Perfect Picture Book Friday - Baby Bear Discovers The World

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday!

It's May on Blueberry Hill, and you know what that means:

Baby goslings.

Baby foxes.

Baby snakes.

Baby rabbits.

Baby groundhogs.

And given the black bears wandering around, I'm betting there are some baby bears even though I haven't seen any... which is probably just as well because where there's a baby bear there's a protective mama bear not too far away! :)

In the spirit of baby animals, I have chosen this very delightful book for today.  I dare you and your young reading companions not to love the pictures :)

Title: Baby Bear Discovers The World
Written By: Marion Dane Bauer
Photography By: Stan Tekiela
Adventure Publications Inc, 2006, Factual Fiction with great photos

Suitable For Ages: 3 and up

Themes/Topics: wild animals, growing up, independence, nature

Opening: One fine spring morning Baby Bear said to his mama, "Mama, I'm a big bear now.  It's time for me to go out and discover the world.  Then he kissed his mama so she would know he meant business."

Brief Synopsis: From the jacket: "Follow Baby Bear's excursion into the big world as he tries to prove his independence, wandering closer and closer to places he doesn't belong.  Using twin cubs and the assistance of a handler, Stan [the photographer] succeeded in getting all the photos for this book from the cubs' natural reactions to their surroundings.  His ability to capture everything from their inquisitive faces to actually tumbling from a log is delightfully documented."

Links To Resources:  Everything you need is right here!  The back of the book has a section on bear facts - characteristics, activity, diet, cubs, and hibernation.  It also has a section on how the book was photographed, and another section of "outtakes and bloopers" photos - SO CUTE! :)  You can also go for a walk and look for signs of animals - paw prints, nests, etc.  City or country, you're likely to discover some fun things, just like Baby Bear :)

Why I Like This Book:  I just absolutely adore wildlife photography.  This book combines a fun story about learning independence with exquisite photography of lots of animals besides the bears along with the surrounding flora.  It's fun just to look at the pictures :)  The outtakes and bloopers photos are also tons of fun and make the experience of the book even better.  Wait until you see the picture of Baby Bear licking a mouse :)

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Oh, and just a quick heads up: June 12 (two weeks from now) will be our last PPBF before summer hiatus... just so you know for planning purposes.

Now then, I am off at an all day school visit, so I will see you all later or over the weekend, but stay tuned for a special post on Monday... it's about time we had some high jinx and shenanigans around here! :)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Would You Read It Wednesday #176 - Barnabas The Noisy Ninja (PB)

Avast, me hearties!

We've got a piratically fun pitch up today.  But first, a word from our sponsors...

For anyone who is interested (well, and I guess even if you're not interested... :)), Graduation Weekend was a success.  Everyone from our family who was supposed to graduate did - quite impressively, I might add :)  And some family members were in attendance in all necessary locations.  We took "divide and conquer" to a new level.  After all that planning, agonizing, traveling, etc, I can't believe it's over!

In other news, I'm heartbroken to report I found out yesterday that Punxsutawney Phyllis is going out of print :(  After a ten year run, apparently her time is up :(  I will have to horde as many copies as I can find!

I most definitely feel the need for Something Chocolate after such news, as I'm sure you all do too!   And I have recently heard (much to my delight) that eating chocolate cake for breakfast can help you maintain (or regain) a healthy weight.  I don't know who thought this plan up, but I'm all for it!  I have long suspected this to be the case.  So let's have cake!

I feel slimmer and healthier already, don't you? :)

Today's pitch comes to us from Jason who says, "My inspiration came in part from the many students with Autism I have taught during my 14 years as a special education teacher. I am a member of SCBWI along with a few critique groups out here in Western Massachusetts, where I live with my wife and 5 year old daughter.  When it's not below freezing outside, I love to grill.  (My new favorite is bacon wrapped pork tenderloin, which is as incredible as it sounds.)"   

