PPBF: Mystery

Author/Illustrator: Arthur Geisert
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 2003
Age: 3-6
Themes: pigs, art museums, mystery stories  
Opening: I packed the lunch – sandwiches with extra mayonnaise, apples, oranges, and twenty-four cookies. Everything my Grandpa liked.

Summary: (from my library catalog) During a visit to the art museum, a little piglet and her grandfather investigate the disappearance of several paintings. Clues in the illustrations give readers a chance to solve the mystery along with the heroine.

I like this book because: I confess, I like all of Geisert’s books, and this isn’t even my favorite, but it warms my artist heart with all the visual references to great paintings, architecture, sculpture, and even, in the last image below, to the publisher! Oh, and PIGS! I’ve added one of my own pigs to the bottom of this post (because…PIGS!)

Resources/activities: visit an art museum – one of my local favorites: The Kirkland; check out this site to find one near you – or near where you are headed: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/museums-us.html; check out how to become a police artist HERE

There is a summer break for new entries, but for more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog  HERE.

PPBF: Beyond the Fence

Author/Illustrator: Maria Gulemetova
Publisher: Kane Miller, 2018
Age: Child’s Play Int’l., 3-8
Themes: pigs, friendship, freedom
Opening: Thomas talked a lot. And Piggy had to listen.

Summary: (from my library’s catalog) Piggy and Thomas live in a large house. Thomas knows exactly what Piggy needs until a chance meeting with a wild pig changes everything: Piggy finds out what lies beyond the fence.

I like this book because: there are so many picturebooks about the importance and joy of friendship, but this book takes us beyond. What happens when friendship disappoints, saddens, and hurts us. It touched my heart profoundly, and I wanted to share it as close to valentine‘s day as possible, because not all relationships deserve to be celebrated.

Resources/Activities: discuss what is important in a friendship and what is not, do friendships take work and why? What makes a good friend? Look around and let your friends know you care and appreciate them.

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

PPBF: The Piggy in the Puddle

The PPBF series on Susanna Hill’s blog is still taking a vacation, but I have to share Perfect Picture Books as discover them, at least on Fridays!Author: Charlotte Pomerantz
Illustrator: James Marshall
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 1974
Ages: 3-8
Themes: pigs, mud, stories in rhyme
Opening: See the piggy,/ See the puddle,/ See the muddy little puddle,/ See the piggy in the middle/ Of the muddy little puddle.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Unable to persuade a young pig from frolicking in the mud, her family finally joins her for a mud party.

I like this book because: my inner-kindergartener yelled, “More! More!” while I read aloud with runaway energy! Another classic gem I was glad to be able to get a hold of through my inter-library loan system. The art is pure Marshall: subtle, hysterical, effective!

Resources/activities: discuss why pigs like to wallow in mud, and possibly other seemingly strange habits of animals; instructions to make pig finger puppets at ichild – HERE; make a list of words that rhyme with PIG.

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

PPBF: HOG-EYE

Author/Illustrator: Susan Meddaugh
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 1995
Ages: 3-7yrs
Themes: pigs, wolves, reading
Opening: Yesterday my whole family met me at the door. They wanted to know why I diodn’t go to school. Spo I told them the true story. It’s not my fault it’s….
Summary: (from my library catalog) A young pig uses her ability to read to outwit a wolf that intends to eat her.

I like this book because: I love a good smartie-pants protagonist! This reminds me strongly of The Amazing Bone from another favorite author, William Steig, yet has it’s own charms! Would be grteat to read in tandem!

Resources/activities: talk about poisonous plants, esp. what can be found in recreational areas nearby; draw pictures of the plants; discuss what you can do if you have encountered them. Also read The Amazing Bone from William Steig.

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

PPBF: The Pig Who Wished

The PPBF series on Susanna Hill’s blog is taking a nap – a long summer slumber – but I can’t help myself – gotta share books!

Author: Joyce Dunbar
Illustrator: Selina Young
Publisher: DK, 1999
Ages: 2-6
Themes: pigs, wishes, bedtime
Opening: Once there was a pig who swallowed a magic acorn so that all of her wishes came true. “Oh, I do wish, I could get out of my pigpen and look at the stores,” said the pig.
Summary: (from my library catalog) When a pig swallows a magic acorn, all her wishes come true.

I like this book because: The cheerful illustrations from Selina Young attracted me to the book, and the linear and rollicking story of what happens when your wishes come true took my delight to another level – and in the end I was left with a warmed heart!

Resources/activities: Where might your wishes take you? This kind of story could be recreated in the round and each telling would be unique.

