Category: Perfect Picture Book Fridays

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Star Bright: A Christmas Story

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!

I’m excited that it’s December and we finally get to share holiday books 🙂  I have such a sweet book for today!  In past years, I have stuck to books like Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree which, though about Christmas, are not at all religious.  The book I’ve chosen today veers a little closer to the traditional story of Christmas but it’s so beautifully done that I think it’s appropriate for everyone, regardless of religion or belief.  I hope you get a chance to read it!

Title: Star Bright: A Christmas Story
Written By: Alison McGhee
Illustrated By: Peter H. Reynolds
Atheneum Books For Young Readers, September 2014, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: Christmas, the nativity, giving/generosity

Opening: “It was the end of December, and a baby was soon to be born.  A baby!  In the heavens, angels turned light with joy.”

Brief Synopsis: An extra special baby is coming and the newest angel wants to give a present.  But what can she give?  Wind is the sky’s gift.  Rain is the clouds’ gift.  Music is the gift of the songbirds. But when the little angel sees three lost travelers, she knows exactly what to give – the best gift of all!

Links To Resources: share the story of the nativity no matter your personal religion or beliefs – it’s good for kids to know about things that are deeply important to others as well as to themselves and you can share the story of Hanukah etc. too; talk about gifts – what makes a good gift? does it have to be big, extravagant, expensive? what makes a gift really matter to someone?  what kinds of gifts do you like to give and receive?  Make these sugar cookies RECIPE HERE in the shapes of Christmas trees, stars, or whatever else you like 🙂 Make paper stars INSTRUCTIONS HERE; make paper snowflakes INSTRUCTIONS HERE

Why I Like This Book: You know me – I love sweet stories 🙂  And this is one of those stories that tugs at your heartstrings just enough to make it memorable without being overdone.  But what I really love about this book is the creative way it spins the story of the nativity, so that you get the basic idea without anything overtly religious – and that’s quite a feat to have pulled off!  On one level, this is simply a story about a child who wants to give a wonderful gift but doesn’t know what she can offer, and how many children have felt like that?  Her creative solution will inspire young readers to think up their own creative solutions – when it comes to gifts, what can they give that only they can give?  And the art is by Peter H. Reynolds.  Enough said 🙂

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Have a great weekend, everybody!  See you Monday for the Holiday Contest!!!  (For which I have still not written my sample… or even really started thinking about it… details, details :))

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Leaf Man

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Wahoo!  It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Is there anything more fun for a picture book writer or illustrator, a parent, a teacher, or a child then the prospect of diving into a pile of great picture books?

I didn’t think so 🙂

Unless maybe it’s the prospect of diving into a pile of great picture books with a cup of hot chocolate near to hand (though not quite near enough to get kicked over during the diving :))

I have a gorgeous book to share with you today.  Get ready to have your breath taken away by this thing of beauty! 🙂

Title: Leaf Man
Written & Illustrated By: Lois Ehlert
Harcourt, September 2005, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: seasons (autumn), nature, imagination

Opening: “Leaf Man used to live near me, in a pile of leaves.  But yesterday the wind blew Leaf Man away.“

Brief Synopsis: From the publisher: “Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.”

Links To Resources: Teacher’s Guide (Harcourt); Lesson Plan (Scholastic);  the jacket flaps of the book are covered with “mystery leaves” – pictures of the leaves with a hint about where they come from so children can try to guess/identify them; the endpapers of the book show examples of many types of leaves, pictured and labeled; go on a leaf walk and collect leaves of your own – how many different kinds can you find? how many colors and shapes?; make a leaf collage, or a pencil rubbing of a leaf, or any kind of leaf art.

Why I Like This Book: If you’ve spent any time at all on Perfect Picture Books, you’ll know that 99.99 times out of 100, I choose books because I love the words or the story.  This is one time when I chose a perfect picture book for the art.  It also has a whimsical story :), but it’s the art that sells this book.  It’s simply gorgeous.  The illustrations are made from actual fall leaves.  The pages are cut and layered in the shapes of hills.  Each page pictures its subject made out of leaves, for example, on the page where perhaps Leaf Man flew over the turkey, there is a turkey crafted from fall leaves.   The colors are vibrant, and both the story and the art allow children to fancifully imagine all that a leaf might do as it blows before the wind.  The whole book sings autumn – it’s just lovely!

