CHICKEN in SPACE #PPBF

The author of the book I'm high-lighting today is a local author (local to me, anyway) who burst onto the scene in 2013 with his debut picture book, Warning: Do Not Open This Book, a zany madcap story of monkeys and mayhem. I think this one is even better!

Title: CHICKEN in SPACE

Author: Adam Lehrhaupt 
Illustrator: Shahar Kober
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8 
Themes: Imagination, Animals, Friendship
Opening Lines:  "Zoey wasn't like the other chickens.
                             She had dreams. She had a plan. She had a pig."
Synopsis: Zoey the chicken finds a way to make her dream of space exploration come true.

What I like about this book: Just reading the title out loud, I hear an "announcer's" voice in my head--the melodrama, the echo. And that sets the scene perfectly for the imaginative main character who views the world through a rose-colored lens. Zoey's world is one where wishes can come true, if you look at things the right way. The illustrator nails the facial expressions that bring the barnyard characters to life and subtle details let the reader know this isn't your ordinary barnyard. It's one where satellite dishes are installed on doghouses. Melding hilarity and heart, there's a chicken in an aviator's hat.And there's pie.

Resources/Activities:

• Whet your appetite with the Chicken in Space trailer:
• Share a post-election moment. Read all of the author's books (four now!) and vote for your favorite.
• Eat pie! So many varieties . . . YUM!
• Brainstorm what you think Chicken's next adventure might be. 
• Brainstorm alternate (imaginative!) uses for common household items. What could be used undersea? What could be used in space?
• Take your own imaginative adventure. Examples: Build a couch-ship, a bed rocket, a sheet fort.
• Which friend(s) would you want to take on an imaginative adventure? Why?

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week. 
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

HALLOWEENSIE 2016

     There's no Perfect Picture Book Friday post today because--it's Halloweensie time!

     If you write for children and you aren't familiar with Halloweensie, get over to author Susanna Leonard Hill's blog and read about it! I'll wait. In brief, this is a brief--weensie--Halloween story contest. 100 words or less, using the magic words (this year: spider, moon and ghost).

     Susanna's holiday contests always put me in the spirit. All of the stories are linked to her blog so everyone can read the myriad of ways different writers approached a simple story prompt. After I post mine, I'll be heading over to start reading.

     My story this year squeaks in at 99 words!

Halloween Costume Countdown by Wendy Greenley

Sometimes it’s hard to find a good costume.

Spider tried being an eight-legged ghost.

“Hi, Spider!”

Eight-legged superhero?

“Hi, Spider!”

Eight-legged rock star?

“Hi, Spider!”

Spider sagged. “Phoeey! Everyone guesses it’s me.”

“I understand. It’s hard to hide my shell,” said Snail.

“Same problem with my wings,” said Moth.

“Don’t complain to me,” said Centipede.

They agreed to help each other create monstrously clever costumes, so no one would recognize them.

“Monstrously clever! That’s it!” said Spider.

By moonlight, the four friends painted, snipped and sewed.

Legs, wings, shells? Check! Check! Check!

“Trick or Treat!” shouted four matching Franken-bugs.

So- be careful when you open the door this year for trick or treaters, lol.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy Halloween everyone!

WE FOUND A HAT - #PPBF

 High-lighting lesser known authors and artists is fun for me. I feel like I'm uncovering hidden gems. But sometimes the big names blow me away and I have to shout their praises.

Title: We Found a Hat

Author/Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8 
Themes: Animals, Temptation, Friendship
Opening Lines: "We found a hat
                             We found it together."
Synopsis: Two turtles find a hat. It looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles, and only one hat.

What I like about this book: Jon Klassen is the master of understatement and the power of single glances. His newest addition to his "hat cycle" of stories adds a layer of tenderness and friendship to his spot-on deadpan humor. This is another story that leaves the emotional inner story to the reader to fill in. Klassen is the master of what happens in the story, off the page. The limited, muted palette keeps the focus squarely on the text and those expressive eyes. Constructed in three chapters, the 56 pages fly by. I believe it's appropriate for even young toddlers, age 2 and up.

Resources/Activities:

• Read the author's hat trilogy (This Is Not My Hat, I Want My Hat Back and We Found a Hat). Discuss which you like best, and why
• Talk about things you have. Which would you share? Why or why not? Does it matter if it's something that can be returned, or something gets consumed (like cookies)?
• Brainstorm alternate endings for this book. Could they have taken turns wearing the hat? Made another hat? Could one turtle have taken the hat? How does the choice of an ending affect the characters' friendship?
• Share something with a friend.
• Buy a new hat for yourself or to donate to charity. Why do you pick the one you do?
  