For existing PPBF selections including resources and activities, go to 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

SteigFEST 3: Zeke Pippin

Publisher:HarperCollins, 1994
Ages: 4-8
Themes: humorous books, pigs, harmonicas
Opening: Moseying down his street one morning, Zeke Pippin found a harmonica. He didn’t exactly find it. It fell at his feetfrom a garbage wagon that happened to be rumbling by.
Summary: (from my library catalog) After finding a harmonica in the street, a young pig becomes an accomplished musician, but when his loving family falls asleep every time he plays, he runs away in search of a more appreciative audience.

I like this book because: it is a great discussion starter! It is also close to a Zen story I have often shared, about what we might consider to be lucky – read #6 HERE

Resources/activities: discuss communication, how one person can understand or remember a situation differently than another person, and what we can do about a misunderstanding before it escalates; learn to play a simple tune on the harmonica – HERE

Today’s tidbit: Always wanted to know how to pronounce his name? Click HERE

PPBF: Trouble Gum

Author/Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, 2009
Ages: 2-6
Themes: humorous stories, pigs,  boredom, bubble gum
Opening: “The trouble at the Figg’s house began one rainy day when Grammy was over for tea. Mom was knitting a blanket for Julius. Ruben stared out of the living room window. 
Summary: (from my library catalogue) Playing indoors with his little brother on a rainy day, a rambunctious young pig causes a ruckus and then breaks his mother’s three chewing gum rules.

Why I like this book: Whilst browsing for bug books a la Cronin, I plucked this ‘old’ Cordell favorite. When it first came out, I was ultra-jealous of this oh-so-clever title, and I wasn’t even writing yet! In the book I saw myself … and the broken mirror, the hole in the door, lice in my hair, the glue on the carpet (all details will resurface in my own books!) – just a few very relatable sore-spots. And the art is just right – clean, crisp and clever!

click the image to go to Simon Decker’s page

Resources/activities: if you are a visual teacher, you might feel inspired by this pinterest board; read about the invention of bubble gum – HERE; learn the scientific method using bubble gum – HERE

read the book if you want to find out what THUMP is all about

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

PPBF: Louella Mae, She’s Run Away!

Author: Karen Beaumont Alarcón

Illustrator: Rosanne Litzinger

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 1997

Genre: fiction

Themes: lost and found possessions, pigs, stories in rhyme

Age Level: 2-6

Opening: Louella Mae, she’s run away!
Look in the cornfields! Look in the hay! Where, oh, where, is Louella Mae?

Synopsis: A growing crowd searches all around the farm for the missing Loella Mae. A playful story with a surprise ending!

Why I like this book: No surprise here: I was attracted to the beautiful artwork of this skilled watercolorist. Litzinger possesses an ability to create action, emotion, chaos and tranquility with few lines and detail, and fabulous color sensitivity. But this is a book I borrow from the library often to remind myself of the perfection in sound, repetition, rhythm and pacing with just 255 words (you bet, I typed this one out!). If I haven’t convinced you to look for this book yet read the following text from one of the spreads: Run tell the neighbors and y’all give a yell ‘fore she wanders off yonder and falls in the… (Gotcha!)

Resource/Activity: Animal Lost and Found: online educational game from PBS; treasure/scavenger hunt ideas for classroom or home.

For more posts on Perfect Picture Books and resources visit Susanna Hill’s blog every day!

PPBF: The Giant Seed

This post is dedicated to all those affected by the High Park Fire: seeds of hope

Author/Illustrator: Arthur Geisert

Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, 2012 (originally published in France under La Grosse Graine by Editions Autrement, 2010)

Genre: wordless fiction;  note the interesting size: 10 1/4″ x 6″

Themes: pigs, seeds, volcanoes, islands, dandelions, displacement

Age Level: 4-8

Synopsis: In this new episode of Geisert’s pig stories (yes, that was the cue to read the others) a seed drifts into the community, is planted, nurtured and enjoyed by all. The threat of a  volcano eruption has them scrambling to safety, and I’ll let you guess how their escape is provided – or you can drift over to your local bookstore tomorrow to participate in Kelly Sonnack’s annual Save the Bookstore’s 2012 Event

Why I like this book: Geisert’s ability to imbue action and adventure in a wordless picture book with really cool photogravure illustrations is magical! (From Wikipedia: Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking or photo-mechanical process whereby a copper plate is coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue which had been exposed to a film positive, and then etched, resulting in a high quality intaglio print that can reproduce the detail and continuous tones of a photograph.)

Resource/Activity:  Good explanation for wind dispersal of seeds; Craft ideas: Printmaking for Kids; makeandtakes.com: home-made volcanoes

For more posts on Perfect Picture Books and resources visit Susanna Hill’s blog every Friday

And now to Day Nine: Jeff Goins tells us another habit of great writers is to connect with other writers. Then I must be in a great group of great writers already! For more info visit Julie Hedlund’s site for more info on the 12x12in’12 Challlenge.