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!.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: If You Were the Moon

Posted on January 6, 2017 by viviankirkfield

It’s the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of 2017! And guess what?

Every book I review this year will be a brand-new book published in 2017!

There are so many beautiful picture books launching this year…and I am excited to be featuring so many of them. PLUS, on almost every Saturday, we are going to turn the spotlight on an author in our Will Write for Cookies series. PLUS, for many of these posts, we’ll be hosting a GIVEAWAY!

Most of you know I am a fan of nonfiction picture books…but I’m more familiar with the ones that tell a story about a historical figure or an event. Today’s story is a bit different—it incorporates science facts in a beautifully illustrated picture book story.

IF YOU WERE THE MOON

Written by Laura Purdie Salas

Illustrated by Jaime Kim

Publisher: Milbrook (2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

The moon

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

If you were the moon, what would you do? You’d spin like a twilight ballerina and play dodgeball with space rocks! Find out more in this lyrical list poem accompanied by stunning illustrations.

Opening Lines:

“If you were the moon, what would you do?”

Why I like this book:

Lyrical language
Beautifully illustrated
A fun introduction for young kids to facts about the moon
Glossary and further reading suggestions at the back of the book

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Photo courtesy: http://www.123homeschool4me.com

Check out this link for fabulous moon related activities for kids…did you know that July 20^th is Moon Day? http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2016/07/24-moon-crafts-activities-for-kids.html

The book is available for preorder on Amazon.

Laura Purdie Salas has a fabulous website chock full of resources for parents, teachers, and kids

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.

Today is the final day of Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas challenge. It was a fabulous way to look back at last year’s accomplishments and start planning how I can build on them to create a successful 2017.

Doing that, I thought about how much I love reading manuscripts and doing critiques and so I decided to offer critique services through my website...I hope if any of you have stories that need a fresh pair of eyes, you’ll think of me.

And if you are looking for inspiration and encouragement for your writing career, hurry over to Tara Lazar’s STORYSTORM for fabulous blog posts by industry leaders.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.