When I moved from Colorado Springs, I left behind a wonderful kidlit group. And I wondered…would I find other writer friends in my new home in New Hampshire? Happily, I did. And I am still critiquing with my old friends. 

But the fear of going to new places and leaving behind old friends is a fear many people deal with, children included. So when I saw that Emilie Boon had a new picture book about this very topic debuting this week, I knew I wanted to feature it for Perfect Picture Book Friday. And when I reached out to her, she agreed to stop by tomorrow to chat on Will Write for Cookies. What good luck! Even better, she and her publisher are offering a giveaway of a copy of this adorable book, so please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win.

ELLA AND MONKEY AT SEA

Written and illustrated by Emilie Boon

Published by Candlewick (August 2018)

Ages: 4-7

Themes: Moving/loss, adapting/acceptance, expressing emotion

Synopsis: From Amazon:

” Leaving home and traveling to a whole new place is overwhelming, so it’s good to have a beloved toy who can help express how you feel. 

Ella’s best friend, Monkey, doesn’t like good-bye hugs. He doesn’t want to say good-bye to Oma. And he doesn’t want to move away forever. Neither does Ella. But Papa is waiting for them in New York. So Ella and Monkey must board the ship with Mama and leave their old home in Holland for their new home in America. Along the way, there is fish for dinner (Monkey hates fish), a playroom full of new kids (Monkey doesn’t like strangers), and stormy seas that leave everyone feeling sick. Can Ella and Monkey find a way to weather the storm? Will they ever feel at home again? This sweetly illustrated picture book will appeal to anyone who has left home behind — and to children who find creative ways to share their emotions.”

Why I like this book:

• So relatable to young children – leaving behind all you know and going to a new place, traveling alone, using a stuffed animal to talk to and comfort you
• Beautifully illustrated – the emotions leap off the page

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Photo courtesy: https://www.sheknows.com

What could be better than not one, not two, but TEN sock crafts.

For detailed instructions: https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1038115/simple-sock-crafts-for-kids

Dear friends…thank you for spending your precious time here. I hope you will stop by tomorrow when author/illustrator Emilie Boon will be chatting with us. And don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.