Posts Tagged ‘Rebecca Bender’
Posted on December 30th, 2018 by pajamapress
Resource Links
“Rating: E
Nine children’s authors and illustrators have come together to answer the question, “Are you kind?” Their illustrations show children and animals answering that question through their actions….
Every page of this book has a unique style of artwork. Realistic, cartoon, mixed media, plasticine, and pen and ink. The settings and children featured in each scene reflect a diversity of cultures….Every child (and parent) could benefit from this book.“
—Tanya Boudreau
Posted in A World of Kindness | Tagged A World of Kindness, back-to-school-books, book-review, Brian Deines, canlit, Dean Griffiths, diverse-picture-books, francois-thisdale, kidlit, Kim La Fave, kindness, Manon Gauthier, picture-books, Rebecca Bender, Suzanne Del Rizzo, Tara Anderson, Think Kindness, Wallace Edwards
Posted on December 25th, 2018 by pajamapress
Sal’s Fiction Addiction
“I think we can all use inspiration for kindness every day in every way. So, the people at Pajama Press have created this book to inspire kindness when talking with children….
The questions are asked of young readers, and the illustrations inspire quiet conversation about the many ways we can show kindness to others. Nine artists are included, in artwork already published or pieces specifically created for this book. They show young readers some of the many ways they can be kind and helpful.”
Click here for the full review
Posted in A World of Kindness | Tagged A World of Kindness, back-to-school-books, book-review, Brian Deines, canlit, Dean Griffiths, diverse-picture-books, francois-thisdale, kidlit, Kim La Fave, kindness, Manon Gauthier, picture-books, Rebecca Bender, Suzanne Del Rizzo, Tara Anderson, Think Kindness, Wallace Edwards
Posted on December 23rd, 2018 by pajamapress
Library School Journal

“A strength of this title is the action verbs and rich vocabulary that is introduced….The text and illustrations also work well together….This title lends itself to discussion about friendship and being open to try new things. VERDICT A strong choice for a preschool storytime or a one-on-one sharing.”
–Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA
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Posted in Giraffe and Bird Together Again, Rebecca Bender, Rebecca Bender | Tagged African-animals, birds, book-review, canlit, friendship, giraffes, kidlit, picture-books, Rebecca Bender
Posted on December 19th, 2018 by pajamapress
Pickle Me This
“In a note inside the book, Pajama Press Publisher Gail Winskill writes that the idea for the book was born when her three-year-old granddaughter asked her one day, ‘Nana, how can I be kind?’….Each page features art by Pajama Press’s acclaimed illustrators, some from previous books and others original (and my children were excited to see illustrations from books they’ve loved before!). Being gentle with animals, saying please and thank you, helping shy friends join in, watching over those who need it.
The ideas are simple, but they’re also transformative and profound, and the depth and diversity of illustrations on this book provide another layer of richness, making A World of Kindness a deeply meaningful read. Even better: royalties from the book will be donated to Think Kindness.”
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Posted in A World of Kindness | Tagged A World of Kindness, back-to-school-books, book-review, Brian Deines, canlit, Dean Griffiths, diverse-picture-books, francois-thisdale, kidlit, Kim La Fave, kindness, Manon Gauthier, picture-books, Rebecca Bender, Suzanne Del Rizzo, Tara Anderson, Think Kindness, Wallace Edwards
Posted on November 29th, 2018 by pajamapress
CM Magazine
“Lauren is an eight-year-old girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and she sees the world in her own unique way. Penguin Days is a stand-alone book that also continues a story begun in Slug Days, with Lauren encountering challenges this time beyond school that help her stretch and grow. Not only must she attend her first-ever family wedding, but she is going to be a flower girl!…
Sara Leach’s writing is finely crafted as well as highly readable for the intended age group—no small feat— and Lauren’s first-person voice is just as compelling as it was in Leach’s previous work. Ongoing mix-ups and dilemmas present themselves within a strong, plot-driven storyline, and, while the resolution is authentic and satisfying, readers will no doubt anticipate further books about this delightful character.
Adding to the hilarious escapades in the text are Rebecca Bender’s kid-friendly black-and-white illustrations. Penguin Days would make great independent-reading fare for classroom and school libraries as well as additions to units on identity and difference.
Highly Recommended.”
