Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday – I review a picture book, provide a simple fun craft you can do with your kids and then I link up with dozens of other writers, moms, librarians and other lovers of picture books on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
I enjoy reading the classic picture books that I grew up with – but I also love finding brand-new ones that will be classics one day. So I was excited to receive a copy of today’s selection from the publisher…and I’m really thrilled to be presenting it to you – hot off the press!
MILLIE FIERCE SLEEPS OUT
Written and illustrated by Jane Manning
Publisher: Philomel Books (May 29, 2014)
Ages: 3 and up
Themes: Expressing feelings, appropriate behavior, camping out, overcoming fears
Opening Lines:
“Being good wasn’t easy. But Millie knew that being fierce ruined parties, and made people mad, and even made them cry. So Millie had kept herself fierce-free all summer long.”
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
“Little girls can be strong and fierce and brave—and sometimes their ferocity is just the thing they need to save the day.
Millie is strong. Millie is fierce. But Millie has learned to keep her fierceness in check. And since she’s been sweet all summer long, Millie gets to have a sleep-out with her friends. One where she promises to be well behaved. But things don’t go as Millie planned, and our fierce little heroine is not happy. Still, she tries her best to keep her fierceness inside. But when the scary dog from next door howls at the girls’ tent, Millie’s ferocity saves them all!”
Why I like this book:
- Bold vivid illustrations- congratulations to Jane Manning – job well-done!
- Wonderful message about learning to express our feelings, control our behavior, make our weakness into a strength and figuring out when it is okay to let go!
- A super strong-girl story!
- Reminded me so much of Where the Wild Things Are – kudos again to Ms. Manning!
- I read it to my grandson – he LOVED it – and then wanted to turn the pages and read it to himself by looking at the pictures – kids are extremely tough critics…they will honestly let you know when they like or don’t like something. I know this is a book he will want to hear again and again.
How a parent can use this book:
- Talk about feelings and behavior.
- Role play different scenarios when it would be appropriate to be fierce.
- Plan a camp-out – depending on your situation, it could take place outside in your backyard…or even in the living room.
- Do shadow play with your child – turn down the lights, get a flashlight and see what animals and shapes you can portray on the wall.
Related Activities:
HOMEMADE BINOCULARS
Photo courtesy http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/toystomake/a/blbinocr.htm
All you need are two empty toilet paper rolls, construction paper, glue, scissors and markers.
- Cut construction paper so that you can lay an empty toilet paper roll on each end.
- Glue each tube and then roll towards each other.
- Glue in place, leaving a small space for the ‘nosepiece’.
- Decorate with markers.
- Look through your homemade binoculars…objects will seem closer and clearer.
Lots of great summer crafts here: http://tinkerlab.com/11-classic-summer-camp-crafts/
To learn more about the book, Millie Fierce Sleeps Out, go here: http://www.milliefierce.com/
To visit the other stops on Jane’s TLC book blog tour, go here: http://tlcbooktours.com/2014/04/jane-manning-author-of-millie-fierce-sleeps-out-on-tour-june-2014/
To learn more about author/illustrator Jane Manning’s other books, go here: http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/12438
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
I think I like that Millie Fierce! I need to find this book for my little Dogzilla who is having to learn self-control. It’s not an easy thing. Thanks for sharing this one!
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Learning self-control is a big task…and this is a fun book that addresses that topic…I hope you can find a copy, Rhythm. 🙂
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I reviewed the first Millie Fierce book and was just about to order this one. It sounds like Millie has come a long way and is learning to control her fierceness. Look forward to reading it. I like your suggestions in how a parent can use this book! Glad there is a sequel. And, this book has been nominated for the 2014 Kirkus Prize.
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The author has done a great job of showing us how difficult it is for young kids to control their tempers…and it’s a good book for adults as well…it’s not easy, even for big people. 🙂 🙂 Thanks for the Kirkus Prize info, Pat. 🙂
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My daughter is a little firecracker so I’d love to read this to her. Great find Vivian!
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Oh, I love that term…Little Firecracker! Hope you get a copy, Catherine. 🙂
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This sounds like an awesome book! 😀
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Yup…it’s pretty cool, Erik!
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What a great book. So often I have seen little kids just let rip when they are not happy about something. This is a great universal theme. Love the colourful illustrations. Thanks Vivian.
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Losing one’s temper IS a universal theme, Diane.,,and learning to control it is a life-long task,, I’m afraid. 🙂 🙂 The book would be good for both parent and child!
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Did a little someone request a night out in a tent after reading this? I would!
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Tee hee! Yes, I think Jeremy would love to camp out…we were in Sears the other day and they had tents set up for sale…he wanted one immediately…and would have been happy if we had crawled in with him and stayed there instead of continuing to shop. I think he would love camping out…as long as there are no scary noises…or bugs! 🙂
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I’m glad you and your grandson liked the book so much! I know my son has some fierceness in him, so I think he’ll relate to the main character. I also think he’ll love the camping theme!
Thanks for being on the tour!
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Thanks for the opportunity to review the book, Trish and join the tour! We loved the book…and need to get a copy of the first Millie Fierce now. 🙂
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First of all, your grandson is adorable!!! This book sounds really good except that I really didn’t like Where the Wild Things Are and it terrified my kids. I still want to read this one but I better pre-read it before sharing! Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday! Hope to see you again soon!
Tina
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Hi Tina,
I agree with you…pre-reading books is always a good idea. 🙂 Thanks for the sweet words about Jeremy…he is a barrel of fun. 😉 And, although I do like Where The Wild Things Are…there are several of Maurice Sendak’s books that I would not read to a young child because they seem pretty scary to me. 😉
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