• David vs. Goliath.
• King Kong vs. New York City.
• The Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears.

Now, another battle for the ages can take its rightful place on this list — Shark vs. Train (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010).

This picture book, by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld, features a shark and a train fighting for bragging rights about who’s best at burping, playing video games, selling lemonade, raising money, trick-or-treating and more.

Neither contestant is willing to give an inch. And each one is convinced of his total superiority. And while their story is hilarious, they don’t see the humor.

Who really reigns supreme?

Let’s let today’s guest reviewer weigh in on this epic battle.

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Our reviewer: Drew

Age: He just turned 5!

Things I like to do: Play baseball, build with Legos and play with my cars and trucks.

This book was about: A shark and a train playing games.

The best part was when: The shark and train went trick-or-treating and the shark got all the candy because the people were scared of him.

I smiled when: I smiled through the whole book.

I was worried when: The train lost all of his cars in the ocean.

I was surprised when: The shark and the train were doing stunts in the air.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Pretend.” “Crazy.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book was: When the shark had a lemonade stand and said to the scuba diver, “Whaddaya mean, ‘It’s a little watery’?!”

You should read this book because: If you like sharks or trains — they are doing silly things in this book.

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Oh, Drew says the boys playing with the shark and train at the beginning of this book reminded him of when he plays with his cousin, Tyler. If they were the boys in the book, Drew would be the shark and Tyler would be the train.

Thanks, Drew!

If you’d like to learn more about author Chris Barton, visit his website.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Tom Lichtenheld, visit his website.

When Anju was young, she loved her life.

She loved living on the Indonesian island of Sumatra with its cool lakes and refreshing mud holes. She loved her mother and herd family and her friends.

That changed when she was sold to an American circus. Anju traveled across the country, entertaining crowds. Then, years later, she moved to a small zoo where she was the only elephant.

By this time, Anju no longer loved being an elephant. She was lonely. And tired. And sad.

But things are about to change again. Anju is going on yet another trip. And it just might be to a better place. Can she love being an elephant again?

Let’s see what today’s guest reviewer thinks.

———————

Today’s reviewer: Philip

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Climb trees, play with my friends, play outside. I love going outside, but I hate it when it’s raining.

This book was about: An elephant named Anju. She was kept in circuses and tied to posts for hours and she made friends, but then her friends were sold. Finally, Anju was sold and taken to a new place on a long journey. The person there tood good care of her and introduced her to other elephants. There was a pond and grass.

The best part was when: When Anju was sold to that girl and had lots of other elephants to play with.

I smiled when: The lady was nice to him.

I was surprised when: Not much surprises me. I’ve got good reflexes. I am super good at climbing trees.

This book taught me: Elephants don’t like being cooped up. Or losing their friends.

Three words that best describe this book: “Love.” “Courage.” “Elephants.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: When Anju remembered her childhood.

My favorite picture in this book is: When Anju meets her new owner, and there is food.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Anju being loved and how kind and gentle some people are.

———————

Thank you, Philip!

You can learn more about author Wendy Henrichs by visiting her website. You can also read a review of another picture book written by Wendy here.

You can learn more about illustrator John Butler and see his beautiful animal illustrations at his website.

So I was confident she’d appreciate Birds of a Feather (WordSong, 2011) a collection of poems about different types of birds by Jane Yolen with photographs by Jason Stemple.

And she did.

The book features two-page spreads, each containing one of Stemple’s glorious photos followed by one of Yolen’s marvelous poems about that particular type of bird. Small sidebar boxes provide an interesting fact about each bird. I especially liked the brevity of these. They told just enough to intrigue but not overwhelm.

When it came time to take a photo of Sonia with the book for this blog post, she insisted on doing it outside — even though it was raining heavily — because, “That’s where the birds are. It only makes sense.”

So I bowed her superior judgement, followed her outside and took her photo. Yes, I got a little wet, but it was worth it to maintain this blog’s artistic integrity.

