Tag Archives: Picture book

PPBF: Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl…Dealing with Bullies

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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.

Before we get to our picture book review and craft activity, I want to share some things with you.

  • I offered to send a Halloween Prize Package to one of the people who visited and ‘liked’ the new FB page for Show Me How!  Fifty names were entered in the Random.org drawing…and today I mailed out the Halloween cupcake set and a Halloween board book to Annie in Thornton, CO.  She has two little boys so I know she will enjoy the prize with them.  Thanks to everyone who participated!
  • It’s always a joy to get book orders from libraries because it means that hundreds of people will be able to use the book…I just received an order for two copies from the United Library Service in CALGARY, ALBERTA…yes, that’s right…CANADA!
  • We’ve decided to extend the FREE SHIPPING for anyone who orders my book throughout the holiday season!
  • Thursday morning I had two school presentations at Steele Elementary in Colorado Springs.  We read “Yes We Can” by Sam McBratney…a great picture book that addresses teasing and bullying.  The kids loved the story…even more, they loved talking about what they like to do with their friends (play, share, be kind, say I’m sorry if you hurt their feelings)…and what friends shouldn’t do to each other (don’t hit, don’t kick, don’t tease, don’t laugh at, don’t be mean).

After the story, each child made their own book of friendship.

Our challenge, as educators and as parents, is to find a way to keep alive the enthusiasm for learning that young children embrace naturally.

Our Perfect Picture Book Friday choice is a story that addresses bullying and teasing…in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month.

Written by Jane O’Connor

Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Publisher: Harper Collins (2011)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Believing in yourself, courage, determination, bullying, teasing, communication, friendship

Synopsis:

Fancy Nancy has a relay race coming up…she remembers that last year her team lost because she was so slow and she was made to feel badly by one of her teammates.  Nancy pretends to have injured her foot so that she won’t have to run in the race, but her father notices that she limps on her left foot sometimes, and her right foot at other times.  When her father speaks with her, Nancy confesses the problem and has a long talk with him.  On the day of the race, Nancy confronts the ‘mean’ girl and tells her that although she is a great runner, she is not a good sport.  Does this show of courage help Nancy win the race?  You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Why do I like this book:

I opened this book prepared to NOT like it.  Although it is considered a picture book, it is also a ‘first reader’ type of book.  I had been turned off by the ‘hype’ of ‘Fancy Nancy’ and all of the assorted merchandising products out there.

As I read the book, the frequent definitions of ‘big’ words bothered me at first.  There is also a page at the back of the book with the same definitions.  But then I put myself in the place of a child…and I loved the book…and the definitions seemed to fit.

The messages of the story are fantastic…believe in yourself, communicate with your family when you have a problem, confront bullies with words and let them know how they are making you feel.  Children deal with real-life situations like this one every day…this would be a great story to read to your child…or for a teacher to read to a class.

The illustrations also convey the message of the story and help move it forward to a satisfactory conclusion.  The expressions on the girls’ faces are perfect!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

A Storybook of Friends

Kids love to make their own books.

You will need: 1 piece of colored construction paper for the cover, 2 sheets of copy paper for the inside pages, crayons or markers and a stapler.

  1. Fold the pages in half with the construction paper sheet on the outside as the cover.
  2. Staple them so they will not fall out but can still turn.
  3. Let the child draw on the front cover and write the title of the book. (During my presentation, some of the kids decorated the back cover as well, telling me that the back of books had pictures and words also.)
  4. Encourage the child to draw a picture on each page, showing the child with his or her friends, playing, sharing, helping, listening.

Talk about teamwork and how each person on the team contributes their best.

Plan a playdate or sleepover for a couple of your child’s classmates.  This is especially important if your child is in a new school or community and is feeling out of place.

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.

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PPBF: Fire Prevention Week Special: The Adventures of Lucy Snigglefritz

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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.

October is a month that is jam-packed with great events.

Has your child decided on a costume for Halloween yet?

Will it be store-bought or home-made?

Fire Prevention Week is another important October event.

When I was a little girl, we lived on the seventh floor of an apartment house…I can remember my parents doing fire safety drills with me and my older sister…what to do if there was a fire and where we would meet if we got separated.  Even though parents need to practice what to do in case of disasters, it’s important to reassure children that, no matter what happens, there will always be someone to take care of them.

To help celebrate Fire Prevention Week, I’m spotlighting a book by children’s author Patrick Milne…he was part of Susanna Leonard Hill’s mini-series on self-publishing several months ago.

