Building Self-Esteem: The Chocolate Rabbit

Posted on March 16, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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

I’m always looking for books with characters who are engaged in self-esteem building. Not only is this the case with my selection today, but the book is also a perfect choice for the upcoming holiday of Easter. I know that parents and teachers will enjoy the simple eco-friendly craft project at the end of my review.

Do you know where the first chocolate Easter bunnies were made? Here is the scoop, according to picture book author and illustrator, Maria Claret.

The Chocolate Rabbit

Written and illustrated by Maria Claret

Translated by Jane O’Sullivan

Publishers: Barons Juvenile (originally published in Spain)

Ages: 2 – 8

Themes: Mastering tasks and skills, Easter, crafting, dealing with disappointment, family togetherness

Opening: “Not so very long ago, the Rabbit family lived in a little town not far from here.”

Synopsis: Bertie Rabbit and his sisters want to help their artistic father who paints beautiful Easter eggs, but they are too young. Bertie decides he is old enough to help his father and buys eggs with his own money, intending to decorate them and surprise his father. The little bunny is sadly disappointed when he trips and the basket tips over, breaking all of the eggs. Bertie’s mother makes a pot of chocolate to lift her son’s spirits…but when Bertie climbs up for a taste, disaster strikes and Bertie is covered in lukewarm chocolate. Bertie’s father looks at his son and has an ingenious idea…chocolate bunnies!

Why do I like this book:

Success often comes on the heels of failure! I love books that encourage children to keep on trying as they learn to master tasks and skills. Self-esteem is not built with empty praise…it is developed and strengthened as young children learn to do things for themselves. A child’s sense of self-worth increases as he takes these important steps…and learning to deal with disappointment is one of those steps. This is a sweet story about working together as a family…relevant with the busy hectic pace many families experience today…each family will find their own unique ways of spending quality time together.

The illustrations are charming…they remind me of Beatrix Potter’s work.

Related Activities:

Child Care Lounge has quite a few lovely Easter crafts as well as bunny poems here

Angel Fire has an Easter/Spring Unit with many book and craft and cooking ideas here.

Mama-Knows (colored egg picture below) has lots of recipes for coloring Easter eggs here.

Children love arts and crafts! Here is an activity that will please every eco-minded parent.

PAINTING EASTER EGGS WITH NATURAL DYES

You will need: Hard-boiled white eggs (cooled), Q-tips, one or more of the following depending on how many colors you want: ¼ cup blueberries (blue), ¼ cup cranberries (red), 1 tsp tumeric (yellow), markers, a small bowl for each color, cover-ups, two small pots and water to boil.

1. Cover the work surface and workers to protect from staining (wear disposable plastic gloves if desired).

2. Boil ½ cup water, add crushed blueberries, simmer for 5 minutes and then pour into small bowl and let cool for a few minutes. Do the same for the cranberries.

3. Pour 1 tsp tumeric and ½ cup hot water in a small bowl, stir and let cool.

4. Put an egg into each bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes, turning several times with a spoon. Then lift each egg out and let dry.

5. Use markers to add designs.

6. Tip: while waiting for the eggs to absorb the color, go on a color-naming hunt throughout your house…how many red, blue and yellow items can your child find?

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

My Little Easter Egger (dreambles.wordpress.com)
“This is a story about a bunny.” (aimlesswithpurpose.wordpress.com)
Easter Candy (budgetcouponcooking.wordpress.com)
Mmmm Easter Chocolates (happyexpressions.wordpress.com)

Perfect Picture Book Friday: One of the Problems of Everett Anderson

Posted on March 9, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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

But first,I want to announce the February PPP Reading Challenge picture book winner. It was lovely to see what some of you were reading to your children. I know how difficult it is to find the time to post your comments. And the winner is….AngelaMarie…she is a very talented poet and artist as well as a mom. Please take a minute and visit her beautiful blog: One-In-Creation.

And now, on to my Perfect Picture Book Friday selection.