Besides, I figured it could have been worse. She could have asked me to climb a tree.

Take it away, Sonia!

———————–

Today’s reviewer: Sonia

Age: 10

I like: Animals — especially horses and pigs – my gerbil and my cat.

Favorite fact I learned: That the kingfisher slaps fish against a tree to kill them. I also liked his blue mohawk.

Most surprising fact I learned: That crows can work together to beat an eagle when they need to.

Most unusual bird: The hooded merganser. It looks like it has a huge brain. It also sort of looks like the bride of Frankenstein. Or maybe like it’s an ancient Egyptian.

Cutest bird: The chickadee. It’s a sweet, little puffball.

Most mysterious bird: The cedar waxwings. They look like they’re wearing masks.

Best beaks: The marbled godwit. Its beak is long. And its head is really tiny. And, the oystercatchers’ beaks are bright orange.

The funniest poem: The one about the terns. It used the word “turn” a lot. And the one about the owl uses “hoo” and “who.”

Favorite poems: The one about the kingfisher that starts, “Hey, girl.” And the one about the kingbird that calls it a “flying ninja.”

 ———————–

Thank you, Sonia.

If you’d like to learn more about Jane, you can visit her website. (For a kid review of another Jane Yolen book, check out Elsie’s Bird.)

If you’d like to learn more about Jason, you can visit his website.

But I’ve always loved reading Southern fiction. So when I first heard about Glory Be (Scholastic, 2012), a middle-grade novel set in Hanging Moss, Mississippi, I knew it was something I should check out.

And I am so glad I did.

The book is about the summer of 1964. Gloriana June Hemphill — known as Glory – will turn 12. Suddenly, she’s faced with an array of changes and questions she never had to consider before. Her relationship with her sister is changing. So is her relationship with her best friend.

And people in town are choosing sides in a debate about what should become of the town’s segregated pool.

All in all, it’s not the summer Glory imagined — or wanted — in any way.

This is author Augusta Scattergood’s debut novel, and I am thrilled that she is joining Read, Write, Repeat today to tell us more about it.

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You’ve said you started writing this book after Ruby Bridges visited the school where you worked as a librarian. Had you thought about writing books for kids before? Or was that moment an epiphany for you?

I’m sure a lot of librarians dream of seeing their own books on a library shelf someday. Maybe an occupational hazard? I’d always written— letters, newsletters, reports, book reviews. But an actual book, with a book jacket, an ISBN number, a dedication and author’s note, all those chapters? I’m not sure I’d considered how much hard work that actually involved. Maybe that’s a good thing!

When I heard Ruby Bridges say she thought things might have been quite different for her had the adults stepped out of the way gave me a beginning. That’s the moment I realized GLORY BE was a story I could tell.

How did being a librarian help you, or hinder you, as you wrote this book?

I certainly felt the stakes were pretty high! I knew the best literature, and that could have been intimidating. But I always advise anybody who wants to write to read a lot. I think the benefits of being a librarian who read great books outweighed the hindrances.

Walk us through GLORY BE’s path to publication. I read that this started out as a short story and evolved from there.

I started thinking about a card game my younger sister and I played when we were kids. During the summers, we were trapped in our rooms in the hottest part of each day, supposedly napping. We dreamed up a card game played with our collected “junk.” Those Junk Poker boxes were the visual image I remembered when I thought about the sisters’ relationship.

At that time, I was also planning my daughter’s wedding. My short story was going to be about two little girls and their wedding planner/church organist babysitter. Fortunately, I took a different path!

I wrote the first draft during a class at The New School in New York. It was a writers’ workshop, a weekly class with an amazing teacher Margaret (Bunny) Gabel. When she read aloud a chapter of the then-inaptly-titled Junk Poker, and I heard the responses, I was encouraged to continue.

About seven years later, after sending it hither and yon, getting the requisite number of rejections, putting it in a drawer, working on something new, I met an agent at a Maryland SCBWI event. A year later, she took on Glory Be and sold it to Andrea Pinkney at Scholastic.

