Perfect Picture Book Friday Review and Activity: PAX AND BLUE plus Giveaway

Posted on March 31, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Today is the last day of March…and you know what they say…it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

We will keep our fingers crossed for good weather, blue skies, and balmy temperatures. But I don’t think I have enough fingers, because they say there is a blizzard coming today.

In the meantime, please sit back and relax. I’ve got a wonderful Perfect Picture Book Friday for you!

Oh wait! Last week’s wonderful author, Catherine Bailey offered a super-duper prize package of a signed copy of LUCY LOVES SHERMAN plus a lobster cookie cutter and a bookmark.

AND THE WINNER IS…

PAULA MOWERY

Congratulations, Paula. Please contact me so I can get your mailing information to Catherine.

Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday also has a giveaway…so don’t forget to leave a comment. I also have a favor to ask. If you have not yet signed up for my email list, please do! One day, I PROMISE, I will be sending out a newsletter…and hope to have coupons for critique discounts for writers and other neat stuff for teachers and parents and kids. And all of that goodness can be yours…but only if you click on the sidebar logo. Many of you are already followers of my blog, but the email list is different. It allows me to email you directly. If you follow my blog, but aren’t subscribed to my email list, please click on the Positive Parental Participation logo. I thank you!

And now, on to our fabulous 2017 debut picture book from Lori Richmond.

PAX AND BLUE

Written and illustrated by Lori Richmond

Publisher: Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster (2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Friendship, thoughtfulness, kindness

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“A young boy makes an unlikely friend on his way to school. One thing is for sure. Pax is the littlest everywhere he goes. In school. At playtime. On the train. Then Pax meets a pigeon at the park—he names him Blue and makes a friend who knows what it’s like to be small. And understanding each other can lead to the best friendships.”

Why I like this book:

The text is so simple…how did the author say so much with so few words?
It definitely helps that she is also the illustrator…and a darn good one! There is a purity and a simplicity in the illustrations that lets us discover the true message of the book.
And the message is one that we want to share with children every day…how to be a real friend! This book will be a wonderful launch pad for discussions about friendship at home and in schools.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Rainbow Pigeon Mobile

Photo courtesy: https://www.pinterest.com/moonbeamsps/moonbeams-birds-nest/

You will need: Piece of construction paper, feathers or colored tissue paper or other scraps of colored construction paper, markers, glue, string.

Cut construction paper in shape of bird.
Glue feather or crumpled pieces of tissue or construction paper onto bird.
Use marker to draw eyes, beak.
Punch hole at top and thread string through it.
Hang in the breeze and watch the bird flutter and fly.

For more wonderful bird craft ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/moonbeamsps/moonbeams-birds-nest/

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends…don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of PAX AND BLUE…and please come back tomorrow for:

Will Write for Cookies

LORI RICHMOND

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.

60 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday Review and Activity: PAX AND BLUE plus Giveaway”

Maria Marshall on March 31, 2017 at 2:26 am said:

Fun review Vivian. I love birds, so this is a really fun book for me.

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- rtloririchmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:07 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Maria. I love birds, too. I grew up with them as pets!
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:35 pm said:
  
  I know you do, Maria…wasn’t it a bird story that won in the Rate Your Story contest? I loved that story! And you will love this one. 😉
  
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Kathy Shanahan on March 31, 2017 at 7:18 am said:

Kindness is such an important message to convey to children, especially in these egregious times. Such a delightful book and art activity to share with my preschoolers!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Kathy. I feel so fortunate to share this story with children at a time when we need it most!
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:36 pm said:
  
  So very happy to see you here, Kathy! Your preschoolers will definitely love this story…and I hope you get to share the activity with them. 😉
  
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Midge Ballou Smith on March 31, 2017 at 7:52 am said:

Sweet little story. Thank you Vivian!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Hi Midge! Thanks for your kind words.
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:37 pm said:
  
  Glad you enjoyed the review, Midge!
  
