Picture Book Review and Activity: CHICK-O-SAURUS REX

Posted on August 23, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. I haven’t been blogging recently because of our up-coming move…but I just had to share this very special book with all of you.

With the start of the new school year, many parents and children will be coping with a problem that has been around for a long time – bullying. I’m joining a special blog book tour to raise awareness of this wonderful addition to every parent’s and teacher’s picture book shelf:

CHICK – O – SAURAS REX

Chick-O-Saurus Rex

Written by Lenore Jennewein

Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (July 2013)

Opening lines: “Every little animal at the farm longed to play in the tree house. Especially Little Chick.”

Age: 3 and up (the publisher website says 4 and up, but I read the book to an almost 3 year old this week and he LOVED it!)

Themes: Bullying, believe in yourself, helping others, courage

Synopsis:

Little Chick wants to play in the tree house. Donkey, Pig and Sheep don’t think Little Chick is brave enough or mighty enough. Will Little Chick prove worthy and be allowed in the tree house? Grab a copy and find out: Available on Amazon! Continue reading →

Emma’s Elephant: Picture Book Review and Activity

Posted on June 13, 2013 by viviankirkfield

I’m adding another wonderful story to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.

Please let me share some good news first! Starting now, the price of the Kindle Edition of Show Me How! will be ONLY $2.99 for the ENTIRE SUMMER. I wanted to make it more available to parents, teachers, VBS, summer playground groups and homeschooling families. This is a SUBSTANTIAL discount off the regular $9.99 price. The activities (100 crafts and 100 recipes and 100 picture book summaries) will definitely help provide fun and educational projects for the kids.

In the spotlight today is another one of the treasures I scooped up in Singapore at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content.

Emma’s Elephant

Written by David Seow

Illustrated by Enrico Sallustio

Publisher: Bonnie Books (2013)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes:

Friendship, animal conservation, family, overcoming fears

Opening Lines:

“Hello, I’m Emma and I have an elephant. Her name is Ella. She has one long trunk, two floppy ears, four big feet, one tiny tail. And she is invisible! But if she likes you, she’ll let you see her. Can you see her?”

Synopsis:

Ella, a young elephant is so scared by hunters that she becomes invisible, except if she likes and trusts you. She seeks help from a little girl named Emma. Emma joins the elephant on a journey to see if they can make the jungle a safer place for all of the animals.

Why I like this book:

Great read-aloud
Wonderful message of hope and family togetherness
Bold, bright illustrations
I attended the book launch for Emma’s Elephant at the 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore and had a chance to chat with the author, David Seow, and the illustrator, Enrico Sallustio. They both signed my copy of Emma’s Elephant (which I will be giving to my new grand-daughter, Sophie) and it was a pleasure to chat with this talented multi-published duo.

David Seow on the left, Enrico Sallustio on the right and happy me behind them.

How a parent can use this book:

Lovely read-aloud
Talk about animals in the wild and how we can protect them and their habitats
Take a trip to a zoo to see some of the animals mentioned
Talk about how Ella reacted when she was afraid…how do you feel when you are afraid? What do you do?
If you make the craft, your child can role play with her elephant.

Related Activities:

PAPER PLATE ELEPHANT

I love simple crafts for kids.
Paper plates are inexpensive and easy to work with.
This one is painted…but you can use markers or crayons.
Cut pieces of construction paper or material scraps for the legs, trunk, tail, ear and eye and glue in place.
Just a few minutes of your time, participating with your child…that’s all it takes…the long-term rewards are amazing!

You can connect with the author and illustrator.

Bonnie Books Publisher

David Seow’s Website and Blog

David Seow’s Facebook

Enrico Sallustio’s Website

Enrico Sallustio on Goodreads

Picture Book Review and Activity – Dill the Little Elephant (viviankirkfield.com)
#2013AFCC – A Picture Book is Worth a Thousand Words (viviankirkfield.com)
Kenyan Wildlife: Elephant Orphanage (k2l2a.wordpress.com)
WATCH: Baby Elephant Rescued From a Well In Thailand (newsfeed.time.com)

PPBF: Be The Kite…Inspiring Kids to Imagine and Soar

Posted on January 25, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Perfect Picture Book Friday…come and join Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review.

A fellow 12x12er and local critique partner of mine sent me a link to an amazing YouTube video this morning. Watch this 80 year-old gentleman demonstrate multi-kite flying…he travels all around the world…I promise you will be entertained for five minutes…and inspired for the rest of your life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=nr9KrqN_lIg

Seeing the kite-flying video encouraged me to review Be The Kite!

Be The Kite

Written and illustrated by Cathi Bosco

Publisher: C & D Publishers (April 2012)

Ages: 2 and up

Themes:

Imagination, friendship, perceiving the world around us, kite-flying

Synopsis:

From Amazon’s book page: “Art – Literature – Imagination! Be the Kite is an inspired, original picture-book by artist Cathi Bosco. Her illustrations and story celebrate the nurturing nature of imaginative thinking. Each illustrated page from this book feature the kite-flying adventure of two great friends and are literally connected. If printed out, each page would fit together making one long continuous picture.”

Why do I like this book:

This is a beautiful book that encourages young children to use their imaginations and take a look at the world. In addition, the author/illustrator invites participation of young readers: ”all young artists are invited to participate in a collective drawing activity. Parents, teachers, librarians and kids can submit their artwork featuring Tilly, George and Pickles and we will proudly include all drawings at our website in The Young Artists Gallery! Details can be found at http://www.CandDStudios.com. Be the Kite is a visually creative picture-book that children from 3 – 10 LOVE! Enjoying creativity and seeing the world in new and different ways are meaningful experiences for people of all ages.”

Related Activities:

MAKING A KITE

Photo courtesy of eHow. You will find instructions for making many different types of kites with children here: http://www.ehow.com/how_5333244_make-kite-children.html

The author’s website where several activities can be found: http://www.bethekite.com/

If you want a step by step video showing how to make a kite that will really fly: http://www.ehow.com/video_4790375_make-paper-kite.html

I also wanted to share that the Asian Festival of Children’s Content has added to their website the speakers and program for this year’s event. I was thrilled to see my name…my trip to Singapore is definitely becoming more real: http://afcc.com.sg/_2013/speakers

I’m honored to be part of such a distinguished international line-up.

If you want a great resource that will give you 100’s of picture book summaries, easy matching crafts (sorry, no kites) and healthful child-friendly cooking activities, purchase a copy on Amazon (or my website) 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!