Category: Perfect Picture Book Fridays

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Brontorina

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Hurray!  It’s Friday!  And that means loads of Perfect Picture Books!

You know, I made the list for Perfect Picture Books, and I checked it twice 🙂 … actually thrice and then some, and the book I’ve chosen for today does not appear on it yet… but I still have a niggling-nagging feeling in the back of my mind that someone has already done it.  Jennifer?  Renee?  Penny?  Erik?  Maybe I’m imagining things.  But sometimes posts get written and I read them, but the link doesn’t make it onto the linky list, which can result in the book not making it onto the PPB list.  If that is what happened in this case, please forgive me and send me your link ASAP!  Other times, I add the books to the list and blogger spazzes out and drops them.  (I hate when that happens!)  (Or it might just be that sometimes I am very nearsighted and/or sleepy and/or not too bright, so maybe it’s there and I just missed it!)  But since I couldn’t find it on the list and I love it, I’m going to go ahead and post it!

Brontorina
Written By: James Howe
Illustrated By: Randy Cecil
Candlewick, 2010, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 4-8

Themes/Topics: following your dreams, acceptance, dance, perspective, friendship, kindness

Opening: “Brontorina had a dream.
“I want to dance!”
“But you are a dinosaur,” Madame Lucille pointed out.
“True,” Brontorina replied.  “But in my heart I am a ballerina.”“

Brief Synopsis: Brontorina longs to dance… but she is awfully large to be a ballerina.  Madame Lucille is kind, however, and gives Brontorina a chance to learn dance at her studio.  Alas, it appears that although Brontorina is graceful, she really is too big.  And she certainly doesn’t have the right shoes.  But just when disappointment seems inevitable, her friends figure out that sometimes it’s all in how you look at it.

Links To Resources: Story Hour Kit from Candlewick, Apatosaurus Coloring Page, A Guide To Ballet For Kids And Parents, as well as discussion topics: what is something you dream of doing? is it okay to dream things that might seem out of reach?

Why I Like This Book: I love that Brontorina has a dream and pursues it, even though to some it might not seem a realistic dream.  Isn’t this what we hope for all our kids?  That they will dream big and have the courage to pursue their passions?  And sometimes the value is in the dreaming and the pursuit, not necessarily in how successful you end up being (although success is nice too :))

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

Now then!  I have to announce the winner of last week’s game!  Remember I asked you all to guess how many Perfect Picture Books you thought were on the list as of September 21?

But first I have to explain what made me think of the game to start with.  In the interest of spreading the word and having people make use of all  our hard work, Beth Stilborn thought it would be a great idea to have bookmarks for Perfect Picture Books that anyone who is interested could hand out to their local librarian, school teachers, friends, etc.  I concurred with Beth!  So the lovely and talented Alison Hertz took Loni Edward’s beautiful badge design and transformed it into a book mark!  But we wanted to put on the book mark how many books were already listed.  So I counted.  And once I knew, I thought it would be fun to see if you could guess.  So that’s how the game got started.

Here’s a sneak peek at the front of the bookmark:

Is that totally awesome, or what?!

I am dithering over the language on the back, but once I sort it out, I will order bookmarks and anyone who wants some to hand out to their above-mentioned local librarians, school teachers, friends etc. can email me and I’ll send you some!  The more we spread the word the better.  Everyone works hard to make Perfect Picture Books a great resource, so I want lots and lots of people to make use of it 🙂

Anyhoo, to make a long story a little bit longer, we had lots of guesses, ranging from Tracy’s guess of 100 all the way up to Joanna’s (very optimistic :)) guess of 3758! 🙂  The actual number of unique books at the time of counting (as per the instructions, books that have been posted 2 or 3 times were only counted as 1 book) was 740.  So the winner is Pat who guessed 750 – only off by 10! (with Jarm a very close second with 727 only off by 13!)  Pat, your prize, as mentioned, is a pack of Super Duper Awesomely Inspiring Susanna Hill Special Story Sparker Cards!  Email me your address and I’ll mail them to you 🙂  And with number-picking ability like that, you should probably trot right out and play the lottery 🙂

Now then, off you go to enjoy everyone’s Perfect Picture Book picks for the week (PPBF bloggers, please leave your post specific link on the list below so we can find you :)).

And I hope you all have a fabulous Columbus Day Weekend!!!

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Mossy

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Thank goodness for Perfect Picture Book Friday!  It gives me an excuse to sit in the library or bookstore and read picture books 🙂

Today’s choice is brand new from one of my favorite author/illustrators.  I hope you like it 🙂

Mossy
Written & Illustrated By: Jan Brett
Putnam Juvenile, September 2012

Suitable For Ages: 3-8

Themes/Topics: consideration, kindness, animals in their natural habitat, perspective

Opening: “On a misty, moisty morning, a young turtle stood at the edge of Lilypad Pond.  Her name was Mossy.”

