Picture Book Review and Activity: CHICK-O-SAURUS REX

Posted on August 23, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. I haven’t been blogging recently because of our up-coming move…but I just had to share this very special book with all of you.

With the start of the new school year, many parents and children will be coping with a problem that has been around for a long time – bullying. I’m joining a special blog book tour to raise awareness of this wonderful addition to every parent’s and teacher’s picture book shelf:

CHICK – O – SAURAS REX

Chick-O-Saurus Rex

Written by Lenore Jennewein

Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (July 2013)

Opening lines: “Every little animal at the farm longed to play in the tree house. Especially Little Chick.”

Age: 3 and up (the publisher website says 4 and up, but I read the book to an almost 3 year old this week and he LOVED it!)

Themes: Bullying, believe in yourself, helping others, courage

Synopsis:

Little Chick wants to play in the tree house. Donkey, Pig and Sheep don’t think Little Chick is brave enough or mighty enough. Will Little Chick prove worthy and be allowed in the tree house? Grab a copy and find out: Available on Amazon! Continue reading →

Make a Paper Plate Spider: Gracie and Josh Review

Posted on July 5, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Today is Friday – I have another children’s book to review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. If you go to Susanna’s blog today, you will not find a picture book review because there is a 4^th of July Holiday Mystery Writing Contest going on. There are two dozen fabulous stories linked up there…I hope you will visit and read them and return to vote for your favorite!

My picture book pick today is another treasure (just shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award) by gifted author and anti-bullying advocate Susanne Gervay. I met her in Singapore at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. When she heard I had not gotten a copy yet, she graciously and generously sent me one…with the adorable little Gracie doll…all the way from Australia!

Gracie and Josh Continue reading →

Emma’s Elephant: Picture Book Review and Activity

Posted on June 13, 2013 by viviankirkfield

I’m adding another wonderful story to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.

Please let me share some good news first! Starting now, the price of the Kindle Edition of Show Me How! will be ONLY $2.99 for the ENTIRE SUMMER. I wanted to make it more available to parents, teachers, VBS, summer playground groups and homeschooling families. This is a SUBSTANTIAL discount off the regular $9.99 price. The activities (100 crafts and 100 recipes and 100 picture book summaries) will definitely help provide fun and educational projects for the kids.

In the spotlight today is another one of the treasures I scooped up in Singapore at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content.

Emma’s Elephant

Written by David Seow

Illustrated by Enrico Sallustio

Publisher: Bonnie Books (2013)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes:

Friendship, animal conservation, family, overcoming fears

Opening Lines:

“Hello, I’m Emma and I have an elephant. Her name is Ella. She has one long trunk, two floppy ears, four big feet, one tiny tail. And she is invisible! But if she likes you, she’ll let you see her. Can you see her?”

Synopsis:

Ella, a young elephant is so scared by hunters that she becomes invisible, except if she likes and trusts you. She seeks help from a little girl named Emma. Emma joins the elephant on a journey to see if they can make the jungle a safer place for all of the animals.

Why I like this book:

Great read-aloud
Wonderful message of hope and family togetherness
Bold, bright illustrations
I attended the book launch for Emma’s Elephant at the 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore and had a chance to chat with the author, David Seow, and the illustrator, Enrico Sallustio. They both signed my copy of Emma’s Elephant (which I will be giving to my new grand-daughter, Sophie) and it was a pleasure to chat with this talented multi-published duo.

David Seow on the left, Enrico Sallustio on the right and happy me behind them.

How a parent can use this book:

Lovely read-aloud
Talk about animals in the wild and how we can protect them and their habitats
Take a trip to a zoo to see some of the animals mentioned
Talk about how Ella reacted when she was afraid…how do you feel when you are afraid? What do you do?
If you make the craft, your child can role play with her elephant.

Related Activities:

PAPER PLATE ELEPHANT

I love simple crafts for kids.
Paper plates are inexpensive and easy to work with.
This one is painted…but you can use markers or crayons.
Cut pieces of construction paper or material scraps for the legs, trunk, tail, ear and eye and glue in place.
Just a few minutes of your time, participating with your child…that’s all it takes…the long-term rewards are amazing!

You can connect with the author and illustrator.

Bonnie Books Publisher

David Seow’s Website and Blog

David Seow’s Facebook

Enrico Sallustio’s Website

Enrico Sallustio on Goodreads