SATA

• Rosie Saves the World Kar-Ben Publishing (Minneapolis, MN), 2017
• Carla's Glasses Flashlight Press (Brooklyn, NY), 2024

1. Carla's glasses LCCN 2024005763 Type of material Book Personal name Herman, Debbie, author. Main title Carla's glasses / written by Debbie Herman ; illustrated by Sheila Bailey. Edition First edition. Published/Produced Brooklyn, NY : Flashlight Press, 2024. ©2024 Projected pub date 2409 Description 1 online resource ISBN 9781947277724 (pdf) 9781947277724 (ebook) 9781947277724 (epub) 9781947277724 (mobi) (cloth) Item not available at the Library. Why not? 2. Rosie saves the world LCCN 2019716917 Type of material Book Personal name Herman, Debbie, author. Main title Rosie saves the world / Debbie Herman ; illustrations by Tammie Lyon. Published/Produced Minneapolis, MN : Kar-Ben Publishing, [2017] Description 1 online resource : color illustrations ISBN (lb ; alk. paper) (pb ; alk. paper) CALL NUMBER Electronic Resource Request in Onsite Access Only Electronic file info Available onsite via Stacks. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gdc/cip.2019716917

• Debbie Herman website - https://www.debbieherman.com/

  Writing is in my blood–literally. My mother is a published children's book author and has been writing ever since I was born. I have warm memories of gathering with my siblings around my mother as she read to us the latest chapter of a novel she was working on, or her latest picture book story. Sometimes she'd ask our opinions as to what should happen next or what a character's name should be. At a very young age, words like manuscript, editor, contract, and Dutton were part of my everyday vocabulary, and…part of me.

  Although I had wanted a career in writing children's books, I was aware that making a living from writing books was a long shot. So I chose a career in special education. But, as fate would have it, I was summoned back to the writing world. After working in special education for a few years, I was presented with the opportunity to create online educational animations, and I took it. This led to freelance writing gigs with educational publishers, and then finally, to a full-time writing and editing positions at McGraw-Hill Education, Edusoft Learning/ETS, and Benchmark Education.

  ​

  Today, like my mother, I am a published children's book author. I have published seven books so far. You can watch Emmy-Award-winning actress Allison Janney read my picture book Carla's Sandwich on the Screen Actors Guild's Storyline Online website. ​Today, my mother and I constantly share market information, names of good books we've read, and story ideas. Sometimes we go to conferences together. She gets even more excited than I do when one of my stories gets accepted.​ Any time I write a new story I first send it to two people: my mother, and my brother, Mike, who’s an excellent editor, and also a children's book author. If they like it, then I know I’m good to go.

• #SeasonsOfKidLit - https://www.seasonsofkidlit.com/post/head-back-to-school-with-debbie-herman

  Update - Winner Announced! Head Back to School with Debbie Herman!

  9/4: Congrats to Hilary Margitich on winning Debbie Herman's giveaway! We'll be in touch soon with more details.

  A special thanks to everyone who joined us for our Back-to-School event!

  Hi, readers, writers, and book lovers, too! You're in for a real treat today. We have Debbie Herman, author of Carla's Sandwich with us, sharing her newest adventure with Carla, Carla's Glasses. When Carla hears about vision tests at school, she hopes she doesn't pass - she would love a pair of glasses so she can stand out! But not her friend Buster who doesn't like being different. So, when Buster fails his eye test and is feeling blue, Carla devises a plan to help him fit in. Want to know more about Debbie, her new book Carla's Glasses, PLUS want a chance to win a copy of your own? Read on...

  Q: Hi, Debbie! Thanks so much for joining us at #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Back-to-School event. We’re so excited to have you and hear more about you and your book, Carla’s Glasses that releases September 3rd! Can you share a little bit about yourself and how you became a children’s author?

  A: Thank you! It’s great to “be here!”

  I love creating - whether it’s writing or drawing, making videos or designing t-shirts. If it’s creative, I’m in! So, I definitely have a bit (or probably a lot!) of Carla in me. I enjoy doing things just a little bit differently, and have an appreciation of the weird and wacky.

