One of the first things babies do--even before they learn how to eat, or to babble, or to sit--is to wiggle. And then they keep on wiggling and wiggling and wiggling some more throughout their toddler years and beyond. No wonder Wiggle, the first picture book collaboration between author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Scott Menchin, was such a success. It's all about wiggling!
Children's author Susanna Leonard Hill has started a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Fridays, which is part of a resource she's developing for parents and teachers who are looking for high-quality picture books to combine with educational activities at home and in the classroom. Every Friday Susanna takes recommendations to add to the resource, and I'm recommending Wiggle this week. As you might have guessed from its title alone, Wiggle would also be a great addition to any dance teacher's picture book collection!
General Information
- Title: Wiggle
- Author: Doreen Cronin
- Illustrator: Scott Menchin
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Simon & Schuster)
- Date of publication: 2005
- Genre: Fiction
- Age: Preschool and younger
Themes
- Animals
- Movement
- Wiggling
Opening and Synopsis
13 Comments on Perfect Picture Book & Poetry Friday: Wiggle!, last added: 12/11/2011
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/4/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Stretch, Doreen Cronin, Bounce, OMazing Kids Yoga, December of Doreen, Scott Menchin, Wiggle, Angela Moorad, Dog, Add a tag
I decided to feature "A December of Doreen" on my blog for a couple of reasons. First of all, I thought it had kind of a nice ring to it! But more importantly, I wanted to feature some of Cronin's movement-themed picture books, particularly a series of three books that would make great accompaniments to any movement-based class for very young children. With single-word titles that say it all, Bounce, Wiggle, and Stretch are simple, humorous books that are bound to get the little ones moving and smiling--all with the help of an adorable dog (drawn by illustrator Scott Menchin) that you'll get to know a little better over the next few weeks.
So stay tuned for a month of fun posts about the books, including a guest post by Angela Moorad from OMazing Kids Yoga and an interview with Doreen Cronin herself. I'll also list the posts here on this page as they go live. I'm super excited and hope you are, too!
6 Comments on A December of Doreen...and a Dog!, last added: 12/5/2011
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The line about wiggling with your breakfast had me literally laughing out loud! This book sounds like such fun, and such a celebration of wiggling, instead of the usual "sit still and don't wiggle" that kids so often hear.
Thank you!
I don't read much for preschoolers, and books like this make me think I am missing out. Great choice, Kerry.
I totally agree with Joanna ... I should visit the Children's Room in the library.
I HAVE to read this to my son, who is a HUGE wiggler! :-)
Thanks for sharing, Kerry - kids love this, I'm sure! (And wiggly older folks, too....)
This looks like a delightful book for young children. I too laughed out loud at the rhyme & assume there's more to come! Plus-Wiggles!
Like Joanna, I don't read to preschoolers much and feel like I miss out. Nothing says I cant take it our for myself though. Thanks for the fun review on Wiggle and look for bounce. :)
What a cute book and I also loved the line about the breakfast ending up on your head. I am in awe of those who can write in rhyme. Thankyou for this wonderful post Kerry.
I've never heard of this one, it sounds and looks delightful! Thanks for sharing Kerry.
I love rhyme books too. And, what wonderful resources. This is going on my library list.
Thanks so much for stopping by, everyone. It's so much fun to get so many visitors on my blog. This book really is a lot of fun, as is its sequel Bounce and the third book in the series, Stretch. For those who don't spend much time reading preschool books, I highly recommend it. My youngest is going to start kindergarten next year, but I think I'll always spend time reading picture books for the littlest ones :)
Kerry, I adore your blog! Thank you for the Wiggle rec-I love Doreen Cronin and we have this book in our library-I'll have to pull it for a lesson with my Kinder classes. The activity toolkit is fantastic! Thanks so much! :)
Hi, Kelly. Thanks for stopping by. I couldn't believe the effort that was put into making some of the activities for Wiggle, so I knew I had to post them on Perfect Picture Book Friday. I'm so glad you found them useful, and I hope the kids enjoy them!