PPBF: Dear Mr.Blueberry

Author/Illustrator: Simon James
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1996, c1991
Age: 3-7
Themes: whales, letters, teachers

Opening: see below

Summary: (from my library catalog) A young girl and her teacher correspond about the whale she has discovered in her pond.

I like this book because: it’s an oldie, a classic gem, and always reads fresh as a daisy!! Soft illustrations convey the mood and feelings Emily seems to experience, which also lend contrast to Mr. Blueberry’s tone of disbelief! poor Mr. Blueberry!

Resources/activities: read books and look up facts about blue whales; write a letter to one of your teachers, one of your classmates, or a relative or friend; draw something you would hope to find in a pool in your backyard or on the roof of your apartment building!

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

Also happy to share a nice review my upcoming book received from Project MUSE!

PPBF: There Must Be More Than That!

Posted by julie rowan zoch

Author/Illustrator: Shinsuke Yoshitake
Publisher: Chronicle, 2020
Age: 4-8
Themes: future, imagination, family

Summary: (from my library catalog) Troubled because her brother has told her that the future of Earth is bleak, a little girl goes to her grandmother who assures her that there are many possible futures and encourages her to use her imagination to explore some of the alternatives.

I like this book because: I have to say I fell in love with the grandmother here! We try to protect children from terrible things yet inevitably they will hear about them and I was glad to see the main character sought out advice from her grandmother, but reflected and made her own way in dealing with them. Heavy stuff tackled in such a creative way – plus I am a sucker for all his books, must say!

Resources/activities: reading this book together will open all the cans of worms and leading all readers to discuss everything – what an opportunity! Take it! Read other books by Yoshitake

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

PPBF: At Mary Blooms

Posted by julie rowan zoch

Author/Illustrator: Aliki
Publisher: Greenwillow, 1976
Age: 2-6
Themes: cause-and-effect stories, animals

Summary: (from my library catalog) When pet-collector Mary Bloom’s doorbell rings, bedlam is let loose. But her young neighbor has some big pet news of her own.

I like this book because: It’s such sweet and simple fun to read aloud. Sometimes this much repetition can be tedious, but this story is just right! I appreciate the very expressive drawings done with just a few lines and a limited palette. A real pity that this book is out of print – it’s really nice for beginning readers too.

Resources/activities: create your own cause-and-effect stories using imagined pets or people you know from your neighborhood; Read Overnight at Mary Bloom’s/Aliki, AND read more C-a-E picture books: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie/Numeroff, Stuck/Jeffers, No, David!/Shannon; read about the Mary Bloom who inspired the books: HERE