Perfect Picture Book Friday: FAMOUSLY PHOEBE

Posted on October 6, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday! Fall is here in New England…leaves are changing color and the temps are decidedly chilly when I get up in the morning.

2017 has exploded with amazing children’s books and I’m thrilled to bring you one that will help older siblings when the new baby arrives. Author Lori Alexander is offering a copy of her newest picture book as a giveaway. Please make sure you leave a comment below and come back tomorrow to double your entries when she stops by to chat about the writing life.

FAMOUSLY PHOEBE

Written by Lori Alexander

Illustrated by Aurelie Blard-Quintard

Published by Sterling Children’s Books (2017)

Ages: 4-7

Themes: Sibling rivalry, family dynamics, self-worth

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Phoebe was the shining star of her family. Then someone came along to take her place.
For as long as Phoebe can remember, she’s known the clickety click click of a photographer snapping her picture. Thanks to the camera-carrying “paparazzi” (aka Mom and Dad), she’s always been the star of the show . . . until the day a tiny newcomer arrives on set.
Will Phoebe learn to share the spotlight and assume the role she was born to play: big sister? This sweet tale of sibling rivalry resolved is perfect for every older brother and sister.

Why I like this book:

A story that engages from the opening lines to the last page.
Fabulous bold illustrations that invite the reader into the action.
A universal theme that never loses its appeal.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Make a Family Newspaper

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

You will need: Paper, ruler, pencil/pen, markers/crayons, family photos, scissors, glue

What fun! Each family member can write a column for this newspaper!

For detailed instructions: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2010/04/make-a-family-newspaper-to-talk-about-family-news/

Please make sure you come back tomorrow when we chat with Lori Alexander on Write for Cookies. And don’t forget that one of the greatest gifts you can give an author is to review their books on Amazon or Goodreads.

For more great picture book reviews and activities, hurry over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post.

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: SHOW ME A STORY – WRITING YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK Plus Giveaway

Posted on September 29, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday!

WHAT BAD LUCK! My scheduled blog post had to be pushed because the author’s book was pushed

And then a happy accident happened. If any of you ever watched the late great Bob Ross painting on TV, you’ll remember that he said there were no mistakes, only happy little accidents.

WHAT GOOD LUCK! I reached out to dear writing friend Suzy Leopold and she stepped up to the plate. Suzy put together an awesome Will Write for Cookies post, created a super journal-making craft, and is giving away a personalized journal! More than that, she shared the name of a picture book she uses in her school visits. I fell in love with it and plan to use it with students next year when my debut picture book launches.

SHOW ME A STORY: WRITING YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOKS

Written by Nancy Loewen

Illustrated by Christopher Lyles

Published by Picture Winow Books/Capstone (2009)

Ages: 7-9

Themes: creating stories, writing your own book

Synopsis:

From Amazon: Ready to build a picture book? First, you’ll need the right tools. Open this title in the Writer’s Toolbox series and discover plenty of tips and tools to get you started. Soon you’ll be writing and showing stories like a pro!

Why I like this book:

Humorous story that serves as an example
Great illustrations that will engage kids
Breaks down the main elements of a picture book in simple terms

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Journal-Making by Suzy Leopold

Materials Needed:

One composition notebook or student journal

Three pieces of 12 X 12 inch scrapbook paper

Glue stick

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Paper cutter (optional)

Ruler

Embellishments

Di cut letters or letter stickers

Ribbon or Rick Rack

Directions:

Using three sheets of scrapbook paper, cut two pieces of scrapbook paper 8 X 12 inches.
Apply a generous amount of glue to the journal, position the scrapbook paper and smooth out any bubbles.
Wrap and fold the extended edges of the scrapbook paper, creating mitered corners and secure with a generous amount of glue.
Cut two pieces of scrapbook paper 9 X 6 inches. Using a glue stick adhere to the inside covers of the journal.

5. Open the journal to the middle section of the notebook that reveals the stitching. Hot glue two or three 14 inch pieces of ribbon on the top edge. Drape the pieces of ribbon across sections of the notebook to become a bookmark. Tie a knot at the bottom of each piece of ribbon.

6. Time to embellish your journal with scrapbook stickers and cutouts, etc. Use additional scraps of scrapbook paper. Recycle greeting cards. Use buttons and babbles. Be creative.

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Suzy and I are both passionate about encouraging kids to read at home. She shared the info-graph below. I totally 100% agree with her…I used to hand out flyers to the students to bring home, asking parents to spend 15 minutes a day with their kids, reading, crafting, or cooking. But I like the 20 minutes better!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. For more picture book reviews, head on over to Susanna Hill’s website. But before you go, please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a personalized journal made by the queen of craft herself…Suzy!

And don’t miss tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies when Suzy shares her thoughts about using journals for this writing life and more.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk

Posted on September 22, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday…and Happy Fall!

We had several book publications pushed, so I had to reschedule today’s planned post. But never fear, dear friends! Have I got a Perfect Picture Book for you!

IT’S NOT JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Written by Josh Funk

Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor

Published by Two Lions Press (September 2017)

Ages 4-8

Themes: Be true to yourself, trust in yourself

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Jack is not fond of the bossy narrator of his fairy tale! When Jack is told to trade his beloved cow Bessie for some magic beans, throw the beans out the window, climb the ENORMOUS beanstalk that sprouts overnight, and steal from a GIANT, he decides this fairy tale is getting out of control. In fact, he doesn’t want to follow the story line at all. Who says Jack needs to enter a life of daring, thievery, and giant trickery? He takes his story into his own hands—and you’ll never guess what happens next!

With laugh-out-loud dialogue and bold, playful art (including hidden fairy tale creatures for kids to find), this Jack and the Beanstalk retelling will have children rolling with laughter till Bessie the cow comes home.

Why I like this book:

Josh Funk wrote it! No, seriously, this guy is super funny and has his finger on the pulse of what kids want to hear.
The illustrations are bold, bright, and full of fun.
Clever retelling of an old classic…with a new twist!

RELATED ACTIVITIES

PLANT SOME BEANS (of course!)

Photo courtesy: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-balls.html

Kids love to garden. And bean seeds can be planted indoors all year long with great results. For detailed instructions: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-balls.html

More great planting activities here: http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/en/educators/curriculum/family-child-care-educators/plants/activity/guided-activity/157/planting-bean-seeds/

Write fractured fairy tales with your kids…they’ll have a ball!

For more picture book reviews, hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday where authors, teachers, librarians, and parents share their favorite picture books!

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends. The leaves are changing into their scarlet and gold headdresses here in New Hampshire. What is fall like for you?