Category: Perfect Picture Book Friday

My apologies to everyone because this post is dreadfully overdue. Back in August, yes I did say August, Vivian Kirkfield invited author Melissa Stoller as her guest. In case you’ve been living under a rock and you’re not familiar with Vivian Kirkfield, she is an author and champion in the KitLit Community.  Each week on her blog, here, Picture Books Help Kids Soar, Vivian interviews a Picture Book Author and in exchange, the author Will Write for Cookies, or some other concotion of tasty delights to tempt your tastebuds. And if the readers are lucky, there will be a giveaway as well.  The Universe smiled and the stars were on my side, so fortunately for me – yahooie, I was one of those lucky winners that received a copy of author Melissa Stoller first Chapter Book, Return to Coney Island.

I first met Melissa as a classmate in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic Class, here. We became immediate friends and formed a posse of three others which later became our own critique group. Since then, Melissa has gone on to publishing her first picture book, due out in 2018 and her chapter book series, The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection, of which Return to Coney Island is the first in the series. This is a sweet intergenerational chapter book that weaves curiosity, a little magic, adventure, time travel and the love of family together. Snow globes have always had a mysterious quality to them – capturing one moment in time – and Melissa captures that in her story. A great read for both kids and adults alike. Any time spent with your grandparents is always special. This weekend, Emma and Jack had no idea just how special it would be. “Let’s Read it Again,” is what you’ll hear. Return to Coney Island is a wonderful addition to any home library or school classroom. I loved it and so will you.  If you’d like to learn more about this fabulous author and all around wonderful person, you can connect with her at https://www.melissastoller.com/blog

Title: Journey:  Based on the True Story of OR7 – The Most Famous Wolf In The West

Author: Emma Bland Smith

Illustrator: Robin James

Published: Little Bigfoot, an imprint of Sasquatch Books, October 11,  2016

Themes/Topics: Believing in something and taking action, conservation, geography, exploration, wolves.

Opening:    

 “The wolf took one last look at his mother and his father.  This sweet-smelling forest of pines and firs had always been home. But he was grown now. Most of his brothers and sisters had already left to start their own families.  It was time for him to do the same.”

Brief Synopsis: A “Journey” you won’t soon forget! Emma Bland Smith blends a beautiful true story about a wolf named, OR7, with a fictional character that relates to the young reader, and she brings them on an incredible journey they won’t soon forget. The wolf’s travels are followed closely by the media and captures the attention of young Abby, a budding conservationist, and animal lover. Abby is intrigued so she tracks the wolf’s travels throughout Oregon.  When he reaches California, many fear he could be in danger. Abby decides to become involved. She enters a local radio station contest to name the wolf, and she wins! The wolf’s name is Journey.

Why I Like This Book:   This is a wonderful story on so many levels, especially the idea that anyone, at any age can make a difference and become involved. OR7 and Abby were meant to touch each other’s lives. This journey has a pulse and heart of its own. This story also highlights the importance of the role we play in our environment and the synergy between nature and humans.  The illustrations also add to the wolf’s journey. Nicely done. Emma does a fabulous job telling the story and she includes a valuable teacher’s resource guide in the back of the book as well.  She did such a great job with the extensions, that I for once did not have much to add.  A must have for every bookshelf and classroom. I LOVE this book!! Awesome job, Emma!

Extensions for the book: 

It Must Be Friday! ♥

 I am fortunate enough to be part of a fabulous group of bloggers who enjoy reviewing picture books.  Accompanying each review are extensions – resources and/or activities. Interested in seeing more: To view a complete list of the plethora of books that have already been reviewed, click here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s FABULOUS website!

Title: Iggy Loo 

Author: Maria Ashworth

Illustrator: Sunny Choi

Published: Spork, November 1, 2016

Themes/Topics: Holidays, Traditions, Love & Friendship

Opening:    

 Iggy Loo loved this time of year when he felt the water swish between his flippers.  The holiday box had been carried from the closet since the little redhead was born.

Brief Synopsis: Every holiday season, Iggy gets excited when the box is taken from the closet because he knows…it’s time. Yes, that special time of year again when he gets reunited with the little redhead and all her holiday traditions. Iggy’s view of the world is limited since he can only see from inside his snow globe, but he lives vicariously through his little redhead friend. Even though he feels loved, Iggy longs for experiences outside his water filled dome. One day, Iggy gets what he wished for; although it is not exactly how he had hoped it would be, it all turns out even better than imagined. Iggy Loo and the little redheads continue their holiday love; honoring old traditions and creating new ones too.

Why I Like This Book:   This is a charming book about an adorable, endearing, little penguin named Iggy Loo that is bound to be a holiday favorite. Snow globes have an enchanting quality about them. As a little girl, I was ALWAYS  drawn to them, and I couldn’t wait to shake them up and watch all the magic happen.  I’ve been collecting snow globes since I was probably the age of the little redhead.  This tradition was passed on by my mother – my very own redhead, and now I have a new tradition to pass along too. Iggy Loo, I LOVE YOU!