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!  I can’t wait to see your picks for this week!

With Thanksgiving coming along in less than a week, are you hosting or visiting?  Which do you prefer?  I’m hosting this year, but I’m really happy to do either… as long as I don’t have to travel too far 🙂

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – The Very Best Pumpkin

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Happy Friday, Everyone!

Guess what?

We got snow last night!

Have you had your first snow yet this year?

I’m afraid I wasn’t ready with a book about snow, but I do have a lovely story of fall and friendship to share today 🙂

Title: The Very Best Pumpkin
Written By: Mark Kimball Moulton
Illustrated By: Karen Hillard Good
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, August 2010, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: friendship, seasons (autumn), nature/gardening (pumpkins)

Opening: “Down a winding country lane and over a rolling hill you’ll find Pumpkin Hollow Farm, where a young boy named Peter lives with his grandparents, Mimi and Papa.”

Brief Synopsis: While caring for pumpkins on his grandparents’ farm, Peter discovers a little lonely one all off by itself.  He takes special care of it, and it grows into a beautiful perfect pumpkin.  Will he save it for himself?  Or give it to someone special?

Links To Resources: the back of the book has “Peter’s Guide To Growing Your Own Very Best Pumpkin”; easy recipe for pumpkin bread; Jack-O-Lantern and Pumpkin Coloring Pages; go for a walk and look for signs of autumn; talk about how to make a friend

Why I Like This Book: The story is simple, sweet, and very appealing.  Peter tends the pumpkins while Meg, brand new to the neighborhood and given to sitting alone and reading, keeps an interested (but distant) eye on the proceedings.  When Meg comes to the pumpkin farm to pick a pumpkin, she can’t find the right one… until Peter leads her out to his special pumpkin (which he has carefully saved, knowing she has been there watching) and gives it to her – the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  The art is warm, and inviting – full of charm and homey details.  All around, a comforting and cozy read.  And you get to learn a little something about growing pumpkins as an added bonus 🙂

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Before we all go off to read everyone’s wonderful selections for the week, I want to thank you all for your kind and supportive comments on Wednesday.  Such thoughtfulness and friendship truly make dealing with rejection easier, and your kindness meant so much to me.  And I just want you to know that I didn’t write that post with the intent of getting sympathy – I wanted to share the things that matter to me, the things I love about my writing life, along with the reality of this path we’ve chosen.  I wanted other writers not to feel alone on their hard days because we all have them.  And I wanted people to know that rejection can happen at any stage in your writing career – it’s not just for those who are new to the publishing world!  It just goes with the territory.  And maybe the rejections help us savor the acceptances just that much more, the disappointments making the joy that much sweeter. All that said, I very much appreciated your sympathy and feel lucky to have such friends! 🙂  And I hope any of you who gets an acceptance will come over here and shout it from the rooftops so we can all celebrate with you! 🙂

Oh!  And one more thing!  On Monday (good lord willing and the creek don’t rise!) I will have a special post to share with y’all!  It’s something good… something exciting… something full of potential goodies… so you won’t want to miss it!  Come right over when you wake up on Monday!!!

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Little Blue Truck

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Phew!

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad it’s Friday!  This week has been long and busy!  I’m plumb tuckered out!  (That’s Little House On The Prairie speak for “tired” :))

I’m so plumb tuckered that I might even be able to sleep without sheep… but in case you can’t, now thru Nov. 23, CAN’T SLEEP WITOUT SHEEP is a Kindle Big Deal at only $1.99! so I thought I’d mention it in case any of y’all would like a copy… or know anyone who would 🙂 ow.ly/DYFLA

Today’s character is not plumb tuckered out, though.  He is busy and helpful 🙂

Title: Little Blue Truck
Written By: Alice Schertle
Illustrated By: Jill McElmurry
Harcourt Children’s Books, 2008, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-7

Themes/Topics: friendship, helping, animals

Opening: “Horn went “BEEP!”
Engine purred.
Friendliest sounds
you ever heard.