—Bev Brenna
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Posted in Penguin Days, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach | Tagged Autism-Spectrum-Disorder, book-review, canlit, diverse-books, diverse-middle-grade-books, early-readers, illustrated-chapter-book, kidlit, mg-lit, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach, strong-heroines
Posted on November 28th, 2018 by pajamapress
Foreword Reviews
“A lighthearted story, Penguin Days follows Lauren, who is on the autism spectrum. She sometimes misreads social cues, like not understanding why others laugh; she is not always included in groups….
Pencil illustrations by Rebecca Bender appear on nearly every spread. They feature Lauren and her family and are insightful in showing the way she navigates the world, including feelings that Lauren herself might not pick up on or understand. The book’s chapter breaks sometimes interrupt the flow of the story, which might imitate how Lauren sees her own world.
In Penguin Days, Lauren’s family learns to accept one another, no matter how challenging a situation might seem.”
—Rebecca Monterusso
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Posted in Penguin Days, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach | Tagged Autism-Spectrum-Disorder, book-review, canlit, diverse-books, diverse-middle-grade-books, early-readers, illustrated-chapter-book, kidlit, mg-lit, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach, strong-heroines
Posted on November 27th, 2018 by pajamapress
Kirkus Reviews
“Lauren, who has autism spectrum disorder, is back for a second outing following Slug Days (2017)….A scratchy dress, a little vomit, and an accidental fall into the calves’ stall will all get in the way, although Lauren’s dislike of new situations and a bad case of stage fright are the biggest challenges. Lauren relates her prickly feelings in a believably forthright voice that offers readers welcome insight into her perspective….
Bender’s soft, gentle illustrations expand and illuminate Lauren’s narrative. Plenty of white space and short chapters make this empathetic effort extra accessible to a broad audience….
Another fine and enlightening peek into Lauren’s unique, often challenging world that displays her differences but highlights the needs she shares with all children: love, acceptance and friendship. (Fiction. 5-9)”
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Posted in Penguin Days, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach | Tagged ASD, Autism-Spectrum-Disorder, book-review, canlit, early-readers, illustrated-chapter-books, illustrated-novels, kidlit, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach, strong-heroines
Posted on November 20th, 2018 by pajamapress
Kirkus Reviews
“Lauren, who has autism spectrum disorder, is back for a second outing following Slug Days (2017)…..
Lauren relates her prickly feelings in a believably forthright voice that offers readers welcome insight into her perspective. Her emerging understanding of facial expressions helps her relate her parents’ and teacher’s periodic frustrations with her difficulties, yet their occasional annoyance is neatly juxtaposed against her thoughts and feelings….
Bender’s soft, gentle illustrations expand and illuminate Lauren’s narrative.”
Click here to read the full review
Posted in Rebecca Bender, Rebecca Bender | Tagged ASD, book-review, contemporary-fiction, diverse-books, diverse-middle-grade-books, early-readers, illustrated-chapter-books, mg-fiction, Rebecca Bender, Sara Leach
Posted on November 18th, 2018 by pajamapress
Brigham Young University, Children’s Book & Media Reviews
“This is a sweet children’s book with acrylic and colored pencil illustrations. Each animal uses a simile to describe how they feel: ‘I feel slimy, like a slippery watermelon seed.’ Some of the comparisons should help children who haven’t had direct contact with some of these animals to understand what they feel like.”
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Posted in How Do You Feel, Rebecca Bender, Rebecca Bender | Tagged book-review, canlit, infant-books, kidlit, padded-cover-books, picture-books, Rebecca Bender
Posted on November 6th, 2018 by pajamapress
Booklist
“Bender’s language is lively and poetic: Giraffe gazes and grazes, Bird swoops and soars and explores. Her illustrations focus on Giraffe’s very expressive face, which often dominates his orange-and-brown-colored pages, while Bird, when not displayed in full glory on his blue-tinged ones, is just a feather or two, leading Giraffe on his quest. More than one rescue is needed here, which adds to the tale’s tension. Savor for the warmth of the illustrations, the fun, and the read-aloud possibilities.”
— Edie Ching
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Posted in Giraffe and Bird Together Again, Rebecca Bender | Tagged African-animals, birds, book-review, canlit, friendship, giraffes, kidlit, picture-books, Rebecca Bender