SNUGGLE TIME BIBLE STORIES by Glenys Nellist -- Book Review

Snuggle Time Bible Stories is the latest in the Snuggle Time series by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Cee Briscoe.

Reading together with a toddler is such a special connection point with them. You will definitely want to add this lovely book to your home library. As you read together, you will be introducing your child to many heroes of the faith including Noah, Moses, Samuel, and David. My favorite is the story of Jesus with the children. Here is a sample:

Some children came to Jesus
One bright and sunny day.
"He's busy!" the disciples cried.
"You'll have to go away!"

But Jesus called the children
And sat them on his knee.
"I love you all," he softly said.
"And you belong to me."

All of us, adults included, need to be reminded of the Savior's love and of the fact that he calls us his own. What simple, but beautiful words, describing a marvelous truth.

Thank you, Glenys, for another  wonderful story book in this series.

Amazon link: 
Snuggle Time Bible Stories

About the author:  GLENYS NELLIST was born and raised in a little village in northern England.  Her stories and poems have been published in children's magazines where her writing reflects a deep passion for bringing the Bible to life for young children.  Glenys lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, David.

Glenys Nellist's website

Twitter: @Glenys Nellist

Facebook: Glenys Nellist: Author

Mentor Text-- Unique Structure--EL CHUPACABRAS by Adam Rubin

Analyzing Picture Books for Layers

I go to the library regularly and check out mentor texts.  A mentor text is a recently published picture book that I analyze.  I try to learn from the techniques that the author used, and apply my knowledge to my own writing.

My latest treasure is a book called EL CHUPACABRAS by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Crash McCreery.  The book grabbed my attention because of the Spanish--I am a Spanish teacher, so of course I had to take a look at this book!  The Chupacabra is a terrifying creature of Puerto Rico legends, and the word Chupacabra literally means "goat sucker."

One strength of the story is in the CHARACTER.  Instead of a terrifying monster, Rubin describes the Chupacabras a tiny gentleman who wore a bow tie and drank chocolate and ate churros. In the end of the story, he is the one to save the day.  This is a huge flip to the usual terrifying chupacabras.  I feel that this teaches children that they should get to know someone for who he is, not judge him based on a "rumor."

The standout strength of the book in my opinion is the unique STRUCTURE.
Rubin first writes a sentence half in English and half in Spanish, then flips and writes half in Spanish and half in English. I adore the flow and the blending of the two languages!

Sample:
"Hector liked goats, pero Carla prefería las bicicletas.
A Héctor le gustaban las cabras, but Carla preferred bicicletas."

I can definitely see myself using this in the classroom, especially as an example for preterite vs. imperfect, and of course introducing one of the famous legendary creatures of the Spanish speaking world.

Fun book!

Buy CHUPACABRAS on Amazon

More on layers:

Julie Hedlund Facebook

Here is the list of layers that Julie Hedlund described in a tutorial video that I watched back in the fall. It has been very helpful to me as I think about the elements that I want each of my manuscripts to contain:

1.  Plot
2. Character
3. Heart
4. Rule of Three
5. Pacing
6. Illustrations
7. Voice
8. Structure
9. Language
10. Theme

Book review of GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL by Glenys Nellist

Toddlers will delight in this new book by Glenys Nellist. It is a sturdy board book filled with eye-appealing illustrations and rhyme that sings.  Each word has been carefully selected so that young children can relate to the ideas being presented.

Each page showcases a different mommy and child "animal" while highlighting characteristics about mommies that children find special.

Some of the characteristics/qualities of "Mommy" found in the pages of the book:

--she cuddles
--she sings
--she feeds
--she takes good care of me
--she combs my hair
--she shares so much love
--she teaches me
--she is the leader
--she watches out for me
--she helps me
--she is patient, kind, sweet
--she shares lovely treats
--she loves
--she is kind and lots of fun

The animals:

--sparrow

--monkey

--dolphin

--deer

--owl

--snail

--squirrel

--hamster

 The last page shows a human child and mommy and ties in James 1:17, the verse from Scripture that says, "every good and perfect gift is from God."  (Mommy is God's gift to the child)

Glenys did a masterful job of using the animals' natural traits and blending those into things that young children will find special about their own mommy.  For example, one of my favorite pages was the one in which the Mommy owl teaches her child to soar over trees and rooftops in the night.  