Little Blue Truck
came down the road.
“BEEP!” said Blue
to a big green toad.“

Brief Synopsis: A friendly Little Blue Truck drives down a country road, beeping hello to everyone he passes – a toad, a sheep, a cow, a piggy, etc.  All is well until a self-important dump truck comes along, shouldering everyone out of the way.  When the dump truck gets mired in the mud, it’s up to Little Blue and his animal friends to help out even though the dump truck hadn’t been very nice to them.

Links To Resources: draw and color in your own Little Blue Truck (or truck of any color of your choosing :)) and add in any animals that YOU would like to include in your journey; talk about what it means to be a friend; talk about the importance of helping others, even if they don’t help you; K-5 Teaching Guide to Being Friends

Why I Like This Book:  This is a cute, fun book that will entertain toddlers through young elementary schoolers.  The beginning has lots of fun animals sounds to join in on and practice, and the rhythm of the text mimics the rhythm of the Little Blue Truck bounding down the road.   The end has a nice message about friendship and helping others.  The pictures are cute and friendly and warm – perfect for this lively little book 🙂

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Apropos of nothing, Linda Boyden (who always posts awesome stuff!) posted a picture on FB a few days ago of a bear charging down the middle of a road.  The picture said, “Not a runner?  Now you are!” (I’d post it here, but I’d probably be breaking every copyright rule in the book!)  Anyway, I had to laugh, because I saw the picture yesterday, and then this morning when I was out “running” with my dogs, guess who we saw?  THE BEAR!  We were all pretty surprised.  There was a lot of barking (Scout) and pleading (me saying, “Scouty, PLEASE!  Leave that bear alone and come HERE RIGHT NOW!”) and lumbering off into the bushes thank goodness (the bear), but golly, that’ll get the ole heart pounding at 6 AM!

So I know that has nothing whatsoever to do with Perfect Picture Book Friday or the book I’m sharing today, but I had to tell SOMEONE! 🙂

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Goodnight, Ark PLUS A Giveaway!!!

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Dzoo dzoo-doo dzoo dzoo dzoo dzooooo!!!

(That’s me playing my kazoo in celebration.  You didn’t know I was a kazoo virtuoso, did you?  Just another of my many talents.  I am also a whiz at removing toothpaste “mints” from the sink :))

Welcome back to another year of Perfect Picture Book Fridays!

I am so looking forward to all the new picture books we’re going to share!

Parents, teachers, readers, and writers take note!  There will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from 🙂

I am thrilled to be presenting a wonderful book for the 2014-2015 PPBF kick-off, written by none other than your friend and mine, Laura Sassi.  Since this is part of her blog tour, we are fortunate to have her here with us today, sharing her thoughts on the illustrations and how parents and teachers can engage their kids through them.  She and her publisher, Zonderkidz, are also generously offering a giveaway, so one lucky reader will win a copy of this delightful book! (U.S. residents only – street address, no P.O. box – publisher’s stipulation.)  Laura’s thoughts and the giveaway will appear below the book listing.

Title: Goodnight, Ark
Written By: Laura Sassi
Illustrated By: Jane Chapman
Zonderkidz, August 2014, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 4-8 (according to publisher, but I think ages 2-3 would enjoy it too :))

Themes/Topics: animals, bedtime, fear (of thunderstorms), language fun (rhyme, onomatopoeia)

Opening: “Beds are ready.
Food is stored.
Noah hollers,
“All aboard!”
Guests rush forward.
Furry, scaled,
woolly, feathered,
swishy-tailed.”

Brief Synopsis: Two by two, the animals board Noah’s ark.  They’re supposed to settle down and go to sleep… but the heavy rain, thunder and lightning frighten them, so two by two they climb in bed with Noah!  How much can one bed take? And will anybody get any sleep?

