As parents we want to teach our children positive life lessons as they journey along the road of life. When you come across a sweet book that can help meet those goals it's great to scoop it up and share it with your little one(s). Today's book is one that fits that mandate perfectly. Both young and old will enjoy it immensely I am sure.
Unwrapping...
"It's Hard to be Good"
Ellie the Wienerdog, #1)
Ellie the Wienerdog, #1)
Authored by K. J. Hales
Illustrated by Serene Wyatt
Age Range: 3 - 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
Editorial Reviews...
Toddlers and Pre-schoolers are going to love this book. This book should be in every kindergarten classroom as well as in family libraries. - Carla Johnson-Hicks, Educaton
Excellent book ... it was a blast for my little ones. - Art Woods, Librarian
What an adorable children's book. ... a great addition to any home or school library. - Mary Brown, MJB Reviews
Very cute story and entertaining character! - Rebecca Apple, Educator
This sweet book with its brightly colored pup pictures is sure to be a toddler and Pre-K favorite. - Richelle Zirkle, NetGalley Reviewer
... a story that will resonate with preschoolers ... it has quickly become a favorite ... - glimpsereviews.com
Unwrapping fantastic pictures for you to enjoy...
About the book...
We all face temptations in our lives and Ellie, an adorable little dachshund, sometimes can't resist and gives in to them. However she does not like the consequences when she's caught and reprimanded, so she struggles daily to be a good, obedient little hounddog. Her sensitive wriggly nose gets her into all kind of trouble and can lead her straight into those temptations. She so wants to be a good girl and please her humans and to hear...
"What a good dog"! O my, what a battle rages on around her.
One day she is confronted by the finest juicy sandwich and put to the ultimate test. Should she or shouldn't she? All her instincts kick in for her to go for it and that sandwich sure does looks inviting. Will she succumb to her taste bud's greediness or will she choose abstinence and the reward of the kind words of what a wonderful girl she is to resist. Those words of praise will make her heart grin and her floppy ears curl. Can she do it? Will she?
Ellie is such a loveable character that you can't help but cheer her on to do the right thing. She has irresistible charm and is full of puppy energy and heart-felt expressions. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and the deep vibrant colours chosen by the illustrator catch and hold your attention.
The book emphasizes the importance of making good and right decisions and the rewards they can bring when you do. Both adults and kids will thoroughly enjoy the message presented through the eyes of a spunky, life-loving dachshund named Ellie who will bring the reader back again and again to enjoy her antics. I highly recommend this book.
K.J. is an award winning photographer, artist and writer who found inspiration in her wienerdog, Ellie. She never dreamed of becoming an author. Then one day, a sassy wienerdog named Ellie came into her life and nothing was ever the same again.
"What a good dog"! O my, what a battle rages on around her.
One day she is confronted by the finest juicy sandwich and put to the ultimate test. Should she or shouldn't she? All her instincts kick in for her to go for it and that sandwich sure does looks inviting. Will she succumb to her taste bud's greediness or will she choose abstinence and the reward of the kind words of what a wonderful girl she is to resist. Those words of praise will make her heart grin and her floppy ears curl. Can she do it? Will she?
Ellie is such a loveable character that you can't help but cheer her on to do the right thing. She has irresistible charm and is full of puppy energy and heart-felt expressions. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and the deep vibrant colours chosen by the illustrator catch and hold your attention.
The book emphasizes the importance of making good and right decisions and the rewards they can bring when you do. Both adults and kids will thoroughly enjoy the message presented through the eyes of a spunky, life-loving dachshund named Ellie who will bring the reader back again and again to enjoy her antics. I highly recommend this book.
Storywraps rating... 5 +++ HUGS!!!!!
Hugs to Ellie from Eden MY adorable long-haired dachshund
Eden ... my looonnnggg girl after her bath
Oftentimes have to spread her from sink to sink because she is so long. LOL!!
