Woo-hoo! It’s Friday!
Doesn’t Friday just automatically make you happy?
I think Fridays are just a little bit magic and have an advantage over the other days of the week 😊
My plan for this weekend includes celebrating my granddaughter’s 2nd birthday which is today! I see balloons and party hats, presents and cake, story time, coloring, building block towers, playing “chase me!”, and being a pony in my weekend 😊
And what better book to share than one about someone who is extraordinary?
Title: Extraordinary Jane
Written & Illustrated By: Hannah E. Harrison
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, February 2014, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Themes/Topics: being yourself
text and illustration copyright Hannah E. Harrison 2014, Dial
Opening: “Jane was ordinary in a world that was extraordinary.”
text and illustration copyright Hannah E. Harrison 2014, Dial
Brief Synopsis: Jane is a little dog who lives at the circus. She’s not graceful like her mother, mighty like her father, daring like her brothers, or fearless like her sisters. She’s just Jane. But you don’t have to be graceful or mighty or daring or fearless to be special.
Links To Resources: together with your child or class, make a list of things you think everyone would agree are extraordinary, like being brave or strong. Do you have any of those qualities? Does your child or the members of your class? Talk about what extraordinary really means. Make a new list of things that could be considered extraordinary, like helping an elderly neighbor take out the recycling, or being kind to the new kid in class. Who has these qualities? Talk about what makes you like people – probably things like they’re nice, or they make you laugh. Can those things be considered special? What can you do today to make the world a better place just by being you? Would pair nicely with Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson.
text and illustration copyright Hannah E. Harrison 2014, Dial
Why I Like This Book: This is one of those delightfully simple and sweet books that I just love! Let’s face it – lots of us feel ordinary. So many kids can relate to the idea of worrying that they might not measure up in today’s world of high expectations. This sweet story reminds us – kids, parents, and teachers alike – that we are all extraordinary in our own way, and that we are all special to somebody. The art is bright and colorful. Some of the spreads are humorous (in particular the balancing ball incident and the page after it :)) and the last one is guaranteed to make you say “Aww!” 😊
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I love the illustrations and the story sounds like a perfect read aloud. Thank you for sharing and have fun at your granddaughter’s 2nd birthday!♥️
This looks like a wonderful book! We all need to be reminded of how each and every one of is special in some unique way. Happy birthday to your granddaughter! Enjoy the family time!
Awwww indeed! And what a lovely reminder that everyone is extraordinary. Enjoy your precious time together. 🎂
Totally captivating first line! And Jane is a good dog!
oooh! I just love the first line! What a delightful story about finding our “extra” in our ordinary-ness.
I agree with everyone else! That opening line and illustration are definitely intriguing. Sounds like you will have THE BEST weekend.
Wow! You picked a winner, Susanna! Like others have said, that opening line is killer. And those illustrations are amazing!
Have a fabulous time at that birthday party! I know you will. ❤️
Awww I love this! I will definitely check it out. The illustrations are amazing.
I love Hannah’s books and this one is such a good reminder that everyone is special in their own way. Great choice. Enjoy your weekend!
Happy Birthday to the wee one and wow, how I do love those illustrations!
Wow! I have to repeat, that is a Perfect Picture Book opening line!
Have a wonderful Birthday Celebration! Enjoy every second!! 💕
Those little dogs in tutus are too, too cute!
This looks like such a sweet book that’s now on my “to read pile.”