Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE HAIR BOOK Plus Giveaway

Posted on June 24, 2022 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. Are you having a bad hair day? Never fear – THE HAIR BOOK is here!

This book is published as both a picture book and a board book!

THE HAIR BOOK

Written by LaTonya Yvette

Illustrated by Amanda Jane Jones

Published by Union Square Kids (2022)

Ages: 0-6

Themes: Inclusion, diversity, hair styles

Synopsis: From Amazon:
Covered hair,
Bun Hair,
Party Hair…
No matter your hair—YOU are welcome anywhere!

Why I Love This Book
1. If you are looking for a simple book that can appeal to the youngest of children that can help convey the importance of diversity and inclusion – this is it! Studies show that infants respond to pictures of faces – and this is a book filled with faces!
2. Bold vivid illustrations of diverse people with many different styles of hair.
3. Ultra-simple sparse text.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Photo courtesy: https://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_activities.html

MAKE A SELF-PORTRAIT
What a fun project for your kids! Help them create a self-portrait. For detailed instructions: https://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_activities.html

Some great activity ideas for very young children: https://va.gapitc.org/celebrating-cultural-differences-activities-to-make-diverse-connections/

Great website from PBS: https://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_activities.html

Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of this adorable new book! And to help support your favorite authors and illustrators, please buy their books, review their books, tell friends about their books, and ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: LULU & ZOEY: A Sister Story Plus Giveaway

Posted on June 10, 2022 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I’ve been on a bit of a blogging hiatus for a couple of weeks…but now I’m back with three weeks in a row of AWESOME Perfect Picture Book Friday posts. And today’s is extra special because the author is one of my dearest critique buddies, Carrie Finison who is such a sweetheart – she’s offering a giveaway of a copy of LULU & ZOEY to one lucky blog follower!

LULU & ZOEY: A Sister Story

Written by Carrie Finison

Illustrated by Brittany Jackson

Published by Running Press Kids

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Siblings, respect, getting along

Synopsis: From Amazon:
Sometimes Lulu wants to play, but her big sister Zoey doesn’t. Sometimes Zoey tries to share, but Lulu won’t. Sometimes, it is HARD to get along with a sister! But, sometimes, sisters come together and create something wonderful. This charming story follows the adventures of Lulu and Zoey as they navigate the ups and downs of sisterhood and find there is room in their hearts for each other.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I’ve got a big sister…and I really related to all of the moments of sibling interaction in this story!

2. The rhyme is so well done – this is a fabulous read-aloud – and kids will want to hear it over and over!

3. The illustrations are spot-on perfect – I love the diversity – and the action and emotion that is evident in each spread!

And here’s a lovely review from Kirkus:
Readers with siblings will surely find echoes of themselves in both characters and take comfort in the fact that the story ends happily. However much these sisters might disagree or get on each other’s nerves, they will always find room in their hearts for each other.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

SIBLING HANDPRINT ART

I found this sibling craft activity on Jessi Shatley’s Pinterest board. With just paper and either finger paint or tempera paint, you can help your children create this adorable owl picture…and I think you could probably do other animal scenes as well with handprints (or even footprints)…fish swimming in a goldfish bowl or under the sea, dinosaurs, dragons – just let your children’s imaginations run free.

Please make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. And don’t forget that the best way to ensure the success of a book that you love (like THIS one!) is to buy it, review it, tell friends about it, and ask your local library to purchase it for their shelves.

For a signed copy of LULU & ZOEY: A Sister Story, please use link below to order from Belmont Books (Carrie’s local store). Request a signed copy and any personalization (e.g. child’s name) in the Order Comments field.https://www.belmontbooks.com/book/9780762473984

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’m in Chicago – again – I guess it’s like my second home. I’m spending time with my sister and helping her go through stuff. But I’ll have my computer with me and will keep in touch with all things kid-lit.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE CRAB BALLET Plus Giveaway

Posted on April 29, 2022 by viviankirkfield

Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! And guess what? It’s also Happy International Dance Day! Isn’t this the perfect day to feature this beautiful new book from one of our kid lit community’s most beloved mentors, Lyrical Language Lab guru Renee LaTulippe. And when you are finished reading this post, please make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway because one lucky winner will receive a copy of THE CRAB BALLET, thanks to the lovely Renee.