Perfect Picture Book Friday: BunnyBear

Posted on January 27, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Have I got a treat for you!

One of the FIRST picture books of 2017!

BUNNYBEAR

Written by Andrea J. Loney

Illustrated by Carmen Saldaña

Publisher: Albert Whitman (January 2017)

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Themes:

Acceptance, friendship

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Although Bunnybear was born a bear, he feels more like a bunny. He prefers bouncing in the thicket to tramping in the forest, and, in his heart, he’s fluffy and tiny, like a rabbit, instead of burly and loud, like a bear. The other bears don’t understand him, and neither do the bunnies. Will Bunnybear ever find a friend who likes him just the way he is?

Opening Lines:

“There was once a bear who was more than a bear.”

Why I like this book:

I love books that help kids accept who they are…and Bunnybear does exactly that.
The gentle humor will be enjoyed by young listeners and appreciated by adult readers.
The illustrations marry perfectly with the well-written text.
My favorite line? ‘When I see you, I feel more like me.’

RELATED ACTIVITIES

PAPER PLATE BEAR

Photo courtesy http://www.firstpalette.com

I’m a big fan of paper plate crafts…quick and easy for parent and child…and so much fun. Why not let your child be creative…maybe his bear will have bunny ears. For a very simple bear plate, you will need 1 paper plate, construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers or crayon.

Cut ears, nose, and eyes from construction paper.
Color the plate with crayons or markers.
Glue the features onto the face.
Display your child’s work proudly. You can also use it for role playing.

More instructions here for a fuzzy bear: http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/fuzzypaperplatebear/

JUST OUT: Trailer for BunnyBear:

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers and writers 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.

And please stop by here tomorrow for our Will Write for Cookies Q&A with debut picture book author, Andrea J. Loney. And yes…there will be a GIVEAWAY of a copy of Bunnybear! Just leave a comment on tomorrow’s post—what animal would you want to be?

Oh my goodness…I had already posted this and am editing to include the winner of the copy of Loir Degman’s NORBERT’S BIG DREAM. And the winner is

DAVID MCMULLEN

David, I’ll reach out to get your address so I can mail you the book!

Thank you for visiting today—I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE PRINCESS AND THE WARRIOR

Posted on December 16, 2016 by viviankirkfield

Today we have a fabulous Perfect Picture Book Friday review.

But first…some winners! Last week I promised to give away a copy of Jessica Lawson’s middle grade mystery Nooks and Crannies.

AND THE WINNER IS…

Sherry Howard

Congratulations, Sherry…I will contact you for your mailing address.

We also had a giveaway last month for a copy of Emma Bland Smith’s Journey: The Most Famous Wolf in the West.

AND THE WINNER IS…

Mona Pease

Congratulations, Mona…I’ll get it in the mail ASAP. No guarantees, but considering I’m in NH and you are in Maine, you might even get it in time for Christmas!

There will also be info coming soon on the voting for Susanna Hill’s Holiday Contest…I will share that as soon as I get it. Did you get to read any of the entries? They are FABULOUS!

The Perfect Picture Book Friday spotlight is on one of my favorite books of 2016. And tomorrow, the award-winning author/illustrator, Duncan Tonatiuh, will be our Will Write for Cookies guest.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanos

Written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Publisher: Abrams (2016)

Ages: 6-9 (this is the recommendation on Amazon…but I think the book is appropriate for younger AND older kids)

Themes:

Courage, loyalty, accepting others for who they are

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Award-winning author Duncan Tonatiuh reimagines one of Mexico’s cherished legends. Princess Izta had many wealthy suitors but dismissed them all. When a mere warrior, Popoca, promised to be true to her and stay always by her side, Izta fell in love. The emperor promised Popoca if he could defeat their enemy Jaguar Claw, then Popoca and Izta could wed. When Popoca was near to defeating Jaguar Claw, his opponent sent a messenger to Izta saying Popoca was dead. Izta fell into a deep sleep and, upon his return, even Popoca could not wake her. As promised Popoca stayed by her side. So two volcanoes were formed: Iztaccíhuatl, who continues to sleep, and Popocatépetl, who spews ash and smoke, trying to wake his love.

