Perfect Picture Book Friday: Insides Out plus Craft Activity

Posted on November 14, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Do you ever feel you don’t have time to do anything – because you are too busy doing everything?

I’m feeling that way this month. I’m participating in Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) – reading inspiring daily posts from authors and illustrators on Tara Lazar’s blog and trying to come up with at least one sparkling spark of an idea for a new picture book story. It’s going pretty well…I’ve got way more than 15 ideas – and the month is only half over.

I’m also taking Mira Reisberg’s Illustrating Children’s Picture Books because I had a crazy idea that maybe one day I might be able to illustrate my own stories!!!! Last week I had to create thumbnails for one of my stories – a kind of a storyboard with a small sketch for each scene. This week I had to develop some character sketches for my main character, a little boy who wants to catch a bug to be his pet. I’m putting my work up here to encourage every person who reads this post that it is okay to try things that are out of your comfort zone – you won’t break the world, your computer, or yourself – and you just might discover something that you love doing!

Now, if you can all stop rolling on the floor in laughter, I can Continue reading →

PPBF: One Big Pair of Underwear – Sharing is Fun

Posted on November 6, 2014 by viviankirkfield

I know you don’t want to hear this, but Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Christmas won’t be far behind! It’s a busy time for everyone, especially parents of young children.

Keeping the stress level down is definitely a challenge. One of the most important things is for moms and dads to have good communication with each other so they are on the same page about activities and gifts – present a united front for the kids – things go much more smoothly if you do.

Whether you’ve got one child or several, sharing is almost always an issue. Young kids can be very possessive about their things. Sharing is a learned skill…most kids don’t come by it naturally. Reading today’s Perfect Picture Book with your children would be a great opportunity to talk about sharing.

ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR

Written by Laura Gehl

Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Publisher: Beach Lane Books (2014)

Ages: 2-8

Themes: Sharing, counting, animals

Opening Lines:

“One big pair of underwear, Two brown bears who hate to share. One bear wears the underwear. One bear cries, “That isn’t fair!”

Synopsis:

From Booklist: “The word underwear is enough to make kids erupt in giggles. But when two bears contemplate sharing one pair of underwear, youngsters will be rolling in the aisles. Add rhymes, tongue twisters, and alliteration into the mix, and you’ll find spirited entertainment in this picture-book introduction to basic concepts. A joy to read aloud with digitally colored pencil illustrations that are full of charm and humor.”
Why I like this book:

Great read-aloud
Hilariously funny…just the word underwear is enough to get kids laughing!
Great rhyming counting book

How a parent can use this book: Continue reading →

PPBF – No! by Tracey Corderoy

Posted on October 24, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Friday! And that means it’s time for a picture book review.

If you live or work with young children, there is a word that you probably hear very often. That word is…NO.

NO!

Written by Tracey Corderoy

Illustrated by Tim Warnes

Publisher: Little Tiger Press (2013)

Ages: 2-7

Themes:

Stubborness, self-control, socialization

Opening Lines:

“Otto was adorable. Everybody said so. Then Otto learned a brand-new word.”

Synopsis:

From Booklist:

“A new favorite word and a feeling of being in control lead a young rhino into several unsatisfying situations. Otto has expanded his vocabulary and learns to say “no” emphatically. He tries his new word out at home and at school. Though Otto lives in a loving household and attends a pleasant preschool, his parents and his teacher, a pink flamingo, are shocked by the toddler’s sudden negative attitude and stubbornness. Feeling powerful soon leads to Otto being excluded from many potentially enjoyable situations because he uses his new word indiscriminately. After a less than satisfying day at school, and with a hug and sympathy from his father, the youngster understands it is better to use that word sparingly.”

Why I like this book:

Simple read-aloud
Brightly colored illustrations with lots of action
EVERY child and parent will be able to relate to this story

How a parent can use this book:

Great read-aloud
Talk about how ‘no’ is an important that should be used at certain times – when should we say no – when should we say yes
Role-play with your child using the situations in the book – let your child think of other situations

Related Activity:

Make a Rhino Face Mask

You will need: Construction paper, paper plate, scissors, markers, glue.

You can go to http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/rhinoscraftsideasactivitieskids.html and print out the template of the rhino mask.
Or you can use a paper plate and cut out the eyes, nostrils, ears and horn from construction paper and glue them on the plate.
If you want it to be a mask, you can cut out the center of the eyes.

If you are looking for more great picture book suggestions, hop over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog where you will find a bunch more hand-picked picture book reviews with activities for you and your child. If you are a mom, teacher or librarian, please check out Susanna’s amazing Perfect Picture Book page with over 1000 categorized picture book reviews and activities.

I hope you will be back on MONDAY for a SPECIAL HALLOWEEN POST!

I’ll be sharing my entry for Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie Contest (yes, there is still time for you to write a children’s story of 100 words or less) and I’ll also be posting a book review of Barbara Gruener’s What’s Under Your Cape, a marvelous resource for parents and teachers!