Links To Resources: talk about onomatopoetic words – what onomatopoetic words can kids think up?  Words for eating sounds? Engine noises? Musical sounds?; Noah’s Ark coloring page #1, Noah’s Ark coloring page #2; talk about the bible story of Noah’s ark – how is it like GOODNIGHT, ARK and how is it different?; talk about fears – is anyone afraid of storms?  What other things are frightening?  What can you do to feel safe and secure when you’re frightened?; the animals are described as “furry, scaled, woolly, feathered, swishy-tailed” – what animals can you think of that are furry? scaled? etc.; please see Laura’s thoughts below on ways to use the illustrations; here’s the link to book trailer (in case it doesn’t load properly here :)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRsc-pKmKwM


Why I Like This Book: This is a delightful story – an entertaining, clever, child-friendly twist on the original Noah’s ark.  The text is the perfect length for young attention spans.  The rhyme is filled with fun onomatopoetic words that kids will enjoy joining in with.  The art is bright, colorful and engaging, filled with small details that will keep young listeners busy.  But possibly my favorite thing is the skunks who have a whole story of their own going on in the illustrations.  Start looking for them in the 4th spread and watch what happens 🙂

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
The Importance of Illustration – Thoughts From Laura Sassi
(A lesson for writers, and an opportunity for parents, teachers, and kids :))
Author Laura Sassi
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One of the basic rules of picture book writing is that writers need to let the illustrations tell part of the story. I understood this in principle, but it wasn’t until I saw Jane Chapman’s delightful illustrations for GOODNIGHT, ARK that it really hit home. I mean, WOW! Her illustrations truly show that principle in action and are a great reminder for me, that as a writer, I should curb any lingering tendency to over-describe or over-prescribe my texts and let the illustrators do their jobs.  
Here, then, are some great examples of how Jane used illustration to add humor and even extra plot details to GOODNIGHT, ARK. You’ll have to look carefully, for they are subtly sprinkled throughout her rich and colorful spreads:
1.Extra Animals: In addition to the key players, Jane adds extra animal guests.  I found nine extra pairs. Can you?
2. Extra (funny!)provisions: The text makes no mention of specific provisions, leaving lots of room for Jane to add humorous extras like the canned cat food that rolls across the floor on the tippiest page in the story.  It took me several reads to notice them! What other funny provisions do you see?
3. Underwear!: Every child I’ve read my story to has howled at Jane’s humorous inclusion of polka-dotted boxers quietly hanging on the line to dry.  We’ve also chuckled over the toothbrush. Both nice touches, I would never have thought of. What other humorous extras can you find?
4. Extra Plot Layer:  I don’t want to give away the most exciting part, but a certain pair of creatures is instrumental in restoring balance on the ark. In her illustrations, Jane brings out the personality of this pair in a darling way, even hinting through their gestures that they planned the whole stinky thing.  I LOVE that extra layering! 
Thanks, Laura!  To see the other stops on Laura’s blog tour (6 completed, 4 upcoming) please click HERE for the links.



And now for the giveaway!  All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment telling us something funny about bedtime: a favorite trick for getting kids to bed? an unusual bedtime routine? something kids won’t sleep without? some clever way kids try to get out of bedtime?  Anything fun and bedtime-related.  Bonus point if it includes an animal in some way 🙂

My example (which does not include animals except as occasional topics of discussion) is that when my son was little, he was never ready for sleep when he got in bed.  Instead, he had what he called his “thinking time” which inevitably (Every. Night!) involved him getting up numerous times and coming to ask me such can’t-wait questions as, “How much is infinity?”, “Where does wind come from?”, “How many teeth does a tyrannosaurus rex have?”, and “Why is it called the Milky Way?”  To which I would respond knowledgeably, “Uh…….” 🙂

Please leave your comment by Sunday September 14 at 5 PM EDT.  A winner will be chosen at random and announced next week.  One note: the publisher stipulates that the winner must reside in the U.S. and have a street address, not a PO box, so please let us know if you’re commenting just for fun and are not eligible.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!  Hurray!  Can’t wait!!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

100 Weeks Of Perfect Picture Books! (Celebrated In The 101st Week!) – I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo! PLUS PRIZES!

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WOO-HOO!!!

Can you believe it?

In spite of the fact that Perfect Picture Books goes on vacation every summer, we are now celebrating the 100th week of Perfect Picture Book Fridays!  (Just in time to go on summer vacation again :))

100 weeks of fabulous picture books with resources of all kinds to make them easy for parents and teachers to use at home and in the classroom!

