Perfect Picture Book Friday: Bunny’s Book Club

Posted on February 3, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Hello friends!

It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday…and I’ve got a PERFECT PICTURE BOOK for you!

But we need to make THREE announcements first.

The lovely Susanna Hill is hosting her Valentiny Contest. For details on how to enter and win one of the fabulous prizes, go here.
Last week we promised a copy of Andrea J. Loney’s debut picture book, BUNNYBEAR…and the winner is…

JEAN JAMES

Congratulations, Jean! I’ll be contacting you ASAP so I can give your address to Andrea.

Next month we’ll be honoring Dr. Seuss with the #50PreciousWords Contest…last year we had an unbelievable 128 entries…and prizes galore. I’m putting the challenge together now…more details to follow. If you’d like to donate a picture book, book on the craft of writing, piece of art, critique, or whatever else you think would warm the heart of a kid lit writer, please contact me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com…I plan to list the prize donors and their bios and photos/book covers on the February 11^th contest post.

And now…hurray…I get to tell you how much I LOVE Annie Silvestro’s debut picture book!

BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB

Written by Annie Silvestro

Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers (2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Reading, libraries, friendship

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Join Bunny for a top-secret trip to the library in a story that celebrates the love of reading.

Bunny loves to sit outside the library with the kids and listen to summer story time. But when the weather gets cold and everyone moves inside, his daily dose of joy is gone. Desperate, Bunny refuses to miss out on any more reading time and devises a plan to sneak into the library at night . . . through the library’s book drop!

What follows is an adorable caper that brings an inquisitive, fuzzy bunny and his woodland pals up close and personal with the books they have grown to love. A warm celebration of the power of books, Bunny’s Book Club is sure to bring knowing smiles to any child, parent, teacher, bookseller, and librarian who understands the one-of-a-kind magic of reading.

And the book has received glowing praise from major reviewers:

“A sweet salute to reading.”—Kirkus

“[Annie Silvestro] makes the pleasures of reading abundantly clear.”—Publishers Weekly

“Mai-Wyss’ soft, muted watercolor scenes sprinkled with charming, expressive cuddly animals is the perfect complement to Silvestro’s enchanting story about the love of books.”—Booklist

Opening Lines:

“Bunny loved books.”

Why I like this book:

I love books that encourage young children to become lovers of books and reading…and this book definitely does!
Wonderful read-aloud!
Encourages parents and children to utilize the library.
Beautiful illustrations team perfectly with Silvestro’s text.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Photo courtesy: http://www.education.com

Paper bag bunny puppet

Paper bags are one of my favorite craft materials…they are inexpensive, easy to work with, and so versatile.

You will need: 1 paper bag, construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons or markets.

Cut out eyes, nose, whiskers, and ears from construction paper and glue on.
Use crayons or markers to add details.
Kids will enjoy role-playing with the puppet.
Visit https://www.education.com/activity/article/bunny-paper-bag-puppet/ for more fun activities for kids.

This book provides a unique opportunity to get a library card for your child if he or she doesn’t already have one. And please check out your local library…most libraries have an array of free activities for children and adults.

That’s all for today…but don’t forget to come back tomorrow:

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

WITH

ANNIE SILVESTRO

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: BunnyBear

Posted on January 27, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Have I got a treat for you!

One of the FIRST picture books of 2017!

BUNNYBEAR

Written by Andrea J. Loney

Illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Publisher: Albert Whitman (January 2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Acceptance, friendship

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Although Bunnybear was born a bear, he feels more like a bunny. He prefers bouncing in the thicket to tramping in the forest, and, in his heart, he’s fluffy and tiny, like a rabbit, instead of burly and loud, like a bear. The other bears don’t understand him, and neither do the bunnies. Will Bunnybear ever find a friend who likes him just the way he is?

Opening Lines:

“There was once a bear who was more than a bear.”

Why I like this book:

I love books that help kids accept who they are…and Bunnybear does exactly that.
The gentle humor will be enjoyed by young listeners and appreciated by adult readers.
The illustrations marry perfectly with the well-written text.
My favorite line? ‘When I see you, I feel more like me.’

RELATED ACTIVITIES

PAPER PLATE BEAR

Photo courtesy http://www.firstpalette.com

I’m a big fan of paper plate crafts…quick and easy for parent and child…and so much fun. Why not let your child be creative…maybe his bear will have bunny ears. For a very simple bear plate, you will need 1 paper plate, construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers or crayon.

Cut ears, nose, and eyes from construction paper.
Color the plate with crayons or markers.
Glue the features onto the face.
Display your child’s work proudly. You can also use it for role playing.

More instructions here for a fuzzy bear: http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/fuzzypaperplatebear/

JUST OUT: Trailer for BunnyBear:

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers and writers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

And please stop by here tomorrow for our Will Write for Cookies Q&A with debut picture book author, Andrea J. Loney. And yes…there will be a GIVEAWAY of a copy of Bunnybear! Just leave a comment on tomorrow’s post—what animal would you want to be?

Oh my goodness…I had already posted this and am editing to include the winner of the copy of Loir Degman’s NORBERT’S BIG DREAM. And the winner is

DAVID MCMULLEN

David, I’ll reach out to get your address so I can mail you the book!

Thank you for visiting today—I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Norbert’s Big Dream

Posted on January 20, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Walking into the library or a bookstore is like opening a treasure chest filled with precious jewels. But it can also be overwhelming.

If you are a parent, which books should you pick to read with your children? If you are a teacher, which books are best for your preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary grade classes? And if you are a kidlit writer, which books will help hone your skills?

I hope the books I feature here this year will help you choose.

Today’s picture book is Lori Degman’s newest one…and guess what? Tomorrow she will be our Will Write for Cookies guest! And there will be a GIVEAWAY of a BRAND NEW COPY OF THIS BOOK!

NORBERT’S BIG DREAM

Written by Lori Degman

Illustrated by Marco Bucci

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (2016)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Follow your dream, teamwork

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Norbert is a pig with a dream. It doesn’t matter if the other farm animals snicker behind his back, Norbert has always dreamed of swimming the English Channel. He’s been preparing and training and finally he’s ready for the big swim! But where exactly is the English Channel?! Will Norbert have to give up on his dreams or will his friends come to the rescue after all? A sweet, funny story about dreaming big.

Opening Lines:

“Most pigs are satisfied just rolling in the mud, or slurping slop, or snoozing in the shade. But not Norbert.”

Why I like this book:

The author has a fabulous way with words…the story moves forward at a wonderful pace because she knows just the right ones to use.
The illustrations are incredible…Norbert’s expressions clearly show the reader how he is feeling.
I love that Norbert follows his dream, no matter what…most of all, I love that his friends rally behind him and enable him to make his dream come true.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Pull out a map with your children and find the English Channel…check out articles about the different ways people have crossed it: http://mentalfloss.com/article/19722/8-ways-cross-english-channel-without-boat
Talk with your children about making dreams come true. What are their dreams? What steps can they take to realize those dreams? Maybe you can mention some of the dreams or goals you had as a child…did you reach them? How? I think it is so important for children to see that there are steps one has to take to get where we want to go, whether it is to play ball at a local playground or walk on the moon.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’ve been participating in Tara Lazar’s Storystorm and have a notebook filled with new story ideas already. And if you love entering writing contests, keep your eyes out for Susanna’s Valentiny Contest…she’ll be announcing it soon.

Please don’t miss tomorrow’s Will Write for Cookies Q&A with Lori Degman and the GIVEAWAY of a copy of Norbert’s Big Dream…right here!.