PPBF: The Snail and the Whale and a WINNER!

Needed to show off all the pollen on my porch!

Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Dial, 2004
Age: 3-8
Themes: snails, whales, stories in rhyme
Opening: see opening page below image of title page.

Summary: (from my library catalog) Wanting to sail beyond its rock, a tiny snail hitches a ride on a big humpback whale and then is able to help the whale when it gets stuck in the sand.

I like this book because: it’s such fun to read aloud, written so well that one doesn’t stumble trying! And the vocabulary for younger kids (as well as for people like me!) is exhilarating! The story is so heartwarming and humorous, and the illustrations are rich – I love when an illustrator can use a lot of black for drama! Yes, this book needs no boosting from me, but a reminder of a good book to pull out for pure enjoyment is always welcome!

Resources/activities: The relationship between the two main characters may not be a real-life symbiotic relationship, but there are numerous in nature – would be fun to lest ones we know and research more. Have kids write a poem – in rhyme or not – about a symbiotic relationship.

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

And now for the winner of LOUIS’s #picturebookpicnic giveaway is… ptnozell, better known as Patricia, Head Cheerleader of Picture Books!!! Thanks to everyone who participated! It was such fun to share picnics – and a few cupcakes!

PPBF: A Squash and a Squeeze

Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine, 2017; first published by Methuen Books, 1993
Age: 3-6
Themes: dwellings, domestic animals, stories in rhyme, humorous stories
Opening: A little old lady lived all by herself with a table and chairs and a jug on the shelf.

Summary: With the help of an old man and all of her animals, an old lady realizes that her house is not as small as she thought it was.

Why I like this book: This rollicking rhyme spins an old Jewish folk tale said to be from Poland, is always fun, but made so much sweeter by the master of rhyme herself, Julia Donaldson. Scheffler is able to add so much emotion to the cozy illustrations (the goat’s face while pig raids the cupboard is priceless!), that you might want to move in with all the characters too!

Resources/Activities: Read about the illustrator HERE;  attempt read every single one of the author’s and illustrator’s collaborations – you won’t be sorry! Read a few more Jewish folktales, like Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, by Simms Tabak, or Such a Noise!, by Aliana Brodmann and Hans Poppel.

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

PPBF: Superworm

Author: Julie Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine, 2012.
Ages: 4-8yrs
Themes: stories in rhyme, worms, heroes
Opening: Superworm is super-long. Superworm is super-strong. Watch him wiggle! See him squirm! Hip, hip, hooray for SUPERWORM!
Summary: (from Amazon) Toad in trouble? Beetle in a jam? Never fear — Superworm is here! And he’s wiggling to the rescue! But when Superworm is captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard, will his friends find a way to help their favorite superhero escape?

I like this book because: I would have picked this up based on the author-illustrator team alone. Loved every one I have gotten my hands on yet. But a super-hero worm? Come on! How could I not? And this one does not disappoint! Perfect rhythm and rhyme makes you want to get up and sing for this new kind of hero and his gang of insect cohorts. The best is, all his super powers are his own super but natural qualities, stretched just a little for this adventure tale.

Resources/activities: This is all a teacher would need to get a first or second grade class excited about an insect unit; make your own Superworm with pipe cleaners, or from Dad’s knee socks – even grandma’s old stockings and a marker; go on an earthworm discovery tour in a garden – lift rocks, leaf piles or fallen branches; download a coloring page from Scholastic – HERE

 

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

Picture Perfect Friday Book – a spin!

Perfect Picture Book Friday is STILL taking a break, but I had to share this! Maybe I can add it to the list on Susanna Hill’s blog later, or inspire someone else to write a review!

Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reprint edition, 2013
Age Level: 4-7
Themes: rats, thieves, animals, stories in rhyme
Opening: The Highway Rat was a baddie. The Highway Rat was a beast. He took what he wanted and ate what he took. His life was one long feast. His teeth were sharp and yellow, his manners were rough and rude, And the Highway Rat went riding – riding – riding – riding along the highway and stealing the traveler’s food.
Summary: (From Amazon) From the bestselling creators of THE GRUFFALO, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Quick! Hide all your goodies! The Highway Rat’s coming, and he’s going to steal your snacks… He takes clover from a rabbit, nuts from a squirrel — he even steals his own horse’s hay! Can no one stop him? The creators of STICK MAN and A GOLD STAR FOR ZOG stand and deliver this fabulous new story of a wickedly loveable villain who gets his just deserts.

This find on the NEW bookshelf at the library made me gasp! I have become SUCH a big fan of their collaborations, that I keep my fingers crossed and hope they continue! But I don’t like being disappointed, so I tucked it in my bag to savor the excitement (and wouldn’t want to shriek in the library, though the children’s librarians would understand). On the way home I told myself, “Now, Julie, the chances of this becoming another favorite are slim (I am a good convincer!), it will probably be good, probably not great, just enjoy it for what it is.” It’s a good trick of mine, and useful for someone who enjoys going from a calm state to euphoria in seconds. And it worked again! Aww, man – I LOVE IT!!! I’m like a kid, I love the characters, the repetition, but as an adult I know the poem from whence it was inspired and so could enjoy it all the more! Hope you do too!

If you have a few minutes, listen to the kids reading this book HERE.

And for Anne of Green Gables aficianados – enjoy: