PPBF: Be The Kite…Inspiring Kids to Imagine and Soar

Posted on January 25, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Perfect Picture Book Friday…come and join Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review.

A fellow 12x12er and local critique partner of mine sent me a link to an amazing YouTube video this morning. Watch this 80 year-old gentleman demonstrate multi-kite flying…he travels all around the world…I promise you will be entertained for five minutes…and inspired for the rest of your life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=nr9KrqN_lIg

Seeing the kite-flying video encouraged me to review Be The Kite!

Be The Kite

Written and illustrated by Cathi Bosco

Publisher: C & D Publishers (April 2012)

Ages: 2 and up

Themes:

Imagination, friendship, perceiving the world around us, kite-flying

Synopsis:

From Amazon’s book page: “Art – Literature – Imagination! Be the Kite is an inspired, original picture-book by artist Cathi Bosco. Her illustrations and story celebrate the nurturing nature of imaginative thinking. Each illustrated page from this book feature the kite-flying adventure of two great friends and are literally connected. If printed out, each page would fit together making one long continuous picture.”

Why do I like this book:

This is a beautiful book that encourages young children to use their imaginations and take a look at the world. In addition, the author/illustrator invites participation of young readers: ”all young artists are invited to participate in a collective drawing activity. Parents, teachers, librarians and kids can submit their artwork featuring Tilly, George and Pickles and we will proudly include all drawings at our website in The Young Artists Gallery! Details can be found at http://www.CandDStudios.com. Be the Kite is a visually creative picture-book that children from 3 – 10 LOVE! Enjoying creativity and seeing the world in new and different ways are meaningful experiences for people of all ages.”

Related Activities:

MAKING A KITE

Photo courtesy of eHow. You will find instructions for making many different types of kites with children here: http://www.ehow.com/how_5333244_make-kite-children.html

The author’s website where several activities can be found: http://www.bethekite.com/

If you want a step by step video showing how to make a kite that will really fly: http://www.ehow.com/video_4790375_make-paper-kite.html

I also wanted to share that the Asian Festival of Children’s Content has added to their website the speakers and program for this year’s event. I was thrilled to see my name…my trip to Singapore is definitely becoming more real: http://afcc.com.sg/_2013/speakers

I’m honored to be part of such a distinguished international line-up.

If you want a great resource that will give you 100’s of picture book summaries, easy matching crafts (sorry, no kites) and healthful child-friendly cooking activities, purchase a copy on Amazon (or my website) of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. At $24.95, this book makes a PERFECT gift for any parent or teacher of children ages 2-8…as well as for daycare providers and grandparents. No batteries required…powered by a child’s imagination! Buy your copy today!

Author Amy Kite Announces Her Recent Launch of Children’s Book:… (prweb.com)
PPBF! Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk (thiskidreviewsbooks.com)
International Kite Festival (easeyourtravel.wordpress.com)
PPBF: Parenting Advice from Andy Griffith…Set the Rules! (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)

Sunday Post: Favorite Spot – Wherever Loved Ones Are!

Posted on September 30, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is FAVORITE SPOT.

Horseback riding in the western hills above Steamboat Springs, CO.

FAVORITE SPOT: WITH MY HUSBAND!

Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Great cast into the Big Thompson River in RMNP.

A perfect autumn day in New England.

FAVORITE SPOT: WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN!

Reading with kids at Tollhouse Preschool in New Hampshire.

FAVORITE SPOT: SCHOOL VISITS!

Cooking with kids builds self-esteem, develops literacy skills and is just plain fun!

FAVORITE SPOT: IN THE KITCHEN!

FAVORITE SPOT I HAVEN’T BEEN TO YET: ITALY

I’d love to have the opportunity to travel…I’ve driven across the country twice and next spring I may have the unbelievable opportunity to speak at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore.

However, sipping wine and feasting on homemade bread and cheese al fresco under the Tuscan sun is a dream of mine.

A writer friend of mine has organized an amazing retreat for women writers in Florence, Italy. It will take place from April 7-13, 2013. I cannot attend (this time), but you might like to go. Julie has an overview of the retreat on her website, plus specific information about the Program, Faculty, Accommodation and Rates. If you do register, please let Julie know I sent you!

Speaking about Julie…today is the last day of September…time to check in with the 12×12 in 2012 Challenge. In January, children’s author Julie Hedlund issued a challenge: write one picture book draft every month in 2012. Over 400 writers answered that challenge!

The challenge has definitely inspired me to write a picture book draft each month…and I’ve enjoyed connecting with dozens of members of this amazing kidlit community. My September draft is done…I’m hoping that in the next few months, I will prepare several manuscripts for submission!

