Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Petey and Pru and the Hullabaloo
Written by Ammi-Joan Paquette
Illustrated by Joy Ang
Clarion Books, 2013
Fiction
Suitable for: ages 4-8
Theme/Topic: Friends, Vocabulary, Cats, Dogs
Opening Spread: Petey is enjoying a tranquil afternoon: peace and quiet and some light gardening.
Brief Synopsis: From the book summary — In this celebration of sesquipedalian words, a quiet afternoon erupts in a scuffle, which becomes a kerfuffle, which leads to a hullabaloo for a dog, several cats, and two children.
Resources: Endpapers share definitions for the words highlighted in the book. Create a list of your favorite words and write a story using your list.
Why I Like This Book: Oh, for the love of language you should read this book. It’s a mix of vocabulary stretching words and read out loud fun. This book proves “large words” have a perfect place in picture books. Enzo and I giggled through every reading. Who knows, after reading the book you may feel like Petey tranquil OR you may feel like Pru tricksy. The final page makes me smile every time. Joy Ang’s illustrations of Petey and Pru are perfect.
I discovered this title via this interview with the author Ammi-Joan Paquette. The post shares revision tips and some background on how this book arrived in the world.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
The PPBF blog hop is taking a break for the summer. Now, I can catch up with all the books I missed over the last few weeks of conferences, writing challenges, retreat preparation, and a month filled with family celebrations. Now, our library hold list needs to be filled for the summer reading program.
Sesquipedalian: the SAT vocabulary word of the day! Great review Stacy.
Joan was at the PA SCBWI this spring, but this book wasn’t one of the ones on the table. Thanks for introducing it to me. 🙂
What a clever and entertaining book. Gotta love that cover! You left me curious. It’s great to introduce big words to children.
This book had me at the title.
I love reading books that feel good in the mouth. And I’m not talking about eating them. 😀 Will put this one on my summer reading list. I love PPBF!
Oh this sounds like a hoot; what a wonderful way to introduce big words to our little learners. Thanks for the lead on this winner!
Sesquipedalian? I didn’t know words had feet! Will have to read to find out, huh? Hehe!
This sounds like a great mentor text for writers, too. Had to look up some of this BIG words! Wowza!
Joan, Joy , and a killer title . . . Get me a copy! Added to my summer list. Thanks.
Well, I do love words. This sounds charming. I will be checking it out. Thanks for telling me about it.
Fun in making sounds and words. A good giggle activity!