What’s that they say? Ten years to overnight success. That would be me. Ha.

This is your debut novel. Now that the book is out, how is being a published author different than you anticipated?

I don’t think in a million years I could have imagined what fun/work/excitement this could be. Although I’d heard a lot of writers describe publishing their first books (from my many years of hosting Author Visits and attending writing events), it’s still hard to explain what it feels like just to hold a book that you wrote and know it’s touching so many young readers.

I think the best part may be the responses I’ve gotten from kids, parents and teachers who’ve discovered Glory. I even met someone who’s reading it aloud to her grandmother and her friends in their assisted living facility. She tells me they love the story. You can’t imagine—or predict— how that will feel.

What advice would you have for writers working to sell their first book? What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier?

My biggest mistake was sending the manuscript out before it was ready. I didn’t know what “ready” meant. It was free of typos and any kind of obvious mistakes. It was formatted perfectly. Everybody loved the characters, the voice, the setting. It just didn’t yet have a plot to match, or enough conflict and emotion. That was something I needed to learn, the hard way. Patience is a virtue. There is something to that 10-year thing!

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Thanks for visiting!

You can learn more about Glory Be and Augusta by visiting her website or reading her blog.

For some people, that’s a relief. There’s much less pressure. For other people, that realization inspires them to work harder to try and leave their mark, no matter how small.

For the little boy in Light Up the Night (Hyperion Children’s Books, 2011) — a picture book written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine — that realization is part of an amazing trip throughout space.

But the boy doesn’t leave everything behind. His favorite blanket turns into a rocket to take him on his journey and bring him safely home.

Now, let’s meet Matthew, today’s guest reviewer. He says he would be very interested in going into space, seeing the entire world from above, and possibly meeting some aliens.

Take it away, Matthew!

Our reviewer: Matthew

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Use the computer, play on the iPod, draw and read.

This book was about: Stuff inside of stuff, inside of stuff, inside of stuff. (Editor’s note: This is a great way of describing a cumulative story, which this book is!)

The best part was when: The boy saw the planets and the sun.

This book taught me: About hemispheres.

My favorite words or phrase from the book: “Stars so bright they light up the night in my own little piece of the universe.”

My favorite picture from the book: When the blanket turnes into a rocket!

Three words that best describe this book are: “Space.” “Repeating.” “Night.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The aliens with all the eyes.

You should read this book because: It’s interesting.

Thank you, Matthew!

Want to learn more about Jean Reidy?

• Visit her website.
• You also can read her blog, A Totally Random Romp.
• And, just because you can never have too much Jean Reidy, here’s an interview she did with Mindy Hardwick about Light Up The Night, writing, revision and more.
• Want even more? Check out this post from when Jean visited my blog before — when she was doing a fundraising auction for an African library.

Let’s not forget illustrator Margaret Chodos-Irvine.

• She’s a 2004 Caldecott Honor winner for Ella  Sarah Gets Dressed. To learn more about her, you can visit her website.
• Or read this great article about how the story of Ella Sarah came about.
• Margaret’s artwork and process were also featured on the must-see blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. If you’ve ever wondered how picture book art happens, this is a good spot to start your research.

That’s why we’re declaring this “Janet Halfmann Week” on Read, Write, Repeat.

 Today, Will joins us to talk about Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish (Christy Ottaviano Books, 2011).

This nonfiction picture book follows a starfish through a normal day. It features the starfish’s almost continual search for food and its efforts not to be eaten itself. There is drama, fun information about marine life, and enough interesting details to make you say, “Ewwww.”

Janet’s clear, informative text and Joan Paley’s bright, eye-catching illustrations make this a very engaging read. (The illustrations are a collage, using hand-painted papers from which Joan cuts shapes to create bold and colorful illustrations.)

Before he begins the review, Will would like to go on record as saying that he would rather not eat any of the things the starfish considers eating in this book — like mussels. He much prefers pizza with sausage and pepperoni toppings.