  I got into writing from my mother. She's a published children's book author and she’s been writing ever since I was little. When she’d finish a chapter of a story she was working on, she'd gather my siblings and me together and she'd read to us what she wrote. We loved that! Sometimes she'd ask us for our opinions – like what a character's name should be, or what should happen next.

  So writing is in my blood. When I was very little (according to my mother), I'd flip through the pages of a picture book and “read” the story aloud based on the illustrations. When I was a little older – and this I remember well – I would make up impromptu stories and my mother would type them out on her typewriter. Eventually, I was filling notebooks with stories. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to write children’s books.

  Q: In Carla’s Glasses, Carla loves being different and standing out! When it’s time for a vision test at school, she hopes she doesn’t pass so she can be the only student with glasses in her class. Her friend Buster, doesn’t want to be different, and hopes he passes. But, when Buster fails and Carla sees how blue he is, she devises a plan to cheer him up.

  This is such a cute story about accepting differences and true friendship! Where did the inspiration for this story come from?

  A: Thank you! The inspiration came when I was getting glasses for the first time, a number of years after writing Carla's Sandwich. I went to a store in the neighborhood that was filled with cool and funky frames, and I said to myself, "Carla would love this place!" And the story started forming in my head.

  At first, it was going to be a very different story, where Carla herself needed glasses. But in the end, I flipped it on its head, and even though it’s called Carla’s Glasses, it’s really Buster who needs them. With this story line, I was able to focus on another trait of Carla–her caring, kindness, and creative problem-solving abilities!

  Q: What makes Carla’s Glasses an important read, especially for those headed back to school? What do you hope young readers take away from it?

  A: I hope they'll take away the message of looking out for friends and classmates, of being empathetic and finding ways to help them. I’d also like them to learn that while kids can be different from you (maybe they like to blend in while you like to stand out!) these differences should be appreciated.

  We love that message!

  PS Readers, check out these amazing illustrations by illustrator Shelia Bailey!

  Q: What's a tip you have for writers who are looking for story inspiration but might be stuck?

  A: Well, a common question I’m asked is where do I get my ideas from? My answer is anywhere and everywhere. My antennae are always up, on the lookout for ideas. They can come from experiences, memories, interesting articles, or something someone might say. Almost no conversation occurs between my mother, brother (also a children's book author) and me, which doesn't at some point include the sentence, "That's a great idea for a book!"

  Your "antennae are always up" is probably the BEST way I've heard this described. Thanks for sharing!

  Q: What other books of yours can we check out ASAP?

  A: Carla's Sandwich, of course!

  And Rosie Saves the World.

  Rosie can't wait to start doing good deeds to save the world. But as she helps the people in her neighborhood, she is soon so busy saving the world that she doesn't have time for her own family! It turns out, though, that the greatest acts of tikkun olam—repairing the world—start in her own home.

  BONUS QUESTION: What was your favorite thing about heading back to school as a child?

  A: School supplies! As much as I hated the thought of summer vacation ending and school starting again, there was something fun about buying new school supplies – binders, pencil cases, markers, and more! I also enjoyed the first day of school. It was fun seeing kids I hadn’t seen all summer, finding out who my new teachers were, and using said school supplies. There was always something exciting about it. Unfortunately, that feeling never lasted longer than one day.

  Thanks again for joining us, Debbie! It was a pleasure having you and learning more about you and your books, especially your new release, Carla's Glasses.

  Readers, want to know what we thought of Debbie's book? You can find our reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

  Q: Would you like to leave a treat for our readers?

  Yes! Flashlight Press is giving away a copy of my book to one lucky reader.

  What a sweet treat! Thanks Flashlight Press, and thanks again for joining us, Debbie!

  Giveaway Instructions: Readers, to enter this giveaway please 1) like and share/RT this post on social media and 2) thank Debbie and Flashlight Press for stopping by and for their neat treat! You'll get an extra entry for each place this is shared so let us know where it was shared, too. Back-to-School themed GIFs are appreciated and welcomed.

  Giveaway winners will be drawn and announced on or about 8/30!

  Note: Books will be shipped in the US only. Winners must have a US address.

  About Debbie Herman:

  Debbie Herman is a writer and editor living in Jerusalem. She is the author of several books for children, including Carla’s Sandwich. She hopes to save the world one book at a time.

