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Sunday Rain Reviews
March -- National Umbrella Month: Review of Sunday Rain at Celebrate Picture Books
"Pova’s neat transition from reality to imaginative play is seamless and authentically childlike.
Her lyrical phrasing and close observations shine, giving the story a tenderness adults and kids will want to share again and again.... Rosie J. Pova and Amariah Rauscher’s Sunday Rain will quickly become a family or classroom favorite for cozy, imaginative story times and is highly recommended as a gift or addition to home, school, and public library bookshelves."
Full review HERE
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"...Rosie and Amariah seamlessly weave the wonderful imaginative play of the children into the story as we see them set off in a boat and fight a dragon alongside the princess from Elliott’s book. This creative and inclusive story showcases the beauty of imagination, the power of books and the joy of making new friends."
-- Picture Book Perfect, full review HERE
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"The brilliance of reading and imagination is placed front and centre to help a young boy overcome his shyness in a realistic, touching way. Elliott is a mixed-race star of the story which also includes a female knight taming a dragon, giving this book a big thumbs up in terms of inclusion and diversity – always great to see. Go check it out!"
-- Father Reading Every Day, full review HERE
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"As with all good picture books, the generous, softly coloured illustrations work perfectly to complement the text. This is a story that allows children to ask questions, speculate and relate to their own experiences. As such it is strongly recommended to be shared and enjoyed at home and at school."
-- Karen Argent (March 2021) The Letterpress Project (UK)
Read the full review HERE
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Book Trust pick for Best New Books -- Book We Love in March 2021! See Review HERE
And Book of the Day
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March -- National Umbrella Month: Review of Sunday Rain at Celebrate Picture Books
"Pova’s neat transition from reality to imaginative play is seamless and authentically childlike.
Her lyrical phrasing and close observations shine, giving the story a tenderness adults and kids will want to share again and again.... Rosie J. Pova and Amariah Rauscher’s Sunday Rain will quickly become a family or classroom favorite for cozy, imaginative story times and is highly recommended as a gift or addition to home, school, and public library bookshelves."
Full review HERE
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"...Rosie and Amariah seamlessly weave the wonderful imaginative play of the children into the story as we see them set off in a boat and fight a dragon alongside the princess from Elliott’s book. This creative and inclusive story showcases the beauty of imagination, the power of books and the joy of making new friends."
-- Picture Book Perfect, full review HERE
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"The brilliance of reading and imagination is placed front and centre to help a young boy overcome his shyness in a realistic, touching way. Elliott is a mixed-race star of the story which also includes a female knight taming a dragon, giving this book a big thumbs up in terms of inclusion and diversity – always great to see. Go check it out!"
-- Father Reading Every Day, full review HERE
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"As with all good picture books, the generous, softly coloured illustrations work perfectly to complement the text. This is a story that allows children to ask questions, speculate and relate to their own experiences. As such it is strongly recommended to be shared and enjoyed at home and at school."
-- Karen Argent (March 2021) The Letterpress Project (UK)
Read the full review HERE
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Book Trust pick for Best New Books -- Book We Love in March 2021! See Review HERE
And Book of the Day
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"A quiet, sweet story blending common themes of moving, imagination, and friendship." ―Kirkus
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rosie-j-pova/sunday-rain/
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rosie-j-pova/sunday-rain/
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Click on the book cover below to order a copy...
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To order Sunday Rain from Amazon click HERE
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SUNDAY RAIN (Lantana Publishing/Lerner, March 2, 2021) A story that celebrates imagination, the love of books, and new friendships. Elliott has just moved into a new house. He spends his days with his fictional friends, immersed in a book. When an inviting Sunday rain gathers the local kids to play in the puddles, Elliott longs to join in, but he's too shy to go outside. Soon, Elliott discovers that new friendships are like a new book―you just have to plunge into the adventure. "A beautiful book about the power of imagination and friendship! A few things I especially enjoyed about this book: -the book opens with a young boy reading a book about a princess. It's a minor detail in the story but I love how it normalized boys reading books with girl main characters. -Amariah Rauscher's watercolor illustrations are the perfect fit for this book about a rainy day -the ending has just the right amount of "aww" and "aha" but I'll let you read it yourself." —Hannah Holt ................................................................................................................. "This cozy story offers a relatable tale for any child hoping to make new friends; military families experiencing relocation, or anyone trying to navigate strange new waters will especially appreciate Elliott's journey. Moving may be hard, but new places can offer friendly guides to worlds of adventure, if we're brave enough to seek them out!" -Jennifer Broedel, Military Spouse & Children's Author ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Download a coloring sheet for Sunday Rain: |
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Rainy day activities for kids:
1. Rain craft (Materials: construction paper, crayons, cotton balls, Popsicle stick, glue)
2. Make and eat a rainbow snack (grapes, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, melon, strawberries, bananas, whip cream -- or substitute for any other fruits, veggies and cheese in the corresponding colors.)