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Kara Newhouse on March 31, 2017 at 8:23 am said:

Sounds like.a good one. I do love the Paula Wiseman imprint!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:09 pm said:
  
  Kara, Paula Wiseman is one amazing lady. I learned so much from her working on this book.
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:37 pm said:
  
  Lori’s illustrations and text are spot on engaging, Kara…you will love it!
  
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Lynette Oxley on March 31, 2017 at 8:56 am said:

I agree, Vivian – Lori’s illustrations are adorable! My local library has A Hop is Up. Good luck with Pax and Blue, Lori. I’m sure young children will relate to being small and enjoy the story of a budding friendship.

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Lynette! I’m so glad you liked my art!
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:39 pm said:
  
  Hope your library gets PAX AND BLUE…maybe you can request they get a copy…some libraries allow patrons to make suggestions for adding to the collections, Lynette. Thanks so much for stopping by with a lovely comment!
  
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  - Lynette Oxley on April 2, 2017 at 7:38 am said:
    
    I requested Pax and Blue at my library!
    
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Paula Mowery on March 31, 2017 at 11:28 am said:

Definitely the theme of being a real friend is one to emphasize with children over and over. Of course, us grown ups could probably heed a lesson like this too! Looks great.

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:10 pm said:
  
  Paula, you are so right. I hope that my message of friendship and empathy reaches both kids AND their grown ups!
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:40 pm said:
  
  You are 100% right, Paula…parents and teachers will get a lot out of the story…as much or more than the kids. 😉
  
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Joanna on March 31, 2017 at 12:39 pm said:

I love the rainbow pigeon mobile.

I have been wanting to read this one sine it came it. It looks like a really precious story. Love Lori’s art work.

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:11 pm said:
  
  My girl Joanna!! Thanks for the kind words. Now I am holding you accountable for making the mobile 😉
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Joanna…I saw the rainbow pigeon online and had to share it with all of you. 😉
  
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mariagianferrari on March 31, 2017 at 12:51 pm said:

I keep hearing about this book! It looks very sweet. Thanks for sharing, Vivian!!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Hi Maria! Wow, I am glad you keep hearing about it — good things, I hope. 🙂
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:44 pm said:
  
  Always looking to lift up the new books of 2017, Maria…and can’t wait for July when you will be featured here. 😉 Hope you get to read PAX AND BLUE…it’s perfect!
  
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Joanne Sher (@joannesher) on March 31, 2017 at 12:56 pm said:

Lori and I were in a critique group together briefly. I can’t WAIT to see this one – thanks for the review!!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  **Waving to Joanne from Brooklyn**
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:45 pm said:
  
  That is cool, Joanne….did you get to see an earlier iteration of PAX AND BLUE?
  Glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
  
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Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner on March 31, 2017 at 1:39 pm said:

Congratulations to Lori and thank you, Vivian, for sharing.

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Donna!
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:46 pm said:
  
  So happy to meet you here, Donna! Thanks for stopping by. 😉
  
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Beth Anderson on March 31, 2017 at 2:34 pm said:

Great pick! especially for grandson Pax!! Who named his fish yellow!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:13 pm said:
  
  HOLD THE PHONE, Beth. You have a grandson named Pax who named his fish Yellow??!?!? If this is real, you are my hero.
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:47 pm said:
  
  Holy Moly, Beth! That is amazing!!!!! I love a fish named yellow…is it a goldfish?
  
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Jill Richards Proctor on March 31, 2017 at 2:55 pm said:

What a sweet book. (I LOVE pigeons – they get such a bad rap.) Pax and Blue look like such an adorable duo. Friendship books are the best. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks Lori and Vivian!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Jill! I agree that pigeons get a bad rap. What I love about this story is the difference in reaction to the situation that Pax and the adults have. The child relates to the bird as being small and empathizes with him… the adults just don’t see it that way. Kids rule.
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:49 pm said:
  
  I agree, Jill…Pax and Blue are a GREAT duo…maybe we will see a sequel or two..they are very relatable to young kids. 🙂
  
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Patricia Tilton on March 31, 2017 at 2:55 pm said:

I have been wanting to read this book, especially after I saw a movie on Netflix called “Little Boy.” Different stories, but the same theme of being small. I love that there is a book for small boys. I think being small is harder on boys than girls. Great pick. Love the cover!

