"Binky the Space Cat" - a bookwrap.

Binky the Space Cat 

Written and illustrated by Ashley Spires 

Hi again! Its Sparrow the Graphic Novel Guru. I'm back for another excellent graphic novel recommendation, this time a book by Canadian author and illustrator Ashley Spires. Ashley has authored numerous, award winning books, including the brilliant "The Most Magnificent Thing" and "The Thing Lou Couldn't Do" which Marilyn reviewed recently. She resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Now about our graphic novel! Binky is a space cat - yes, you heard that right! He is officially certified for space travel. Binky's love for inventions comes in handy as he works to build spaceship so that he can travel throughout space and most importantly, fight alien invaders! He has sworn to protect his humans from alien foes (which look strangely like bugs!). He must train very hard in order to become the space defender that his family needs.

This graphic novel is perfect for younger readers as it is easy to follow and has a lot of pictures. It is very witty and you will definitely fall in love with Binky and his quirkiness. Ashley has created a character who is adventurous yet has the perfect little heart as he loves his humans so much and puts the needs of his family above everything else. I highly recommend this graphic novel, and encourage you to read the entire Binky series of books!

If you want to check out more about Ashley, she has a great website with examples of her amazing talent as an illustrator at: ashleyspires.com. You can also connect with Ashley on twitter and  instagram!

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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 at 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.

"Rock-n-Roll Yearbook" - a musicwrap

The Bazillions Carry Kids through the School Year with

"ROCK-N-ROLL YEARBOOK"

Available at: 

*www.thebazillions.com
*Amazon
*CD Baby
*iTunes

One of the most exciting – and anxious – times in a young person’s life is the start of the school year. This fall, The Bazillions provide young students with a soundtrack to carry them through the school year: Rock-n-Roll Yearbook, available now!

The Bazillions are the creation of Twin Cities’ parents/educators/singer-songwriters Adam and Kristin Marshall. Literally from their first day on the job at Kenny School in Minneapolis, the couple was writing songs for and with their students. Before long, the kids knew every word to every song, and parents began asking for a CD. So, along with their indie pop band The Humbugs, the Marshalls recorded and released “Rock-n-Roll Recess,” under the new alter-ego band name “The Bazillions.”

With years of indie-pop gigs under their belts, The Bazillions bring their music to the kindie rock stage with a well-honed live sound. But the shows have rapidly and organically grown into a full multimedia experience.  

The Bazillions, known for their "pitch perfect twangy indie pop rock," tight harmonies and tangentially educational songs and music videos, are a Parents' Choice and NAPPA Award winning mom-and-pop indie band based in Minneapolis.  Led by former teachers and current life partners Adam and Kristin Marshall.  They have released three previous award-winning albums:  "Rock-n-Roll Recess", "Heads or Tales" and "On the Bright Side". Animated videos on The Bazillion YouTube Channel have generated more than 6 million views.  Radio shows around the nation - including SiriusXM Satellite radio, Radio Disney and 89.3 The Current - have been spinning their tunes since the band launched in 2010.

The energy on the album is high and appealing to both young and old. The Bazillions perform hundreds of shows around the Twin Cities and beyond, and their videos have been viewed by kids on every continent. The Marshalls live and work in Minneapolis with their two children. They are developing a downloadable "Rock-in-Roll Yearbook" for fans to track their progress through the coming school year, and they will be producing new animated videos. 

For more information on The Bazillions check out their website:   

www.thebazillions.com

In their own words

"It came together so naturally," says Adam.  "I was writing a bunch of new songs and realized that they corresponded with events during a school year."  Adds Kristin, "Our goal became to create a story where the listener can imagine a child, or themselves, going through the school year and all the events that they might experience.  We are still so connected to school life through our teaching experiences and our own children.  All of this inspired and informed these songs."

Track Listing

1. Back At School

2. Take Turns

3. New Pair Of Shoes

4. You Could Be The One

5. That’s My Style

6. Just Another Monday

7. Who What When Where Why

8. Queen Ellen Of The Spelling Bee

9. Wide Open World Of Adjectives

10. More To Be Done

11. Keep Your Identity Safe

12. Summer’s Here

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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 at 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.

