Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Sock Thief

Posted on September 18, 2015 by viviankirkfield

As lovely as summer is, fall in New England is definitely glorious. And there is something special about getting back to the routines. Kids are back in school and little ones at home need activities…what could be better than reading a Perfect Picture Book?

Today I’m thrilled to feature a story by tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies author, Ana Crespo. It’s sweet, it’s funny, it multicultural—who could ask for more?

THE SOCK THIEF

Written by Ana Crespo

Illustrated by Nana Gonzalez

Publisher: Albert Whitman (2015)

Ages: 3-8

Themes: Problem solving, creativity

Opening Lines:

“In a small Brazilian town, Felipe leaves home earlier than usual. He walks a long way to school.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Brazilian boy Felipe doesn’t have a soccer ball. So, when it’s his turn to take one to school, he uses a little bit of creativity… and a few socks. Felipe is the sock thief, but finding socks is not that easy and the neighborhood pets make it even harder. “Au, au, au!” a dog barks in Portuguese. Felipe wonders if he’ll play soccer with his friends today or if he will be caught by a tattle-tale parrot? Along the way, Felipe leaves delicious mangoes in exchange for the socks he steals. After he swipes each pair, he twists and turns them into an ever-growing soccer ball. At the end of the day, he returns each pair of socks with a note to say thank you.”

Why I like this book:

Simply wonderful text
Engaging illustrations
Appeals to a child’s sense of humor
Multicultural

How a parent can use this book:

Wonderful read aloud
Great opportunity to talk about problem solving – you could even play a game with your child…what would you do if…?

Related Activity:

Paper Bag Bean Bag Toss

Photo courtesy: http://www.teachpreschool.org

I couldn’t find a picture of bean bags decorated like soccer balls, but it wouldn’t be difficult to use black marker or crayons on a white lunch bag. And filling them with socks instead of beans would be fun for kids to do.

For exact instructions, please go here: http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/02/paper-bean-bags/

For more awesome picture book reviews and activities, don’t miss Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.

And please please please don’t forget to come back tomorrow to meet and greet our Will Write for Cookies guest:

ANA CRESPO

She’s got a lot to share…including a yummy Brazilian dessert!

See you tomorrow! We’ll also be announcing the email subscriber winner of a copy of Show Me How!

#PPBF: Miss Nelson is Missing

Posted on September 11, 2015 by viviankirkfield

I’m so happy to be back, participating in Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up. I hope you will hop over and check out the many other fabulous book reviews and activities on her website.

Schools are back in session – my grandson started first grade and I know he is going to have a great year. He has developed a great love for books and reading and…oh yes…Monopoly! It’s been a wonderful game that encourages reading, math, learning to be a graceful winner and loser, and how to strategize. I can’t say enough good things about it.

In honor of teachers and students everywhere, I’m reviewing a classic from when my own children were little.

MISS NELSON IS MISSING

Written by Harry Allard

Illustrated by James Marshall

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin for Young Readers

Ages: 4-8

Themes: School, humor, appropriate behavior

Opening Lines:

“The kids in Room 207 were misbehaving again. Spitballs stuck to the ceiling. Paper planes whizzed through the air. They were the worst behaved class in the whole school.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

The students don’t proffer a shred of respect for their good-natured teacher Miss Nelson, but when the witchy substitute Miss Viola Swamp appears on the scene, they start to regret their own wicked ways…and just who is Miss Viola Swamp? A back-to-school perennial!

Why I like this book:

Hilariously funny for parent and child!
Cartoon-like illustrations kids can relate to!
The perfect ending!

How a parent can use this book:

Great way to help a child see the results of inappropriate behavior!
See if your child can solve the mystery. Can he find the clues?

