guy.

What if you thought you were the good guy, but you weren't.

In my own book, Cool Kids Wear Glasses, the bully is less obvious, at least to the protagonist, Mandy Harper. Mandy is an insecure 8-year-old who believes that she is in charge of the popular kids and that she has created and maintains the school's hierarchy.  When she is called out by a “less popular” girl, Kayla, Mandy responds by treating Kayla as if she is the bully.

Kayla demands Mandy to stop bullying. She tells Mandy that what she has done could just as easily have happened to her. But Mandy doesn't see it that way.

But, but, but...

She's just trying to be helpful. Or perhaps, she's trying to justify her actions.

Have you ever felt like you may have left someone out? Have you ever wondered if you have treated somebody in a way that you wouldn't want to be treated? I think we all have at some point. If you've asked yourselves these questions then you may have wondered: Am I the bully?

Whenever you are about to do something that may exclude someone or hurt their feelings, stop and think. Would I want this done to me? Why am I doing this? If the answer is no and you can't come up with a good reason why you are doing it then you may be a bully or at the very least, an unkind person.

Remember, every new encounter is a chance to be kind.

Unwrapping Teddy's latest book...

According to Amazon...

Mandy Harper, one of the meanest girls ever, viciously ruled the school. She decided who was in and who was out. At least until Kayla Littlebe started standing up to her. 

But one day Mandy found out she might need glasses. Would she still be able to rule the school or would her new glasses help her see the error of her ways? 

Lessons taught in this adventure include: 

Friendship 

The importance of being kind to others 

Standing up for others 

Not judging a book by its cover

About Teddy...

Teddy O' Malley was born in in Saint Louis, Missouri. She has traveled all over the United States and enjoys learning about new things and other cultures. She has enjoyed studying Spanish, German, and now Italian as well. She dreams of visiting a foreign country. Teddy O'Malley has also worked as a nurse assistant, aiding the disabled and the elderly.

Teddy O'Malley

Author of 

Tell Me How You Say Good Night

Bristol's Big Wish

Destiny and Faith Go To Twincentric Academy

Destiny and Faith's Summer Adventures

Read Teddy's ramblings at

http://www.teddyomalley.blogspot.com

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me at storywrapsblog@gmail.com

Malala Yousafzai Nobel Peace Prize Speech

For the Right to Learn - Malala Yousafzais Story - a bookwrap

Unwrapping quotes from Malala...

Unwrapping...

Author:  Rebecca Langston-George

Illustrator:  Janna Beck

Ages:  6-12

Unwrapping some amazing illustrations...

About the book...

This book needs to be in every classroom and library in the world.  This is a heart-breaking but very inspiring story of a little Pakistani girl named Malala who was called by God to make a difference in the world.  In her country the Taliban...

"A group of fundamentalist Sunni Muslim militants living today mostly between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The word Taliban means 'students' in Pashto, a name used because many of the original members studied in Pakistan reglious schools called madrassas."  -info.com

...terrorized the citizens and forbade girls the right to have an education.  

"But the Taliban leaders who controlled the area were against letting girls go to school.  They declared that females should be separated from the males.  They wanted to outlaw education for girls.  They also tried to force woman to wear garments called burqas to cover their entire bodies and faces."

Malala and her father defied their orders but daily the Taliban grew stronger and imposed more rules on the oppressed, terrified people.   Their threats did not stop the father and daughter.  They spoke to clubs, wrote letters to newspapers, and called journalists about their plight.  Could it get any worse, this bullying and intimidation by the Taliban?  Would girls be banned for going to school and learning forever?  Would Malala and her dad's lives be in danger because of their resistance to the Taliban orders?

 Malala would not be silenced and was asked by the BBC to blog about the schools closing and the girls being banned from attending.  She was defiant and adamant not to give up her mission   even though there was incredible danger all around her.  

Unfortunately one day while on her school bus men from the Taliban came on board, demanded to know who Malala was, and then shot her in the face believing this would quiet her once and for all.  But fortunately she did not die.  She was quickly transported to a local hospital by the bus driver and then because she was in such serious condition had to be airlifted to England for more intensive specialist care and many, many surgeries.  