Brief Synopsis: Mossy loves her pond.  She spends so much time in the damp coolness that first moss and then a garden grow on her carapace.  One day, she meets a handsome turtle named Scoot who thinks she’s very beautiful, but just as they are on the verge of becoming friends, Dr. Carolina and Tory spot Mossy.  “She is perfect for the museum!” declares Dr. Carolina.  And so Mossy is carried away from her beloved pond and her new friend.  Dr Carolina gives her everything she thinks a turtle needs, but fails to understand that Mossy already had everything she needed.  It is Tory who sees that Mossy is sad.  So they come up with a way to keep Mossy at the museum but also give her what her heart desires.

Links To Resources:  The back jacket flap of the book tells about the real incident that inspired this story for Jan Brett.  The book provides a wonderful opportunity for discussion about animals in the wild vs. animals in captivity.  Why might it be good to take an animal out of its natural habitat?  Why might it be bad?  Have you ever captured anything (perhaps a caterpillar, a frog or toad, or a garter snake?) and kept it for a while?  How long did you keep it?  What happened to it?  Did you put it back where you found it?  A New York Times Q&A with Jan Brett about Mossy.  Jan Brett Coloring Pages (Mossy isn’t here yet, but she may show up!)  Jan Brett Activity Pages (also no Mossy yet, but lots of other fun things to choose from!)

Why I Like This Book: Well, to start with, it’s a Jan Brett 🙂  That means a good story and gorgeous art!  Add to that the fact that it’s about a turtle who is a walking garden and what’s not to like? 🙂  But the part I like best is how Tory realizes that Mossy isn’t happy in captivity and makes sure that she is returned to her beloved pond.  It’s a beautiful tale about doing what’s right for someone else, and realizing when you’ve made a mistake (even with good intentions.)

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

I only have one other thing to tell you today, and that is that I have managed (hopefully) to at least completely update the alphabetical list of Perfect Picture Books.  Not the theme lists.  Not the blogger lists.  And the alphabetical list does not have all the ages and categories yet.  But all the titles and all the links are there so you can at least see every book that’s been done so far!  Baby steps 🙂  There are an amazing number!

Ooh!  Let’s have a game!  You have to be on the honor system though and not just go to the Perfect Picture Book page and count!  Promise?  The game is, guess how many books are on the list as of last Friday (Sept. 21)?  (Not counting double!) (And remembering that we started Perfect Picture Books last November, but took nearly a three month break in the summer!)

Put your number guess in the comments!  Whoever gets the closest wins a pack of my brand new, unrivaled, awe-inspiring Story Sparker Cards, fun for writers, teachers, and families on long car rides :)!  (Unless the winner happens to be a Summer Short & Sweet 8 Week Finisher – they already got the Story Sparker Cards, so if it’s one of them, they’ll have to settle for the candy bar (or two) of their choice :))

Alrighty, then!  PPBF bloggers be sure to put your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!  I can’t wait to see this week’s choices.  And before you leave here, put your guess as to how many picture books are on the list so far (up through last week – 9/21/12) in the comments!

Have a great weekend, everyone! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Nugget And Darling

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Well, you will all be glad to know that, after 2 days in which Central Hudson did not make any money off the folks on Blueberry Hill, the power came back on yesterday!  Woo-hoo!  We were thankful not to have to do a Little House In The Big Woods version of bathing night… 🙂

The pitch pick poll is coming along swimmingly, but if you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, please hop over if you’d like to!  You’ve got until midnight 🙂

In case anyone is interested, the last thing I did before we lost power on Tuesday was update the Would You Read It list so that it now includes all the working titles.  I think it’s ever so much nicer 🙂  (And yes, I know!  PPBF is next – a much bigger job!)

Clearly, I am suffering from power-outage-induced brain fog or something, because I have nothing else to ramble on about today!  Shocking, I know.  The mind reels.  But there’s nothing for it but to get right on to those Perfect Picture Books 🙂

Nugget & Darling
Written By:  Barbara M. Joosse
Illustrated By:  Sue Truesdell
Clarion Books, 1997, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 5-8

Themes/Topics: emotions (jealousy), learning to adjust, sibling rivalry, consideration of others

Opening:  “When Nell was cold, Nugget kept her feet warm.  When she was sad, Nugget pretended he was a jack-in-the-box.  Sometimes they did magic tricks.  Nell wore a swirly purple cape and waved a sparkly wand.  Nugget wore rabbit ears.”

Brief Synopsis:  Nell and her dog Nugget are best buddies – they play together and share secrets, Nugget cheers Nell when she’s sad and Nell scratches him behind his ears, the place he loves best – until one day Nugget finds a little wet kitten.  Nell takes the kitten home, and suddenly Nugget doesn’t feel like top dog any more.

