Category Archives: Craft activities for kids

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Manjhi Moves a Mountain PLUS Giveaway

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We are back in the swing of things with school in session. Elementary teachers have always used picture books in the classroom, but now, more than ever, the nonfiction picture book bios are needed. And today, I’m bringing you what is sure to be one of the most popular books this year and a classic for the future!

manjhi cover

MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN

Written by Nancy Churnin

Illustrated by Danny Popovici

Published by Creston Books (September 2017)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Ingenuity, courage, persistance

Synopsis: 

From Midwest Review:

Manjhi Moves a Mountain” is an amazing story of dedication, persistence, vision, and steadfast love. It is a true story about a real man named Dashrath Manjhi, who lived in India from 1934 until 2007. Manjhi lived in a remote, poor mountain village, where a mountain divided his poor village from a sister village with water, fertile land, and access to health care and education. People from Manjhi’s village had to walk over 36 difficult miles to get to the sister village for access to crops, food, health care, and education, because of the difficult mountain obstacle between. Manjhi could see the differences between the two villages clearly, and he pondered the question of inequality between people at the top of the mountain. He came to a decision after throwing a stone against the mountainside in frustration, watching it dissolve into powder. This was his revelation! From then on, Manjhi spent every possible resource and effort to obtain a hammer and chisel and to use his full strength every day to work at pounding the stone of the mountain to make a road for the people from the poor village to travel to the rich village more easily. The work was hard, and had to be done in addition to the work of growing food and sustaining himself. Manjhi and his hammer became a common sight on the mountain, where he labored every day, chanting to himself, “Hold. Aim. Swing!” Though people told him he was crazy, that he should give up and accept inequality, he continued throughout his life, making slow progress in carving a pathway through the mountain. After 15 years, villagers could see real progress. People began to leave offerings of food, and new tools, to help him on his gigantic, self imposed task. Finally one day that was 22 years after Manjhi first had his vision, the last hammer blow was swung and the pathway that would become a road for everyone was open. Manjhi looked from one village to the other and saw not two villages, but one, “sharing water, hopes, dreams… and a man who had moved a mountain!” This true life story of an Indian sage who became revered and known as the Mountain Man is inspiring and moving to young readers age 5 and up. Beautiful earth-toned illustrations depict the mighty work of Manjhi and the awe and respect of his village friends. “Manjhi Moves a Mountain” is a true modern treasure and wisdom life story. 

Why I like this book:

  • The text engages from the opening lines to the satisfying ending!
  • The illustrations are incredible (wait till you see tomorrow’s post when illustrator Danny Popovici shares his process AND his storyboard!
  • The story is inspiring.

Related Activities:

paper mache mountainPhoto Courtesy: Kimberly Klein Sweder

http://www.ehow.com/how_12138304_make-fake-mountain-school-diorama.html

Paper Mache Mountain

Help your kids make their own mountain with paper mache. For detailed instructions: http://www.ehow.com/how_12138304_make-fake-mountain-school-diorama.html

 

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in Nancy’s giveaway of a copy of MANJHI MOVES A MOUNTAIN. And definitely don’t forget to be here tomorrow for a double your pleasure, double your fun Will Write for Cookies post featuring:

Author Nancy Churnin and Illustrator Danny Popovici

For more picture book reviews, check out Susanna Hill’s website, where picture book lovers link up their blog posts for Perfect Picture Book Friday.

To my friends and all those in the path of Hurrican Irma…we all join in praying for your safety!

 

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Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Enchanted Snowglobe Collection – Return to Coney Island PLUS Giveaway

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Oh my goodness….we are taking a slight detour from our usual picture book review because, when I heard that there was a chapter book about Coney Island, I knew I had to share it with all of you.  I grew up in New York City…and Coney Island was a favorite desitination during the summer months for my family.

img048Yup, that’s me, at about 18-months old, not a fan of the sand.

