confidence | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

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

Did you know that December is READ-A-NEW-BOOK MONTH?

The holiday season is upon us…I know that many bloggers will be reviewing holiday-themed books. Here’s one that celebrates, not Christmas, but a child’s unique qualities.

Arianna and the Strawberry Tea

Written by Maria Faulconer

Illustrated by Katy Arnsteen

Publisher: Ideals Children’s Books (Hambleton Hill Publishing) 1998

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Believing in oneself, confidence, rule-bending

Synopsis:

One snowy evening, Arianne and her parents arrive at a posh hotel. While her parents are dealing with the taxi and the luggage, little Arianna walks into the hotel and charms the housekeeping staff, the doorman, the manager of the hotel dining room and all of the restaurant patrons. When her parents discover her in the dining room and inform her that this hotel does not allow children, all of Arianna’s new friends refuse to let them leave and Arianna and her parents are given the Presidential Suite.

Why do I like this book:

As I read this story, I was reminded of the Fancy Nancy series. The illustrations and story are charming…and Arianna charms everyone she meets. This is a wonderful book for children who need an infusion of confidence…and, at the back of the book, are some recipes for the items Arianna ordered, an infusion of Strawberry Tea and delicious-looking Chocolate Tarts.

Related Activities:

MAKE SOME CHOCOLATE TARTS

Photo courtesy: http://www.devonportchocolates.co.nz

The recipe in the picture book calls for heavy cream and is, perhaps, a little complicated for very young children and busy parents. Here’s a much easier way to do it so that your child can help and it will take only a few minutes.

You will need: One package instant chocolate pudding, milk, small ready-made tart shells, can of whipped cream and a bowl. If you want to make this treat a little healthier, you can use organic pudding mix and whipped cream.

Make the chocolate pudding according to package instructions.
Spoon chocolate pudding into each tart shell.
Top with whipped cream, if desired.
You can decorate the whipped cream with candy sprinkles or other mini-candies for a more festive look.
Keep in the refrigerator in a covered container.
These make lovely gifts for neighbors or teachers.

Why not have a tea party for your child and a few of his or her friends?

Dinner tonight: Mrs Langan’s chocolate pudding (thetimes.co.uk)
Chocolate Mousse Pudding (thesizzlingsaucepan.com)
Danish Apple Crunch (hobbitkitchen.wordpress.com)
Variations on a Classic: Whipped Cream with Sass (persephonemagazine.com)
E-Z Triple Chocolate Pie (cookingwithchar.wordpress.com)

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan in 1898. On the...

Image via Wikipedia

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” –Helen Keller

For me, faith in oneself is tied together with confidence in oneself…the belief that no matter what the challenge or task, we are up for it.

This is such an important lesson to teach our children and the picture book I’m recommending today from the 100 that appear in SHOW ME HOW, epitomizes this. Reading this story with your children can open up a discussion about many topics…death, overcoming obstacles and working together are only a few of them.

SWIMMY

Written and illustrated by Leo Lionni

One day, a big hungry tuna fish swallows an entire school of little red fish. Swimmy, the only little black fish in that school, escapes because he is the fastest swimmer. Although he is very sad to have lost his family, he enjoys discovering the many wonders of the underwater world as he swims along. When he discovers another school of little red fish hiding in the shadows of some corals, Swimmy invites them to join him on his journey, but they are afraid to venture out of their safe haven because they will become prey to the large fish. Swimmy decides to fool the other sea creatures by teaching the little red fish to swim together, creating the illusion of a large fish with himself as the eye. This enables them all to leave their hiding place and enjoy the wonders of the ocean.

Swimmy’s speed enabled him to escape the hungry tuna, his color helped him to be the eye of the fish formation, and his ingenuity created the idea that would save his newly found school of little red fish. Our children have special qualities also and we must encourage them to value their own strengths.

Just 15 minutes a day is enough time to read a picture book to your child and that may be the most important 15 minutes you spend each day. Reading picture books to your child build’s self-esteem, develops pre-literacy skills, creates a life-long parent-child bond…and it’s FUN!

Need some direction regarding which books to choose to read to your child? SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING provides summaries of the 100 picture books every young child needs to hear. Don’t let another day go by without getting a copy of this valuable resource for your home…on sale now for only $22.50 with FREE SHIPPING (continental U.S. only). Visit my website for details.