As some of you may have noticed, Halloween is coming! 🎃🧙🏿♀️👻
So what better time for a story about a haunted house?
This one is so cute scary! 😊
Title: Hardly Haunted
Written & Illustrated By: Jessie Sima
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, fiction, July 2021
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: being yourself, self-acceptance, holidays (Halloween)
text and illustration copyright Jessie Sima 2021, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Opening: “There was a house on a hill, and that house was worried.”
Brief Synopsis:House has a problem. The evidence seems to suggest that she might be HAUNTED! How will she ever find a family who wants to make her a haunted home?
text and illustration copyright Jessie Sima 2021, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
text and illustration copyright Jessie Sima 2021, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Why I Like This Book: Some kids like scary books. Mine were not in that category! 😊 So this is the kind of perfect Halloween book that I love. It hints at spookiness, and has a little suspense in the story, without being at all scary. After all, no one wants nightmares! The story is told from the point of view of the house, but there’s a delightful little black cat who appears on every page, adding to the story with her reactions. And while the house is concerned about her potential hauntedness, the art is so appealing that it makes her much more endearing than scary. Although this is a story appropriate for the Halloween season with its nod toward spookiness, it is also a story about being who you are and accepting yourself – always something kids can benefit from. Young readers will delight in this story and fall in love with the friendly little house…even if she is haunted 😊
text and illustration copyright Jessie Sima 2021, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
I always look forward so much to seeing what you all choose each week! There are so many amazing books out there! I’m sure I’m not the only one who has a hard time choosing only one every Friday – I always want to share at least five! 😊
Today I have a choice that is different in two ways. One, it’s written by someone who is a YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok celebrity, and I typically don’t review books written by celebrities of any kind. Two, its topic is one I think is important and there should be more books of this kind. See what you think – does it strike you as a Perfect Picture Book? I’m interested in opinions!
Title: Beautifully Me
Written By: Nabela Noor
Illustrated By: Nabi H. Ali
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, September 14, 2021, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: self-esteem, healthy body image
text copyright Nabela Noor 2021, illustration copyright Nabi H. Ali 2021, Simon & Schuster
Opening: “Salaam! My name is Zubi Chowdhury. Yesterday, I woke up before the sun. I knew it was going to be a special day. It was my first day of school!
I put on my blue overalls and pink shirt with fancy puffy sleeves. Amma had made it just for me in Bangladesh. I twisted my hair into two pigtails with my lucky butterfly clops and slid on my bangles.”
Brief Synopsis: Zubi, a young Bangladeshi girl, is excited for her first day of school, but when everyone around her seems suddenly focused on their size she begins to doubt herself. Will kids make fun of her because she isn’t skinny? Her family helps her to see that it is who you are that makes you beautiful, not how much you weigh.
text copyright Nabela Noor 2021, illustration copyright Nabi H. Ali 2021, Simon & Schuster
Links To Resources: glossary of Bengali words used in the text; celebrate your strengths and the strengths of those around you! What are you good at? What makes you special? What makes you YOU? 15+ Fun SElf-Esteem Activities & Games for Children and Teens (scroll down past the explanation of what self-esteem is and how parents and teachers can help foster it in children to the activities and games.)
Strengths Finder Poster from Friendzy.co (You can download the free pdf there)
Why I Like This Book: This lovely book shows the importance of kindness and being yourself, and of celebrating all the unique characteristics that make you “beautifully you”. What makes us special is what’s on the inside – who we are – not the package it comes in. Although some reviews have faulted this book for “promoting obesity”, I feel that it promotes kindness, acceptance, and positive body image, and in today’s world where kids are bombarded with images of what they’re “supposed to look like,” it’s important for them to know that there are many different (and beautiful!) body types and that what is important is being healthy, and being a good, kind person who supports others. Every child can benefit from this book’s encouragement to find and honor their strengths.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Today I have such a gorgeous book to share that I can’t wait to show it to you! I encourage you all to read it if you can. Writers, especially, will find this book a shining example of how to say so much with so little.
