Favorite New Reads for Summer!

If you're looking for a funny new read for your kiddos, these four choices deliver a little something for everyone!

Have you read these? Did you think they were hilarious, too? I'd love to hear in the comments!


Claymates
Dev Petty (Artist) and Lauren Eldridge (Illustrator)

What an original picture book! CLAYMATES is told completely though the dialogue of two balls of clay who become fast friends...and co-conspirators!

I couldn't stop giggling on my first read-through, and it has been requested REPEATEDLY since we brought it home. Ohhh, that hippo...

Pete with No Pants
Rowboat Watkins

Although this one could get a little tricky to read to a group of kids because of all of the different side voices, it is a very kid-centric story with heart.

All Pete wants to do is tell a knock-knock joke, wear no pants and be something other than an elephant. Sound like anyone you know (well, except maybe the elephant part...)? Fair warning: Your kids will be saying "night night nudey bird" for weeks.

Prince and Pirate
Charlotte Gunnufson (Author) and Mike Lowery (Illustrator)

In a battle for the space between corners, following the "doubly dreadful PLOP," will Prince ("Behold! I am the rightful heir to this splendiferous kingdom!") or Pirate ("Shiver me tailfin! I be just the pirate to command this grand sea!") prevail?

Gunnufson's spot on depiction of her character's voices (and Lowery's illustrations of the story's "twist") make this read aloud happy and jolly, indeed.

Sea Monkey & Bob
Aaron Reynolds (Author) and Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Teaching your kids about buoyancy has never been so silly! When Sea Monkey is terrified he'll sink into the dark, deep sea (like tubas and dinosaurs), Bob becomes convinced that he'll float up to where there is air. Until the two come up with a plan to keep them both from sinking or floating, that is. A perfect addition to your library for some (sneaky) summer learning!

Happy reading!

Five Books You Might Have Missed (June 2017)

You probably aren't supposed to let months elapse in between blog posts, right?

Sometimes life just...gets in the way!

Instead of fighting it (as fighting with myself is most often completely unproductive), I've decided to embrace these little bits of "in-the-way" life, and devote a post to some books you might have missed when life was getting in the way!

 As for keeping up with the blog better...as my daughter is very fond of saying lately:

I can't promise that I won't do it again. But I'll try my very, very best not to do it again. 

-The Littlest Manes, 5 years old 

The Mischievians (2013)
William Joyce
"Strange smells. Disappearing remotes. That itch you just can’t reach. It’s not your fault! It’s the Mischievians, an ancient race of global mischief-makers who do all the things that embarrass you."

While the Q&A format, lengthier entries and vocabulary makes this book better for older picture book readers, it is super fun and helps keep the imaginative 'magic' of childhood alive.

Interstellar Cinderella (2015)
Deborah Underwood (Author) and Meg Hunt (Illustrator)

"With a little help from her fairy godrobot, Cinderella is going to the ball. But when the prince's ship has mechanical trouble, someone will have to zoom to the rescue!"

A refreshing fairy tale retelling, perfect for modern self-rescuing princesses (and princes).

Norton and Alpha (2017)
Kristyna Litten

"Norton the Robot is intrigued by his discovery of a lone flower one day and sets about trying to care for it, with amusing and ultimately poignant results."

A robot engineer and his (hand-built) pup discover that sometimes something's "use" isn't immediately apparent, but that doesn't make it any less important. Added bonus: a beautiful fold-out spread.

Lost. Found. (2015)
Marsha Diane Arnold (Author) and Matthew Cordell (Illustrator)

When a bear loses his scarf, it is found (and re-found) by a series of other woodland animals who each use it in a different way...until calamity ensues and friendship and patience win the day!

Such a sweet reminder of individuality AND the ties that bind us together. This nearly wordless book is great for picture book readers of all ages.

Perfect Square (2011)
Michael Hall

"A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book."

A subtle and beautiful examination of creativity, imagination and transformation...and a fun way to spend an afternoon making your own art!



Happy reading!

The Well Read Crossword: FEATURED CREATURES

Are you ready for this week's crossword? FEATURED CREATURES is all about animals with recent picture book appearances! While the clues are fun facts about the various animals, you'll also find a corresponding picture book title to check out with your well-read reader!

And you could win! Keep reading below the puzzle for more info!

Wondering how to get entered to win?

This week's theme: FEATURED CREATURES! Provide the answer to just ONE clue in the comments section (by the following Monday at 11:59 PM, Central Time), and you'll earn an entry into the monthly giveaway for your choice of one of the featured books! Please don't enter with more than one answer, so others can play, too!

Don't know the answers? Don't like crossword puzzles? Try one of these other ways to get entered each week!

• Share a Well Read Crossword post on Facebook and/or Twitter (be sure to tag me or I won't know!)
• Sign up to follow me via email (on the sidebar or at the bottom of this post): subscribers are automatically entered into EVERY contest!
• Leave me a comment below with the name/author of your favorite NEW(er) picture book (published on or after May 1, 2016)

(Well Read Crossword: FEATURED CREATURES
answers must be submitted by Monday, May 15 at 11:59 PM, Central Time)

Rules Governing Sweepstakes

Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe to receive new posts via email, and to be entered automatically into EVERY Pickle Corn Jam Giveaway!

The Well Read Crossword: I DON'T THINK THEY EXIST**

(**Not to say that Well Read Crosswords don't exist. Because they do...now! 😀 )

Hey, hey, hey Pickle Corn Jam readers! Want to win some picture book loot? Maybe your choice of one of the featured books?!? Come play the WELL READ CROSSWORD! It's new! It's exciting! It could win you some goods! 

Wondering how to get entered to win?

This week's theme: I DON'T THINK THEY EXIST! Use the contact form in the sidebar to send me the answers (by the following Monday at 11:59 PM, Central Time), and you'll earn an entry into the monthly giveaway for your choice of one of the featured books! Please don't put the answers in the comments, so others can play, too!

Don't know the answers? Don't like crossword puzzles? Try one of these other ways to get entered each week!

• Share a Well Read Crossword post on Facebook and/or Twitter (be sure to tag me or I won't know!)
• Sign up to follow me via email (on the sidebar or at the bottom of this post): subscribers are automatically entered into EVERY contest!
• Leave me a comment below with the name/author of your favorite NEW(er) picture book (published on or after May 1, 2016)
• Bonus for this week: the first person to correctly identify the movie that this week's theme title comes from in the comments below will get an entry (or an extra entry)!

(Well Read Crossword: I Don't Think They Exist 
answers must be submitted by Monday, May 8 at 11:59 PM, Central Time)

Rules Governing Sweepstakes

Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe to receive new posts via email, and to be entered automatically into EVERY Pickle Corn Jam Giveaway!