So Few of Me - Review for #PPBF

Last week, I read GOING PLACES by Peter & Paul Reynolds. I love everything these brothers have created. But had I read every picture book they wrote? I checked. No. 
Here's one I missed.

by Peter H. Reynolds

Candlewick Press, 2006

Theme: enjoy life

Summary 
"Leo works really hard to get things done. But Leo encounters a problem: no matter how hard he works to get things done, he always finds more things to do! He decides it might be easier to enlist the help of more Leos to help him get everything done. The work keeps growing and two Leos quickly progress to ten Leos, with a never-ending amount of work. He finally decides to take a nap and has a dream. The other Leos catch him and get upset with him for doing something that was not on the list. Leo finally decides that he is content with just one of him so he can have time to dream."

The Story begins

Leo was a busy lad.
No matter how hard he worked,
there was always more to do.
Maybe making a list would help.

I like the concepts behind Peter's picture books.

In Peter's words: “If The Dot is about getting started, and Ish is about keeping going once you get rolling, So Few of Me is about making sure you save enough time in the rush- rush world we live in to actually BE creative.”

Resources for Home and Classroom 
Peter’s website is filled with art, blog posts, and projects.

http://www.peterhreynolds.com/

International Dot Day is based on The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.

Sign ups for 2015: “Make your mark and see where it takes you.”

http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/get-inspired/making-a-mark

Questions for Philosophical Discussion

Topics: Having things to do, Free Time & Identity

 http://www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org/wiki/So_Few_of_Me

Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture:  HERE!

Perfect PB Friday: City Street Beat

by Nancy Viau

Illustrated by Barbara Bakos

Albert Whitman & Company, 2014 

Themes: city life

Summary 
In City Street Beat, a young girl travels along a city's twisty road on her way to a friend’s house. Together, they embark on an adventure, taking in all the city’s sights and sounds. They hear the tippy, tappy clack of high heels on the sidewalk; the strumming and drumming of a three-piece band; the flipping and flapping of dancing pigeons; and more. The girls move and groove to the city’s hip-hop beat using all five senses until at last it’s time to say good-bye.

The Story begins 

Travel on a twisty road.
Fast and slow, the whoa!
Greet the city with a smile -
Hustle, bustle, GO!

I like the playful words and pictures.

City Street Beat is a great read aloud with rhythm and word play.

"Sing-a-ling a city song

That's playing on the street.

Rock-n-roll the razz-ma-tazz

And hip-hop to the beat.

Resources for Teachers: 
This classroom guide for City Street Beat is designed for students in preschool through second grade. It offers activities to help teachers integrate City Street Beat into English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies curricula. Art and drama are used as teaching tools throughout the guide.

http://www.nancyviau.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/City-Street-Beat-Guide.pdf

Enjoy the City Street Beat Book trailer!

Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture: HERE!

Perfect PB Friday: Round Is a Tortilla

by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

Illustrated by John Parra

Chronicle Books, 2013 

Themes: shapes, Latino culture

Summary 
A little girl discovers that shapes are all around her. They are part of the food she eats, games she plays, and objects in her room and around her town. Everywhere she looks, she sees shapes.

The Story begins

Round are sombreros.

Round is the moon.

Round are the trumpets

that blare out a tune.

I like how the Latino culture is shown through shapes.

 Square are ventanas that give a view.

Rectangles are carts with bells that chime.

Triangles are crunchy chips

for guacamole and other dips.

Resources: Activities for Home and Classroom

The author includes a glossary. First word listed is "Abuela: Grandmother."

Find wonderful teaching pages that go along with this book:  www.teachingbooks.net/.webloc

Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture: HERE!

Perfect PB Friday: Ostrich and Lark

This week, I had a few minutes to scan the picture book shelves in my library. And I came across a book that relates (setting) to one of my works-in-progress. It was like finding treasure!

Title: Ostrich and Lark

by Marilyn Nelson
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Boyds Mills Press, 2012 
Themes: friends, finding one's voice

Summary 
Ostrich and Lark spend their days on the grasslands of southern Africa surrounded by a chorus of birdsong. From his perch in a tree Lark joins the chorus, while below Ostrich is silent. Then comes a joyful day, when Ostrich finds his voice.

The Story begins

Ostrich and Lark started each morning together
at first light,
day in and day out.
And they parted
at nightfall.

Every day, all day,
over the cicada's drone,
a drizzle of buzzings fell,
and a downpour of birdsong.

I love the concept and illustrations. 
Author Marilyn Nelson captures the feel of a traditional African folktale. Her story is brought to life through vibrant illustrations by six San artists of the Kuru Art Project of Botswana. These vivid images transport readers to the unique landscape of the Kalahari Desert.

Resources: Activities for Home and Classroom

More about the Kuru Art Project: http://www.kuruart.com/about.php

Ostrich print out of interesting facts:  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/printouts/Ostrichcoloring.shtml

Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a complete list of today's Perfect Picture:  HERE!