Here is his pitch:

Working Title: Barnabas The Noisy Ninja
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: Barnabas has pirate fever.  He loves to wear buccaneer boots, sing sea shanties, and shout avast at passing strangers.  Unfortunately, he lives in Ninjaville, where silence is golden and pirates are most certainly not welcome.  Exasperated by his piratical nature, his parents enroll him in Ninjagarten, hoping Sensei can tame his ruckus raising ways.  Barnabas, however, has other plans.  After enlisting his fellow ninjalings during recess, Barnabas leads them in a mutiny.  But when the things get out of hand, Barnabas must reign in his ruckus crew.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Jason improve his pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  There are openings in October so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Jason is looking forward to your thoughts on his pitch!  I am looking forward to seeing how that chocolate cake eating plan works and figuring out how many copies of Phyllis I can grab before they're gone forever!  For which I will no doubt need chocolate sustenance.  It's the Circle of Chocolate.  A lot like the Circle of Life, but yummier :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!!! :)

Perfect Picture Book Friday - A Special Occasion

Today is a special day, so I'm going to depart slightly from my usual Perfect Picture Book post and tell you a (very condensed :)) story.

Once upon a time, I had a house full of babies - diaper-clad, chubby-limbed, crawling, walking, running, climbing, lap-snuggling, bedtime-reading, dressing-up, imagining, adventuring, singing, dancing, laughing, mile-a-minute children - 5 amazing kids who filled our home with energy, love, and joy.

And they did what kids will do if you are blessed.

In what feels like a heart beat, they grew up.

This weekend, we will celebrate not one, but two graduations.

While they mark wonderful new beginnings - excitement, adventure, opportunity - they also mark the end of an era, and it's making me a wee bit nostalgic.

So I want to share a special Perfect Picture Book Collection - a round-up of the family favorites that made up so many happy hours of reading at nap time and bedtime, on rainy afternoons or long car drives, with parents, grandparents, and older siblings, from babyhood until the move up to chapter books - a little glimpse of those golden childhood years which seem to have flown by far too quickly.

(Many have been reviewed for Perfect Picture Books and link to their reviews on the blogs of the wonderful PPBF bloggers who shared them.  And a few I realized, had been reviewed at one time, but the links are no longer active - so they could be done again :))

Goodnight Moon

Dear Zoo

Each Peach Pear Plum

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

The Cat In The Hat

The Cat In The Hat Comes Back

Green Eggs And Ham

Go, Dog, Go! (was reviewed but link is no longer active)

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Make Way For Ducklings (was reviewed but link is no longer active)

Blueberries For Sal (was reviewed but link is no longer active)

Harry The Dirty Dog

Bedtime For Frances (whole series)

Madeline (whole series) (has been reviewed twice but don't have links on hand)

Curious George

All The Places To Love

The Camel Who Took A Walk

Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel

George And Martha (whole series)

The Story Of Ferdinand

Flap Your Wings

Contrary Bear

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon (has been reviewed but don't have link on hand)

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Julius The Baby Of The World

Mowing

Cowgirl Rosie And Her Five Baby Bison

The Giant Jam Sandwich

The King, The Mice, And The Cheese

The Best Nest

The House On East 88th Street (whole series)

Mole Music

Of course there were many others, but those are some of the tried-and-true, beloved by all the kids regardless of age, stage, or gender, that were read over and over so often that I used to be able to recite many of them by heart.  If you're looking for a list of best books to give as a baby gift, or just want a field-tested group of favorites, I highly recommend all of the above :)

Today's picture-book-aged kids likely have a different set of favorites, but I'm curious: how many of these are on your list of family favorites?

This weekend's graduations are scheduled for the same day... same time... different states, which means neither child will have her whole family in attendance, and none of us will be able to attend both milestone moments (which, as you can imagine, is causing a great deal of heart wrenching.)  It also means that in order to attend at least part of each child's momentous occasion, there will be a lot of traveling, so please forgive me if I fail miserably to visit your blogs and read your choices this weekend.  I will try to catch up next week!

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, and enjoy whatever events you may have planned, or just happy time with your families!

Happy beginning of summer :)

Would You Read It Wednesday #175 - When You Best Friend Wants To Be Your Girlfriend and Other Horror Stories (MG)

Woo hoo!

It's Would You Read It Wednesday!

I am floundering through this week of mad activity, so watch how fast I get to the point!

First, Something Chocolate!  (Because what would Wednesday be without Something Chocolate?!)  And check this out - I went all health food on you!  The berry-to-chocolate ratio looks like it might be in the berries' favor!

Next, the reason we're all here today: the pitch!