Get ready to have your socks blown off!
Title: Wishes
Written By: Mượn Thị Văn
Illustrated By: Victo Ngai
Publisher: Orchard Books, May 2021, reality-based fiction
text copyright Mượn Thị Văn 2021, illustration copyright Victo Ngai 2021, Orchard Books
Opening: “The night wished it was quieter.”
Brief Synopsis: A young Vietnamese girl must leave behind her home and everything she knows to find hope for a better life.
text copyright Mượn Thị Văn 2021, illustration copyright Victo Ngai 2021, Orchard Books
Links To Resources: the back of the book includes a note from the author about her own journey from Vietnam, as well as a note from the illustrator describing how she went about crafting her illustrations; if you had to leave home, what would you wish for? discuss, draw, or write a story or poem; what do you think would be the hardest thing to leave behind if you had to leave home? what would you want to be sure you brought with you?
text copyright Mượn Thị Văn 2021, illustration copyright Victo Ngai 2021, Orchard Books
Why I Like This Book: This is the kind of gorgeous, poignant book that makes your heart full. With only 75 words, the author conveys such a depth of emotion and story. With true picture book perfection, the illustrations tell as much of the story as the words, beautifully expanding the reader’s understanding of exactly what is happening and the strength it demands from the characters. The majority of young readers (thankfully) will never have experienced this particular kind of hardship, but it is so important for them to understand that life experiences are different for everyone and that many of them require strength, resilience, effort, and hope. A beautiful, thought-provoking, heart-stirring book that young readers will gain a lot from.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
I have the cutest book ever to share with you today. Literally! 🤣
Unfortunately you’ll have to wait a few weeks to read it, but you can preorder it (or reserve it at your library) now!
Title: Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion
Written By: Stephen W. Martin
Illustrated By: Dan Tavis
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, November 2, 2021, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: self-acceptance, friendship, humor
text copyright Stephen W. Martin 2021, illustration copyright Dan Tavis 2021, Margaret McElderry Books
Opening: “Fluffy McWhiskers was cute. Dangerously cute. Yes, Fluffy McWhiskers was so cute that if you saw her. . . you’d explode.”
Brief Synopsis: Fluffy is an adorable kitten. But she’s so adorable that anyone who sees her spontaneously explodes into balls of sparkles and fireworks! How will she ever find a friend?
text copyright Stephen W. Martin 2021, illustration copyright Dan Tavis 2021, Margaret McElderry Books
Why I Like This Book: Sometimes, a book is just plain fun, and this is one of those books. I mean, not really. It’s not really fun! It’s serious! Spontaneous explosions happen! People KABOOM into balls of sparkles and fireworks! Fluffy is dangerous! In an effort to save people, she tries to make herself less cute. But a bad haircut just makes her cuter. And wearing a bag over her head just makes her ridiculously cute. Even exiling herself to outer space doesn’t cut it. What next? I won’t tell you because you should read the book! But beneath the silliness and hilarity is a story about wanting to protect others, learning to accept yourself, and finding friendship where you least expect it, as well as the suggestion that cuteness is in the eye of the beholder. The art is bright and fun and adorable. Fluffy is SO CUTE! But you already knew that. 😊 Young readers will love Fluffy. How could they not?
text copyright Stephen W. Martin 2021, illustration copyright Dan Tavis 2021, Margaret McElderry Books
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday once again, my friends!
And guess what? I may have finally fixed the glitch in the link list! (And by “I” I mean my far more intelligent and tech-savvy daughter 😊) Fingers crossed it works right this time, after 2 weeks of wrong and more wrong!
So! To the books!
Back to school time is making friends time, and my Perfect Picture Book for today is all about friendship!
