For several months I've been meaning to blog about the book
ZooZical for Perfect Picture Book Friday, which is a day each week when bloggers come together to celebrate and share the picture books they love. Everyone posts using the same general format, and then children's author Susanna Leonard Hill (who came up with the idea) archives all the posts on her blog.
The archive, which is mostly organized by theme, has become a fabulous resource for teachers and parents looking for "perfect" books to integrate into their lesson plans and story times. You can access the full archive
here.
When I was looking through the archive to make sure
ZooZical hadn't been featured yet, I did come across a post about another book by the same dynamic duo who created
ZooZical. That book, called
Wild About Books, is a prequel of sorts to
ZooZical. You can check out the Perfect Picture Book Friday post about it
here.
And finally, I am very grateful to Random House Children's Books for sending me a review copy of ZooZical. Thanks so much for letting me experience this joyous book!
General Information
What are the chances of there being not one, not two, but three beginning-reader books that deal with the problem of being cast as the turkey in a Thanksgiving Day play?
Arthur's Thanksgiving by Marc Brown puts the lovable aardvark in the director's chair for his class's Thanksgiving play. His dilemma? He can't find anyone interested in being the turkey. His friends want starring roles, and even family members turn him down. What's an aardvark to do? Like all great directors, he knows the show must go on, so he dons the turkey costume and steps on stage. Bravo, Arthur!
Mark, the second-grader in
I Am a Turkey by Michele Sobel Spirn, is glad he landed the role of the turkey--that is until his big brother tells him how the play ends. Now that he knows he'll be the Pilgrim's main course, he's dreading the big day. But when a Pilgrim forgets his lines, Mark forgets his stage fright and comes through with flying colors.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble, a 96-page early chapter book by Abby Klein, features Freddy Thresher, a first-grader who is stuck with the one part in the class play that nobody wants. You guessed it--he's the turkey. Freddy now has to find a way to play the part and keep his dignity intact.
Nuture vs. Homework
After rushing around all day, many parents face dreading homework almost as much as their children. How much is homework a help and when does it become too much?
First Book Charity Concert!
A hip-hop group named Tanya Morgan is holding a concert in New York City to benefit First Book! If you’re in the area, check them out on April 30th at the Crash Mansion.
Children’s Book in 3-D on the iPad
See Here Studies releases the first 3-D storybook application for the iPad and iPhone, “The Wrong Side of the Bed” is a book about a little boy who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed in the morning.
“Arthur Author Animates Kids”
Author of the famous children’s books series based on Arthur the Aardvark and his friends has teamed up with others for an event at Kreft Primary School. Marc Brown is an avid literacy proponent and encourages kids to write stories of their own as well.
Hope to Close the Reading Gap
While the reading gap between girls and boys has always been a problem, some say that this gap can begin to close with the implementation of certain initiatives and by paying attention to boys’ and girls’ individual needs.
Born to Read by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown
I was prepared to write my review for Born to Read and had all my
ideas ready to go. I planned to write the review while babysitting my
grandkids, so I brought the book along. My notes had several
comments I had taken as I read and reread the book:
1. Wonderful message to share - but seemed forced
- Reading will help you win - but it won't make you win every time as in the bike race
- Coaches frown on basketball playing and book reading at the same time
2. Story line seemed a bit contrived
- Putting the child in impossible situations which are made to seem realistic (correcting the doctor's diagnosis, competitions above child's ability)
- Reading in the tub (oh my what were they thinking? ) Water and books don't mix.
- Realistic examples and the fantasy giant fit together well to present the message
3. Illustrations were superb!
- Details- you can almost feel the texture of clothing
- The expressions on the faces of the characters are entertaining
But, then my three year old grandson saw the book. "Can I read it?" was his first question. "What is it called?" was the next. I watched while he took the book and began pointing to the letters on the inside of the cover. " I know that one. Here is a "b" Nana." When he finished with those he knew, he turned the page and began to read. He put his finger under each word and started making up a story to go with the illustrations. He paused before "reading" each page to look at the illustrations and point out what he liked or noticed that was interesting. He knew most of the books in the baby's crib and told me which ones he had in his room and which ones were in his sister's room. He "read" the whole book with great enjoyment. Later, when I tried to find the book during their naptime to write this review it was not where we had left it when Noah finished reading.
After my grandson's nap I asked him if he knew where the book was. "It is in my room Nana, I wanted to read it again at naptime, and will you read it to me now?" He and his five year old sister paid close attention to me as I read Born to Read. When I told them I had to take the book home to do my homework, Noah nodded seriously and asked, "Will you bring it back?"