Today's pitch comes to us from Kirk who is the Ringmaster of Kraft Three-Ring Circus which includes his beautiful wife, Patty, four kids aged 6-12 and a silly German Shepherd, Blitz. In all his spare time, not spent managing this circus or working his day job, he writes YA & MG fantasy, picture books and parenting nonfiction. The pitch before you is his first attempt at humorous MG.

You can connect with him on social media here:

Twitter - @KAKraft

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/kirkkraft

Here is his pitch:

Working Title: When Your Best Friend Wants to be Your Girlfriend and Other Horror Stories
Age/Genre: MG
The Pitch: 12-year-old Jared Hoover’s been friends with Cassie Arnold since they were toddlers. They’ve gone to school together, shared family camping trips and even gone to Disneyland. Friends forever, right? Maybe not when Cassie experiences “changes” Jared can’t understand. There’s a good chance she hates him and will never speak to him again and an even greater chance that (gulp) she actually might “like” him in a weird way. Who knew girls were so complicated?

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Kirk improve his pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  There are openings in October so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Kirk is looking forward to your thoughts on his pitch!  I am looking forward to when my schedule settles down, which I always think will be next week... but then next week comes and life is still nuts... so I'm beginning to suspect it may have something to do with my time-management skills... But surely that can't be...!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Sheep Go To Sleep

My goodness what a busy week it has been!  I feel like I keep saying that! :)

I already know next week is going to be WAY busier so. . . donations of chocolate will be gratefully accepted :)  (A girl needs fuel!)

(Phyllis says groundhogs also need fuel and she will accept donations of strawberries.)

(And Woolliam (aka Baab) says sheep... oh, never mind, he's asleep.)

As you all know, I am very fond of books about sheep :), and I have the most marvelous new one to share with you today!  It's as perfect as only a Perfect Picture Book can be! :)

Title: Sheep Go To Sleep
Written By: Nancy Shaw
Illustrated By: Margot Apple
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, May, 2015, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-8

Themes/Topics: bedtime, counting, animals, language fun (rhyme)

Opening: "Winking fireflies light the way,
as sheep stroll home to hit the hay.
Five sheep settle in their shed,
using straw to make the bed."

Brief Synopsis: It's time for bed, but the sheep are having a little trouble settling down.  Fortunately a trusty collie knows just what to do to get them all happy and cozy for the night.

Links To Resources: talk about what things you need to go to sleep - are there some things everyone likes to have at bedtime and other things that are more individual?; Sheep Crafts & Activities; 30 Cute Lamb & Sheep Crafts for Kids & Adults; Marshmallow Sheep Recipes

Why I Like This Book: Delightful rhyme, a sweet, fun story, and adorable art - what's not to love? :)  Just like a lot of children I know, the sheep hear some scary noises and feel a little too worried to fall asleep.  Their friend the collie is as wise and understanding as any parent.  He gives one a hug, one a drink, one a blanket until at last everyone is tucked in safe and cozy, sound asleep.  And in the morning, when the sheep wake up, where do you think the collie has gone?  (I'm not telling. You'll have to read to find out :))  A lovely, comforting story (which incorporates some counting along the way for an added bonus :)) that is a perfect addition to any bedtime bookshelf.

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Would You Read It Wednesday #174 - Poindexter's Particular Procedure For Cold Feet (PB) PLUS The April Pitch Winner!!!

Apparently, I have shopping all wrong.

Did you know you're not supposed to wait until you need something?

To me, that is brain-fizzingly stupid counter-intuitive.  Why, WHY? I ask, would you subject yourself to shopping when you don't have to?

(And yes, I realize that being a woman who does not enjoy shopping (unless it's for books or horse equipment) puts me in the minority, but if you had zero spare time and looked like a potato you wouldn't like it either!)

So anyway, the point is, according to the experts (my daughters) you're supposed to shop on a regular basis.  And by "shopping", they mean wending your way through aisles and aisles and AISLES of clothing, at an excruciatingly slow pace (the shopping walk) with no plan to purchase.  No.  You are just keeping a weather eye out for something that might be useful at some point.  And if, for example, you should come upon the perfect little black dress, or the perfect cute boots, even though you don't need said item right then, you pounce on it and carry home your prize in triumph, now prepared for some future as-yet-unknown little black dress or cute boot event.

This is because (so I'm told) you can never find anything when you need it.  So you have to find it when you don't need it.

If you don't know you need it, how do you know you'll ever need it? I argue.  To which the answer is, you don't.

Sigh.

