Perfect Picture Book Friday: A Family is a Family is a Family PLUS Giveaway

Posted on August 18, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends!

The summer is winding down. School has already started for some kids. And I’m thrilled to feature a picture book today that belongs in every preschool and early elementary classroom.

When I grew up, most kids I knew came from two parent families…a mom and a dad…and often, it was the dad who went out to earn money while the mom stayed home and took care of the children. But these days, there has been a tremendous shift in that cookie-cutter type family. We desperately need more books that portray the various family units that exist. Thanks to author Sara O’Leary and illustrator Qin Leng, we have the perfect one!

Groundwood Logos Spine

A FAMILY IS A FAMILY IS A FAMILY

Written by Sara O’Leary

Illustrated by Qin Leng

Published by Groundwood Books (2016)

Themes: families, diversity

Opening Lines:

“We were talking about families at school. The teacher asked us what we thought made our family special. I went last because I wasn’t sure what to say. My family is not like everybody else’s.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all.

One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One is full of stepsiblings, and another has a new baby.

As one by one, her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them — family of every shape, size and every kind of relation — the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special.

Why I like this book:

Talk about diversity. Not only do we find a varied array of family units…we also find characters of all sizes, shapes, and colors!
Very simple text will appeal to young listeners and early readers!
The illustrations are fabulous!

Related Activities:

Popsicle Stick Puppets

30-popsicle-stick-crafts-KAB

Photo courtesy: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com

What a super bunch of Popsicle crafts for kids here! Take your pick of several that highlight the family. Why not help your child make a puppet for each member of the family and role play various situations. Let the fun begin!

You will need: Popsicle sticks, markets, scissors, glue, photos of family members or construction paper to draw your own pictures.

For detailed instructions: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/58976/childrens-crafts-with-popsicle-sticks

Dear readers, thanks to author Sara and her publisher, Groundwood Books, we will have a giveaway of a copy of A FAMILY IS A FAMILY IS A FAMILY. (U.S. or Canadian addresses only). Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered. If you get to read the book, remember that reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads are the best gift you can give to an author. I just posted my review of the book on Amazon.

And hurry back tomorrow for a super Will Write for Cookies Q&A with author Sara O’Leary who is sharing awesome insights and an AMAZING Ginger Shortbread recipe with us…and oh, how I LOVE ginger!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Road That Trucks Built PLUS Giveaway

Posted on July 28, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Welcome all.

Rev up your engines..it’s time for a special Perfect Picture Book Friday.

We are on tour with the wonderful Susanna Leonard Hill….and her newest book for kids, THE ROAD THAT TRUCKS BUILT, is about to head on down the road.

Leave a comment and you’ll be entered in the giveaway – comment on ALL the blog stops of #trucksontour, and you’ll win a special prize.

And speaking about giveaways and prizes…we’ve got a copy of MARIGOLD BAKES A CAKE that the incredible Mike Malbrough is giving away. And the winner is…..

BETH GALLAGHER

Congratulations, Beth! Mika and I will be in touch to get you the book.

And now back to our regularly scheduled post.

THE ROAD THAT TRUCKS BUILT

Writen by Susanna Leonard Hill

Illustrated by Erica Strolich

Published by Little Simon (2017)

Opening lines:

“This is the traffic that’s moving too slow. Cars and buses have nowhere to go. What is the answer? I’m guessing you know.”

Synopsis:

Bulldozers, scrapers, graders, and more are hard at work making sure that every car, truck, and motorcycle can get where they’re going fast! With smooth writing by Susanna Leonard Hill and heavy-duty illustrations by Erica Sirotich, The Road That Trucks Built shows the importance and effectiveness of teamwork in a picture book that’s perfect for on the road readers.

Why I like this book:

Great read aloud!
Bold colorful illustrations. Kids will LOVE the anthropomorphic vehicles.
And they will also love the sunoke rhyme that invites participation.
PLUS, on the cover is the COOLEST wheel that spins and shows kids the various vehicles they will be reading about.

RELATED ACTVITIY:

Construction Vehicle Mobile

Photo courtesy: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/transportation/crafts.html

For detailed instructions, please go to: http://www.dltk-

kids.com/crafts/transportation/crafts.html

Take a walk with your kids…how many construction vehicles do you see on the road?

Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of THE ROAD THAT TRUCKS BUILT.

For more fun, hop over to the other blog on the #trucksontour.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Hello Goodbye Dog PLUS Giveaway

Posted on July 14, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday. Actually, for me, every day is a perfect day for reading a picture book. And today we have one that will win everyone’s heart. It’s brand new…not even out yet…and I was lucky enough to get a copy of the F&G’s…but if you leave a comment on this blog post today, you might win a copy of the real thing.

But before we talk about today’s featured book, we need to announce the winner of Susanna Hill’s giveaway from last week’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post. And the winner is…

SANDY PERLIC!!!!

Congratulations, Sandy! I’ll send a joint email to you and Susanna so she can mail your prize to you.

And now it’s time for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday pick.

HELLO GOODBYE DOG

Written by: Maria Gianferrari

Illustrated by: Patrice Barton

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (July 2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Friendship, pets

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

For Zara’s dog, Moose, nothing is more important than being with his favorite girl. So when Zara has to go to school, WHOOSH, Moose escapes and rushes to her side.

Hello, Moose!

Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed at school and Moose has to go back home.

Goodbye, Moose.

But Moose can’t be held back for long. Through a series of escalating escapes, this loyal dog always finds her way back to Zara, and with a little bit of training and one great idea, the two friends find a way to be together all day long.

Why I like this book:

Great text and page turns
Wonderful illustrations
Full of humor and heart
Perfect launch pad for discussions about relationships, friendships, and how animals help us

RELATED ACTIVITIES

PAPER BAG PUPPET – DOG

Photo courtesy: http://www.dltk-kids.com

Just give me a group of young children, a stack of paper bags, and some scissors, glue, markers and construction paper – we’ll be happy for hours.

And to make this adorable dog puppet, that’s all you’ll need.

For detailed instructions, go here: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/pets-dogs.htm

Other activities:

Check out your local library…ours has a therapy dog that comes once a week to listen to the children read.

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway for a copy of HELLO GOODBYE DOG. And there is more picture book awesomeness afoot!

Tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies post has a special giveaway…a Picture Book Manuscript CRITIQUE from author Maria Gianferrari. DON’T MISS IT!

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend!