Perfect Picture Book Friday: When Your Elephant Has the Sniffles AND When Your Lion Needs a Bath PLUS Giveaway

Posted on July 7, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday. I’m thrilled to be reviewing two brand-new books by one of my favorite kid lit mentors, Susanna Leonard Hill. And the picture book awesomeness doesn’t end there. Susanna is on a whirlwind book blog tour for the next couple of weeks. Don’t miss out on any of the blog tour stops BECAUSE there is going to be a SPECIAL PRIZE from Susanna at the end. Get an entry every time you comment and share on social media with the hashtag #whenyourbooks.

I’ll be reviewing ANOTHER of Susanna’s new books in a couple of weeks. PLUS, Susanna will be here for a short chat tomorrow on Will Write for Cookies.

But before the double your pleasure, double your fun reviews, let’s announce the winner of the giveaway of A BAND OF BABIES donated by last week’s guest, Carole Gerber. And the winner is…

PATRICIA TILTON

CONGRATULATIONS, Patricia!!!

I’ll connect with you so Carole can send you the book.

And now for our review duet. With the summer upon us, I know that parents are scrambling for reading material for their kids…these will be PERFECT for the littlest listeners…and maybe the older siblings can read them to the young ones.

elephant cover

WHEN YOUR ELEPHANT HAS THE SNIFFLES

Written by: Susanna Leonard Hill

Illustrated by: Daniel Wiseman

Publisher: Little Simon (Board Book Edition – 2017)

Ages: 2-4

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

When your elephant has the sniffles, you better make sure he doesn’t sneeze! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to make an under-the-weather elephant feel better!

Does your elephant have the sniffles? Make sure to take good care of him because you don’t want him to start sneezing. Gather up your tissues and your pillows and make that elephant feel better! But don’t get too close…or you just might end up with the sniffles, too!

lion cover

WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH

Written by Susanna Leonard Hill

Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Publisher: Little Simon (Board Book Edition: 2017)

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

When your lion needs a bath, you have to be pretty sneaky! This charming and hilarious board book highlights the many ways to get your lion into that tub!

Does your lion need a bath? When your lion needs a bath, you must be a little sneaky. After all, have you ever met a cat who likes water? So gather up your towels and rubber ducks and get that lion into the tub! But be careful…or you just might end up in the bath, too!

Why I like these books:

Simple text is filled with heart and humor.
Wonderful read-alouds!
Great illustrations.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Make a Paper Plate Lion

MacroniLion1RS6k Photo courtesy: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/

WOW…I love this one…what a lot of fun!

You will need: Paper plate, spiral macaroni, glue, markers, googly eyes (optional)

For detailed instructions, please go to: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Safari-Crafts-For-Kids.html

MAKE A PAPER PLATE ELEPHANT

PaperPlateElephant5RS6k Photo courtesy: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com

Another really creative craft!

You will need: Paper plate, construction paper,scissors, glue, marker, google eyes (optional).

For detailed instructions, please go to: http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Paper-Plate-Elephant.html

Spending time with your children can be so much fun! A couple of great books, a few pieces of paper, some glue, scissors, markers…and you can build bonds that will last a lifetime.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to chat with Susanna Leonard Hill…and if you participate in Perfect Picture Book Friday, I’d love for you to leave the link to your post in the comments so that others can come and visit your blog.

Thank you for hanging out here a bit.

Please remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway of Susanna books! And come back tomorrow when she chats with us on Will Write for Cookies.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: A BAND OF BABIES Plus Giveaway

Posted on June 30, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Before we get to today’s wonderful picture book, we have some PRIZES to award!!

Last week, the lovely Patricia Keeler offered two exciting giveaways…a copy of LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL along with a pair of silver flip flop earrings. And also, a copy of her book along with a charming silver seal necklace.

And the winner of the book and earrings is…

KATHY MAZUROWSKI!!!!

And the winner of the book and necklace is…

JILANNE HOFFMANN

CONGRATULATIONS! I will put you both in touch with Patricia so she can send you your prizes.

June is winding down…I can hardly believe that tomorrow is the 1^st day of July.

