I’m back.
I was off frolicking with Mickey Mouse, family, and helping a sick Hubby — he had the flu. What about you? I hope you don’t get it. I really, really do.
Now, it’s back to Perfect Picture Book Fridays business.
The Best Time of Day
Written by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Bryan Langdo
Gulliver Books Harcourt, Inc., 2005
Suitable for: ages 4 and up
Theme/Topic: Time, Farm Life
Opening:
“The best time of day for the rooster is when
the sun rises high over barnyard and pen.
He wakes up the farmer, the animals too,
with his rowdy-dow “Cocka-doodle-dee-doo!”
Brief Synopsis: From the animals to the family, everyone on the farm has a favorite time of day.
Link to Resources: Ask your child what is his or her favorite time of the day. Parents could talk about their own or even share what they do after their kiddos go to bed — ice cream and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart anyone or sneaking off to write? Here’s a lesson on telling time.
Why I chose this book: This story kept Enzo’s attention as we followed a day on the farm from sun up to sun down. My favorite character in the book is Granny McCall.
I was surprised this book was available in a Kindle edition for a low price of $4.62. I purchased a copy and was disappointed. The pages don’t appear correctly unless you have your Kindle in a horizontal position.
I’m not sure who uploaded/formatted the book, but the pages are small on screen. To compensate, the original pages appear in one double spread and then another double spread of the same page appears with the words typed in a larger font. This disrupts the flow of the book.
So, I don’t recommend purchasing the ebook version of this one, which kills me to say, because I love ebooks. I returned this one for a refund, because on further inspection some of the efforts to “improve the text” were on the wrong pages. Just find this one from the library, because in print it is perfect.
For more Perfect Picture Book Fridays books, check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Wow – so disappointing that the ebook was not correctly formatted. Smart that you returned it and they can update/amend it. There’s always room for improvement!
I hopw you don’t get the flu too!
I think it’s still just upper respiratory. Soon to lose my voice no doubt. Authors/Publishers have a more difficult time to post books on Kindle than Apple. Apple opened up its system to developers and the result: Users have a much better experience on the iPad with picture books.
You don’t see many farm books these days, that one looks super cute. I hope you don’t get the flu!
Plus, this one shares the experiences of many people on the farm or near it.
this sounds like a real fun book for the little ones. I like books about the farm.
Janet, It is good for little ones (and for those of us who still like to think about farm days!).
This is a great sharing book as we all have favorite times of day.
Spinelli shares unique events too. That’s why I like Granny McCall.
This post inspired me to think about my favorite time of day, and ask others – ways to appreciate our time/life. Sorry to know that the eBook didn’t work out. I assume if it’s on the eReader for purchase, it works. Apparently not so.
Telling time is so much fun at this age. Yay for Enzo!
Sue most novels, etc. will be OK. Pictures books are a different animal. I’m formatting a friend’s cookbook right now and it’s tricky with images. I’m not afraid to seek a refund when I realize the problem.
I love the concept of this book and thinking about and discussing your favorite time of day! What a great idea! Aren’t people clever and creative? I fit passed the Enzo test it must be good 🙂 Sorry the formatting was bad – that’s disappointing to hear! Hope you are all recovered from the flu! Thanks for sharing this delightful looking book!
Enzo is a great book tester. I’m recovering, but Enzo has the sniffles now. He got a flu shot, so he’s smarter than his parents.
The title font reminds me of something Seussical! Have not read this one by Spinelli yet – thanks for introducing it!
I thought of you Julie and your wonderful prize when I shared this book!
Oh, this reminds me so much of my childhood — those carefree days of hopping over the fence and into te cow pastures and running as fast as I could until I found the violets to pick for my mom. I love farm books. I would love this!
Keep well!
It’s a fun book Patricia! And, what lovely images of your own childhood.
This book sounds interesting as it closely resembles “Annie’s Special Day” with time. I looked at your resource for telling time and it is one I could use for my book if it is not copy righted. do you know how I could find out or if any one could use a web resource like that? Definitely one to compare with my book though when I’m talking at schools. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Good luck in not getting the flu. It is a terrible year for it, I’m afraid. 🙂
I’m not sure if there is a contact person or not. I thought about Annie’s Special Day when I saw those resources.
Your comments about the e-book are really interesting Stacy. There’s so much variation in book quality. I’m glad you were able to return it. I do love Eileen Spinelli’s work.
Carrie, The formatting issue for Kindle is one reason many self-published ebooks tend to be vertical single page — not doublespreads. I keep studying the issue for a story I would like to self-publish. I hope to crack the code or at least find someone else who did it.
Hi, Stacy. It’s been many, many years since I’ve seen Mickey Mouse. Sorry to hear your husband was sick with the flu. I hope you and Enzo don’t get it. No fun at all!
Mickey remains a fun pal to visit!
Lovely book and yes it brings back memories of visits to friends farms during school break. I know now where to go to get a story tested…lol.
Hope you get over the flu. I have had it for a week now and this is my 4th day with no voice..*sigh*. Hang in there, Stacy!
Oh no. I hope you feel better. I believe I am on the mend.
So sorry your husband was hit with the flu! Last year at this time all of us had it. So far this year, we’re ok. Hoping we get a pass on the flu this year. And you and Enzo, too!
~Debbie
I hope you all escape it. I’m feeling better already.
What a cute book! I am sorry about the ebook… and your husband 🙁
Thanks Eric. It is a cute book.
I think for picture books, I will always buy the print version whereas I can live with adult novels with no pictures in ebook form but it just seems wrong to have lavish illustrations as an ebook (then again, I read ebooks on my iPhone, so that’s probably a large part of the problem…LOL!).
Thanks for visiting my blog, Stacy! I look forward to reading yours too.
I’ve been thrilled by some ebooks. With Kindle, it’s a technology thing. You are brave to read on the iPhone. I do in a pinch, but look for bigger screens for my reading.
I’ll always want a print version of picture books. I just think they’re more fun to read that way:)
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Both are fun with a toddler at your side.
Sounds very cute! Rhyming to boot!
Thanks for the “heads up” about the Kindle edition, Stacy.