Links To Resources:  I couldn’t find any online resources for this story – not even one!  But though the “child” characters in this book are a dog and a cat, the theme of sibling rivalry is strong, and this story makes an excellent springboard for discussing feelings of jealousy or displacement that might occur in a family with a new sibling, or any other similar situation that gives rise to these feelings.  The book is particularly helpful because it’s about animals, giving kids a little needed distance from a difficult and uncomfortable topic.  Read the story and ask your kids to tell how they think each of the characters – Nell, Nugget, and Darling – feel.  Ask them who they think has the hardest time.  Talk about differences in perspective.  Encourage them to role play the different characters’ parts – how could Nell or Darling have made things easier for Nugget?  How could Nugget have made things easier for himself?  Do they think one character did things “right” and another did them “wrong”?

Why I Like This Book:  This is a lovely story about remembering what’s important.  Nell and Nugget love each other, but after the kitten comes, Nugget feels displaced, which leads to jealousy and dejection.  Nugget has to learn to accept Darling, and also that Nell has room in her heart for both of them.  Nell has to learn that paying too much attention to the new kitten makes her old friend feel sad, and that it’s important to make sure they both feel loved.  This is a wonderful story for children with a new sibling, or for kids whose best friend may be spending a little too much time with somebody new.

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

So now, if all you delightful PPBF bloggers would kindly put your post-specific links into the list below, we’ll all come visit and stock up our reading list for the weekend!  I can’t wait to see what everyone has chosen this week!

Have a great weekend, everyone, and may the force (of fully functioning electricity and modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing and coffee makers) be with you 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Harry The Dirty Dog And International Dot Day And The Summer Contest Winner!!!

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Holy Dot Day, Batman!

If you managed to read the whole title of this post, you know we have a lot on the agenda for today!  And it all has to do with dots – either directly or in a more roundabout way 🙂

We’ll start with Perfect Picture Books, which I like to put on top so it’s easy to find when people click over from the master list.  I’ve chosen a book about a dog with spots… which are a lot like dots.

Next up will be my Dot for International Dot Day.

Finally, just when you think you can’t bear the suspense for another second, I will announce the winner of the Summer Send-Off Contest… before you go dotty!  (OK.  That was a reach :))

Ready? Set. GO!

Harry The Dirty Dog
Written By: Gene Zion
Illustrated By: Margaret Bloy Graham
Harper & Row, 1956, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 3-8

Themes/Topics: bath time, behavior (rebelliousness), facing consequences, problem solving, animals (dogs)
Opening: “Harry was a white dog with black spots who liked everything, except… getting a bath.  So one day when he heard the water running in the tub, he took the scrubbing brush… and buried it in the back yard.”

Brief Synopsis:  Harry doesn’t want a bath, so he hides the scrubbing brush and runs away.  All day long he plays happily, getting dirtier and dirtier, until finally, when he returns home, he’s so dirty his family doesn’t even recognize him.  What’s a dog to do?

Links To Resources: Harry The Dirty Dog Activities, Harry The Dirty Dog read by Betty White with pictures and tasteful animation (delightful!) as well as activities.

Why I Like This Book:  I not only like this book, I love it.  I loved it as a child.  I loved it with my children.  I love it as a writer because to me it’s a story that does everything right.  I think children (and adults :)) can relate to Harry’s story because we all have the urge to rebel from time to time but, like Harry, in the end what we want most is to be safe and loved… even if it means having a bath 🙂  The art is delightful, depicting Harry as lively and lovable, culminating in the sweet last page where Harry is curled up, happily asleep and dreaming, but leaving you to wonder whether he hid that scrubbing brush to make sure he was always clean so his family would always recognize him, or whether he hid it to avoid another bath any time soon 🙂

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

Moving on, it’s time to celebrate International Dot Day!

Following the lead of Patricia Tilton on her wonderful blog Children’s Books Heal, I am joining in on International Dot Day, based on Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book The Dot.  The idea is to encourage people not to be intimidated and to create their own art in the form of a dot.  This year over half a million people will participate – primarily children in classrooms – but lots of other people as well.  Celebri-dots features dots created by well-known authors and illustrators.  (Dot Day is actually September 15, but I don’t post on Saturday so mine is going up today :))

I am not particularly artistic, but I had an idea for a dot.  The lovely and talented Beth Stilborn, whose computer skills leave mine in the dust, turned my idea into reality.  Thank you, Beth! 🙂

My dot is about love.

