Mother Goose's PAJAMA PARTY

     Mother Goose's nursery rhymes are old news--until a book finds a way to make them new again. And author Danna Smith and illustrator Virginia Allyn do just that in their book releasing today!


Title: Mother Goose's PAJAMA PARTY
Author: Danna Smith
Illustrator: Virginia Allyn
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2015
Intended age: 3-7 

Themes: Sleepovers, familiar characters, rhyme

First lines: "Star light, star bright, come to story time tonight. Bring your friends and don't be late. Meet at my house - half past eight.   --Mother Goose"

Synopsis: Mother Goose invites a parade of characters from her nursery rhymes for story time and a sleepover.

Why I like this Book: The colorful illustrations pulled me in and I paged through this book once without reading the text.  Featuring a multicultural--and multispecies--cast, the opening double page spread with Mother Goose's invitation written in the stars perfectly captures the magical feeling that makes the story work. Can the moon talk? Of course it can! Can animals talk to people? Of course! The gorgeous harlequin pattern from the endpapers is carried throughout on rugs in everyone's houses. One tiny detail that stopped me--Miss Muffet runs "to pick a bright bouquet" but I didn't see her flowers in the illustrations. Maybe that's why she looks grumpy in the following spread?
    The author's lively rhyming text introduces each character and leads them across this fairy tale world to a cozy bed. (Actually sleeping at a pajama party is one element that may not ring true, lol!) Perhaps having some prior knowledge of the traditional rhymes would enhance a reader's understanding and enjoyment. But if this is your first exposure to them, the author includes the fifteen rhymes that contain the characters as the last eight pages of this forty page book. (I honestly didn't remember Jack-a-Dandy.)

Resources/Activities: There are HUNDREDS of websites that list nursery rhyme activities and you can even sort by pre-school, toddler or elementary age. Here are three of my own book-specific thoughts and one favorite from another site

• With Halloween upon us this week, perhaps a nursery rhyme character costume is in order!
• Host a pajama party. Play charades with each child acting out a nursery rhyme character. Read the accompanying rhyme aloud after each character is revealed (pick a favorite stanza to shorten this)
• Make a game of finding finding familiar characters in the illustrations that aren't mentioned in the text. (I saw the three blind mice and the gingerbread man - are there others?)
• What ARE curds and whey? Try an education.com science experiment!
• Learn more about the illustrator's process from Virginia Allyn's interview with Kathy Temean.

Let me know if this is on your reading list! I love to read your comments.
Note: I received a review copy from Random House in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.

Sewing Stories - Harriet Powers' Journey from Slave to Artist #WNDB #PPBF

     If you had never been taught how to read or write, how would you share your stories?
    As a writer, this thought made my breath catch in my throat. I believe everyone feels a universal human need to share their thoughts and be heard. A new book (released October 13, 2015) tells the story of one woman who spoke with her needles and cloth.
     
Title: Sewing Stories- Harriet Powers'
Journey from Slave to Artist
Author: Barbara Herkert
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Publisher: Knopf, 2015
Intended age: 4-8 Themes: Biography, African American, Quiltmaking

First lines: "See that sweet baby girl lying on a quilt her mama made? What could she be dreaming of?
                    On a plantation near Athens, Georgia, Harriet's mama worked from rise to set while Harriet slept between the cotton rows."

Synopsis: Born into slavery, Harriet Powers' skills as a quiltmaker change her life.

Why I like this Book: This book reminds me of an excerpt of the Humans of New York, learning about a fascinating person who might not be well-known, and who certainly didn't set out to be well-known but nonetheless leaves a strong emotional connection with the reader.
     Especially at election time, I hear a lot of people talking about what they think. For me, what a person does is often a better indication of their character. And this book is about a doer. Someone who needed to survive. Someone who found a way to make beauty in difficult situations.
     The text uses lovely lyrical language. This line is my favorite: "Then Harriet explained each story sewn within the squares, like the lyrics of a song spun into cloth."
     Fun fact about me: When I was in high school I made a quilt from scraps of old clothing and leftover craft projects. I don't think it will hang in a museum like Harriet's work, but I am proud of it and it "talks" to me.