The Adventures of Lucy Snigglefritz

Written by Patrick Milne

Illustrated by Stephanie Faye

Publisher: Fayemous Books

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Believing in yourself, courage, determination, fire-fighting

Synopsis:

From Amazon: Lucy Snigglefritz, world-famous circus dog, is the star attraction of Amazing Avido’s Circus. But when ticket sales slump, Lucy is left behind by the circus to fend for herself.
On her own for the first time, Lucy sets out on a new adventure.
What can a circus dog do without a circus?
Maybe Sooty, a Dalmatian at the local firehall, will have the answer…
Why do I like this book: 

  • Wonderfully engaging main character that young kids can relate to.
  • Brilliant illustrations that truly tell the story.
  • Great text that entertains AND provides a lesson in believing in oneself.

It’s fun to find out a little bit about how a picture book is born.  The author has graciously shared a little bit about his writing journey and how “Lucy Snigglefritz” came to be!

I asked Patrick to talk about the main character and her challenge in this story.

“Lucy’s a dog that’s grown up in the circus. It’s all she knows. Though she’s very famous early on, as she gets bigger and older, her popularity wanes, and her boss, Avido Padrone fires her in favor of a newer, younger, cuter dog. The first book explores how Lucy picks herself up and figures out what’s next for her. “

One of the really interesting things is that the author worked with his sister during the entire process…she is the illustrator!

“This was my first time writing a children’s story so the whole process was pretty trial and error. The words came first and then Stephanie and I separated them onto different sheets using 32 pages as our template. Once we were happy with how the story read, we started to brainstorm illustrations. Now, for Lucy 2, which we’re currently working on, I’ve written the words and included some ideas for illustrations. If she wants to use them, fantastic. If not, I’ll try not to be too hurt.”

Patrick, I love the educational angle to your books…can you share that?

“The educational concept behind Lucy is that each story revolves around her meeting a breed of dog that’s suited to a certain job. In Book 1, she met Sooty the Dalmatian and found out why dalmatians make such good fire dogs. In Book 2, we explore why poodles make such good show dogs, so there is a strong educational angle. I learn a lot when I research for each one.

The second concept is one that revolves around self-confidence and self-belief. It’s the series arc and we explore this in more detail with each book as Lucy meets new characters, experiences a new life beyond the circus, and gradually finds out she’s good at a lot more things than just jumping through fiery hoops.

Where can readers find your book?

It’s currently available on Amazon for the Kindle right here. We’re working on getting it into other online stores. An iBook version is coming with different interactive parts but that’s a ways off yet.

Print copies of the book are also available at select stores….you can find out here.

I want to thank Patrick so very much for letting me share “The Adventures of Lucy Snigglefritz”…we eagerly await the next book in the series!

Related Activities:

FIRE SAFETY DOOR HANGER

Photo from Easy Kids Crafts

In an emergency, people often panic and forget the simplest things.  Why not make a door hanger for your child’s doorknob…with important phone numbers and information on the back side…911 and perhaps a close family member and also a nearby neighbor whom your child can call upon for help. 

You will need: 1 piece of heavy-weight construction paper (or card stock), 1 piece of white paper, markers, glue and scissors.

  1. Cut the construction paper in a rectangle and then cut out a circle near the top.
  2. Decorate one side with fire-fighting pictures (you can cut these out from magazines and paste them on or draw them with markers or crayons).
  3. Cut a sheet of white paper to fit the back side and glue in place.
  4. Write important phone numbers with the name of two or three of the people your child will feel comfortable and safe with…putting a photo of the person next to their phone number will help very young children identify who it is.
  5. Hang on your child’s doorknob!

Lots more fire prevention week crafts here.

Do a fire safety drill once a month.   The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Two Ways Out”.  Do you have two exits from every room in your house?

Lots of activities for kids (and maybe some prizes) here.

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.

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PPBF: Hooway for Wodney Wat…Believe in Yourself!

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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 and related resources for parents, teachers and children.

Can you stand some really good news?  Actually, two good newses…is that a real word?

GOOD NEWS NUMBER ONE: Julie Hedlund, founder of 12×12 in 2012, put together a cornucopia of amazing prizes to reward the people who are participating in her picture book writing challenge.

The prizes ranged from manuscripts critiques to autographed picture books to query critiques to helpful books on creative writing to…Emma Walton Hamilton’s 8-week online picture book writing course.  This last is something I have been wishing I could take…tongue hanging out as I visited the “Just Write For Kids” website and scrolled down the awesome list of lessons. 

