Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Peddler’s Bed

Posted on by

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. If you need more picture book recommendations, please head over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s for more picture book reviews.

And do I have a treat for you!

The author of today’s Perfect Picture Book is going to be here tomorrow as the featured author on Will Write for Cookies – hip hip hooray!

I’m so excited! I hope you will all come back on Saturday to find out more about this wonderful lady who runs the incredible Frog on a Blog. But right now, I can’t wait to share her lovely debut picture book which is slated to pub on September 1st and can be pre-ordered on Amazon:

Final Final Cover

The Peddler’s Bed

Written by Lauri Fortino

Illustrated by Bong Redila

Publisher: Ripple Grove Press (2015)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Kindness, sharing

 

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

‘The peddler stopped his cart and climbed down from his seat.
“It’s a fine day,” he said.
“Truly,” answered the little man,”and that’s a fine bed you have there in your cart.”

In this tale of kindness and giving, a peddler attempts to sell a fine, handcrafted bed, guaranteed to never squeak, to a little man who has no bed at all. But the peddler’s heart is moved by the little man’s generosity. When it’s time to get back on the road, will the peddler leave behind the perfect gift of gratitude? ‘

Opening Lines:

”One afternoon, a little man was working in his tiny garden next to his small house when he heard squeak, squeak, squeak. He saw a peddler driving his cart along the narrow road. The little man’s dog, Happy, barked a friendly greeting.”

 

Why I like this book:

What a lovely message of kindness and caring wrapped up in a story reminiscent of an old folk tale! The illustrations are bold, the characters are unexpected. Kids will enjoy the ‘squeak, squeak, squeak’ that all the objects make – the cart, the door, the kettle over the fire. I loved it!

Related Activities:

cock a leekie soup

One of my favorite activities with kids is to invite them into the kitchen to help prepare a meal. Cooking with kids builds literacy skills and encourages them to make healthy food choices. Here’s a child-friendly soup recipe from my Show Me How book that mirrors the ingredients used in the soup the little old man prepared for the peddlar.

You will need: 2 large carrots chopped, 1 stalk celery chopped, 3 large potatoes cubed, 1 medium onion diced, 3 cups vegetable broth, ¼ tsp thyme or basil, pinch of salt, yogurt (optional). If you happen to have some left over cooked chicken, you can cut it into small cubes or thin slices and add that in after you puree the veggies.

  1. Combine all ingredients except the salt and the yogurt in a large pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat – cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
  3. Puree half the mixture in a blender until smooth.
  4. Combine the pureed portion and the chunky portion.
  5. Season with salt if desired.
  6. Garnish each serving with 1 Tb of yogurt if desired.
  7. Makes 4-6 servings.

 

A Note for Parents and Teachers

I just received a lovely note from Tabby Kuehl, Intake and Referral Specialist at the VNS of Iowa.

Hi Vivian,

 First let me thank you for the fantastic donation of Show Me How! to Storybook. I am kind of sad that it wasn’t available when my children were little.

 We had the READ on Tuesday and the moms loved your book!! The first mom who picked it asked “ what part do I read?” I thought about it and we looked through the book and decided that we would look through our other books for the ones you had listed in the book and found several of them. This mom picked Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel; she read him the book and then talked with him about the craft and the cooking and sent both books to her son.

 Another mom picked Goodnight Moon and then we picked out several books for them to read over the coming months so they can continue to use the book.

 Again thank you so much for your donation!!”

I was thrilled to donate five copies of Show Me How!

SHOW ME HOW KINDLE Cover 01

I think it’s important for parents to know that young children don’t need fancy electronic gadgets…they only need a good picture book, a few simple inexpensive art supplies (like paper, crayons or markers, safety scissors and glue stick) and your positive participation. If you are looking for a great resource that will give you 100 picture book recommendations with easy matching crafts and child-friendly cooking activities like the Vegetable Soup in this post, please check out my book: https://viviankirkfield.com/my-book/ Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking – it makes a PERFECT gift for any parent or teacher of children ages 2-8…as well as for daycare providers and grandparents. No batteries required…powered by a child’s imagination and a parent’s participation!

