It's EARTH WEEK!
Title: Four Otters Toboggan: An Animal Counting Book
Author: Vivian Kirkfield
Illustrator: Mirka Hokkanen
Publisher: Pomegrante Kids, 2019
Themes: Nature, Counting, Conservation, STEAM, Earth Day
Opening Lines:
Water waits.
Dawn breaks
in a chorus of bird song.
ONE willow flycatcher whistles
as the night slips silently away.
 |
| Text (c) Vivian Kirkfield, Illustration (c) Mirka Hokkanen, 2019 |
Why I Believe you will love this book:
Counting animals.
 |
| Text (c) Vivian Kirkfield, Illustration (c) Mirka Hokkanen, 2019 |
Poetry and the full circle of the day. A great story to read as you begin and end the day.
 |
| Text (c) Vivian Kirkfield, Illustration (c) Mirka Hokkanen, 2019 |
A theme of conservation with specific animals offers children a deeper look into the natural world allowing them to see the beauty and understand the need to care for the earth.
The art is beautiful. Mirka's printmaking is filled with detail and gentle colors that pull you in like the beauty of a new day. As they say "Earth without Art is just, Eh!" -- Demetri Martin
This is a lovely, simple, yet complex story that can be read to children of all ages.
Activities and Resources:
- Be sure to read the backmatter and learn more about each animal in the story.
- Check out the activity guide. It is chock full of great things to do.
- Watch Mirka making prints for the book:
- Go on a scavenger hunt to see how many insects, mammals, and birds you see.
Support your local Indie Bookstore when you purchase a new book.
Check out Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday Blog post each week to learn about more cool books to read with your kids and add to your collection.
One of my favorite lyrical picture books! So beautiful in so many ways. Great pic!
ReplyDeleteAnd, wow!, the video of Mirka making her prints is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for featuring Four Otter Toboggan, Sarah! I love the post!
ReplyDeleteI love Mirka's print block illustrations and Vivian's lyricism. And I am only slightly biased. Glad to see it still getting attention.
ReplyDeleteWhat an grand opening page with the bird chirping announcing a new day! Love Mirka's print block illustrations and enjoyed the video! Beautiful book!
ReplyDelete