ReFoReMo Day 19: Carol Gordon Ekster Values the Perfect Blend

3/20/2015

by Carol Gordon Ekster

Five star picture books shout, “I’m the perfect blend of words and pictures.” I also wish I wrote them! They have emotional weight and when read aloud the words sing. They are books kids and parents will love, and teachers can use in some capacity whether to help readers fall for books or be used as mentor texts. Picking just five was not easy!

This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers

100 Snowmen by Jennifer Arena

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Railroad Hank by Lisa Moser

Xander’s Panda Party by Linda Sue Park

Carol Gordon Ekster was a passionate elementary school teacher for 35 years. Her first book came out in 2008 and her newest picture book released January 1, 2015. Carol now spends time in critique groups, doing exercise and yoga, and working on her books. Find out more about Carol and her growing list of books at www.carolgordonekster.com

83 Comments

Juliann (Juli) Caveny link

3/18/2015 07:21:28 pm

Oliver Jeffers is one of my new-found favorites! I've only read THE QUIET BOOK out of the five you've showcased. Thanks for pointing out some new titles for me to check out.

Rebecca Colby

3/18/2015 07:49:04 pm

Awesome! Looking forward to reading five 5-star picture books!

Kaye Baillie

3/18/2015 07:50:55 pm

Great recommendations. The Oliver Jeffers book is rich with humor and has a great narrative. Characters are terrific. Yes, I wish I could think like him.

Maria Marshall

3/18/2015 08:16:15 pm

Carol, Thank you! Three books I have never seen. I can't wait to go to the library tomorrow and find THE MOOSE BELONGS TO ME. And although I haven't seen this specific book, I love Linda Sue Park.

Maria Laso

3/18/2015 08:36:20 pm

More to shout about!

Yvonne Mes link

3/18/2015 10:01:40 pm

Love these suggestions, definitely some new 5-star books to look up for me!

Denise Engle

3/18/2015 10:30:22 pm

Thank you for these excellent recommendations of books that balance picture to text. Can't wait to get to the library to grab them!

Elaine Hillson

3/18/2015 10:43:11 pm

Excellent. I'm looking forward to reading more five 5-star picture books.

Deborah Allmand

3/18/2015 10:53:58 pm

Carol, thank you so much for sharing these titles. I look forward to reading them. I took an intensive with Linda Sue Park in L A. She is wonderfu,l I look forward to reading her book.

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/19/2015 12:30:20 am

I heard Linda Sue Park speak at a conference. She is the one who influenced me to work each sentence in your picture book in a variety of ways to find the perfect string of wording. When you read this book, you'll see that it works! She's so talented.

Angela Hawkins link

3/18/2015 11:44:58 pm

Great set of Five Star titles! Thanks Carol!

Caroline Twomey link

3/18/2015 11:49:33 pm

I love Oliver Jeffers-I think a lot of his books could come under The Perfect Blend title! I haven't read the other four mentioned above but I'm really looking forward to reading them now -thanks Carol ")

Linda Schueler link

3/19/2015 12:01:41 am

Yay! Thanks for the suggestions!

Julie Burchstead

3/19/2015 12:17:28 am

Thank you fro this list. You know when some books come up again and again, they are especially powerful examples of craft, biiks I need to have in my personal library.

Marianne Kuzujanakis

3/19/2015 12:34:03 am

Love these choices! The Quiet Book is among my year's absolute favorites! A couple of the PBs listed are new to me. Off to the library! Thanks, Carol!

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 11:23:44 am

I love The Quiet Book, too, Marianne! It was one of those that I had to buy as soon as I read it. Perfect.

Val McCammon

3/19/2015 12:37:11 am

What a terrific list to look at for text and illustration blends. Can't wait to read the ones I haven't yet. Thanks Carol!

Manju Howard link

3/19/2015 12:48:00 am

Thanks for sharing your perfect PB list. I need to reread The Quiet Book and 100 Snowmen. The other 3 are new to me.

Beth Gallagher

3/19/2015 01:08:00 am

Thanks for some great reading! Off to the library! :D

Carol Gordon Ekster link

3/19/2015 01:14:54 am

Thanks to all for commenting. My own stack of library books is crazy high and I am working my way through them one joyous book at a time. I do hope when we find some that resonate with us in particular, we may revisit for a gift for little ones. Let's not forget to support our picture book authors!

Nicole Popel link

3/19/2015 01:34:00 am

There are four PBS in this selection that I have not read [gasp], which means off to the library I go!

Pat Miller

3/19/2015 01:37:25 am

Thanks for the list, Carol. My car knows its own way to the library, and my budget has been revised to include a number of titles for my grandkids. :-)

carol gordon ekster

3/19/2015 09:46:43 am

You comment made me smile! My car also knows its way to the library and I agree...grandkids are a recent added reason for me to buy those best picture books that I'll want to read again and again.

Lisa Connors link

3/19/2015 01:44:50 am

Thanks Carol! I love The Quiet Book and had the privilege of working with Deborah Underwood at a Highlights Workshop.