  For more about Debbie and her books, you can visit her website at debbieherman.com or find her on X/Twitter at @debbiebherman.

• Maria Marshall - https://www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/the-picture-book-buzz-interview-w-debbie-herman-shelia-bailey-and-review-of-clara-s-glasses

  The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Debbie Herman, Shelia Bailey, and Review of Carla's Glasses
  Author photo of Debbie Herman wearing her own pipe cleaner glasses.
  Debbie Herman is a children’s author, a senior Content Creator at Benchmark Education, and a former elementary school teacher with an M.A. in Special Education. Debbie lives in Chicago, Illinois. Like Carla, she's a fan of funky glasses.

  Collage of the covers of three of Debbie's books.
  Debbie is the author of 9 books, including Rosie Saves the World illustrated by Tammie Lyon (2017), From Pie Town to Yum Yum: Weird and Wacky Place Names Across the United States illustrated by Sarah Goldman (2011), and Carla's Sandwich illustrated by Sheila Bailey (2004).

  Illustrator photo of Sheila Bailey.
  Sheila Bailey works in watercolor and digital media. In fact, it is this combination of tools that allows her to achieve her characteristic style. Sheila began her career as a designer and painter for Hallmark, Inc. Later, she became a featured designer at Will Vinton Studios.

  Collage of the eight coverd of Sheila's books.
  Sheila is the illustrator of 14 books, including A Miracle in the Kitchen: A Legend about Saint Zita by Pamela Love (2022), Alligator Slim and His Snazzy Jazz Band by Samuel E. Pittman II (2021), Alligator Jazz by Samuel Pittman (2018), Love Always Wins: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Just Pick Up After Myself by A Michael Baldwin (2015), The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers by Diane M. Stortz (2014), Bible Promises for God's Precious Princess by Jean Kavich Bloom (2013), The Sweetest Story Bible: Sweet Thoughts and Sweet Words for Little Girls by Diane M. Stortz (2010), and Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman (2004).

  Their newest picture book, Carla’s Glasses, releases September 3rd. Check out https://flashlightpress.com/carlas-glasses/.

  Welcome Debbie and Sheila, thank you so much for stopping by to talk about yourselves and your debut book.

  Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write or illustrate? How long have you been writing or illustrating? What is your favorite type of book to write or illustrate?)

  DEBBIE - I usually work at a table or desk. My best writing time is early in the morning, when my mind is clear – especially if I'm starting something new or working on something difficult. But when the story is flowing, I can sit down at any time during the day and pick up where I left off.

  I've been writing ever since I can remember. My mother tells me that when I was very little, I'd flip through a book and "read" it by making up my own stories based on the illustrations. And I remember a very fun activity my Mom and I used to do; I dictated stories to her, and she typed them out. Fast forward to elementary school, where I filled up notebooks with stories, and dived into creative writing assignments. It was then that I decided I was going to be a children's book author.

  I love writing picture books and chapter books. I also enjoy drawing; it would be a dream to write and illustrate a picture book or graphic novel. But my illustration skills are not quite there yet!

  SHEILA - I LOVE to read. I love to paint. I started out reading picture books and comic books. It's natural that I would want other people to be as hooked on stories and images as I am.

  It is great to meet you both. Who was your favorite author, illustrator, and/or your favorite book as a child?

  Book cover - two fireman striding to the right, each holding an arm of the monkey George.
  DEBBIE - Curious George. Probably because my favorite stuffed animal was a chimp!

  Book cover - chicken in a hat and jacket holding a shovel.
  SHEILA - I was very lucky growing up. Every Friday night was movie night at the library, and Mom would always take us. Afterward, we had the glory of getting to pick 10 books each to have for the week. I had many favorites. I loved anything by Dr. Suess. When I was very small I remember demanding that my Mom read The Little Red Hen to me over and over. For some reason, I guess a hardworking chicken appealed to me.

  Interesting. Debbie, what was the inspiration for Carla’s Glasses?

