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)

Sunday Post: Perspective…#2013AFCC…Traveling Around the World

Posted on June 9, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge…a recent theme was PERSPECTIVE.

Night-time in Singapore! What a perspective! Don’t you want to be there?

Traveling definitely gives a person a whole new perspective on the world.

My trip to the 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content was my first international trip ever. I connected in Tokyo and was impressed with the extreme cleanliness and calm atmosphere. I found the same conditions at Singapore Airport…it was beautiful! (Sad to say that connecting through Houston Airport on my way back home was not as pleasant…in fact, it was appalling) I got my luggage, followed the signs (in both English and Chinese) and was greeted at the exit door by a lovely lady who indicated which taxi was for me. The driver put my bag in the trunk and took me to my hotel. He was courteous and friendly and his cab was so clean.

Although I didn’t get to see much of Singapore because the conference was so filled with activities and sessions, I know I will return. The people of Singapore are welcoming and kind, the city is beautiful, the hotel I stayed at (Hotel Grand Pacific) was all you could hope for…robe and slippers provided and all the amenities like hair products and sewing kit as well as a dental kit (yes, a toothbrush and little tube of toothpaste) and shaving kit (razor and little tube of shaving cream) provided fresh EVERY day! The hotel staff were attentive and Continue reading →

Talking to Kids about War: Ships in the Field

Posted on June 7, 2013 by viviankirkfield

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

My picture book pick today is another one of the treasures I scooped up in Singapore last week at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content.