#PPBF: Peter Panda Melts Down – Dealing With Temper Tantrums

Posted on June 12, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday – I review a picture book, provide a simple fun craft you can do with your kids and then I link up with dozens of other writers, moms, librarians and other lovers of picture books on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.

I recently connected with the author of today’s selection…Artie Bennett is super funny and super talented…so it’s not surprising that his new book is super awesome as well! My grandson was repeating the refrain after the first couple of pages…and gave the book an enthusiastic thumbs up.

PETER PANDA MELTS DOWN!

Written by Artie Bennett

Illustrations by John Nez

Publisher: Blue Apple Books (2014)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes: Expressing feelings, appropriate behavior, temper tantrums

Opening Lines:

“Let’s meet the Pandas. Here’s Peter. He’s three! And Mama, who calls, “Climb down from that tree!”

Synopsis:

From the author:

“Uh-oh. Here it comes. Here comes that frown. Peter Panda melts dowwwnnn!”

Poor Peter Panda. He’s only three and filled with frustration. And when things don’t quite go his way, he’s apt to throw a tantrum—in the car, in the library, in the supermarket, in the . . . He’s the most meltdownable panda we know. Continue reading →

#PPBF – The Purple Kangaroo – Encouraging Imagination

Posted on May 23, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Friday – I have a children’s book review to add 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.

I’m immersed in writing and revising picture books these days…and one of the best ways to learn to do it right is to READ LOTS OF PICTURE BOOKS that have already been published! So I came home from the library yesterday with a HUGE stack…it reminded me of when I was a little girl and couldn’t wait to go to the library to take out as many books as I could carry. I’m sure you can visualize that tiny little child, barely able to walk because of the tall piles of books in her arms.

It was hard to choose…but I did! It is one of the new variety of picture books which engages the reader by actually talking directly to him or her…a unique technique that I will have to keep in mind as I formulate my next stories.

The Purple Kangaroo Continue reading →

#PPBF: A Day With The Duchess…of Cambridge

Posted on March 28, 2014 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday. Before I share an amazing book that has JUST hit the shelves…I want to encourage you to hop over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog where you will find TEN amazing fractured fairytales that are the finalists in the March Madness Writing Contest. READ THEM! They are GREAT! And then you can VOTE for your favorite!
I think writing children’s books is probably the most enjoyable AND the most difficult occupation a person can have.
And that’s why I am always so impressed when I see a writer with multiple books out there. You have to be tenacious and talented…and that describes the author of Sam, Sebbie and Di-di-di – A Day with the Duchess to a tee.

Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di – A Day with the Duchess
Written by David Seow
Illustrated by Soefara Jafney
Publisher: Epigram Books (2014)
Ages: 4 and up
Themes: Problem-solving, siblings, teamwork

Opening Lines
“Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di live in sunny Singapore. While Sebbie and Di-Di-Di like soldiers,pilots and action heroes, Sam likes princesses. She even named one of her hamsters Kate, after her very favorite princess in the whole wide world, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge .”
Synopsis
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di are three siblings who love doing things together. When Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is visiting Singapore, the siblings try to meet her. Unfortunately, Continue reading →