Malala survived her terrible, frightening ordeal and because of her bravery and unbroken spirit to carry on with her message of hope for children to receive an education around the world...

"On July 12, 2013, she delivered a speech before world leaders at the United Nations. "  

Malala become the co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to an education. So many other accolades have been bestowed upon her also.  She now lives in Birmingham, England and she and her father continue to speak out.  

Malala started an organization to fund education in countries like Pakistan.  She promises to continue to work toward 'peace in every home' and 'education for every boy and every girl in the world.' This book is excellent and I highly recommend it.

About the author...

Rebecca Langston-George is a middle school language arts teacher who also trains teachers in writing instruction.  Her articles, poetry and puzzles have appeared in many children’s magazines. When she’s not at the keyboard Rebecca volunteers for the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).  She is also a past president of the Kern Reading Association.  The granddaughter of a fabulous flapper, Rebecca lives in Bakersfield, California.

Read on and read always!


It's a wrap.



Contact me at storywrapsblog@gmail.com 

Lettuce - a bookwrap

"God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with.  We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. "  

-Billy Graham

Unwrapping...

Authored and illustrated by Diana Kizlauskas

Ages 3-6

Unwrapping some amazing illustrations...

About the book...

Rabbit, an avid gardener, plants some lettuce seeds and waits patiently for them to grow.  What a surprise awaits him!  Not only does Rabbit's lettuce grow...it grows...and grows...and grows!  

What should he do with such a rich and abundant harvest?  It is way to much for one little rabbit to eat all by himself so he consults his friends and gets their opinions regarding his lettuce dilemma.   

Cat suggests he show everyone his lush yield and then collect first prizes at all the fairs enabling him to be on tv.  Dog thinks that he should sell the lot and make a hefty profit from his labours.  Skunk and racoon want him to invest in playful things to make life more fun and exciting.  Rooster and Pig put in their two cents worth, each having ideas.  Rooster advises a huge celebration of the phenomenon and Pig proposes a non-stop feast, one where you eat until you are stuffed to the hilt.   Oink! Oink!

Whose words of wisdom will Rabbit choose?  He thinks and thinks and then makes one final phone call to his friend Owl.  Owl gives Rabbit the answer he is looking for.  Rabbit decides right then and there, and knows deep in his heart the right thing to do is to share his wealth with others who are in need and who require a helping hand.  His friends affirm his decision and come along side of him to help him achieve his goal...one of kindness, sharing and making others less fortunate happy.

This book is written in rhyme and the illustrations are beautiful.  The message is positive and inspiring.  I highly recommend this book. 

About the author...

Diana Kizlauskas is a Chicago area illustrator and member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Her formal training includes a B.A. degree in Art Education (University of Illinois, Chicago), B.A. in Illustration (Ray College of Design/Illinois Institute of Art) and Advanced Drawing Studio classes at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She started her career in advertising, illustrating promotional materials for Land O'Lakes®, Barton Brands Ltd., McDonald's®, Quaker Oats® and other nationally known companies. Also a free-lance illustrator for the Chicago Southtown/Star, she created over 100 illustrations for the newspaper's food, financial, and TGIF weekend sections. Since 2000, she has been working exclusively in children's trade, educational and e-publishing. Her work includes books, leveled readers and other educational materials published by Harcourt Achieve (The Legend of the Bluebonnet; The Long Trail Home/The Long Texas Trail; A Bundle of Sticks; Tales From Near and Far); Harcourt School(Desert Danger); Macmillan McGraw-Hill (On Top of the World); Pearson / Scott Foresman(Winter Holidays; A Walk in Antarctica; Grandma Betty's Banjo; A Child's Life in Korea); Pearson Education; Quarasan, Inc.; JustKidsApps (Heidi); Compass Publishing; and EDCO/Ireland. The books she has illustrated most recently are the award-winning Jorge of Argentina: the Story of Pope Francis for Children (Pauline Books and Media, 2013); and Howl of the Mission Owl (Libros Publishing, 2014). LETTUCE! is her first venture into both writing and illustrating for children.

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me at storywrapsblog@gmail.com