About viviankirkfield

Writer for children - Reader forever - Mom of 3, educator, author of FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK (PomegranateKids, PIPPA'S PASSOVER PLATE (Holiday House), SWEET DREAMS, SARAH (Creston Books); MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: THE INSPIRING FRIENDSHIP OF ELLA FITZGERALD AND MARILYN MONROE (Little Bee Books); FROM HERE TO THERE: INVENTIONS THAT CHANGED THE WAY THE WORLD MOVES (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Jan 19, 2021); PEDAL, BALANCE, STEER: Annie Londonderry, First Woman to Bike Around the World (Calkins Creek/Astra, Feb 20, 2024) picture book junkie, lover of travel, hiking, fly-fishing, cooking, and playing Monopoly with my grandson.

#PPBF: Peter Panda Melts Down – Dealing With Temper Tantrums

Posted on June 12, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday – I review a picture book, provide a simple fun craft you can do with your kids and then I link up with dozens of other writers, moms, librarians and other lovers of picture books on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.

I recently connected with the author of today’s selection…Artie Bennett is super funny and super talented…so it’s not surprising that his new book is super awesome as well! My grandson was repeating the refrain after the first couple of pages…and gave the book an enthusiastic thumbs up.

PETER PANDA MELTS DOWN!

Written by Artie Bennett

Illustrations by John Nez

Publisher: Blue Apple Books (2014)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes: Expressing feelings, appropriate behavior, temper tantrums

Opening Lines:

“Let’s meet the Pandas. Here’s Peter. He’s three! And Mama, who calls, “Climb down from that tree!”

Synopsis:

From the author:

“Uh-oh. Here it comes. Here comes that frown. Peter Panda melts dowwwnnn!”

Poor Peter Panda. He’s only three and filled with frustration. And when things don’t quite go his way, he’s apt to throw a tantrum—in the car, in the library, in the supermarket, in the . . . He’s the most meltdownable panda we know. Continue reading →

#PPBF – Millie Fierce Sleeps Out

Posted on June 6, 2014 by viviankirkfield

I enjoy reading the classic picture books that I grew up with – but I also love finding brand-new ones that will be classics one day. So I was excited to receive a copy of today’s selection from the publisher…and I’m really thrilled to be presenting it to you – hot off the press!

MILLIE FIERCE SLEEPS OUT

Written and illustrated by Jane Manning

Publisher: Philomel Books (May 29, 2014)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes: Expressing feelings, appropriate behavior, camping out, overcoming fears

Opening Lines:

“Being good wasn’t easy. But Millie knew that being fierce ruined parties, and made people mad, and even made them cry. So Millie had kept herself fierce-free all summer long.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Little girls can be strong and fierce and brave—and sometimes their ferocity is just the thing they need to save the day.

Millie is strong. Millie is fierce. But Millie has learned to keep her fierceness in check. And since she’s been sweet all summer long, Millie gets to have a sleep-out with her friends. One where she promises to be well behaved. But things don’t go as Millie planned, and our fierce little heroine is not happy. Still, she tries her best to keep her fierceness inside. But when the scary dog from next door howls at the girls’ tent Continue reading →

#PPBF – Edmund Pickle Chin – A Rescue Donkey Story Blog Tour and Giveaway

Posted on May 30, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is also the third stop on the blog tour of EDMUND PICKLE CHIN – A DONKEY RESCUE STORY, written by Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood.

I’m honored that I get to review this wonderful brand-new picture book. Please make sure you scroll down to the end of the post – there are special prizes being offered if you visit and comment at all of the stops on the tour and you’ll also find a fun donkey craft for kids.

Edmund Pickle Chin – A Donkey Rescue Story

Written by Clara Bowman-Jahn and Susan April Elwood

Illustrated by Lynne Bendoly

Publisher: eTreasures Publishing (April 2014)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:Animal rescue, animal abuse

Synopsis: From eTreasures

“Edmund Pickle Chin, A Donkey Rescue Story is based on a true story. Edmund, the main character, is an abused donkey who is the first of many animals to call Evermay Farm, a small rescue in central Georgia, home. Susan, Edmund’s care giver in the story, not only gives the shy donkey the time and patience he needs but gives him a new name every day of the week. The title takes on one of those nicknames she so lovingly calls him. As Susan starts to take in new critters, Edmund finds himself changing. As his name grows, so does his trust and acceptance. Edmund soon learns that he is not only needed but wanted. This confused, frightened donkey’s life changes as he becomes a hero, a babysitter, and a companion to the other residents at Evermay Farm.”

Why I like this book:

Beautiful illustrations
Wonderful introduction for young children to the need to care for and be kind to animals
Helps children understand that everyone feels strange in a new place…but we get more comfortable as time passes
Based on a true story
When you can make a non-fiction book appealing to children, you have a winner!

How a parent can use this book: