Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Sock Thief

Posted on September 18, 2015 by viviankirkfield

As lovely as summer is, fall in New England is definitely glorious. And there is something special about getting back to the routines. Kids are back in school and little ones at home need activities…what could be better than reading a Perfect Picture Book?

Today I’m thrilled to feature a story by tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies author, Ana Crespo. It’s sweet, it’s funny, it multicultural—who could ask for more?

THE SOCK THIEF

Written by Ana Crespo

Illustrated by Nana Gonzalez

Publisher: Albert Whitman (2015)

Ages: 3-8

Themes: Problem solving, creativity

Opening Lines:

“In a small Brazilian town, Felipe leaves home earlier than usual. He walks a long way to school.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Brazilian boy Felipe doesn’t have a soccer ball. So, when it’s his turn to take one to school, he uses a little bit of creativity… and a few socks. Felipe is the sock thief, but finding socks is not that easy and the neighborhood pets make it even harder. “Au, au, au!” a dog barks in Portuguese. Felipe wonders if he’ll play soccer with his friends today or if he will be caught by a tattle-tale parrot? Along the way, Felipe leaves delicious mangoes in exchange for the socks he steals. After he swipes each pair, he twists and turns them into an ever-growing soccer ball. At the end of the day, he returns each pair of socks with a note to say thank you.”

Why I like this book:

Simply wonderful text
Engaging illustrations
Appeals to a child’s sense of humor
Multicultural

How a parent can use this book:

Wonderful read aloud
Great opportunity to talk about problem solving – you could even play a game with your child…what would you do if…?

Related Activity:

Paper Bag Bean Bag Toss

Photo courtesy: http://www.teachpreschool.org

I couldn’t find a picture of bean bags decorated like soccer balls, but it wouldn’t be difficult to use black marker or crayons on a white lunch bag. And filling them with socks instead of beans would be fun for kids to do.

For exact instructions, please go here: http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/02/paper-bean-bags/

For more awesome picture book reviews and activities, don’t miss Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday link up.

And please please please don’t forget to come back tomorrow to meet and greet our Will Write for Cookies guest:

ANA CRESPO

She’s got a lot to share…including a yummy Brazilian dessert!

See you tomorrow! We’ll also be announcing the email subscriber winner of a copy of Show Me How!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: I Am Jazz – A True Story About A Transgender Child

Posted on February 6, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Roses are red, violets are blue.

We’ve got so much snow, I don’t know what to do!

Yes, you’ve guessed it. We got more snow during the week and they are predicting another HUGE blizzard within forty-eight hours. As you can imagine, I am now on a first name basis with our lovely snow plow guy. See what his plow looks like after pushing all that snow?

Fortunately, there is so much for a writer to do when stuck in the house. I’m still participating in Kristen Fulton’s 52 Weeks of Charting Non-Fiction Picture Books.

So today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday selection is one of the special stories from that challenge.

But before I get to the review, I wanted to mention another challenge that is near and dear to my heart. Whether you are a writer or a reader, a teacher or a parent, you know that reviews are very important for the success of a book…especially those that are posted to Amazon and other review sites. I’ve been tagged by a dear friend, Carrie Finison, to participate in BOOK LOVE – a Blog Hop

. Anyone can jump on board. And I hope that all of you will. There is only one requirement. Review a picture book (especially one that doesn’t have many reviews) and post it to Amazon. I did that last week for All Different Now – Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson (only had 4 reviews), Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas by Lynne Cox (only had 15 reviews), Skit-Scat Ragetty Cat, by Roxanne Orgill (only had 9 reviews). I’ll be posting my review for today’s selection also, as well as doing a bonus book review (which you will find at the end of this post).

Writers and illustrators work so hard to put quality books on the shelves for our children. I’ve spoken to published authors who tell me Continue reading →

#PPBF: Belches, Burps and Farts – Oh My!

Posted on September 12, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Welcome, everyone! Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday – I review a picture book, provide a simple fun craft you can do with your kids and then I link up with dozens of other writers, moms, librarians and other lovers of picture books on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.

I hope all of you have had a great summer. I stepped back from blogging to work on my vegetable garden and focus on picture book writing. I took Kristen Fulton’s Non-Fiction Archaeology class in June, Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab in August, and attended a writing retreat at Squam Lake in New Hampshire just last weekend. It’s definitely been a rewarding summer.

Back in June, I did a review of Peter Panda Melts Down by Artie Bennett. My grandson loved that book! So I am really thrilled to be reviewing Artie’s newest picture book, Belches, Burps, and Farts – Oh My!

BELCHES, BURPS, AND FARTS – OH MY!

Written by Artie Bennett

Illustrations By Pranas T. Naujokaitis

Publisher: Blue Apple Books (2014)

Ages: 5 and up

Themes: Facts about belches, burps and farts and how to deal with them, humor, body functions

Opening Lines:

“On these pages, we’ll explore some body sounds we can’t ignore! No, not the sneeze, the wheeze, the sigh, but belches, burps and farts, oh my!”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Young readers will discover many fascinating facts about burps, belches, and farts. Real science and zany rhyme combine to teach kids the how, why, and where of gas-tastic eruptions made by people and animals, such as:

• why we can’t burp while on our backs
• which animals can’t “cut the cheese”
• how fish communicate via burp bubbles
• why soda and burps go together
• who farts more—boys or girls”

Why I like this book:

A fun way to learn about a topic most people are embarrassed to talk about – I learned a bunch of stuff I didn’t know
I read it to my grandson – he thought it was hilarious and was really interested in the facts
I love the mix of humor and nonfiction which is very appealing to reluctant readers and perfect for classroom units on body science

How a parent can use this book:

Talk about belching, burping and farting – they are natural functions of our bodies – but we can be polite and say excuse me
Have fun with the book with your kids

Have you seen Artie’s other books? They are hilarious!

If you’d like to find out more about the author and his books, please visit: ArtieBennett.com

Related Activities:

Cartoon Drawing for Kids

Photo courtesy: http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw-a-raccoon-cartoon/

Kids love cartoons. And they are really easy to draw. Click the link above to find detailed instructions for drawing the raccoon and many other animals.

And a big thank you to Artie for the final picture…quite appropriate for the END of this post, wouldn’t you say?