PPBF: A Well-Mannered Young Wolf

Author: Jean Leroy
Illustrator: Matthieu Maudet
Publisher: Eerdmans, 2016, originally publ. in France by L’école des loisirs, 2013
Age: 4-8
Themes: wolves, manners, humorous stories
Opening: A young wolf, whose parents had taught him good manners, went hunting alone, in the forest for the first time.
Summary: (from my library catalog, short and to the point) A young wolf must fulfill his prey’s last wishes before he devours them.

Why I like this book: I have a penchant for sweet-on-the-outside stories with bite! The illustrations are much like those found in graphic novels, with very simple use of color and white space, allowing for the characters to take the simple plot on a well-paced ride!

Resources/Activities: A great book to discuss manners, honor, expectation and safety too!

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.

Almost Halloweensie

Boo hoo! This is NOT an acceptable entry  for Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie Contest (over by 4 words), but I thought I’d post my adaptation of a Storytime action-rhyme for teachers, parents, librarians – or another bookseller! – who might enjoy boo-hooing with toddlers too!

To read all the entries, click HERE

  

PPBF: The Lost House

Author/Illustrator: b.b.cronin
Publisher: Viking, 2016
Age: 4-7
Themes: seek-and-find books, houses, grandfathers
Opening: Grandad promised to take his grandchildren to the park today. But he needs some help getting ready. He’s lost a few things.
Summary: (from my library catalog) A brother and sister want to go to the playground with their grandfather, but they can’t leave until they find everything they need to take with them, in his colorful house. Help Grandad find all of his belongings in this search and find!

Why I like this book: Duh! Haha! This book is a riot of color and barrels of fun! My adult son and I spent at least half an hour looking for a sock in one of the spreads (no spoilers!). There is so much more to find than just the objects Grandad needs! I know readers will enjoy this as much as I do (still haven’t found everything!).

Resources/Activities: I would say the book provides this itself but go around the house or classroom and look for colors and objects that might get lost in one of the rooms, like this faded rose…

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.

NO! I did not forget the GIVEAWAY!!! And I am delighted to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Skippy John Jones in MUMMY TROUBLE is a writer-friend on the other side of the globe: Diane Tulloch!

PPBF: Mummy Trouble and a Giveaway!

Author/Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Publisher: Penguin, 2006
Age: 4-7
Themes: cats, imagination, mummies
Opening: Skippy John Jones did his very best thinking outside the box.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Skippyjon Jones, a Siamese kitten who thinks he’s a Chihuahua, dreams of traveling to ancient Egypt with his gang of Chihuahua amigos..

–ONE LUCKY COMMENTER CAN WIN THIS SIGNED PAPERBACK COPY!–

Why I like this book: I love El Skippito and I loved listening to Judy Schachner describe how he came into being at our recent regional SCBWI conference in Denver. If you love the drama of speaking in various accents, you’ll love to read it aloud – even to yourself! The illustrations are bold, imaginative and wonderfully winsome!

Resources/Activities: great book to read during a unit on ancient Egypt; download suggested lesson plans and activities HERE

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.

PPBF: Go Away, Big Green Monster!

Author/Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Publisher: Little Brown, 1993, 2005
Age: 4-7
Themes: monsters, fear, toy books
Opening: Big Green Monster has two big yellow eyes,
Summary: (from my library catalog) Die-cut pages through which bits of a monster are revealed are designed to help a child control nighttime fears of monsters.

Why I like this book: Simple concept, visually inviting, and so much fun – no spoilers! Great inspiration for pumpkin carving crowds.

Resources/Activities: Draw your own monsters; what features will your monster have that differ from this one?

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.