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!

Dear friends…have a safe and wonderful weekend, don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway…

make sure you leave a review for LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL on Amazon and…

…please come back tomorrow–Patricia Keeler is stopping by for our Will Write for Cookies Q&A!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: 5 LITTLE DUCKS Plus Giveaway

Posted on June 16, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday. I’m honored to feature the newest book (which is PERFECT for this Father’s Day weekend) from multipublished Caldecott Honor winning author/illustrator Denise Fleming. And guess what? Denise will be here TOMORROW for Will Write for Cookies.

But before I share this very special review with you (special because I’m going to point out how the author updated this old classic to make it more relevant for today’s market), I need to announce the winner of the picture book manuscript critique that author Ellen Leventhal is giving away.

And the winner is…

DIANE TULLOCH

Congratulations, Diane! Ellen gives super feedback…so you are in for a treat.

And now, we are all in for a treat.

5 LITTLE DUCKS

Written and illustrated by Denise Fleming

Publisher: Beach Lane Books (2016)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 1

Themes:

Independence, counting, family relationships

Synopsis:

From Kirkus:

A traditional rhyme serves as the basis for an adaptation with an expanded worldview. As in the original, the story begins with five ducklings and a parent. But this time it’s Papa Duck doing the calling. The little ducks’ adventures take place over a week, with one fewer returning home each day. Rather than always going “over the hills and far away,” however, these five little ducks enjoy exploring new places and meeting new friends. They have fun playing in the woods with a winsome flying squirrel, frolicking with wild turkey chicks, imitating a turtle, wallowing in the mud, and splashing in a kiddie pool. On Saturday, however, all five respond to their father’s call, and the family is reunited just in time to share a day of rest on Sunday (mandated by Mama Duck). Two pages of information follow, offering close-up portraits and basic facts about some of the animals featured. As always, Fleming’s artwork, created by pulp painting with pastel pencil accents, is lively and appealing. Her clever tweaks to the familiar text allow her to showcase a variety of natural environments. Whether it’s a panorama of farmland or a shadowy woodland glade, each double-page spread offers plenty of intriguing details limned in bright colors. Packed with personality and charm, these five ducklings will waddle their ways into the hearts of readers and listeners.

Why I like this book:

Denise has taken a simple classic rhyme and updated it to be more relevant for today’s children.
Her art is amazing. AMAZING!
Great read-aloud.
Here’s another wonderful book that celebrates fathers, just in time for this Father’s Day weekend.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

MAKE PAPER

Photo courtesy: http://tinkerlab.com

Denise Fleming is well-known for her amazing paper-making which she uses in her illustrations.

Making paper is a fun-filled activity for kids. For simple instructions, go here: http://tinkerlab.com/how-to-make-paper/

For Denise’s very own instructions on papermaking, go here.

For more awesome activities, visit the 5 Little Ducks activity page.

If you are looking for more picture book reviews, hop on over to Susanna Hill’s blog. After today, she’ll be taking a summer hiatus, but I invite everyone who writes picture book reviews to leave their post links along with their comments every Friday so that readers can hop around and visit other blogs.

Please remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway of one of Denise’s fabulous books, BEETLE BOP! And come back tomorrow to chat with her on Will Write for Cookies.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend! Happy Father’s Day!!!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets PLUS Critique Giveaway

Posted on June 9, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Hurray for June…school will be out soon for many children, but that doesn’t mean they stop reading—at least I hope not. My plan is to continue with Perfect Picture Book Friday throughout the summer…I’ve already got every weekend scheduled with some of 2017’s best picture book releases.

Today’s book is special for a couple of reasons. It originally launched in 2009, but there was such a demand for it, it’s been reissued, bigger and better than ever before (after all…it’s about Texas Bluebonnets, right?). I’m thrilled about this because the author, Ellen Leventhal, is one of my dearest critique buddies and she’ll be stopping by to chat with us tomorrow. She’s also agreed to do a giveaway of…A PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE! Yes! I know how much everyone loves getting feedback from a published author. And having been on the receiving end of MANY wonderful critiques from Ellen, I can promise you that the lucky winner is in for a TREAT!

DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS

Written by: Ellen Leventhal and Ellen Rothberg

Illustrated by: Joel Cook

Publisher: Spork (2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Responsibility, decision-making, getting along with others

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets is the story of Sue Ellen, a cow with a mind of her own, who loves the taste of bluebonnets. When she gives into temptation and eats every yummy bluebonnet, she must figure out a way to get them back. After several humorous attempts to make things right, Sue Ellen learns the importance of responsibility and decision making.”

Why I like this book:

The text is filled with heart and humor. This is a truly funny book.
Wonderful read-aloud!
Great illustrations.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

MAKE A PAPER PLATE COW

Photo courtesy: http://www.housingaforest.com/paper-plate-cow/

You will need: Paper plate, construction paper, scissors, glue, markers or crayons, googly eyes (optional…you can also use construction paper).

Cut pink circle for muzzle of cow. Glue in place onto plate.
Cut splotches of black construction paper. Glue into place.
If you have googly eyes, glue those on. If not, just use construction paper and glue in place.
Use marker or crayons to add feature details.

For detailed instructions and more crafts: click here

Please remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway of a critique from Ellen! And come back tomorrow when she shares her journey…and something sweet…on Will Write for Cookies.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend!