By golly, it’s Perfect Picture Book Friday again! Woo hoo!!!
I must admit, I am not sorry to see the back end of this week.
Some philosophical proverb spouter said that into every life a little rain must fall. There is both truth and beauty in that statement (…also potentially a picture book! 🙂 ) In nature rain is life-giving, restorative and essential, and in life the metaphorical rainy days help us appreciate the sunshine all the more when it returns. But it can be a little hard to remember that when you’re standing bare-headed in the downpour 🙂
Be that as it may, the weekend approacheth with sunshiny promises of family time, maybe a hike if it doesn’t rain, maybe a movie if it does, and at least a few minutes curled up with a good book and a cup of tea (I’m finishing Laini Taylor’s YA Daughter of Smoke And Bone trilogy which I highly recommend if you haven’t read it yet! and if you haven’t tried Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice I highly recommend that as well as the books – I’m a die-hard coffee drinker but this tea has me questioning my long-standing allegiance 🙂 )
Anyone else read a great book recently that they’d like to share here? (and for this purpose it doesn’t have to be a picture book 🙂 ) Or has anyone been to the movies lately or planning on going this weekend? What do you recommend? Please share in the comments!!! We’re getting to that time of year where a stockpile of good books and movies is oh-so-lovely to have 🙂 My daughter and I saw Bridget Jones’s Baby last weekend and what can I say? I love Bridget Jones no matter what she’s doing 🙂
Anyway, speaking of nature and sunshine and rain, have a look at today’s Perfect Picture Book – an absolute delight of simplicity and beauty!
Title: Because Of An Acorn
Written By: Lola M. Schaefer & Adam Schaefer
Illustrated By: Frann Preston-Gannon
Chronicle Books, August 2016, fiction based on fact
Suitable For Ages: 3-6
Themes/Topics: nature, animals, ecosystem, environmental preservation
Opening: “Because of an acorn, a tree.”
Brief Synopsis: (from Amazon) “Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.”
Links To Resources: the book itself contains back matter about white oak trees, the ecosystem, and the importance of forest, as well as a “What You Can Do To Help” section; Acorn Crafts For Kids
Why I Like This Book: This book is so simple and accessible, but explores so beautifully the vital interconnectedness of all things in an ecosystem. Everything exists within the context of everything else, and all are interdependent. In addition, it shows how something small can be the beginning of something big – a concept all children can appreciate 🙂 The art is enchanting – so inviting and appealing – just drawing you into the world of the forest (no pun intended 🙂 ). A wonderful choice for the young naturalist in your home or classroom! 🙂
text copyright Lola and Adam Schaefer 2016, illustration copyright Frann Preston-Gannon 2016
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 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 
This sound like a perfect boo. I will have to see if my library has it. And Susanna,I hope it stops raining in you life soon. Right now I’m enjoying Marcie Colleen’s SUPER HAPPY PARTY BEARS series. The have such energy and are so much fun. I recommend them to you ‘cuz I want you to laugh.
I hope you get to read it, Kathy. It’s a great model of simplicity for writers too! And thanks for your kind words, I so appreciate them <3. Super Happy Party Bears sounds like the perfect antidote 🙂
Kathy, So glad you are reading Marcie’s new books.
I am reading a YA novel by a friend, Crissa jean Chapell. It is set in Florida and is about the Old Order Amish rumspringa!
Have a great weekend, Susanna.
That sounds good, Joanna, and interesting! Have a great weekend too! 🙂
My parents gave me a necklace with an acorn on it when I graduated high school so I have a particular fondness for them–except when I’m out walking this time of year and they bop me on the head! Wishing you sunshine, Susanna. I’m reading Jane Yolen’s TAKE JOY and would give three thumbs up if I had them (feels like it some days 🙂 )
Oh, that necklace must be lovely, Wendy! I love the idea of an acorn necklace! But I know what you mean about being bonked on the head – I have a lot of oak trees around my house…! Thank you for the sunshine wishes and I actually have a copy of Take Joy somewhere…maybe I should dig it out!
There are so many beautiful fall books this year — and this is one of them! This one is a winner! Thank you for sharing. What am I just finished reading the latest MG sequel “The Guardian Herd: Windfall,” by Jennifer Alvarez.
I know, Pat! I have more fall books I want to share than weeks to post them in 🙂 The MG book sounds fun!
Your pick looks absolutely delightful!
Quote from Julie Hedlund’s refrigerator magnet, from Vivian Greene: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Or as my inner pain-in-the-brain reminds me: keep dancing, fool!
I am enjoying a number of books at the moment (yes, I have a ‘problem’!): CROSSOVER, Kwame Alexander; THE MAGIC WORDS, Cheryl Klein; CIRCLING THE SUN, Paula McLain; WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS, Anna-Marie McLemore; NOW I SIT ME DOWN, Witold Rybczynski. And the CHEF’S TABLE series on Netflix, both the English and French episodes, are sublime!
