Perfect Picture Book Friday: Leo the Late Bloomer…and the winner is…

Posted on February 3, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susannah Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of writers who contribute a picture book review and related resources.

But first,I want to announce the January PPP Reading Challenge picture book winner. It was lovely to see everyone’s reading list…thank you all for sharing and taking the time (which I know is precious and in short supply) to add your comments. And the winner is…two winners, actually…Jennifer at Toy Box Years and Milka at Perfecting Motherhood. I’ll email you both so you can let me know where to send the books. I’m looking forward to reading the comments this month…another picture book prize for at least one lucky commenter.

And now, on to my PPBF selection: Leo the Late Bloomer

Leo the Late Bloomer

Written by Robert Kraus

Illustrated by Jose Aruego

Publishers: HarperCollins

Ages: 3 – 7

Themes: Mastering tasks and skills, maturation

Opening: “Leo couldn’t do anything right.”

Synopsis:

Leo, a little tiger cub, seems slow to mature. He cannot read, write, eat neatly, draw…or even talk. His father wonders if Leo will ever learn to do these things, but Leo’s mother tells her husband to have patience. Will Leo’s father stop watching to see if Leo is blooming? Does Leo ever catch up to his more accomplished animal friends?

Why do I like this book:

Children mature at different rates…and they all have unique strengths. This is a story that encourages and gives hope to young children who may be slower at learning to tie shoelaces or zip jackets or write their name. And perhaps it may also help those parents who worry when a child does not perform at the same level or accomplish the same things as an older brother or sister.

The text is ultra-simple! The glorious illustrations capture Leo’s father’s frustration and Leo’s joy with life itself. Check out the “snowmen” that each animal builds…young children love seeing the snow-elephant, the snow-snake, the snow-bird, the snow-owl and the snow-crocodile. Leo, of course, cannot make one and goes chasing after a rabbit. This is a story every child and parent can relate to.

Related Activities:

Daisy Chain Necklace: great for developing fine motor coordination (this project is also suitable for any holiday…just use the traditional colors, such as red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, etc.)

You will need: Strips of colored construction paper (1” x 6”), markers or crayons and a glue stick.

1. Decorate each strip as desired…flower patterns, numbers, letters, zigzags, dots, etc.

2. Put glue on the edge of one strip. Form a loop and press together. Help the child count to 30.

3. Put glue on the edge of another strip. Thread it through the loop and press. Count to 30 again. Now you have the beginning of the chain.

4. Continue until there are enough links in the chain so it will fit over the child’s head and around the neck comforably.

I’ve done this project with kindergarten children and they love making each strip unique. They also have a lot of fun counting to 30 as they press the edges together! Of course, there are always a couple of “clever” kids who count by 5’s or 10’s to get to 30 faster…the different rates of maturation of children (like tiger cubs) in action…but their edges often don’t stay stuck!

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.

Spaghetti Eddie Meets Building Book Buzz

Posted on January 27, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

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.