My New Picture Book "Balloon Trees" will be released in 2013

It's official, the contract has been signed and the illustrator has been chosen.  My new picture book, Balloon Trees will be published in 2013 by Sylvan Dell Publishing.

Sylvan Dell publishes award-winning picture books that integrate Science, Math, and Geography. Each book is offered in hardcover and paperback plus read-aloud ebooks with Spanish. All books also come with tons of learning material in the back of the book with even more available online.

I'll keep you posted as news on this title develops but in the meantime, check out Sylvan Dell's other great books already in print.

Discussion Guide for Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors

PIRATE NAP: A Book of Colors

Written by Danna Smith and Illustrated by Valeria Petrone

Teacher’s Guide created by Cassandra Reigel Whetstone

Story Summary

Two boys turn everyday items into colorful treasure before sailing off to nap time.

Danna Smith writes from her home in Northern California where she lives with her husband and two children. Learn more about her at http://www.dannasmithbooks.com.

Valeria Petrone lives and illustrates from her home in Italy. You can learn more about her at www.valeriapetrone.com. 

Discussion Questions: Before, During, and After Reading

1.     Do these boys look like they are ready to take a nap? What do you predict this story will be about? (before reading)

2.     What sorts of things do these pirates do for fun? What does “Pirates plunder” mean? (pages 4-5)

3.     What might they find under their couch? What do you think they would find if they searched under your couch?  (pages 8-9)

4.     What kind of treasure will they discover in the trunk? (page 18-19)

5.     What sorts of dreams do you think the kids are having? What about the puppy? (after reading)

Shared Reading (Color Cards)

Materials: One square of construction paper per student, using white, yellow, red, green, brown, orange, purple, black, and blue, (e.g. if there are 27 students in the class three will get white, three yellow, etc.)

Directions: Preschool After reading PIRATE NAP, pass out one square of construction paper to each student. Tell students that when you reach their color in the book they should stand, hold up their color square, and call out its name. Read through the book a second time with students joining in the name the colors. K-2 Students Follow the activity for preschool students but have them spell out the color words when they stand up.

Response to Story: Color Scavenger Hunt (Colors, Writing)

Preschool-Grade 2

Materials: Board or Chart Paper; blank paper for each student; crayons in white, yellow, red, green, brown, orange, purple, black, and blue.

Directions:

1.     Say, “We are going to go on a scavenger hunt for colorful treasures.” Ask students to help you remember the name of the colors used in PIRATE NAP and record the names of the colors on the board or chart paper.

2.     Give each student a piece of paper and set of crayons.

3.     Tell students that they need to find one item in the classroom for each color. Preschoolers-and early kindergarteners should draw a picture of the object using the matching crayon. Students who are ready for writing in kindergarten, and students in grades 1-2 should write the name of the colored object, using the matching crayon.

4.     Ask students to walk around the classroom searching for objects of each color. Have students return to their seats to record each object found. Note: If students have a hard time finding any colors invite them to look through picture books for the missing colors.

Closure: Invite volunteers to read their lists to the class.

Color Survey (Graphing, Feelings)

Materials: Chart Paper; markers; pieces of construction paper or color cards in yellow, red, green, orange, purple and blue; board or overhead projector

Preparation: Create a chart with six columns. Label each column with one of the colors from above.

Directions:

1.     Tell students that colors can affect our feelings. Say, “Sometimes colors can make us feel calm or happy and sometimes they might make us feel angry or sad.”

2.     Tell students that you are going to show them different colors. Ask them not to use any words but to think about how they feel when they look at the color. Remind students that there is no right or wrong way to feel about a color and that each person gets to have their own feelings about each color.

3.     Show students the colors one at a time.

4.     Draw a happy face, sad face, and a straight face on the board. Ask students to come up to the chart record the feeling/face that reflects their feelings about each color under its column on the chart.

Closure: Have students state or write summary statements about the graph. Ask, “Which colors made the most people feel happy? What about sad? Were there any colors that  didn’t make people feel either happy or sad?”

