Review
Finalist, Children's Picture Books category, 24th Annual Midwest Book Awards
A Day at the Lake is a playful romp of fun prose combined with some adventure-seeking, young lake-goers that make you want to run for the nearest inner-tube!” Trip Park, illustrator of the Rotten School series
"A delightful picture book that awakens all five senses. Stunning illustrations + playful text like "Race to the end of the old wooden dock, Thumpity Thump, Slappity bump" = a perfect story to read with your little ones." ForeWord This Week, 1/31/13, Staff Pick
"A good story time book will energize a child and A Day at the Lake does not disappoint. The rhymes will cause fits of laughter, possibly of the belly kind...The simple text, the rhyming, the bright, cheerful illustrations, the ability to inject yourself into the story, and the learning opportunities make A Day at the Lake a wonderful addition to any child’s library." Kid Lit Reviews
"Readers will enjoy following along as three kids spend a memorable day bobbing about in a rowboat, swimming in the clear water, discovering creatures of all kinds, and watching the sun set after a busy, fun-filled day. A perfect read with which to welcome the warm, summer weather ... A Day at the Lake will charm water lovers of all ages." Bloggin' 'Bout Books
"I love the way this book plays with words, and your kids just might be inspired by that. There is some not-overwhelming rhyme, some great onomatopoeia, gorgeous illustrations... and when it’s all said and done, a very fun day at the lake." The Family That Reads Together
"From the front cover, on each page, and ending with the back cover this cheerful, bright, engaging books is delightful. I can almost feel the children's joy and excitement in the pictures detailing their fun and activities and discoveries when they spend A Day at the Lake." Chat with Vera
"A vibrant book about the world around us that little kiddos will love squawking about for days to come." There's A Book
"Twinkly Bay
It's a lake day!
Race to the end of the old wooden dock
Thumpity thump
Slappity bump
Swim and splash,
we flip and we flop
Flippety Swish
We wish we were fish!" from the book
About the Author
Stephanie Wallingford was born in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1974 and lived in Maryland and Kansas before heading north to settle in Minneapolis, MN. Inspired by a family full of creativity and humor, Wallingford grew up writing poems, singing, playing the piano, and making messes with art supplies and scotch tape. Wallingford first majored in English and completed her coursework with a degree in Business Administration.
Wallingford lives in picturesque Minnetonka, Minnesota, with the love of her life and has three children, Allegra, Anissa and Aidan. Through years of reading with them and making up her own bedtime stories and songs, she began to write children's manuscripts. A Day at the Lake is her first published work. In addition to writing, she enjoys trend spotting and reading about fashion, nutrition, technology and business and is an avid yoga practitioner and enthusiast.
Dawn Rynders has been a children's literature enthusiast for most of her life. First, reading books as a child, next as a student studying them, then as a parent spending hours reading to her children, and finally as an author writing children's literature. Dawn's quaint childhood was filled with tagging along after her parents on the farm, riding her elderly Shetland pony, Trigger, and well-loved afternoons at the lake with her grandmotherall great subject matters for her writing.
After receiving her BA in creative writing at Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA, Dawn moved to Minneapolis, MN. There, tucked between the shores of Lake Minnewashta and Lake Minnetonka, she and her husband Eric raise and enjoy their three children, Henry, Beatrice, and Simon.
Erica Pelton Villnave’s involvement in children’s literature began at The Maryland Institute College of Art where she studied illustration. She loved the idea of using her artwork as a form of communication and to promote literacy among children. There are certain books that children cherish for a lifetime. As an illustrator, Erica is interested in creating picture books that will attract such interest and inspiration. Erica shares her home in upstate New York with her husband, her one year old son, two cats and two very large dogs. When she isn’t working on an illustration Erica enjoys working on other craft projects like painting furniture and sewing. She also loves exploring the outdoors, gardening and taking long road trips to places she has never been before.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Twinkly Bay
It's a lake day!
Race to the end of the old wooden dock
Thumpity thump
Slappity bump
Swim and splash,
we flip and we flop
Flippety Swish
We wish we were fish!
