Friday, March 15, 2019

Cavekid BIrthday

Title: Cavekid Birthday                            

Author: Cathy Breisacher
Illustrator: Roland Garrigue
Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2019
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Birthdays, Friendship, Humor

Opening Line(s):
"Caveboy and Cavegirl were born on the same day, in side-by-side caves."
 
Synopsis: Two friends, born on the same day, want to give their friend the perfect present - but without money to spend, they come up with a creative heart-warming bartering solution.

What I like about this book: This book may be set in the prehistoric age, but it provides kids with a fun, realistic story line. Kids do want to provide gifts for people they love, and they don't have money. At least my kiddos didn't when they were little - I saved allowance until they were old enough to do something to earn it. So, what can kids do? I loved the bold illustrations, too. I KNOW, cavemen didn't make pets out of most prehistoric creatures, but this isn't meant as a history book, it's FUN.

Resources:
  •  Cathy Bresiacher has a teacher's guide on her website
  • Talk about how to pick a present for someone else (it's a skill to empathize with what others want, and not what you want!)
  • Talk about what kids can give a friend/loved one that doesn't cost money and things or skills they could barter with if they wanted a store bought gift
  • Visit a museum and look at prehistoric creatures. Which one would you like for a pet?
  • Visit a professionally managed cave. (PA and VA have a lot of them) Note: Don't stick your heads into random holes! 
  • Throw a prehistoric/cave themed birthday party. (Google gives lots of ideas!)
This author has a second book, CHIP AND CURLY scheduled for release later this year. Racing potato chips, anyone?!


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

Friday, March 8, 2019

Brave Ballerina - The Story of Janet Collins


Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet CollinsTitle: Brave Ballerina - The Story
of Janet Collins 
Author: Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Ebony Glenn
Publisher: Henry Holt, 2019
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Dance, Biography, Diversity

Opening Line(s):
"This is the girl who danced in the breeze to the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of towering trees."
 
Synopsis:Born in the 1930's, Janet Collins was a pioneer in the world of ballet. The first African American prima ballerina to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House.

What I like about this book: I love learning about extraordinary people I'm not familiar with. I knew about Misty Copeland's rise to fame at the American Ballet Theatre, but I had never heard of the remarkable Janet Collins who broke the same barriers years before at a different ballet company. Author Michelle Meadows tells the story in lyrical verse that never feels forced. The text talks about Janet Collins' ability to convey emotions through her gestures and movements and Ebony Glenn's illustrations capture these emotions beautifully -- disappointment, joy, perseverance. A great book for any child with big dreams.

Resources:
  • Michelle Meadows has a teacher's guide on her website
  • Dance! and ask your audience to guess what emotion you were trying to portray
  • Go to watch a dance performance (ballet if you can find it nearby!)
  • Write a thank you to your family for supporting you in something you like to do


This author/illustrator duo has a book about Simone Biles scheduled for release next year!


Note: I received a copy of this book as a random winner of an online contest. No review was required or expected in return.





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