  Book cover - girl and her cat wear crafted glasses, with four other hand made glasses in all colors and shapes lie on the counter in front of her.
  DEBBIE – Carla's Glasses is actually a sequel to Carla's Sandwich, in which spunky Carla brings creative and unique sandwiches to school. A number of years after Carla's Sandwich was published, I was in an optical shop getting my first pair of glasses. It was a fun store that sold only cool and funky frames, and I thought to myself, "Carla would love this place!" As soon as I left, I started mentally writing the story.

  What a great way for inspiration to strike! Sheila, what about the Carla’s Glasses manuscript appealed to you as an illustrator?

  Title page - girl and her cat wear crafted glasses, with four other hand made glasses in all colors and shapes lie on the counter in front of her.
  SHEILA - I loved Carla's Glasses from the second I read it. As a child, I knew I was different. It was a struggle knowing that I saw the world differently, but I still wanted to be like the other kids. When you're young you have no idea that ALL of the kids are struggling in this way. Both Carla's Glasses and Carla's Sandwich address this in a fun-loving way. I wouldn't have changed a thing about those manuscripts.

  I love the gentle way you both play off each other to make it fun to ourselves. What is a (or the most) fun or unusual place where you’ve written a manuscript or created an illustration?

  DEBBIE - It might not be so unusual, but I once started writing a story on an airplane. It was a long, international flight, and I had just finished reading a book that I really enjoyed. The "voice" of the story stuck in my head, and I was inspired to write my own.

  SHEILA - When I first get a manuscript, I like to print it out and then read it in the bathtub, where there are no distractions, not even gravity. My weird brain can run wild. For me, it's the best way to see a manuscript for the first time.

  I love those answers! Debbie, what was the toughest part of writing Carla’s Glasses? How long did it take from the first draft to publication?

  DEBBIE – While writing the story, I had to learn all about school vision screenings. So, I spent a lot of time researching and talking to optometrists and school nurses. It wasn't exactly "tough," but it was a lot of work. In the end, however, the screening scene became a much smaller part of the story with minimal details. Reading the book now, you'd never know how much time and effort I put into it! [isn't that always the case - we just see the tip of an iceberg. 😊]

  There were actually a couple of versions of the story. (In the first version, Carla is the one who needs glasses!) But from the first draft of the final version to publication – including stages for edits, illustration, and production – it took about three years.

  Thanks for sharing that tidbit about the book! I really like Carla's role in this version. Sheila, as an author/illustrator and an illustrator, do you prefer either format? What’s the hardest part of illustrating picture books?

  SHEILA - I am simply not as talented at writing as Debbie is. If I am going to spend 6 months illustrating a book it had better be a great story. The hardest part of illustrating a book is the editing. It's also the best part. As hard as I work on things, I also become a little blind to the work at the same time. I really do need someone behind me who can take a fresh look at what I am doing and point out when I have painted myself into a bad corner. A good editor is so crucial to a successful project. It also takes a pretty awesome person to be able to say "you have gone wrong" without making me get mad enough to throw my paintbrush down and play hooky for the rest of the afternoon.

  Oh Sheila! Such an editor is invaluable to all creatives! Debbie, did anything surprise or amaze you when you first got to see Sheila’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread?

  DEBBIE – I knew what a wonderful job Sheila had done on Carla's Sandwich, so I was really looking forward to seeing what she would do with Carla's Glasses. I saw the cover first and loved it right away! Then, when I received the interior illustrations, I was very excited. When I saw the illustrations of Buster's father and of Dr. Ollie, I literally laughed out loud. They weren't characters in Carla's Sandwich, so seeing them for the first time was a fun surprise!

  Internal spread - three vertical panels with the girl excitedly trying on wire framed, neon-narrow frames, and glimmery glasses. On the right, with the eye doctor and dad in the background, the girl, with four different glasses perched on her head, hands a boy the perfect glasses for him.
  Text © Debbie Herman, 2024. Image © Sheila Bailey, 2024.

  It's probably the one where Carla, Buster, and Buster's father are walking into Dr. Ollie's. I also love the scene where Carla is wearing a bunch of frames on her head at Dr. Ollie's, as she helps pick out a pair for Buster, and the one of Carla with her bursting crafts drawer.

  That stack of glasses is hilarious! Sheila, is there a spread of which you are especially proud? Which is your favorite spread?

