Chicks Rule -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Title: Chicks Rule!
Author: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrator: Renée Kurilla
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2019

For Ages 3 and Up

Themes: Working together, empowerment, chicks rule

Opening pages: ZOOOOOM!! WHOOOOOSH! Rocket Club The coolest Club in the Galaxy. Meeting Today. No Chicks Allowed!!!

Chick gets mad.

Cool chicks and nerdy chicks
Quiet chicks and wordy chicks

Biker chicks and rocker chicks
Science chicks and soccer chicks . . .

All the chicks (They are young chicken chicks) are told no, they aren't welcome. While they come from different backgrounds, and have different dreams, they all have a common hurdle and together they work to conquer their dreams.

Why I think you will love this book:

This is a story about accomplishing your dreams in the face of adversity. It's about working together with what you have in common to support each other and make dreams come true.

If you have ever felt like you are Not Allowed, this book is for you.

The illustrations are adorable. Renée's work is bright and cheerful. the chicks come from diverse backgrounds. There's tons of fun stuff to look at on each page.

Along the way, you may begin to discover what kind of chick you are and begin your journey to the stars.

Resources and Activities:

Sudipta reads Chicks Rule.

Sudipta talks about her story and why she created it.

Activity pages.

The second book, Chicks Rock! about Rocker Chicks  getting up and singing in front of an audience comes out in 2021.

If you enjoyed this story, you can support the author and illustrator by buying your own copy of the book. You can also support independent bookstores through Bookshop.org. Make sure your library has the book in their collection too.

Susanna Hill had a Perfect Picture Book Blog where writers and teachers share a favorite book every Friday. Check it out to learn about more great picture books.

Zombies Don't Eat Veggies! -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Title: Zombies Don't Eat Veggies!
Created by: Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera
Publisher: Children's Book Press an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc, 2019

First lines: Mo was a zombie with a deep, dark craving. It was dreadful. Devious. Absolutely  despicable. Mo loved to eat vegetables.

The love and joy of having his vegetables is so sweet.

Why I love this book:
1. The end pages. The front end pages are framed images of Dad being a very successful zombie. The back pages show Mo being Mo.
2. Recipes. Combining delicious vegetable dishes with creepy zombies terms. Zombie finger foods. Ha Ha H.
3. The zombie food is disgusting and sure to incite groans and gags from any audience. Dori-toes (For dipping), Arm-panadas.

Once again pure joy for their favorite foods.

4. Such a cute/gross lovable family, each family member with different skin tones.
5. Turning the tables on eating vegetables. The kid has to convince the parents that they are good.
6. They have mixed in some Spanish words here and there to give it a little extra cultural flavor.
7. Wonderful illustrations.  Look at the color combinations, the grossness, the humor.

And finally, It's a story about being accepted for your differences.

Activities and Resources:

Practice your Spanish.

Make one or more of the recipes at the end of the book.

Learn more about the author illustrator team and listen to their podcast interview with Matthew Winner.

Have conversations about the things you like and don't like. Find ways to make each other feel more comfortable about your differences.

Draw your own Zombie Head. How would you make your zombie portrait?

Be sure to check out Susanna Hill's Blog where you can look for reviews by book, title, and by themes. And you can check out her weekly #PPBF post along with links to many more wonderful posts here.

Bug Girl And Small Wonders -- Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Summer weather has finally arrived. The mosquitoes are busy making us itch, the worms are close to the surface of the garden soil, butterflies and bees flit from flower to flower drinking nectar and spreading pollen. It's a great time to be outside. When you need a break from the heat and mosquitoes, head to the library to check out these two book and learn about two incredible entomologists.

Title: The Bug Girl: Maria Merian's Scientific Vision
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Illustrator: Filippo Vanzo
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2019

Opening: As a young girl growing up in the 1650's, Maria Merian was curious about everything. Her hometown of Frankfurt Germany, was full of creatures that crawled, flew, and scuttled. Butterflies were her favorite insect because their wings held a rainbow of colors. She could watch for hours as the butterflies flitted around the flowers blooming near her home.

Why I like this book:
This is a wonderful picture book biography about Maria Merian and her scientific illustrations.  I had never heard the phrase "spontaneous generation" before reading this book. It opens the door to so many topics of discussion.
* Encourages kids to study the living world around them.
* Women scientists in the 1600's
* Spontaneous generation -- seeing how taking the time to understand the world around us changes our world view.
* Women artists
* Curiosity
*Forging ahead even when it is not the popular thing to do.

Title: Small Wonders: Jean-Henry Fabre & His World of Insects
Author: Matthew Clark Smith
Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri
Publisher: Two Lions, 2015

Opening: Once there was a village in the sunny south of France: a village much like any other, where the cocks crowed and the church bells rang, and everyone seemed to know his or her place. Everyone, that is, but one.
At the very edge of town, behind high walls and plane trees, there stood a pink house. In the house lived an old man with beetle black eyes and a black felt hat who talked to animals. Whether he was a sorcerer, or simply a madman, no one could agree.

Why I like this book:
I love learning about people who studied nature and paved the way for us to have a better understanding of the world around us. Jean-Henry Fabre loved nature and insects and spent his life studying them and writing about them.

This book starts like a scary story with the old man in the black coat and hat coming from the pink house. We don't know who is man is and yet, the President of France is coming to visit him. How curious.

Activities for both books:
Make your own Nature Journal.

Start a Nature Journal. See what you notice throughout the year about the insects and nature around you. Here are some tips about nature journaling.

Raise a caterpillar and watch the metamorphosis process. Keep track of it in your nature journal. Then set your butterfly or moth free. This time of year, you can find eggs and caterpillars to bring in and raise on your own. You probably already know that Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed. Did you know you might find a swallowtail egg or caterpillar on a dill plant.  I wonder where you might find a Cabbage White caterpillar?

Learn about a cocoon and a chrysalis. What are the similarities? What are the differences?

You can download and read books by Jean-Henri Fabre.

Learn more about Maria Sibylla Merian

Be sure to check out Susanna Hill's Blog where you can look for reviews by book, title, and by themes.