100 weeks of highly recommended books listed alphabetically and by theme to make it easy for gift-givers to find the perfect picture book for that special little someone!

100 weeks of perfect examples that we, as writers, can study and learn from!

To date, we have picture books listed in 226 themes/categories.

And we have – get this! – 2055 Perfect Picture Books on our list!!!

(Or, we would if I ever got caught up updating!  Which is on my to-do list for this summer along with about a million other things :))

For those of you who haven’t noticed yet (because I haven’t announced it because I’m not finished with it :)), Perfect Picture Books is now on Pinterest.  I’m hoping it will make it easier to search.  But it’s a work in progress and far from complete!  If you want to check it out, here’s the link: http://www.pinterest.com/susannaleonard/

So really, after all the hard work you guys have put in, all the wonderful picture books and resources that are now available to teachers, parents, writers, and gift-givers everywhere, I think we should celebrate!!!

First, we need cake (obviously!) 🙂

Next, we need streamers. . .

. . . confetti. . .

. . . and balloons!

And last but not least, we need prizes for all the amazing bloggers who have contributed so devotedly week after week to this effort!  So let’s do today’s Perfect Picture Book, and hopefully by then I will have thought up a plan.  I’ll meet you down below after you’re done reading about this delightful book!

Title: I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo!
Written By: Jill Esbaum
Illustrated By: Gus Gordon
Dial (Penguin Group), May 2014, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-7

Themes/Topics: honesty, courage, animals

Opening: “Nadine was a truly remarkable cow.
There was nothing she feared – so she claimed, anyhow.
“Not lightning?” asked Starla.  “Loud noises? A rat?”
“I’m not scared,” Nadine boasted, “of any of that.”
“The woods?” asked Annette.  “‘Cause that place scares me stiff.”
“Not me,” bragged Nadine with a proud little sniff.
“As a matter of fact, just to prove it, let’s go!”
(She was certain her meek-hearted friends would say no.)

Brief Synopsis: Nadine boasts that she isn’t afraid of anything!  When her friends call her bluff, she learns that sometimes acting brave can make you feel brave… and sometimes it can’t!  And when she’s hailed as a hero for saving her friends, she has the choice to ‘fess up and admit she was just as scared as they were or let her friends believe what they want.  Which do you think Nadine chooses? 🙂

Links To Resources: this book will give parents and teachers a great opportunity to have discussions about what courage is, and what makes a person brave.  Is it not being afraid? Or is it going forward in spite of your fear?  It will also give an opportunity to talk about honesty.  Is is okay to lie if it ends up being the truth?  Is it okay to let people believe something good about you even if it’s not exactly deserved?  Talk with kids about things they’re afraid of.  What do they think could make them feel braver?  Ask kids if they’ve ever lied about something and gotten caught?  How did they feel?  Classroom Activities: Honesty, Classroom Activities: Courage.

Why I Like This Book:  Nadine is so full of herself, so spunky and fun, and so believable because haven’t we all met kids (or adults :)) who can bluster their way through just about anything?!  Kids will relate to this confident bovine who pretends not to be scared of the Deep. Dark. Woods. only to discover that she really isn’t afraid… until the sun goes down!  Things unravel a bit (I don’t want to spoil it :)) but she ends up saving her friends (completely by accident) and is hailed as a brave hero… an illusion she chooses not to discourage 🙂  The art is lively and entertaining, and the story is fun and full of humor!

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

So.  About those prizes!  Since we’re celebrating Perfect Picture Books, I’d like to give away a few 🙂  I wish I could give everyone a prize, but I have yet to become one of those authors who makes millions of dollars 🙂  Instead, I’ve chosen a few books that have been widely well-received that I hope you guys might want to win:

Journey by Aaron Becker (Candlewick)
Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner (Clarion)
Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt, illus. by Matthew Forsythe (Simon & Schuster)
The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli (Disney/Hyperion)
On A Beam Of Light: A Story Of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, illus. by Vladimir Radunsky (Chronicle)
Mitchell Goes Bowling by Hallie Durand, illus. by Tony Fucile (Candlewick)
The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illus. by Jon Klassen (Little, Brown)
This Is The Rope: A Story Of The Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. by James Ransome (Nancy Paulsen Books)
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Christian Robinson (Atheneum)

+1 – If you’d like to win one of these fabulous books, please leave a comment below.
+1 – If you follow the Perfect Picture Books Pinterest Board, you’ll get an additional chance to win (if you already follow, please remind me, if you don’t already follow, there’s no time like the present :))  http://www.pinterest.com/susannaleonard/
+5 – If you’ve posted 50 or more Perfect Picture Books on your blog over the course of the past 100 weeks, tell me that and I’ll give you 5 additional chances to win!  (Scout’s Honor – I don’t have time to count! – but I think I know who qualifies :))

(And if there’s a book your particularly hope to win or one that you already own, feel free to let me know.)

Please leave your comments/follow the Pinterest Board/let me know if you’ve posted 50 or more PPBs etc. by Sunday June 15 at 5 PM EDT.  Names will be entered the appropriate number of times into random.org and 9 winners will be randomly chosen and matched with the books.

My deepest thanks to all the bloggers who have supported this effort so whole-heartedly, and to all the readers who come by to share our love of picture books every week!  Perfect Picture Books would not exist without you!

And maybe we’ll have another celebration/giveaway in September when we start up again because I’d really like to spread the word about PPBF but now is a dumb time since we’re about to go on Summer Vacation! 🙂

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you one last time before summer!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone, and I look forward to hearing from you all in the comments!!! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Oops

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Hi Everyone!

Happy Friday!

As you all know, I am shuffling off to Buffalo to the SCBWI conference.  And it’s finally happened.  I have run out of time.

Does anyone here realize how long it takes to try to turn a perfectly good online course into a one day workshop?  Sheesh!  I had no idea!  And shockingly (because you all know how organized I am and how good I am at estimating time :)) I underestimated how much time I’d need.  I’ve been nose-to-the-grindstone for days, and when I realized at 11:45 PM that I’d forgotten it was Thursday and hadn’t done a Perfect Picture Book I was too zombified to come up with a decent plan.

So here is my indecent plan 🙂

I am posting the list, packing up Princess Blue Kitty, and hitting the road!

Please wish me luck.  I’m not at all sure I can do this.  There’s a reason writers are perfectly happy writing in the kitchen with their dogs where they don’t have to be outgoing and brave!

Hopefully I will see you Monday with the last installment of Clarike Bowman-Jahn’s book tour for Edmund Pickle Chin!

And even though today is technically the 100th Perfect Picture Book Friday, we will celebrate next week with our last PPBF post before the summer hiatus!

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Red Sings From Treetops

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Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Guess what?

Next week is the 100th Perfect Picture Book Week!

Can you believe it?

We should probably have a party.

Except…

Next Friday – only one week from right this very second – the day of the 100th Perfect Picture Book post – is when I leave for the SCBWI conference I’m teaching at.

Teaching GROWNUPS!  IN REAL LIFE not online!

(Can you say petrified? :))

I am finishing the pile of critiques.  I am trying to prepare my workshop in a way that will hopefully sound coherent and give the participants a fun and meaningful experience.  I’m also winding up my May online class and starting my June one.  My children are arriving home from college which necessitates driving to pick up, loading and unloading cars, masses of laundry, and packing things away for the summer.  Oh, and I’m babysitting for my granddaughters on Sunday and in charge of the barn chores until my friend gets back from her mini break.  All good things in every way, but I’m feeling a little like I just don’t have enough time in the day!

So I’m not sure if I’m going to manage to plan a party.

And you will also have to (please!) forgive me for recycling a Perfect Picture Book today!

I don’t feel bad too about it, though, because this book is one of my all-time favorites.  I use it as an example of beautiful language in my class, and if you haven’t had a chance to read it you’re truly missing out.  Get thee to the library right quick!

Red Sings From Treetops: A Year In Colors
Written By: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated By: Pamela Zagarenski
Houghton Mifflin Books For Children, April 2009, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 5 and up

Themes: Colors, Seasons, Poetry

Opening:
“In SPRING,
Red sings from treetops:
cheer-cheer-cheer,
each note dropping
like a cherry
into my ear.

