Moldilocks and the Three Scares -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Our snowy Halloween has come to an end, my skeletons are cold and ready to hibernate until next year, but there's always time for a fun zombie story.

It is the Day of the Dead a time for remembrance and love so this book makes for a Perfect Picture Book today and well, any day.

Title: Moldilocks and the Three Scares: A Zombie Tale

Author: Lynne Marie

Illustrator: David Rodriguez Lorenzo

Publisher: Sterling Children's Books, 2019

Opening Page: IN A HUGE HAUNTED HOUSE -- with room enough for four, there lived three Scares: Papa Scare, Mama Scare, and Baby Scare. 

Themes: Adoption, Halloween, Zombies, Classic Remakes

This remix of the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a a little creepy, a little gruesome, and full of heart.

Why I love this book: 

There are not many books out there that include adoption as a topic.  This one sets you up from the beginning that this family has room for one more. Something every adopted child wants to feel is that there is room for them and they are wanted.

I love Halloween and our local schools no longer celebrate the holiday. This book isn't a Halloween story, so it makes for a great book to read this time of year. You don't have to break any rules, but you get to have some spooky creepy fun.

Illustrations: 

One of the things that I love about the end papers is that there is the black space at the bottom right corner. At first glance it seems like there was an odd choice in layout, but when you know the story, you realize it's black because it is waiting to be filled.

Activities and Resources:

You could pair this book with Sterling, Best Dog Ever by Aidan Cassie to talk about adoption and  finding a home.

Or

You could pair this book with Zombies Don't Eat Veggies by Jorge and Megan Lacera and have a non-Halloween at Halloweenie storytime. You could even add in Zombies in Love by Kate DiPuccio for a Zombie Trifecta.

You can read more about her journey in making this book here.

Check out David's Website

He posted a sketch on Instagram that you can color.

Check out Lynne Marie's website.

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.