She's focused on watching the birds at the bird feeder out the window.
Eden and her sister Abby Rose (my Maltese) -Eden thinks she's her mommy :-)
Eden posing in her new winter sweater and looking very serious about it.
About the author...
Hales shares, "I started doodling wienerdog's everywhere and I couldn't stop. Next thing you know, I was writing quirky little stories about Ellie's everyday struggles and thought how much they mirrored those of children." That was when the idea of a children's book series was born.
IT'S HARD TO BE GOOD is the first book in the series "Life's Little Lessons by Ellie the Wienerdog."
Because she has always believed in the power and magic of a good book, K.J. has dedicated herself to writing stories for children and building a publishing company that celebrates books for the young and the young at heart.
K.J. lives in Southern California with her husband, her muse, Ellie the Wienerdog and Ellie’s little sisters, Ruby and Pepper.
About the illustrator...
Q: At what age did you become interested in art?
A:I’ve always been interested in art! And not just drawing, but also sewing, sculpting, and painting were always enjoyable forms of art for me.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to pursue being an artist?
A:When I was in preschool, I did one of those “what I want to be when I grow up” assignments and said my life goal was to live on a mountain. I don’t think I really picked up artist as a career choice until after high school. Maybe one day I can become a mountain-dwelling artist and combine my childhood dreams with my current career!
Q: What does your illustration process look like?
A:Your pretty standard thumbnails/sketches, then ink and flat color, then adding the shading/lighting overtop. I create from start to finish using my computer and electronic sketchpad.
Q: How long did it take you to finish this book, and will you work on the entire Ellie series?
A: This book took a long time! There was a lot of settling down to do with the project—I had to get to know Ellie (and Kim) and create Ellie’s entire doggie world. I’ll be doing the rest of the series, though, for sure, and it should be a more efficient process now.
Q: What are the challenges of illustrating Ellie? What comes easy to you? Ellie the Wiener Dog!
A:That wiener dog body is a challenge, especially because she is such an animated character with so many expressions and movements. Illustrating Ellie as a balance of caricature while staying true to the breed also took time to get right. I’ve always loved drawing dogs, though, so Ellie came alive naturally to a large degree.
Q: How did you come to illustrate this book, and the series?
A:I received a message from Kim about the possibility of this book. She contacted me a couple of years back. When we spoke I was excited about the project, so Kim and I worked together to come up with some illustration ideas and it’s been one wild wiener dog ride ever since!
Q: What artists inspired you, and has your style evolved in a way that might be a nod back to those artists?
A:I know most artists would cringe at this little secret, but I used to love Chris Hart’s How to Draw (dogs/puppies/wolves). This book had a big influence on me as a child. Nowadays, many animation artists are great inspirations, including Glen Keane,
Andreas Deja, and Milt Kahl.
Q: Do you have a dog?
A:NOPE. I am in a constant state of puppy fever, but no room for a dog at the moment. Just a cat, rat, mouse, and two ball pythons for me!
Q: What were you like as a child – cheeky and fun, quiet and introverted? How did you relate to Ellie the Wiener Dog?
A: I’ve been described as having an overactive imagination as a kid, although that sounds like any kid to me, but I think I’ve settled nicely into an introvert’s lifestyle. As far as relating to Ellie goes, I think her cheeky attitude while dealing with everyday struggles and, of course, her love of food makes me (and hopefully anyone reading her books) feel like she’s a character they can relate to.
- source open door-press.com
Follow me
*Instagram: Storywraps
*Email: Storywrapsblog@gmail.com
*Facebook: www.facebook.com/Storywraps
*Twitter: Storywraps@Storywraps1
I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day. If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.
Go to the top of my blog on the right hand corner (below my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give. The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you. I thank you in advance for your support. I love what I do and appreciate any amount that you may give so I can make our community even better. Thanks a million!
Read on and read always!
It's a wrap.
No comments:
Post a Comment