Building Self-Esteem Through Picture Books: Sofia and the Heartmender

Posted on December 14, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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.

The holiday season is upon us…I know that many bloggers have been reviewing holiday-themed books. Here’s one that looks like a Christmas-type book, but what it celebrates is a child who learns to speak up for herself and overcome her fears. This ties in with Universal Children’s Day which was started by the United Nations almost 60 years ago this week. Millions of children all over the world lack the basic rights they are entitled to…nourishing food, clean water, an education, a safe environment in which to grow up in and parents who believe in them and are able to provide these things.

Building Self-Esteem Through Picftue Books,Show Me How,Positive Parental Participation

Sofia and the Heartmender

Written and illustrated by Marie Olofsdotter

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (reprinted 2007…original edition 1995)

Ages: 5 and up

Themes:

Speaking up for oneself, self-esteem, overcoming fears, respecting onself, creative expression, night terrors, parental support.

Synopsis:

From Amazon and Book Review:

”Sofia’s heart is broken in two when adults refuse to take her fears seriously. Parents and teacher alike trivialize the shadow monsters that follow her, but a wise dog guides her through a magical world where she meets the Heartmender. During the journey, Sofia confronts her fears, which then disappear, and the Heartmender heals Sofia’s heart with moonlight. Back in the real world, stronger with renewed self-esteem and confidence, Sofia makes her feelings known to the adults and asks that they be respected. Olofsdotter has created a rich and inspiring story by carefully crafting a dynamic between text and illustrations. Richly colored and exquisitely detailed, the illustrations add information and evoke the mythical time and space where the wounded self is healed. A book to be enjoyed at various levels by young and older children alike.”

Why do I like this book:

I love the message in this story…a child learns to overcome her fears and speak up for herself, gaining a positive self-image. This is a story about a strong capable young girl and would be a wonderful book to help parents understand how important it is to listen to their children and take what they say seriously. It also points out that teachers often expect children to ‘color within the lines’…instead of encouraging creative expression in every child. I also love the illustrations and ethnicity of the characters…from the look of the main characters and the surroundings, I get the feeling that the story is placed in Mexico or South America.

Related Activities:

HEARTMENDER ORNAMENT #1

If you are looking for a VERY easy heartmender ornament, try this one.

heart-ornament-tissue

Photo courtesy: http://www.apples4theteacher.com

You will need: 1 piece of red construction paper, 1 piece of red tissue paper, several cotton balls, glue, scissors, piece of ribbon, hole puncher.

Cut the red construction paper into a heart shape.
Pull the cotton balls apart and glue pieces around the heart edge.
Tear the tissue paper into small pieces. Crumbple each piece and glue inside the heart shape.
Punch a hole in the top middle and thread the ribbon through so the heart can be hung up. Make sure you put your child’s name and the date on the back of the ornament…in later years you will look back and remember when it was made.

HEARTMENDER ORNAMENT #2

If you want a heartmender ornament that is a little more complicated, please visit: http://www.craftideas.info/html/swedish_paper_heart.html

You will find materials needed and a video tutorial.

Christmas_Paper_Craft_-_Swedish_Heart_Paper_Christmas_Ornament

Photo and instructions courtesy: www.craftideas.info

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA

Young children don’t need fancy electronic gadgets…they only need a good picture book, a few simple inexpensive art supplies (like paper, crayons or markers, safety scissors and glue stick) and your positive participation. If you are looking for a great resource that will give you 100 picture book summaries and easy matching craft (like the diorama above) and cooking activities, you can purchase a copy on Amazon of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. At $24.95, this book makes a PERFECT gift for any parent or teacher of children ages 2-8…as well as for daycare providers and grandparents. No batteries required…powered by a child’s imagination! Buy your copy today! My website is still offering free shipping AND a beautiful hand-crafted fabric bookmark…limited time only! Offer ends December 30^th! create a peaceful home,www.positiveparentalparticipation.com,free bookmarks,show me how build your child's self-esteem

PPPF: Arianna and the Strawberry Tea…Celebrating Uniqueness

Posted on December 7, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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)

PPBF: The Little Red Caboose…Building Self-Esteem in Children

Posted on November 9, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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. When you visit her website on Friday, in addition to finding lots of links to other wonderful picture book reviews, you will also find out the winners of the Halloweensie Contest!!!