Can you imagine how thrilled I was when I saw my name as winner of the gift certificate (provided by the generous Emma Walton Hamilton) that entitles me to take the course FOR FREE?  I don’t think you can…my husband came running downstairs, sure that some terrible catastrophe had befallen me, as all he heard was me yelling at the top of my lungs (and I have a pretty healthy set there), “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!!!!!

I’ve already connected with Emma and have downloaded the first week’s lesson…Hooray!!!!

GOOD NEWS NUMBER TWO: Kathy Ellen Davis is having an October challenge…31 in 31 .  She is encouraging everyone to read 31 picture books during the 31 days of October.  Needless to say, Kathy had me from ‘read picture books every day’.  If you are interested, you can click on her link or on her cute ’31 in 31’ button on my sidebar…I know she would be thrilled to have more people participating.

 To date, I’ve read “Neville” by Norton Juster, “Cloudette” by Tom Lichtenheld, “The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff” by Laura Numeroff and “Knuffle Bunny Too” by Mo Willems.  It’s been a lot of fun reading the newer books…and I just put two dozen more on hold at the library…all published in 2012!  I do have to say that there is a BIG difference between the classics of years ago and the new generation of picture books.   I notice that many of the newer books have humor that probably goes over the head of the young child…I guess parents are really having a great time while they read these stories to their kids…and that’s a good thing!

Since October is National Bully Prevention Month, I want to continue to highlight some amazing books and other resources that address this important issue.

If you stopped by last Friday, you might have seen my spotlight on a new anti-bullying app: AWESOME UPSTANDER.  Here’s the link: http://www.awesomeupstander.com for those of you who might have missed it.

I encourage anyone who is involved with kids to visit the website at http://www.awesomeupstander.com.  There are free downloadable info sheets for parents and teachers that address positive action plans for kids and adults.  You can follow Awesome Upstander on Twitter or on Facebook.

The game identifies the participants to a bullying problem…the bully, the target and the bystanders.  The key to the game (and perhaps an important key to putting an end to bullying in real life) is to turn the bystanders into ‘Awesome Upstanders”…people who get actively involved to help the target or victim and stop the bullying.

And, as with my Perfect Picture Book Friday pick last week, the concept of group dynamics brings me to today’s choice.

Hooway For Wodney Wat

Written by Helen Lester

Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Bullying, teasing, self-esteem, creative thinking, cooperation, group dynamics, being comfortable with who you are

Synopsis:  

From Amazon: “Poor Rodney Rat can’t pronounce his R’s and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney’s class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully.”

Why do I like this book: 

I love books that celebrate each individual’s uniqueness!  We each bring special gifts to the table of life…and Rodney Rat seems to embrace that concept.  Every child will understand how difficult it is to be different.  Rodney had a strong positive self-image and this helped him triumph over the bully.  The illustrations show us how each character is feeling…even I wouldn’t want to cross paths with Camilla Capybara!  What a wonderful story to read to a class during National Bully Prevention Month…or to a child who is having a hard time feeling good about himself.

Related Activities:

RODENT PAPER BAG PUPPET

Photo from www.EnchantedLearning.com

Role playing with puppets is a fantastic way to help kids express their feelings.

Here’s an easy paper bag hand puppet that even the youngest child can make!

You will need: 1 brown lunch-size paper bag, 1 brown oval piece of construction paper, 1 smaller pink oval, 2 small white circles, 2 smaller black circles, 1 small red circle, 1 black rectangle, scissors, glue and a marker.

1.      Cut the brown oval in two pieces and paste each at the top of the paper bag for the ears.

2.      Cut the pink oval in two pieces and paste each on top of the brown ears.

3.      Paste the white circles for eyes…then paste the smaller black circles on top for the pupils.

4.      Paste the red circle for the nose.

5.      Cut the black rectangle into six strips and paste on for whiskers.

6.      Draw in the mouth.

7.      Now read the story again and let your child use the puppet to speak Rodney’s words.

Play ‘Simon Says’…this is a wonderful game to help a young child learn to listen carefully and follow directions!

Lovely lesson plan from Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/hooway-wodney-wat-lesson-plan

A lesson plan for second and third graders: http://www.drforgan.com/Adobe%20files/Hooway_For_Wodney_Wat_sample.pdf

 

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.

Related articles