Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves Blog Tour (review & giveaway)

Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves 

By Lauren H. Kerstein 

Illustrated by Nate Wragg 

June 1, 2019 

Two Lions 

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It’s summertime, and you’re invited for a rollicking day at the pool with Charlie and his pet dragon (and best friend!), Rosie. But be careful—swimming with a dragon can be, um, challenging. As Rosie and Charlie blow bubbles (don’t forget your umbrella!), practice flutter kicks (watch out for tidal waves!), and offer shoulder rides (hang on tight!), Rosie proves that dragons make the most fun pets ever. Now if only Charlie can keep Rosie’s attention focused on the rules at the pool and NOT on her gummy snacks (you know, the ones that cause stinky dragon breath!)…Grab your towels and sunscreen and join Rosie and Charlie for a fun-filled summer adventure! 

Praise for Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves 

“The digital illustrations are bright, playful, and attractive, well suited to the story…There are some young dragon lovers and fans of mischief who will revel in this silly romp.” —Kirkus Reviews 

“Kerstein's playful story about friendship, patience, and responsibility for a pet is nicely matched by Wragg's bold, colorful illustrations, rendered in blocky shapes and a vivid color palette. New pet owners are the natural choice for this one, but kids with younger siblings might appreciate it, too.” – Booklist 

Charlie and his best friend, Rosie the Dragon, are headed to the pool for a day of fun and relaxation...but will Rosie’s big appetite, larger than life personality, and fondness for stinky snacks get in the way of their fun? 

Lauren H. Kerstein’s Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves is a delightful, sunshiny picture book, perfect for summertime reading fun. Kerstein gives little readers an absolutely giggle-inducing story about a loyal little boy and his awesome dragon. Rosie makes a big splash at the pool and little readers will love diving head first into her silly, amusing mishaps and mayhem. Nate Wragg’s sweetly rendered illustrations, so full of bright summer colors, lively action, and diverse characters, perfectly capture this funtastic tale. 

Rosie and Charlie are an irresistible and unforgettable duo who little readers will want to join again and again, all summer long! 

Lauren H. Kerstein is an author and psychotherapist. She is a Jersey girl at heart who, as a child, loved underwater handstands and slurping cherry Italian ice at the pool. Lauren currently lives in Colorado with her husband, Josh; their dragons...er, daughters, Sarah and Danielle; and Hudson, the dog. Learn more about the author at www.LaurenKerstein.net. 

Twitter: @LaurenKerstein Instagram: laurenkerstein 

Nate Wragg works as a production designer and illustrator for animation and book projects. His animation projects include Ratatouille, Toy Story 3, and Captain Underpants.  He is the illustrator of a number of popular picture books, including At the Old Haunted House, written by Helen Ketteman. He lives in Southern California with his family. Learn more at natewragg.tumblr.com. 

Win a copy of Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves!

The folks at Two Lions have generously offered one copy for one winner.

-US only

-ends 6/3/19

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, stolen prizes

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May Picture Books from Candlewick Press

Today I have four wonderful May picture books from Candlewick to share with y'all...

Waiting for Chicken Smith 

By David Mackintosh 

May 3, 2019 

Candlewick 

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A story about childhood friendships, anticipation, and the magic moments that arise while you're waiting for something else to happen. 

Every year a young boy stays in the same cabin at the beach with his family. And every year his friend Chicken Smith stays in the next cabin over. But this year, something's different: Chicken Smith hasn't shown up yet. The boy's little sister, MaryAnn, keeps trying to get his attention, but he's too busy remembering all of his adventures with Chicken Smith -- and thinking about everything they're going to do this summer. Is Chicken ever going to show up? And just what has MaryAnn been yelling about? David Mackintosh's ode to small summer wonders will make readers of all ages open their eyes to the quick, blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments happening all around them. 

Waiting For Chicken Smith is a tender and amusing summery tale about friendship, sibling love, and anticipation. Little readers will have fun joining the narrator in his exciting anticipation of Chicken Smith’s arrival, while being thoroughly engaged by the quirky illustrations. 

How To Take Care Of Your Dinosaur 

By Jason Cockcroft 

May 14, 2019 

Candlewick 

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What would you do if, instead of a cat or a goldfish, you had a dinosaur for a pet? Well, that's exactly what happens to the little boy in this story when an enormous egg appears at his house one day. Day by day, he learns exactly how to look after his dinosaur: what to feed it for breakfast, where to take it for walks, and, perhaps most difficult of all, how to deal with dinosaur-size poop! 

A silly, laugh-out-loud guide to caring for YOUR dinosaur, with sweetly rendered illustrations  and an unforgettable friendship, How To Take Care Of Your Dinosaur is a rollicking delight from beginning to end! 

Bear’s Book 

By Claire Freedman 

Illustrated by Alison Friend 

May 14, 2019 

Candlewick 

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A story about stories, writing, reading, and friendship  

When Bear's favorite book of stories falls apart, he is determined to write one of his own. He ventures into the forest for inspiration, but writing is harder than he thinks, and he soon discovers that he needs help from his friends. See how Bear transforms their day into a wonderful adventure in this story about creativity and friendship. 

For anyone who loves to hear a great story or write one themselves, Bear’s Book is for YOU. Bear’s adventures with his friends and his search for the perfect story to tell will captivate and inspire little readers. 

Sea Glass Summer 

By Michelle Houts 

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline 

May 14, 2019 

Candlewick 

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Author Michelle Houts and illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline explore the magic of one of the seaside's greatest wonders and the bonds that link us through time. 

One summer, a boy named Thomas visits his grandmother at her seaside cottage. She gives him a magnifying glass that once belonged to his grandfather, and with it Thomas explores the beach, turning grains of sand into rocks and dark clamshells into swirling mazes of black, gray, and white. When his grandmother shows him a piece of sea glass, Thomas is transfixed. That night he dreams of an old shipyard and the breaking of a bottle. Could the very piece of sea glass on his nightstand have come from that bottle? For the rest of the summer, he searches for more sea glass and hopes to have dreams that will reveal more of the sea's secrets. A stunning ode to stories and the seaside, this picture book invites readers to imagine the ocean of possibility that lives in every small or forgotten treasure. 

Sea Glass Summer, with its touching story and dreamy, painted illustrations, is a beautiful and moving celebration of summer, the beach, history, and the power of the imaginations. 

**I received copies of the titles above for review/feature purposes. All thoughts, opinions, and reviews are my own