Overall, I loved the book.  Great job, Glenys!  I wish you all the best!

Buy book on Amazon

About the author:

Glenys is the coordinator of Children's Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children's book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children's ministry.

Glenys Nellist website

Book Review GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL by Glenys Nellist

Toddlers will delight in this new book by Glenys Nellist. It is a sturdy board book filled with eye-appealing illustrations and rhyme that sings.  Each word has been carefully selected so that young children can relate to the ideas being presented.

Each page showcases a different daddy and child "animal" while highlighting characteristics about daddies that children find special.

Some of the characteristics/qualities of "Daddy" found in the pages of the book:

--he teaches

--he's super-duper nice

--being carried on Dad's shoulders

--shows me how

--he's my favorite guy

--taken good care of me

--we play together

--strong, handsome, big, tall, smart, funny

--we cuddle

--helps me when I wobble

--we hang around together

The animals:

--polar bear

--skunk

--giraffe

--octopus

--lion

--flamingo

--bat 

--elephant

 The last page shows a human child and father and ties in James 1:17, the verse from Scripture that says, "every good and perfect gift is from God."  (Daddy is God's gift to the child)

Glenys did a masterful job of using the animals' natural traits and blending those into things that young children will find special about their own daddy.  For example, one of my favorite pages was the one in which the flamingo daddy helps the child flamingo not to wobble on one leg.  Another favorite was the skunk daddy showing the child how to make a stink. It made me smile and laugh.  

Overall, I loved the book.  Great job, Glenys!  I wish you all the best!

Link to buy on Zondervan catalog

Purchase book on Amazon

About the author:

Glenys is the coordinator of Children's Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children's book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children's ministry.

Glenys Nellist website

Introducing...Easter Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist

Buy book on Amazon

This wonderful new book in the Love Letters from God series is another treasure, helping children to understand the depth and significance of the Easter holiday.

It is divided into 7 sections emphasizing different elements of the Easter story, each with a note to the reader from God, helping to apply each lesson to his/her life.

The sections are:

King of Kings--the Ride into Jerusalem

What Love Looks Like--Washing Feet

The Secret Supper--Last Supper

The Gloomy Garden--Gethsemane

The Darkest Day--Crucifixion

The Quiet Cave--Burial

The Super Surprise--Resurrection

I loved the depiction of Jesus showing what love looks like, washing the disciples' feet.

I loved the pages that described heaven and how to get there.  

And most of all I loved the description of God working inside the tomb. 

"But inside that quiet cave God was working. If you tried to peek inside, you couldn't see anything. If you stood outside and put your ear to the big stone, you couldn't hear anything. If you tried to imagine what was happening, you couldn't. But inside, God was doing something utterly amazing. Something only God could do."

I love Glenys' writing because although it is written for children, I still find a take-a-way for myself as an adult, too.  

I am in a season of waiting for God.  I need to believe that even though I can't see it, hear it, or imagine it, HE IS AT WORK!  

Thanks Glenys, for your writing. It touches and encourages souls of all ages.

I would highly recommend buying this book for any little readers in your home!

Glenys is the coordinator of Children's Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is Zondervan children's book author of twelve titles including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children's ministry.

Glenys blog/website

Glenys on Twitter: @GlenysNellist

Mentor Text for Rhyme--MAMA MAMA MISSES LLAMA by Anna Dewdney

Just finished reading this book.
Wow is all I can say. I am in awe.
If you want to know how to do rhyme...LOOK AT THIS MENTOR TEXT!

Three things that stood out to me

1. Perfect rhyme scheme.--No near rhymes at all.  Every line 7 syllables except for 4 lines (that were together) of 8 syllables.  Now that is magic!