  Internal spread - on left two horizontal panels with girl showing classmates her blue, craft stick square glasses and her pink, paper star glasses. On the right, girl shows off purple, sparkly, cat eye glasses.
  Text © Debbie Herman, 2024. Image © Sheila Bailey, 2024.

  SHEILA - Oh no! It's as if you are asking me which is my favorite child...I love them all.

  Sorry, sort of. I picked one I think captures Carla's independent, bubbly personality. What's something you want your readers to know about Carla’s Glasses?

  DEBBIE - Carla is a good friend. She uses her ingenuity to help out a classmate. I hope the book will inspire kids to be proactive in finding ways to help and support their friends and/or classmates.

  SHEILA - I really believe in the story and the message, and I loved every minute of illustrating it.

  I too hope that it inspires kids too. Sheila, many illustrators leave treasures or weave their own story (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Did you do this in Carla’s Glasses? If so, could you share one or more with us?

  SHEILA - I always put "BMC" somewhere in every book I illustrate. Bruce, Mark, and Charlie were my surfing buddies, all amazing artists, and people I loved with all of my heart. I somehow am the last one of us walking on this earthly trail, but they are here with me always. They are in everything I do.

  I found it! What a wonderful tribute to them. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a hint or tidbit with us?

  DEBBIE - A historical fiction picture book set in the early days of baseball. I'm very excited about it!

  SHEILA - At age 59 1/2 I joined the Sauvie Island Fire Department as a volunteer. I am working on a never-too-old-but-sometimes-you-are true story about being an older-aged fire fighter who also is on social security (yes, I do drive the big fire truck and spray the water and, yes, getting to turn on the siren makes you feel 10 years old again.)

  Good luck to both of you on these projects. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

  Arial photo of Central Park, New York.
  DEBBIE - I love big city parks, such as Central Park in NYC. I also enjoy hiking and would love to visit some of the National Parks I researched for my kids' geography book, From Pie Town to Yum Yum: Weird and Wacky Place Names Across the United States. For example, North Dakota's Badlands National Park, with its fantastic rock formations, and Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park, where you can dig for diamonds.

  Collage of photos of Sauvie Island, Oregon. Clockwise: a trail leading to a beach © Jamie Hale/The Oregonian; looking across the Columbioa River at Mt. Saint Helens © Charles Arcudi; a printed map of the whole island; a forest trail ©wanderingyuncks
  Clockwise: © Jamie Hale/The Oregonian; © Charles Arcudi; ©wanderingyuncks

  SHEILA - Again, I'd have to say I'm very lucky -- I live on Sauvie Island, just north of Portland, OR. It's one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. I wake up every morning and run outside just to see if it is still that beautiful or if I was dreaming..... Also, I like Tahiti a heck of a lot! Basically, anywhere near an ocean suits me just fine.

  I didn't know about this island Sheila, now I can't wait to visit it! Thank you, Debbie and Sheila, for sharing with us your newest picture book.

  To find out more about Debbie Herman, or to contact her:

  Website: https://www.debbieherman.com/

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiehermanauthor/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieHermanAuthor/

  X/(Twitter): https://x.com/debbiebherman

  To find out more about Sheila Bailey, or to contact her:

  Website: https://www.sheilabaileyart.com/

  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-bailey-1695911a/

  Review of Carla's Glassses

  A fun sequel to Carla's Sandwich, this is a wonderful, thought provoking book celebrating friendship and individuality, which could help kids getting glasses for the first time.

  Book cover - girl and her cat wear crafted glasses, with four other hand made glasses in all colors and shapes lie on the counter in front of her.
  Carla's Glasses

  Author: Debbie Herman

  Illustrator: Sheila Bailey

  Publisher: Flashlight Press (2024)

  Ages: 4- 8

  Fiction

  Themes:

  Glasses, creativity, being different, and friendship.

  Synopsis:

  Carla loves to be different. So when her teacher announces an upcoming vision screening, Carla hopes she’ll be the only kid in class to need glasses. To prepare for her new look, she starts wearing homemade funky frames to school each day.

