Picture Day Perfection (Grades 3-5)

Picture Day Perfection (Grades 3-5)

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book, Special Projects

It’s picture day, and the boy at the center of this charming picture book wants to make sure his picture is perfect. It seems as though everything’s going wrong for him―he has bedhead, a stained shirt, and a big scowl on his face. But when he goes up for his picture, he thinks about his terrible appearance, and he smiles―because he secretly wants his picture to be the worst ever taken! But just as he smiles, the photo is snapped and his plan is ruined―the photo looks great.
Perfectly paired with the larger-than-life silliness of Dan Santat’s illustrations, this is sure to be a schoolroom favorite. It will come bound with a picture frame in the back so readers can add their own class photos to the book.

Picture Day Perfection (K-2)

Picture Day Perfection (K-2)

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

It’s picture day, and the boy at the center of this charming picture book wants to make sure his picture is perfect. It seems as though everything’s going wrong for him―he has bedhead, a stained shirt, and a big scowl on his face. But when he goes up for his picture, he thinks about his terrible appearance, and he smiles―because he secretly wants his picture to be the worst ever taken! But just as he smiles, the photo is snapped and his plan is ruined―the photo looks great.
Perfectly paired with the larger-than-life silliness of Dan Santat’s illustrations, this is sure to be a schoolroom favorite. It will come bound with a picture frame in the back so readers can add their own class photos to the book.

Dozens of Cousins

Dozens of Cousins

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

“We are wild and fierce. We do not wait for invitations.” It’s time for the annual family reunion, and the dozens of cousins are running wild like beasties. Like hungry ogres! They hug fluttering aunts and soft-spoken elders, play in the creek, shimmy up trees, take “double-dog dares,” and devour “the sweet juiciness of the world” along with hot dogs and watermelon. Hilarious side stories unfold in Catrow’s fantastically colorful, chaotic spreads that gambol and splash with comical caricatures of grinning kinfolk large and small. A lively, lyrical celebration of the sweet, sweet abandon of running amok among those who love you best.

A Dual Guide: Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds & Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds

A Dual Guide: Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds & Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Educator, Special Projects

Thousands of years ago people living on the steppes of central Asia realized that horses could transport them long distances, help them fight their wars, pull their plows, and provide them with sport and companionship. Ever since, horses and human history have been intertwined.

Since prehistoric times, humans and dogs have shared a unique bond and both have served each other well. Early people discarded food and as a result, wild wolves cast fear and caution aside, following and approaching their two-legged neighbors until they became less wary of each other. As humans hunted, fished, herded, and hauled, they found ways to benefit from the presence and talents of these animals. Over time, both learned to work together, rely on, and like each other.

Maximillian Villainous

Maximillian Villainous

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Maximillian Villainous is a monster who doesn’t have the heart to be a villain. His famous family pulls pranks on the likes of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, and Max spends his time undoing them. So when he brings home a bunny to be his sidekick, Max’s disapproving mother hatches a plan. She challenges Max and the bunny to become a devious duo; otherwise . . . the bunny hops. If they want to stay together, Max and the bunny have no choice but to go against their nature. They blunder into villainy with comical effect until Max discovers that embracing his good heart may just be the key to pulling off the most devious deed of all and winning his family’s acceptance

Maggi and Milo

Maggi and Milo

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

Maggi is an excellent adventurer, a pretty good songwriter, an aspiring scientist, and Milo's best friend. Milo is a Border Collie, and he's very smart. When Maggi gets a book about frogs from her grandma, naturally, she decides to take Milo to find frogs the very next day. But it turns out that catching frogs is hard work. Lucky for Maggi, Milo is there to help. And lucky for Milo, even though Maggi’s not the world’s best frog hunter, she’s the kind of friend who makes everything a little more fun.

With the spunk of Ladybug Girl and an illustration style suggestive of Charles Schulz, Maggi and Milo are an irresistible pair with a whole lot of charm.

Love, Mama

Love, Mama

Debbie Gonzales
Picture Book, Discussion/Activity

With a heartwarming story and tender illustrations, Jeanette Bradley's debut picture book Love, Mama is perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and any day when a child needs a reminder of the strength of a mother's love.

When Mama leaves her young penguin Kipling, he knows she'll return home soon―yet he still can't help but miss her. After all, Pillow Mama won't read, Picture Mama won't laugh, and Snow Mama is too cold to cuddle.

