People who work from Monday through Friday often look forward to the end of the week. I look forward to the end of the week because that means…Perfect Picture Book Friday. But first, a few things to take care of.
- Last week we enjoyed having Marcie Colleen and her adorable pals, the SUPER HAPPY PARTY BEARS. We promised two giveaways and here they are.
THE WINNER OF STAYING A HIVE IS…
Jeanine Potter
THE WINNER OF GOING NUTS IS…
Judy Sobanksi
Ladies, please email me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com and I will make arrangements to get the books to you.
- The ReFoReMo Challenge is winding down…thanks to Carrie Charlie Brown and Kirsti Call for all of their work in organizing this for the kid lit community. You can access all of the incredible blog posts and reading lists here.
- Jodell Sadler is gearing up for the 2nd Annual Birthday Bash for KidLit College. There will be inspiring posts (one of them is mine – hurray!) And incredible prizes…don’t miss it. Here’s just a taste of what the blog posts will look like.
- And because I know how much you all love writing challenges…fellow Storm sister, Alexandria LaFaye has a fun 100-word one going on…what if a piece of food was your childhood friend.
- I’ve been working behind the scenes on the #50PreciousWordsforKids Writing Challenge. The flyer should be ready shortly and I’ll post it on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog. If you are a teacher or connected in any way to an elementary school, this may be for you and the children you work with. The challenge will coincide with Children’s Book Week, May 1-7. It’s all about encouraging diversity in imagination for kids in K-6th Several authors have already offered to donate a mini-Skype classroom visit…I’ll need one for each grade level and I already have three.
And now, thank you for your patience…it’s time for our #PPBF review of a book that JUST CELEBRATED ITS BOOK BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK.
Lucy Loves Sherman
Written by Catherine Bailey
Illustrated by Meg Walters
Publisher: Sky Pony Press (2017)
Ages: Preschool – Grade 3
Themes:
Friendship, speak out for what you believe
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
Girl meets lobster. Girl loves lobster. But can girl save lobster?
That’s the question at the center of this sweet and sassy picture book about Lucy, her shell-y friend Sherman, and the seafood-loving town they inhabit.
Lucy loves Sherman from the moment they meet at Flotsam’s Fish Market. Oh sure, he’s an eighteen-pound, eighty-year-old crustacean, but he’s also polka dotted. And blurble-y. And he smells like the ocean! Unfortunately, Nana is not hooked on the idea of a pet lobster.
Things only get worse when Lucy meets Chef Pierre and discovers that Sherman’s fate is on a plate! She must rescue Sherman, even if it means getting into hot water with all the grownups. So Lucy takes action. But will the efforts of one little girl be enough to save Sherman from the bib and butter?“
Why I like this book:
- I love books that make me laugh and cry…and this one does both. So funny and so sweet!
- Great illustrations…I mean…just look at the cover!
- A wonderful launch pad for discussions on friendship, finding your voice and being an activist.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
FOOTPRINT LOBSTERS
Photo courtesy: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/crabs-lobsters-craftsideasactivitieskids.html
You will need: Piece of blue construction paper, piece of tan construction paper (if you had actual sandpaper, that would be cool), tempura paint, markers, glue, scissors.
- Cut a piece of tan paper to look like sand on the beach and glue in place on the blue paper…if you don’t have colored construction paper, no worries…just use crayons or markers.
- Press bare foot onto a paper plate that has a small bit of red paint.
- Press foot onto paper.
- Wash foot while paper is drying.
- Draw features and details with markers.
- For more info on this or other sea creature crafts: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/crabs-lobsters-craftsideasactivitieskids.html
The author has free downloadable coloring pages on her website: http://catherinebaileybooks.com/HOME.html
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends…don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of LUCY LOVES SHERMAN…and please come back tomorrow for:
Will Write for Cookies
CATHERINE BAILEY
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.
The clever synopsis has won me over. I’m excited to read this one!
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Hope you get a copy soon, Heather!
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I really love the theme of this book, Vivian. Anything that promotes friendship is great in my books. And I do love those lobster footprints!
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Aren’t those lobster footprints adorable, Norah? And friendship with a lobster is a really special thing. 😉
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It would be. You’d have to stay clear of the claws. 🙂
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I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book but have yet to read it.
Cool crafts. 🙂
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Glad you liked the craft activity, Linda! And I think you will loike the book, also. 🙂
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Read an interview with Catherine Bailey earlier this week. Looking forward to reading this story!
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And Catherine will be in the house here tomorrow, Kara…hope you’ll be back for her Q&A. 😉
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It’s all in the names and the footprints are very clever!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Donna…I love the crafts you can find at that website. 😉
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What a fun story! That little girl could be me! I can’t bare to watch lobsters cooked and won’t eat them. Great cover!
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We have lobsters on Christmas Eve…and I’m the one who has to cook them because noone else wants to see them going into the pot…so I understand exactly what you are saying, Pat. 😉
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That cover! Who could resist this book?
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Isn’t the cover the best, Cheryl? I love it!
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This does indeed look like a cute book. I have to check it out. Thanks for featuring it.
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Friendship between a lobster and a girl..that is cuteness personified. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Maria.
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This book looks delightful. And my Pre-K kiddos would love to make that art project – putting your feet in paint. Who wouldn’t love that?
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I know, right? Feet in paint and Pre-K go hand in hand, Paula! I used to teach kindergarten and Head Start!
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Yippee! I’m so excited to have won one of Marcie Colleen’s Super Happy Party Bear Books!
Thank you, Vivian! Catherine’s new book looks adorable, especially all the polka dots! I can’t wait to read it soon.
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Hurray, Judy! I’m excited, too! Do I have your address? I don’t think so. Please email me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.
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Very creative!
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When I see a book like this one, Julie…I want to kick myself for not writing all the sweet, but somewhat out of the box books I think about writing, but don’t. 😉
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Join the club!
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Such a clever premise. Can’t wait to read it.
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I know…lobsters, right? And I love the proactive stance Lucy takes. 😉
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You had me at the beautiful cover Vivian. This so reminds me of our night out a few weeks ago at a restaurant and a little tot was just fascinated in watching a crayfish try and climb out of its’ tank. He kept putting his hands up for a cuddle with it… eek! lol.
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Oh my…cuddling a crayfish…that is awesome, Diane! Glad you loved the cover…me, too!
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I love books that evoke a lot of emotion – even tears.
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That is interesting, Andrea…one of the hallmarks of a great book for me when I was younger was that it made me cry!
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I love the illustrations in this book, and those feet lobsters… too cute!!! Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
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