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Photo courtesy: http://www.angeliquefelix.com/gallery/fun-and-easy-kids-craft-for-toddlers-preschoolers

For the younger crowd (ages 2 and 3): play a game of What’s Missing. You will need a paper bag and several small items like a whistle, keys, a spoon, and an apple. Show your child all of the items. Put them in the bag. Then have your child close his eyes and you remove one of the items. See if your child can guess which item is missing from the bag. Then let him put his hand in the bag and feel the items that are left…can he guess now?
For the older crowd (ages 4 and 5): Draw a face on a paper plate. On a separate paper, draw a mustache, eye glasses, a different nose. Cut those out and then let your child change how the face looks by adding or taking away the ‘disguise’. Use your imagination, and your child’s, to think of more disguises the face could have. For lots more paper plate crafts, check out: http://www.angeliquefelix.com/gallery/fun-and-easy-kids-craft-for-toddlers-preschoolers

***GIVEAWAY***

We’ll be announcing the winner of the School Starts Soon giveaway next week. You still have time to sign up for my email list and get an entry to win a copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.

Click on this link: http://eepurl.com/8pglH

This is a great book for any parent, grandparent, day care provider or early childhood education teacher – chock full of hundreds of fun-filled quick and easy activities for young kids. If you are already subscribed, you can get an entry by sharing this post on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. Just leave a comment, telling me where you shared…and for every share, you get another entry!

I’m ending my blog post today with a prayer for all those who were affected by 9/11. I hope they have found peace and hope and love.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Children at the Playground

Posted on August 21, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Summer camp finished for my six-year old grandson – but school doesn’t start until the day after Labor Day. So you know what that means, right? GRAMMY CAMP!

We’ve been having so much fun. Every day we continue our epic Monopoly game. He helps me water our plot of veggies (and himself) with the garden hose. (Mist and Stream are his favorite settings) We go to the library almost every day and enjoy a special ice cream treat from the local village shop. And one of his favorite activities is sliding down the slide and swinging on the swings.

Most kids love going to the playground – so when I saw a new book called, “The Children at the Playground”, I knew I had to grab a copy and review it for you.

THE CHILDREN AT THE PLAYGROUND

Written by Tracey M. Cox

Illustrated by Dolores Costello

Publisher: Xist Publishing

Ages: 2-7

Themes: Friendship, diversity, playground activities

Opening Lines:

The children at the playground
Run, run, run.
Run, run, run.
Run, run, run.
The children at the playground
run, run, run while they play.

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

The Children at the Playground is a fun picture book set to the rhythm of “The Wheels on the Bus.” Perfect for active story times or to read before, after, or during a playground visit.

Why I like this book:

The Wheels on the Bus is an iconic finger play/song for young kids and they will love joining in to sing about the activities at the playground.
Sweet illustrations depict a diverse group of young children.
Repetition and rhythm are great for literacy building.

How a parent can use this book:

Wonderful read aloud
Great book to encourage listening and literacy skills

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Nature collage suncatcher

Photo courtesy: http://handsonaswegrow.com

You will need: Paper plate, small flowers and leaves, clear contact paper, ribbon, scissors, hole puncher.

Cut out center of paper plate.
Cut sheet of contact paper to fit plate.
Choose small flowers and leaves and press onto contact paper.
When finished, cover with another piece of clear contact paper and cut to fit.
Punch hole at top and thread ribbon through and hang in a sunny window.

For detailed instructions and many more wonderful craft ideas for young kids: http://handsonaswegrow.com/craft-for-toddlers-nature-collage-suncatcher/

A trip to the playground can be an adventure into the world of science.

Girls playing on monkey bars – Photo courtesy: pbs.org

“Swings, slides and climbing structures are loads of fun. And they offer first hand experiences with pendulums, ramps, and levers, not to mention forces such as gravity and friction. Just paying some attention to how things move provides children with important early experiences in physics.” For more ideas of how to use playground time creatively: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/science/activities/preschooler-kindergarten/playground/

What other picture books encourage kids to enjoy being outdoors? I can think of two right off the bat: The Tree Lady and Me..Jane. Can you recommend any others? If you can, please share.

And I think it’s time for a School Starts Soon giveaway! Sign up for my email list and you will be entered to win a copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.