Author: Charlotte Moundlic
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Publisher: Enchanted Lion, 2013
Ages: 5-8yrs
Themes: swim suits, relatives, summer vacation
Opening: In a month, my family, will be moving. So my parents have decided that this summer I’ll go away kind of on my own, which means without Mama.
Summary: (from my library catalog) A Batchelder Honor book: On his first vacation without his parents, eight-year-old Myron faces a scary grandfather, teasing older cousins, his first dive off the ten-foot board, and his grandmother’s encouragement to write his mother daily, telling her of his adventures. (Kirkus review)
I like this book because: the first-person story is so familiar! It brings back nights spent away from home, for emergencies or holidays, and my first experience diving off the high board. Terrific for any kid who has ever spent time with friends or relatives, with or without their own parents. The text is long for a picture book by American trends, reads more like a chapter book, but it’s a picture book format, and definitely fits my criteria for a PPBF pick. The composition of the color spreads is sparse but richly atmospheric.
Resources/activities: discuss the history of swimsuit fashion – info HERE; discuss personal fears and how one might or may have overcome them.
For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE
Love it! Did you forget illo day with me?
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Dang! Crazy with graduation stuff – so sorry!
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oh don’t worry. Graduation is a big deal. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks for understanding! I even had a draft ready too! Less than 24hrs and he will be FREE, at least that’s what he thinks!
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Awh *hugs* it must be hard for you
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Actually quite relieved!
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Oh good! 🙂
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Oh, I need to find this one as Enzo will be away from Mama and with grandparents and older cousins in July, while I attend the WOW retreat.
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It might be a bit ‘old’ for him, but worth a try!
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You can always count on Enchanted Lion for really special books!
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I’ve liked every single one!
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What a great book for kids going away for the first time! Love the illustrations and colors. Great review, Julie!
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Thanks, Robin – the colors are perfection!
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Oh, I’d spent many (non-scary) wonderful days with my relatives – grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles – without my parents when I was little. My kids only have 2 cousins who are not close in age and live too far so they never got to experience this sort of thing, whether scary or fun.
Hah…the bathing suit fashions…love it! 🙂
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I get melancholy thinking I wasn’t able to provide more cousin experiences for mine too – we’re all scattered.
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Oh! This looks excellent on so many levels! Thanks!
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🙂
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I love that women swam in hose! Looks like a great pick. Thanks, Julie.
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I like the way they look, but am glad I didn’t have to swim in them!
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I haven’t heard the words “bathing costume” since we moved back from the UK. The first time I heard it I thought my kids needed costumes to swim, lol! It’s interesting that Enchanted Lion kept that phrasing for the American Market. Guess I have to read to find out why.
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You do!
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What a beautiful cover. Love the illustrations! Perfect book to launch the summer season. Camps and visiting family. This will be a winner with kids. I sure remember that 10 ft diving board. Never did get the nerve to dive – could only muster the courage to jump. Thanks for sharing!
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Oh, that poor little guy with his droopy swimsuit : /
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🙂
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I was eight when I first went away for a week to stay with a friend. Cool but scary! Love these illustrations and expressions.
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I bet you’d like it!
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OH – this one looks really good! And sounds fun. Love the illustrations for sure.
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Thanks for popping in, Joanne!
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This book sounds great, Julie! I was 6 the first time I went away to visit a friend a couple of hours from home and oh boy! was I homesick! I had a great time, but I was glad to get home 🙂 Thanks for adding this one to our list – it’s a topic we don’t have a lot on!
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That’s good to hear! I don’t think about topics you might need more of. Let us know if there is an area we PPBFers could pick up on.
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Just the title “Bathing Costume” intrigues me…
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Doesn’t it just?!
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This book sounds hilarious! 😀
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I sure thought so!
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Love the illustrations! It has such a lovely sparse feel and colours to it 🙂
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I feel that really aids to make this come across as a memory, despite being written in first-person.
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