Super Bugs

Super Bugs

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This week, I wanted to share a Perfect Picture Book about bugs.



Title: Super Bugs
Author: Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Bill Mayer
Orchard Books, 2016
Themes/Topics: Rhyme, Bugs, Community Helpers


Opening: Antennae up, eyes down. Buzzing all around the town. Super Bugs, Super Bugs, mighty, mighty Super Bugs!


Brief Synopsis: (from cover flap) When bugs need help, who come to the rescue? Why, Super Bugs of course! Follow a tor of heroic Super Bugs from morning till night as they save their fellow insects from hungry frogs, falling tomatoes, and even human feet. When danger is near, Super Bugs are here!


Resources: Lesson plans on community helpers and another one. Scholastic has a variety of lesson plans and activities on bugs. Michelle Meadows has some very nice activity guides on her book page for her other books. Check out her site to see if one has been added for Super Bugs.


Why I Like This Book: Super Bugs was a random find at the library. The Super Bugs are super cute. These little bugs in capes are community helpers, who take care of other insects in the community. The note about the artwork is unique. It says Bill Mayer points in miniature. “In fact, the Super Bugs are actually about the size of a thumbnail!” He then scans the miniature paintings and enlarges them to fit the size of the book.


Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for Monday is Wash Day. I’m keeping that open until Sept. 2.


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

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade

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Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:

 
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade
Author Justin Roberts
Illustrator Christian Robinson
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014
Fiction
Suitable for: Ages 3-5
Theme/Topic: Bullying, Teasing, Excluding Others, Rhyme


Opening Spread: Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe.


Brief Synopsis: From the jacket flap: Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe. She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But Sally notices everything— from the twenty-seven keys on the janitor’s ring to the bullying happening on the playground.


One day, Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. And when she takes a chance and stands up to the bullies, she finds that one small girl can make a big difference.


Links to Resources: A bullying lesson plan.


Why I like this book: I love the work of Christian Robinson and grabbed this one from the library display. The art for this book was done in colored pencils. The art pulls the reader through to the third spread where the meat of the story begins. The story is serious. The book is a great reminder of how to pay “super extra special attention” to those around you. In our digital and “connected” world, it’s easy to be distracted and miss what’s happening around us. I’m guilty of it too.


For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.