Love comes in many shapes and sizes.  For my daughter it comes in the shape of a polka-dot pony.  The pony is not fancy or highly bred.  She’s 14.1 hands* of fine, cinnamon chip fur, with a sturdy build, a velvet-soft nose, one brown eye and one blue, and though she might not appear to be anything special, she owns my daughter’s heart.  And it just so happens that two of those cinnamon dots that sprinkle her fur so liberally are heart shaped.  I am not making this up.  You can see one of them in the dot 🙂
* (for those who might not be horse people, a hand is  the unit of measure for horses and is equal to 4″. 14.1 hands means that the pony stands 57″ at the withers.)

And just for fun, another dot… 🙂

Here is the special pony those dots and that heart belong to 🙂

my daughter counted the pony’s spots one day and in case you’re wondering, she has 791! 🙂

and the poem my daughter wrote about her:

Chestnut, chestnut, chestnut spots
Appaloosa polka-dots.
How many little chestnut spots?
Lots and lots and lots and lots!
                    by Little Hill 5

So there you have it.  My polka-dot pony love dot 🙂
So I guess that’s it, right?  We’ll wrap up and head out to read everyone’s Perfect Picture Books….
What?
OH!  You want to know who won the contest?
Well.  Okay 🙂
I’ve got to tell you, somehow this turned out to be the closest contest we’ve ever had here and that’s saying something because everyone is so talented that the contests are always close.  In this case, however, the contestants were literally neck and neck.  First one would pull ahead, then another.  It was  a serious nail-biter!  In the end though, we did have a clear winner.  And that was…
DDRRUUMM RROOLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!
ERIK!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, Erik!  Well done!
And to all the other finalists, excellent job as well.  And to everyone who entered, you are all amazingly talented and creative people and it was a joy to read every single entry!  Thanks to everyone for participating.
Erik, you may email me at your convenience and choose your prize 🙂  And since we only had 15 entries, I’m only giving a prize for first place.  (If we’d had over 20 entries I would have included 2nd and 3rd place prizes, but now you’ll just have to wait for the Halloweensie Contest on October 31st for that! :))
Although I don’t usually add the placement of all the finalists, in this case it was such a close race that I thought you (and they) might like to know how well they did:
1st: Erik
2nd: Sidney
3rd: Vivian
4th: Romelle
5th: TIE: Jess and Lauri
So now, my lovelies, if all the PPBF bloggers would kindly leave their post specific links in the list below, we shall all come visit – the best part of Friday 🙂
Have a great weekend, everyone! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – First Day Jitters

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September has arrived, school is back in session, the promise of autumn is in the air, and I am jumping up and down with excitement!

Why?  (No!  Not because I’ve had too much caffeine! :))

Because they’re back!  Perfect Picture Book Fridays are back!

How I have missed them! 🙂

I am looking forward to a whole new season of fantastic books and reviews, to seeing what books you all think are great and reading the ones I’m not familiar with, and to sharing all these wonderful books and resources with everyone who reads and uses picture books.

Before I post mine for today, I just want to say that I did A LOT of things this summer.  Really.  By anyone’s reckoning it was BUSY (and for once I’m not exaggerating!)  But the one thing that didn’t get done was the Perfect Picture Book update.  There are still books missing from the list, and I haven’t finished figuring out how to make the page more user-friendly.  Rest assured, however, that I am working on it, and that once I get all my peeps back to school and have a bit more time to focus on writing and work, I will get it all squared away.  In the meantime, please bear with me 🙂

Now then!  Onto the first fabulous book for fall! 🙂

First Day Jitters
Written By: Julie Danneberg
Illustrated By: Judy Love
Charlesbridge, March 2000, Fiction

Suitable For: ages 5-8

Themes/Topics: first day of school, emotions (feeling nervous), coping (with new situations)

Opening:  “Sarah, dear, time to get out of bed,” Mr. Hartwell said, poking his head through the bedroom doorway.  “You don’t want to miss the first day at your new school, do you?“

Brief Synopsis: It’s the first day at a new school and Sarah doesn’t want to get up.  “I”m not going!” she says.  Mr. Hartwell reminds her how much she liked her old school and assures her she’ll make new friends, but he has his work cut out for him getting Sarah up and in the car.  When Sarah finally arrives at school, readers are in for a fun surprise!

Links To Resources: Activity Guide, More Activities, Ideas For Use.  The book makes an excellent springboard for discussion, at home or in the classroom, about how children might be feeling about starting school.  Would pair nicely with The Kissing Hand and Llama Llama Misses Mama 🙂

Why I Like This Book: The first day of school can be tough whether you’re starting at a new school or even just going back to the old one.  This story addresses the concerns a child might feel about starting school with a delightful twist – Sarah turns out to be the teacher!  The message that everyone – even grown-ups – can get butterflies in their stomachs about new things is reassuring.  The art is warm and engaging and does a terrific job of keeping the secret of Sarah’s identity until end.  This is a fun book for the back-to-school time of year.