This is the last day for nominations to give a dozen free copies of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cookingto schools or other childcare facilities. Nominate your child’s school, or your own school if you are a teacher, in the Show Me How School Initiative by leaving a comment and telling us why you’d like that school or classroom to have this book. If you don’t have young children, but know people who do, please tell them about the free book their child’s school can receive! On Friday, we will use Random.org to choose 12 lucky schools.

You can purchase a copy of this award-winning resource on Amazon (only $19.95) and on Amazon Kindle (only $9.95). This award-winning book is a great gift for parents, grandparents, teachers, daycare providers and every young child (ages 2-8) that you know! Get started on your holiday shopping…no batteries required…powered by a child’s imagination and a parent’s positive participation! Check out this wonderful review from a kid’s point of view.

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

SUNDAY POST : Favorite Spot – RoadTrip (rfljenksy.wordpress.com)
SUNDAY POST : Favorite Spot (jakesprinters.wordpress.com)

PPBF: Swimmy…Group Dynamics with an Awesome Upstander

Posted on September 28, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review and related resources for parents, teachers and children.

Before we begin the picture book review, here are some IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. The Show-Me-How School Initiative is still looking for A FEW GOOD SCHOOLS. We only have a couple of days left for you to leave a comment on this post, telling which school or other child-care facility you would like to nominate to receive a free copy of Show Me How! In the first week of October, we will pick 12 lucky schools via Random.org

2. Show Me How! has received another lovely review…this time from Beth Stilborn, fellow 12x12er, and PPBF participant. If you’d like to see what Beth had to say about it, please click this link. If you’ve never been to her blog, By Word of Beth, hurry over…you’ll be glad you did…her posts are funny, informative and not-to-be-missed!

3. Earlier this year I connected with a children’s author in Singapore, Emily Lim. It was just before their big Asian Festival of Children’s Content, where kidlit publishers, editors, writers, illustrators, educators and all who are involved in helping kids become loves of books and reading meet for conferences, workshops and fun. As Emily and I chatted via email, she mentioned that she wished I could be part of the conference. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my email yesterday morning and saw an invitation from her (she is on the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference Committee) to speak at the conference! What a great honor…I don’t know if I will be able to attend…but I hope we can work it out.

Is it Perfect Picture Book Friday yet?

You’ve all been so patient…so to reward you, you will be getting TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

October is National Bully Prevention Month! I’ll be highlighting some amazing books and other resources for the next four weeks.

I’ll share my picture book choice in a minute, but first I’m thrilled to tell you about a new anti-bullying app: AWESOME UPSTANDER. Here’s the link: http://www.awesomeupstander.com

Did you know that 13 MILLION kids…over one-third of all school-age children, are bullied every year?

Awesome Upstander, developed by HealthTeacher:

Empowers children to take action
Reinforces positive respectful behaviors
Teaches children to intervene by getting help from adults
Emphasizes group dynamics
Shows kids how to gather a group together to counteract the bully’s plan
Encourages kids to help when they see bullying

I encourage anyone who is involved with kids to visit the website at http://www.awesomeupstander.com. There are free downloadable info sheets for parents and teachers that address positive action plans for kids and adults. You can follow Awesome Upstander on Twitter or on Facebook. You can also purchase the download for iTunes or Android.

The game identifies the participants to a bullying problem…the bully, the target and the bystanders. The key to the game (and perhaps an important key to putting an end to bullying in real life) is to turn the bystanders into ‘Awesome Upstanders”…people who get actively involved to help the target or victim and stop the bullying.

This concept of group dynamics brings me to…FINALLY…my Perfect Picture Book Friday pick.

SWIMMY

Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

Publisher: DragonFly Books (1973)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Bullying, helping others, overcoming fears, self-esteem, creative thinking, cooperation

Synopsis:

From the Amazon website: “Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger.”

Why do I like this book:

Let me count the reasons:

1. Written by one of my favorite author/illustratos, Leo Lioni

2. Winner of a Caldecott Honor Award

3. Amazing illustrations of the underwater world

4. Teaches the power of positive group dynamics

5. Encourages creative thinking and problem solving

Related Activities:

Watercolor Wash Picture

Photo from artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com

You will need: 1 piece of construction paper, crayons or markers, blue food coloring and a brush.

1. After reading the story, let your child draw a picture depicting his favorite underwater scene.

2. Mix a drop or two of blue food coloring (you can use non-toxic blue watercolor paint) with some water.

3. Your child can brush the watercolor wash over the entire picture…when it dries, it will have an underwater look to it.

4. Hang it up in a place of honor in the house!

You can also make a fish mobile…with a bunch of little red fish and one little black fish.

More simple under-the-ocean activities from : http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2008/10/draw-your-own-underwater-scene.html

Great arts and crafts activities from eHow here: http://www.ehow.com/list_6729112_underwater-art-activities.html

Some parent/teacher materials on Scholastic here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/swimmy

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susanna Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities. This is an unbelievable resource for any parent, teacher or children’s librarian.