A Collection of Guides by Deb

Jun 27

Jun 27 Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup

"Two grandmas. Two delicious recipes. Sophie loves Bubbe's Jewish chicken soup, made with kreplach. She also loves Nai Nai's Chinese chicken soup, with wonton. But don't tell Bubbe and Nai Nai that their soups are the same!"--

Jun 27

Jun 27 Wooby & Peep: A Story of Unlikely Friendship

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book, Special Projects

Opposites attract and become fast friends in this quirky, funny picture book.

Wooby lives in a nice, quiet neighborhood where everyone minds his own business. And he likes it that way. Then noisy, energetic Peep moves next door with her banging and smashing and crashing. She even gives a “wild” PARTY! At first, shy Wooby is beside himself—until he realizes that he and Peep have more in common than he ever imagined. Hilarious comic-book panels throughout add fun and joy to this unique story.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Bike On, Bear

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Bear can do everything—except ride a bike. Discover how he overcomes his two-wheeled challenge in this irresistibly adorable picture book!

Bear can do almost anything. His one-paw pawstand is perfection. He can solve the trickiest of equations. He can even out-build a brigade of beavers. But the one thing Bear can’t do? Ride a bike.

Bear tries everything to help him learn: library books, training wheels and super-cheers from his fellow animal friends. But all of those fail to get poor Bear on two wheels. The situation is looking unbearable—but an unexpected mishap might be just the thing that propels Bear to bike on!

Jun 27

Jun 27 This Is a Good Story

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

From E.B. White Read Aloud author Adam Lehrhaupt comes an inspiring new picture book that takes apart the pieces of a story—hero, heroine, setting, conflict—and asks the reader to put the story back together again. This is a good story…or is it?

As a child takes her pencil and begins to draw pictures for a story, the narrator takes her and the reader through a rollicking sequence of events in this classic tale of bad guys and townsfolk and dungeons. With simplicity and flair, Adam tells a story and then a meta-story of the parts of the story at once! This Is a Good Story is a wonderful primer on the parts of a story and an imaginative way to encourage creative thinking, writing, and storytelling.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Wordplay

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

When the parts of speech gather on the playground, Verb is always the star. She can climb! She can frolic! She can DO anything! Her friends Adjective, Adverb, and Interjection all watch admiringly. ("WOW!" says Interjection.)

Then Noun comes along -- and Noun can BE anything. A person! A place! Even a thing! ("PRETTY!" says Interjection.) The other parts of speech are fascinated by this new kid, and Verb doesn't like it one bit.

But when a new threat menaces the playground, Noun can't move! There's only one part of speech who can DO something about it ... and that might allow Noun and Verb to BE something together: friends.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Idea Jar

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

From the author of Warning: Do Not Open This Book comes a lively story about a teacher’s special jar where her students keep their story ideas—but watch out when those ideas go on the loose!

The idea jar is where students keep their ideas—anything from a Viking to a space robot to a giant dragon. These ideas can be combined to make new exciting stories. But watch out when the ideas escape the jar—they might get a little rowdy! Adam Lehrhaupt’s newest picture book is sure to inspire creativity, imagination, and adventure.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Snuggle Mountain

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

It’s morning, and Emma wants pancakes. But the two-headed giant who lives on Snuggle Mountain has forgotten all about breakfast. So lump by bump, Emma begins her climb up the shaking, quaking mountain to reach the giant’s snuggly cave. How can Emma wake the giant without getting caught in the Sleeping Spell?

Jun 27

Jun 27 Let's Hear It for Almigal

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

This fun and original picture book introduces Almigal, a spunky little girl with hearing loss who is now determined to hear every single sound in the universe thanks to her new cotton candy pink cochlear implants. These sounds include a baby’s funny giggle, the robin’s chirps outside the window, the soft song played during ballet class, and especially her best friend Chloe’s teeny-tiny voice. But most of all, Almigal wants to hear her parents whisper to her when they tuck her into bed every night. Almigal’s spirit will have both children and parents alike rooting for her, while the story delivers a positive message about accepting and celebrating differences.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Dream Big: The Habitat Project Packet

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Synopsis: One by one, Caterpillar, Tadpole, and Flamingo gaze up at the night sky and wish upon a star for their wildest dreams. Baboon insists these dreams could never come true. But when he sees Caterpillar turn into a winged butterfly, Tadpole into a dancing frog, and Flamingo into a beautiful pink bird, Baboon realizes that a transformative power exists between the stars and the animals once they truly believe in themselves and their dreams. When Baboon tries out this secret, CATCH-M, his Magical, Mystical, Wished-Upon Star, whooshes down from the heavens to wham! ignite the courage in his chest too, and what happens next is fantastic!

Dream Big's inspirational message makes it a perfect gift for dreamers of all ages, from children to young adults about to enter a new chapter in their lives. Together we can all be inspired to identify and pursue our dreams, no matter how big or impossible they may seem.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Dream Big

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Synopsis: One by one, Caterpillar, Tadpole, and Flamingo gaze up at the night sky and wish upon a star for their wildest dreams. Baboon insists these dreams could never come true. But when he sees Caterpillar turn into a winged butterfly, Tadpole into a dancing frog, and Flamingo into a beautiful pink bird, Baboon realizes that a transformative power exists between the stars and the animals once they truly believe in themselves and their dreams. When Baboon tries out this secret, CATCH-M, his Magical, Mystical, Wished-Upon Star, whooshes down from the heavens to wham! ignite the courage in his chest too, and what happens next is fantastic!

