Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
The Race
Author/Illustrator Édouard Manceau, 2012
Owlkids Books, Inc. , 2014
Translation by Sarah Quinn, 2014
Published in France under the title La course in 2012 by Editions Milan
Fiction
Suitable for ages: 3-7
Theme/Topic: Running, Race, Sportsmanship, Winning
Opening Spread: It begins with a guy, a can of paint, and a paintbrush.
Brief Synopsis: (from jacket flap) Six guys gather for a lively race that begins at one line and ends at another. But what happens in between? All bets are off!
Follow this hapless herd of caribou in a race to the finish. Who wins? You decide.
Resources: A Physical Education Lesson on Running. Lesson on sportsmanship.
Why I Like This Book: I added Windblown by Édouard Manceau to the list last year. I love his paper collage work and his characters. If you are looking for a book about a clean race, well, this is not your book. This book is an example of what sportsmanship is NOT rather than what it is. Of course, we laughed at the “infamous banana-peek trick.” One of my favorite spreads has this line: “Quitting is not an option! Once they’re patched up, the banana-peel survivors hit the ground running.” The question from the flap: Who wins? Is a very good question.
The text is sparse, but the book is longer than standard picture books at 64 pages.
I thought I added a note last week, but wanted to mention I’ve really, really enjoyed the PPBF selections in recent weeks. I appreciate the recommendations for our family and as a writer. Thank you.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
Mike Allegra
Unsporting caribou. I’m sold.
stacy
That’s the perfect two word summary Mike: unsporting caribou. 🙂
Patricia Tilton
Sportsmanship is such an important topic. Love how it is handled with so much humor! Fun choice. I’m sure Enzo enjoyed this one.
stacy
We’ve laughed during several readings. We also have had to flip back to illustrations as we try to decide … who really wins.
rhythm
Wheeeeee! I LOVE that cover!! And I love a good race! All bets off, for sure!! I’ll be sniffing this one out!! Thanks Ms Jensen!!
stacy
Yes. All bets are off Rhythm. Hope you find it.
Jilanne Hoffmann
I’ll bet my son would still get a kick out of this one. Added to my library list. Thanks!
Teresa Robeson
Sounds like another fun one to add to my to-read list!
Tiffa
This looks like a lot of fun. Do you really get to decide who wins? That’s a new take on a race story! The artwork looks wonderful!
I love PPBFs, they’re wonderful. I’ve learned about so many great books. Thank you for recommending The Race. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Happy Friday!
Julie Rowan-Zoch
Love the style of the art in this book, but that’s probably why you chose it – for ME, right?
Catherine Johnson
What a hoot! Great find, Stacy.
Joanna
LOVE LOVE LOVE those two caribou on the front cover. One can learn a lot from ‘how not to’ books. i DO agree that the choice of PPBF has been terrific the past few weeks.
Rosi Hollinbeck
This sounds fun and the artwork is super cute. Thanks for telling me about this one.
Sue Wang
Great expression on the cover 🙂 More art, less text. (reminds me of the gum ad)
Sue Heavenrich
You always seem to find the most interesting books. Unsporting caribou – that is just too funny! Now I definitely have to find this one.
Wendy Greenley
I didn’t do a PPBF post this week but am glad I stopped by! Your library has a great book selection.
Joanne Sher
Oh, Stacy – those guys on the front cover? Be still my heart!!! So incredibly darling! And the story sounds like WAY too much fun. Requesting this one from my local library for sure. Thanks!
Susanna Leonard Hill
This book looks like so much fun, Stacy! It reminds me of those old cartoons with Penelope Pitstop and Yankee Doodle Pigeon 🙂 I bet a lot of kids would get a kick out of it! Thanks so much for adding it to our list, and I’m so glad you’ve been getting good recommendations lately – so many great books!