by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Title: I Didn’t Do My Homework Because …
Author: Davide Cali
Illustrator: Benjamin Chaud
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC, 2014
Suitable for ages: 6-9
Theme/Topic: Homework, Fantasy
Opening Spread: “So, wh
y didn’t you do your homework?” [Teacher character asks]
[Boy] “I didn’t do my homework because … An airplane full of monkeys landed in our yard.”
Brief Synopsis: (from Amazon) How many excuses are there for not doing homework? Let us count the ways: Giant lizards invaded the neighborhood. Elves hid all the pencils. And then there was that problem with carnivorous plants…. The excuses go on and on, each more absurd than the next and escalating to hilarious heights. Featuring detail-rich illustrations by Benjamin Chaud, this book is guaranteed to amuse kids and their parents, not to mention anyone who has experienced a slacker student moment—and isn’t that everyone?
Resources: There is a companion book called I Didn’t Do My Homework Because … Doodle Book of Excuses. Homework tips from Scholastic.
Why I Like This Book: Homework can be a struggle. This book offers a number of fantasies on why one’s homework isn’t finished. We’ve had fun reading this book and thinking about all the fun ways to explain why homework is not completed. Of course, at the end of the week, the reality is that homework is complete.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
by Stacy
This week, I’m sharing a Perfect Picture Book that claims to not be one — well a picture book anyway.
Title: This is not a picture book!
Author and Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Chronicle Books, 2016
Themes/Topics: Reading, Books
Opening: A book!
Brief Synopsis: (from Amazon) In this quirky yet sweet picture book about the joy and power of reading, Duck learns that even books without pictures can be fun. While he and his friend Bug may struggle at first to decipher their book, they stick with it, and before long they discover that not only can they read it, but it deserves a place on the shelf with all their favorite picture books. Author-artist Sergio Ruzzier has created a fanciful tribute to books of all kinds. It includes both words AND pictures.
Resources: Here’s a variety of kindergarten writing activities. Children could also try to illustrate a phrase from one of the spreads in the book like “Some are funny!” or “There are wild words … and peaceful words.”
Why I Like This Book: It’s clearly a picture book despite the title. 🙂 The words create a variety of mood evoking images. My favorite spread may be “Some are very sad.” This may be my favorite image, because I just finished reading Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. Indeed, some words are sad. Duck and Bug make a unique pair to take a child through the words of a book. Sergio masterfully takes the reader on an adventure with his words and images. This is so different than The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak.
For more PPBF books, check out the list over at the incredible Susanna Hill’s website.
A Winner:
I’ve promoted a giveaway for Monday is Wash Day for a few weeks.
Rosi Hollinbeck won! I have sent you an email Rosi to arrange delivery of your book.
The book is available on Sept. 27, so consider taking a look at it or request it from your library.
by Stacy
Here’s my choice for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
A Troop is a Group of Monkeys
Written by Julie Hedlund
Illustrated by Pamela Baron
Little Bahalia Publishing LLC, 2013
Non-Fiction
Suitable for ages: 2 and up
Themes/Topics: animals
Opening line: A parliament of owls hoots in the night.
Synopsis from Amazon.com: A surfeit of skunks, a troop of monkeys, a clutter of spiders these colorful and poetic words for animal groups are called collective nouns and children will learn all about them in this rhyming picture book by Julie Hedlund. With beautiful painted illustrations by Pamela Baron, each animal group is brought to life in color-splashed environments sure to fascinate any child. The magnificent illustrations and playful use of language make it perfect for design-savvy parents and inspired gift givers. First published as a series of interactive book apps for the iPad, A Troop is a Group of Monkeys has received much industry praise and was included in the Top 50 Apps for Kids in 2013.
Links to Resources: There’s a note on the last page saying A Troop is a Group of Monkeys is meant to be enjoyed as part of a complete lesson plan. Visit littlebahalia.com for sheet music, curriculum guides and reading strategies. Both apps, and this book, meet Core Curriculum standards. Both A Troop is a Group of Monkeys and A Shiver of Sharks are available in the App Store and provide interaction with the animals.
Why I like this book: I enjoy the simplicity of this story for bedtime or anytime. The rhythm and the animals make us want to read this again and again. The collective nouns are fun for children and parents too. The book is a combination of the two apps A Troop is a Group of Monkeys and A Shiver of Sharks.
Most of the animals found in the apps are in the book. My only beef: Where are the hippos! I miss the bloat of hippopotami. Of course, that’s why I have an app for that — my hippopotomi fix!
I was able to purchase a copy of the book at the Rocky Mountain Chapter SCBWI conference bookstore. Julie signed my copy to Enzo. So that made this picture book perfect for our family.
Find more Perfect Picture Books on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. Hope you have a great weekend.
