Reviews & News

February 2007 -  Shelby has been chosen as a finalist in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award. Prizes will be announced June 1 at BEA. Come and root with us for the ocean's most unusual hero! Also, drop by our booth, 957, and see what's bubbling at Stonehorse Publishing.

November 2007 - Shelby a winner in the international Arizona Author's Literary Contest. We at Stonehorse Publishing congratulate author/illustrator team, Stacy Nyikos and Shawn Sisneros, for their outstanding work and prestigious award.

Reviews

August 2007 - In the Library Reviews (Very Highly Recommended - 8 Gargoyles) - Children will be drawn Shelby; her insecurity is one they understand. Sisneros' illustrations capture the wonder and enchantment of the sea, adding depth to Nyikos' gentle rhymes. A family favorite, Shelby is remarkable. To read the rest of the review, click here

July 2006 - Midwest Book Review (Small Press Bookwatch - Very Highly Recommended) - "The lyrical text perfectly augmented with colored drawings provides young readers with an engaging picturebook story of Shelby's encounter in a mangrove swamp that provides her the chance to save some fish and begin surprising new friendships. An ideal and fun picturebook story about overcoming shyness and loneliness that many young readers will readily identify with, Shelby is very highly recommended for family, school, and library collections."
For the complete review: Midwest BR July 2006.pdf
Or visit: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/jul_06.htm#children

June 2006 - Book Buds - Anne Levy praises Shelby: "I was shy as a kid. Nobody ever believes me, but it still takes a deep breath before I summon the courage for new situations or meeting people. So Shelby's my kinda shark." For the complete review:
http://dadtalk.typepad.com/book_buds_kidlit_reviews/2006/06/shelby_by_stacy.html

May 2006 - Midwest Book Review (Reviewer's Bookwatch) - Shirley Roe highly recommends Shelby in her review of the hardback children's picture book. Some highlights: "Author, Stacy Nyikos of Tulsa, Oklahoma, uses rhyme to bring the story of Shelby alive. Musical cadence helps the children to remember the tale of the shy little shark that overcomes her own fears to help other. Illustrator, Shawn N. Sisneros, a graudate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicao, depicts the story well. Illsutratios are realistic, yet charming." For the complete review: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/may_06.htm#roe 

May 2006 - Curled Up With a Good Kid's Book's five star review of Shelby, by Marcia Berenger. Here is a short exerpt: "Author Stacy A. Nyikos tells the story of Shelby in a light, whimsical rhyme, accompanied by illustrator Shawn Sisnernos' delightful art. As in their first book, Squirt, Shelby's tale will captivate young readers, who will identify with the lemon shark as she overcomes her shyness, conquers her fears, and saves her friends from an untimely end." For the complete review: http://www.curledupkids.com/shelbyny.htm

May 2006 - Armchair Interviews, by Connie Anderson. A short exerpt: "Told in rhyme, it has words (and names of exotic fish) that will delight children as they hear how shy Shelby finds the needed courage to help rescue her fish friends...The illustrations by Shawn Sisneros are bold lines and colors that will delight children." For the complete review: http://www.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/categories/childrens/shelby.php

May 2006 - Bookloons review of Shelby. Hilary Daninhirsch praises Sisneros' illustrations for their vivid color and the book for its valuable two pages of facts about lemon sharks.
To read more, visit: http://www.bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.asp?bookid=6212

March 2006 - The Reading Tub review of "Shelby." Here is a short excerpt:
"The book is creative, colorful, and will have a great shelf-life. It will readily transition from being a book you read to a book elementary students use to read to themselves."
To read more, visit:  http://www.thereadingtub.com/shelby.html

March 2006 - Allbooks Review of "Shelby." Shirley Roe writes: Author Stacy Nyikos of Tulsa, Oklahoma uses rhyme to bring the story of Shelby alive. Musical cadence helps the children to remember the tale of the shy little shark that overcomes her own fears to help others. Illustrator, Shawn N. Sisneros a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts the story well. Illustrations are realistic, yet charming. Cover is colorful and enticing. The back of the book contains a question and answer page that gives children some insight into the world of sharks.
To read the full review, click here:
http://stonehorsepublishing.com/allbooksreview.pdf
or visit: http://www.allbookreviews.com/Default.aspx?tabid=658

Squirt
October 2005 - "Squirt" is reviewed by Armchair Interviews. Sharon Bloom calls "Squirt" a "delightful children's story that celebrates imagination..." To read the entire review, click: http://www.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/categories/childrens/squirt.php

October 2005 - "Squirt" is reviewed by TulsaKids, Kid Tested-Parent Approved. The parent reviewer said, "...your storytelling is wonderful, and Shawn did a beautiful job on th eart. I am looking forward to your next book!" To read the complete article, click: http://stonehorsepublishing.com/tulsakidsarticle.pdf

Media Coverage

December 2005 - The "Squirt" drawing contest citywide winners are announced. First place goes to Dune Beard, second place goes to Riley Cramer, and third place goes to Madelyn McDaniel. Channel 6 covers the first place awards ceremony Thursday, December 15, and the Tulsa World, covers all three winners on December 19, 2005. To view: http://stonehorsepublishing.com/TulsaWorld191205.pdf

October 2005 - Author, Stacy A. Nyikos, visits Lincoln and the Woodlands Elementary Schools in Ponca City, followed by a signing at Brace Books & More, October 27, 2005. A review of the book appears in The Poca City News: http://stonehorsepublishing.com/poncacitynews1005.pdf

October 2005 - Squirt Drawing Contest - Check out the From the Reef Newsletterfrom the Oklahoma Aquarium for fun information about the citywide school drawing contest for "Squirt," as well as information on the upcoming Hallomarine where author, Stacy A. Nyikos, will be signing books on October 29, 2005.                                             http://stonehorsepublishing.com/okaquariumoct05.pdf

September 21, 2005 - Author, Stacy A. Nyikos appears at annual Stone Bluff Winery Festival. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/stonebluff.pdf

September 1, 2005 - Author, Stacy A. Nyikos, and illustrator, Shawn Sisneros, appear on KUTL's Good Morning Tulsa program to announce the upcoming drawing contest in Tulsa schools.

September 1, 2005 - The Tulsa Front Page runs a page one story on the success of "Squirt" and the upcoming author/illustrator visits and drawing contests in Tulsa schools. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/tulfropgaug05.pdf

July 3, 2005 - "Squirt" appears in the Tulsa World Book Notes section. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/tulworjul05.pdf

July 2, 2005 - Author, Stacy Nyikos, appears on Fox 23 News.

June 12, 2005 - Tulsa World Book Notes features author, Stacy A. Nyikos, for her upcoming signing in Tulsa. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/tulworjun05.pdf

June 1, 2005 - "Squirt" appears in Tulsa Front Page Wednesday, May 25, 2005. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/tulfropgjun05.pdf

May 30, 2005 - The Oklahoma City newspaper, The Oklahoman, features "Squirt" in anticipation of the book's launch. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/oknewsmay05.pdf

May 29, 2005 - Judy Randle, book review editor, features a review of "Squirt" in the Tulsa World, Sunday, May 29, 2005. http://stonehorsepublishing.com/tulwormay05.pdf

May 25, 2005 - Author, Stacy A. Nyikos, appears on KUTL Good Morning Tulsa to promote the launch of her children's picture book, "Squirt."

April 2005 - Keep your eyes peeled for the April 2005 Oklahoma Aquarium newsletter featuring important information about Squirt's upcoming arrival in June at the Aquarium, as well as a pre-order form!

April 2004 - The Oklahoma Aquarium newsletter features Squirt's print debut.