A World of Wonder
News & Reviews for Kids, Teens, and Families
May 2018
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A Letter from Kristen
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Ongoing Events
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While we thankfully see signs of the trees and flowers beginning to bloom, Tattered Cover staff is in power mode getting ready for the first annual
Colorado Children's Book Festival
! You can read more about it below, but
REGISTER NOW
! It's free!
Saturday, May 19
at Colfax Avenue from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
And while we're busy organizing, planning and crafting, we're also working on our big
Harry Potter Party
this summer. It will be epic. I mean, we've rented out a gothic church in Denver and are turning it into Hogwarts! Mark your calendar now for the evening of
Saturday, July 28
! Watch for the registration link. (
Details can be found here
.)
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I'd like to highlight two special events for our young readers this month. This
Thursday, May 3
, the lovely J
ESSICA DAY GEORGE
will visit Colfax Avenue at 7:00 pm and talk about her new book,
The Rose Legacy
. She charmed us with her school visits last year and is back again now for more! The second event is with our very own beloved
JENNIFER CHAMBLISS BERTMAN
. Can you believe the third book,
The Alcatraz Escape,
is out in our treasured middle grade
Book Scavenger
series! Join us on
Tuesday, May 8
, at Aspen Grove to see what happens to our
Book Scavenger
friends!
We're getting ready for summer--and have some great books for your summer reads. Come by the stores, say hello, and let us find you your next favorite book! Or, check out
our shiny new website
! We were able reduce our shipping rates drastically, too. :)
As always, thank you for supporting Tattered Cover,
Kristen
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Tattered Tales Storytimes
Young children are invited for a half hour of stories and fun.
Everyone is welcome!
Colfax Avenue
:
Tuesdays at 10:30 am
Aspen Grove
:
Mondays at 10:30 am
Historic LoDo
:
Saturdays at 10:30 am
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Meet Katie!
Assistant Gift Buyer
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My name is Katie Brewer and I’m the new Assistant Gift Buyer. I have a pretty fun job, where I get to buy greeting cards and calendars for the store. I recently moved from Washington D.C., where I attended college at Georgetown University and the Catholic University of America.
I have an unhealthy obsession with dogs, coffee, indie music, and B sci-fi films (in no particular order). Since I work at a bookstore, I suppose I should share my favorite book. Depending on the day, my favorite book is either
Moby-Dick
or
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
.
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See below for May's VIB giveaway! Katherine Applegate is back with a brand new middle grade series...
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Local Author Spotlight!
Meet Kristen Foote
1. You've written
How to Survive as a Shark
and
How to Survive as a Firefly
, which are two very different creatures. What made you want to start with those?
I started out writing about fireflies because they are a huge part of my childhood summer memories. I was always in awe of how they could light up the entire night sky, and when I started researching them I found out they have just as fascinating life-cycles and habits! When my publisher, The Innovation Press, approached me about taking on my firefly story, they asked if I could write a second
How to Survive
story so they could be released as a series. My college degree is in Marine Biology, and me, my husband, and my son all love scuba-diving (especially with sharks!), so I thought sharks would be a fun topic to dive into (no pun intended)!
2. Why do you think it's beneficial that these books are written from the perspective of the creature?
For me, the whole point of writing these stories was to entertain and educate at the same time. I have one child who loves non-fiction but dislikes fiction, and another that is opposite of that. This made it clear to me that there was a need to create something that could blend a fictional story-line with very factual science-based information, in order to reach as many types of readers as possible. I thought having talking characters in a school setting would increase the appeal to kids, and hopefully get reluctant non-fiction readers interested in science, and reluctant fiction readers interested in story! I am always a fan of non-traditional learning, so I hope my books help teach kids without them having to think about it, just by following along with the dialogue.
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3. How much research goes into making your books?
Even though my books are highly illustrated and have fictional characters, they still required a lot of research. They are meant to be used in the classroom and in science lessons. I did a lot of my own research online and in the library. Afterwards, I found experts and researchers to vet both manuscripts to make sure everything was correct. Despite having costumed characters, all of the characters and scenes also had to be drawn accurately, so I had to make sure to communicate important facts with the illustrator as well. For example, the main firefly character had to have the correct insect body parts in each scene, and the sharks all needed to have the correct fins and number of gill slits, etc
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4. If you could be any animal or insect, what would you be?
That is a tough question! I guess it would have to be some sort of sea creature. Perhaps a jellyfish? I love the ocean and every time I go scuba-diving, I'm overwhelmed with the mysterious and incredibly diverse environment that exists below the surface. It's an entirely different world down there, and how cool would it be to be able to explore it all?