Opening Lines:

“Once upon a time, there lived a kind and beautiful princess named Izta.”

Why I like this book:

First of all, I not only like this book, I LOVE it. The illustrations, done in Duncan’s familiar style, are AMAZING! The text is deceptively simple…on each page, with short succinct sentences, Duncan weaves a compelling story. AND he provides us with an authentic voice, giving us the names of various objects in the Nahuatl language, which is the language the main characters would have spoken.
I’m a great fan of folktales…this would be a perfect first folktale for young children…courage and loyalty are two traits we want to encourage kids to develop.
I remember studying about those two volcanos when I was a student…how fabulous to discover there was a legend…and thanks to Duncan’s wonderful glossary in the back, now I know how to pronounce the names.
This book won the Pura Belpre Award which was established in 1996. It is presented to a Latino/Latina (or as Duncan would say, Latinx) writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. I love books that help multicultural children see themselves…and just as importantly, help all children learn about different peoples and cultures.

RELATED ACTIVITIES for Parents and Teachers

Find other folktale picture books and read them with your children.
Pick an animal, object, or place and make up a folktale about how it came to be.
Make a volcano…for quick and easy instructions go here: http://www.preschoolinspirations.com/2014/05/28/easy-baking-soda-and-vinegar-volcano-eruption-for-kids/

Photo courtesy: http://www.preschoolinspirations.com

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.

And please don’t miss tomorrow’s post when we will welcome our Will Write for Cookies guest:

DUNCAN TONATIUH

Make sure you stop by and leave a comment – you’ll be entered into the giveaway of a copy of The Princess and the Warrior. Do you have a favorite folktale from your childhood? I’d love to hear about it.

Stay safe and warm, dear friends. I’m wishing the happiest and healthiest of holiday seasons to all of you!

PPBF: Sophie’s Squash Goes to School

Posted on July 15, 2016 by viviankirkfield

Perfect Picture Book Friday…hurray! I must apologize for being somewhat absent from the blogging scene these last two months. With the exciting WOW Retreat in just a couple of days (WOO-HOO!) and my surgery looming at the beginning of August, preparing for both has gobbled up my time. But I’m thrilled to feature a brand new picture book from one of my favorite authors who will be our Will Write for Cookies guest tomorrow.

Before we get to the picture book review, we have some unfinished business to take care of. Last month I promised to give away a copy of Diana Murray’s, City Shapes. I asked that you leave a comment telling your favorite city. And you did…Boston, London, New Orleans, Singapore, Louisville, Toronto, Anchorage, Vancouver, Chattanooga, Amsterdam, Sarasota, Dublin, and New York City.

AND THE WINNER IS….

JENNIFER COLE JUDD

Congratulations, Jennifer. Please contact me at viviankirkfield@gmail.com so I can get that wonderful book to you ASAP.

And now for today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday pick!

Sophie’s Squash Goes to School

Written by Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated by Ann Wilsdorf

Publisher: Schwartz and Wade (2016)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes: First day of school, friendship

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

This charming sequel to the beloved Sophie’s Squash is the perfect antidote to the back-to-school jitters. Sophie goes to school for the first time and has no interest in making friends that aren’t squash. Here’s a gently humorous read-aloud that proves that making friends, just like growing squash, takes time.

On Sophie’s first day of school, nobody appreciates her two best friends, Bonnie and Baxter, baby squash that she grew in her garden. Even worse, one classmate, Steven Green, won’t leave Sophie alone. He sits by her at circle time. He plays near her during recess. And he breathes on her while she paints. Steven just wants to be friends, but Sophie isn’t interested. Still, Sophie knows that her squash friends won’t last forever. Maybe it would be nice to have some human friends after all.

Why I like this book:

Many children face the same issues of being attached to something they can’t bear to part with and not knowing how to reach out and make friends.
I love that it is a first day of school story.
The author does a fantastic job of engaging the listener/reader…and the illustrations marry perfectly with the text.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, dear friends and readers. And please don’t forget to come back tomorrow for:

Will Write for Cookies

With

Pat Zietlow Miller

AND A

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!