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KidLitTakeaways

Bite-size bits of wisdom & inspiration for writers on the go!

Writerly Review: Ella and Penguin Stick Together

2/12/2016

26 Comments

 

PLUS: A Giveaway!
By Chana Stiefel

Picture
​Last month, I hit the jackpot. No, not the billion-dollar Powerball. A close second, I won a year’s supply of debut picture books in a raffle celebrating KidLit411’s birthday bash. WOOHOO! Sharing the love, here's a writerly review of one of the first picture books I received: ELLA AND PENGUIN STICK TOGETHER by Megan Maynor, Illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet (Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2016), plus our very first GIVEAWAY!
 
Ella is excited to share with her friend Penguin a sheet of glow-in-the-dark stickers. But the only way to see them glow is to step into a dark closet. As Ella leans in, she says, “The dark is so . . . dark!” Ella and Penguin try out other “mostly dark” options, but . . . no glow. The two friends learn that when they stick together, not only can they face their fears, but they can have a raucously fun time too.
 
This debut picture book has some great takeaways for aspiring authors:
  • Clever title. Get it? STICK TOGETHER.
  • Several layers. It’s a story about friendship, problem solving, building confidence, overcoming fear, imaginative play, and yes…love of those magical stickers. All of that with a...
  • Low word count: 461 to be exact.
  • The characters arc. The cautious duo we meet on the opening spreads gradually grow and develop in a charming and relatable way.
  • The conflict presents itself early in the story. “Yikes!” yelps Penguin when Ella explains that these aren’t just ordinary stickers—they glow in the DARK!
  • Rule of Three. Threes hook the reader and provide a rhythm to the text. One example: Ella and Penguin try out the stickers in the “mostly dark”—behind the shower curtain, under the laundry basket, and beneath umbrellas. All three are kid-friendly examples that readers can easily try on their own. The author includes many other Threes throughout the text.
  • Sweet humor. Penguin asks about these extraordinary stickers—“Are they smelly? Can you eat them? Do they talk?” 
  • The illustrations and text work closely together. Bonnett did a beautiful job making the stickers glow.
  • Satisfying conclusion. No spoilers here.
My only wish is that the book included a sheet of glow-in-the-dark stickers so readers (and I) could get right to work. But I imagine Maynor and Bonnett will pack lots of stickers for their many author-illustrator visits to come.
Want to receive your own free copy of ELLA AND PENGUIN? Megan Maynor has generously offered a signed copy to one lucky winner. Enter our very first GIVEAWAY below!
UPDATE: To enter (should take less than a minute): 1) Click on Comments beneath the Rafflecopter box and Facebook & Twitter icons on the lower left. (It's there but it's faint...a web host problem.) 2) Leave a Reply. (Thanks!) 3) Click on Rafflecopter box 4) Click on Leave a blog post comment. ("I commented") 5) Optional additional entries: Follow us on Twitter @kidlittakeaways.com and Retweet the link to this blog. That's it! You're golden!

​

a Rafflecopter giveaway
26 Comments
maria gianferrari link
2/12/2016 06:24:17 am

Looks like such a sweet book! Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing,Chana.

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Lisa Katzenberger link
2/12/2016 06:24:47 am

Great post! Thanks for sharing!

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Tanya Konerman link
2/12/2016 06:50:37 am

Looks like a great new book...can't wait to read it.

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JHS
2/12/2016 07:43:46 am

Great Post!

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Angela Turner
2/12/2016 07:54:59 am

What a cute book that packs a lot of goodies. I think kids will love this.

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Donna Cangelosi link
2/12/2016 08:11:11 am

Great review, Chana!

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Eileen Washburn link
2/12/2016 08:29:57 am

Looks cute! I love stickers.Especially the smelly ones.

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Marlene Rohr link
2/12/2016 08:33:59 am

Looks like a fun and interesting read for all ages.

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Andria link
2/12/2016 09:35:09 am

Sounds like it's packed with kid appeal!

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Wendy Greenley
2/12/2016 11:17:44 am

Thanks for introducing us to this new title!

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Lydia Lukidis
2/12/2016 12:02:34 pm

Wonderful!! I love hearing about great books...

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Blancheb
2/12/2016 12:10:50 pm

Wow, lucky duck!...I mean penguin, a year's supply of PBs. Wonderful for you! Thanks for sharing the PB wealth with this great contest. ELLA AND PENGUIN STICK TOGETHER looks adorable. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the review.

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Julie Burchstead
2/12/2016 12:19:35 pm

It is always great to hear about the debut books. This informative review helps me to know whether this is one I want to add to my research library or not. Thanks so much!

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Rachel Hamby link
2/12/2016 12:53:50 pm

Thanks for sharing, Chana, fun review too!

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debbie lacroix link
2/12/2016 02:12:23 pm

The book looks too cute! Thanks for sharing.

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Gabrielle Schoeffield
2/12/2016 02:55:54 pm

Great subject....I cant wait to read the entire book!

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Darlene Koppel link
2/12/2016 04:28:29 pm

What an adorable book! Love how you broke down all the important points to cover in a PB.

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Rebecca Sheraton
2/13/2016 12:41:18 am

Sounds like a fun read! I love glow in the dark stickers.

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Bobbi Capwell
2/13/2016 04:03:33 am

Sounds like a great book! How lucky that you discovered it in such a fantastic way!

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Elaine Kiely Kearns
2/13/2016 05:33:59 am

Thanks for the shout out! So happy you are enjoying your prize!

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Lynne Marie Pisano link
2/13/2016 12:40:43 pm

LOVE that list of plusses this book has <3 Great post, thank you!

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Sue Heavenrich link
2/14/2016 03:49:48 pm

Awwww... this looks so cool! I agree with you - I'd want a page of glow-in-the-dark stickers, too.

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nancy anton
2/16/2016 12:57:58 pm

Excellent work, Chana and Donna! Very informative, professional and entertaining. Thanks for sharing!

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Ariel Bernstein link
2/21/2016 03:20:45 pm

What a great giveaway!

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Chana Stiefel
2/23/2016 07:29:00 pm

Thanks for all your entries and comments everyone! More fun stuff and great takeaways to come!

Reply
Patricia Toht
2/23/2016 07:43:43 pm

I just read this book at the library where I work today. It is SO cute!

Reply



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    Authors

    Donna Cangelosi and Chana Stiefel are picture book critique partners & friends who are passionate about kids' books & are eager to share tidbits from their writing journey with other aspiring writers. 

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