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- Lori Richmond on March 31, 2017 at 3:15 pm said:
  
  Now I have a movie to watch! Thanks, Patricia.
  
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  Yes, you hit the nail on the head about it being harder for boys to be smal, Patricial. My dad was a short man…and whenever he described other men, his first comment was about how tall they were. Lori’s book celebrates being smaill…or however you are. 😉
  
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  - Patricia Tilton on March 31, 2017 at 4:10 pm said:
    
    My dad was short too, so I’m familiar. I am too, but considered “petite.” Different connotation for girls.
    
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    - viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 7:54 pm said:
      
      Yes, I was always the smallest in the class…but I loved it…got to sit in the front, which I enjoyed. 😉
      
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Diane Tulloch on March 31, 2017 at 6:37 pm said:

Beautiful book and one that could be used as mentor text. Interesting to know how you came up with the story. (Hmm just noticed I now also have a film to watch.) Thanks for this ladies.

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- Diane Tulloch on March 31, 2017 at 6:39 pm said:
  
  Also forgot to mention I love the colourful activity. 🙂
  
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  - viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 7:57 pm said:
    
    Glad you like it, Diane…I always love to find an activity that can extend the reading experience. 😉
    
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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 7:55 pm said:
  
  Definitely to be used as a mentor text, Diane…how to write a simple story with sparse text and say so much! Lori did an amazing job! Glad you enjoyed it. 😉
  
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- Lori Richmond on April 1, 2017 at 9:13 am said:
  
  Thanks, Diane! There’s a bit more about the inspiration on the back flap.
  
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Virginia Frazier on March 31, 2017 at 6:41 pm said:

Self-esteem and friendship are so important to every child. Looking forward to reading “Pax and Blue”.

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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 7:56 pm said:
  
  Self-esteem…yes, Virginia…my parent-teacher book is all about using activities to build it. Lori did a wonderful job showing how building a friendship can build self-esteem also. I appreciate you stopping by with your lovely comment!
  
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- Lori Richmond on April 1, 2017 at 9:14 am said:
  
  Thank you, Virginia. It’s also so important for kids to know that being kind to others can happen in the smallest things we do every day.
  
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Shanah Salter on March 31, 2017 at 10:03 pm said:

can’t wait to read this book!

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- viviankirkfield on March 31, 2017 at 10:16 pm said:
  
  Hope you get a copy soon, Shanah. 😉 It’s wonderful!.
  
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- Lori Richmond on April 1, 2017 at 9:14 am said:
  
  Thanks, Shanah!
  
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Judy Sobanski on March 31, 2017 at 10:22 pm said:

Stories about friendship and kindness are so important for young children as they develop their own friendships. Thanks for the review! Can’t wait to read Pax and Blue!

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- Lori Richmond on April 1, 2017 at 9:15 am said:
  
  Thank you, Judy. I agree. I hope this story inspires children to be kind to someone who is smaller and different than they are!
  
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Keila Dawson on March 31, 2017 at 11:43 pm said:

Always happy to see stories about kindness featured. Love your craft idea. Can’t wait to read Pax and Blue.

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- Lori Richmond on April 1, 2017 at 9:15 am said:
  
  We all need more kindness these days! Thank you, Keila.
  
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ptnozell on April 1, 2017 at 8:09 pm said:

I love birds,I love special bonds between humans & animals, & I always root for the underdogs: this looks like a wonderful combination of all of these with a friendship theme, too. Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations on your debut, Lori!

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- Lori Richmond on April 1, 2017 at 10:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much! I love birds, too. I grew up with a parrot as a pet!
  
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ThisKidReviewsBooks on April 6, 2017 at 5:13 pm said:

Great review! I’ll look for the book! 🙂

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