This shopping logic escapes me.

Anyway, you must absolutely not do what I do, which is wait until 5 minutes before you desperately need a dress for a friend's wedding or a child's graduation, frantically ransack every store in the mall, panic because nothing is suitable/nothing looks good/nothing is in your size/budget, and then buy something that makes you look like a potato in a camping tarp because you HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING!  (Which you are then photographed in for posterity and vow never to wear again because seriously, what were you thinking???!!!)

Now.  The point of this lesson on shopping (aside from the public service to you, my peeps, who might benefit from my worldly experience and wisdom) is that one of the people who taught it to me has accidentally put herself in the same situation.  So this afternoon, after my school visit is over, I'll be at the mall while herself and her friend shoe shop for the prom.

(Being the fashion queen that I am, I suggested sneakers.  They're comfortable, and in a full length gown, whose going to see them?  That's just practical good sense!  Plus it renders a trip to the mall unnecessary!  A win-win!  But that opinion earned me the sympathetic poor-mom-she's-so-cute-when-she's-pathetically-cluelessly-hopelessly-fashion-challenged look.)

So if you need me this afternoon, I'll be in the tenth circle of hell mall :)

Now, I think it's high time we got around to some actual business!  What better to take our minds off the horror of shopping then to announce the results of the April Pitch Pick?

Are you ready?

The winner of the April Pitch Pick is Amelia!!! with her pitch for The Princess And The Pee!!!  Congratulations, Amelia!  Your pitch is on its way to editor Erin Molta for her comments.

And congratulations to our other pitchers who had wonderful pitches too.  I hope you all feel like winners just for taking the time to polish your pitch, put it out there, receive constructive feedback, and then make your pitch even better!  I am impressed every week with the quality of the pitches, and every month by how much people's pitches improve after feedback.

After all that excitement, I think it's fair to say we need Something Chocolate to calm our nerves :)  Today we have the lovely Teresa to thank for pointing us in the direction of Four-Layer Chocolate Birthday Cake with Ganache Filling and Nutella Buttercream Icing!  Swoon!

Since we really should have a birthday to go with our birthday cake, shall we celebrate with Stevie Wonder?  (Because yes, today is his birthday!)  It's also a popular day for Popes to be born (Innocent XIII and Pius IX!)

Go Wild! :)
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/four-layer-chocolate-birthday-cake-milk-chocolate-ganache-nutella-buttercream

Would it be wrong to sing, "Isn't she lovely..." with our mouths full of chocolate cake???  Or maybe Ebony And Ivory... the Saturday Night Live version with Frank Sinatra and Eddie Murphy impersonating Stevie is not to be missed :)

Whether or not you choose to sing with your mouth full, today's pitch comes to us from Linda who says, "I have been writing for over thirty years, as I held other positions including teacher, and mother to six precious children.  I especially like writing about people and have been published dozens of times in magazines and newspapers.  With my children grown, and more time available, I’m turning toward more serious writing.  Poindexter’s Particular Procedure for Cold Feet may be my first published book."  

You can find her online at:

Web address:  http://sparkworksanddesigns.com/novwritingwriting.htm

Blog address:  http://lindasparkmansblog.blogspot.com/

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Poindexter's Particular Procedure For Cold Feet
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-8)
The Pitch: This play on the letter “P” pops the story along as it addresses the common childhood problem of cold feet.  Humor, kindness, and a bit of mystery are woven throughout, as young Evan’s mother creatively resolves the problem.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Linda improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  There are openings in October so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Linda is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to singing Isn't She Lovely with my mouth full of chocolate cake because dang-it-all that sounds like a challenge I can't pass up.  For an encore, I will whistle My Cherie Amour with my mouth full of chocolate cake!  Feel free to join me! :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!!!

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Double Feature! - Sophie's Animal Parade AND Dress Me!

Well, what do you know!

It's Perfect Picture Book Friday again!

And I'm about to something unprecedented...

I'm reviewing two picture books today!

I know!

Unheard of!

