Part-time Mermaid by Deborah Underwood #PPBF Review

2018 Recommendations-- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Part-time Mermaid by Deborah Underwood

Like many writers, I'm a daydreamer. It's almost part of my job description! And the book rec today is a great "what if" for  kids.

Title: Part-Time Mermaid                            
Author: Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Cambria Evans
Publisher: Disney/Hyperion, March, 2018
Intended Ages: 3-5 
Themes: Bedtime, Imagination, Siblings

Opening Line: "During the day, I am a regular girl."
Synopsis: At bedtime, a girl imagines she is a daring mermaid, and her younger brother a merboy--and they awaken with wet hair!

What I like about this book: Okay--this isn't very "deep" as reasons go (but there's a sea pun already!) --I love the sparkly cover! If I was going to be a mermaid, I'd pick the shimmery pink tail, too.
     The story has a Clark Kent/Superman feel to it as a mild-mannered girl by day transforms into a brave mermaid at night. With cleaner shrimp for my bedroom and the gumption to stand up to the sea witch I can picture myself in this deep sea world.
      I also love the second layer to the plot, the sibling element of the story, as the MC's pesky younger brother during the daytime becomes her partner after visiting this imaginary world where humans (in her dream world) are nonplussed by mermaids and octopuses and turtles eat strawberry ice cream!


Resources/Activities: 

• Deborah and Cambria combined on a partner title--Part-time Princess. Read both books and talk about which character you would like to be, and why
• Come up with other "part-time" jobs you would like to have
• If you were a superhero, who would be your sidekick?
• Draw a picture of your favorite sea creature
• I love the jellyfish lunch by Deirdre at http://jdaniel4smom.com/2013/05/lunch-for-kids-jellyfish-for-lunch.html ! Getting hungry . . .
• Go swimming and practice your mermaid/merboy moves

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week.  I'd love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments!

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 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.”

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

THE DOG THAT NINO DIDN'T HAVE

     As you may know, I am a complete sucker for dog stories. Both real and invisible.
     Nostalgia is the emotion that came to mind as I read this story. The book has such a strong European feel to it that without looking at the writer or illustrator's name, I correctly guessed its overseas roots. But the theme is timeless and it is one of Publisher's Weekly's Best picture books of 2015!

Title: The Dog That Nino Didn't Have

Author: Edward Van De Vendel
Illustrator: Anton Van Hertbruggen
Publisher: Eerdmans, 2015
(first published in Belgium in 2013)

Intended age: 4-8 

Themes: Imagination, Loneliness, Hope

First lines: "NINO HAD A DOG THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE.
                    YES, HE HAD THAT DOG.            
                    EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T HAVE IT."

Synopsis: Nino has an imaginary dog that helps him feel less lonely. He especially misses his father and explores ways to pass the time--in reality and imagination.

Why I like this Book: This book had me at the title. A dog that a child doesn't have! Is the child going to get it? Is the dog flesh and blood, a stuffed toy, or imaginary? Are they both going to be okay? I wanted to know.
     This is the second time in a row that the illustrations blew me away. This palette is the complete opposite of Mother Goose's Pajama Party. No primary bright colors. All muddy earthy tones that match the dreamy feel of a place where reality and imagination co-exist. The panel-sided station wagon, the phones, the A-frame homes and Nino's back pack all have a retro feel. And Great-Grandma spends her days with a book or radio and a glass of wine! And the imaginary dog? How do we see it? In beautiful black and white line drawings that melt into the background.

Do you see the dog?

     The book has a strong undertone of melancholy (another element that felt European to me in terms of children's books). In places there is a bruised quality that permeates everything, even Nino's skin tones (I am not suggesting physical abuse! Just an aspect of excellent illustrating!). As I write this I realize--this book may sound depressing. But it isn't. It somehow makes the imagination feel as true as reality, and without sugar-coating reality, it embraces the beauty that is hope and imagination. It doesn't answer all of the questions it raises, but left me deeply moved. (even though it isn't "a dog story" after all!) It is a book that can be enjoyed on many levels. I had several other adults read the book and we discussed it at length one evening without coming to agreement on several elements!

Resources/Activities:
Eerdman's spotlighted this book in a short webcast preview. Spoiler alert! You learn a major plot twist in their preview.

• If you could add an imaginary pet to your household, what kind would you pick? Why?
• If you have a real pet, do something that makes you both feel better. Here are ideas of fun things to do with dogs.
•  Is it possible to "have" things you can't see or touch? (Love, Happiness)
• Talk about things to do when you're lonely. The Women's and Children's health network in Australia has a nice website discussing why kids might feel lonely and suggestions.
• For older children, Christina Hamlett provides lesson plans exploring the pros and cons of imaginary friends.
• Talk about if you ever wanted something, and then been surprised when you finally got it because it wasn't exactly what you expected.
• Think about someone who might be lonely. What can you do to cheer them up? Do it!

Let me know if this is on your reading list! I love to read your comments.

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. #PPBF
Note: I received a review copy from Eerdmans in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.