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.
Wow! Sounds like a wonderfully enriching book!
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Another fabulous PPBF post! This book looks really good and I can’t wait to read it to my students! 😊
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My son has such trouble with change. I have to really prepare and step him through alterations to his routine- like when we moved in 2015.
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What a wonderful story, Vivian. I will definitely look for this fun tale about change. Congratulations, Emilie Boon. I can’t wait to read about Ella and Monkey.
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This book looks adorable and I definitely think kids will be able to relate. Looking forward to reading it.
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Thanks for introducing me to this book, Vivian. It looks so sweet and on point about how to face everything new.
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Can’t wait to meet Ella and Monkey and experience their journey!
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Thanks for sharing. It’s such a sweet story.
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Thabks Vivian! This looks like a sweet book. Congrats Emilie!
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Thanks for the lovely book!! I can’t wait to read about Ella & Monkey.
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So appropriate. Seems adorable. Can’t wait to read it!
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Sounds like a keeper! Can’t wait to read it…
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I can’t wait to read this book! It may help me understand what my mom went through better. I used to make sock puppets and then made a few with my own daughters.
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I am interested in seeing how she covers this topic! Thanks for sharing!
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Hooray for Ella & Monkey at Sea!!! Congrats, Emilie!!
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This looks heartwarming. I love the cover! Looking forward to reading this one!
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This looks like a wonderful picture book! I lived the topic, when my parents moved me (and my brother) at age five from New Jersey to a “foreign” place called Tucson in the Arizona desert.
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What a sweet story to help children adjust to change. Can’t wait to read!
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I would love to read this book with my kiddo. Such a cute story about Ella and her best friend.
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