by Carol and Rebecca
Here in Charlotte, North Carolina, snow is a rare phenomena. Even the possibility of accumulation prompts school closings. It's a good thing that southern snow-deprived children can read about sports that require ice or snow. Isn't that what books are all about? Opening up new worlds to readers of all ages! Even if you look out your window and see palm trees--these books can chill your bones.
Our selected reads cover a wide variety of ice sports, including figure skating, skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and curling. Also you’ll find books that feature athletes of color and paralympians. We hope you enjoy this extra cool issue!
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Featured Author
Jocelyn Watkinson
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Growing up north of Toronto, Canada exposed me to an extraordinary amount of hockey, whether in person at the rink, watching friends or family, or on television. As a hockey sister/daughter/girlfriend and now a hockey wife and mother, hockey has lived loudly in every one of my homes. I never got to play hockey growing up, as that wasn't an option for girls. I was always watching from the sidelines, although my mother reminds me that I spent a lot of time at the rink reading books. After moving to the United States, I took to writing.
To give full credit and transparency, the idea for The Three Canadian Pigs came from my mom. I had written a different fractured fairy tale draft and was reading it to my mother. She suggested remaking the Three Little Pigs as Canadian. Being homesick for Canada, it was an easy write as I knew I would include hockey, the Canadian accent (eh?), and some distinctly Canadian foods. Once I made the Wolf want to eat their “Canadian Bacon” the story started to take shape.
After a few drafts, I entered into the PB Chat Mentorship Program and was gifted a wonderful mentor, Lori Degman, who helped massage the story into a query-worthy version. On the last day of the program, Sarah Rockett from Sleeping Bear Press expressed interest in the manuscript and a few weeks later I was offered a publishing deal! It definitely was not a traditional query/submission pathway to publication, but I was ecstatic to have success so early on in my writing career.
The book has been very well received by Canadians and hockey fans – it’s a joy to hear when someone enjoys something you worked so hard on.
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Featured Illustrator
Anastasia Marjorie Williams
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Written by: Frank Murphy
Anastasia Magloire Williams is a Florida-based illustrator and designer who is passionate about telling inspiring stories and painting colorful adventures.
This book is one of our giveaways!
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One Teen Talks About Three Books
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By Henley Estacio
Who is Chloe Kim? is a middle-grade book that follows the true story of Chloe Kim and her journey in professional snowboarding. This book is great for kids ages 8-12. The biography begins by describing Chloe Kim’s childhood life and her struggles with being a first-generation Korean American. As Kim gets older, she finds a passion for snowboarding. This book covers her growth in the sport and what it took to become one of the most famous US snowboarders.
Breaking the Ice: The Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League by Angie Bullaro
Breaking the Ice is about Manon Rhéaume, who was the first ever woman to play in the NHL. Rhéaume is a trailblazer for all kids, and her story demonstrates that you can do whatever you believe you can. Breaking the Ice is a great book for any age, but especially for ages 5-8
Rhéaume was very young when she discovered her love for hockey, and in order to play, she had to hide that she was a girl. To go from having to hide her identity, to being one of the most famous hockey players is absolutely amazing. This book is truly inspiring and all kids should know that anything is possible.
Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli
Finding Her Edge is a super fun young adult romance about Adriana Russo. Adriana comes from an Olympic figure skating family, and she has a lot to live up to. With the pressure of the Junior Worlds Championship combined with a huge love triangle, Adriana has her hands full. This romance is perfect for ages 12-16 and will keep you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next. Finding Her Edge has amazing characters and a fast-paced plot. The plot twists were also incredible. Overall, everything about this book was amazing and it is definitely one of my new favorite romances.
My name is Henley Estacio and I’m from Chapel Hill, NC. I love to read, but I’m also a synchronized figure skater, and a clarinetist. My favorite series is the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, but I love all fantasy books.
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by Rebecca Wheeler
Comparing and contrasting elements in a story helps youth strengthen critical thinking skills. Moreover, graphic organizers are excellent tools yong students can use to organize thoughts and ideas. A Venn Diagram allows a reader to compare and contrast relationships between any two elements.
This issue explores a variety of ice sports. Despite these sports sharing a key factor- ice - they have many points of difference. Students might compare and contrast the rules of play, training process, origins of the sport, or any other topics of interest!
For instance, a child might compare and contrast the rules of curling in Teamwork Trouble to hockey in Dino-Hockey, or the training required for figure skaters in Wei Skates On to hockey players in Breaking the Ice. Readers might even try a three-way Venn Diagram exploring three books at once!
 
2 Zone Venn Diagram
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We love to hear from our readers!
You can contact us through the newsletter or individually at the following social media platforms.
We're also both available for school visits.
Rebecca W Wheeler
Carol Baldwin
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Does a Teen Reviewer
Live in Your House or
Attend Your School?
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We're always looking for teen or tween reviewers. If you know someone who might be interested in reading and writing a short synopsis of three books, please email us.
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To Jocelyn Watkinson for being our expert.
To Anastasia Malgorie Williams and Triumph Books for the illustration.
To Triumph Books for donating Fearless Heart.
To Sleeping Bear Press for their generous donation of The Three Canadian Pigs and Z is for Zamboni.
To Nancy Sutin for proofreading.
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If you're having trouble emailing us, try using CHROME browser.
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PLEASE SHARE
TALKING STORY
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If you share TALKING STORY either on social media or via email, we will enter your name in our giveaway. Please email by January 15, 2024, and indicate your book preference and we will add your name to the hat!
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Congratulations to the Winners From our Fall Issue
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Maya Myers won Maggie and the Mountain of Light paperbook
Barb Seregi—won Maggie and the Mountain of Light, Ebook.
Sandra Whiting won When Mama Grows with Me.
Kristin Wynalda won Not Little.
Penny Schneider won Too Much!
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UP NEXT:
A Special Issue!
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Both Rebecca and I have some special publishing news which we will share in February. Stay tuned!
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Did you know there is a TALKING STORY Facebook Group? We would love for you to participate and find out what other writers, educators and librarians are saying.
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Send us an email and we'll enter your name to win one of the four books below.
US addresses only.
(GAME FACE can also be shipped to Canada)
Enter by
January 15, 2024
(Or better yet, enter now!)
BONUS!
If you forward Talking Story
to a friend or share this issue on social media, let us know. We will give you an extra chance to win a book.
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by Rebecca
As kids, my sister and I spent hours watching figure skating. We could explain the difference between a double axel and a double toe loop (because an axel has an extra half revolution, obviously) and match Olympians with their respective home countries. Growing up in the Tidewater region of Virginia, our fantasy of becoming figure skaters was relegated to our couch commentary. One of our favorite skaters was Surya Bonaly, and I’m thrilled one of our readers can score a giveaway of her picture book biography this month!
Fast forward thirty years and my daughter is living out my ice skating dreams. My daughter, along with the teen reviewer for this month’s issue, skate on the Carolina Ice Synchro skating team. I am beyond excited that this month’s issue of Talking Story features all things ice sports!
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Books Featuring
Sports on Ice!
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PICTURE BOOKS AND BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
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BOOKS FOR MIDDLE GRADES and OLDER READERS
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