SING A SEASON SONG - #PPBF

Where I live, the winter has been mild this year and my thoughts have turned to Spring . . .
 

 

Title: SING A SEASON SONG

Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Lisel Jane Ashlock
Publisher: Creative Editions, 2015
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: The seasons, Writing in rhyme, Animals

Opening Line: "Snow, snow, shiver and blow.
Icicle popsicles drip, drop and dropsicles."
Synopsis: Beginning and ending with winter, this book celebrates the cyclical nature of the seasons.

What I like about this book: The text and illustrations marry perfectly. A few animals are mentioned in the text, then the illustrations add layers of detail, together bringing the seasons to life. I felt the whoosh of wings and the thump of paws. Nature takes center stage, with children and adults tucked into the backgrounds. The scenes come vividly to life with something new to feel or see in several re-readings. Picture book aficionados may smile at the owl prominent in the first spread, remembering OWL MOON. Yolen's text is a rhythmic read aloud treat. A longtime Yolen fan, this is a new favorite for me. While each season may have unpleasantries, they aren't mentioned here! The tone of this book is a gentle celebration of the repeating cycle.

Resources/Activities:

• List the best and worst things about each season. Compare lists. If you were a butterfly, would your answers be different? A polar bear? A frog?
• The internet has many kid-friendly activities to explore the seasons. Start with Pinterest?
• Teachers.net has grade level appropriate lesson plans about the seasons.
• Start a seasonal scrap book, recording your observations on the first day each month.
•  What is your favorite food to each during each season? Make some!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy my selection this week. Have you read this one? 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

Three Pebbles and a Song by Eileen Spinelli

One of last week’s posts inspired my choice this week. If there is anyone who comes close to writing an unending series of perfect picture books, in my opinion that person is Eileen Spinelli. I was fortunate to hear her speak at a NJ-SCBWI conference where she talked about her writing process. It was good to know that although the final product looks effortless, she works as hard at her craft as the rest of us and (hard to believe) still gets rejections.

The image is dark-trust me, the mouse is adorable!

Title: Three Pebbles and a Song

Author: Eileen Spinelli

Illustrator: S.D.Schindler

Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers, 2003

Audience: Ages 4-7

Theme: Self-esteem, cooperation

Opening:"Across the moonlit fields crackly old leaves twirled and skittered. And so did Moses." (the mouse)

What I LOVE about this book: Writers are often admonished not to have messages or get preachy. Ms. Spinelli has masterfully crafted a story that demonstrates in a concrete way how members in a family can all contribute and be important to the family unit. This is a story where practicality and artistry find common meeting ground. There is no preaching, just a beautiful, lyrical story told with enough repetition to make the descriptive language easily grasped by young readers.

Activities/Resources: I couldn't find anybody who had already posted activities specific to this book. I think the book lends itself to talking about what three things a child would want to have with them if they were trapped in the house during a blizzard-- appropriate with the upcoming weather forecast! For older readers, this might be a chance to explore juggling! A family activity could involve having everyone list one way each other family member is important. The story takes place in a harvest setting, so an outdoor scavenger hunt could be fun.

I hope folks who haven't read this book will give it a look!