Red turns
the maples feathery,
sprouts in rhubarb spears;
Red squirms on the road after rain.”

(Don’t you just love that?  Can’t you just hear that cardinal singing and see the worms wiggling on the pavement?)

Brief Synopsis:  From the jacket: “Color comes alive in this whimsical, innovative book.”  That pretty much sums it up!

Links To Resources: Junior Library Guild Activity Guide, Poem Starters, Readers Guide

Why I Like This Book:  I love the lyrical language of this book.  The author was so creative in her thinking – the way she describes the colors makes you see, feel, hear, touch, and taste Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.  The art is exquisite and perfectly suited to the poetry.  How can you not love lines like,
“Green waits
in the hearts of trees,
feeling
the earth
turn.”

I hope you’ll get a chance to read this book, linger over the language, enjoy the images it evokes, maybe challenge yourself or your children to come up with your own descriptions!

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

I want to take this opportunity to let you all know that PPBF will be going on hiatus for the summer as usual.  I am open to popular opinion as to whether next Friday (June 6) or the following Friday (June 13) will be the last day.  As I said, I will not be here next Friday.  Princess Blue Kitty (my car for those of you who don’t know her) and I will be on the road to the aforementioned SCBWI conference.  But y’all can carry on and I’ll catch up after the weekend.  Assuming I survive 🙂  Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments.  As for a party, I guess we could maybe have it a week late…???

PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come see what delights you have in store for us this week!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – This Is A Moose

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My goodness what a busy week that was!  I can’t believe it’s Friday again already!

I didn’t manage to finish even half the work I hoped to get done, but I did get to go on a particularly wonderful school visit.  Look at the lovely displays they made to welcome me:

So bright and cheery, aren’t they?  And lots and lots of my favorite characters 🙂

I was hoping to have a picture with the kids in it, but I didn’t get it in time.  Trust me – they were terrific, and super cute too 🙂

But now, it is time for a Perfect Picture Book!  This is such a fun one!  If you haven’t had a chance to see it, trot right over to the library.  It will make you laugh 🙂

Title: This Is A Moose
Written By: Richard T. Morris
Illustrated By: Tom Lichtenheld
Little Brown & Company, May 2014, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-8

Themes/Topics: being yourself, imagination, perseverance

Opening: “This is the Mighty Moose.  His father is a moose.  His mother is a moose.  This moose wants to be an astronaut. CUT!”

Brief Synopsis: Billy Waddler is making a film.  A film about a moose.  At least, it’s supposed to be about a moose.  But this moose simply will not conform to Billy’s idea of what a moose should be.  In fact, no one in this book is behaving the way they’re supposed to.  What’s a filmmaker to do?

Links To Resources:  Fun facts about moose;  Classroom activities about moose, including a hands-and-feet moose poster and a make-your-own moose with moving parts; Moose coloring pages; Moose maze (there are other animal mazes, too); read and compare with Morris The Moose Goes To School by Bernard Wiseman; ask your kids or students what they want to be when they grow up.

Why I Like This Book:  This book is colorful, engaging, and funny.  The filmmaker is single-minded in his mission, and the other characters consistently frustrate him with their non-conformity, resulting in some great comedy 🙂  The story is about characters who refuse to be pigeon-holed into stereotypical roles, and it carries the messages that you should be yourself no matter what, and that no one person’s vision is more important than another’s.  The art is fabulous and includes many fun details that kids will enjoy exploring.  I dare you not to love this book 🙂

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific links in the list below so we can all come visit you and see what delights you chose this week!

Have a GREAT Memorial Day weekend, everyone, and enjoy the day off Monday while we celebrate  and give thanks for the brave men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion for their country.  Although summer won’t really begin for another month, Memorial Day always seems like the moment it arrives, so happy summer, everyone! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Cock-a-Doodle Oops! PLUS A Giveaway!!!

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Thank goodness it’s Friday!

I’ve been waiting for MONTHS to share this book with you (because I was lucky enough to get an advance copy), and it’s finally officially out, so I can finally post it for Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Not only that, but I have a signed copy to give away to one lucky commenter!  All you have to do is bake me cookies er tell me and Lori which farm animal you are and why in the comments 🙂

I, for example, would be the horse because I am beautiful and graceful and I can run like the wind…

*snort*

Yeah, I didn’t think anyone would buy that 🙂  I can’t even sell it to myself 🙂  But I do really love horses – that should count for something!