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week. 
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Ketzel the Cat who Composed - #PPBF

 I love stories that seem like they can't be "real"--but they are!  The book I'm high-lighting this week is one of those stories.

Title: Ketzel, the Cat who Composed

Author: Leslea Newman 
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2015 
Intended Ages: 5-8 
Themes: Animals, music
Opening Lines: "Moshe Cotel lived in the middle of a noisy building in the middle of a noisy street in the middle of a noisy city. But Moshe didn't mind. Everything he heard was music to his ears."
Synopsis: When Moshe can't compose an entry for a music contest, a kitten he rescued finds a way to make beautiful music.

What I like about this book: The cover made me pick this one up. And I'm not a cat person. But the adorable kitty on the cover, sitting on piano keys, smiled it's way into my arms. Definitely not a grumpy cat, this one. The story starts slowly, introducing a man named Moshe as the main character. When he rescues a kitten off the street, even though the story is Moshe's, Ketzel (the kitten) carries the story--and saves the day. This book is based on true events--with an author's note at the end detailing what is fact and what was fictionalized for storytelling purposes. Do you think a kitten can play the piano?? I don't want to spoil the story, you'll have to read it to believe it! The book is a 2016 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner.
 
Resources/Activities:

• Using any instrument (tap different things with a pencil or rap with your voice if you don't have an instrument handy) compose a short song. 
• Try composing music online. I didn't get past the "Beat Lab" at free-online music-making for kids. Too much fun!
• There are more than 1000 cat crafts to choose from on Pinterest!
• Collect food for homeless cats like Ketzel. Maybe even bring one home to discover their special talent! :)
• Attend a concert. Talk about which music you liked and why.
  

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week. 
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

The Story Book Knight #PPBF

 Summer heat has finally given way to autumn chill--perfect book reading weather! If you liked THE SNATCHABOOK, you'll be excited to know that the author/illustrator team has a new book.

 

Title: The Story Book Knight

Author: Helen Docherty
Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
Publisher: Sourcebooks, September, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Books, being true to yourself, dragons

Opening Line: "Leo was a gentle knight in thought and word and deed.
While other knights liked fighting, Leo liked to sit and read."
Synopsis: When Mom and Dad send Leo off to fight a dragon, Leo uses his own special talent instead.

What I like about this book: Children can't read too many books about nonviolent resolution. And this book adds the element of standing up to parental expectations. I'm a fan of Thomas Docherty's loose illustration style, where simple changes in the characters' eyes carry the emotion. And "trusty steed" Ned adds an unspoken wink of humor throughout the spreads. The story doesn't feel entirely new in the sense that books are a way to resolve issues, but the way Leo appeals to the "baddies" sense of vanity kept me smiling.

Resources/Activities:

• The publisher provides a 12-page educator guide at sourcebooks.com/library
• Read THE SNATCHABOOK with this one. How is the art similar? How is the story similar?
• Read this book with Mark Sperring's THE SUNFLOWER SWORD. Talk about nonviolent ways to resolve disagreements
• Read this book with Oliver Jeffers A CHILD OF BOOKS. Discuss which you prefer and why.
  

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week. 
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Note: My review is based on a Folded and Gathered review copy received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

PRESIDENT SQUID - #PPBF

     Can you believe it's September already!?

     Don't think about it as an end to summer, think of it as the restart of Perfect Picture Book Friday reviews!

  Okay, I probably can't compete with summer. But here goes . . .

Title: President Squid

Author: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Sea creatures, Presidents

Opening Line: "I HAVE REALIZED SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT. Something that changes everything! No giant squid has ever been president before!"
Synopsis: Sea creatures react to Squid's announcement that he has five qualities that make him President.

What I like about this book: This book doesn't answer questions. Instead, it promotes a discussion of what qualities a president should have. With the upcoming election, the timing is perfect! The silly humor engages readers to explore what is otherwise a somewhat dry, complex topic. Adults reading with their children can laugh along at the satire. The New York based cartoonist and illustrator manages to make trousers on a hot pink squid believable! I do wonder why the squid needed to have teeth but I'm fairly certain no child will think twice. Put this one on the shelf beside Reynold's earlier Creepy Carrots.

