by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Ninja, Ninja Never Stop!
Todd Tuell
Tad Carpenter
Scholastic, 2014
Fiction
Suitable for ages: 2-5 years
Theme/Topic: Ninjas, Siblings, Rhyming
Opening Spread:
Ninja short,
Ninja tall.
Ninja jump,
Ninja crawl.
Brief Synopsis: From the publisher’s website — Follow this little ninja as he sneaks up on the family dog, swipes a cookie from his brother, and escapes from Granny’s kiss . . . only to be out-ninja’d by his younger brother’s sneak attack! Young readers will be drawn in by the fast-paced rhymes that parallel the little ninja’s quick moves, and will chant the refrain with glee! This humorous ode to stalking, sneaking, spying, and scheming is sure to be read over and over again, inspiring imaginary play for a new generation of ninjas.
Resources: Ninja Party Games
Why I Like This: This naughty ninja has a great personality. This book is a feast of short text and colors. We ordered our copy via the Scholastic order form at school. I was delighted to see this title as Todd Tuell is a co-coordinator of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI and a Colorado author. This book will be on my list for future birthday party books!
We read this book before bedtime after Enzo had a “ninja incident” at school. At recess, he and other boys were playing ninja. There was a timeout. Enzo made it very clear that the weapons used were not real. “They were pretend, Mom!” If I could capture his exasperated sigh, I would share that here. Trust me, it’s priceless.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
by Stacy
Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Baby’s Got The Blues
Author Carol Diggory Shields
Illustrator Lauren Tobia
Candlewick, 2014
Fiction
Suitable for ages: 3 to 7
Theme/Topic: Babies, Family, Siblings
Opening Spread: You think babies have it easy?
Brief Synopsis: (From Candlewick’s website)Oh, baby, wouldn’t it be grand to be a baby? No worries, no woes, the whole world doing everything for you. Like floating down easy street. . . . But wait one guitar-pickin’ minute. That’s a lie! Babies can’t talk, can’t walk, can’t even really chew. It’s enough to make the baby in this story blue, blue, blue. So get ready for a sad tale of soggy diapers, mushy meals, and sleepin’ behind bars that may make you cry, too — but more likely will make you giggle! Jamming with illustrator Lauren Tobia, Carol Diggory Shields gives a tip of the fedora to B.B. King in an ode to babyhood that’ll have readers feeling anything but blue.
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of an infant is really like? In this bluesy story, sometimes being a baby is enough to make you cry.
Resources: There are plenty of resources about new siblings. But, this is really about the life of the baby. If you have a child dealing with the new baby blues, you could use the book as a talking point to show how their life might just be better than a baby. This book would be great paired with books like Not Yet, Rose by Susanna Leonard Hill or The Baby Tree by Sophie Blackall.
Why I Like This: I love this twist on a baby book. From this baby’s perspective, LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS GRAND. I mean check this out:
I laugh every time we read this one.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