If it’s too hard to think of yourself as a farm animal on Friday morning at the end of a long week, you can just tell us who you’d like the book for.  That will be less sporting and some people might judge you for wimping out, but not me!  Nosirreebob!  I will not think any less of you if you don’t have the gumption to declare to the world that you belong in the donkey shed!

Title: Cock-a-Doodle Oops!
Written By: Lori Degman
Illustrated By: Deborah Zemke
Creston Books, May 2014, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-8

Themes/Topics: friendship, helping others, jobs, animals (farm)

Opening: “Farmer McPeeper was such a deep sleeper;
not even an earthquake could shake him.
A poke or a pinch wouldn’t budge him an inch,
’cause only his rooster could wake him.”

Brief Synopsis: Poor Rooster!  He’s tired of getting up so early every morning!  What he needs is a vacation.  Leaving the other animals in charge, Rooster heads for the beach.  Animal after animal tries their best, but no one can wake Farmer McPeeper.  Rooster’s return is greeted with relief, but he’s caught a cold.  How will they ever get the sleepy Farmer up now?

Links To Resources: Teacher’s Guide to Cock-A-Doodle Oops,  Farm animal coloring pages, classroom activities to learn about volunteers, emergency animal rescue, what do I want to be when I grow up, workers and the work they do.  Talk about jobs kids are familiar with and what kind of skills are necessary to do those jobs, or what personality traits would be helpful.  Talk about friendship and what kinds of things friends might do for each other.  Enjoy the YouTube video where Marissa Moss reads the story aloud HERE.

Why I Like This Book:  This book is fun from start to finish!  The rhyme is expertly written, catchy, and fun to read aloud.  The attempts of the various animals to wake the sleeping farmer are hilarious, and kids will enjoy calling out the different crows – cock-a-doodle moo, cock-a-doodle baa, etc.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and a perfect match for the story.  When Rooster returns from his vacation with a cold, the animals have to come up with an inventive solution to get the farmer out of bed.  When at last the farmer is up, he delivers a surprise ending that is clever and funny… but I can’t say what it is here because that would be telling 🙂  Just mosey on out and get yourself a copy.  You won’t be sorry.  It’s delightful 🙂

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Lori and I were going to do a little interview or something to go along with this post, but it appears we didn’t quite get our act together in time.  I don’t know how that happened.  I am the epitome of organization.  Ask anyone.  And please ignore the rapidly increasing length of my nose 🙂

So anyway, at the very least, here’s Lori 🙂

Lori Degman is a teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students by day and a writer of picture books by night, weekend and school holiday. She lives in a northern suburb of Chicago with her husband and two dogs. Her debut picture book, 1 Zany Zoo was the winner of the Cheerios New Author Contest and a mini version was distributed inside 2.2 million boxes of Cheerios. The hardcover was published by Simon & Schuster in 2010. Ms. Degman’s second picture book, Cock-a-Doodle Oops! was released by Creston Books on May 13th.

You can also see a wonderful interview with her over at Laura Sassi’s HERE, another review of Cock-A-Doodle Oops at Sue Morris’s HERE, and another terrific interview at Carrie Brown’s HERE.

Now then, my little chickens, get thee to the comments and tell us which farm animal you are and why (or just tell us who you’d like the book for), and one lucky commenter will get a signed copy of this fabulous book!

OR…

Ooh!  How ’bout this?

If you REALLY want to impress us, you can write your own crowing line!  Examples from Lori’s book are:
Her cock-a-doodle-cluck didn’t have any pluck
His cock-a-doodle-bleeeeat just couldn’t compete
Her cock-a-doodle-whoooooooo just didn’t ring true
What kind of rhyming crow can you think up for the farmyard animal of your choice??? 🙂

Please leave your comment by Sunday May 18 at 5 PM EDT and then random.org will choose the winner and I will announce it on Monday.

PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you and see what treasures you have to share this week!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!!! 🙂