Thank you, Jules. I’m going to print out that quote and stick it right where I can see it – I love it! And oh my! So many good books you are reading! I can’t keep track of so many at once… but that is probably why my to-read pile is a heaping mountain 🙂
Hi Susanna, I hope that the raindrops don’t continue to dampen your life & that the sunshine returns soon. I love your Perfect Picture Book choice, especially the message that something small can be the beginning of something big. It reminds me of the Peter Reynold webinar yesterday and the Dot, that started as a late night doodle and grew to a community of 7 million+. On my nightstand are Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth, Peter Balakian’s Ozone Journal and a new MG by Margarita Engle, Lion Island: Cuba’s Warrior of Words.
Thank you for your sunshine wishes, Patricia ❤ And oh that webinar was wonderful, wasn't it? and you're so right about The Dot becoming so much more than it started out as! Interesting selection on your nightstand!
We’re getting rain here… Because of an Acorn looks awesome! must read! I’ve got such a stack of books in my reading pile. and another stack from the library. Am definitely getting ready for wood fires, cocoa, and reading.
Well, at least this book will take you approximately one minute to read 🙂 I think it has about 20 words 🙂 Love that you are all ready for wood fires, cocoa and reading! It sounds so deliciously cozy!
What a perfect book! Yesterday, my daughter found an acorn, and I marveled at its tiny size compared to the size of the mighty oak that could, if planted, grow from it. I marveled at all the amazing information stored in that little seed to grow a tree that can shelter, provide a home to animals, produce colorful leaves to jump in when fall comes, and look majestic all on its own. I know I’m going to enjoy reading this treasure.
We’re supposed to get rain this weekend – on my daughter’s birthday. We had grand plans to go to a pumpkin patch near us where she could get her face painted, and where we could all get deliciously lost in a corn maze, pet goats, jump in the corn bin, eat caramel apples, and buy enormous and mini pumpkins. If it does rain, our plans will take us to the movie theater to see Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Then, I’ll bake a strudel from scratch (my daughter’s favorite).
I know, Leslie, acorns are so amazing, aren’t they?! Sorry it’s supposed to rain for your daughter’s birthday, but it sounds like you and she will have a wonderful time either way! And fresh-baked strudel? Yum! If there are any leftovers I volunteer to accept them 🙂
HI Susanna, love the sound of this book! But it saddens me to share–I read recently that the Oxford Junior Dictionary is dropping some nature words from latest editions, including acorn! And dandelion and fern… Sob. Hard to believe.
Read more here… http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/opinion/we-are-all-noah-now.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0
Lindsey
Oh my! How is that possible? And why?! Those things haven’t ceased to exist, and if kids aren’t familiar with them that’s all the more reason why they should be left IN the dictionary! Clicking over to read….!
Wow — I adore the illustrations in Because of an Acorn! My daughter loves collecting acorns. Her dolls use them in a variety of ways.
I appreciate all the book recommendations! Right now, I’m reading Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. So far it’s highly entertaining. I just binge-watched the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” Spooky 80s fun!
I’ve had “Bernadette” on my maybe-read-next list for ages! Is it good??? I haven’t seen Stranger Things, but I love the idea of binge-watching anything! It’s such fun to lose yourself in another world 🙂
So far “Bernadette” is good — very funny!
Good to know! 🙂
Ooo. Die-cuts! This book is so pretty and gentle and smart. I have to get a better look. Thanks. I am reading Jennifer Nielsen’s Scourge and just finished Save Me a Seat told in alternating voices by the amazing Sarah Weeks and newcomer Gita Varadarajan. Plus I recently read both Roller Girl and Ghosts, if you like graphic novels.
It is a gorgeous book, Joanne! I think you will love it 🙂 You know, I’m almost embarrassed to admit this but I’m not sure I’ve ever read a graphic novel! I think I’d better rectify that given that I’m a writer and should be familiar with all forms!
Ahhh yes rain. Always seems to be around somewhere doesn’t it. It’s the 1st of October here -hubbys’ birthday – Oh “White Rabbits,” before I forget. I’m hopping to see Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, if I have my way. Slim chance I think.
Love your book choice Susannah, the words sound evocative and illustrations gorgeous. Will see if my library will get this one in next week, when I visit the library and return my load 🙂 Enjoy your autumn, I’m off out to enjoy my spring.
Happy Birthday to your hubby, Diane! I hope you guys have a lovely celebratory weekend!!! I totally want to see Mrs Peregrine too! Maybe if it rains on Sunday that will be my choice 🙂 Hope you get to see my fall book in your spring weather 🙂
Great choice!
Yesterday, we saw Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and that was good – I haven’t read the book yet, but I plan to very soon! 🙂