Resources/Activities:

• Schools often have mock (and real!) classroom elections. For everything you need, with a squid-related theme, download a free activity guide from Chronicle.
• Read this book along with Doreen Cronin's DUCK FOR PRESIDENT, and Nick Bruel's BAD KITTY FOR PRESIDENT.
• Explore the National Education Association's voter education links. 
• Talk about what qualities you have that make a good president.
• Talk about why someone wants to become president.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week. 
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Sophie's Squash Go to School - #PPBF

    SOPHIE'S SQUASH was one of my favorite titles in 2013. Sweet. Quirky. Re-readable.
    And now there's a sequel!
    Pre-order this one for Sophie lovers. Squash lovers. Possibly everyone.

Title: SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL

Author: Pat Zeitlow Miller
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Publisher: Random House, June 28, 2016
Intended Ages: 3-7
Themes: Fear, First-day-of-School, Friendship
Opening Line: "On the first day of school, Sophie peeked into her classroom."
Synopsis: When Sophie heads to school, it's easier for her to play with her two best buddies (squash) than to make new friends. And if she were to want another friend, it would certainly not be with the pesky boy that follows her everywhere. But squash don't last forever . . .
What I like about this book: Making friends is a skill. For some kids it comes easier than others, but everyone can benefit from a reminder to open their hearts and eyes to possibilities. And a reminder that sometimes it takes persistence to make a new friend. The author introduces this idea gently, without feeling preachy. And don't you all adore the illustrator's rendering of Sophie on the cover!? Pigtails askew. Bounding off the tips of her toes. The illustrator's playful energy threads through each spread, making the entire premise of squash friends plausible. The story takes place in a realistic multicultural classroom, with realistic moments of anger and trepidation portrayed. Finish the book and treat yourself to a new plant dance!
Resources/Activities:

• Discuss what makes a good friend. How many of these traits do YOU have?  Elementary School Counseling.com has a great activity building on this idea, for the classroom.
• Can a toy be a friend? Why or why not?
• With a parent's approval, talk to someone new. Not everyone will be a friend, but they're all interesting! 
• Share something with someone--bonus if it's someone who looks lonely. Perhaps make cookies for a neighbor, put a handmade card in someone's mailbox, sing someone a song.
• Plant seeds and practice a dance for when the sprouts appear.

• If you google search "back to school activities"-there are loads of links for teachers! One favorite:  Scholastic -Top five ways to get to know your students -http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/top-5-ways-get-know-your-students
• You can hear the author read the original book and follow links to classroom activities for it on her website. There are no posted activities for this new book--yet. So check back!

 I hope you enjoyed this preview! This is a book to put on your pre-order or to-be-read list!
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Note: My review is based on a Folded and Gathered review copy received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Holiday weekend!

 In recognition that a lot of readers are off enjoying a holiday weekend, I'm holding my Perfect Picture Book Friday post until next week. It's a good one. Hint: Can't SQUASH my enthusiasm for it!
Hope to see you then.

WHAT JAMES SAID by Liz Rosenberg reviewed for Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

  Misunderstandings arise all the time. For kids and adults. The heat of the moment can make tempers flare unreasonably out of control. This book is perfect for those times. Some books are fun library reads. I recommend this one as a book to own.     

   I had to be MIA for a few Fridays and have two posts today to catch up a bit. Scroll up (or down, depending on which you started on!) to be sure you don't miss anything.

Title: What James Said                 
Author: Liz Rosenberg
Illustrator: Matt Myers
Publisher: Roaring Brook, Macmillan, 2015
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Friendship, misunderstandings
Synopsis: When a comment from her best friend, James, is relayed back through a chain of classmates, a little girl takes the remark out of context, thinks James is saying bad things about her, and decides they're "in a fight."
Opening line(s): "I'm never talking to James again. We are in a fight."
What I like about this book: I have a serious crush on this book. The text runs slightly longer than average (541 words) and not a moment feels too long or wasted. The voice is fantastic, carrying authentic emotions without feeling preachy or moralizing.
     The friendship is between a boy and a girl. Great, right? Even better, it's an African-American boy and a Caucasian girl. Because race and gender play absolutely no part in the story, the illustrator may be the one to thank for this realistic reflection of childhood. Paint blotches from the artistic main character reinforce the emotional mayhem while ample white space on the pages keeps a tight focus on the main characters.
     Communication skills are HARD. Especially when feelings are hurt. And the little girl in this story does what many of us might when we hear something that hurts our feelings. Instead of asking James about it, she shuts down and closes him off with the silent treatment. Poor sweet James doesn't have a clue what's going on and tries his hardest to make his friend feel better. 
     The story mirrors the best and worst moments in childhood friendships. Timeless. Classic.

Resources/Activities: 

• View a slide show of images from the book on the publisher's website.

