Roly Poly Pangolin

Roly Poly Pangolin

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For the picture book world, it’s been a very sad week with the deaths of Anna Dewdney and of Deirdre Sheridan Englehart.


Enzo wondered how Ms. Dewdney’s books will be finished. I told him we need to read all of her books again and again!


I thought I had already posted about this book. Apparently, not. So, here’s an official post for PPBF.


Title: Roly Poly Pangolin
Author and Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Viking, 2010


Themes/Topics: Pangolins, Fear, Friendship


Opening: Roly Poly, very small,
doesn’t like new things at all.


Brief Synopsis: (from author and illustrator’s website) —
Roly Poly, very small, doesn’t like new things at all.
Meet Roly Poly Pangolin’s little pangolin who’d rather stick close to his mama instead of facing anything unfamiliar. Whether it’s a line of ants, a friendly monkey, or a loud noise, Roly Poly runs the other way. Then he hears something that really scares him. So he does what all pangolins do when they’re frightened: he rolls up into a tiny ball. But Roly Poly is surprised when he finally peeks out, because another ball is peeking back…it’s a small pangolin just like him!


Resources: In obituaries that circulated after her death, Ms. Dewdney asked people to read a book to a child. As a tribute to her, I believe that’s a great activity.


Why I Like this Book: Enzo and I were introduced to this book at a neighborhood story time. Everyone brought a book to share. I can’t recall the book we dropped off. Enzo picked up Roly Poly Pangolin. I loved it from the first spread.


Don’t wait! Go read a book to a child. Do it for the writers who have left us, for the writers still sharing stories with us, and for the children, who enjoy a stories. Have a wonderful weekend!


For more PPBF books, check out the list over at the incredible Susanna Hill’s website.
 
 

A Penguin Story

A Penguin Story

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I SURVIVED! I took a two-week break to power through a special reading project (I can share that later in June); the silent auction at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference; a pitch appointment being canceled and transforming into an eight-minute-edit session with an editor (yipee); and polishing  two contest entries.
I return, as promised, with PENGUIN books!
Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:

A Penguin Story
Written and Illustrated by Antoinette Portis
Fiction
Harper Collins Publishers, 2009
Suitable for: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Discovery, Animals, Research, Colors/Environment, Community


Opening Lines: White, thinks Edna. Like yesterday.
Black. Like tomorrow.


Synopsis from Amazon: Edna the penguin only knows the three colors that surround her: white ice, black night, and blue sea. She is convinced there is something more out there. So she sets out on a quest—a quest for color. When she finally finds what she’s been looking for, it’s everything she hoped for and more. But that doesn’t mean she will ever stop looking.


Link to Resources: Here’s a link to Everything You Need with a really cute foam penguin craft. You can also be like Edna and look at the colors around you, your home, and your neighborhood.


Why I like this Book: It’s a simple story, but unfolds into something larger as Edna explores her world. I also like how the other penguins interact with Edna throughout the story from ignoring her to going with her.


Find more PPBF books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.


Have a great weekend and happy writing, especially to those participating in the NaPiBoWriWee Challenge!