Title: Chirp!: Chipmunk Sings For A Friend
Written By: Jamie A. Swenson
Illustrated By: Scott Magoon
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, July 13, 2021
Opening: “Chipmunk lived on a rock. Most days she sat on her rock, chirping from dawn. . . until the stars shone down.”
text copyright Jamie A. Swenson 2021, illustration copyright Scott Magoon 2021, Paula Wiseman Books
Brief Synopsis: Chipmunk spends her days sitting on her rock and singing the songs in her heart, but sometimes she wishes for a friend who could sing with her.
text copyright Jamie A. Swenson 2021, illustration copyright Scott Magoon 2021, Paula Wiseman Books
Why I Like This Book: This is such a sweet story about finding friends! All on her own, Chipmunk sings to Rock, and then to Pinecone and Rock, but though they are excellent listeners, they’re not quite the kind of friends she is hoping for. Eventually, her singing brings Raccoon along and a friendship begins (unnoticed!) as she and Chipmunk try to move Log to where Rock and Pinecone are (Chipmunk thinking that Log might be a friend.) But Log is too heavy even for Chipmunk and Raccoon together, so they sing about their frustration…and that brings Moose along. Once again, friendship begins unnoticed as Moose listens and then offers to help. Finally, Rock and Pinecone and Log, and Chipmunk and Raccoon and Moose are all together in the same place. Rock and Pinecone and Log do what they do best – listen! – while Chipmunk and Raccoon and Moose sing together, a true friendship having formed through their cooperation. The story is simple and sweet, with little notes of humor (favorite line: ““Like a rock, a pinecone, and a log in a pod,” said Moose. 😊) The art is delightful. I especially like how every time Chipmunk sets out to find another friend she literally dashes off the page 😊 A lovely story about finding what matters.
text copyright Jamie A. Swenson 2021, illustration copyright Scott Magoon 2021, Paula Wiseman Books
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
The perfect time to make a list of books and then hustle off to the library after school to set yourself up for a weekend of great reads!
The book I chose for today is one that I think fits perfectly with heading back to school where it’s so important to both be yourself and be part of the community!
Title: Pokko And The Drum
Written & Illustrated By: Matthew Forsythe
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, October 2019, fiction
Opening: “The biggest mistake Pokko’s parents ever made was giving her a drum. They had made mistakes before. Like the slingshot. And the llama. And the balloon.”
text and illustration copyright Matthew Forsythe 2019, Paula Wiseman Books
Brief Synopsis: Pokko’s parents give her a drum but quickly realize that might not have been such a great idea! Wanting a break from the noise, Pokko’s dad sends her outside. Before long, Pokko has inspired an instrument-playing following, and what started out as banging has become such a joyful noise that even her father has to admit it turned out well after all.
text and illustration copyright Matthew Forsythe 2019, Paula Wiseman Books
Links To Resources: get some friends together and make your own band – what different things can you use as an instrument? Draw a picture or write a story or poem about something that makes you who you are – do you play the drum like Pokko? do you dance or sing or play soccer? For a drum-related snack, make cupcakes for the drum and pretzel stick halves with mini marshmallows dipped in chocolate for the drumsticks!
Why I Like This Book: I love Pokko! Such a confident, poised little character! She plays her drum through the emerald forest gathering followers in a Pied Piper-esque way and plays her drum with such joy that her father goes from “We’re just a little frog family that lives in a mushroom, and we don’t like drawing attention to ourselves” to “And you know what?…I think she’s pretty good!” 😊 There is plenty of humor. Her mother is comically engrossed in reading a book throughout the whole story no matter what else is going on – even when she’s being swept away by the crowd! And a small mishap causes Pokko to tell the Wolf, “No more eating band members or you’re out of the band.” Pokko asserts her own individuality while also bringing the community together. Such a delightful book!
text and illustration copyright Matthew Forsythe 2019, Paula Wiseman Books
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week! I hope it works right this week… something is hinky!
I know we’ve seen each other on and off over the summer for Tuesday Debuts, but it’s great to be back to the regular routine. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and is filled with enthusiasm for the coming school year and inspiration for lots of new stories!
I’m starting off the school year with a book I think everyone – kids, teachers, and parents – will find helpful and enjoyable as they’re settling into their new routines.