3. Build an Umbrella Reading Fort for story time and read! (What you'll need: two chairs, an umbrella, blue ribbon, blankets and pillows, books, your favorite stuffed animal. See the picture below.)
2. Make and eat a rainbow snack (grapes, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple, melon, strawberries, bananas, whip cream -- or substitute for any other fruits, veggies and cheese in the corresponding colors.)
3. Build an Umbrella Reading Fort for story time and read! (What you'll need: two chairs, an umbrella, blue ribbon, blankets and pillows, books, your favorite stuffed animal. See the picture below.)
Sarah's Song
"A thoughtfully crafted story that offers a gentle means to talk about loss with children."
--Kirkus Reviews
Read the complete review here
"A thoughtfully crafted story that offers a gentle means to talk about loss with children."
--Kirkus Reviews
Read the complete review here
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"Sweetness abounds in Sarah’s Song, a wonderful book about the relationship between Sarah and her grandmother. The illustrations are gorgeously charming, and the story lives up to the title. Love especially how Sarah finds her own solution." --Reviewer
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5-star review for Sarah's Song from Reader's Favorite
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kirkus Reviews Indie Editors' Pick! Sarah's Song is featured in the 2/01/18 issue of the magazine. The illustrator, Emma Allen, made the header, too. What an honor for our book! ". . . the seamless integration of words, illustrations, and emotions makes for a heartwarming book." --Kirkus Reviews |
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If I Weren't with You
Readers' Favorite Award Winner!
(click on the picture to read the complete review)
Selected for the SCBWI Official Recommended Reading List for TX/OK -- Winter 2016/2017
Watch the book trailer below
Readers' Favorite Award Winner!
(click on the picture to read the complete review)
Selected for the SCBWI Official Recommended Reading List for TX/OK -- Winter 2016/2017
Watch the book trailer below
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*Download the Teacher's Guide here ===>
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What people are saying . . .
"Beautifully written book, with beautiful pictures!
My 3 year old son and I love this book! He asks me to read it to him every evening." --Paco T.
Beautifully written
"My six-year-old son loves this book! Not only is it heart-warming, but beautifully written as well. I was thrilled that it prompted my son to ask the same questions as Willy, which led to my life prior to having him, why I wanted him, and the day he was born. Truly an inspiring book for little ones...and adults!" --Maria O.
A Gorgeously Illustrated Book to Treasure
"From the moment of opening this book, one is transported to a beautiful forest to witness the loving relationship between a mother bear and her cub. Their dialogue of questions and answers, along with beautifully written similes, makes for a wondrous gift and a lovely picture book to read over and over…and to keep and pass down to the next generation." --TeachCA
This book is perfect for mothers (or fathers) to share with their children . . .
This book is perfect for mothers (or fathers) to share with their children (honestly, grandparents or any caregiver could easily share the emotions expressed in this book). It's a peaceful story, well-suited for bedtime. I could see this being the perfect gift for a baby shower or young child's birthday, and terrific for any book-loving family. Pova's simple, sweet words express the deep, perfect love for a child that exists at the core of a mother's heart. I found so many passages extremely relatable; especially a part where the mother talks about the things that remind her of her child. When I am away from my children, practically everything I see makes me ponder how much "they'd love this" or "how happy" this thing would make them feel. And so, Pova's story had me nodding and smiling, snuggling my daughter closer. These are the words any parent says to a child, in a time of quiet, or upset, or simply because it's Tuesday. The bear cub is like so many of our young children; I'd venture to say any young readily will find him relatable. There's no need for a special occasion to explain how central a child is to a parent's heart. This book expresses it so nicely.
Sometimes the grandeur or depth of a mother's love can be too abstract for a child to measure or wrap their heads around, but the text of this book helps make that love relatable in a way that kids can understand. Such a sweet read!
--Writer, Reader, and Mom of three
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5-star Review by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Journalist, Writer, Blogger
"If your family is anything like mine, you have WORN OUT your copies of "Guess How Much I Love You" and "God Gave Us You."
Ready for a picture book reboot?
Enter If I Weren't With You - a title reminiscent of these new-ish classics, but with a deeper focus: Quelling our children's biggest worries and most persistent fears.
The story opens with a little bear named Willy playing in the woods, while his mom stands nearby. As the two bears walk among butterflies, and through hills and trees, Willy begins asking his mom some very serious questions:
What if I got lost in the woods?
What if a hunter took me?
Would you give up and forget me?
Willy's questions all have the same angle. What he seeks - what every child seeks - is certitude of his mother's devotion and protection. To Willy, safety and security can be understood, so long as he knows that his mom would do anything for him... and stop at nothing to save him.
Through vivid nature-driven examples and illustrations, Mama Bear assures Willy: Her love for him is constant and endless.
As a parent, I gotta tell ya...
Merely thinking of my kids being taken away from me is enough to give me a panic attack. Our children aren't immune to this. They live in the same world that we do. They see the nightly news and hear stories of loss and death.
