#PPBF – Skit-Skat Raggedy Cat – Ella Fitzgerald

Posted on January 23, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Yay! Double Yay! I’m continuing my non-fiction picture book review journey with an awesome book that came out in 2010.

But first I wanted to share a really fun blog series that a friend of mine, Penny Parker Klostermann, is doing. Every week, on her blog, a penny and her jots, she and her great-nephew collaborate – she writes a little poem and he draws a picture to go with it. AND GUESS WHAT???? Penny invited me and my six-year old grandson to participate – TODAY! So if you have a minute, please click on the link and enjoy A Sweet Dessert.

It was lots of fun working together with Jeremy – kids totally enjoy the time they spend with you…especially if you are enjoying the time as well. Do you love to cook or bake? Your child would love to help. Is walking through the woods more your style? Take your kids with you and see the world with fresh young eyes again. Crazy about music? Turn up the rock, pop, jazz, classical or whatever gets you moving…your children will dance their socks off.

And speaking of music, here’s our Perfect Picture Book for today.

Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald

Written by Roxane Orgill

Illustrated by Sean Qualls

Publisher: Candlewick Press (2010)

Ages: 5 and up

Themes: Pursuing your dream, overcoming adversity, music

Opening Lines:

“Ella cranked the handle on the phonograph, and the three Boswell Sisters crooned, with honey in their voices: Continue reading →

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom

Posted on January 16, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Is it Friday already? The days seem to fly by! The good thing is that it’s time for a Perfect Picture Book review and craft activity. Susanna Hill’s blog is the place to go to find a whole bunch of other Perfect Picture Book Friday entries.

Today’s Perfect Picture Book is a perfect book to read as we celebrate Martin Luther King Day on January 19^th.

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom

Written by Angela Johnson

Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2014)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: First day of freedom, slavery, family togetherness

Opening Lines:

“A June morning breeze off the port blew the smell of honeysuckle past the fields, across the yard, and into our room to wake us. And nobody knew as we ate a little, talked a little, and headed to the fields as the sun was rising, that soon it would be all different.” Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas

Posted on January 10, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s time for a Perfect Picture Book review and craft activity. Susanna Hill’s blog is the place to go to find a whole bunch of other picture book reviews.

Last week I promised you that I would be reviewing lots of non-fiction picture books this year…this one is just lovely.

Elizabeth, The Queen of the Seas

Written by Lynne Cox

Illustrated by Brian Floca

Publisher: Schwartz-Wade Books (2014)

Ages: 4-8

Themes:

Pursuing your dream, friendship, elephant seals

Opening Lines:

“There was once a lovely elephant seal who lived in the city. Most elephant seals live in the ocean, in salt water. They sleep on rocky coasts and lie along sandy beaches. But this seal was different. She swam in the sweet, shallow waters of the Avon River where it flowed through the heart of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“The incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again—each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away—but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home.” Continue reading →