Which is why today’s book is definitely a perfect choice with the 4^th of July right around the corner. Parades. Fireworks. And…

A BAND OF BABIES

Written by: Carole Gerber

Illustrated by: Jane Dyer

Publisher: HarperCollins (2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Working together, independence, diversity

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

It was just an ordinary day at play group until Benny arrived. With flute in hand and drums in tow, Benny’s love of music inspires the babies to get up and put on a show. Toot! Toot! Whee! Benny and his band of babies are a sight to see!

With rhythmic text from veteran author Carole Gerber and lively illustrations from bestselling artist Jane Dyer, this musical journey will have readers of all ages snapping their fingers and tapping their toes!

Why I like this book:

Love the joyful rhyming text!
Wonderful read-aloud!
Great illustrations.
Selected as one of Amazon’s Best Books of the Month of June for babies.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Homemade Rainmaker

Photo courtesy: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk

You will need: Empty roll from aluminum foil or paper towel or empty snack cylinder, paint and glitter or construction paper and markers, masking tape or duct tape, glue, scissors, dry uncooked lentils or rice.

Tape one open end of the roll. If you are using a snack cylinder, one end is already sealed.
Fill with ¼ cup dry lentils or rice.
Tape the other end shut. If you are using a snack cylinder, tape the lid securely.
Cover with construction paper, glue in place, and decorate with markers or paint and decorate with glitter. (the paint and glitter will be the messy option)

More homemade instruments here: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/homemade-instruments-rainmaker

And here: http://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/

Why not arrange a playdate for your child and create a rhythm BAND OF BABIES?

Please remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway of a copy of A BAND OF BABIES! And come back tomorrow when award-winning author Carole Gerber shares her writing journey…and something yummy…on Will Write for Cookies.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend

Perfect Picture Book Friday: LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL Plus GIVEAWAY

Posted on June 23, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Hold onto your beach hats, dear friends! Wednesday was the first day of summer and today we’ve got the perfect book to celebrate that.

Plus, today’s post is extra-special because author/illustrator Patricia Keeler is giving away a signed copy of LIZZIE and LOU SEAL

AND

a pair of Lizzie’s favorite flip-flop earrings!

Make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway!

LIZZIE and LOU SEAL

Written and illustrated by Patricia Keeler

Publisher: Sky Pony Press (2017)

Ages: 3 – 6

Themes:

Independence, friendship, problem solving

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

What will Lizzie do when Lou Seal loses his puff?

Lizzie loves her flip-flops. They go shuffle shuffle across the rug, smack smack on the floor tiles, and thwap thwap down the stairs. Lizzie also loves her blow-up toy, Lou Seal. Lizzie and Lou Seal are off to the beach, but beach fun turns to beach disaster when Lizzie loses her flip-flops and Lou Seal starts losing air! It’s a sink or swim scenario. What will Lizzie do?

This is a beautiful book with mixed media art and a lovely retro feel, for fans of Ladybug Girl at the Beach. Children will relate to Lizzie’s independence and creative problem solving and fall in love with Lou Seal themselves. Filled with lots of fun words and sounds, this is a perfect read aloud book for parents and children alike.

Why I like this book:

Charming, retro surroundings frame Lizzie’s seaside life.
The text marries perfectly with the illustrations and much of the story is briliiantly told in the illustrations…kids will enjoy discovering the leak in Lou Seal way before Lizzie notices it.
This story engages all the senses, while reeling out a picture book that is the perfect beach read as well as a great anytime read-aloud.
A great launch pad for a discussion about water safety.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

FAUX SNOW GLOBE: On The Beach or In The Ocean?

We are so lucky. Author/illustrator Patricia Keeler has created a super fun craft for the kids!

You will need: Firm yellow heavy paper, firm blue paper, Krazy Glue, 2 clear lids from 32 oz Stonyfield Yogurt, sand, glitter & LIZZIE and LOU SEAL icon sheet below.

Print out the LIZZIE and LOU SEAL sheet. Cut out Lou Seal and icons.
Choose which items would most likely be found on land. Choose which items would be found in the ocean.
Draw a circle around the yogurt lid on the yellow and blue sheets.
In the center of the yellow circle, place sand, beach items and Lou Seal. In the circle on the blue paper, place blue glitter, ocean items and Lou Seal.
Put Krazy Glue along the circle line. Stick the lid down and let it dry.
SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE and enjoy!