Not the Quitting Kind

Book excerpt: " I've been trying out some hobbies A few things here and there But how come no one told me That ''first-timers should beware!''? An endearing story about a spunky young girl who tries out different endeavors -- from ballet to karate -- and feels like she fails at each one, Not the Quitting Kind will touch the heart of every child who has ever felt like giving up. This inspirational tale, told in Roth's clever verse and Bishop's playful illustrations, is a must-have for anyone who wishes to encourage a sense of perseverance and confidence in young readers. Hardcover with dust jacket. 32 pages. Ages 4 to 8. Full color throughout. 8-7/8 inches wide by 11-1/4 inches high. Author Sarra J. Roth, raised in Rockville Centre, New York, is a former elementary school art teacher with a passion for encouraging confidence, perseverance, and strength in her readers. Sarra's inspiration for her stories comes from her years as a devoted teacher, aunt, and mother of two beautiful sons. Not the Quitting Kind is Sarra's debut picture book. Illustrator Tracy Bishop fell in love with drawing and telling stories through pictures from an early age. She grew up on a U.S. Army base just outside of Tokyo, Japan. Tracy received a degree in graphic design with a concentration in illustration/animation from San Jose State University, and went on to illustrate various book covers and board books. This is her first children's picture book. She resides in San Jose, California. Reviews: SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL K-Gr 2-A child is excited about starting a new hobby in this delightful rhyming picture book. She tries doing tricks on her bike, ballet dancing, and karate lessons, all culminating in humorous mishaps. After an encouraging talk with her supportive mother, she decides that she will not let little setbacks keep her down. This debut picture book is sure to be checked out by many teachers and parents hoping to encourage youngsters to pursue their dreams and never give up. The message is clear but isn't delivered in a heavy-handed manner. Each snippet of the young narrator's story is hilarious and will have children giggling and able to relate. The illustrations are lively and fun and depict the child's frustrations perfectly. The inclusion of beautifully painted characters from various ethnic backgrounds is refreshing. While the story empowers a female protagonist to have the confidence to try anything, it is strong enough to send a positive message to boys and girls alike. -Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW "Filled with scenes of delicious frilly tutus, flowers, karate uniforms, and crumpled bikes, Not the Quitting Kind performs itself in rhyme, telling the tale of a curious girl who hates doing poorly at things she tries for the very first time. After one tumble from riding her bike, one ballet dance class snafu, and one attempted karate class, she is ready to stop trying because it's always harder than it looks like to succeed. However her mother encourages her to stick to her efforts for a good finish, and her next project, a painting of flowers, grows from a floppy failure to a beautiful picture. . . . Not the Quitting Kind is great inspirational reading for kids who get discouraged with the process of learning how to do new and exciting things." Click here to download a free Common Core Aligned Teaching Guide for Not the Quitting Kind. "