Four Otters Toboggan-- Perfect Picture Book Friday

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.

We Are Water Protectors -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

It is Earth Month and April 22nd is Earth Day, the 50th anniversary. Every Day is Earth Day. This is our planet and we need to care for it each and every day. We Are Water Protectors is brand new and it is a poem and prayer for our earth and the water that gives us life.

Title: We Are Water Protectors
Author: Carole Lindstrom
Illustrator: Michaela Goade
Publisher: Roaring Book Press, 2020

For Ages: 4 and Up

Themes: Earth, Water, Native Peoples, Protests

Opening lines: 
Water is the first medicine, Nokomis told me.
We come from water.
It nourished us inside our mother's body.
As it nourishes us here on Mother Earth.
Water is sacred.

Why I LOVE this book and think you will too:

Somehow throughout my life, I have been introduced to many Native People's and learned a little bit about their cultures. Their stories have given me a love of the earth and an appreciation of the people and their connection to the world.

This book is a beautiful connection to the stories, the people, and our need to connect with mother earth. It is a call to arms to protect our planet and the water that gives us life.

It is a prayer for the earth.

Michaela's illustrations are like a dream. They show the beauty and the horror in contrast to each other as poetically as the words written by Carole.

This book makes me want:  To read it over and over again. To linger on each image. To glide my fingers across the colors and the water. To hold it close to my heart to remind me of what is truly important in life. To push me to stand up and fight for what is right.

I hope it does the same for you and your children.

Listen to Carole Lindstrom Read the book

Activities and Resources:

Check out Carole's website.

https://www.michaelagoade.com/about

Go outside, dig in the dirt, play with water. Plants seeds, a tree, and flowers.

Play with watercolor paints.

Learn more about the complaints and concerns regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline

More on the Pipeline

Learn about the Native American cultures where you live.

Take Action.
Pick up garbage left behind.
Attend a rally.
Make signs.
Write to your government officials.
Change one little thing like giving up straws and balloons.

OK, I am off to listen to Matthew Winners Podcast interview with Carole and Michaela. You can too.

Looking for more great books to read with your kids. Be sure to check out Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday Blog Post.

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.

Counting Birds -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Title: Counting Birds: The Idea that Helped Save Our Feathered Friends
Author: Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Illustrator: Clover Robin
Publisher: Quatro Publishing Group USA, 2018

Opening Lines: Frank Chapman loved birds. He worked at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City creating exhibits about birds.

Themes: Citizen Science, Biography, Ornithology, Birds, Nature, STEAM, Earth Day

Why I Love this Book and Think You Will Too:

I love birds. When I was young, we had a neighbor who put sunflower seeds on the banister of her deck that sat in the middle of the woods. When we would visit, she was always sure to let up put seed out. Then she would call "chick- a dee-dee- dee, Chick-a dee-dee, dee" From the trees we would hear the little black, white and grey birds call back. "dee-dee-dee" That was how I learned about my first bird. They are still one of my favorite birds.

This book may be the first step in helping you love birds too. If you already love birds, you will enjoy this book for the information and beauty.

The author, Heidi Stemple is the child in the much loved and beautiful book Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. She went out on the Christmas Bird Count owling with her father as a child. She continues the tradition with the Owl Moon Gang.

Counting Birds is part call to action, part biography, and part nature exploration.  It shows how taking a small step can lead to big things that protect and preserve our natural world.

The cut paper illustrations are beautiful and deserve special attention.

Right now you can watch and listen as Heidi reads the book.

Activities and Resources:

Be sure to check out all of Heidi's videos related to this book. She will show you how to call down the Owls.

http://heidieystemple.com/books.html

Learn more about Clover's Cut Paper artwork

Check out Clover's Website

Need a laugh? Did you know T-Rex has a connection with birds?
T-Rex visits the Birds at the Field Museum

Make a drawing of a bird. It's one of Heidi's suggested activities.
I made this one in Procreate on my iPad. It started with a random squiggle. I guess I had birds on my mind.

Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

This is important! Saturday March 21st at 11 AM EST (That's 10 am in Chicago or CST), Josh will be reading this book LIVE on Facebook and Instagram. You don't have to miss out on anything. Race over and connect with Josh so you can enjoy this book and all the others he will be reading in the near future. It will be the best, cause it's being read to you by the author! But don't miss it, the video will only be available for a short time.

Title: Lady Pancake &Sir French Toast
Author: Josh Funk
Illustrator: Brendan Kearney
Publisher: Sterling Books, 2015

For ages 4 and up

Book Description:
A thoroughly delicious picture book about the funniest "food fight!" ever! Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have a beautiful friendship—until they discover that there's ONLY ONE DROP of maple syrup left. Off they go, racing past the Orange Juice Fountain, skiing through Sauerkraut Peak, and reeling down the linguini. But who will enjoy the sweet taste of victory? And could working together be better than tearing each other apart? The action-packed rhyme makes for an adrenaline-filled breakfast . . . even without a drop of coffee!

Themes: Food, Competition, Friendship, Sharing, Books in Rhyme

Opening Lines: 
"Deep in the fridge and behind the green peas,
way past the tofu and left of the cheese,
Up in the corner, and back by a roast,
sat Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast."