But here's why:

Two of my dear writer friends had books release this week on the SAME DAY from the SAME PRESS!  What are the odds?  And both books are too wonderful to pass up, and I couldn't possibly choose one over the other in their book birthday week, so there you have it - two for the price of one :)

I hope you enjoy them both! (And in case you're wondering, they are genuine Perfect Picture Books, not just here because they were written by friends!  That is just a happy coincidence :))

Title: Sophie's Animal Parade
Written By: Amy Dixon
Illustrated By: Katia Wish
May 2015, Sky Pony Press, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-5

Themes/Topics: imagination, loneliness, friendship, animals

Opening: "Everything Sophie drew came to life.  Mama called it Sophie's imagination.  Sophie called it magic.
When Sophie felt hungry, she drew something scrumptious to eat.
When Sophie felt sleepy, she drew somewhere cozy to rest.
And when Sophie felt cold, she drew something snuggly to wear."

Brief Synopsis:  Sophie's drawings have the magical ability to come to life.  One day, feeling lonely, Sophie draws a friend.  And then another... and another...  Sophie's room isn't quite the place for any of them, and accommodating their needs makes them impossible to play with (the polar bear can't reach the scones and jam from inside his igloo; the duck can't play hide-n-seek in a wading pool with nowhere to hide etc.)  But in the end, Sophie finds a friend - no pencils or paper required :)

Links To Resources: if your drawings could come to life, what would you draw? Someone to be friends with, like Sophie? (animal, human, alien, unicorn, fairy etc.???)  Someplace you'd like to visit (a castle, a beach, an enchanted forest, etc.???) Something you'd like to do (perform on Broadway, compete at the Olympics, explore the jungle etc,???)  Now draw it!; discuss how you know if something is real or imaginary; why might an imaginary friend be better than a real friend?  why might a real friend be better than an imaginary friend? Sophie Coloring Pages

Why I Like This Book:  The concept of drawings coming to life is so engaging and fun - what child wouldn't want to have that ability?!  And hasn't every child felt lonely at some point and longed for a friend?  This is an endearing story with delightful animal-antic-filled illustrations, and the sweet message that as fun as imagination is, real friends are what matter.  The page where Sophie meets Luke and checks to make sure she hasn't drawn him (no pencils!) is perfect, as is the very real friendship between two imaginative animal lovers :)

Title: Dress Me!
Written & Illustrated By: Sarah-Frances Hardy
May 2015, Sky Pony Press, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 2-5

Themes/Topics: careers, being yourself, exploration, self-expression

Opening: "Dress me!
Tutu me!
Dancer me!"

Brief Synopsis: A little girl tries outfit after outfit, exploring the many possibilities of what she can be- dancer, artist, teacher, lawyer etc until she finds just the right one.

Links To Resources: think up 3 careers you'd like to try.  Do any of them require special outfits or equipment? If so, what is required?  See if you can find or make some items so you can dress up like the people in those careers.  Play charades and act out a job/career you'd like to try - fireman, doctor, plumber, lawyer, carpenter, teacher, minister, etc.

Why I Like This Book:  With simple text (the word count is 44!) and adorable illustrations, a little girl tries out being a dancer, an artist, a monster, a doctor, a plumber, and many other things.  In each case, her little dog is right alongside her, joining in the fun and often sporting his own accessories.  This is a wonderful story that makes exploration, self-discovery, the freedom to choose who you are and what you want to be accessible to youngest readers.  Sweet and fun.

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

If anyone would care to visit Amy Dixon or Sarah Frances Hardy, they are both very talented and have wonderful sites!   Please visit Amy HERE and Sarah Frances HERE.  Should you be interested, their sites include links to purchase their delightful books! (Actually, I'm not sure Amy's does, but you can find her books in all the usual places :))

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!  I can't wait to see this week's bounty of books!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  And Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is a mother, or has a mother, or knows a mother!!!  :)

Would You Read It Wednesday #173 - A Case Of Cane-Syrupy-Sugar-A-Bitus (PB) PLUS The April Pitch Pick!

Guess what???

It's time for everybody's favorite writerly pursuit: Would You Read It?!

***cue game show music and wild applause from the overly excited audience***

"And what do we have for our contestant today Helmut?"

"Well, Brunhilda, today's contestant will receive the priceless gift of advice from readers, writers, teachers, librarians, parents and even a few kids around the globe!  Not advice on their love life, or how to build their house so it won't get swept away during monsoon season or how to make a delicious casserole out of stale breakfast cereal, but much more valuable advice on their book pitch!"

"That IS a prize Helmut!"

