Sue Fliess – Mom Read It

Blast off on the Sadie Sprocket Blog Tour!

Posted on January 29, 2021January 27, 2021 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Let’s hear it for Science Kids! I’ve got a rhyming STEM/STEAM story that’s going to rock(et) storytimes!

Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, by Sue Fleiss/Illustrated by Annabel Tempest,
(Feb. 2021, Two Lions), $17.99, ISBN: 9781542018036
Ages 4-6

Sadie Sprocket is a little girl with a big wish: she wants to go to Mars! She maps out the distance, puts together a crew of her most trustworthy stuffed toys, and gets to work building a rocket. They blast off from Earth and arrive at Mars, where they take pictures and gather samples, but when it’s time to head back to Earth, there’s a problem: can Sadie get herself and her friends back home? Lively rhyme and adorably bright and friendly, cartoony artwork make this an eye-catching readaloud. Sadie is a smart cookie who knows how to plan a mission and lay out the problem in order to solve it – just like our Kiddos learn at school. Facts about Mars and women in space make up the back matter, and make this a phenomenal choice for Women’s History Month in March, too. Pair with Andrea Beaty’s Questioneers series, Sol Regwan’s Geraldine series, and Ken Wilson Max’s Astro Girl. Consider adding some Mars picture books, like Brianna Caplan Sayres’s Night Night Curiosity, or Buzz Aldrin’s Welcome to Mars for Kids. Remind kids that nothing is out of reach by inviting them to create coffee filter planets after reading.

“Inspiring, adventurous fun for aspirational kids.” —Kirkus Reviews

Sue Fliess is the author of more than thirty children’s books, including Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, illustrated by Mark Chambers; Shoes for Me!, A Dress for Me!, and Books for Me!, all illustrated by Mike Laughead; and Let’s Build, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto. She lives with her family and their two dogs in northern Virginia, where they admire the moon, stars, and sometimes even planets from their backyard. Learn more about Sue at www.suefliess.com.

On Twitter: @SueFliess

Facebook: Sue Fliess Author

Pinterest: Sue Fliess

Annabel Tempest is the illustrator of a number of picture books and board books. She holds a degree in fashion and textiles and has worked as a freelance illustrator on everything from maps and packaging to greeting cards and children’s books. She lives in the beautiful Somerset countryside in the UK with her husband and a houseful of muddy boys and dogs. Learn more about Annabel at www.annabeltempest.com.

On Instagram: annabel.tempest

Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway: Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins!

Posted on December 5, 2018December 2, 2018 by Rosemary Kiladitis

“It’s Christmas Eve morning, and everything’s set. So why hasn’t Santa Claus woken up yet?” Because he’s sick! He’s stuffy, he’s sneezy, it’s gross, you don’t want him around your Christmas gifts. Mrs. Claus has an idea, though – she’s going to go in his place!

Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, by Sue Fliess/Illustrated by Mark Chambers,
(Sept. 2018, Two Lions), $17.99, ISBN: 978-1503936980
Ages 3-7

Mrs. Claus gets right to work, assembling teams, mapping routes, and checking the weather. The elves help her pack up, and she’s off into the night! Despite some weather mischief and a bird strike, Mrs. Claus has it under control and is having the time of her life, and comes home to a party in her honor!

Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins is a fun, upbeat rhyming tale that’s loaded with humor and a Mrs. Claus who ain’t just home baking cookies. She’s a wild-haired redhead with fabulous cats-eye glasses and a green cardigan (I’m a librarian, I notice these things), and she’s letting Santa know what’s what. When she takes to the skies, she does it in style, rocking an aviator cap, a green plaid coat, and a cup of coffee – no Santa clone here, she’s making Christmas her own! I love this hip departure from tradition.

The digital illustrations are cartoony and colorful,. The pages alternate between full-bleed and white backgrounds, with the artwork popping off the stark background to really draw readers to the action. The digital snow is fantastic, with a real 3-d feel to the flakes as Mrs. Claus navigates through a blizzard, and the rainbow fuel looks is muddled and smoky. Great effects that will get the kids pointing and talking.

Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins is absolute fun holiday reading – add this one to your Christmas Eve story pile.

Sue Fliess is the author of more than twenty children’s books, including Shoes for Me!, A Dress for Me!, and Books for Me!, all illustrated by Mike Laughead; and Let’s Build, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto. Sue loves the holiday season and hopes she made it onto Santa’s “nice” list this year! She lives with her family and their dog in Northern Virginia. Learn more about Sue online at www.suefliess.com.

