In this post, we feature acclaimed poet Joyce Sidman, whose previous titles include the Newbery Honor Book Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. You can hear her speak about her new picture book, Dear Treefrog, illustrated by Diana Sudyka, and try her fun “invitation to imagine” activity. You’ll also find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Dear Treefrog
- Written by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Diana Sudyka
- Published by HMH Books for Young Readers
- Release date: May 25, 2021
When a shy girl moves to a strange new home, she discovers a treefrog perched in a secret spot nearby and learns that sometimes, all it takes to connect with the people and the world around us is a little patience, a curious mind, and a willingness to see the world through a different perspective than your own. With beautiful gouache illustrations by Diana Sudyka and magical, perceptive poems from Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman, the lives of one tree frog and the girl who discovers it converge, bringing solace, courage, and joy in finding a kindred spirit.
Explore Dear Treefrog
Listen to Joyce Sidman talking with TeachingBooks about creating Dear Treefrog. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.
- Listen to poet Joyce Sidman talk about her name.
- Explore TeachingBooks’ collection of activities and resources for Dear Treefrog
Invitation to Imagine
TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Joyce Sidman.
Imagination Activity with Joyce Sidman
Try writing a letter poem! Choose an object either inside or outside your home that you find interesting. Look at it very closely. Notice what makes it special, what it reminds you of, how it looks, sounds, feels, behaves. Then write directly to that object, including:
- Two compliments (how is it amazing?)
- Two questions (what do you wonder about its life?)
- Two wishes (what do you wish you could do with it?)
Finish This Sentence . . . with Joyce Sidman
As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Joyce Sidman’s response.
“A surprising thing that helps me work is . . .”
A surprising thing that helps me work is the sound of my dog snoring.
Thank you!
To wrap up this Virtual Book Tour, we thank Joyce Sidman for signing a book for all of us.
More Connections to Joyce Sidman and Dear Treefrog
- Discover books like Dear Treefrog on TeachingBooks.
- HMH’s page about Dear Treefrog, written by Joyce Sidmanand illustrated by Diana Sudyka.
- Buy Dear Treefrog, written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Diana Sudyka.
Explore all of the titles featured in the TeachingBooks Virtual Book Tour: one link with author interviews, lesson plans, activities, and more!
All text and images are courtesy of Joyce Sidman, Diana Sudyka, and HMH Books for Young Readers and may not be used without expressed written consent.
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