It’s Friday and time for Perfect Picture Book Friday! Here’s my PPBF selection:
Hiding Phil
Author and Illustrator Eric Barclay
Scholastic Press, 2013
Fiction
Suitable for: Ages 3-5
Topics/Themes: Friendship, Pets, Elephants
Opening Line: Look! An elephant!
Synopsis (from the jacket): Meet Phil. He’s an elephant. One day he meets three friends. They have so much fun with Phil that they decide to take him home. Their parents will love Phil, right? WRONG! Kids will fall over laughing at this great read-aloud story.
Link to Resources: The Human Society has a lesson plan about animals, National Pet Week Lesson Plans, Time for Kids material on elephants. I couldn’t find a resource on hiding elephants, so I believe Eric Barclay has that market cornered with Hiding Phil.
Why I like this book: It’s a quick, simple read. It takes longer to soak up the illustrations than it does to read the book. I didn’t type this one out to check the word count, but found one website that listed Hiding Phil at 85 words! This book definitely has the “read again” factor. We found this at the library, but will eventually add this one to our home bookshelf.
Love this book. I was smiling away to myself wondering how they hid him….lol. Go you, on the ReviMo!
They are very clever in their attempts to hide Phil.
Phil seems like the perfect name for this dapper elephant!
Dapper is a great way to describe him. He’s willing to play along with his new friends.
this sounds fun! yeah, I can see kids saying “mom will never notice”… definitely looking for this in our library. As for ReviMo – I agree, we all won by pushing through those revisions.
The parents are pretty smart in this book. 🙂 Yes. All winners for ReviMo work.
Congratulations, Stacy! What a wonderful accomplishment.
This book sounds darling and something that could be a hit. 85 words is no small feat. 🙂
The illustrations really carry a lot of the story. Thanks!
That’s wonderful Stacy! Cute book too!
It is cute Beverly on many levels – cute fun, cute illustrations, cute characters.
The book sounds fabulous and congrats on achieving all that revision so quickly. Great idea from Meg.
I agree it was a great idea from Meg.
What a really great cover! Kids have such great imaginations that they probably believe they can hide an elephant. Sounds like it is very funny! Enzo must have loved this book!
Kids are clever about things like this. Yes. Enzo did enjoy this one.
What fun, Stacy! Love the sound and look of the book…and I appreciate that you say it is a definite read-it-again story. I’m putting together a list of hold requests for our local library here (the children’s section is really nice…it is the entire downstairs of the stone building that is right in the center of Amherst Village)…and this book is being added to that list. Great review and thanks for the resources.
I hope you can find it. We actually kept it for a second “check out” period, because I didn’t want to give it up.
I had forgotten about this one somehow, so I thanks for the reminder. It’s a good ‘un!
I agree. It’s a good ‘un!
I love illustrations and easy stories. (Why is Life so complex sometimes?) There is definitely a perk being a child reader and a children’s book author/reviewer! Congrats on the ReviMo award. 7 is my favorite number and great for you. Woohoo on this sunny CO Friday!
True. This is a really fun story. I had a great Friday and spent most of my weekend reading.
I laughed out loud at the cover alone! Can’t wait to find this.. it looks like a fun read.
It is fun!
I always regreat going to the library on a Thursday because I see new ones like this that I haven’t read. Love the cover (hoping the dog helps!).
The dog lends a hiding place for Phil. I know I just put everything on my library list on Friday and over the weekend then pick them up the next week. 🙂
Brilliant! I love how Phil has a hat. I love hats. 🙂
Yes Erik. He’s a spiffy dresser.
That cover is a winner! I love playing hide and seek! I think I could win with Phil!
I never win hide and seek. I giggle too much.
Well, my mind is clearly one track at the moment. I saw the title “Hiding Phil” and assumed it was about Groundhog Day! 🙂 This book looks very fun. I’m hooked at the cover. And 85 words! Wow. Something to aspire to 🙂
Hey that’s a great idea for a title Susanna!
I’m intrigued by a book that only has 85 words so will have to read it. Congrats on winning ReviMo! 🙂
85 words! Pshaw that’s really long …
I want an elephant named Phil for a pet. I can only imagine the hilarity when he gets into the house. Or can he?
You’ll have to find it to see the house he tries.
Phil. What a cool name for a pb character. Fun, easy to say. I think I’ll order this. Sounds great. You rock! ReviMo stretched us pal. Now we’re ready freddy aren’t we? *wink*
Phil is a great character. Yes. Ready after ReviMo!
I look forward to this one. Thanks. I’m a big fan of “I Can See Just Fine.”
I had a fabulous week of revision too, thanks to Meg Miller and company. ReviMo is already on my calendar for next year!
I need to check out his other book I Can See Just Fine. I might resemble that story as a kid. 🙂
Stacy, cutest book! Gotta find it. Maybe my library will have it. Thanks for the spotlight on it.
I found this copy at the library. I hope you library has it Damon.