"Stegosaurus Would NOT make a Good Pirate" - a bookwrap

Would this guy make a good pirate?  He's probably as big as the ship and that's just the start of his problems.  Come meet Gary, the stegosaurus, and listen to his story...

Unwrapping

"STEGOSAURUS WOULD NOT MAKE A GOOD PIRATE"

Authored by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Illustrated by Steph Calvert

Ages  4-7

Grade Level  PS-2

Dinosaur Dreams Series

Unwrapping some illustrations for you to enjoy

About the book

Gary, a stegosaurus, dreams of becoming a pirate.  Think it's possible for the big guy?  

He gives it his best shot but his body size gives him grief because Captain One-Tooth tells him it's mandatory to wear pirate clothes and nothing fits his over-sized body.  Due to his hefty weight he keeps the ship rocking no matter where he stands and nearly tips it over. Now that's a BIG problem. He shreds the sails with his prickly tail, breaks the crow's nest because of his weight, and misinterprets the poop deck sign when he has to go to the bathroom.  Oh my!  Gary is turning out to be a liability on that pirate voyage I think, don't you? 

The other crew members are not amused when they discover he is a vegetarian and collectively give him stink-eye.  He shows his true colours after another bad pirate ship comes within firing range and shoots cannonballs at them.  Gary hits the deck and tries to hide but to no avail... he's too huge to even hide.  His fellow pirates are not one bit impressed and probably are very happy with Captain One-Tooth's decision to terminate Gary's pirate position.  

Poor guy, maybe his dream of being a pirate and sailing the seven seas is just a pipe-dream after all.  Did this turn him off and did he give up on pursuing something brand new and exciting?  Wait until you find out what he chooses to go after next!!!! It will make you laugh out loud I'm sure. Got to give him credit ... he thinks BIG!!!

I love the book and the illustrations are detailed, action-packed and full of humour.  They have answers to some question asked at the end of the book embedded in them making this interactive component such fun for the reader.  The book has dinosaur facts at the end too enabling young readers to learn more about these magnificent creatures.  It's a fun read-aloud (in your best pirate's voice of course) and would be a great addition to a classroom or a school or family library.  I highly recommend this book.

Storywraps rating .... 5 +++ HUGS!!!!!

About the author

Thomas Kingsley Troupe has written more than thirty children's books. His book Legend of the Werewolf (Picture Window Books, 2011) received a bronze medal for the Moonbeam Children's Book Award. Thomas lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with his wife and two young boys.

About the illustrator

Steph Calvert is a one eyed artist with a boisterous laugh and a never ending love for all things snacky. She lives on a 10 acre fixer upper farm near Savannah, Georgia with her hilarious family - husband Josh, mom in law Carole, and kids Phil and Joy. Steph's a big fan of going on adventures, binge watching old episodes of 30 Rock, and being ridiculous for the sake of comedy.

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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 at 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.

"Annabel on the Go" - a bookwrap

"Who shall I be today?" asks Annabel.  Read her story and see how she chooses a new persona each and every day and has great fun doing it!

Unwrapping

"Annabel on the Go"
Authored and Illustrated by Amy Mullen
Ages 2-5


Unwrapping some fun illustrations for you

About the book

This book is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  Simple action - filled illustrations embrace the text and bring it to life. The text is large and easy to read and understand.  The illustrations are child-like and very relatable to that age group. 

Annabel gets up every morning and decides who she wants to be for the day.  Her imagination takes over and she is off on a fun journey of creativity.  She pretends she is a painter, a baker, a builder, a circus ring leader, a dancer, a doctor, a musician, and a princess just to cite a few.  

She includes her pet friend Cat in her antics and together they have great fun fantasizing through each and every day.


"And each night when Annabel goes to bed she wonders who she will be tomorrow."

Storywraps rating -  4 HUG!!!!

About the author/illustrator

Amy Mullen is a self-taught digital illustrator living and working in the Washington, DC metro area. She graduated from Sweet Briar College with a BA in Dance and a minor in English & Creative Writing. She is a member of SCBWI and has an affection for all things related to the children’s illustration market. In 2009, Amy created Mint Parcel, a line of affordable art prints for kids featuring animals, monsters, pop culture figures and famous literary characters.

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*Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Storywraps

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Pinterest: Storywraps

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 at 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.