With that duly noted, take it away, Will!

Our reviewer: Will

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Play sports like football, baseball and basketball, lift weights, watch the Green Bay Packers.

This book was about: A starfish and the sea and how it got away from a bird that wanted to eat it.

The best part was when: The starfish fell into the sea and away from the bird.

This book taught me: Starfish can grow back their rays, or legs, in a year if they lose one.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Star.” “Fish.” “Interesting.”

My favorite picture in this book is: The picture of all the stars in the night sky. And the picture of the seaweed. There’s lot of detail.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Things about starfish that they didn’t know before. Like that a starfish eats by pushing its stomach outside its body.

You should read this book because: You will learn something.

Thank you, Will!

This book is doing well.

• It won the Wisconsin Writers Tofte/Wright Children’s Literature Award.
• It also is a Washington Children’s Choices Picture Book Award Finalist.

Want more resources?

• A few days ago, we featured a kid review of another Janet Halfmann book, Fur and Feathers. You can check that out here.
• Janet has two other recent releases, both with animal themes. Check out Home in the Cave , a picture book about bats, and Eggs 1, 2, 3 … Who Will the Babies Be?
• You can find out more about Janet at her website. You also can read this interview.
• You can see more of Joan’s artwork at this website.

The book, written by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein, features Sophia.

She’s a helpful little girl who offers to sew exactly the right coat for each of her animal friends after they lose their fur, feathers and scales. Animals line up to explain what they need and why. (Polar Bear needs white fur to stay warm and hide in the snow. Fish needs scales, but with slime. Snake needs scales too, but dry ones.)

Today’s reviewer, Danni, was fascinated by Sophia’s efforts to give every animal just what it required.

Here’s what she had to say:

———————————-

Today’s reviewer: Danni

Age: 5

I like: Tacos, swimming, panda bears, chocolate, ice cream and going to the park.

This book was about: Animals that lost their fur and stuff. And a little girl who helped them.

The best part was when: Sophia saw the polar bear at the zoo with the heart behind her ear.

I laughed when: The penguin had to put on a dress.

I was worried when: I saw the snake and thought it might be poisonous.

I was surprised that: The fish could stay out of the water for that long.

This book taught me: Dreams are really fun.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The animals in all of the funny outfits.

Three words that describe this book are: “Animals.” “Sophia.” “Losing their coats.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book was: “That bear has a red heart behind her ear.”

You should read this book because: It is fun, and animals put on clothes.

———————————-

Thank you, Danni!

Janet Halfmann and Laurie Allen Klein previously teamed up for another book, Little Skink’s Tail , that explores the various kind of tails different animals need.

You can find out more about Janet at her website. You also can read this interview.

And, you can learn more about Laurie at hers. You also can read this interview.

This is the second Janet Halfmann book Danni has reviewed. She also shared her thoughts in this review of Good Night Little Sea Otter.

Janet has two other recent releases, both with animal themes. Check out Home in the Cave about bats and Eggs 1, 2, 3 … Who Will the Babies Be?

And because Janet is having such a productive year in the children’s book world, we officially declare this week to be “Janet Halfmann Week.” We’ll have a kid review of another one of her titles coming up in a few days.

Please stop by again to see it!

Now, when young beachcombers in your life go looking for mermaids, they’ll have a resource all their own.

It’s The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids (Tanglewood Press, 2012) by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Marie Letourneau.

This picture book provides all the clues small seafarers will need to increase their odds of finding an elusive mermaid.

Today’s guest reviewer loves to visit the beach — as you can see in the photo above – and would very much like to meet a mermaid one day.

Here’s what she had to say about this book.

Our reviewer: Amelia

Age: 4

Things I like to do: Play with my brothers, color and do projects.

This book was about: Mermaids that like to play hide and seek. They hide from people, but they also help the people find them.

The best part was when: When the little girl finds the mermaids.

I smiled when: When the mermaids primped and styled themselves.

I was surprised when: I was surprised by all of it.

