Top ALA Picture Books Make Great Holiday Gifts for Kids

Posted on December 5, 2014 by viviankirkfield

The gift-giving holidays are almost here. The stores, online catalogs and media are all trying to get you to spend your money – but what does a young child really need or want?

If you want to know the truth – not much! Paper and crayons or markers, some clay or play dough, safety scissors, glue, picture books – and you, of course!

On Friday, I usually review a picture book, but this is a great time of year to check out some of the top picture books of 2014 (all are on the American Library Association’s Notable Books list)…you might want to pick up a couple to put under the tree. I reviewed two of them this year – if you click the links, you’ll also find the craft activity instructions that accompanied each post.

A Big Guy Took My Ball written and illustrated by Mo Willems

Ball written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan

Bully written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Count the Monkeys written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell

Exclamation Mark written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild written and illustrated by Peter Brown

Nino Wrestles the World written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales Continue reading →

Contests and Stories and Prizes – Oh My!

Posted on December 1, 2014 by viviankirkfield

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving – ours was, thanks to our standby generator, a huge success. Good food, loving family and lots of old-fashioned fun. We ate and played board games and ate and talked and ate some more.

December is going to be a busy month.

I’m finishing up Mira Reisberg’s Illustrating Children’s Picture Books course – it was an amazing journey into the world of art and how it impacts picture books. Mira also has another incredible class starting in January – The Chapter Book Alchemist – I may have to write that on my list to Santa.

I managed to write two picture book drafts as part of Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Challenge…it will soon be time to register for 2015 – click Julie’s link to get on the mailing list so you don’t miss out..

I’m getting the house ready for the holidays – my son and his family are flying in from Chicago for Christmas.

I finished Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo challenge and have a journal FILLED with over 30 story ideas that will keep me busy throughout the long cold winter and beyond.

I’m putting together my newsletter which will go out to all my subscribers in the new year. I’d also like to give away a copy of my Show Me How book – just click and subscribe and you’ll get the newsletter, filled with picture book recommendations, quick and easy craft projects and child-friendly recipes; a one-page anti-bullying toolkit guide for kids, AND an entry for the book giveaway. What are you waiting for? (If you’ve already subscribed, you already have your golden ticket entry for the book giveaway): http://eepurl.com/8pglH

Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Llama, Llama and the Bully Goat

Posted on November 21, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s time for a Perfect Picture Book review and craft activity.

The book I’m recommending is one that belongs on every school library shelf, as well as in every home. It addresses the problem of bullying – an issue of concern in schools and playgrounds everywhere. In fact, I’ve prepared a kid’s anti-bullying toolkit guide with some simple action steps to take. It’s a free gift when you sign up to get my awesome quarterly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/8pglH

Reading a picture book with your child creates a bond. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about sensitive issues like bullying.