2. Low word count--just under 350 words  Parents do not want long, drawn out stories, and pre-schoolers would not listen to it anyway.  (Reminding myself of this, too!)

3. She writes perfectly for the target audience.  Any pre-schooler or kindergartner will relate to EVERY PAGE of this book. She writes what they experience. Down to the last detail.

Here is a brief outline of the story arc.

1.  Waking up and going to school for the first time

2.  Getting dressed, brushing teeth, breakfast, running late

3.  Driving, meeting teacher and new faces

4.  Hanging up coat and saying goodbye

5.  Feeling shy, being asked by teacher what he wants to do

6.  Different activities at pre-school or kindergarten--blocks, train

7.  Story time

8.  Lunch time

9.  Missing mama

10.  Going outside for recess and play--tag, slide, hide and seek

11.  Drawing time

12.  Mama comes back--

13.  Showing mama the slide, saying good-bye

14.  He loves being with mom and school

So in summary, there is a reason that this book is so popular.  Nice work, Anna Dewdney!

Analyzing for layers--PICK A PINE TREE by Patricia Toht

Even though its the middle of November, I'm in a Christmasy mood!  So I chose a sparkly, new Christmas book fresh off of the library shelf and decided to analyze it for the layers that Julie Hedlund talked about in her FB video.

Here is a picture of the cover--isn't it cute?

Interestingly enough, this book has a unique STRUCTURE in that it is a rhyming poem about the setting up of a Christmas tree, so it does not have much on the layers of PLOT and CHARACTER, but instead it is very strong in HEART, LANGUAGE, AND PACING.

In fact, I'm pretty sure HEART is the reason I chose it!  I'm drawn to those little Hallmark-y places where you can cut down your own Christmas tree as a family, sip some cocoa or cider, and then go home and have a special family night of decorating.  I identified with the description of each step in the process, and my heart does a big "Awww, so sweet!" because of the warm feelings doing this activity evokes each year.  It is a fun, family time!

I call the layer of LANGUAGE "word choice".  Patricia Toht has this layer down pat! Even the title "Pick a Pine Tree" is poetic.  I love the phrase in the book "hang them all in little nooks" because that perfectly describes how we look for the perfect little spot to nestle in our special ornaments.

Other vivid/specific word choices that paint pictures:  

spiky needle clumps, 

snug and sturdy

bundle it upon your sled, 

piney scent, 

thirsty tree, 

bulging boxes, 

rusty tins, 

pointy tips, 

candle clips, 

trinkets, 

lacy snowflakes, 

silver drips

She does a nice job with PACING.  There is just the right amount of text on a page.  And many times the page ends with "but wait," "next," "it's a...," Which leads you to the next page.

As I mentioned, this was a book that paints the picture of decorating the tree--not an action driven or conflict driven PLOT.

As for CHARACTER, there is one main family, but there are many other people depicted.  There is not one main character in this book.

The RULE OF THREE is in there, but more subtle.  I found these three's:

one with spiky needle clumps, scaly bark, or sappy bumps.

Lift, bundle, and bring it home

Golden star, velvet bow, angel dressed in flowing robes

I loved the details in the ILLUSTRATIONS, and I notice something new with each reading.  

For example: 

-the red thermos by the tree salesman in the chair at the tree lot,
-the texturizing of the trees,
-the netting on the tree that dad holds while mom trims the trunk,
-the white kitty hiding in the tree,
-the welcoming light from the house as they invite their friends in for a decorating day,
-(and on last page) Santa's sleigh on the roof and Santa in the living room

As you read, you can hear the VOICE in the story that builds and builds to the crescendo:

"It's a CHRISTMAS TREE" 

"Merry Christmas , one and all"

Finally, the THEME is not stated (of course) but I would say it is the joy that comes from family and togetherness at the holidays.

If you read this picture book, look for these layers!  I would love to hear other examples that you find! And great job Patricia Toht and her illustrator Jarvis on a beautiful Christmas book!