5. What are you reading now?
I am loving middle-grade right now because that is what both of my kids are reading, so I am reading what they are so that we can discuss and do it together. I am currently reading
The 11:11 Wish
by Kim Tomsic with my daughter, and
The Last Panther
by Todd Mitchell with my son. It's so great to have so many talented local authors that my kids can meet and look up to!
6. What is your favorite word?
My favorite word is phantasmagoria. I think it's so cool because it evokes emotion and scenery in one long and fun-to-say word!
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Thursday, May 3, 7:00 pm, Colfax Avenue
Jessica Day George is the
New York Times
bestselling author of the
Tuesdays at the Castle
series, the
Twelve Dancing Princesses
series, and the
Dragon Slippers
trilogy. She will discuss and sign
The Rose Legacy
($16.99 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC), about a young orphaned girl named Anthea who receives a letter from her long-lost uncle and learns he secretly breeds horses--animals that have been forbidden in her kingdom for centuries.
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Tuesday, May 8, 7:00 pm, Aspen Grove
Jennifer Chambliss Bertman will discuss and sign
The Alcatraz Escape
($16.99 Henry Holt & Company), the third book of the
New York Times
bestselling
Book Scavenger
series. Sleuthing duo Emily and James tackle their most challenging mystery yet, set on the haunting Alcatraz Island.
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Saturday, May 12, 7:00 pm, Aspen Grove
The Fierce Reads Spring Tour is bringing a panel of some of your favorite YA authors to Aspen Grove!
Mary Pearson will discuss and sign
Dance of Thieves
($18.99 Henry Holt & Company), about a young emperor and legendary former street thief. Taran Matharu will discuss and sign
The Outcast
($18.99 Feiwel & Friends), a prequel to the
Summoner Trilogy
.
Maurene Goo will discuss and sign
The Way You Make Me Feel
($17.99 Farrar, Straus, and Giroux), a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck. Tricia Levenseller will discuss and sign
Daughter of the Siren Queen
($17.99 Feiwel & Friends), the second book of the
Daughter of the Pirate King
series.
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Wednesday, May 16, 7:00 pm, Aspen Grove
Internationally bestselling author Devri Walls will discuss and sign
Venators: Magic Unleashed
($16.99 Brown Books Publishing Group), book one of the
Venators
series. Rune Jenkins has a long-standing infatuation for anything from the supernatural world, and she's trying to hide it. If she doesn't, her reckless twin brother Ryker storms in fits of rage, and she starts feeling like her own sanity is slipping.
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Saturday, May 19, 1:00 pm, Colfax Avenue
Join Tattered Cover Book Store and OMG BookFest! as we proudly present the Author Circus! This experience-based event for middle grade readers will feature interactive activities, opportunities to meet authors, games, prizes, and lots of silly fun, all while encouraging a love of reading.
Attendees can meet authors such as David Bowles, Michael Buckley, Julia DeVillers, Stuart Gibbs, Adele Griffin, Dean Hale, Shannon Hale, Varian Johnson, Erin Entrada Kelly, Sarah Mlynowski, Brandon Mull, Lauren Myracle, Courtney Sheinmel, Ronald Smith, and Christina Soontornvat.
Free registration available NOW!
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Monday, May 21, 10:30 am, Aspen Grove
Steve Jenkins, Caldecott Honor recipient, and Robbin Gourley, art director at Boyds Mills Press, will discuss and sign
A House in the Sky: And Other Uncommon Animal Homes
($16.99 Charlesbridge Publishing). With stylized yet realistic watercolor illustrations, a simple text introduces similarities between human and animal homes with the unique qualities of each animal and its home.
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Tuesday, May 22, 7:00 pm, Aspen Grove
Colorado author Lisa Brown Roberts will discuss and sign
Spies, Lies, and Allies: A Love Story
($9.99 Entangled Publishing). Laurel's father's company is sponsoring a scholarship competition for interns, and she's supposed to vote for the winner. Then she starts to fall for one of the competing interns while someone on social media is trying to sabotage her father's company. And it might be working.
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Wednesday, May 23, 7:00 pm, Colfax Avenue
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Friday, May 4, 6:00 pm, Aspen Grove
Saturday, May 5, 10:30 am, Historic LoDo
Monday, May 14, 10:30 am, Aspen Grove
Tuesday, May 15, 10:30 am, Colfax Avenue
Saturday, May 19, 10:30 am, Aspen Grove
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Tattered Cover's
Picture Book
Bestseller List
Based on April 2018
Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
Jessie Sima
Matthew Cordell
by Greg Pizzoli
Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
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Tattered Cover's
Middle Grade
Bestseller List
Based on April 2018
Madeleine L'Engle
Lois Lowry
by Jacqueline Woodson
6.
