Spaghetti Eddie Meets Building Book Buzz

Posted on January 27, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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Today is Friday…my day to review a picture book and link it to Susannah Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Before I get to the review of Spaghetti Eddie, I wanted to share with you an amazing resource for authors. Whether you have published many books already or are just thinking about writing a book, Sandra Beckwith’s Building Book Buzz workshop is a must! You know, it’s very rewarding to write a book…even more rewarding to see it in print. But once your book is published, you don’t want the books to sit in their shipping cartons…you want them in the hands of your target market. So how does that happen? How do you write a press release about your book? What social media should you use…Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+? As the cartoon personality Cathy would say…AAACCKKKK!

If you are planning to self-publish, then taking this course is, without a doubt, the best $199 you will have ever spent. (Sandy has some discounts available) But even for those who are published by major houses or have many published books under their belt, it is still usually up to the author to do the lion’s share of marketing and promotion….unless, of course, you are a famous celebrity or politician. In those instances, the publishing house may ante-up with bigger dollars for advertising and publicity to insure a return of the big advance they probably paid. Sandy has a blog and she just did a post on how to get free publicity that may make a big difference in how your book is perceived. She is always providing free tips in the articles she writes.

I hope that anyone who is thinking about getting a book out there will take a look at Sandy’s online workshop…the information will help you know what you have to do…before, during and after the publishing process…and will give you more confidence in your own marketing ability…and her personal attention and expertise are priceless.

And now…on to the review of Spaghetti Eddie.

Spaghetti Eddie

Written by Ryan SanAngelo

Illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic

Publishers: Boyds Mills Press

Ages 2 – 7+

Themes:

Valuing one’s own strengths and qualities, creative problem-solving, helping others.

Opening:

“This is Eddie. He eats spaghetti every day except Sundays. On Sundays, he eats ravioli.”

Synopsis:

When Eddie’s mom sends him to the store to buy frosting for his father’s birthday cake, Eddie takes his ever-present bowl of spaghetti and meatballs along. As he walks to the store, Eddie meets several neighbors and he suggests ingenious spaghetti-solutions to their problems. For example, one friend has a broken shoelace and Eddie offers a strand of spaghetti to replace it. As Eddie approaches the grocery store, a robber runs out, holding a bag of stolen money. Will Eddie be able to do something to save the day? (Hint: you will stand up and cheer for Eddie when you find out)

Why do I like this book:

What a hilarious story! I loved this book because I was a very picky eater when I was little (unfortunately, I LOVE EVERYTHING now) and I was able to identify with Eddie, who loved spaghetti so much that he had it every day. Young children will also appreciate Eddie’s peculiar eating habits… many children have stages where they love or hate a certain food. Eddie’s ingenious use of his bowl of spaghetti and meatballs will encourage kids to open their creative minds and see new possibilities in the commonplace. The book is just plain funny…and the illustrations truly capture the spirit and voice of the story.

Related Activities:

Pasta-Covered Treasure Box

Most children have a stash of small keepsakes…a special pebble, a shiny coin, a super-friend’s ring. Here is a perfect container to keep those items in. This project also makes a lovely gift for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

You will need: 1 clean container with lid (a one-pound margarine or cottage cheese container works well), white glue (glue stick won’t work), dry pasta (spaghetti, macaroni and/or other interesting shapes), markers. Depending on the age of the child, you may want to cover the outside of the container with craft or construction paper and decorate the lid with pasta. Older children may have the patience and dexterity to put pasta on the outside of the container.

1. Spread white glue on the top of the lid and press pasta shapes in desired design.

2. Spread white glue on the outside of the container and cover with paper or pasta.

3. When the glue is dry, you can use marker to color some of the pasta. Optional: the pasta can be painted with non-toxic tempera paints.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers. Perfect Picture Book Fridays is hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

Project 365: Perfect Picture Book Friday – Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready For Bed?

Posted on January 20, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready For Bed

Written and illustrated by Barney Saltzman

Publishers: Candlewick Press

Ages 2 – 7

Themes:

Mastering tasks and skills, bedtime routines and father-son relationships.

Opening:

“Cornelius P. Mud, do you know what time it is?”

Synopsis:

It’s bedtime at the Mud household. Cornelius’ father asks if he is ready for bed. Cornelius answers “yes” to each of his father’s questions. Did you put your pajamas on? Did you feed your fish? Did you brush your teeth? The hilarious illustrations reveal that Cornelius and his father have different ideas about what constitutes getting ready for bed. Should he really be feeding his fish chocolate chip cookies? And wait till you see what he puts on his toothbrush. (Hint: it’s NOT toothpaste) But the most important thing Cornelius needs to remember is that his father truly loves him.