This book taught me: Mermaids are real, and they live in the ocean. Daddy and me are going to find some next time we go to the ocean.

Three words that best describe this book are: I don’t know what describe means.

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: Magic!

My favorite picture in this book is: Mermaids playing in the coral with sea horses.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Another kid trying to steal it, because everyone is going to want to have it.

You should read this book because: I love this book, and we’re going to read it tomorrow at bedtime too. Mommy is going to love it too.

Thank you, Amelia!

If this book is popular at your house, you’ll also want to find its predecessor, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies from 2010. 

If you’d like to learn more about Ammi-Joan Paquette, you can visit her website. You also can read this review of her book for older readers, Nowhere Girl.

If you’d like to learn more about Marie Letourneau, you can visit her website.

Oh, and if you want to see some kids’ ideas for what Ammi-Joan’s and Marie’s next book could be, visit Tara Lazar’s blog. She held a cool contest.

Meanwhile, have fun searching for mermaids. And when you find one, take its picture and send it to me. Maybe I can post it on this blog!

And, as always, my note-taking skills could not keep up with all the great advice, but here are some highlights and quotable moments.

Brett Wright, assistant editor, Bloomsbury USA

• On his presentation: “I have no PowerPoint, so you’re going to have to look at me. I did shower this morning. You’re welcome.”
• On plotting: “Ask yourself, ‘What warrants a novel in your character’s life?’ If it’s a common what — like moving to a new house or dealing with a loss — it needs a fresh twist or it won’t stand out.”
• On e-books and apps: “At this point, we are looking at every book we acquire as at least going into an e-book.”
• On trends: “Paranormal has been a really saturated part of market. Chapter books are under-represented in the market, but they can be hard to write. They need a strong series appeal.”
• On what he wants to see: “If you can write something that’s Newbery-worthy, that would be perfect.”
• On how he reviews content: “I usually commit to reading the first 20 pages of a manuscript before I decide if I want to keep reading or if it’s a polite ‘no’ for me.”
• On authors having a Web presence: “I think if it’s something you enjoy and can do, it’s helpful. But you shouldn’t do it at the expense of writing your books.”

Marilyn Brigham, editor, Marshall Cavendish / Amazon Children’s Publishing

• On her acquisitions philosophy: “We’re a huge slush-pile publisher. We really love to build talent.”
• On why you should want your book published with her: “A benefit of being a Marshall Cavendish author is that you will be loved.”
• On her reaction when she found out Amazon was purchasing Marshall Cavendish: “I was a little worried at first. Then, I realized, who wouldn’t want to purchase Marshall Cavendish? We so rock.”
• On what she wants to acquire: “No board books. We don’t need picture books or young adults. We do need solid middle-grade fiction and chapter book series. Chapter books should have a strong voice, strong characters and a marketing hook. What will make it sell?”
• On writing overall: “Stories are everywhere.”
• On authors having a Web presence: “By the time a book comes out, they have to have a Web page. That and being active on one other form of social media — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or a blog — are a good place to start.”

Kari Pearson, editorial assistant, Abrams

• On submitting and acquisitions: “You can’t always predict what will be quite right for someone. There’s always an element of surprise. I like that about publishing. You can’t always account for taste.”
• On waiting to hear back from publishers: “It’s like throwing your life’s work into a black hole or off a cliff. You have to hang out while a group of mystery people think about your work. Any number of things might run through your head during this time because you’ve got lots of time to think about it.”
• On cover letters: “A lot of cover letters sound like a robot sent them in. Feel free to add a little of your personality.”
• On editors: “I think editors are excitable in general. We like to get excited about work.” And, “Editors are creative as well. They love finding that diamond in the rough and helping others see it’s a diamond and not a cubic zirconia.” And, “Editors are really easily confused.”
• On authors having a Web presence: “I went with a friend to hear an author I didn’t know speak. There were teens there who were really excited and dressed in costumes from her books. One of them said, ‘I love her Twitter feed.’ Based on that, they felt like, on some level, she was a friend of theirs.”

