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"Story always comes first, but I get a kick out of inserting fun words and messages in what I write." Leslie Helakoski grew up in south Louisiana where she learned from her parents, both early childhood specialists, about combining learning with fun. She has a degree in Advertising Design from the University of Louisiana and one in Media Illustration from Northern Michigan University. She worked in advertising for years before turning her hand to picture books. Now, she lives with her husband and three children near Kalamazoo, Michigan. "I don't think of myself as a writer so much as someone who manipulates words," says Leslie. "Working with children's books brings me into a world of art, words and young minds—all of my favorite things. Children have such a wonderful way of thinking and approaching life. Fun books are a great way to interact with them and teach at the same time."
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Woolbur Woolbur's list of Do's and Don'ts: DO express yourself creatively DO march to your own beat DO be bold and brave Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs, cards his own wool to avoid the shearing barn, and even dyes his wool blue. "Don't worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens—the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd. |
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Big Chickens Fly the Coop The four big chickens who were afraid of everything in their well-received debut, Big Chickens, are now feeling all cooped up, so they set off to find the farmhouse. But where, the hapless hens wonder, is it? First they find a doghouse (loud barking!); then they run into a tractor (ewww, dirty!); and then they stomp into the barn (wild horses!). Who knew the farmhouse was right under their beaks the whole time? Sidesplitting silliness abounds in this second riotously funny read-aloud by Leslie Helakoski, once again illustrated with Henry Cole’s boisterous art. |
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Big Chickens When four big chickens see a wolf sneaking near their coop, they run into the woods to hide. But for a bunch of big chickens, running away from danger isn’t as easy as it looks. As they continue on their way, they wonder:What if they get stuck in a ditch? What if they hit an iceberg in the lake? What if they step into a cow patty? Ewww! Brimming with silliness and the kind of slapstick humor small children love, here’s a rollicking read-aloud with an uplifting message and a very satisfying ending. Henry Cole’s hilarious artwork captures all the sly humor. Awards |
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The Smushy Bus When the regular schoolbus is in the shop, a clever driver must use all that he knows about addition and subtraction to ensure that seventy-six children get on—and off—of the four-seat substitute bus. Awards |
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