So much for my notes, this book is a hit with the three-year-old reviewer! Maybe sometimes, we older reviewers would be better off letting the books speak to the children and judging their reactions as the true test of a worthwhile book.
What Other Bloggers Are Saying:
Kidazy! : "This wonderful book rhymes words with such enthusiasm that you can’t help but get in to the story yourself rooting for Sam!"
(Read more...)
Jen Robinson's Book Page: "I think that this book is well-intentioned, sometimes fun, and gorgeously illustrated. I think that parents who want to encourage young readers will buy it and read it to their kids, and that they will enjoy it. But my personal recommendation, if you're looking to encourage a child to love books, is to not push this particular book too hard." (
read more...)
Young Readers: "Great premise. Great start. Ultimately falls into mediocrity. Slightly disappointing." (
read more...)
Cheryl Rainfield: "Born to Read celebrates reading and reinforces its importance. It’s got a wonderful message, though the message is laid on a bit too thick for me. Still, it’s got a message that both kids and parents really need to hear–that reading can help you." (read more...)
More Info:
- Reading level: Ages 4-8
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (August 12, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0375846875
- ISBN-13: 978-0375846878
- Source: Review copy from publisher
From AmericanaWeek 2007:
The folk art collection of Marc and Laurie Krasny Brown will be sold on Sunday, January 21, beginning at 11 a.m. Marc Brown, the creator of Arthur, a character of children’s books and television, collected some notable painted furniture, boxes, and game boards, as well as watercolor and oil portraits of children. The Browns have also consigned 30 original drawings, which will be sold to benefit children’s cancer care at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Following the Brown sale is various-owners’ folk art and furniture.
This beautiful collection can be seen at the
Sotheby's website. You do have to register in order to view the catalog. Brown has collected exquisite game boards, windsor chairs, watercolors, baskets, whimsical signs and other beautiful things. His Arthur artwork is at the very end of the catalog.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Lincoln Center have formed a partnership. They will host a monthly event series at the David Rubenstein Atrium called “LC Kids Storytime at the Atrium.”
Happy Birthday Judy Sierra! I have wanting to read this book! I am going to put it on our summer reading list!
Thanks for posting on Facebook that you featured this book!
Hi, Eric. Thank YOU for posting about Judy Sierra's birthday, too. I've seriously been meaning to post about ZooZical for months, so it's kind of funny that I finally posted it today of all days. Have a great weekend, and can't wait to see who's birthday you celebrate next!
Love the theme of this book. There is the Great American Mouse Musical, now a book about animals putting on a musical. Love...love...love the idea. This is a book you wonder, why didn't I think of that. Great choice.
Ha, ha! I chose between my ZooZical and Animal Masquerade reviews today! AM won today! So glad to see your review - much more worthy of the book than my sparse one!
Thanks, Patricia. I did in fact think "Darn! I wish I had thought of that!" when I heard about this book :)
Oh, my gosh. You know, I was so nervous when I checked the PPBF archive because I thought someone might have already posted about this book. I was so relieved when I found out they hadn't. That would have been fun if we had posted about the same book, though :) Going to check out Animal Masquerade now. It sounds like fun, too!
The title alone - Zoozical was enough to capture my attention. Sounds like a lovely book and perfect for a group read aloud. Just ordered from the library. thanks
Those familiar songs sound hilarious. I was interested to read that a slightly odd-metered rhyme was published because the story is just so fun. A zoozical sounds like such an awesome way to get rid of those midwinter blues!
Excellent comprehensive review!I will need to go find it now! Thanks for adding it to PPBF.
Hi, Joanna. I just read a bunch more reviews of this book, and most of them loved the rhythm and rhyme. So maybe it is just me! Let me know what you think if you get a chance to read the book. I agree it is very rhythmical and so so much fun...I just had a hard time finding the rhythm sometimes :)
Awesome. And that's great that your library has it. I hope you like it!
What a fun book! We have lots of trips to the zoo planned for the summer. I'll have to add this one to our "too read" stack. Thanks Kerry!
Sounds like a great book. Can't wait to read it. I love rhyme.
Hi, Kirsten. Have you heard of ANIMAL STRIKE AT THE ZOO by Karma Wilson? If not, it's another fun one to consider adding to your zoo list!
Thanks for stopping by, Carol. I hope you are able to find this book. I love rhyme, too. Rhyming picture books are my favorite :)