  Turns out that the only one who needs glasses is Buster. But unlike Carla, Buster does NOT like to be different. He likes to blend in. When Carla concocts an ingenious plan to help Buster, it’s clear to see that the power of friendship – and Carla’s creativity – will save the day.

  This long-awaited companion to the award-winning Carla’s Sandwich will be adored by kids with or without glasses.

  Opening Lines:

  On Monday, Ms. Pimento made an announcement. “A week from today is Vision Screening Day.

  The nurse will be checking everyone’s eyesight.”

  “I can’t wait till next Monday!” said Carla to Buster as they walked home.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Maybe I’ll need glasses! Then I’ll be the only kid in class to have them!”

  “That’s so YOU,” said Buster. “You like to be different.”

  What I LOVED about this book:

  I remember those eye test days. Although I don't remember anyone as excited about the test or the possibility of wearing glasses as Carla. This opening does a great job of setting up Carla & Buster's almost opposite personalities.

  Internal spread - on the left, the teacher tells the class about the upcoming eye tests. On the right, a girl uses her hands to simulate glasses, while a boy in a backward baseball cap, looks very worried.
  Text © Debbie Herman, 2024. Image © Sheila Bailey, 2024.

  For the rest of the week, Carla goes to school in some snazzy outfits and wearing a different pair of homemade frames - round purple pipe cleaners, blue, craft stick squares, orange construction paper stars, and finally large cat-eye shapes covered in glitter. She appears oblivious of the bemused and startled looks of her classmates.

  When the day for the eye test finally arrives, Carla is so excited, "she leaped out of chair." All of Sheila Bailey’s watercolor and digital illustrations are colorful, lively, and expressive, with so many little details that kids will recognize from their own classrooms. I especially liked the eye chart and props the nurse brought with her to relax the more nervous kids. When Carla returns to her seat, she tells Buster, "Well, I wasn’t sure about one of the letters. I hope that means I need glasses!”

  Internal spread - on the left a nurse stands by an eye chart using a pointer. On the right, Carla gleefully covers her right eye and reads the chart. A bear with glasses and a giant stuffed eyeball sit on file cabinets.
  Text © Debbie Herman, 2024. Image © Sheila Bailey, 2024.

  The next day, both Buster and Carla are in bad moods. "I got the results of the screening,” Carla explained. “I don’t need glasses after all.” “And it looks like I do need glasses,” grumbled Buster." Oh, maybe not entirely unpredictable, but a wonderful double dark moment of the soul. Neither got what they desperately wanted.

  Swallowing her disappointment, Carla offers to go with Buster to the optometrist and help pick out glasses, if actually he needs them. Debbie Herman's text beautifully captures Carla's soul and sets up a gorgeous series of illustrations by Sheila Bailey. Oh my did she capture poor Buster's anguish. I also adore the look on the poor optometrist's face and the bemused expression on dad! I think two friends and I got looks like that a couple of years ago as we were blowing off steam and trying on glasses in the drug store.😊

  Internal spread - three vertical panels with the girl excitedly trying on wire framed, neon-narrow frames, and glimmery glasses. On the right, with the eye doctor and dad in the background, the girl, with four different glasses perched on her head, hands a boy the perfect glasses for him.
  Text © Debbie Herman, 2024. Image © Sheila Bailey, 2024.

  “Whoa!” Carla exclaimed, scanning the shelves. “There are so many colors and styles!”

  She put on a pair of vintage wire frames. “Call me Professor Carla.”

  She tried on narrow, neon green frames. “I’m a space alien!”

  Then she donned a pair with glimmering rhinestones. “Look, Buster! I’m a rock star!”

  Buster didn’t even crack a smile. He went into Dr. Ollie’s office to get

  his eyes examined. When he came back out, he was frowning.

  “It’s official. I need glasses.”

  Even though he seems to like the glasses, Buster gets increasingly sullen. When Carla finally listens to her friend, she makes an important discovery. One that harkens back to the beginning. The touching and "totally Carla" ending is spectacular and will hopefully inspire kid's creativity and empathy. This is a spectacular book celebrating friendship and encouraging being ourselves and seeing and accepting others as they are.

