PPBF: Poles Apart

Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Jarvis
Publisher: Nosy Crow, 2016
Age: 3-7
Themes: penguins, polar bears, getting lost

Opening: As everyone knows, penguins are found at the South Pole and never at the North Pole. At least not until the day…

Summary: (from my library’s catalog) Everybody knows that penguins live at the South Pole and polar bears live at the North Pole—but what would happen if, one day, a family of picnicking penguins accidentally got lost? When the hapless Pilchard-Brown family find themselves at the wrong pole, they need Mr. White, a friendly polar bear, to guide them all the way home.

I picked this book because: I enjoy other books by Willis and by Jarvis so I was curious to see a collaboration between them – and I was not disappointed! It’s simple and sweet and a huggable sort of book with bright, lively, and loose drawings (something I am forever trying to achieve myself!). And be just right for the toddler/preschool crowd for story time with lots of alliteration and fun details that truly engage. Hope you enjoy it too!

Resources/activities: look into which animals are found on both poles, and which are not; make a diorama featuring the differences; create a play adding other locations with backdrop paintings; read more picture books featuring animals from the north and south poles, like Except Antarctica by Todd Sturgell.

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

PPBF: Mrs. Mole, I’m Home!

Author/Illustrator: Jarvis
Publisher: Candlewick , 2018
Age: 2-6
Themes: moles, eyeglasses, home
Opening: see image below

Summary: (from my library’s catalog) Morris Mole can’t find his glasses, but he’s certain he can get home without them. So off he burrows, and up he pops…. ‘Mrs. Mole, I’m home!’ But is he?

I like this book because: It was SUCH a hit with my storytime gang and the adults in the room too! Fun bright illustrations with plenty to pour over in side jokes (look at those worms!) and perfect pacing to keep the whole crowd happy and asking for more!

Resources/Activities: we made paper eyeglasses to color, and I brought any type of eyewear I could find in the house for them all to try on, even a pair with a nose and moustache – which I must say looked best worn upside down!

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

PPBF: Pig and Pug

Authors: Laura Marchesani and Zenaides A. Medina Jr.
Illustrator: Jarvis
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers, 2015
Ages: level 2 progressing reader
Themes: farm animals, friendhip, commonalities
Opening: Pig lives on a farm. There are four cows. There are ten chickens. There are six sheep. But there is just one pig.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Pig lives on a farm where he is the only animal without a friend until a new creature arrives, Pug, who is not a pig but has a curly tail, snorts, plays in the mud, and just might be a good friend for Pig.

I like this book because: despite my choice being a leveled reader, it’s narrative is fun to read aloud and the takeaway is endearing. The illustrations are delightful, simple (okay, a little more depth of color/contrast might be too much to expect in a leveled reader, but I’d suggest it for the series), and full of emotion.

Resources/activities: Compare animal traits; What do we feel would make a good friend and why?; Do we have friends with which we share a lot in common? How important is that? Draw the characters in the book – they are perfect for emulating.

For more PPBF selections including resources and activities, go to Susanna Hill’s blog: HERE