Finding Treasure (Art)

Materials: One paper plate or piece of cardboard per student; tempura paints; glue; permanent marker; a variety of recycled materials such as paper tubes, lids, cartons, fruit baskets, buttons, egg cartons, etc.; glitter glue (optional)

Directions:

1.     Tell students that they are going to create a pirate treasure. Give students a paper plate or piece of cardboard. Have them label it on the bottom with their name.

2.     Put out recycled materials on a table, (or put at a center.)

3.     Ask students to use at least four different items and glue to construct a pirate treasure.

4.     When treasure is dry, have them use one color of tempura paint to paint their treasure. Invite students to use glitter glue if available.

5.     Ask students to name their treasure and write it on their object with the permanent marker.

Closure: Display the treasures around the room. Preschool and kindergarten teachers might consider using the treasures carefully in small or large group color sorting activities.

Dos En El Zoologico/Two at the Zoo: Bilingual board book now available

It's release day for Dos En El Zoologico, the bilingual board book edition of picture book, Two at the Zoo! A raring-to-go boy and his grandfather put on their new hats and set off on a counting adventure at the zoo, where they see eagles, lizards, wart hogs, and other colorful zoo friends. Bilingual text is set in two colors for easy reading .  This sturdy board book is written in both Spanish and English and the small size (around 4 X 4) is perfect for the littlest of hands.  It makes a great stocking stuffer or combine Dos En El Zoologico/Two at the Zoo with a soft toy animal for a unique baby shower gift!  Click here for more details. 

Join me for a book event in Stockton, CA on September 24, 2011

Please join me at Family Fun Day at the Park - Literacy and Book Fair this Saturday, September 24, 2011. I will be reading and signing my picture books, PIRATE NAP and TWO AT THE ZOO. Readings will be at 11:30 AM and again at 2:00 PM. Book signings all day from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. You will find me at King Author's Court. Admission is free to the public. Come out for a full day of fun and educational activities for the entire family. More info at: http://www.visitstockton.org/events-calendar/The-Record-s-Family-Day-at-the-Park
When:	Saturday, September 24, 2011, 11:30 AM
Where:	University Park, California Street and Magnolia , Stockton, United States 95202

Arr! Talk Like a Pirate Day - September 19

September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day! Celebrate the day with your little buccaneers and a pirate book!

Title: Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors
Author: Danna Smith
Illustrator: Valeria Petrone
Publisher: Clarion Books

Two boys use their imaginations to turn everyday objects, from a white bandanna to yellow coins to a red blanket, into colorful pirate treasure as they prepare for nap time.  With a bouncy rhymed text and fun illustrations, this charming book teaches little ones their colors while making a great read-aloud.  even the youngest readers and listeners will want to be a part of the fun as they get ready to sail off to sleep!

What better place for nap time than a grand pirate ship on the high seas?

BOOK TRAILER: PIRATE NAP

School Library Journal reviews Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors

Well, blow me down! Another great review of Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors. This makes three terrific reviews...I am truly rich!  Available on September 5th or Pre-order it now.


PIRATE NAP: A BOOK OF COLORS
Smith, Danna, illus. by Valeria Petrone$14.99 (32 p.) ISBN 978-0-547-57531-5
(REINFORCED LIBRARY BINDING, CLARION)


Clever rhyming text in “pirate speak” and colorful, digital gouache illustrations in muted tones create a standout concept book. Two young brothers, sometimes with a little sister in tow, explore the house, finding treasures in everyday objects. Mom tries to corral them to settle down: “Time for a nap, rowdy crew./Mighty pirates need sleep too/Captain sneers. ‘’Tis a trap!/Pirates never, ever nap!’” Providing a strong story arc that children will relate to, the boys continue their adventure until the inevitable happens. The eight basic colors are introduced in the humorous text and in the imaginative pictures. For example, the youngsters discover coins underneath the cushions of the couch. “YELLOW treasures buried deep/Lucky pirates./Loot to keep!” In the basement, imagination takes them through expansive land to a mountain–a large stack of folded laundry with a red blanket for the summit. The facial expressions and body language of this duo are spot-on as they hop, jump, or dance, and the featured colors pop off the page. Children will pore over the small and large details in the artwork. This title inspires creative play, and is likely to be a treasure for years to come.–Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