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

And now, all my Perfect Picture Book friends, please add your post-specific links to the list below so we can all come visit you and see what books you’re celebrating today!  Then it will be off to the library to stock up on some great weekend reading!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  And welcome back to Perfect Picture Book Fridays! 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – A Leaf Can Be

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Sniff sniff sniff tiny stifled sob.

I know.  It’s very sad that this is the last Perfect Picture Book Friday until September 7.  I’m going to miss it, too, but I think we will all find the break refreshing (and hopefully it will give me time to catch up and improve!)

And to make you feel a little better, I made this delicious summer strawberry shortcake just for you

(and yes you can have as many slices as you like!)  In addition, I’m sharing a lovely summery book (well, it can be any season, really, but it looks so green and summery that I’m sticking with summery :))

A Leaf Can Be
Written By: Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated By: Violetta Dabija
Millbrook Press, February 2012, Fiction based on fact

Suitable For: ages 3-8

Themes/Topics: nature, seasons, poetry

Opening:  “A leaf is a leaf
It bursts out each spring
when sunny days linger
and orioles sing.
A leaf can be a…
soft cradle
water ladle
Sun taker
Food maker…”

Brief Synopsis: a simple rhyming story that shows all the many things a leaf can be.

Links To Resources: the back of the book has lots of facts about leaves, showing how they can be all the things mentioned in the book.  There is also a small glossary.  Take a walk and see how many different kinds of leaves you can find.  What could your leaves be used for?  Leaf Activities.  What else can you look at in different ways?

Why I Like This Book:  The quietness of this book encourages children to really think about all the different things leaves can be and in turn encourages children to stretch their imaginations about how other everyday objects might be used in different ways.  The poetry is gentle with pretty images.  The information in the back adds a lot to the learning potential of the book.  And the art in this book is absolutely luminous.  It just glows.  It is the perfect art for the text making for an altogether magical reading experience.

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

For the next 2 Fridays before Summer Short & Sweets begins, we will be having a miniseries (and when I say mini I mean mini because 2 is about as mini as you can go and still call it a series :)) on self-publishing.  Self-pubishing is becoming a more viable and more attractive option, so I thought you might find it interesting to hear from a couple folks who have chosen it.  I find what they have to say very enlightening and I hope you will too!

Now, I know you’re probably going to fall off your chairs, and I’m probably forgetting something and I’ll have to amend this hastily, but I don’t have anything else to add today.  Just goes to show that sometimes even the long-winded can be… well… short-winded, I guess 🙂

PPB bloggers, please add your post-specific links below, and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Happy Father’s Day to the dads in our group!  And tune in Monday for a special treat – a guest post from the one and only Joanna Marple all about the process of working with uTales!!!

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Mowing and The May Pitch Winner and The May PPBF Winner

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We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for an important service announcement from our sponsor:

For anyone who might not have read Monday’s post, this is our second to last week of Perfect Picture Books before summer.  PPBF will go on hiatus from (and including) June 22 – August 31.  After June 15, the next PPBF date will be Friday September 7.  I apologize to anyone whose style this cramps, but I just can’t be sure of being able to keep up over the summer.  The updating is very time consuming and there have been glitches lately which means work has to be redone, and I am going to be crazy busy for the next 12 weeks.  Plus, a lot of you are going to be busy and traveling and etc. too.  So we can all take a break for the summer – read and gather up lots of great picture books for the fall.  In the meantime, there will be fun and games going on around here on Fridays to keep you from missing PPBF too much – Summer Short & Sweets! – quick writing fun served with fresh lemonade and cookies 🙂

We now return you to the program already in progress 🙂

Apparently all I can think about this week is baby deer 🙂

So in about 14 seconds you’ll understand why I chose this week’s Perfect Picture Book 🙂

Mowing
Written By:  Jessie Haas
Illustrated By:  Jos. A. Smith
Greenwillow Books, 1994, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 4-8

Themes/Topics: farms, grandparents, generations, modernization, respect for wildlife, vehicles

Opening:  “Early in the morning Gramp and Nora go to the field to mow.  They hear the cry of the bobolink, the swish of the tall grass, the thud of the horses’ hooves.
At the edge of the field Gramp lowers the cutter bar.
“Hop off, Nora,” he says.  “You’ll be safer on the ground.”  Gramp speaks softly to the horses.  “Giddap!”  They walk, and the mowing machine begins to clatter.”

Brief Synopsis:  Just as morning is peeking over the horizon, Gramp and Nora head out to mow the hay.  Gramp drives an old-fashioned sickle bar mower with Nora in his lap holding the reins.  When they reach the field, it’s Nora’s job to hop down and keep an eye out for any little animal that might be injured by the horses or the cutter blades.  What does she see?  (I’m betting you can guess one thing she sees! :))  When the mowing is done, two tall islands of grass still stand.  Gramp says some would call that a bad job of mowing, but he and Nora know better.  They know they have taken care to leave the animals safe and protected.

