Monday, October 7, 2024

Virtual Book Tour Sea Without a Shore: Life in the Sargasso

 

Sea Without a Shore: Book Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK


Sea Without a Shore

Written by Barb Rosenstock

Illustrated by Katherine Roy

Ages: 4+ | 32 Pages

Publisher: W. W. Norton | ISBN: 9781324016076

Publisher’s Book Summary: A single piece of seaweed buoys a fascinating ecosystem in this nonfiction picture book from award-winning creators Barb Rosenstock and Katherine Roy.

From bryozoans and snails to shrimps, eels, swordfish, and whales, the Sargasso Sea provides a home to countless types of marine life, thanks to the prevalence of microalgae called sargassum. Following a single blade of this extraordinary seaweed as it grows and spreads, readers see what it provides for the sea’s organisms: a base for hydroids and tube worms to filter and feed, shelter for anemones and nudibranchs and their nutritious waste, hunting grounds for crabs and amphipods, and a source of nourishment and protection for the fish, birds, whales, and reptiles that feed on these smaller creatures.

Through a widening scope on this intricate interdependence, Barb Rosenstock celebrates one of our planet’s most diverse and important ecosystems and the unassuming seaweed that sustains it. Gorgeously illustrated with Katherine Roy’s rich, eye-catching artwork, Sea Without a Shore is as fluid and rhythmic as the currents that shape this tidal home.

PURCHASE LINK


Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org


MY REVIEW


Dive into the fascinating world of the Sargasso Sea, a sea without a shore as the title tells us. The narrative begins with a description of the forces that create the sea: five currents, billions of gallons of water, "a blue desert." We see a group playing on the beach creating sandcastles and moats, bringing seaweed to decorate - and then a bit of that seaweed washes away and we follow its journey.


The text is lyrical while also completely factual, a difficult balance to reach. "It lives. Changing sunlight to sugars." "It tumbles. Surfing the waves." Slowly, just as the sargassum itself grows, so does our knowledge of this curious form of algae that floats on the ocean's surface with no roots to hold it down. The author takes us through the various layers of the complex ecology as it builds from tubeworms, to snails, to crabs, to swordfish. "They swim. And never stop - through cloudless calms and shocking storms."


Each turn of the page reveals more rich watercolor tones and a game of hide and seek as the members of the ecosystem look for shelter and food within the spreading seaweed. A few spreads took my breath away, especially the sea turtles gliding around and through the fronds, and a giant whale that stretches from one side of the book to the other.


The book circles back around to the children on the beach, before offering some additional details in the back matter. A map with the location of Bermuda and the Sargasso Sea marked, as well as the ocean currents labeled, is framed with thumbnail images of various creatures we have encountered in the text. There is an afterword by Sylvia Earle and a short paragraph about Dr. Earle's work. A lengthy note from the author describes the research process for the book and there are also photos of a piece of sargassum and the illustrator's hand holding a tiny frogfish. A list of sources is also provided.


If you know young readers who are fascinated by the ocean, or if you are a parent or teacher helping a budding scientist learn about ecosystems and interdependence - this book is a must!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barb Rosenstock is the author of several children’s books, including The Noisy Paint Box, which received a Caldecott Honor. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR


Katherine Roy is the creator of the Sibert Honor Book Neighborhood Sharks and, most recently, Making More. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon.


TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

April Lynch

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Thursday, September 12, 2024

@pagesforpaige

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Friday, September 13, 2024

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight of Sea Without a Shore

Monday, September 16, 2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Me Two Books

Book Activity Paired with Sea Without a Shore

Wednesday, September 18 2024

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Thursday, September 19, 2024

It’s Free At Last

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Friday, September 20, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Interview with Barb Rosenstock

Monday, September 23, 2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Mrs. Makes Reading Fun

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Get Outside And Read

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Thursday, September 26, 2024

My Reading Getaway

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Friday, September 27, 2024

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Monday, September 30, 2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

