A To Z Challenge: BOOK NOOK REVIEWS "K"

Title: King Bidgood's In The Bathtub

Author: Audrey Wood

Illustrator: Don Wood

Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company

Ages: 4-8

"'Help! Help!' cried the Page when the sun came up. 'King Bidgood's in the bathtub, and he won't get out! Oh, who knows what to do?'"

Synopsis: All the king's people don't know what to do when one unruly royal decides to spend the day in the bathtub. Everyone from the Knight to the Queen tries to entice King Bidgood to step out of the tub but it takes one smart Page at the end of the day to pull the plug on the king's shenanigans.

Why I liked it: Unless I love the author already, most of the books I decide to read is based on the cover art and Caldecott Honor illustrator Don Wood has immediately captured my interest with his full bodied colorful cover artwork. The historical research of subject matter shows through Mr. Wood's delightful illustrations which perfectly compliments his wife's whimsical tale of a day in the life of one naughty king.

A to Z: Nuncupate

When I was younger, I tried many artistic endeavors.  I tried to spread my wings.  I dabbled at drawing with some success.  I wrote poetry as an outlet for my feelings.  I even tried to write simple stories.  But my confidence was that of a child, and I let others dictate what I should believe concerning my writing. When people made fun of my drawings, I set them aside.  When others laughed at my poetry, I put my pen down.  And when I was told I wasn't good enough to write, I stopped listening to the voices inside me.  Everything lay dormant for more than twenty years.  

That all changed this past year. I have come back to life and found my voice again.  I also discovered a new word...nuncupate...it means to utter a vow or declare verbally.  That certainly feels like what I am doing.  I happily declare to the world that I am a WRITER!  And while I write to please myself these days,  there is always that hope inside me that my words will one day touch the lives of others and help inspire them to keep their own dreams alive. What would YOU nuncupate if you could?

The Napping House
Written by: Audrey Wood
Illustrated by: Don Wood
Ages: 3-8
ISBN: 10 0152014179
Teaser: Grandma is tired and tries to take a nap but everyone else in the house is sleepy too.  Soon everyone climbs on top of Grandma until a sneaky little flea takes a bite and creates havoc in the house.  Will Grandma get the chance to finish her nap?