Links To Resources: Fawn Coloring Page 1, Fawn Coloring Page 2, Fawn Facts, National Geographic Groundhog Facts, National Geographic Killdeer Facts.  Talk about the difference in the way hay is mowed today.  Talk about other situations where you might want to be respectful of wildlife.

Why I Like This Book:  This is the kind of sweet, quiet book that I absolutely love.  My kids loved it too, and we read it over and over and over.  The language is gentle, the story is simple with that nostalgic feel of hearkening back to a different time, and the message of caring for all the creatures who share our world is lovely.  On top of that, the art is just beautiful, particularly the way the artist captured the changing light, from dawn through late afternoon, and the different perspectives he uses.  It’s a wonderful book for nap time, bedtime, or anytime kids need to unwind.

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

Before we all head off for the weekend, I have a couple other things to say (because I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t, right? :))

First, I know none of you were able to sleep last night, wondering who the winner of the coveted May Pitch Contest would be.

And I’m going to tell you just as soon as I finish singing 99 Bottles of Pop On The Wall (because this is a kid-friendly blog where we would never think of drinking anything stronger than soda pop :))

“OOOHHHH…….!!!!!  99 bottles of pop on the wall, 99 bottles of pop.  You take one down and pass it around, 98 bottles of pop on the wall.  98 bottles of pop on the wall, 98 bottles of pop….”

Everyone!  Join in!  Can you hear me on all seven continents???

OK, OK, enough of that.  Would you guys quit fooling around?  We have important business here.  I’m trying to tell you, if you would stop caterwauling, that the winner of the May Pitch Pick is………

ELIZABETH!!! with her pitch for MAGNIFICENT!!!

WOO-HOO!  Well done!  I must tell you, it was an exceptionally tight race!  So congratulations to Elizabeth, and to everyone who bravely entered and hopefully learned a lot so they can now feel more confident about their pitches.

And NOW, just when you thought the prize giving was over for the day, it’s NOT!

As you know, I like to thank all the wonderful participants in PPBF for their hard work each month by randomly selecting a blogger to receive a prize!  The winner for May is Laura R at I’ve Got A Book For That!!!  Please email me, Laura, and let me know which you would like for your prize: *rummaging in my bag of goodies…* let’s see… your choice of Red Knit Cap Girl, Chicks Run Wild, a signed copy of Can’t Sleep Without Sheep, or a $15 Amazon Gift Card.

PPBF bloggers, please add your post specific link to the list below, and everyone have a great weekend!

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Lost In The Woods, and The Birthday Contest Winners!

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Last Saturday we had dinner with our daughter, son-in-law, and little granddaughter.  On our way home through a lovely late May twilight, just before we turned into our road, we saw a doe grazing right at the edge of the tall meadow grass.  The car startled her.  She lifted her head from the grass and with one graceful leap disappeared into the sheltering trees.  And oh!  Right behind her out of that tall grass came the first little fawn we’ve seen this year!  So tiny.  So delicate.  So earnestly intent on staying with his mama 🙂

So for today’s Perfect Picture Book, I had to share one of my favorites.  I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!

Lost In The Woods: A Photographic Fantasy
Written By & Photographed By: Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick
Published By: Carl R. Sams II Photography, June, 2004, Reality Based Fiction

Suitable For: ages 5 and up

Themes/Topics: Animals, Patience, Seasons (Spring), Trust

Opening: “The Spring frogs sing-singing with a thousand trilling voices were silenced by the rising sun.  New life came into the woods before the sun touched the tops of the trees.  He slept quietly in the tall grass on the north edge of the meadow where the trees start the forest.”

Brief Synopsis:  The woodland creatures are worried that a newborn fawn might be lost.  “Mama said to wait right here,” the fawn whispers.  “She will come back.”  But the other animals aren’t convinced and offer their advice and help.  Does the doe come back?  What do you think? 🙂

Links To Resources:  The book itself is a resource.  Page after page of gorgeous photographs of woodland creatures will introduce children to animals and birds they may never have seen, especially if they live in the city.  The very last page of the book challenges readers to look back through the pictures and see if they can find a number of hidden animals.  Activity pages, Lesson Plan.  If you’re lucky enough to live in a rural area, go for a “deer drive” in the evening, cruising slowly along back roads, and see how many different animals and birds you can spot 🙂

Why I Like This Book:  I love this story!  It’s simple and sweet.  On the first page where the fawn appears, he is a tangle of fragile limbs.  His spotted fur helps him blend into the forest floor.  By the last page, he has mastered those rascally legs and can be seen bounding through the meadow grass with such joy you can’t help but smile at his airs above the ground.  But the best part is the photography.  It’s breathtaking.  Absolutely stunning!  The fawn’s fur looks like you could reach out and touch it.  You can see his eyelashes!  And there are so many other animals pictured – chipmunk, goslings, a tree frog whose camouflage is amazing!, cardinal, red-winged blackbird, raccoon, and many others.  I know I’m an animal lover (and therefore biased :)) but I think this book is exquisitely beautiful and one that anyone would enjoy!