Kids know - if only abstractly, or through the lens of cartoon characters - that there are bad forces out there, just out of view. Things that have the power to separate them from what they know and love. From us.
To provide stability in the face of Willy's uncertainty, Mama Bear offers unwavering assurances that she will never give up on her son and never forget him.
Once Willy gets his pressing questions answered, he is grounded by simply hearing the words "I love you" from Mama Bear. With that, mom and cub resume the physical and emotional closeness that gives both of them such fulfillment.
It's a pitch-perfect ending to a book that both confronts and comforts - and all on a child's level."
5-star Review by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Journalist, Writer, Blogger
"If your family is anything like mine, you have WORN OUT your copies of "Guess How Much I Love You" and "God Gave Us You."
Ready for a picture book reboot?
Enter If I Weren't With You - a title reminiscent of these new-ish classics, but with a deeper focus: Quelling our children's biggest worries and most persistent fears.
The story opens with a little bear named Willy playing in the woods, while his mom stands nearby. As the two bears walk among butterflies, and through hills and trees, Willy begins asking his mom some very serious questions:
What if I got lost in the woods?
What if a hunter took me?
Would you give up and forget me?
Willy's questions all have the same angle. What he seeks - what every child seeks - is certitude of his mother's devotion and protection. To Willy, safety and security can be understood, so long as he knows that his mom would do anything for him... and stop at nothing to save him.
Through vivid nature-driven examples and illustrations, Mama Bear assures Willy: Her love for him is constant and endless.
As a parent, I gotta tell ya...
Merely thinking of my kids being taken away from me is enough to give me a panic attack. Our children aren't immune to this. They live in the same world that we do. They see the nightly news and hear stories of loss and death.
Kids know - if only abstractly, or through the lens of cartoon characters - that there are bad forces out there, just out of view. Things that have the power to separate them from what they know and love. From us.
To provide stability in the face of Willy's uncertainty, Mama Bear offers unwavering assurances that she will never give up on her son and never forget him.
Once Willy gets his pressing questions answered, he is grounded by simply hearing the words "I love you" from Mama Bear. With that, mom and cub resume the physical and emotional closeness that gives both of them such fulfillment.
It's a pitch-perfect ending to a book that both confronts and comforts - and all on a child's level."
Bear Craft:Try This!
"Mama, if I weren't born, what would you do?" Willy starts a conversation with mama Bear while he's on the move, acting like a natural youngster. In a series of simple and direct questions, the bear cub seeks and receives his mother's reassurance of love and security as the two take a walk in the forest. Mama Bear uses imagery of the forest to communicate her feelings to her cub. |
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If I Weren't With You is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
or get it at your favorite indie store!
Fourth grade prankster Hailey feels like an alien in her own world until an alien comes into her life and shows her what it means to be human.
Like a secret agent from ‘Prankistania’ Hailey is always prepared, pulling practical jokes on everyone. But to her puzzlement, no one is laughing. Especially her parents and Hailey’s attempts to get their attention bring her the wrong kind: punishments. She might even lose her big 10th birthday party. But when things get worse, Hailey does what Hailey knows best: pranking. All the way to the principal’s office.
With her secret alien visitor, who keeps the pranks coming, will Hailey find a way out of her mess, save her birthday and her friendship? And when the secret is out, will Hailey be the one caught by surprise?
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Sarah's Song by Rosie J. Pova
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"Sarah's relationship with her grandma changes as Grandma ages and can no longer do some of their favorite activities. Sarah wants things to go back to the way they were, but of course that's not possible. In this kind and affectionate story, Sarah figures out how to tweak a family tradition to keep her connection with her grandma strong."
– Laura Purdie Salas, author of Meet My Family! Animal Babies and Their Families, laurasalas.com
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5-star review from Readers' Favorite (click to read the complete review)
"Sarah's relationship with her grandma changes as Grandma ages and can no longer do some of their favorite activities. Sarah wants things to go back to the way they were, but of course that's not possible. In this kind and affectionate story, Sarah figures out how to tweak a family tradition to keep her connection with her grandma strong."
– Laura Purdie Salas, author of Meet My Family! Animal Babies and Their Families, laurasalas.com
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5-star review from Readers' Favorite (click to read the complete review)
What people are saying . . .
"Pova delivers again!
What a touching tale about the bond between grandmother and granddaughter, and how music makes that connection stronger and more beautiful. Rosie J. Pova pulls on the heartstrings again with this lovely story. So much heart, like her previous work, IF I WEREN'T WITH YOU. Pova is adept in creating loving, powerful relationships between her main characters."
"Pova delivers again!
What a touching tale about the bond between grandmother and granddaughter, and how music makes that connection stronger and more beautiful. Rosie J. Pova pulls on the heartstrings again with this lovely story. So much heart, like her previous work, IF I WEREN'T WITH YOU. Pova is adept in creating loving, powerful relationships between her main characters."
Visit Emma Allen Illustrator here
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Download the Activity Sheet for Sarah's Song
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