• Compare this book to Ame Dyckman's book Horrible Bear, another book about misunderstandings. Is anyone at fault in each book? Why or why not? Could either situation have been handled better?

• Discuss misunderstandings you have had. Did you ever get it straightened out? Is anyone owed an apology? Is it a funny story to share?

• Make a picture for a friend. 

• Make awards for friends or family members. Awards for funny joke-teller or homework-helper for example.

Thanks for stopping by today! Let me know if you've read this book. 
 
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Trainbots by Miranda Paul reviewed for Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

  I had to be MIA for a few Fridays and have two posts today to catch up a bit. Scroll up (or down, depending on which you started on!) to be sure you don't miss anything.

  Do kids love trains? Yes.

  Do kids love robots? Yup.

  Put them together and what do you get?  Trainbots!   

Title: Trainbots                      

Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Shane McG
Publisher: Little Bee Books, coming June 7, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Trains, Adventure, Robots
Synopsis:   Good and evil square off with a toy delivery at stake. The trainbots have to work together when Badbots try to stop a delivery of toybots on their way for children to play with.
Opening line(s): "Trainbots drawing, sawing, building. 
                           Hammer, clamor, lots of gilding."
What I like about this book: Good rhyme is hard to do! Read the opening lines out loud. Hear the chugga-chugga rhythm? Ms. Paul maintains the quick pace throughout, varying rhythm enough to keep it from becoming sing-songy. The story reminds me of a fantasy version of The Little Engine that Could. No talking down to children here, the rich language will have train and bot lovers matching words and visuals in the illustrations.
   The spiky, angular badbots are larger than the trainbots, subtly reinforcing the message that little kids can work together and accomplish big things--bigger than the bad guys.
  My review copy was a pre-release F&G so I didn't see final art for the final several spreads, but I'm guessing there's going to be a market for cuddly toybots! 

Resources/Activities: 

• I googled "train activities for kids" and got a long list of possibilities! Preschool Express had some great simple ideas for crafting and games.

• For older readers- Make a list of all of the verbs in the story. Try to use each in a new sentence.

• Would you want a toybot? Why or why not? What else could the train bring? Ride a local train--what do you see (Trainbots?!).

• Reading builds up an appetitie. Mommy Moment's blog wants kids to eat their veggies--off the veggie train.  And Makinglearningfun.com has a savory twist using crackers and cheese.

Trainbots is available for pre-order. 

This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Note: My review is based on a Folded and Gathered review copy received from the author in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE PERFECT DOG by Kevin O'Malley #PPBF

   As a writer, you probably hear the phrase "take an old theme and make it new." I know I hear it. And this book is a perfect example. As a parent, teacher, reader, you just want a fun book with re-readability. Check!

Title: The Perfect Dog                               

Author/Illustrator: Kevin O'Malley
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, May 31, 2016
Intended Ages: 3-7
Themes: Dogs, Grammar
Synopsis: Using comparatives and superlatives, a young girl imagines the qualities she'd like in the perfect dog, and then her family heads to find the perfect match.
Opening line(s): "My parents said we could get a dog. And I know the perfect dog . . . ."
What I like about this book: If there is a dog on the cover, I want to read it. I'm a dog-lover. Okay, a HUGE dog-lover. So the Brady Bunch type cover brought a smile to my face. It's a big doggie world out there! The endpapers carry that theme forward with two dozen thumbnail sketches of various dog breeds. I personally wish the Pit Bull had been given a "full" sketch, and wondered where the All-American mutt was, but understand that this is a story, not an encyclopedia of the dog world. It's great to see the pet picking process explored in a thoughtful manner. I believe readers will be left feeling that this is going to be a happy life-long match.
     Dog breeds are a fun way to learn comparatives and superlatives! Grammar and fun are not exclusive! Do you want a big dog? Bigger? Biggest? The words, the dogs--and even the font itself reinforces the curriculum concepts. The illustrations support the text so this book could transition quickly from read-aloud to read-alone. And the ending brings the main character into the real world where serendipity trumps the best laid plans.
     I'm not an artist so the technique escapes me, but the characters pop off the background. Perhaps it's the black outlining? Taking a closer look I wondered if it is a shadow or leggings that seem to move/disappear on the first spreads? And a beret changes color in the final ones. Of course, these may be modified in the final bound copy.
 

No dog in this spread, but lots of fun!

Resources/Activities: 

Make a list of attributes your perfect pet would have. Is it a dog, or something else?

Make a game of finding objects in your home and have someone else guess how they link together. Is it big, bigger, biggest? Funny, funnier, funniest? Purple, purpler, purplest? 

Learn everything you can about one dog breed. 