Title: Listen
Written By: Gabi Snyder
Illustrated By: Stephanie Graegin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, July 13, 2021
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: listening, attention, empathy
Opening: “When you step out into the big, wild world, sometimes all you hear is. . . NOISE!”
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2021, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2021, Paula Wiseman Books
Brief Synopsis: The world is a noisy place, but what happens if you just stop, close your eyes, and listen?
Links To Resources: the book has a nice section of back matter that tells about the sense of hearing, and different kinds of listening; stop what you’re doing, close you eyes, and listen – what do you hear?; go for a walk and pay attention to the sounds around you – what do you hear?; talk about sounds you like and sounds you don’t like, times when you like noise and times when you like quiet.
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2021, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2021, Paula Wiseman Books
Why I Like This Book: This lovely quiet book encourages children to pause, take a breath, stop the constant busy-ness of the world around them, and listen. Filter out the noise – literal and figurative – and focus on what matters. It helps them understand the importance of mindfulness and attention in the context of daily life. In the course of the story, the child goes from hearing the cacophony of noises in a busy street, to separating them out, to hearing “words of joy” and “words that sting” when a classmates feelings are hurt, to hearing the voice inside her, and the “hush and whispers” of nighttime. The art is perfect for the story, soft and appealing with lots of lovely details. A book every child will enjoy!
text copyright Gabi Snyder 2021, illustration copyright Stephanie Graegin 2021, Paula Wiseman Books
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week! And if you posted books over the summer, please feel free to add them here as well!And my apologies – I did something wrong and the links aren’t showing up, so I copied and pasted them below and will try to fix the problem for next week!
The last Perfect Picture Book Friday for the summer!
(except for maybe one or two I might do randomly in July 😊)
So what’s better for a summer read then learning how to host the perfect tea party?
Title: Phoebe Dupree Is Coming To Tea!
Written By: Linda Ashman
Illustrated By: Alea Marley
Publisher: Candlewick, June 1, 2021, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-7
Themes/Topics: making the best of things, friendship
Opening: “Have you met Phoebe – Miss Phoebe Dupree? Phoebe’s as perfect as perfect can be.
Phoebe is speedy. Phoebe is smart. She’s equally brilliant at science and art.
She sings like a bird (she’s never off-key),
And Phoebe Dupree is coming to tea!”
text copyright Linda Ashman 2021, illustration copyright Alea Marley 2021, Candlewick
Brief Synopsis: Abby wants her tea party to be as perfect as the guest of honor, but things don’t go quite the way she planned!
Links To Resources: Host your own tea party! Decide on a day and time, make and deliver invitations, dress up, decorate for the party, prepare food and beverages, serve the “tea”, and enjoy!
text copyright Linda Ashman 2021, illustration copyright Alea Marley 2021, Candlewick
Why I Like This Book: This story is charming from start to finish! Abby is so earnest in her desire to put on the perfect tea party for Phoebe, so anxious to do things just right. She plans every detail and it all starts so well! But then one thing leads to another (as often happens in life! 😊) and suddenly her perfect tea party is in chaos. Things have a way of working out if you’re willing to go with the flow, though, so it all turns out unexpectedly well. The art is adorable and just right for the story. The rhyme is signature Linda Ashman – flawless to read aloud. An all-around fun book that young readers will really enjoy (and that grown-ups won’t mind reading a million times 😊)
text copyright Linda Ashman 2021, illustration copyright Alea Marley 2021, Candlewick
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
It’s time once again for Perfect Picture Book Friday, and I have a story to start things off!
You might remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had fenced my yard to keep Violet out of trouble and protect the baby animal population of Blueberry Hill? So, Tuesday morning, I opened my newly gated yard and set off out the driveway with my dogs. I’ve been leashing them (due to the aforementioned baby animals), but hadn’t clipped their leashes on yet because we were still in the driveway.
We got about 100 feet and Scout started barking and Violet went charging into the woods!
