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Being Frog

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Being Frog hops into stores Feb 2, 2020! Read the Kirkus starred review or the Publisher’s Weekly starred review or the starred review from the Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books. This picture book from Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster is about empathy and exploring another being’s world. Want to hear the frogs? Listen below. For a recent article about my work, check out the Booklist Online interview “Instilling Wonder Talking Science Writing With April Pulley Sayre”.

The actual Green Frogs from Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre

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New Book Backstory: Warbler Wave

Warbler Wave will be released by Beach Lane, Simon & Schuster on February 13, 2018. See some spreads on S&S website. This book is the fulfillment of a dream, part of my life goal to share wonder. The text and photos are by me (April), with a bit of help from Jeff (a couple of photos, years of camera carrying, pointing out warblers, loving support, reviewing text, scientific fact checking, driving thousands of miles, 28 years of marriage, daily partnership in learning about nature).  We are both birders and the migratory journey of these amazing avian athletes is the highlight of our year. Below are some identification notes and discussion of the birds in the book.  Continue reading “New Book Backstory: Warbler Wave”

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Woodpecker Wham!

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Illustrated by Steve Jenkins, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, May 12, 2015. “Verdict: Lovely and exciting, this title is a great hook for young researchers, as well as fledgling ornithologists.” -Starred Review, School Library Journal. “Repetitive onomatopoeic sounds such as ‘CHOP, CHIP, CHOP’ and ‘BONK-BONK-BONK’ combine with plentiful alliteration to make the simple verses come alive . . . Attractive and surprisingly informative, this should join the duo’s Eat Like a Bear (2013) on every preschool and primary nature shelf.” -Kirkus “Sayre introduces the distinctively noisy woodpecker and the rhythmic cadences that fill its industrious life through a rhyming, sound word-filled text.” -Horn Book “Short, playful text featuring plenty of action words and onomatopoeia describes a variety of woodpecker activities.” -Booklist[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.3.2″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.3.2″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.3.2″ type=”4_4″][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
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Raindrops Roll

Text and photos by April Pulley Sayre. Beach Lane Books/S&S, January, 2015. Ages 3-8.

“With lyrical words and striking images, a poet, photographer, and veteran natural history writer celebrates rain . . . Preschoolers can appreciate the poem and pictures, but middle graders will want the facts in the concluding ‘Splash of Science’ . . . Wonder-full in every way.    -Starred Review, Kirkus

Continue reading “Raindrops Roll”

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Raindrops Roll in Wall Street Journal

AprilwithbooksJan2015Greetings from here at my desk, Jan 5, 2015! “. . . we read and are refreshed by such beauty and natural simplicity,” says the Wall Street Journal of my just released photo-illustrated book, Raindrops Roll. It was favorably reviewed in a Wall Street Journal article Jan 3, 2015, page C9. How wild is that?  For  another lovely review, see BookPage. There Julie Danielson says: “With expertly crafted, economical text and vivid photographs, April Pulley Sayre brings readers a tribute to the wonders of rain itself.” 2015 is shaping up to be a great year.  I’m busy writing and out in nature doing photography for picture books and middle grade books under contract. In addition to  Raindrops Roll, out now from Beach Lane/S&S, I’m also looking forward to Woodpecker Wham, illustrated by Steve Jenkins, which will be released by Henry Holt on May 12, 2015. My husband’s recent work, Kaufman Field Guide To Nature of the Midwest, coauthored with the Kaufmans, will be out from Houghton Mifflin in late April. We so appreciate your support, as readers and educators. Your buying our books and recommending them to others allows us to do this healthy, joyful work of exploring and sharing nature, science, and playful language. Happy 2015, friends!

Raindrops Roll WoodpeckerWham_cvr_lorez

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Rah, Rah, Radishes Booktalk and Shelf Talker

Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant by April Pulley Sayre. New York: Beach Lane Books/S&S, 2011.

Shelf talker (written teaser): What vegetable rhymes with “oh boy”?

BOOKTALK

Keep the front cover of the book hidden. Show the back cover of the book. Ask the audience: “What do you think this book is about?” (Listen/discuss audience suggestions.)

“Hmm…good ideas! Let’s taste a few words and see if you’re right.”

“Repeat after me. Rah, rah, radishes!” (Audience: Rah, rah, radishes.)

“Red and white.” (Audience: Red and white!)

“Carrots are calling.” (Audience: Carrots are calling.)

“Take a bite!” (Audience: Take a bite!)

“This book is about . . .” (Turn over and show cover) “Vegetables! It’s also about exploring a farmer’s market and tasting rhythm and rhyme.”

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If You’re Hoppy!

If You’re Hoppy has been hopping into libraries, book stores, arms. SLJ said “Sure to be a storytime staple, with many repeat performances.” For storytime fun, check out my article and photos of hopping animals, plus links to hopping animal video and a craft on the Under the Green Willow blog. There’s a recent roundup of early reader bunny books on the Cleveland.com site. I also found a cool librarian  who has a biblobop party plan for libraries. Huge list of hopping, bouncing books, too. http://storytiming.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/nobody-puts-baby-in-the-corner/

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Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out!

Just out (Feb 2010) is my  brand new book based on an old favorite. Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! has new layers in the main text, new endmatter on multiple species, and new illustrations by Annie Patterson. I was able to incorporate turtle behaviors I witnessed recently. Hooray for Charlesbridge for making this book even better than the previous one. This book is featured in NSTA’s Picture Perfect Science Lessons by Ansberry and Morgan, two crackerjack presenters.

It was recently featured as a book of the week at the wonderful CCBC, Cooperature Children’s Book Center. Hurray!