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 11:24:51 am

TOTALLY cool that you worked with Deborah, Lisa! I am sure you learned a TON!

Joanne Sher link

3/19/2015 01:58:05 am

Have read two of these - and The Quiet Book is absolutely one of my very favorites. Have requested the others. THANKS for these recommendations!

Debra Shumaker

3/19/2015 02:00:54 am

Ah, more books to read and love! Thanks!

Sue Heavenrich

3/19/2015 02:31:38 am

what great books! I've read This Moose Belongs to Me (because who can resist a moose book?). Shall seek the others.

Janie Reinart

3/19/2015 02:32:16 am

Carol, It is a tingly feeling when you find that 5 star book. Looking forward to checking these books out at the library.

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 11:25:47 am

That feeling comes out as me hugging a book, Janie! ;) There are some that just grab me!

Erin Nowak link

3/19/2015 02:35:18 am

Thanks so much for these! Can't wait to hustle down to the library and get them. I'm familiar with Linda Sue Park's children's novels since my 8 and 10 year old girls are avid readers, but I hadn't realized she wrote picture books as well. Thanks!

Rita Lorraine Hubbard link

3/19/2015 02:39:31 am

Hi Carol, thanks for this list. The only one I'm slightly familiar with is The Quiet Book. I say "slightly" because I've read The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood. If the one you've listed is anything like the one I read, I know it'll be fantastic. The Christmas Quiet book really was "quiet," and brought back so many childhood memories for me. Can't wait to read your recommendations!

Leslie Goodman link

3/19/2015 02:41:11 am

Every day we receive another set of amazing mentor books. I'm only familiar with The Quiet Book and The Moose Belongs To Me. I'm looking forward to revisiting those two along with reading the other three new-to-me PBs. Thank you.

carol gordon ekster link

3/19/2015 09:43:03 am

Leslie, I never imagined all the new recommendations we'd be getting at #ReFoReMo. It is wonderful that so many new and excellent picture books are being published and that Carrie was a genius to think of a way to highlight them all.

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 11:29:12 am

It's just so cool to share this with you guys! There are soooo many good books and this business is so subjective. I just couldn't pass up an opportunity to inspire others to educate themselves about the current market and what makes a great book. Among my hopes is that other writers will learn what types of stories speak to them and apply them to their learning.

Laura J / Laura Jenkins

3/19/2015 02:52:57 am

While I've read This Moose Belongs to Me, I may have to go back and read it for the reasons you have discussed.

Thank you for your insight.

Heidi Yates

3/19/2015 02:53:15 am

Thank you for these wonderful recommendations Carol! I love The Quiet Book, and I am looking forward to reading the others for the first time. :)

Kristi Veitenheimer

3/19/2015 03:00:16 am

Looks like some cute recommendations! Thanks!

Robin Currie link

3/19/2015 03:15:23 am

I (author only) have had illustration disasters but some amazing successes as well. Most are "just fine" - it is wonderful to mesh with an artist without ever meeting.

carol gordon ekster link

3/19/2015 09:39:26 am

Robin, as authors we must trust that the right illustrator will be chosen. It is certainly a leap of faith. I wish I could illustrate my own work. But that is not my gift! Good luck with future books.

Brenda Huante

3/19/2015 03:17:42 am

Thank you for the list!

Heather Pierce Stigall

3/19/2015 03:19:10 am

I haven't read any of these! I look forward to checking them all out. Thanks for the suggestions

Vivian Kirkfield link

3/19/2015 03:30:46 am

You'd think with the stacks and stacks of picture books I've got piled up in my house, I would be able to say I've read all of these. But I haven't. :) So thank you so much, Carol, for spotlighting these as examples of the perfect blend of words and pictures. Hope the library has them!

Cassie Bentley

3/19/2015 03:34:13 am

I look forward to reading and rereading these looking forward to the seamless blending of words and pictures. I love Linda Sue Park's books.

AJ Irving link

3/19/2015 04:15:06 am

Thank you for these excellent recommendations, Carol! Off to the library!

Carrie Finison

3/19/2015 04:16:53 am

Thanks for the suggestions, Carol! I haven't heard of a few of these, which makes me all the more eager to read them!

Lori Dubbin

3/19/2015 04:18:55 am

Thank you, Carol, for suggesting five more five star books which are a "perfect blend of words and pictures." ReFoReMo gives us wonderful gift recommendations as well!

maria gianferrari link

3/19/2015 04:41:54 am

I love The Quiet (and the Loud) books--Deborah Underwood is a master! She can write funny and touching.But that's the only title I've read here, so I'll be reading the others soon. I can't resist a PB that sings! :) Thanks, Carol!

Stephanie Geckle link

3/19/2015 04:51:37 am

Thank you, Carol! I can't wait to read them :)

Sandy Powell

3/19/2015 05:00:24 am

5 books I haven't read yet. Awesome! Thanks for the selections and the post. When I read them I am going to listen to them sing.