Ty King, junior agent, Writers’ House (Who likes to speak barefoot.)

• On her passions: “I’ve always been a lover of story.” And, “Oddly enough, I really love contracts.”
• On being professional: “This is a personal industry. But sooner or later, you and your work become a commodity. So be very present in the process. You don’t want to be the weak link in the chain.”
• On giving back: “Most successful authors do what they can to be good citizens of the children’s book world.”
• On book sales: “Not every book is a New York Times best-seller or an award winner. Every book has its own path. Some are quieter. Some build slowly over time.”
• On tenacity: “The quick and painless path to publications stardom doesn’t exist.”
• On being an informed writer: “We should allow ourselves to be genuinely consumed and curious about what’s going on in the industry. We should be conversant in the world of children’s literature.”
• On revision: “Your first draft is not the draft you show anyone. You put that draft in the bottom left drawer of your desk and let it sit there in shame. Then, you write your second and third drafts. then you show your critique group and get an outside opinion. You don’t show an editor or agent at this stage. You show your writing group. Only send your best most polished work to an editor or agent.”

Jan Blazanin, young adult author of A and L Do Summer and Fairest of Them All

• On backstory: “Every character had a life before your story began. And that story influenced who they are in your story. Even if that backstory doesn’t appear in the novel you write.”
• On character development: I write characters sketches for all my characters because my memory is not that good. That way, I can go back and check things like what color her eyes are supposed to be or what kind of a car he drives.”
• On your protagonist: “She should have a need or want so strong that she keeps going no matter what.” And, “She should be a good person at the core. She may not always do good things or make good decisions, but there should be a reason that people can understand.”
• On writing about your main character’s nemesis: “Your antagonist is not all evil. Some of the scariest antagonists are ones who think they are actually doing good in some way.”

Peter Pearson, conference attendee, Hamline graduate student, techonology guru and wearer of cool children’s literature T-shirts:

• On Facebook: “Facebook is what you do when you don’t want to be doing other things.”
• On Freedom, an online tool that lets you temporarily block Internet access so you can focus on things like writing: “It’s like going back to the 1980s. It’s a useful tool for holding the dogs of the Internet at bay.”

Picture book author Wendy Heinrichs also spoke, but her presentation was at the same time as another one, so I could not attend both. If you’d like to learn more one of Wendy’s books, you can read this review.

Thanks to all the speakers and the conference planners and attendees!

Take Chirchir, the main character in Kelly Cunnane and Jude Daly’s picture book Chirchir is Singing (Schwartz & Wade, 2011).

She lives in a Kenyan village and just wants to make herself useful like all her other family members.

But Chirchir drops Mama’s water bucket, spills Kogo’s tea, and sends Baba’s potatoes tumbling down the hill. Isn’t there something Chirchir does best?

Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer, Amber, who knows all about families that work together.

Amber has a mom, a dad, an older sister, a younger brother and a baby sister. Things get busy at her house, so she says she tries to help out wherever she can.

Our reviewer: Amber

Age: 8

Things I like to do: Sing and make art.

This book was about: A girl who loved to sing and wanted to help work, but she messes up, and her family tells her to do something else, but she keeps messing up. Then, she plays with the baby who’s crying and sings to it and he’s happy.

The best part was when: She kept singing.

I smiled when: She sang to her little brother.

I was surprised when: She kept messing up.

This book taught me: To keep working, and there’s always stuff for you to do.

Three words that describe this book: “Singing.” “Helpful.” “Family.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Everyone has work to do. But I will sing my song for you. Our house is nice and neat. Chai bubbles strong and sweet. From the garden, lots to eat. No worry, baby, I will sing so you can sleep.”

Thanks, Amber!

To learn more about author Kelly Cunnane’s books and cultural workshops, visit her website.

To learn more about illustrator Jude Daly, you can see samples of her work.

And here’s another review of Chirchir is Singing. And yet one more.