When I first read this story several years ago, I decided to use it as one of the hundred picture books that are recommended in Show Me How! I followed the same procedure with One of the Problems of Everett Andreson as I had with all of the other books so that I could write to the author and illustrator and let them know how highly I regarded their book. I searched the internet for contact information and found out that Lucille Clifton was a professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, in addition to being Maryland’s poet laureate. Unfortunately, by the time my letter was routed through the proper channels, Ms. Clifton had passed away. A copy of Show Me How sits on the shelves of the library at St. Mary’s College…a section of the dedication page reads: “Lucille Clifton (June 27, 1946 – February 13, 2010) American poet, writer, educator and author of One of the Problems of Everett Anderson. She was a voice for children who had no one else to speak for them.”

One of the Problems of Everett Anderson

Written by Lucille Clifton

Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi

Publishers: Henry Holt and Company

Ages: 4 – 8

Themes:

Child abuse, helping others, friendship, boys

Opening:

“Everett Anderson sits at home wondering what he should say or do.”

Synopsis:

Here is the summary from the Parents’ Choice Awards website:

– This is author Lucille Clifton’s eighth book featuring a thoughtful, small black hero facing the everyday problems of growing up in a complex world. Here, sotto voce, she confronts the problem of child abuse as Everett Anderson makes a new friend at school and worries because, daily, Greg arrives with a new scar or bruise mark on his leg. Everett could tell his teacher, but “I’m afraid in case he asks me what I mean and I don’t know exactly.” He also doesn’t want “to make it bad for Greg or for his mom and dad.” Everett’s mother counsels her son to listen to Greg “and hug and hold his friend.” And the listener to this affecting tale has the feeling that Everett’s mother may try to help Greg in other ways. This is a book that could prove invaluable in initiating classroom discussions of a widespread problem that deserves wider recognition and attention.

Why do I like this book:

The illustrations are soft and compelling. The text breaks your heart and makes you want to go out and save every unfortunate child who has to deal with abuse. This is a widespread problem in our society…here is a book that can open the door to discussion and honest revelations. We can empower young children, not only to speak up for themselves, but also to reach out and help others.

Related Activities:

Children love making their own books. An activity like this one builds reading readiness skills in very young children and develops stronger literacy skills in older ones.

You will need: One piece of construction paper, two or more pieces of white copy paper, markers or crayons, stapler or hole puncher and ribbon.

1. Fold the construction paper in half…this is the cover for the book. Help your child write the title of his book on the cover.

2. Fold the pieces of white copy paper in half…insert into the cover and staple along the folded edge or use the hole puncher to make two or three holes through all the papers and string a piece of ribbon through and tie to hold the pages together.

3. Your child is now ready to make his own storybook of friends. Encourage your child to draw pictures of his friends on each page.

4. Ask your child to tell you his story.

Children really get a thrill out of making their own books. You can use this bookmaking activity in many other ways…have your child cut out pictures from magazines of foods he or she likes, animals, etc. Your child will have a collection of handmade books that he or she can read to you.

Other activities:

Puppets definitely lend themselves to role-playing and could be used for a follow-up discussion of the book.

Young children love flannel board stories…teachers or counselors can encourage children to discuss this issue using flannel board figures.

Personalized Alphabet Picture Book {DIY Projects} (hipmommies.wordpress.com)

Perfect Picture Book Fridays: Julius…The Baby of the World

Posted on March 2, 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. Before I do the review, I have a few things I need to share with you.

My little poem, Fears of the Inner Child, took second place in Marylin Warner’s February Poetry Contest. You can see all of the awesome entries on her blog: Things I Want to Tell My Mother.

It’s also the beginning of a new month…so we will be choosing the February winner of the Positive Parental Participation Reading Challenge and sending a picture book out in the next few days. I know parents are so very busy…but I hope you are reading with your children every day, even if you are not able to post a comment.

Since February has come to an end, it’s also time to check-in with the 12 x 12 group…yes…my February picture book draft is completed.

