You're Doing THAT in the Talent Show?!

Description

Penelope, the exuberant hippo, and Tiny, her cautious mouse friend, are back in the spotlight in this book about choosing the right time to shine. When Penelope sees the poster announcing the upcoming school talent show, she can't wait to plan a spectacular act with her best friend, Tiny. Penelope has big ideas: Should they dance the ballet or the hula? Should they perform a scene from a play or be trapeze artists? "Oh, yes, yes!" But "Oh, no, no!" Tiny would rather just sing in the chorus. Finally, by supporting each other, the friends find the perfect way to be part of the show--and bring down the house.

Lynn Plourde is the author of more than thirty children's books and has done hundreds of visits to schools where she shares her books interactively and teaches writing lessons. Lynn is a native Mainer who frequently uses her home state for inspiration. Find her at lynnplourde.com. Sue Cornelison (www.suecornelison) has illustrated several books for children, including You're Wearing That to School?!; The Twelve Days of Christmas in Iowa; Inch and Mile: The Journey to Success: and the Howard B. Wigglebottom Series. She studied art at Drake University in Iowa and the International School of Studio Art in Florence, Italy. She married jazz musician Ross Cornelison and together they rasied a family of six children in a small rural town while fixing up a 100-year-old Victorian house.

PRAISE FOR YOU'RE DOING THAT IN THE TALENT SHOW?! "Cornelison's brightly colored cartoon illustrations capture the different personalities of the two friends right from the opening spread. . . Youngsters will enjoy chiming in on the repeated phrases and giggle at Penelope's over-the-top costumes. The addendum "Tips for a Spectacular Performance" is a helpful bonus. VERDICT A showstopper."--School Library Journal PRAISE FOR YOU'RE WEARING THAT TO SCHOOL?! "Penelope's avant-garde choices will certainly appeal to kids who think feather boas go with everything, while Tiny's concern is handled with tenderness and compassion-he really believes he's looking out for his friend. . .Clear writing, lively dialogue, and a solid story structure enhance this title's readaloud value as well. Cornelison's slightly soft-focus illustrations are strongly composed. . .Share this before or during the first day of school for an entertaining discussion prompt about individuality." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books PRAISE FOR BELLA'S FALL COAT *"Plourde's lovely text about the ephemeral nature of objects and seasons-and the lasting love of family-is beautifully realized by Gal's expressive, digital collage illustrations. . . Adults may feel nostalgia over seasons past-and young readers will be introduced to the enticing lure of autumn and the joys of sharing it with someone they love."--Kirkus (starred review) PRAISE FOR BELLA'S FALL COAT "The mutual adoration between Bella and Grams is abundantly evident in the tender exchanges Plourde puts together, as well as in Gal's gauzy, multilayered images, which capture both Bella's near-inexhaustible energy and that of a woodland landscape in flux."--Publishers Weekly