Dream Big's inspirational message makes it a perfect gift for dreamers of all ages, from children to young adults about to enter a new chapter in their lives. Together we can all be inspired to identify and pursue our dreams, no matter how big or impossible they may seem.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Mr. Mouthful Learns His Lesson

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Trade professionals describe this book as "unique," "lyrical," "funny," and "wonderfully absurd"--with a "memorable" lead character. Mr. Mouthful is a windbag whose highfalutin talk causes trouble and confusion for kids. But he learns his lesson when a little girl wanders off a dock, falls into the water, and needs to be rescued--fast. Kids will laugh at the antics of Mr. Mouthful and his monkey, Dupree. They will learn some new words. And they will love the jaunty illustrations of Kerry Bell.

Joseph Kimble is a distinguished professor emeritus at Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School. He taught legal writing for 35 years and has won several national and international awards for his work in promoting plain language in public communication.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Doggone Feet!

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Ever wonder what’s going on in the mind of a dog? Here is an entertaining look at life from the point of view of a family pooch—a canine with a tongue-twisting, fun way of talking, and some serious attitude. As the dog’s “people family” grows, so does her dismay at having to share her space with so many new and noisy feet. But as she discovers, making room also brings new joy. With a happy surprise ending and charming illustrations full of humor, this is a heartwarming—and doggone funny—rhyming story that kids will ask for again and again.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Bella's Rules

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

In the vein of Eloise and Marley, here's an adorable tale of two well-intentioned rule breakers who show each other how friends deserve to be treated

Bella knows her family's rules by heart, but she much prefers her own: Candy for breakfast, no hair-washing, and no such thing as bedtime. And then . . . Bella the wild child gets a new pet! At first, Bella and Puppy are the very best of friends. But when it turns out that Puppy doesn't like the family rules either (including the rule not to gnaw off Bella's teddy bear's arm), well...it's time for a little puppy training. And Bella might just learn a thing or two herself!

Jun 27

Jun 27 No Pirates Allowed Said Library Lou

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

At Seabreezy Library, things were just right. / Booklovers were cozy. The sky was blue-bright / when--Shiver me timbers!--through Seabreezy's door / stormed big Pirate Pete and his parrot, Igor! Argh!! Things are looking--and smelling!!--a little fishy at Seabreezy Library. When the big X on Pirate Pete's treasure map leads him and his parrot-sidekick Igor to believe buried treasure is hidden at the library, the patrons are quaking in their shoes. But never fear! Library Lou, Seabreezy's librarian-extraordinaire, is as cool as a cucumber and knows how to handle an irate pirate or two. She knows exactly where the treasure is buried. But first she needs to help Pirate Pete and Igor get a handle on their hygiene, brush up on library etiquette, and then tackle learning their letters. And that will lead them to the treasure that can always be found at the library.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat

Debbie Gonzales

Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Pug and Pig are back for a heartwarming Halloween adventure in this adorable picture book that’s perfect for pet lovers of all ages.

Halloween night has come to Pug and Pig’s house, and the darling duo is sporting matching costumes. The costumes are cozy. They glow in the dark. And they have masks! There’s only one problem—Pug hates wearing his. So he decides to rip it up and stay home. But Halloween just isn’t any fun for Pig without Pug! Can Pug find a way to be a good friend and get back into the Halloween spirit?

Jun 27

Jun 27 Pug Meets Pig

Debbie Gonzales

Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

An unlikely pair—a pug and a pig!—realize that it’s better to be together.

Pug is a very happy pup. He has his own yard, his own bowl, and even his own cozy bed! That is, until Pig moves in and starts eating from Pug’s bowl, interrupting Pug’s routine, and, worst of all, sleeping in Pug’s bed. Will Pug and Pig ever learn to live together as friends?

This sweet and silly story about a darling duo celebrates the timeless themes of embracing change, being kind to others, and finding friends in unlikely places.

Jun 26

Jun 26 Around Our Way on Neighbors' Day

Debbie Gonzales

Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Neighbors gather on a hot summer day for a joyful block party: Kids play double Dutch; men debate at the barber shop and play chess; mothers and aunts cook up oxtail stew, collard greens, and other delicious treats; and friends dance and sway as jazz floats through the streets.

Jun 26

Jun 26 The Crown Affair (Nursery-Rhyme Mysteries)

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

A Mother Goose mystery that will have readers wondering ‘Who done it?”. In this fast-paced, nursery-rhyme caper, hardboiled detective, Joe Dumpty does his darnedest to crack the case. It all started when Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Then, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Or—as his brother Detective Joe Dumpty thinks—was he pushed? Suspects are aplenty (as are the puns) in this scrambled noir. Detective Dumpty works his way through the list of suspects, that hail from the pages of Mother Goose, in order to get to the bottom of what really happened to his brother.

This fractured fairy-tale mystery is full of whimsy and wordplay that will delight readers of all ages.

Jun 26

Jun 26 The Crown Affair (Nursery-Rhyme Mysteries)

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

In the sequel to What REALLY Happened to Humpty?, Jack (Jill’s other half) fell down the Hill and had his crown stolen. It’s up to detective Joe Dumpty to round up the usual suspects and track down the culprit.

Jun 26

Jun 26 What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur?

Debbie Gonzales

Discussion/Activity, Special Projects, Picture Book

"Inspires young dreamers to find the courage to be doers."―Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder, Ben & Jerry's

Being an entrepreneur means...
Following your dream
Loving to learn and being curious
Taking risks

When Rae witnesses an ice cream-and-doggie mishap, she's inspired to create a big-scale solution to help get dogs clean. Rae draws on her determination, resilience, and courage until she―and everyone else in her community―learns just what it means to be an entrepreneur.