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

Now.

I know you’ve all been anxiously waiting for the moment when I announce the winners of the Birthday Contest.

Thank you for your patience.

And I am definitely going to tell you just as soon as I recite The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

In Middle English.

(deep breath)

“Whan that Aprill with his shoures sote
The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendered is the flour;
Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes…”

Sorry 🙂  I’m just fooling’ with you – can’t seem to help myself 🙂  But I won’t really put you through a recitation of all 900 billion stanzas (or however many there are – it seemed like at least 900 billion when we were in 9th grade) and besides, I can only remember about 16 lines of the General Prologue 🙂

So anyway.  The Birthday Contest!

We had so many talented writers, and so many wonderful entries!  It was incredibly hard, but we narrowed them down to 6:

#1 A Gift Of Love by Delores
#2 A Present For A Pirate by Cathy
#3 Not Another Birthday! by Erik
#4 Birthday At The Beach by Carrie
#5 Dan’s Birthday Plan by Stacy
#6 The Biggest And The Best by Anthony

96 voters weighed in with their opinions and the winners are…

duhn-duhn-duhn-duhn!!!

Third Place:  CATHY with A Present For A Pirate

Second Place:  CARRIE with Birthday At The Beach

and last but not least….

First Place and Big Winner 🙂  ANTHONY with The Biggest And The Best!!!

Congratulations to all of you, and to all who entered!  You were all superb and I think I speak for everyone when I say we thoroughly enjoyed all the entries and admire your hard work and bravery in entering!  Thank you all!

Anthony, Carrie, and Cathy, please contact me using that handy Email Me button on the right or, if you prefer manual labor, by emailing to susanna [at] susannahill [dot] com.  Anthony will get first choice of the prizes, Carrie will get second choice, and Cathy will get third.

Once again, the prizes on offer are:

#1- a PB ms critique by me
#2 – a 3 pack of Perfect Picture Books including Chloe, My Side Of The Car, and Z Is For Moose
#4 – a $15 gift certificate to Merritt Bookstore.

Two last things before we go:

First, the lovely Jen invited me to be part of her fabulous Let’s Ask series yesterday.  If you haven’t had a chance, please pop over and visit her 🙂

Second, remember Randy’s Contest over at Author In Training, and also Delores is running a lovely Words Of June Contest which I meant to mention Wednesday, so do hop over and check them both out!

So now we can all recover from the excitement by making the Perfect Picture Book rounds 🙂  PPBF bloggers, please add your post-specific link to the list below.
Have a great weekend, everyone, and please tune in Monday for Oh Susanna and some exciting announcements 🙂

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Aunt Isabel Tells A Good One

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Once upon a time…

There are few phrases that fill you with as much anticipation as those 4 little words!  (Okay.  “I made chocolate cake” is right up there too.  Or, if you’re me, “time for Grey’s Anatomy” which is actually a little like “once upon a time” although my faith was badly shaken by the season finale… but I digress.)

When you hear once upon a time, you just know something good is coming!  You settle in, get comfy, and eagerly await whatever comes next!

Well, I feel the same way about 4 other little words – Perfect Picture Book Friday!  When I hear those words, I just know I’m about to read about a whole bunch of terrific books I can’t wait to get my hands on!

And the one I’m going to share with you today is all about that once upon a time…! 🙂

Aunt Isabel Tells A Good One
Written & Illustrated By: Kate Duke
Dutton Children’s Books, 1992, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 3-8

Themes/Topics: creativity, storytelling, imagination, girl power

Opening: “‘Tell me a story,’ said Penelope one night after supper.
‘What kind of a story?’ asked Aunt Isabel.
‘A good story,’ said Penelope.
‘All right,’ said Aunt Isabel.  ‘A good story is the hardest kind to tell, though.  We must put it together carefully, with just the right ingredients…’“

Brief Synopsis:  At Penelope’s request, Aunt Isabel makes up a story using all the necessary ingredients.  A When, a Where, and a Who.  Romance, a Problem, and Villains!  But when beloved Prince Augustus is in danger from Odious Mole and Bad-Egg Bat, who will come to his rescue?

Links To Resources: probably the best thing you can do with this story is use it as a springboard for creativity, writing, and storytelling activities, one-on-one or in a group.  Some online resources to enhance the fun are Scribblitt and Story Starters.  And illustrating the stories (before or after) is always fun too!