  Resources:

  Collage of photos of toilet paper roll glasses, recylced CD glasses, and funky paper glasses.
  make yourself (and maybe friends) some fun, cool, or snazzy glasses using toilet paper rolls, old CDs or other shiny materials, cardboard, paper, pipe cleaners, or foam. What else could you use to make glasses?

  check out the funky glasses coloring page and the Carla and her cat coloring page.

  how did Carla help Buster as his friend? Can you think of something you could do for a friend or maybe a new kid at school?

  Tags:

illus. by Ann Koffsky. 47p. (Let's Celebrate Series). CIP. Barron's. 2003. pap. $8.95. ISBN 0-7641-2600-8. LC 2003049554.

Gr 3-5--The activities, stories, recipes, crafts, and nuggets of information make this an appealing and useful volume. The story of Hanukkah is related in a breezy, modern voice, illustrated with simple, childlike pictures, and is punctuated by a variety of "fun facts" (in 1997 astronaut David Wolf celebrated Hanukkah in outer space and his dreidel spun for an hour and a half). Most of the projects use materials found around the house, though a flew will require a visit to a crafts store, and adult supervision is called for when appropriate. No music is included with the songs, Many of the activities work for group settings.

Mara Alpert, LAPL

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2003 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Alpert, Mara. "Herman, Debbie. Eight Lights for Eight Nights: A Hanukkah Story and Activity Book." School Library Journal, vol. 49, no. 10, Oct. 2003, p. 63. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A110075869/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=81fc2c9c. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Herman, Debbie FROM PIE TOWN TO YUM YUM Kane/Miller (Adult Nonfiction) $16.99 9, 1 ISBN: 978-1-935279-79-2

You don't have to be a geographer (or a toponymist, to get really specific) to take pleasure in odd place names, and there are far too few gazetteers out there for a new one to come amiss.

Herman's contribution, then, is welcome, despite its weaknesses. First the strengths: Herman proceeds alphabetically by state, focusing on one curious place name and providing an explanation of its origin (or multiple possible explanations). Another dozen or so humorous place names are noted (with a few given very brief expository treatment), and a number of unusual state facts are delivered. Well and good, but this material, which can easily stand on its own, is bedeviled by a near-desperate striving for laughs. Not content to let the strange place names pull their comic weight, Herman douses them with corniness and puns and running jokes and enough exclamation marks to curl a Monkey's Eyebrow (that's in Kentucky). Another weakness is the artwork. Maps are a hotbed for artistic expression, but-except for the cover, which allows for color-Goldman's maps feel anemic (the place names under discussion are not located on her state maps), scratchy and overly whimsical, with accompanying line drawings that are arbitrary or in anxiously eccentric pursuit of yet more mirth.

Still, there is a bedrock of toponymic glory here, certainly enough to make some readers fall in love with geography. (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Herman, Debbie: FROM PIE TOWN TO YUM YUM." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2011, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A264114619/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7c807887. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Herman, Debbie ROSIE SAVES THE WORLD Kar-Ben (Children's Fiction) $17.99 8, 1 ISBN: 978-1-5124-2085-2

Rushing around to get everything on her "Save-the-World spreadsheet" done, Rosie gains a better understanding of the meaning of tikkun olam (repairing the world by doing good deeds, or mitzvot.) In Hebrew school, her teacher explains both concepts. Bespectacled Rosie's enthusiastic response exudes her confidence that she can achieve "great deeds" within her own neighborhood. She works on a food drive, participates in a homework-assistance program, performs in a senior center, and babysits a tot whose harried mother must meet a deadline. All the while, her own family keeps requesting her help with analogous activities, but Rosie feels too busy and puts them off for later. Praised by a neighbor for her good work, "I bet you're a huge help at home," Rosie suddenly remembers her family and manages to get home and do all that was requested. She helps her brother with his Hebrew lettering, cleans out the litter pan, calls her grandmother, and finally helps her mother dust. Despite Rosie's ambitious agenda, the story is lackluster and drawn out even as it adequately gets the point across that tikkun olam starts at home with family. Line-and-color illustrations in pale hues depict this Jewish white family in a suburban community that appears to have a sprinkling of Latino, African-American, and Asian residents. Innocuous and utilitarian. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Herman, Debbie: ROSIE SAVES THE WORLD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2017. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A495427805/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=aafff483. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Herman, Debbie CARLA'S GLASSES Flashlight Press (Children's None) $18.95 9, 3 ISBN: 9781947277717

To see or not to see.