Before we get to today’s picture book review (I’ll give you a hint…I’m back to the classic picture books), I want to reshare some links to wonderful events going on in the kidlit/picture book community.

Picture Book Month: Visit the website of Dianne de Las Casas to join in the month-long celebration of PICTURE BOOKS! Every day, a different picture book champion (author, illustrator, etc.) is guest posting…you won’t want to miss these….they will inspire you and help you remember just why you love to read and write picture books.
Picture Books and Crafts for Kids: Please pass the word about this new YouTube series for parents and teachers and kids…every Sunday, I’ll be choosing a picture book to read aloud…and then I’ll do a simple related craft project. Last week I spotlighted Yes We Can by Sam McBratney and this Sunday I will be reading The Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter and we will create a geometric-shape train picture. Each segment will highlight a parenting problem such as setting up good bedtime routines or a children’s challenge like learning to be a good friend.
I’m also teaming up with author and educator Susan Case to do a Thanksgiving Google+ Hangout/YouTube video on Monday afternoon as part of a week-long Thanksgiving celebration by parent bloggers. Our segment, Acts of Random Kindness, will include a reading of Norman the Doorman by me and a super craft project done by Susan.
PiBoIdMo: Picture Book Idea Month is the brain-child of children’s author,Tara Lazar. If you signed up, you are already immersed in the world of picture books…trying to come up with 30 fresh ideas for picture book manuscripts during this month. But, even if you have not joined the challenge, please run over there…don’t walk… to read an AMAZING guest post EVERY DAY this month…these posts will instruct and educate you…as well as motivate you to write the picture book that every child will want to read over and over again. For example, today’s post, by author Ame Dyckman, encourages us to revisit the picture books of our youth to recapture the magic we felt back then as each page turned and we eagerly anticipated the next one.

Ame’s advice conveniently leads into my Perfect Picture Book Friday pick for today.

The Little Red Caboose

Written by Marian Potter

Illustrated by Tibor Gerbely

Publisher: Golden Press (Western Publishing Company) 1953

Ages: 3 and up

Themes:

Building self-esteem, believing in yourself, courage, determination, friendship

Opening lines:

“The little red caboose always came last.”

Synopsis:

The little red caboose is attached to the end of a long train of oil cars, coal cars and flat cars. The people who come to wave at the train are gone by the time the little red caboose passes by and the little red caboose wishes he was one of the other cars. However, when the train almost slips down the mountain, the little red caboose saves the day!

Why do I like this book:

You recapture a ‘kinder gentler’ time as you turn the pages of this beautifully illustrated classic. Kids love books about trains (this is the great-grandfather of the Thomas series). The message of being disappointed in who you are and wishing you were someone else is one that children (and adults) will understand and relate to…and the joyous triumph of the little red caboose will encourage kids to believe in themselves. I love books that help build self-esteem in children.

Related Activities:

GEOMETRIC TRAIN PICTURE (http://mamasmiles.com/geometric-shapes-train/)

You will need: One piece of light colored construction paper, several pieces of different colored construction paper, scissors, glue stick and crayons or markers.

Use the light colored piece as the base.
Cut small circles (wheels), squares and rectangles and triangles (the different cars of the train).
Help the child put the shapes together to form the train.
Paste each piece in place.
Let the child decorate the train…perhaps drawing the train number and the tracks.
Hang up in a place of honor!

Another great website here with a page devoted to books about trains: http://www.readingtoknow.com/2011/06/train-picture-books.html

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA

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. This is an unbelievable resource for any parent, teacher or children’s librarian.