This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. Along with tons of writing wisdom, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.
Title: Open This Little Book
Author: Jesse Klausmeier
Illustrator: Suzy Lee
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2013
Audience: 3-8 (I would say 3-5)
Themes: Colors, friendship
Opening: “Open this . . . Little Red Book”
Synopsis: Inviting the reader to be part of the story, the book asks them to open a book and read about another animal who is opening another book. And inside the covers are progressively smaller pages that represent book covers that the reader opens to meet all the characters, then progressively larger pages that represent the back covers as the books are closed in sequence.
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| Don't you love these colors! |
Whether the page stock stands up to the repeated tugs remains to be seen. When the books got smaller, I had no problem with the page turns but when the books got larger, sometimes it was difficult to lift the edge. Perhaps the smaller hands of the intended readers would have no trouble! Also, because the tiniest book at the center is so-oo tiny, this is best read to one child at a time or I predict fighting to flip pages and see everything there is to see. . .
Activities/Resources: See the book "in action" in the Youtube video. Download teacher's resources from the Chronicle website here. (note: it took longer than I expected for the 7 page guide to download). Perhaps just ask a child what they think each character is reading about. (ex. What would a ladybug read about in a Little Green Book?) Use colored construction paper to make your own colored books. You can use a stapler or hole punch for an easy version or follow the directions here (this requires an adult's help to cut the pages).
Thanks for stopping by for another review!
I've seen this book reviewed before Wendy, but still haven't read it. It looks so cute and fun! Thanks for adding it to our list :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Susanna. Thanks for the opportunity!
DeleteI haven't seen this book. What a fun, colorful and inviting book for younger kids. It's a very unusual read. Enjoyed the video and the Chronicle teacher resources -- I love it when the publisher has a resource page for a book.
ReplyDeleteChronicle does a nice job with their books. Would be wonderful to someday be on their list!
DeleteSo clever, i want to keep turning those pages. Is it more costly than the normal picture book because of the design?
ReplyDeleteNope! Regular price $16.99 (I used my "Mother's Day" Barnes & Noble Coupon to get 20% off). Happy Day to me. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's surreal! Makes my head hurt a little...LOL! I'll have to see if my library has it (I've bought so many PBs recently, I'm hoping hubby won't ask to see the credit card bill). :)
ReplyDeletePicture books are a fine guilty pleasure. Calorie free and probably cheaper than an psychotherapist!
DeleteWell, this is seriously embarrassing...so I got the book out of the library, thoroughly enjoyed it too, and then was going through my business cards album (yeah, I put all the biz cards I collect in an album and look at them for fun and design ideas), and realize that I sat at the same table as the author of this book at the recent midwest SCBWI meeting! We had exchanged business cards and then I forgot her name. Her business card is a miniature of the cover of the book.
DeleteSo I have to thank you for my little serendipitous aha! moment and an excuse to email the woman and reconnect. :)
A huge thank-you for reviewing this book. I actually had this on my list of future PPBF books since I discovered it at the library a few weeks ago. But I just haven't gotten around to posting it. You are so right about being drawn into this book by its creative format. It's so engaging! Thanks for researching the activities/resources.
ReplyDeleteThe surprising page sizes not only engage the reader, but they challenge readers to think about what a book is.
DeleteWhat an amazing book. Chronicle has the best concept books. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this one.
ReplyDeleteThe author, Jesse Klausmeier was nice enough to stop by my blog and tweeted me this link to an interview about her creative process: http://patzietlowmiller.com/2013/02/23/an-author-you-should-know-jesse-klausmeier/
DeleteThis book looks wonderful. I can't wait to read it. I love when people review "concept" books like this so I can get a taste for what they offer.
ReplyDelete