Make homemade dog biscuits and take them to share at your local shelter. Nope, there is nothing about feeding dogs in the book, I just think any excuse to have kids helping shelter animals is justified! (be sure to use a recipe from a trusted source--dogs shouldn't eat some people foods)


This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Note: My review is based on a Folded and Gathered review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thanks for stopping by! I love to know what you think of my selections.

Two titles next week!

     Sorry, there's no post today. My perfect picture book Friday posts will double up next week. I'm just back from a wonderful workshop. (more about that later!)
     Bonus brownie points to #kidlit writers who know where I went just by looking at this photo. :)

Where's the BABOON? #PPBF

     Hold onto your seats. I usually gravitate toward story-driven books, so this choice is an unusual one for me. Except that I loved the last book from this team, too. Seeing a pattern for this duo . . .

Title: Where's the Baboon?                                

Author: Michael Escoffier (click on the British flag
to see the book list in English! Author is French)
Illustrator: Kris Di Giacomo
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, 2015
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Word games, Clues, Animals
Synopsis: The answers to a series of questions about the illustrations is hidden in the wording of the questions themselves.
Opening line(s): Let's go search for hidden words! Who is the headmaster?"
What I like about this book:  The illustrations in this book are tremendously fun, yet simple enough that children just learning to decode letters as well as early readers can figure out the answers to each question. The "clue" word uses red and black lettering, with the "important" letters in red, and in order. No scrambling required. Ex. headmaster
The first one, in my opinion, is the hardest since kids this age in the United States are probably more familiar with the terms principal and teacher and may not know what a headmaster does, nor recognize the small bell-ringing creature as a hamster. But cows, apes, etc are easy game!
The illustrations look like they were painted on brown craft paper, adding texture and mottled color variations. Two thumbs up!

Resources/Activities: 

Practice more wordplay! Googling wordplay for kids or preschoolers brings up a host of possibilities. I especially liked the series at FunBrain.com that lets you pick easy and hard settings.

Scholastic has a good article about making up your own word games.

Visit the Zoo and try to find hidden words in each animal's name!

Are their hidden words in your own name? (you might need to scramble the letters!)


This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF
Thanks for stopping by! Is this book new to you?

Little Red Gliding Hood - #PPBF

     I've missed a few Perfect Picture Book Friday posts and the wonderful books are piling up!
     This book has been featured on other blogs, but I have to give it a shout-out because I love it.

Title: Little Red Gliding Hood                        

Author: Tara Lazar
Illustrator: Troy Cummings
Publisher: Random House, 2015
Intended Ages: 2-10
Themes: Fractured fairy tales, Sports

Opening line(s): "It was winter, and the river winding through the enchanted forest was frozen solid. A girl raced down to the river's edge and laced up her skates."

Synopsis: If she's going to be able to continue her trips to Grandma's house, Little Red Gliding Hood's well-worn skates need to be replaced and the upcoming pairs skating competition is offering skates as a prize--if only Little Red could find a partner.

What I like about this book: My love began with those opening lines, cleverly placed BEFORE the title page. The text goes on for three more sentences to set up the title character, a gorgeous winding illustration drawing the reader into the fairy tale world.
     Tara manages to fit a slew of fairy tale favorites into the story. In the third spread alone you'll find The Dish and Spoon, Hansel and Gretel, Little Boy Blue, The Seven Dwarfs and Old MacDonald. I was already smiling, but Old MacD's "E-I-E-I-ouch" made me laugh! No story is sacrificed for the mash-up and the last lines are brilliant.
     Hilariously expressive brightly-colored illustrations update the fairy tale realm perfectly. One lone dark moody moment is allotted to the Wolf's introduction, then cartoon colors abound. It bubbles over (freezes solid!) with kid appeal.
   
Activities/Resources:

Talk about how a pairs event is different from a singles skating event. Physically and mentally depending on a partner. The Olympic committee has a pairs website and videos posted here.

Tara interviewed Troy (her illustrator) here

 Tara shares a how to write a fractured fairy tale guide and a Little Red coloring page here

See if you have an indoor rink nearby and try it out!

The ActivityVillage.co.uk has several ice skating related activities for preschoolers.

Read, or watch the movie of Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates. (Blades of Glory is a hoot for teenagers, but at PG-13 may not be appropriate for this book audience!)

The Youtube links that claim to be about this book are trolls advertising free book downloads! Avoid them! If you want to learn more about the author, Kidlit TV interviewed  Tara when her debut book, The Monstore, was released.


This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Thanks for stopping by! Is this book new to you?