Why I believe you will like this book:

This book takes Food Wars to a whole different place.

Have you ever wanted something so badly and there was only one available? Add to that your best friend said they wanted that something too. Did you give in? Did you let your bestie have it?

No?

I didn't think so. You look like the kind of person who loves a race, some competition, and winning.

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are that kind of friends. Join them in the race the the last drop of syrup. You will rhymingly (I just made that word up) travel through the fridge where all the food comes to life.

But wait, there's more! You will discover what word Josh rhymes with linguini, and figure out the meaning of some challenging words.

Who do you think will win? What will the winner do?

Once the race is over, be sure to take some time looking at the fun illustrations.

Activities and Resources:

Follow Josh on Facebook: @Josh.Funk.Books. Again: Saturday 3/21 he will be reading Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast live on Facebook and Instagram.

His full website. There's an activity book.

Listen to the Songs for each book.

I found this bio about Josh on his website:
Bio Written by Josh's Cat:
Meow meow meow. Mew meow. Grrrr! MEOW! Mew mew meow mew meow. Me-oooooow! Mew.

Learn More About the Illustrator

Learn How Maple Syrup is made on a big scale.

Hungry? Is it wrong to share these recipes?

French Toast Recipe

or

Pancakes

I love to slice up an apple sprinkle it with cinnamon and ginger powder and fry it up until the apple slices are soft and browned. You can cook them in coconut oil or in butter. Right before they are done, I sprinkle in some of my favorite nuts and toast them up to add some extra flavor. Maybe even add some dried blueberries, cranberries or cherries to the mix. Makes a great topping especially if you only have a drop of syrup in the fridge. YUM!


Be sure to check out Susanna Hill's weekly PPBF post to see what she is writing about and to discover what other writers and educators are promoting.

Don't Panic and Always Carry a Towel (and cleaning wipes)

One of my favorite books is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. There are two important things you need to know about Intergalactic travel. Don't Panic and Always Carry a Towel. So grab your towel, don't panic about no school, being stuck at home with family. Instead, find ways to stay busy, have fun, and even learn something while we self-quarantine and let this pandemic fizzle out.

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My friend and critique partner, Shae Pepper is a teacher at Outschool.  Shae teaches history, literature, and photography for 10 -14 year olds in ways that make learning exciting. Shae, her husband, and their little dog Truffles are traveling the 50 states over 5 years. Her classes offer glimpses into her travel experiences, they bring history to life, and a offer fun photo experiences you can do at home. Plus, you will likely meet Truffles.

Here's the link to learn more about Shae. 

The cool thing about Outschool is that there are classes for all ages, and they are temporarily offering them free as a way to make it through these strange times.

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Author and illustrator Ben Clanton is offering a couple virtual meet-ups. If you are a Narwhal and Jellyfish fan, don't miss out. I love his books It Came in the Mail and Rot The Cutest in the World.

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Author Dev Petty has some fun stuff for kids to do. She wrote the I Don't Want to Be A Frog series, Claymates, and her newest is The Bear Must Go On.

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The physical Museums may be closed, but you can still visit many of them virtually.

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STEAM and Poetry get mixed up at Heidi Roemer and Kimberly Hutmacher's STEAM Powered Poetry website.


Have you discovered other cool ways that the community is dealing with this life disruption? Share them in the comments and I will make more posts. Share this post with your friends. You are welcome to follow my blog by adding your email at the top right.

The Box Turtle -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Title: The Box Turtle
Author and Illustrator: Vanessa Roeder
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2020.

Themes: Self-esteem, creativity/imagination, determination

Little Terrance the box turtle is born without a shell. His parents gave him a a shell that fit just right. Terrance was happy until one day some other turtles told him his shell was weird. Off he went to find something better. Terrance tries many shells, but each has something not quite right. Tag along with Terrance and his hermit crab friend to see what he discovers.

What I like about this book:

The artwork! Illustrations are created with Prismacolors, acrylics, and a box full of digital tricks. You can see from the cover that the colors are bright and cheerful. There is a lot going in in some of the illustrations, but you always know where to look to find Terrance and discover the problem.

Humor: Many of the box choices are so silly, kids will be laughing and pointing out why the idea was so bad.

Sweetness/Cuteness factor: This is just adorable, but not saccharine sweet, sunny and endearing sweet which make it appealing to so many kids.

Search and Find: Throughout the illustrations, there are little threads you can follow from characters appearing before their scene, to color palettes, and the raccoon.


Activities and resources:

Before you turn and look at the back end pages, see if you can think of other things that Terrance could use as a shell? Did you come up with some that Vanessa didn't illustrate? Did you come up with the ones that she did?

Check out the Teacher's Guide. It is STEAM Powered! and created by Marcie Colleen

If you haven't already read Lucy and the String, be sure to get your hands on that one too.

Learn more about Vanessa and her books on her website. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram too.

Be sure to check out Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday Posts. Not only will you find out what she likes, but there's a list of books recommended by authors and illustrators too.