Perfect Picture Book Friday/ Christopher Newport

Perfect Picture Book Friday/ Christopher Newport

Dear Friends!

There is some wonderful news! My friend and critique partner, Sharon Solomon has a new book out. It’s newer than new and I had the privilege of reviewing it just earlier this week, actually sending it off the publishing company, Pelican Publishing.

www.pelicanpub.com 

You may remember an interview I did with Sharon Solomon here. And her other biographical picture book on Cathy, Buffalo Soldier, here.

But first let me give you a gift of a site about getting ideas for Picture books and then the process of writing about them:

http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2013/03/writerly-wisdom_13.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FWtayf+%28New+Beginnings%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

It’s long but necessary to get you to the exact post on writing from your picture book ideas.

And for one more because it’s brilliant:

As a writer I’ve been wondering when to call finished with a manuscript I’m writing. This post says it all http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/calling-your-manuscript-finished//  It’s by Rachell Gardner one of the blogs I follow and read when I  have time. In the same vein here is a webinar she’s giving on how to find your mentor at a conference. It’s only $15 and so worth it. http://www.authormedia.com/how-to-win-agents-and-influence-editors-at-a-writers-conference-webinar/.

And now, since I can’t wait to share my perfect picture book with you, here goes. 

Title: Christopher Newport

Author: Sharon K. Solomon

Illustrator: Dan Bridy

Themes: nonfiction, historical, biography, adventure, explorers, pirates, Jamestown, Captain John Smith, autobiography, United States, State and local history,

Resources: How to teach America’s history: http://blog.richmond.edu/openwidelookinside/archives/2925 

From the Jacket: “Set sail with Christopher Newport, a young lad from Harwich, England, who changed history! This biography takes readers on the exciting adventures of the high seas, full of sword fights, exotic foods, and shipwrecks on the journey to America and beyond.

Discover how the boy who spent his childhood by the sea on his father’s ship became a privateer under the orders of Sir Frances Drake. When Drake hired Newport in 1857 to capture Spanish ships and bring treasure back to England, the expedition cost Newport his right hand. After ten years as a privateer, he was chosen by King James to command three ships owned by the Virginia Company. On his voyage, Newport and his crew changed the world by founding Jamestown, the first successful English speaking colony in America.

Find out how this explorer searched for the elusive Northwest Passage to China, survived a shipwreck in Bermuda, and hunted for spices and riches in India. Through his travels and adventures, Newport’s navigational skills indeed made history.”

Why I love it and what I sent Pelican: This biographical picture book will especially be popular with boys aged five through eleven. The drama of pirates, privateers, swords and treasure will draw them in. As our hero, Christopher Newport, changes from someone who runs down treasure to someone who successfully begins the first colony in America, boys will follow Newport with awe. The life like illustrations complement the story,

As an adult I found this book fascinating for all the same reasons.

The timeline and glossary in the back of the book clarified details and I highly recommend this book to anyone who thought Captain John Smith was the sole person responsible for the start of Jamestown.

This is what the kid who reviews books says every Friday , Erik says

Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people.

Have a Picture Book Perfect Weekend! Friends!

xoxo

Statue of Sir Christopher Newport (Photo credit: Wikipedia)