Mark Chambers is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than thirty-five children’s books. In 2013, Mark won the Sheffield Children’s Picture Book Award and was short-listed for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. In 2017, his artwork entitled “We Will Remember” was short-listed for the AOI World Illustration Awards. Mark lives and works in the United Kingdom and once spent Christmas in the Arctic Circle. Learn more about Mark online at www.markachambers.com.

Want a chance at winning a copy of Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins? Check out the Rafflecopter giveaway!

Early Reader, Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Calling All Cars – Fun for Storytime, Fun for Anytime!

Posted on March 4, 2016February 26, 2016 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Calling All Cars
Written by Sue Fliess, Illustrated by Sarah Beise
March 1, 2016; 10×10 Hardcover, ISBN 9781492618812
Also available in 8×8 Hardcover, ISBN 9781492638353

Book information:
Title: Calling All Cars
Author: Sue Fliess
Illustrator: Sarah Beise
Release date: March 1, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

This month, I’ve got a spotlight on Sue Fliess and Sarah Beise’s adorable transportation book, Calling All Cars! This brightly colored salute to all kinds of cars is a great addition to libraries who enjoy storytime rhyming books.

Transportation books are huge with toddler and preschool audiences, with good reason: they’re fun! Calling All Cars takes readers on a trip with all sorts of cars: clown cars, trip cars, dogs in back cars, and more! The bold, black text makes for easy storytime reading; the text is as playful as the art, going up hills and through the snow next to their vehicles. The pictures are bold, with fun geometric shapes and cartoony drivers that kids will enjoy.

I read this one with my 3 year-old, who played along with his own toy cars. Could be a great storytime activity: let the little ones drive some cars of their own around after storytime, or let them color in car pictures (I always have a Word document with about 10-15 of Disney’s Cars characters ready to print). There are some great transportation songs and fingerplays on the Web, too – explore!

Enjoy the spotlight on Calling All Cars – thanks to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky!

Praise for Calling All Cars:

“Each double-page spread offers a surplus of amusing sights: three pigs in a convertible, a kitten chauffeuring a royal pair of lions, love-struck snakes hugging and tugging their cars too close together. Beise’s digital illustrations pop with vivid colors…. [Fliess’] rhyming couplets bounce off the page.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This successful collaboration combines brisk and spirited writing with bold, effervescent pictures and will have wide appeal to young readers. Fliess’s punchy rhymes mimic the speed and energy of the cars being described, making for a lively read-aloud… Young car enthusiasts will enjoy the ride through this zippy, robust picture book.” —School Library Journal

About the Book
Big cars, small cars, let’s call ALL cars! This bouncy text explores the wonderful world of cars zipping up, down, fast, and slow. A perfect basic concept books for eager young learners from the author of Tons of Trucks. Then cruise into bedtime!

Rest cars, Hush cars
No more rush, cars.
Cars pull in, turn off the light.
Sweet dreams, sleepy cars…goodnight!

Filled with vibrant art, adorable animal characters, and cars of all kinds from love bugs to the demolition derby, Calling All Cars is for every child who loves to read about things that go! Surprise bonus—follow one long road throughout this vividly imagined world and don’t miss the hidden clues in the artwork!

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27015390-calling-all-cars

Buy the Book
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WHmpgX
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1QZwx0q
Books a Million: http://bit.ly/1SRWipt
!ndigo: http://bit.ly/1WHmzFf
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1SRWuVL

About the Author
Sue Fliess is the author of more than a dozen children’s books, including the popular Tons of Trucks and Robots, Robots Everywhere! Her background is in copywriting, PR, and marketing, and her articles have appeared in O, the Oprah Magazine; Huffington Post; Writer’s Digest; and more. Her article from O, the Oprah Magazine was chosen for inclusion in O’s Little Book of Happiness (March 2015). Sue lives with her family and a Lab named Charlie in Northern Virginia. Visit her online at www.suefliess.com.

Connect with Sue Fliess!
Website: http://www.suefliess.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sue.Fliess.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suefliess
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/suefliess/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4484623.Sue_Fliess

About the Illustrator
Sarah Beise, a graduate of Minneapolis College of Art and Design, is an innovative illustrator and designer who loves to create fun and unique characters that help tell stories. Originally from Matthews, NC she now makes Kansas City her home along with her two dogs, Maxwell and Mazzie May. For more info visit http://www.SarahBeise.com.

Connect with Sarah Beise!
Website: http://www.colordotstudio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sarah-Beise-Art-Design-LLC-233477983374912/

Calling All Cars Giveaway: Runs March 1-31 (US and Canada only)! Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
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