But then Kipling receives a special delivery from Mama, including a note that reads:

My love for you stretches across the wide ocean,
through day and night,
from earth to sky
and back again.

And Kipling knows that no matter where Mama is, he is loved. Soon, Mama comes home, and Kipling ends the day where he belongs―right in her arms.

Cowboy Up

Cowboy Up

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Project, Picture Book

It's morning at the rodeo. Riders are standing by. Horses are in the chutes. "Cowboy up!" the announcer calls. Then the excitement begins in this riveting collection, narrative poems give voice to the individual competitors, lively prose explains rodeo events, and evocative photographs show off the riders and ropers, the horses, bulls, and broncs. It all adds up to an unforgettable close-up view of Navajo rodeo over the course of one action-packed day.

Leaf Litter Critters

Leaf Litter Critters

Debbie Gonzales
Special Projects

Have fun on this poetic tour through the leaf litter layer and dig into the fascinating facts about the tiny critters who live there.
Nineteen poems in a variety of verse forms with accompanying science notes take readers on a decomposer safari through the "brown food web," from bacteria through tardigrades and on to rove beetle predators with other busy recyclers in-between. Glossary, hands-on investigations, and resources are included in the back matter.

Tap Tap BOOM BOOM

Tap Tap BOOM BOOM

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

When a thunderstorm hits a city street, children and grown-ups dash to the subway for shelter -- and an impromptu friendly gathering.

The clouds are gathering above a city street and soon -- tap, tap, boom, boom As a thunderstorm rolls in, people of all stripes race down to the subway to get away from the crackling rain and wind. With quirky wordplay and infectious rhymes, Elizabeth Bluemle crystallizes an unexpected moment of community, while G. Brian Karas's warm illustrations show the smiles to be had when a storm brings strangers together as friends.

The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat

The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award for Young Readers and Mom's Choice Award During the early days of settling the "Wild West," there were many Jewish families who became fearless pioneers seeking to create new communities in the desolate terrain. In this story, a young boy and his family move to the desert Southwest where they are the only Jewish family in their small town. Despite keeping busy with chores, adapting to their new home among strangers proves challenging. Every Shabbat, Mama complains that there is "too much soup, not enough family." The young boy has an idea to help relieve Mama's homesickness and invites their new neighbors for Shabbat dinner. By honoring the Jewish value of inviting guests into their home for a meal, the family creates a sense of community in their new town. August House Publishers offer free lesson plans for The Sundown Kid.

Dual Guide: Your Mommy is Just Like You & Your Daddy is Just Like You

Dual Guide: Your Mommy is Just Like You & Your Daddy is Just Like You

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

Once upon a time-according to Grandma-Mommy loved getting messy, wearing kooky costumes, and dragging out bedtime with just one more story. She collected bottle caps and dandelion fluff, and didn't know how to tie her shoes. Sometimes she was a terror, but most of the time she was a sweet potato. Just like her own little girl today.
Kids love to hear about what their parents were like as children, and this celebration of moms and the little girls they were will inspire lots of laughter and memories.

Your Daddy Was Just Like You

Your Daddy Was Just Like You

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

It's pretty hard to believe, but according to this little boy's grandma, his daddy was just like him once. Most of the time he was a sweet boy, but sometimes he raised a ruckus. He liked playing race car and superhero, and got mad when he lost a game, and never wanted to take a bath. And once upon a time, he, Daddy, was even sent to time-out.

Kids love to hear stories about their parents as children and this funny and loving ode to little boys and the dads they grow up to become is guaranteed to delight three generations at once.

Vampire Baby

Vampire Baby

Debbie Gonzales
Discussion/Activity, Picture Book

When Tootie gets her first teeth, it's clear to her big brother that she's no ordinary baby. But how to convince Mom and Dad?

It happens overnight: little sister Tootie goes from cuddly, ga-ga-googoo, I-want-my-ba-ba baby...vampire baby. Now she's sinking her pointy fangs into everything -- furniture, toys, and especially her big brother ("Youch, Tootie No bite " ). Mom insists that it's just a phase, but Tootie's brother knows better. Just look at her hairline Or the fact that all her favorite foods are bloodred With perfect comic timing, Kelly Bennett and Paul Meisel give a fresh slant to the new-baby story, proving that even monstrous little arrivals have a funny way of staking their siblings' affections.