Why I Like This Book: the story is fun and engaging, and the art is absolutely charming.  But even better, it is actually a how-to manual for how to write a story!  While Aunt Isabel is making up a story for Penelope, readers are learning how to make up their own stories.  This applies to adults as well as kids 🙂  Whether you’re a child, a parent, a teacher, or a writer (or any combination thereof :)), I think you’ll enjoy this one!

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

Before we all head for the PPB list, I just want to thank the fabulous Natasha over at Writes By Moonlight for bestowing the Kreativ Blogger Award on me!  As you all know, I am terrible at these awards, and as you can tell by how impressively brief I’m being today I’m unusually pressed for time, so I’m going to skip the questions and random facts and trying to pick other people to give the award to for now.  But do please pop by and visit Natasha!

PPBF bloggers, please add your post-specific links below!  I will be popping around reading when I can, and then spending as much of this holiday weekend as I can appropriate trying to choose finalists in the Birthday Contest!

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Chloe

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I LOVE school visits.  Almost without fail, someone, at some point, makes me laugh!

Yesterday I visited with about 100 first graders.  They were a lively crew and we had tons of fun.

photo credit Pam Lawrence

Somewhere along in the proceedings, one alert audience member piped up with, “How old are you?” (a favorite question!)  “How old do you think I am?” I asked him.  Now, usually the answer to this question ranges from 20 to I-don’t-know, but this boy tipped his head to one side, considering, and then guessed – I kid you not! – “80?”

So apparently I look nearly twice my actual age 🙂

I think these kids thought 80 was a wild guess too 🙂
photo credit Pam Lawrence

I am so excited to share today’s book with you!  It is by one of my favorite author/illustrators and it was just released on Tuesday so it’s only 4 days old!  (Nowhere near 80 :))

If any of you have had the pleasure of reading Henry In Love, you will recognize young Chloe as the object of Henry’s affection and the recipient of the coveted blueberry muffin 🙂

Chloe
Written & Illustrated By: Peter McCarty
Balzer & Bray, May 15, 2012, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 2-8

Themes/Topics: family, imagination, love

Opening:  “Chloe loved the end of the day, when her whole family was together.  She called it family fun time.“

Brief Synopsis:  Chloe has 10 older brothers and sisters and 10 younger brothers and sisters.  She loves being in the middle.  But one night Dad brings home a surprise – a new TV! – and Chloe finds that she is no longer in the middle as everyone gathers around the TV instead.  Luckily it doesn’t take Chloe long to get everyone back on the right track!

Links To Resources:  The Five Best Toys Of All Time (so funny that it’s worth it just to read :)) puts “Box” at number 2.  Give your kids any of the items on this list and watch their imaginations soar as they come up with innumerable ways to play with these simple things.  In this day and age of specialty toys and electronic gadgets, there is nothing better than letting your kids (or students) take a box and turn it into a rocket ship, a castle, or a fort, and themselves into astronauts, princesses, or cowboys!

Why I Like This Book:  First of all, is it even possible to look at this art without feeling happy?  There is such exuberance in these bunnies, each with his or her own special details!  I think it’s something about the ears 🙂  But I also love the story.  I love that the rest of the family initially succumbs to the lure of the new TV, but Chloe and baby Bridget have no use for it.  Instead, they discover the bubble wrap in the box, and pretty soon the other kids are losing interest in the TV and coming over to Pop! Bip! Pap!  Next thing you know, they’ve found an entertaining use for the box, putting on their own TV show.  The message that family fun time can be family fun time without a TV is refreshing 🙂  I won’t give away the very last page, but it’s a hoot and you should get a copy of the book and see it for yourself! 🙂

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

Before we all head off to read all the other PPBs, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the Birthday Contest is just hours away!!!  (I’m feeling a mite panicky, actually, because I don’t yet have a sample entry prepared.  I thought I had an idea, but it didn’t pan out.  In the midst of this hectic week, I haven’t had time to work on a new one, so I’m seriously down to the wire and not hopeful for anything brilliant!)

Anyhoo, even though Saturday is not a usual posting day, please come on over tomorrow to start the Birthday Contest fun.  The link list will be up so that as people’s entries are ready they can put in their post specific links or, if you want to enter and don’t have your own blog, you can copy and paste your entry in the comment section.  That post will stay up until midnight Tuesday night (no new post Monday) so everyone can add their links and come back and read everyone else’s.  It will be a party 🙂  (Just make sure you’re linking on Saturday’s Birthday Contest post.  I don’t want anyone to get confused and link on PPBF – we’ll miss it!)

If you have any questions because I’m not being clear in my current fog of fatigue, please email or ask in the comments! 🙂

PPBF bloggers, please add your post-specific links to today’s link list so we can all come visit!

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow, and starting in on reading what I’m sure will be fantastic contest entries!  Happy Weekend, Everyone!