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
by Stacy
PPBF has returned! Perfect Picture Book Fridays took a summer break and I did too. Now, it’s time to share a few books our family fell in love with over the summer.
LOOK!
Author and Illustrator Édouard Manceau or visit the Publisher’s bio.
Owl kids Books Inc., 2015 (North American)
Published in France under the title Le petit curieux by Editions Milan, 2014
Fiction
Suitable for: ages 3-7
Theme/Topic: Exploration, Concept Book, Interactive
Opening Spread: One day, a curious little kid picked up this book.
Brief Synopsis: (from the back cover) Take a LOOK! And see the world in a new way.
Resources: Use the book. The final spread asks “…What do you see?” Take the book out into the world and write down what you see. Turn to the spread asking you to look through the hole — Look for items that are red, orange, blue, and green? You can also talk about the numbers and letters not mentioned on that page of the book.
Why I Like This Book: I’m so grateful my library carries books by Édouard Manceau (See PPBF posts The Race and Windblown). I found this one while studying recent board books and concept books. Oh, I was delighted. Enzo and I had fun reading this together. The design of the book is fabulous. There is a “viewing hole” where you can see beyond the story when the book is open. The story takes the curious little kid through a series of concepts — colors, location, movement, size, distance, sound, shapes, texture, letters, and numbers. From the first spread to the last spread, LOOK! offers a mash up of concepts, but it isn’t overwhelming.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
While I’m not adding this to PPBF, I wanted to share Enzo’s first library check out.
Enzo enjoyed The Magic Gourd by Baba Wagué Diakité. It’s a fable from Mali. I’m volunteering in his school library and love the selection of books for the kiddos.
by Stacy
Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
Augie to Zebra An Alphabet Book!
Kate Endle & Caspar Babypants
Sasquatch Books, 2012
Fiction
Suitable for: Ages 3 and up
Themes/Topcs: Alphabet, Names
Opening Line: Augie Awards the Ape
Synopsis: (from jacket) The Beautiful Alphabet of Names: This colorful and rhythmic alphabet book illustrates the diversity of people and names. Meet Hiroshi, Sisika, Gabby, and Pasquale! Collage artist Kate Endle and musician Caspar Babypants come together again to compose a beautifully happy trip from Augie to Zebra and all the letters in between.
Link to Resources: The book contains a “Can you find these other items that start with each letter?” on the final page. You can return to each page to identify all the objects. Listen to free songs for this and other books here. Since I’m posting this at the end of the 2014 Winter Olympics, another activity would be to find Olympic competitor names to complete the alphabet. I’m guessing the alphabet can be found among the international athletes.
Why I like this book: Over the last week, I’ve read dozens of ABC books — from simple to complex lists to full blown stories. This one stood out for its simple text and lovely collage illustrations. If you enjoy paper collage work, check out Kate Endle’s website and etsy shop. I was not disappointed.
For more PPBF selections, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
