by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
This is NOT a Pumpkin
Written and Illustrated by Bob Staake (If you get a chance, visit his website and on the left hand sidebar click on the “quick bob” link. It’s a slideshow “about me,” and I enjoyed his description of moving into digital work and his normal style.)
Little Simon, 2007
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Theme/Topic: Similarities, Differences
Opening Spread:
This is NOT a pumpkin.
Brief Synopsis: From back cover: It may be round like a pumpkin and even orange like a pumpkin, but this is NOT a pumpkin! If it’s not a pumpkin, then what is it? Preschoolers and toddlers will love knowing the answers and enjoy the fun, “unexpected” ending!
Resources: Play a game with objects and talk about how they are or are not the same thing. Is it a sock or a sock monkey? Read a copy of Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld (that’s an optical illusion book), as a companion to this one. Draw a pumpkin and create your own Jack-o’-lanterns. Here’s a craft to make a 3-D one that doesn’t look like a pumpkin.
Why I Like This Book: I love the simplicity of the text and the art. It’s a fun book for little ones, because they will be saying, “BUT, it IS a pumpkin!” until the last page.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Counting on Letters: From A to Z and 1 to 26
Written and Illustrated by Mark Gonyea
BookPOW, 2014
Suitable for ages: 4-6
Theme/Topic: Concept, ABCs, Numbers
Opening Spread:
1 A all alone.
2 Bs balancing.
Brief Synopsis: (from Amazon) An alliterative romp through the alphabet that combines letters with numbers for a double-whammy of educational fun.
Resources: We use ABC books to practice letters at our house. Kindergarten testing has been a tough, but we practice and practice some more. There are resources at PBS Kids to practice letters. One could also encourage an art project using letters in new scenarios. Instead of “4 Ds dangling,” how might you illustrate a D.
Why I Like This Book: It’s a fun, graphic twist on an ABC book. The letters are an integral part of the art. Each page is fun. And, it’s been on repeat read at our house since Christmas 2014.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Memoirs of a Goldfish
Written By Devin Scillian
Illustrated by Tim Bowers
Sleeping Bear Press, 2010
Suitable for: ages 4-7
Theme/Topic: Feelings, Home, Friendship
Opening Spread: Day One. I swam around my bowl.
Brief Synopsis: From Barnes and Noble —
With his bowl to himself, Goldfish loves his life…until one day…
A personal account from a goldfish on life in his bowl as other intruders crowd him.
Resources: Teaching Guide. Write a memoir about yourself over 14 days. Write about what you do and how you feel.
Why I Like This Book: I checked the lists and hope I’m not a repeat. I discovered this book recently thanks to Flowering Minds. I’m not sure how I’ve missed it over the years. More proof that there are so many great books to discover. I love the format of using the days to tell the Goldfish’s story. There are lots of emotions and friends packed into this book and this bowl.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Mr. Squirrel and the Moon
Author and Illustrator Sebastian Meschenmoser
North-South Books, Inc.
January 2015
First published in Germany under the title Herr Eichborn und der Mond (2006)
Suitable for: ages 2-5
Theme/Topic: Misunderstanding, Worry
Opening Spread: The book opens with two wordless spreads. The third spread: “One morning Mr. Squirrel woke up because the moon had fallen onto his tree.”
Brief Synopsis: from Barnes And Noble: When Mr. Squirrel awakens to find that the moon has landed on his tree, he frantically tries to get rid of it before someone suspects him of stealing it and puts him in jail. But when he rolls the moon off of his tree, it’s gets stuck on Mrs. Hedgehog’s bristles and when the billy-goat arrives and butts it with his horns . . . Will the moon ever be the same again? Sebastian Meschenmoser’s hilarious illustrations and rollicking tale will be a bedtime favorite.
Resources: I really had hoped North-South Books had a resource for this, but I didn’t see one. I found this article on PBS about Talking with Kids About News. There are a number of books about worry to read and consider the journey the child character takes and the resolution. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. Found by Salina Yoon also involves a bit of worry and misunderstanding.
Why I like this book: While I understand this selection is not perfect for everyone, I really enjoyed this book. Enzo enjoyed it the first time, and my laughter at asking him “do you know what it means to be in jail?” may have influenced him.