Resources/Activities:

• On her website, the author suggests writing a free-verse biography of someone a child admires, or making a classroom story quilt.
• Read another book about a young African American quiltmaker and compare the stories. Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt.
•  Learn more about Harriet Powers and her quilts in Mary Lyons 48 page book written for ages 8-12, Stitchin Stars: The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers.
• Harriet used a technique called applique (making pictures with small pieces of fabric put on a larger piece). Make your own applique picture with snips of fabric. Does your picture tell a story? If you want to try something more advanced, using needle and thread, the Positively Splendid Crafts website has a  good applique primer.
• Compare the mosaic patterns in the book I reviewed last week (NIGHT of the MOON) to the quilts in this story.

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 Random House 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 comments to know what you think of my selections.

NIGHT of the MOON - Perfect Picture Book Friday

     This summer, while Perfect Picture Book Friday was on hiatus, Muslims celebrated the ninth month of the Islamic calendar known as Ramadan (June 18-July 16, 2015). Next year the holiday begins on June 6, so yes I'm a bit early for it. But it's never too early to enjoy a good book!
    
Title: NIGHT of the MOON - A Muslim Holiday Story
Author: Hena Khan

Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Publisher: Chronicle, 2008
Intended age: 4-8
Themes: Holidays, Ramadan

First lines: "It was bedtime, and Yasmeen waited for her mom to read her a story as she did every night. But this night was different."

Synopsis: A seven-year old girl celebrates the month of Ramadan.

Why I like this Book: I don't know much about Ramadan. I knew that people fasted, but not much more. The story portrays a close knit loving family while explaining the holiday that they are celebrating, emphasizing the themes of family traditions and charity for others who are less fortunate. This book contains basic information so it probably isn't for members of the Muslim community who would know these things already.
The illustrator frames the spreads with lush mosaic patterns of teal and turquoise.

Resources/Activities:

• Read a little bit about Ramadan and celebrate with the Fattoush salad or Lentil soup recipes provided by education.com.
• Try to complete the fill-in-the-blanks worksheet at Education world.
• Primarygames.com has printable coloring pages and games to play.
•  Last year I read, and recommended, a book by this same author (Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, 2013).  The Little Big Book Club has posted a lesson plan for that book with more information about Islam.
• A group of occupational and speech therapists and special education teachers created a wonderful unit for their students about Islam, using Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns
  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
  Thanks for stopping by!

Out of the Office

     I'll be away from internet tomorrow, so I'm not posting for Perfect Picture Book Friday this week but I look forward to reading everyone else's recommendations when I can!

That's a Possibility - picture book review

     I read this book during the summer summer when everyone was lazing by the pool or melting in the heat, so I held off posting to be sure it wasn't overlooked. It's two years old, but new to me even though it got a starred review in School Library Journal back in 2013. I love it.  Didn't think math could be fun?
     Read this!
   
Title: That's a Possibility

Author/Illustrator: Bruce Goldstone
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 2013
Intended age: K-4th grade
Themes: Vocabulary, Math.

First lines: What's a Possibility?
                  If something can happen, it's a possibility.
                  Will this mouse find the cheese?
                  That's a possibility!

Synopsis: With colorful photos, the book explores the meaning of things that are possible, probably, likely, certain and impossible. The reader is challenged on each page to think about questions posed as story extensions. Illustrations showing the simple statistics of coin flips and dice rolls round out the text. It looks simple, but makes you think and you don't realize you're learning things at the same time.

Resources/Activities:

• If you still aren't certain whether to read-view the slide show of inside spreads at the publisher's website. 
• The publisher's 9-page teacher's guide is posted here.
• There are two activities on page 30 of the book. Try them!
• Write a story about something impossible. Write it again, but make the main idea possible.
• Discover Education has a probability lesson plan for grades 6-8.
• California posted a study guide for high school statistics (much of it quite basic).

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
Thanks for stopping by!

Max the Brave - GIVEAWAY

     I am participating in a blog tour for MAX THE BRAVE! Cause for celebration, a bonus book review and--giveaway! 

     
From Sourcebooks (the publisher):    

"Max is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There’s only one problem—Max doesn’t know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn’t have to be Max the Brave all the time…

Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse. Young readers will delight in Max’s mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children’s classic.

Ed Vere is an author, artist and illustrator with a long track record of success in the picture book category. Max the Brave was named one of The Sunday Times’s 100 Modern Children’s Classics. His book Bedtime for Monsters was shortlisted for the 2011 Roald Dahl Funny Prize and Mr Big was chosen by Booktrust as the official Booktime book for 2009 (and was distributed to 750,000 British schoolchildren making it the largest single print run of a picture book). Vere was the World Book Day illustrator for 2009."

