Is it Friday already? Oh my goodness…how time flies! Spring has finally sprung in New England…birds are singing, grass is greening, and daffodil shoots are poking out of sweet-smelling earth.

Today’s Perfect Picture Book is pretty sweet also…what else would you expect from breakfast treats like pancakes and French toast that are begging to have maple syrup poured, powdered sugar sprinkled, and jam spread on them. Ooooh…now I’m hungry. And I think you will be, too, after you finish this book.

My choice is special for another reason. Tomorrow, on Will Write for Cookies, you will get to meet the author, the incredibly talented Josh Funk. It’s a powerhouse interview, jam-packed (there’s that jam again) with valuable info for all of you. And, when you finish reading this post, please hop over to Susannah Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review and related resources for parents, teachers and children.

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast

Written by Josh Funk

Illustrated by Brendan Kearney

Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books (2015)

Ages: 5 and up

Themes: Friendship, teamwork

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

A thoroughly delicious picture book about the funniest “food fight” ever! Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have a beautiful friendship—until they discover that there’s ONLY ONE DROP of maple syrup left. Off they go, racing past the Orange Juice Fountain, skiing through Sauerkraut Peak, and reeling down the linguini. But who will enjoy the sweet taste of victory? And could working together be better than tearing each other apart? The action-packed rhyme makes for an adrenaline-filled breakfast . . . even without a drop of coffee!

Why I like this book:

• The text is filled with humor.
• The illustrations are perfectly married to the story.
• Great read-aloud.
• Parents and teachers can use this story as a springboard for a discussion on teamwork, friendship, and getting along.

 

Related Activies:

Kids in the Kitchen: Make Applesauce Pancakes

Photo courtesy of: http://fraeuleincupcake.wordpress.com

 

There are many recipes for yummy pancakes in cookbooks and online. Here’s a kid-friendly simple and nutritious one from my book.

 

HAPPY-FACE DOUBLE-APPLE PANCAKES

 

You will need: 1 cup flour, ¼ tsp salt, 1 Tb sugar or honey, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 egg lightly beaten, ¾ cup milk, 2 Tb canola oil, ¼ cup applesauce, 2 Tb chopped apple, ½ cup raisins or blueberries, maple syrup or warmed jelly or confectioner’s sugar for the topping (optional), non-stick griddle and two bowls.

 

1. Mix flour, sugar and baking powder in large bowl.
2. Combine egg, milk and oil in another bowl.
3. Slowly add the liquid mix into the dry mix…stirring till just blended. The batter should be lumpy.
4. Gently fold in the apples and applesauce.
5. Preheat the griddle on moderate heat and pour or spoon batter onto griddle (about 2 or 3 Tb of batter for each pancake).
6. Cook until bubbles form on surface of pancake and gently turn over to brown other side.
7. Press raisins or blueberries into surface of pancake to form eyes, nose and smiling mouth. Your child might enjoy arranging the faces on her own pancakes.
8. Top with maple syrup, warmed jelly or confectioner’s sugar if desired.

 

Just a reminder…This is National Library Week is April 10-16.

In honor of National Library Week, I’m donating THREE copies of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. Wouldn’t it be awesome to present a copy of this valuable parent/teacher resource to your children’s librarian? Just subscribe to my mailing list. Three names will be chosen by Random.org at the end of April. Already subscribed? No worries…your name is already entered.

Many libraries are very limited in what new materials they can buy for their collections because of reduced revenues. Help your library receive a resource that will be used by parents and teachers for their kids. Just click on this link and subscribe to my mailing list. Three libraries will be winners!

Do you tweet on Twitter? Are you a fan of Facebook? Have you pinned anything on Pinterest yet? Please help me spread the word about the Show-Me-How Library Project by tweeting, posting and/or pinning.

 

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

 

Please make sure you come back tomorrow

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

with

PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR JOSH FUNK