Poor Mr. Squirrel frets over the “moon” at his house … “If someone came looking for it now and found it … here, with him … they would think he was the thief. He’d be arrested and thrown into prison ….” The page turn reveals a spread of the inmate crafting and the poor squirrel in a prison uniform.
The reviews are good for this book. It was a Top Ten Indie Next Pick book in January.
Here’s one quote from the Barnes and Noble listing:
“As this book proves, squirrels, jail sequences, and edible heavenly bodies make for picture book gold. Delicious…if I had my way every Caldecott would go to Sebastian Meschmenmoser, regardless of citizenship or whether or not he has a book out in a given year.”-Fuse #8 Production/School Library Journal, Elizabeth Bird
Yes. Squirrels, jail sequences, and cheese are a magical mixture.
I know. I know. In many ways you think, “But, Stacy this doesn’t sound like a children’s book.”
But, it is.
The animal antics are enough to make any reader laugh. And, as Enzo said to me later. “Silly squirrel. It was just cheese.”
If you can find it, read it. I’ve recommended this book to several people and found myself babbling to picture book friends, a picture book editor, and a librarian about the “cumulative toilet scene.” I know. It sounds crazy, but like any great picture book it’s perfect when it all mixes together.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
The Halloweensie contest was a lot of fun. Gilda’s Zombie Fix received an honorable mention for Great Kid Appeal. I knew tooting was a good direction.
The contest is always a lot of fun. Read all about the winners here. Enjoy the week.
by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
If Waffles Were Like Boys
Written by Charise Mericle Harper
Illustrated by Scott Magoon
Balzer+Bray, 2011
Suitable for: ages 4-8
Theme/Topic: Comparison, Adventure
Opening Spread: If waffles were like boys … [page turn]
breakfast would be a BATTLEFIELD!
Brief Synopsis: From Amazon.com description—
What if everything were just like boys?
If shopping carts were like boys . . . grocery stores would be racetracks!
If pillows were like boys . . . bedrooms would besuperhero hideouts!
Perfect for bedtime, this funny and tender celebration of boyhood will have everyone seeing their world in a whole new way.
Resources: Create your own story with different objects. Use the construction like in Charise’s story: If ____ were like boys/girls … _____(what would happen). It’s sort of an if … then construction. For example… If zombies were like boys … brains would be fast food. (Or something silly like that.) Several books with a similar format include: Miranda Paul’s book Water is Water (we discuss this a lot on foggy or wet days), Jim Averbeck’s Except If, and Sean Taylor’s When a Monster is Born (which offers two possibilities for every scenario). Lots of possibilities to compare and contrast with this book. You can also discuss whether you agree with the ending of each line or not?
Why I Like This Book: We found this book while researching a publisher. The side benefit is that Enzo and I had a fun time exploring the different scenarios in the book. “If shopping carts were like boys … grocery stores would be RACETRACKS!” The story obviously generalizes some boy behaviors. And, many of them fit into my boy’s mindset, so he liked the book. Since we read this book, we’ve added several more of Charise’s books on our library list. She has a really cool FAQ – kid focused – on her website.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Friendshape
Written By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrated By Tom Lichtenheld
Scholastic Press, 2015
Suitable for: ages 3 to 5
Theme/Topic: Friendship, concept: shapes
Opening Spread: The opening spread is the title page which introduces you quickly to the shapes.
First spread: What’s so great about having Friends?
[Triangle] We’re glad you asked!
[Rectangle] See, the great thing about friends is …
[Circle] Everything!
Brief synopsis: Friends shape who we are.
Resources: Cut out your own version of rectangle, circle, square, and triangle. A family can act out the story with the shapes featured in the book. Study the story and create images using your shapes. Use the story to discuss your favorite friendship qualities (and maybe the areas you need to work on in your day).
Why I Like This Book: Friendshape shapes (couldn’t resist) a sweet, simple message about friendships. The shapes carry the story from the jacket flap cover to The End. I also love that the endpapers are the four colors of the shapes.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
I’ll include these links of recent blog posts at other sites … you know in case you want to read another blog post.
Contest Win Left Me Feeling a Little Deflated
Quilling in Style with Stacy S. Jensen