One More Exclamation

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Cover Lover Book Review

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Deliciously Savvy

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Friday, October 4, 2024

Book Q&A’s with Deborah Kalb

Interview with Barb Rosenstock

Monday, October 7, 2024

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Interview with Barb Rosenstock

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The Fairview Review

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk

Book Review of Sea Without a Shore

This post is sponsored by W.W Norton. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Virtual Book Tour Sophie and the Swans


 

Sophie and the Swans: Book Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK


Sophie and the Swans

Written by Holly Peppe

Illustrated by Aeron Cargill

Ages: 3+ | 36 Pages

Publisher: Lincoln Square Books | ISBN: 978-1947187146

Publisher’s Book Summary: Sophie is a little girl who lives beside a lake and makes friends with a pair of swans who visit her every day. One day, when a bully starts to torment the swans, Sophie rushes to defend them not by attacking the bully but by showing him kindness when he gets into trouble on the lake.

PURCHASE LINK


Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org


MY REVIEW


Sophie loves her home by the lake, the “magical cabin” her father built for her (a cozy looking playhouse), and the beautiful swans that she feeds every day. She has even named them - Romeo and Juliet. When she hears the swans in distress one day and runs outside to see what is wrong, she finds a boy she doesn’t know throwing rocks at the birds. Sophie immediately tells him to stop and corrects him when he calls the swans dumb. Later she meets Sam, the brother of that boy, and learns that they have recently moved to the area and that his brother Ned used to be different, but has become a bully after being teased by kids at school. Sophie befriends Sam and they feed the swans together. Ned had told Sam that the swans were dangerous, but Sophie says that isn’t true. “If you’re kind to them, they’ll remember you forever!” One evening as the new friends are out by the lake they see Ned calling for help from a stranded boat. Sam is so frustrated with his brother he suggests leaving him out there on the lake. “Serves him right,” he says. Although Sophie sympathizes with Sam, she shares this advice, “My mom says we should always try and treat others with kindness, even if they aren’t kind to you.” They rescue Ned and he actually thanks his brother and agrees with Sophie that the swans are beautiful. Author Holly Peppe has created a tale that features a strong yet compassionate young woman. When she sees the swans in trouble, she stands up for them and even calls Ned out, telling him “Swans are really smart - and they don’t like bullies!” She listens to Sam’s descriptions of Ned’s behavior and understands why he is upset with his brother, but also gives him good advice. Her rescue of Ned helps to mend things between the brothers and gives Ned a fresh start on a friendship with her and an appreciation for his new home. Sophie doesn’t call names, or let the behavior of others stop her from doing what she knows is right. We could all use a role model like her. There is also a list of anti-bullying resources in the back of the book, helpful for parents and teachers as well as young readers.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Holly Peppe is a writer and editor who lives near a lake full of colorful ducks, noisy gray geese, and elegant white swans who take to the sky when they feel like flying. Her published writing includes essays about the Jazz Age poet Edna St. Vincent Millay; a memoir, Mum’s the Word: The High-flying Adventures of Eve Branson; and two Young Adult books about Barrington Irving, the first Black pilot and youngest person to fly solo around the world.


TOUR SCHEDULE


Tuesday, October 1, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

The Fairview Review

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Friday, October 4, 2024

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Monday, October 7, 2024

Cover Lover Book Review

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight of Sophie and the Swans

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

Instagram Post about Sophie and the Swans

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Deliciously Savvy

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Friday, October 11, 2024

One More Exclamation

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Monday, October 14, 2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

Instagram and TikTok Post about Sophie and the Swans

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Shooting Stars Mag

Book Review of Sophie and the Swans

Friday, October 18, 2024

Me Two Books

Book Activity of Sophie and the Swans

Monday, October 21, 2024

Book Q&A’s with Deborah Kalb

Interview about Sophie and the Swans

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

The Growing Readers Podcast

An interview with Holly Peppe


This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.