Why do I like this book:

This is a story that every parent and child can relate to. Many parents have trouble establishing bedtime routines. And most young children LOVE to procrastinate and put off going to bed. During my Show Me How Story-time programs, the kindergarten children can’t wait to talk about what is wrong with Cornelius’ pajama choice. They love counting the pile of books that Cornelius has chosen for his father to read…nineteen! And they gasp with horror as they watch Cornelius put chocolate chip cookies in the fish bowl. The book is funny and a joy to read and listen to…but it also encourages children to think about what activities they need to perform as they get ready for their own bedtimes while sending a beautiful message about a father’s love for his son.

Related Activities:

No Tick-Tock Clock (From Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking)

Telling time is an important skill that young children need to learn…even in these days of digital clocks. Here is a simple clock with movable hands that a young child can make and set to a special time…lunchtime, playdate time or bedtime.

You will need: 1 dark piece of construction paper, 1 circle cut from light construction paper (about 6 inches in diameter), 1 metal paper fastener, 2 “hands” cut from dark construction paper, marker or crayon, glue stick.

1. Poke a hole in the center of the construction paper circle.

2. Write the numbers in the correct order around the inside edge of the circle…draw the 12, 3, 6 and 9 first…then fill in the other numbers. If the children are doing the numbers themselves, this will help them leave enough space for the rest of the numbers.

3. Glue the circle onto the center of the larger piece of construction paper.

4. Poke through the center hole and also the two “hands” and attach the hands with the metal paper fastener. The hands should be able to turn.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

Project 365 Challenge: Perfect Picture Book Fridays

Posted on January 13, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Yes We Can

Written by Sam McBratney and Illustrated by Charles Fuge

Publishers: HarperCollinsPublishers

Ages 2 – 7

Themes:

Valuing one’s own (and others) strengths and qualities, bullying and teasing, getting along, diversity.

Opening:

“Little Roo was chasing leaves one windy day. Roo’s friends, Country Mouse and Quacker Duck were waiting to play with him.”

Synopsis:

The beautiful autumn day begins with high hopes on the part of the three friends. They want to make the biggest mountain of leaves ever seen. Unfortunately, they begin to make fun of each other and everyone is feeling sad and mad until Roo’s mother comes out and suggests that instead of making fun of what each of them cannot do well, they should appreciate what each of them can do well.

Why do I like this book:

This book appeals to young children…the clear, colorful engaging illustrations support the text that relays a common problem that parents and teachers see all the time. Children can be very cruel to each other and this is a story that helps them see a positive alternative to teasing and bullying. In Show Me How, I pinpoint the six major components of self-esteem…one of them is to be able to value one’s own strengths and qualities while respecting those of others. This is what the three animal friends learn to do. The book also provides a lesson in diversity…the leaves are different colors and shapes and sizes…and they are all beautiful leaves. In the same way, people are all different colors and shapes and sizes…and they are all beautiful people, valuable in their own unique ways.

Related Activities: Project 1: Leaf Collage

I’ve read this book with kindergarten and Pre-K classes, as well as at library programs with children ages 2 – 7. After the story, we talk about leaves and I show them a collage with leaves of different sizes, shapes and colors. A nature walk can be taken before this project and the children can collect some leaves and then make their own leaf collage by gluing the leaves on a piece of construction paper.

Project 2: Mad and glad leaf doorknob hanger

We talk about how it feels when someone teases us. Every child can relate to that…hands go up to tell me about a time when someone was mean to them. I ask them how their face looks when someone makes them feel sad. I look at a sea of frowning faces. Then I ask them how they feel when someone tells them they did a great job. Every frown becomes a beaming smile. I show them the leaf pattern frowning face and ask how the leaf person is feeling. Then I flip it over and ask the same question. Each child get a blank piece of heavyweight construction paper in the shape of a leaf, and using markers or crayons, they make one side happy or glad and the other side sad or mad. We punch a hole in the top and put a piece of yarn through it so they can hang it on their bedroom doorknob…turning to the happy or sad face depending on how they are feeling.

This is a great opportunity for parents or an older sibling to talk to a young child about how they are feeling…if they see the sad/mad face hanging on the door, this is a signal that there may be a problem.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

Have you joined the 2012 Positive Parental Participation Challenge to read every day to your child?