That's (Not) Mine
by Anna Kang; Illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Two Lions (September 1, 2015)
Audience: Ages 3 to 6 years
Fiction * Sharing * Friendship
Curriculum Guide
Amazon * WorldCat
Description from Publisher:
Two fuzzy creatures both want to sit in the same comfy chair. The trouble is, they can’t agree who it belongs to. They get madder and madder, until…
With expressive illustrations and simple text, this giggle-inducing tale about (not) sharing and (not) being a good friend features the endearing characters from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small.
My thoughts on the book:
Early on Monday morning, February 2nd, I sat with the other members of the Schneider Family Book Award jury having breakfast as we waited for the Youth Media Awards to begin. Since we already knew our winners, we were taking guesses at what books would win other awards. Some of our members had previously served on the Geisel Award Committee and as we chatted about criteria for the Geisel Award, I boldly proclaimed that You Are (Not) Small would win. I did not have any insider knowledge. I just loved the book and felt that it was the perfect choice. When the announcement came that You Are (Not) Small had indeed won the award, my committee members turned to smile and give me a "thumbs up". I had called it. Maybe luck, but the Geisel committee had great taste in books.
Of course, I was excited about another book from husband and wife team, Weyant & Kang. Could they deliver as they had with their debut book? Sometimes picture book sequels fall horribly flat. The wonderful concept and characters in a first book may seem fresh and new but when done again leaves you wanting more. However, I am here to report good news. Kang & Weyant have brought back their lovable animal characters (Are they bears? Who cares...they are really cute.) and this time a chair is the center of their attention. Is it yours or is it mine? No worries. Everyone is a winner because as readers we have a follow-up that is just as delightful as its predecessor.
Themes of friendship and sharing are front and center and the exclamations of "That's mine." and "Mine" will resonate with both the child and adult reading this book. The perfect read aloud look for young readers to request this one over and over again. Also, kindergarten students will celebrate being able to read this one aloud without help as they learn to read the individual words that comprise this text.
If you loved You Are (Not) Small, then you will want That's (Not) Mine. And on January 11, 2016 in Boston at the next Youth Media Award announcements, I am hoping for another shiny sticker for team Kang & Weyant.
Look for this book at a local bookstore or at your public library.
About the author and illustrator:
Husband-and-wife team Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant are the creators of You Are (Not) Small, which won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award and was named a Notable Children’s Book by the American Library Association. They live in New Jersey with their two daughters, Kate and Lily, a guinea pig named Athena, and a hermit crab named Olaf.
Anna, a native New Yorker, grew up believing everything was hers until one day she realized it was her brother’s, too. She received a master’s degree in fine arts from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where the visual storyteller in her was awakened, forever changing the way she saw art, life, and everything in between. In addition to writing, Anna loves to read, travel, laugh, eat, and nap. Visit her online at www.annakang.com Twitter: @annakang27
Christopher is a cartoonist and illustrator. His work can regularly be seen in the New Yorker. His cartoons are syndicated worldwide and have been featured on the Today Show, Meet the Press, and World News Tonight. Christopher likes to share everything but his personal space on the subway. Visit him online at www.christopherweyant.com Twitter: @chrisweyant05
Check out the other stops in the blog tour:
August 31, 2015 Watch.Connect.Read
September 1, 2015 Jean Little Library
September 2, 2015 Teach Mentor Texts
September 3, 2015 Kid Lit Frenzy (that's here)
September 4, 2015 Unleashing Readers
September 7, 2015 The Children's Book Review
September 8, 2015 proseandkahn
September 9, 2015 The Library Fantatic
September 10, 2015 Sharpread
September 11, 2015 Bluestocking Thinking
Don't miss the giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive a copy of THAT’S (NOT) MINE plus an adorable full-color poster. (U.S. addresses; allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.)