Today is Friday – I have a children’s book review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.

My grandson at his first karate class – wish I could focus so intently (and lift my leg that high).

The month has flown by with lots of picture book writing activity. I finished Meg Miller’s ReviMo (all about revising) and I’m currently participating in Shannon Abercrombie’s Start the Year off Write. There are several contest deadlines looming – Highlights Fiction Contest entries (Holiday theme) must be postmarked by January 31…and the contest being hosted by Rate Your Story ends on February 3^rd. Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 is gearing up with a fully functioning Forum where you can post the 1^st 250 words of a manuscript, as well as queries and pitches for critique. Emma Walton Hamilton has again graciously agreed to critique queries this month for Golden Book level members…if she isn’t able to get to all of them, Julie will complete the task. And, the lovely Mira Reisberg, talented teacher of Picture Book Academy and head of Hummingbird Literary, will be critiquing pitches in a free live webinar tonight at 6pm Pacific time. I’ve already completed my January 12×12 picture book draft and I’m furiously working to get all of those contest entries in on time. Thanks to my two wonderful critique groups, I’ve gotten great feedback and suggestions for revision and polishing. PLUS, I’m jumping up and down with excitement since February will be here before we know it and Susanna’s Making Picture Book Magic class will begin.

So now that you know how January is going for me, are you ready for a picture book review?

I’m a fan of classic picture books, although recently I’ve been reviewing mostly the newer ones as I also read them to help me in my picture book writing. Today, I’m reverting back to a tried and true classic that does not seem to be on the Perfect Picture Book list. It’s also a Perfect Picture Book for the upcoming Chinese New Year – although the China it depicts has changed drastically – the book was written OVER EIGHTY YEARS AGO!

The Story About Ping

Written by Marjorie Flack

Illustrated by Kurt Wiese

Publisher: Viking Press (1933)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes:

Consequences, curiosity, independence

Opening Lines:

“Once upoon a time there was a beautiful young duck named Ping. Ping lived with his mother and his father and his two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins. Their home was a boat with two wise eyes on the Yangtze River.”

Synopsis:

Amazon: “The tale of a little duck alone on the Yangtze River, The Story About Ping is a sweet and funny book with wonderfully rich and colorful illustrations. On a day like any other, Ping sets off from the boat he calls home with his comically large family in search of “pleasant things to eat.” On this particular day, he is accidentally left behind when the boat leaves. Undaunted, the little duck heads out onto the Yangtze in search of his family, only to find new friends and adventures–and a bit of peril–around every bend.

The exceptional illustrations bring the lush Yangtze to life, from Ping’s family to the trained fishing birds he finds himself among to the faithfully rendered boats and fishermen. Certainly intended to be read aloud, The Story About Ping deserves a place on every young reader’s (or listener’s) shelf. ”

Why  I like this book:

• Great read-aloud
• Amazing illustrations
• One of my top 10 classic picture book picks

How a parent can use this book:

• Great read-aloud
• Opportunity for discussion independence and curiosity and consequences for our actions

Related Activities:

MAKE A PAPER PLATE DUCK

Photo courtesy http://www.dltk-kids.com

You will need: One paper plate, construction paper, markers, scissors, glue.

1. Cut out beak, eyes, feathers from construction paper and glue in place.
2. Use markers to finish the features on the duck’s face.
3. Exact instructions here: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/birds-ducks.htm

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend! It’s been pretty cold – I plan to light the fireplace, make hot chocolate, read, write and relax. What are your plans?