Last, but not least, today is Dr. Seuss’ birthday!!! For more information, resources and events, you can go to the official Dr. Seuss website.

Oh…sorry…one more thing! Don’t forget that March 7th is World Read Aloud Day…go to the LitWorld website to find out about planned events…or celebrate by reading aloud to kids. I just got back from reading Spaghetti Eddie to 15 Pre-K children…they LOVED it! Fifteen hands shot up when I asked “Who likes to eat spaghetti?” Next week, to join in celebrating World Read Aloud Day, I’ll be reading Julius – The Baby of the World, to 20 Pre-K kids at Keller School.

You can also visit Ella Johnson’s wonderful website to get more information about the NEA’s Read Across America program and to enter to win several books and hop from there to over 100 other blog sites that are hosting book giveaways.

And now…(drumroll please)…Perfect Picture Book Friday.

My picture book selection today is one of the hundred picture books I recommend in my book for parents and teachers, Show Me How. Julius: The Baby of the World is a veritable “baby” compared to some of the others I have picked…only twenty-two years old…but again, as relevant today as when it was published in 1990.

Julius: The Baby of the World

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Publishers: Greenwillow Press

Ages: 3 – 8

Themes:

Sibling rivalry, bullying, celebrating an individual’s unique strengths and talents

Opening:

“Before Julius was born, Lilly was the best big sister in the world. She gave him things. She told him secrets. And she sang lullabies to him every night.”

Synopsis:

Lilly eagerly awaits the birth of her baby brother, but when Julius finally arrives, Lilly wishes that he would go away. Her jealousy causes her to resent the attention her mother and father shower on Julius, even though they continue to treat her with love and affection as well. She sings mean songs to him, tweaks his tail and draws a family portrait leaving Julius out of the picture. Her parents call Julius, the baby of the world, but Lilly wishes he would go away so that things would go back to the way they were before he was born. At a family party for the baby, her cousin begins insulting Julius. What will Lilly do…join her cousin in making fun of Julius…or defend her baby brother?

Why I like this book:

Sibling rivalry is a common occurrence. Many children resent the arrival of a new baby…and why shouldn’t they? Now they have to share the time and attention of their parents…and sharing is a difficult skill to learn. Reading this book to a young child who is in that situation would provide parents with a great opportunity to engage with their child and discuss how their child is feeling about the situation..allowing the child to express his or her feelings. The author/illustrator, Kevin Henkes, uses his amazing talent for knowing just what little ones are thinking and feeling. Lilly leans over and whispers to her baby brother, “If you were a number, you would be zero.” The book is funny and heartwarming. If I could change anything about the book, I would wish that Lilly was not such a bully as she insists that her cousin praise Julius. Perhaps this is Lilly’s persona…but I would rather end with her learning a “kinder, gentler” way to encourage others to see things her way.

Related Activities:

When I read picture books to kindergarten and Pre-K classes, I always follow-up the story with a simple arts and crafts project. Not only does this extend the learning experience, it also gives the kids a chance to talk about the story and how it relates to their own situation.

For this story, I love to make Popsicle stick puppets. The kids love this activity…and then can do role-playing with the puppets they have made…another opportunity for them to express their feelings. Parents can encourage their children to put on a puppet show with the family of puppets they have made and then join in, perhaps taking the role of the child while the child becomes the mother or father.

Popsicle Stick Puppets

You will need: Several Popsicle sticks, construction paper, markers or crayons, scissors and glue.

1. Let your child decide how many puppets to make and who they will be.

2. Draw the people (you can also use people cut out from magazines).

3. Cut out the people and paste them onto the top half of each Popsicle stick.

4. Put on a play!

The above image is from the blog of Muffin Tin Mom.

Read/Write/Think has a lesson plan for Julius the Baby of the World.

You can find lots of quick and easy instructions for Popsicle stick puppets at ehow.com here

Education.com also has great puppet-making instructions here.

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.