 Iggy Loo:  http://amzn.to/2gDXWxJ

Extensions for the book: 

Iggy Loo Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-XkljGFUXM

It Must Be Friday! ♥

 I am fortunate enough to be part of a fabulous group of bloggers who enjoy reviewing picture books.  Accompanying each review are extensions – resources and/or activities. Interested in seeing more: To view a complete list of the plethora of books that have already been reviewed, click here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s FABULOUS website!

Title: Chumpkin

Author: Lisa Funari Willever & Lorraine Funari

Illustrator: Emma Overman

Published: Franklin Mason Press (September 1, 2001)

Suitable For Ages:  4 and up 

Themes/Topics: Being different, Autumn, Pumpkin Harvesting, Humor, Rhyme

Opening:      

All around the pumpkin patch, they heard the farmer say:   “The kids are here ! The kids are here! It’s time for Pumpkin Day!” Excited little pumpkins were standing straight and tall…that is, except for Chumpkin, the roundest one of all.                     

.Brief Synopsis:  This is an adorable little story composed in rhyme about a pumpkin who happens to be different than all the other pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. He’s bigger and rounder  than all the rest and that makes this orange pumpkin feel blue. But after all the pumpkin picking is done, the farmer has a surprise for Chumpkin and his son.

Why I Like This Book:  This book is an oldie but goodie for sure. A fabulous little gem that I stumbled upon. I just love the rhythm and the whimsical illustrations, and who doesn’t enjoy a rhyming picture book? It is about Autumn, which happens to be my favorite season of the year. It also touches on an important topic: being different and that’s okay because there is a place for everyone – even Chumpkin.  In addition to the sweet story, Lisa Funari Willever, donates a portion of her book sales to charity, and she also includes an opportunity for young authors and illustrators to showcase their work. This book  was selected as a favorite by First Lady Laura Bush and displayed at the White House.

 Extensions for the book: 

• A GREAT set of activities from http://www.teachingheart.net/apumpkinunit.html
• The Pumpkin Project – Math, Science, fun! http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/classroom-solutions/2011/10/pumpkin-project-%E2%80%94-math-science-and-fun
• YouTube Videos on The Life Cycle of a Pumpkin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxzkjBKIsGs , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU-GwFHQZI8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mowqo4dKuVY
• Middle school activities: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson028.shtml
• STEM activities: http://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/10-must-try-fall-science-activities-and-stem-challenges-for-kids/
• Non Fiction (leveled articles) for paired readings
• http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/blending-fiction-nonfiction-improve-262.html
• http://tweentribune.com/
•  https://newsela.com/
• http://www.readworks.org/books/passages?keys=pumpkins&grade=All&lexile%5Bmin%5D=-1&lexile%5Bmax%5D=2201&domain=All&fiction_or_not=All&skill=All&=Apply

It Must Be Friday! ♥

 I am fortunate enough to be part of a fabulous group of bloggers who enjoy reviewing picture books.  Accompanying each review are extensions – resources and/or activities. Interested in seeing more: To view a complete list of the plethora of books that have already been reviewed, click here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s FABULOUS website!

Title: Froodle

Author: Antoinette Portis

Illustrator: Antoinette Portis

Published: May 6, 2014 – Roaring Book Press

Suitable For Ages: Preschool – 3

Themes/Topics:  Humor, animals, birds, nature, being different

Froodle

Opening:

“All year long, the dogs went, woof. The cats went meow and the birds in the neighborhood went: caw, coo, chip, peep, caw, coo, chip, peep, caw, coo, chip, peep. Until one day, out of the blue, Little Brown Bird didn’t want to sing the same old song. She didn’t know what she wanted to say. Caw, coo, chip ? But it definitely wasn’t peep.”

Brief Synopsis: A hilarious, straightforward, simple story about a little bird who dares to do something different and shakes up the entire neighborhood in the process.

Why I Like This Book: It is purely delightful.  A laugh out loud belly giggler! And it speaks its own language for all those who beat to their own drum. An absolute must have! I love this book so much that I may be reading it before bedtime each night. Sweet Droodle, Froodle! “Hee, hee, hahah, oh yeah!”  ♥

From a Reading Specialist’s point of view: “Nonsense word fluency measures a student’s ability to decode individual phonemes and then blend them together to read. They’re an indicator of a student’s progress in acquiring early alphabetic principle skills. By using nonsense words, we can find out whether a child knows the most common sound for letters (letter–sound correspondence), and whether a child can blend the sounds to read words he has never seen before.”

Extensions for the book: 

 It Must Be Friday! ♥

I am fortunate enough to be part of a fabulous group of bloggers who enjoy reviewing picture books.  Accompanying each review are extensions – resources and/or activities. Interested in seeing more: To view a complete list of the plethora of books that have already been reviewed, click here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s FABULOUS website!