One Day I Went Rambling

Join Kelly Bennett on the Let's Go Rambling Blog Tour and celebrate her newest book One Day I Went Rambling, illustrated by Terri Murphy (Bright Sky Press, 2012).

This book is for everybody. You don't need to be a kid to enjoy it but you do have to be a kid-at-heart! In One Day I Went Rambling, Zane sees magic in the ordinary when he goes rambling. How about you? What do you see when you go rambling?

The Village of Dunottar Beach, Lake Winnipeg

My kids and I love to go rambling. Just the other day, we were on the shores of Lake Winnipeg looking for the extraordinary. They collected unusual rocks and shells and each different shape sparked a new image in their minds. One thought a shell was the perfect bowl for clam stew. While oldest pretended to fasten a couple around her neck like she was wearing a string of pearls. What do you imagine when you hold a shell in your hand?

One Day I Went Rambling is a gem of a book and I've ordered my copy from Tergesen's General Store in Gimli, Manitoba while I'm on vacation. Do you have your copy, yet? 

For additional ways to enjoy this gorgeous book, head on over to ReaderKidz and download the discussion/craft guide created by Debbie Gonzales by clicking HERE. Also visit Terri Murphy's blog for a chance to win giveaways by clicking HERE.

I also enjoyed reading the recent interview with Kelly and Terri at Kiss The Earth with contributors Sharry Phelan Wright and Tamara Ellis Smith. I love learning about the author's birth of a book and how the illustrator envisions her interpretation of the story. It's fascinating. I'm sure you'll enjoy the interview, too.

Time to go rambling!

Author Shana Burg and her new novel Laugh With The Moon

I remember vividly sitting around Shana's kitchen table with authors Don Tate, Bethany Hegedus and Donna Bowman Bratton when Shana was working on her new novel Laugh With The Moon (Delacorte, 2012). Like all of Shana's work, I really loved this latest project of hers. Her main character, Clare, was real and authentic and I connected with her immediately. She's got a lot of heart and soul much like the author, good friend Shana Burg.  As we critiqued this novel, it was evident it was going to be a winner just like her debut novel A Thousand Never Evers (Delacorte, 2008). One of my favorite books of all time!

Learn more about author Shana Burg

And even though I'm thousands of miles away in Canada that doesn't mean I'm not celebrating with you, Shana!! Hats off to you for another amazing piece of work! Your readers will fall in love with Laugh at the Moon just like we all did when we read some of those earlier drafts.

Shana's official launch will be held at BookPeople on Saturday, June 24th at 4pm in Austin, TX. I'll be there in spirit but if you're in the greater Austin area, you don't want to miss it. Bring the family, there will be activities for the kids, too.

Don't miss Shana's own words in her book trailer as she takes you on her journey.

Shana has also shared some writerly advice with Cynthia Leitich Smith at Cynsations. Click HERE to read what she has to say and a chance to win an advanced reader copy of the book! And read her interview with author Samantha Clark by clicking HERE.

ReaderKidz Review: Can I Bring Woolly to the Library, Ms. Reeder

Have you read the clever and cute picture book Can I Bring Woolly to the Library, Ms. Reeder? by Lois G. Grambling, illustrated by Judy Love (Charlesbridge, 2012)? Hop on over to ReaderKidz and read my review HERE.

The first line immediately addresses what the main character wants and hooks the reader into the threads of this story with twists and surprises that unfold on each page.

A great title to add to your summer reading list!

Also by the author/illustrator team is Can I Bring my Pterodactyl to School, Ms. Johnson? (Charlesbridge, 2006 paperback).