Author: Helen Docherty
Illustrator: Thomas Docherty
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabbberwocky, 2013
Ages: 3 and up
Themes: books, stories, community, sharing
Opening: One dark, dark night in Burrow Down, a rabbit named Eliza Brown found a book and settled down…when a Snatchabook flew into town.
Summary: (from my library catalogue) The woodland animals of Burrow Down are ready for a bedtime story, but where are the books? Haha! That was short!
I like this book because: I don’t like to throw out terms like classic, or evergreen, in fact, I haven’t ever attempted to predict a book’s success, but… yeah, I think this is one! Not only a clever premise, but a great read-aloud, and a celebration of stories and reading, inclusion and community. It has a delightful play of contrast with bright, colorful images, and moonlit, windy, owl-hooting darkness and such endearing characters. Oops, I almost forgot…it’s a rhymer!
Resources/activities: This is a perfect vehicle to start a discussion on favorite stories, books we like to read with our families, even how books should be treated and stored; talk about sharing books with those who don’t have many; start a book collection for a school in need; make a drawing/picture or diorama of Eliza’s room in the tree.
For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
I read this book in the bookstore a couple weeks ago, Julie, and loved it! Had it on my list to review for PPBF and now you’ve beaten me to it! 🙂 Great book for our list!
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It’s a huggable!
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Adorable!
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🙂
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Uh oh, what do they do without books to read? I’m trying to picture a new bedtime routine without reading. 🙂
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Good luck!
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This looks enchanting. It’s fun to say snatchabook!
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Yep, great word.
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Like Susanna I saw this at the bookstore and – pop! – into my basket it flew! So, so perfect.
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I like picturing you skipping through a book garden with your basket!
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Well I’m intrigued! I love all that you’ve shared about this book. Love the title Snatachabook. I’m curious who’s stealing the books.
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Then I’ve done my job!
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Great, Julie! Love the rhyme and absolutely adore Mr. Docherty’s use of color! I also like that the author/illustrator team are family–wife/husband?
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I’ve just put more of his books on hold, I hope they continue to collaborate though!
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Yep! I can see it’s a huggable! 🙂 Love the gorgeous illustrations, very cute!
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🙂
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I want to hug it too! And put it in my basket! Thanks Ms RZ!
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And sing too!
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always singing!!!
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It’s going on my to-read list. If I love it as much as you, then it’ll go in my personal library! I can already tell I’ll like it. 😉
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Yay!
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Well, I love the illos but need to read more of the text to be totally persuaded, though the title and concept are super. I tend to love your recommendations though, Julie!
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Glad to hear that!
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This one looks really sweet. I want to read it. Thanks for the review.
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Thanks for stopping by, Rosi.
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Yum! I love those interior illustrations!
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Good stuff!
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I loved this book! 😀
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So glad to hear we agree!
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I read this book recently too and it is so great! And, of course, the fact that it’s a rhymer totally appealed to me. Glad it’s on the PPBF list now.
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the snatchabook sounds like a perfectly horrid creature! Imagine! And this sounds like a perfectly wonderful read-aloud for story time.
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He’s adorable, Sue!
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You had me at the title and book cover! On my to-read list!
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Hope you like it as much as I did!
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