Juliana Lee link

3/19/2015 05:05:31 am

I read the majority of my books from the library. But I do purchase the ones that make me wish I had written it myself!

Gabrielle Snyder

3/19/2015 05:19:11 am

I've read The Quiet Book, but not the others. I'll definitely check them out!

Suzy Leopold

3/19/2015 05:32:14 am

More delicious picture book titles to enjoy with words that sing. During my thirty-five years as an educator, I shared read alouds with hundreds of students, [preschool - 8th grade and college level], parents, administrators and collegues. I continue to share the love of read alouds with the grands and kids in our community. Thank you, Carol.

Carol Gordon Ekster

3/19/2015 09:48:23 am

35 years for you too? Wow! Aren't we lucky...to have touched lives through teaching and now through our writing.

Therese Nagi

3/19/2015 05:55:29 am

Thanks Carol for sharing these picture books! Can't wait to go to the library and check them out.

Janet Smart link

3/19/2015 06:19:51 am

Thanks for the list and the advice in your comment - She is the one who influenced me to work each sentence in your picture book in a variety of ways to find the perfect string of wording.

Jilanne Hoffmann

3/19/2015 06:24:14 am

The public library loves us. We're keeping books in circulation. And when I can't live without one, I head to my local bookstore. They love this group, too. :D Thanks for adding more to my list!

Carol Gordon Ekster

3/19/2015 02:45:55 pm

I use to be embarrassed about how many books I took out of the library. And then I was asked to speak at a state library conference with a panel of authors who use their libraries. Now I carry my stacks out with pride. And yes, this group has been a fantastic push to further journey into studying the picture book. Thank you, Carrie!

Carrie Charley Brown

3/23/2015 11:31:37 am

You are welcome, Carol! Thank YOU for being part of it! We are family!

JEN Garrett link

3/19/2015 07:24:59 am

Ah, that perfect blend. So hard to master. So easy to enjoy when it looks seamless.

Kathy Mazurowski

3/19/2015 07:50:31 am

Thanks! There are some titles that I can't wait to get at the library!

Alice Fulgione

3/19/2015 10:14:18 am

Thanks for sharing!

Joyce Tucker link

3/19/2015 10:30:31 am

More new books to read! Thanks for sharing :)

Deirdre Englehart

3/19/2015 11:39:27 am

I am looking forward to checking these out! I love Oliver Jeffers!

Sandy Perlic

3/19/2015 12:09:41 pm

The perfect blend of words and pictures? Now I'll definitely have to check these out, because that's something I think we'd all like to achieve! Thanks!

shirley johnson

3/19/2015 01:07:32 pm

Great list of books! Thanks for sharing.

Jeanette Bradley

3/19/2015 01:28:11 pm

I adore This Moose Belongs to Me.

Helen Dening link

3/19/2015 01:42:56 pm

I love it ... more books, fantastic books! Thank you!

Kristen Kirwan Browning

3/19/2015 03:02:22 pm

Thanks for the recommendations--I haven't read any of them! I picked up three of them today at the library. Look forward to some good reading :)

Keila Dawson link

3/19/2015 03:25:45 pm

More books to read! Thanks for your recommendations.

Kirsti Call

3/19/2015 11:02:58 pm

Carol, I can't wait to read these suggestions! I've only read one. I'm working on the perfect blend for my stories and this will really help.

Rene` Diane Aube

3/20/2015 09:28:15 am

Can't wait to read this list. Thanks, Carol :)

Wendy Engelmann

3/20/2015 01:55:19 pm

Thank you for listing such great books. I hope my library has all of them. I can't wait to read them.

Rachel Hamby link

3/21/2015 05:47:04 am

Thanks Carol, I look forward to adding these titles to my library pick up list.

Romelle Broas link

3/22/2015 07:18:21 pm

Thanks for the list. lLooking forward to reading them for research and pleasure!

Linda

3/24/2015 08:41:35 am

Carol, thank you for this wonderful list!

Mary Worley

3/24/2015 09:58:51 am

I confess I didn't like two of these books the first time I read them. But I decided to give them another look because of this list. I loved the one this time. Maybe I was in the right mood. Anyway, this is a good list because the books all have different appealing aspects. Thanks!

Ann Magee

3/25/2015 03:26:20 am

Love your comments on the perfect blend of pics and illustrations. I have to go find these titles--I've only read The Quiet Book. Thanks!

Lauri Meyers link

3/26/2015 02:53:06 am

It's great to think about the emotional weight coming in singing words and depth of illustration together.

Gina Silvester

3/30/2015 06:15:15 am

Railroad Hank has all the makings of a classic. The perfect blend.

Karen Nordseth Roos

3/30/2015 04:20:54 pm

carol, i can't wait to read these. thank you for sharing this post!

Anita Banks

3/31/2015 04:22:24 am

Thank you for the suggestions!

Tanya Konerman link

3/31/2015 09:15:14 am

LOVE The Quiet Book and these others are new to me so I'm excited to check them out too!

ReFoReMo Day 19: Carol Gordon Ekster Values the Perfect Blend

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