"They will also receive an unopened jar of a mystery substance that may be jam, or possibly a fruit butter of some type, or possibly refried beans, or possibly (but probably not) the unidentified growth that was removed from Uncle Howard's big toe last spring because dang-it-all no one seems to know where that got to!"

"Oh, the excitement!  Imagine the thrill of getting to open that mystery jar!"

"Well, let's get right to it, Brunhilda, starting with the April Pitch Pick!"

That's right, folks!  It's time for the April Pitch Pick!  Here are the five fabulous pitches, revised and polished by their authors thanks to your generous and helpful advice.

#1 Lidia - Don't Pinch Me! (PB ages 4-8)

The pencil is always getting pinched as the preschoolers learn to write and he’s really cranky about it…until he realizes just how important his job is.

#2 Amelia - The Princess And The Pee (PB ages 1-4)

When little Addy discovers an unexplored room in the family castle, her big sister Millie informs her that it holds The Royal Throne - a special seat only true princesses can use.  True princesses who are so sensitive they just can't play one second in a dirty diaper.  True princesses who are so clever they can sense wiggles and tinkles moving around even before they come out.  True princesses like Millie.  Addy knows she's a princess too, but if she ever wants to see The Royal Throne for herself, she'll have to find a way to prove it!

#3 Ariel - The Octopus Wants What She Wants (PB ages 4-8)

Sea creatures beware! Billie the octopus wants what she wants and she takes what she wants. But when Billie takes a boy from a fishing boat and finds out what it's like to have a friend, she learns what she really wanted all along.

#4 Pat - Monster Bakery (PB ages 4-8)
Esme and her parents run The Ghoulangerie, a popular bakery where maggot and mince meat pies, booger bagels with brain cheese, and bloody orange cupcakes fly off the shelves daily. However, the monsters in their neighborhood start moving away and business is falling. As hard as Esme and her parents try to cater to the new human clientele, nothing is working. Then one day, they can’t find regular baking ingredients anymore and Esme has to use her smarts and creativity to solve the problem.

#5 Randy - The Last Race (MG)

Twelve year old Ben's life was all about racing midget race cars, until the day he hit a roadblock he didn't see coming: His mother dying of breast cancer.

Please vote for the pitch you think most deserves a read and comments by editor Erin Molta in the poll below by Sunday May 10 at 5 PM EDT.

Many thanks!

And now it's time for Something Chocolate, helpfully discovered and shared by one of my favorite little chocolate hunters who frequently supplies us with our Wednesday chocolate delights!  Thank you, Kathy!!!  It's called Skinny Almond Joy Poke Cake, but let's forget the "skinny" shall we, and just go all out.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all - we must be well fueled!  You never know when you're going to be called upon to open a mystery jar!

SKINNY ALMOND JOY POKE CAKE from Renee's Kitchen Adventures is an
easy low calorie dessert recipe that tastes like your favorite candy bar!
RECIPE--> http://bit.ly/1IEpHNE
PIN--> http://bit.ly/1IEpJVz

Now that we've bolstered our caloric intake to a functional level, today's pitch comes to us from Zainab Khan.  She is a pre-published author who writes picture books that are quirky or interactive. She also writes picture books that deal with serious issues like disabilities, homelessness, and diversity. In addition, Zainab is in the midst of writing a middle grade mystery about ancient civilizations.

Before venturing on a full time writing journey, Zainab was an elementary school teacher. Having an entrepreneurial heart, she ran her own in home based  preschool. 

Raising two kids (one who is extra special) and a cat with her husband keep Zainab occupied at all hours of the day. When she gets a free moment, Zainab  runs on the elliptical or she'll eat a delicious bowl of Grater's raspberry and chocolate ice cream covered in chocolate shavings. 

Zainab loves sharing her sugary treats with her friends. You can connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/zainab.khan.967) or on twitter (@zainabzk).

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: A Case Of Cane-Syrupy-Sugar-A-Bitus
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)
The Pitch: When Samantha swallows too many sweet treats, she contracts a case of cane-syrupy-sugar-a-bitus (a.k.a. Sugar Bug). Will this high fructose bug send her home from school and end her dreams of becoming THE pirouetting star of the school talent show?

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Zainab improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above.  There are openings in September so you've got a little time to polish up your pitches and send yours for your chance to be read by editor Erin Molta!

Zainab is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to seeing what's in that mystery jar!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!!  And thanks for helping Zainab and voting for your favorite pitch!