 What I like about this book: I'm generally a dog person but Max is a charmer. The author uses terse text, bright colors and negative space to keep the focus on character. With echoes of ARE YOU MY MOTHER in pacing and adorable use of mistaken identity, and a nod to THE GRUFFALO in the twist (two of my favorite classics, BTW) the story isn't about HOW to be brave, but rather what happens when a brave but naif character explores his world. I chucked as Max remains clueless to his 'kitten-power' while the animals he encounters react to a cat in their midst.

 Two side notes--I shared the book with visitors over the Labor Day holiday and my guest readers told me they weren't sure in the first spread that the character was a kitten. And none of us could figure out why Max's eye color changes from white to yellow. At first it seems to depict anger and then it feels random.

Resources: View the trailer!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuNbrpUVunE

View the activity kit here.

View the additional educator's guide here.

Contact the author or publisher on Twitter:   @ed_vere, @jabberwockykids

Enter a Rafflecopter drawing for a chance to win a copy of the book here!  

Everyone feels braver in a cape!

Note: I received a review copy from Sourcebooks in exchange for my participation in the blog hop. 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! Leave a comment to let me know what you think of my selections.

Lillian's Right To Vote - picture book review

      I don't re-run many picture book posts, but this post first appeared on August 5, 2015 while Perfect Picture Book Friday was on hiatus. Because reviews are starting on Sept. 11, Patriot Day, I think this book is a great one to feature and make sure it's on everyone's Perfect Picture Book list!

     Every American should be having a big celebration tomorrow. You probably don't have this marked on your calendar. Go ahead and check. I'll wait . . .
     August 6, 2015 is the fifty-year anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. This Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, prohibits racial discrimination in voting. And every American should be proud of this historic piece of legislation. Proud because this Act is evidence of the strength of our democratic process. Evidence that EVERY American has a voice. Evidence that when our laws aren't perfect (the 15th Amendment to the Constitution passed in 1870 was intended to solve racial voting discrimination)  we improve them. Our country is constantly evolving.
     So what does this have to do with children's books?
     Voting laws don't sound like exciting plot material?
     Read this book.

Title: Lillian's Right to Vote

Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade, 2015
Intended Age: 5-9
Themes: Civil Rights, Voting, Diversity
First Lines:  "A very old woman stands at the bottom of a very steep hill. It's Voting Day, she's an American, and by God, she is going to vote. Lillian is her name."
Synopsis: A 100-year old African-American woman recalls her ancestors' stories of discrimination and famous Civil Rights moments as she climbs a hill on her way to cast her vote.

Why I like this book: I am a big humongous fan of Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans work. When I reviewed Shane's book We March I used the word "powerful." And that's what I felt here. The steep hill Lillian climbs is literal, and metaphorical. The reader sees it and feels it and midway through the book I found myself huffing and puffing with imagined exertion, willing Lillian up the climb. The author and illustrator don't shy away from showing the horrible indignities that people suffered from slavery to Selma. Men. Women. Children. Treated as less than others. The muted sketchy-quality used to illustrate the generations past that accompany Lillian feel like present day ghostly figures reminding us not to forget. The illustrator has put Lillian in a vibrant Sunday-best coat and hat with matching high heel shoes, emphasizing the dignity and importance of her personal moment. An unforgettable book. It may be targeted for young readers but I say it is for all ages.
A master class for illustrators, my favorite spread uses the gutter to show Lillian's voting history.

During the 2008 election, I remember reading the story of the real woman, a fellow Pennsylvanian, who inspired the book. In research for this post I was sad to see that Lillian Griffin Allen passed away earlier this year at the age of 107. I hope advance reader copies were passed out in heaven.
Note to parents: the book contains one nude male figure  (the second spread) seen from the back. This slave figure in bondage is the focal point of the illustration. It is not gratuitous. The image, standing next to his wife (wearing a skirt made of burlap-gorgeous mixed-media texture) is concise and powerful.
Resources/Activities:

• Surfnetkids recommends five websites relating to the Voting Rights Act for parents and children. 
• For older children (grades 7-12) -The National Archives - Center for Legislative Archives
• Take your children along with you to vote.
• Talk about democracy and why you vote. Have mock elections for everyday things - ex. vegetable to be served at dinner! Then talk about how it feels if everyone else in the family gets to vote except one person.
• Read all of Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans books. Vote on favorites.

Note: I received a review copy from Random House 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.”

 

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
Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment to let me know what you think of my selections!