Perfect Picture Book Friday: Tibby the Tiger Bunny

Posted on January 2, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Happy New Year to all!

Today is Friday – I have a children’s book review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.

One of my blogging buddies, author Emily Lim, has a whole series of books that address important issues that young children can relate to. One of her newest is Tibby, the Tiger Bunny.

TIBBY, THE TIGER BUNNY

Written by Emily Lim

Illustrated by Jade Fang

Publisher: Epigram Books (October 2013)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Friendship, getting along with others, being different

Synopsis:

From Emily’s blog: “All Tibby ever wanted was some friends to play with, but the other rabbits found him too strange. After all, he could pounce and roar like a tiger. But he also had long floppy ears and could hop like a bunny. Was Tibby a tiger or a bunny?”

Why I like this book:

Great read-aloud for younger children…older kids will enjoy reading it themselves
Wonderful message about friendship, getting along with others and being yourself
Lovely illustrations by the talented Jade Fang

How a parent can use this book:

Great read-aloud
Opportunity for discussion about what it means to be a friend and why it is important to be yourself

Related Activities:

Arrange play-dates for your child…especially if he or she is not in preschool yet…a little socialization goes a long way towards helping kids learn how to get along with each other and discover their own strengths.

PAPER PLATE TIGER/BUNNY

Photo courtesy http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Plate-Bunny

You will need a paper plate, construction paper, scissors, glue and markers.

Cut out ears and whiskers from construction paper.
Glue in place.
Use the marker to add the bunny’s features.
You can turn the plate over and create a tiger face on the other side.
Let your child role-play with each side – how does he act and sound when he is a tiger? A bunny?

NEW SERIES COMING TO A BLOG NEAR YOU – GOAL BUSTERS

On the first Monday of each month, we be taking a peek at the goals we’ve made and the steps we are taking to reach them. This month, I’ll share my goals for 2014, the steps I’m taking to reach them…and how I plan to reward myself when I reach each goal! In February, author Alayne Christian will take the spotlight and in March, author Clarike Bowman-Jahn will be featured. Please join us for GOAL-BUSTERS!

If you write or illustrate, parent or teach…I know you have goals! Please share them in the comments or contact me (viviankirkfield@gmail.com) if you’d like to be featured in a blog post.

A Picture Walk through Tibby The Tiger-Bunny’s Birthday Bash (mummumstheword.wordpress.com)
Thank God Friday #12 – Bunny, Balloons & Book Birthdays (mummumstheword.wordpress.com)
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Reflections on My Writing Year (mummumstheword.wordpress.com)
20 Of The Best Children’s Books Of 2013 (buzzfeed.com)

2013 in review

Posted on January 1, 2014 by viviankirkfield

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 24,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Oh my goodness – 24,000 is a really big number!

If I traveled 24,000 miles, I could just about go all the way around the world
If I lived another 24,000 days, I would be over 120 years old
If I grew 24,000 inches, I would be 2000 feet tall

Thank you, everyone, for visiting and commenting and sharing my posts.

I’m looking forward to 2014!

Every Friday: picture book review and activity linking up to Perfect Picture Book Friday
1st Monday of each month: Goal-Busters – a peek at how other writers are reaching their goals and rewarding themselves
Other Mondays: Monday Writing Magic – tips, info and resources for the kid lit community
3rd Saturday of each month: Will Write for Cookies – interview with authors/illustrators AND their favorite cookie recipe
Other Saturdays: Tips, techniques and tools for parents and other child-care facilitators

My wish for everyone:

Peace for your mind
Health for your body
Love for your heart
Friends to share your joys and sorrows

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2013 in review/ yep, this is for YOU!! (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)

Will Write for Cookies – Children’s Author and Advocate Susanne Gervay

Posted on December 20, 2013 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

TODAY’S GUEST

SUSANNE GERVAY

I first met Susanne Gervay in the lobby of the Hotel Grand Pacific in Singapore. I attended several of her presentations at the 2013 AFCC/SCBWI conference and sat next to her for many of the functions.

Susanne is kind and generous and funny and smart…I was thrilled when she agreed to step into the spotlight today. I know you will find her answers enlightening. I’m going to be printing out her writing tips to keep posted on my wall – I need to remember them – especially #4. And she is sharing a really special recipe that I am sure you will want to try!

Susanne…I know you are extremely busy with your own writing, your speaking engagements all over the world, your hotel in Sydney, your family and the many children’s causes you advocate for. It was kind of you to agree to be interviewed and I know everyone is anxious to hear from you.

Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

Johanna Spyri – Heidi.

Elizabeth George Speare – The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Lucy Maud Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables .

Eleanor H. Porter – Pollyanna

May Gibbs illustrator of the gumnut babies

Beatrix Potter illustrator of Peter Rabbit

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing for children?

I wish I knew I should have worked on my manuscripts, edited them, let them sit for a while, until I looked at them again, before I sent them to publishers. It would have reduced the heart aches of rejection.