Please don’t forget – if you sign up for my newsletter, not only do you get the one sheet Anti-Bullying Tool Kit for Kids, but your favorite local library might be the lucky winner of one of the five copies of Show Me How that I am giving away. Winners will be announced next week. Just click on this link to subscribe. http://eepurl.com/8pglH

42 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Peddler’s Bed”

  1. I immediately thought of this story as an old folk tale. It sounds charming and full of kindness. Lovely choice.
    Also loved the letter to you about your book donations. What a great way to share ideas with moms and teachers that aren’t electronic-related and involve real interaction and communication! Your book is a gem!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • So glad you liked this picture book pick, Pat…I know Lauri will be thrilled to read your comment.
      Regarding my book, I need to find a better way to market it – any suggestions will be much appreciated. I know there is so much of value in it for parents and teachers.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

      • I know I occasionally see your book displayed in my library. I know I’m saving one of my copies for our granddaughter and her almost one-year-old son. Great mommy and child time.
        I’m sure you belong to every parent group and home schooling bloggers out there. And, you could get real crazy and write a note and send a book to the Rachel Ray show (I’m sure there are others) and propose to share a favorite mommy/child activity during a holiday season on her show. When I launched a foundation 38 yrs ago, I went right to the top and got myself on Good Morning America, the Phil Donohue Show and many, many more programs. They key is to offer something unusual. Have you made any Youtube videos with you and Matt? That’s where a lot of PR gets done. Just some thoughts.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓

        • Pat…you are such a loyal friend…I appreciate your feedback and advice. When the book first came out in 2010, I was really good about trying to connect with mom bloggers and home schooling folks…but when I started writing picture books seriously, I stepped back from that…big mistake…I need to reconnect again. Love the Rachel Ray suggestion…I did try Oprah years ago, but no dice. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓

    • Glad you stopped by, Joanne…Lauri did a lovely job with her book…and you are right…the cover really calls to you! And I’d love for you to check out my book. I’d be happy to send you a copy to review on your blog (if you have one – I think you do) and on Amazon…still trying to get to the magic # of 35 reviews. 🙂 You’d think, with all the great reviews I got over the years on mom blogs, I’d have 100’s…but I never asked them to add a review on Amazon…my bad.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  8. Hi Vivian. I am excited to read Lauri’s book. I am happy all of our paths crossed online and we were able to make a deeper connection through the VNS Storybook Project. I just read Tabby’s thank you note. I have a lump in my throat knowing the moms were able to make great book choices for their children by using your book. I think it is truly fitting that you are reviewing Lauri’s book about generosity, while the gift of your own book is touching the women in Mitchellville prison.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • I’m ecstatic that all of our paths crossed online too, Michelle! I’ve met so many wonderful people in the kid lit community, just in the past year alone–not just wonderful people, but also friends. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts about The Peddler’s Bed one day! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

    • I, too, am thrilled about the connection, Michelle…and also about being a small part of helping women and children in need…books are so powerful and you never know when one touches your heart and changes your life. 🙂 Thank you for putting me in touch with Tabby at the VNS.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  9. What a wonderful review, Vivian! I can’t wait to read. Definitely felt like a folktale. Reminded me of Caps for Sale (sans the monkeys). Congratulations, Lauri! p.s. Vivian, I’m going to give your recipe a try.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Robin! Doesn’t that soup look delicious! And I’d love to hear your thoughts about The Peddler’s Bed one day too! I so value your opinion. Your book The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake is awesome! Can’t wait to read book two! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓

      • The soup looks very yummy! My son LOVES soup and he loves to cook. So, we’ll definitely give it a try. Thanks, Lauri! I’m really looking to getting my copy of your book. Just a few more months (unless it releases early). 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply ↓

    • Thanks, Robin! It makes me so happy when my readers enjoy the books I review. And to hear you are going to try the recipe…whoo-hoo…that is fantastic.And I hope you read tomorrow’s post with Lauri as my featured Will Write for Cookies author…there’s a surprise at the end of the post for you, dear lady!

      Like

      Reply ↓

  10. Pingback: Lauri Fortino: Will Write for Cookies | Picture Books Help Kids Soar

  11. What a beautiful looking book and sweet story. Lovely review Vivian. Hope it turns up in our library down here. That soup looks delicious, gonna try that one for sure now the nights are getting cooler. I must get a copy of your book too, Vivian.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks, Diane! I’m a soup lover from way back. 😉 And I’d love to send you a copy, Diane…I think it will be difficult to get in NZ, unless you order it from Amazon…and the shipping would be insane. I’ll email you. 😉

      Like

      Reply ↓

  14. Hi Vivian, I wanted to check out The Peddler’s Bed from my library but was told it won’t be available to libraries until September. I’m off to the bookstore to get a copy. kindness and sharing are wonderful themes in PBs. Thanks for another lovely post.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Leslie, I’m so glad that you are already searching for The Peddler’s Bed! That makes me so happy! But the release date is not until September 1. It is available for preorder from both Amazon and Barnes and Noble, if you’re interested. Thank you! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

      • Hi Lauri, I found your book when I was browsing for publishers and came across Ripple Grove Press. The write up they gave your book won me over. I made a note for myself to make sure to purchase this gem of a picture book when it comes out. I’ll be looking for it in September.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply ↓

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.