Carla's thrilled that Vision Screening Day's approaching. She hopes she'll need glasses because no one else in class wears them. Her friend Buster scoffs, "You like to be different." Next day, Carla's wearing self-made purple pipe-cleaner frames. She tells Buster she wants to see what styles and colors will flatter her when she gets real glasses. Every day thereafter, Carla sports different frames she's designed and constructed. She's excited on Vision Screening Day, but the final verdict's disappointing: Carla doesn't need glasses, but Buster apparently does, a conclusion that's confirmed by an eye exam at the optometrist's. Supportive Carla accompanies Buster and his dad there and helps Buster select his eyewear. Buster confesses that he doesn't enjoy being different: His new glasses will make him stand out when what he wants is to blend in. Carla hatches a plan and gets crafting. Next day, she colludes with her teacher and classmates. When Buster arrives, everyone's wearing Carla-fashioned glasses to welcome him; he doesn't stand out after all. This uplifting, reassuring story is about warm friendship and about being seen--literally--and accepted for who you are. Carla's a supportive, creative pal, and this story should boost the esteem of kids nervous about getting their first pair of glasses. The high-spirited illustrations were created with a combination of watercolor and digital media. Carla and Buster are pale-skinned; their class is racially diverse.

An insightful, thought-provoking story. (Picture book. 5-8)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Herman, Debbie: CARLA'S GLASSES." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A799332757/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4ecd9862. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Carla's Glasses

Debbie Herman, author

Sheila Bailey, illustrator

Flashlight Press

9781947277717, $18.95, HC, 32pp

https://www.amazon.com/Carlas-Glasses-Debbie-Herman/dp/1947277715

Synopsis: Carla loves to be different. So when her teacher announces an upcoming vision screening, Carla hopes she'll be the only kid in class to need glasses. To prepare for her new look, she starts wearing homemade funky frames to school each day.

Turns out that the only one who needs glasses is Buster. But unlike Carla, Buster does NOT like to be different. He likes to blend in. When Carla concocts an ingenious plan to help Buster, it's clear to see that the power of friendship (and Carla's creativity) will save the day.

Critique: Carla's Glasses by the team of author/storyteller Debbie Herman and artist/illustrator Sheila Bailey is the long anticipated companion to their award-winning "Carla's Sandwich" picture book and will be especially appreciated by kids who are experiencing stress by having to wear glasses--and to the benefit of those who don't. A unique and unreservedly recommended pick for family, elementary school, and community library Life Skills/Life Issues picture book collections for children ages 5-7, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Carla's Glasses" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

Editorial Note #1: Debbie Herman (www.debbieherman.com) is the author of Carla's Sandwich, and other books for children. She's a full-time writer and editor, and a former elementary school teacher with an M.A. in Special Education.

Editorial Note #2: Sheila Bailey (www.sheilabaileyart.com) is the illustrator of Carla's Sandwich, and many other children's books. She is a firefighter on Sauvie Island near Portland, OR, where she lives with her daughter. Sheila's 19 pairs of reading glasses are strewn all over her home. Once she forgot to bring her reading glasses to a fire call and had to write up the incident report in huge letters because she could not see what she was doing.

Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
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"Carla's Glasses." Children's Bookwatch, Aug. 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A808334812/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1aba1bb8. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Alpert, Mara. "Herman, Debbie. Eight Lights for Eight Nights: A Hanukkah Story and Activity Book." School Library Journal, vol. 49, no. 10, Oct. 2003, p. 63. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A110075869/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=81fc2c9c. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024. "Herman, Debbie: FROM PIE TOWN TO YUM YUM." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2011, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A264114619/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7c807887. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024. "Herman, Debbie: ROSIE SAVES THE WORLD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2017. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A495427805/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=aafff483. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024. "Herman, Debbie: CARLA'S GLASSES." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A799332757/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4ecd9862. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024. "Carla's Glasses." Children's Bookwatch, Aug. 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A808334812/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1aba1bb8. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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