#PPBF: A Day With The Duchess…of Cambridge

Posted on March 28, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. Before I share an amazing book that has JUST hit the shelves…I want to encourage you to hop over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog where you will find TEN amazing fractured fairytales that are the finalists in the March Madness Writing Contest. READ THEM! They are GREAT! And then you can VOTE for your favorite!
I think writing children’s books is probably the most enjoyable AND the most difficult occupation a person can have.
And that’s why I am always so impressed when I see a writer with multiple books out there. You have to be tenacious and talented…and that describes the author of Sam, Sebbie and Di-di-di – A Day with the Duchess to a tee.

Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di – A Day with the Duchess
Written by David Seow
Illustrated by Soefara Jafney
Publisher: Epigram Books (2014)
Ages: 4 and up
Themes: Problem-solving, siblings, teamwork

Opening Lines
“Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di live in sunny Singapore. While Sebbie and Di-Di-Di like soldiers,pilots and action heroes, Sam likes princesses. She even named one of her hamsters Kate, after her very favorite princess in the whole wide world, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge .”
Synopsis
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di are three siblings who love doing things together. When Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is visiting Singapore, the siblings try to meet her. Unfortunately, Continue reading →

#PPBF: Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra – Music for Children

Posted on March 6, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. For more great picture book reviews, hop over to Susanna Leonard Hill and a list of over 1000 reviews and activities on her blog.

The story I chose was inspired by a video I saw.

http://www.worthytoshare.net/little-girl-donates-coins-street-musician-gets-best-surprise-return

Don’t you wonder why music education is the first to go when school budgets are cut? The beauty of the video is as much in seeing the reactions of the children as it is to listening to the wonderful music.

And, after you read this picture book to your kids, perhaps they will be inspired as well.

Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra

Written and illustrated by Stephen Costanza

Publisher: Henry Holt (2012)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Music, cooperation, appreciating our talents, helping others

Opening Lines:

“In Venice of long ago, there lived a man who daydreamed in music.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon: “Every day, Antonio Vivaldi composes a new orchestral piece, and every day, the orphan Candida transcribes Vivaldi’s masterpiece into sheet music for the Invisible Orchestra. Nobody notices Candida or appreciates her hard work.

But one day Candida accidentally Continue reading →

#PPBF: Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di at the Night Safari – Teaching Cooperation with Picture Books

Posted on February 27, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday, but I have some exciting news to share first…I just completed Susanna Leonard Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic class.

I can honestly say that I learned more about writing picture books during the one month online course than I did in the last two years. More importantly, it was a hands-on experience ALL THE WAY – personally mentored by the lovely Susanna and filled with amazing comraderie and feedback from the other attendees…thank you to Jeanine, Carrie, Dana, Linda, Heather and Kirsten…for your support, encouragement and inspiration.

Don’t you love getting packages in the mail?

Yesterday the doorbell rang. The mailman had a package for me…I had to sign for it because it was from Singapore. I opened it carefully and took a deep breath, hoping I could bring back the scents of that beautiful city.

I wasn’t able to detect anything in the air, but the contents more than made up for that. TWO PICTURE BOOKS from leading Singapore author, David Seow! Hip hip hooray!

I don’t want to overwhelm you, so I’m reviewing one today and will save the other for another time. I read this one to my grandson last night…he loved it and wanted to hear it again…and we all know that is the sign that Continue reading →