These days, even younger kids are enjoying chapter books, either reading them or listening to them. If you are a fan of The Magic Tree House series, I think you will be head over heels in love with THE SNOWGLOBE COLLECTION.

cover 1I

THE SNOWGLOBE COLLECTION: RETURN TO CONEY ISLAND

Written by Melissa Stoller

Illustrated by Callie MetlerSmith

Published by Clear Fork/Spork (August 2017)

Opening Lines:

“Ha! I won again,” said Emma. She reached her grandmother’s door just before her twin brother, Simon.”

Themes: 

Family, time-travel

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

They thought it was an
 ordinary sleepover . . . 

When nine-year-old twins Emma and Simon shake a snow globe from their grandmother’s enchanted collection, they are transported back to Coney Island on June 24, 1928. According to family legend, that’s the day their great-grandparents meet on the Coney Island trolley. But if events don’t work exactly as they’re supposed to, the meeting won’t take place and the twins might never be born. After a day of adventures – from the Cyclone roller coaster to the boardwalk arcade, and finally to the all-important trolley ride – will the twins help make it happen? Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday Review and Activity: PAX AND BLUE plus Giveaway

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Today is the last day of March…and you know what they say…it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

We will keep our fingers crossed for good weather, blue skies, and balmy temperatures. But I don’t think I have enough fingers, because they say there is a blizzard coming today.

In the meantime, please sit back and relax. I’ve got a wonderful Perfect Picture Book Friday for you!

Oh wait! Last week’s wonderful author, Catherine Bailey offered a super-duper prize package of a signed copy of LUCY LOVES SHERMAN plus a lobster cookie cutter and a bookmark.

AND THE WINNER IS…

PAULA MOWERY

Congratulations, Paula. Please contact me so I can get your mailing information to Catherine.

Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday also has a giveaway…so don’t forget to leave a comment. I also have a favor to ask. If you have not yet signed up for my email list, please do! One day, I PROMISE, I will be sending out a newsletter…and hope to have coupons for critique discounts for writers and other neat stuff for teachers and parents and kids. And all of that goodness can be yours…but only if you click on the sidebar logo. Many of you are already followers of my blog, but the email list is different. It allows me to email you directly. If you follow my blog, but aren’t subscribed to my email list, please click on the Positive Parental Participation logo. I thank you!

And now, on to our fabulous 2017 debut picture book from Lori Richmond.

book cover

PAX AND BLUE

Written and illustrated by Lori Richmond

Publisher: Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster (2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Friendship, thoughtfulness, kindness

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“A young boy makes an unlikely friend on his way to school. One thing is for sure. Pax is the littlest everywhere he goes. In school. At playtime. On the train. Then Pax meets a pigeon at the park—he names him Blue and makes a friend who knows what it’s like to be small. And understanding each other can lead to the best friendships.”

Why I like this book:

  • The text is so simple…how did the author say so much with so few words?
  • It definitely helps that she is also the illustrator…and a darn good one! There is a purity and a simplicity in the illustrations that lets us discover the true message of the book.
  • And the message is one that we want to share with children every day…how to be a real friend! This book will be a wonderful launch pad for discussions about friendship at home and in schools.

 

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Rainbow  Pigeon Mobile

pigeon craft

Photo courtesy: https://www.pinterest.com/moonbeamsps/moonbeams-birds-nest/

You will need: Piece of construction paper, feathers or colored tissue paper or other scraps of colored construction paper, markers, glue, string.

  1. Cut construction paper in shape of bird.
  2. Glue feather or crumpled pieces of tissue or construction paper onto bird.
  3. Use marker to draw eyes, beak.
  4. Punch hole at top and thread string through it.
  5. Hang in the breeze and watch the bird flutter and fly.

For more wonderful bird craft ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/moonbeamsps/moonbeams-birds-nest/

 

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends…don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of PAX AND BLUE…and please come back tomorrow for:

 

Will Write for Cookies

LORI RICHMOND

 This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.