Instantly, a doe came charging out at Violet, head down bounding straight toward her, front hooves striking out!
I knew at once the doe had a fawn she was protecting and my dogs were going to be in serious trouble if I didn’t get them away from that doe lickety-split! So I whistled and hollered and they totally ignored me. Scout kept barking, Violet and the doe kept charging each other, and I kept hollering at Scout and Violet. it was quite the scene for 6 AM on a Tuesday morning 😊
Luckily, Violet cottoned on to the fact that she might have taken on more than she bargained for. She hesitated and then came when I called. Scout was quite a bit farther away from the doe, but I was able to catch her too. We went back in the house for a few minutes to let the doe calm down and then braved the gauntlet (leashed this time!) and managed to get past, though the doe was none too happy!
Later on, I went out to run an errand, and as I pulled back in the driveway in the car, I saw the doe with the fawn beside her – absolutely brand new! – the teeniest tiniest little fawn I’ve ever seen trying to stand up on his little toothpick legs. He or she was significantly smaller than Violet. It was amazing!
The doe has apparently decided my front yard is where she’s going to remain, so getting in and out the driveway with the dogs is an ongoing challenge, and I haven’t seen the baby again, but I know s/he’s there 😊 And I am thankful for my new fence – without it I wouldn’t be able to let the dogs out of the house at all without their leashes!
So after that, there was no doubt about what Perfect Picture Book I would share today!
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
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.”
text copyright Carl R. Sams II 2004, photo copyright Jean Stoick 2004
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? 😊
text copyright Carl R. Sams II 2004, photo copyright Jean Stoick 2004
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 😊
text copyright Carl R. Sams II 2004, photo copyright Jean Stoick 2004
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!
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Oh, and P.S. This might be the last PPBF before the summer. Or I might do one more next week. And I might have one or two during the summer 😊
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, so get out your list-making utensils, whatever they might be (iphone note, broken crayon and old ATM receipt, whatever 😊), and prepare for a trip to the library! There are sure to be any number of books shared this week you’ll want to check out.
I’m sharing one that was a huge favorite with my kids, back in the last millennium when they were little 😊 I hope you like it!
Title: The Baby Blue Cat Who Said No Written & Illustrated By: Ainslie Pryor Re-issue March 1988, Viking Juvenile, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-7
Themes/Topics: behavior (contrariness), humor
Opening: “Have you heard the story of the Baby Blue Cat who said No? Once there was a Mama Cat and her four baby cats. Baby Orange Cat, Baby White Cat, Baby Striped Cat, and Baby Blue Cat. Mama Cat loved all of her baby cats very much.“
Brief Synopsis: Baby Orange Cat, Baby White Cat and Baby Striped Cat all behave the way little kittens should, but Baby Blue Cat is feeling ornery. No matter what his Mama asks, he says, “No!” But when he pushes his Mama too far, he apologizes and behaves… until his contrariness gets the better of him again 😊
Links To Resources: Teaching Children A VocabularyFor Emotions; make cards with different emotions pictured and/or written – e.g. a smiley face and/or HAPPY – and play emotion charades by letting kids pick a card and act out the emotions for the rest of the class or family and see if the observers can guess; talk about behavior – have you ever refused to do something just to be difficult? Do you sometimes do bad things and then feel sorry? Talk about how to say you’re sorry – resource HERE.
Why I Like This Book: The language is fun to read aloud. (Years later, we still use the phrase “and here’s your delicious cupcake, YUM YUM” 😊 ) The line drawings are cute and engaging (right down to the smile on the fish sandwich 😊) But mostly, anyone who has ever spent 3 minutes around a toddler will recognize and appreciate Baby Blue Cat’s desire to have some control, and some opportunity to be independent of his mother and siblings. As I mentioned above, he’s naughty, but when he goes too far he’s genuinely remorseful. Mama Cat loves her baby cats very much, and it is clear that Baby Blue Cat loves his Mama Cat too 😊
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do at our house! 😊
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
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