Frindle
by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick
Chris Colfer
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Guess what??
We're turning Trinity United Methodist Church into Hogwarts this summer! And you're invited to the party.
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What's the best drink to sip on while reading?
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Water (including flavored)
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Results from April's poll:
What is your favorite time of day to read?
ALL THE TIME
40%
Late at night/before bedtime
40%
Evening
20%
Morning
0%
Afternoon
0%
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Our Imaginations Need to Dwell Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (1963) is two months older than I am. Since it was not a book that was regularly read in Ireland in my youth, I did not come across it until I read it to ...
Read more
lithub.com
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The Tattered Cover
Kids' V.I.B.
highlights real stand-outs among new children's books or series because every now and then we’re so excited about a book we want to broadcast it from the rooftop!
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kids' pick...
by Vera Brosgol
"Ah, summer camp. A time loved by some, hated by others, and experienced to the fullest in this new graphic novel by award-winning artist Vera Brosgol. Vera dreamed of going to camp just like the girls she knew from school, but when she ends up at a camp filled with other Russian-Americans, it's not exactly what she had in mind. Sure, there's capture the flag and swimming, but there's also Russian history class and going to church in the rain---and don't get her started on the outhouses. I laughed, cringed, and cheered while reading Vera's adventures. If you liked
Smile
,
Drama
, or
Real Friends
, and are looking for something new, pick up this book next! It's perfect for summer reading." --
Bethany Strout, Children's Buyer
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On shelves 5/8...
by Gordon Korman
"Cooper’s family moved again, meaning he’s back to being 'Whatshisface' and making new friends. When his brand new phone (the I’m-Sorry gift from his parents) starts to act funny, Cooper realizes there is a ghost living in his phone! This wonderful story of fitting in, finding yourself, and the importance of having friends - whether real and spectral." --
Suzanne, School Librarian at Kyffin Elementary in Golden, CO
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On shelves 5/8...
by Ben Guterson, illustrated by Chloe Bristol
"The novel
Amal Unbound
is a wonderful story set in Pakistan about a young Pakistani village girl, Amal, who longs for an education. Unfortunately, she is sent away from her family to be a servant to a wealthy, powerful landlord.
Amal Unbound
was heart-gripping and realistic. I loved the character of Amal, and I found it fascinating to learn about cultural traditions I never knew about. The novel speaks to the fact that gender equality is a human right, and should not have to be a female fight." --
Dasha, Dunstan Middle School
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May Kids' Gift Item of the Month!
MiO - Manhattan Toy
on shelves in the children's section
"What's up campers? Do you like camping? And tents? And blocks? And blue bears? Do you want to show your kiddos how much fun camping, and tents, and blocks, and blue bears are? Boom. Check out this adorable Mio wooden block play set, fully equipped with its own blue bear! We may or may not have an "airplane with aviator" and a "tree house" for you to peek at too. Now dust off those sleeping bags and pack the instant coffee. We're going outside." --
Sam Foster, Gift Buyer
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ARC Giveaway: May 2018
HOW TO ENTER
Email
Kristen
with "ARC Giveaway" in the subject line expressing your interest in being entered into the random drawing to win an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC).
THE RULES
You agree not to sell the ARC. You agree not to quote from the ARC. You must be able to pick up the book at one of our
Denver Metro locations
(Colfax, LoDo, Aspen Grove)
.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.
Along the way, she meets new allies--both animals and humans alike--who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family--one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world.
Building upon the success of her critically acclaimed novels such as The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw, and Wishtree, while also returning to her action-packed fantasy roots of Animorphs, the Endling series is Katherine Applegate at her finest.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katherine Applegate is the author of
The One and Only Ivan
, winner of the Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her other books include the acclaimed
Wishtree
,
Crenshaw
,
Home of the Brave
, and the
Roscoe Riley Rules
series. She lives in California with her family.
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Pop Culture Classroom has created a
FREE, bi-weekly comic strip called Colorful History, with the goal of educating students about significant and diverse characters and events from Colorado’s history.
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~ Bringing People & Books Together Since 1971 ~
Colfax Avenue, 303-322-7727
Historic LoDo, 303-436-1070
Aspen Grove, 303-470-7050
Visit our Union Station and airport stores.
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