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We went outside to explore the other day and opened up our sandbox. YUK! Somehow, despite a lid, the sand inside the turtle shaped box became a soggy, digusting, greenish tinted mess over winter. No sandbox playing for us until we remove the old sand, sanitize and fill with some new, non-green sand. In the meantime, I filled a small dish tub with some sand so the little guy could play in the sand. He's been talking about sand and pretending to be large machines thanks to our latest read: I Am a Backhoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines.

"I dig my hand into the sand, my scooper hand. Dig. Dig. Dig. Lift, turn, tip. I am ... a backhoe." - I Am a Backhoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines

I love watching little boys play. They can turn any inanimate object into a roaring, loud truck and entertain themselves for hours in this imaginative type of play. I'm pretty sure it's an innate ability they possess from birth. Sometimes they even pretend to turn their own bodies into the truck, bulldozing and digging away. No toys needed when you have an active imagination! In the book, I Am a Backhoe, a barefoot little boy pretends to be all sorts of machines - a backhoe, bulldozer, crane truck, dump truck and roller. In the end, Daddy joins in the fun, and carries the little boy on his strong "flatbed truck" back, and they share a quiet moment reading together about...TRUCKS!

Get ready to bend, lift, and back up with some beep, beeping. This picture book is packed full of fun actions and sounds to mimic. The bold, bright illustrations and fun actions make this the perfect book for all truck loving boys. Plus, the illustrations show a dad reading to his son, and all dads out there should definitely pick this one up and read it with their boys (and girls). My daughter enjoys a little imaginative truck play once and awhile, too, especially when Daddy takes the lead.

Author Anna Grossnickle Hines posted an interesting "behind the story" article on her website. The book was inspired by her grandson, Emmett, as she watched him play in the park one day. She describes how she used digital art to create the images in the book.

I Am a Backhoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines. Tricycle Press/Random House (January

19 Comments on I Am a Backhoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines - Book Review & stART, last added: 3/28/2010

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debbietheothermother said, on 3/25/2010 8:46:00 AM

I love your blog ...what a neat idea you came up with.

Amy said, on 3/25/2010 9:08:00 AM

Oh, I LOVE this! I'm gathering up ideas since I'll soon have my own little boy (well, a baby first, but you know what I mean) to do things I've never managed to do with my girls. This book looks PERFECT, and I love the activity!

Thanks for linking up!

Raising a Happy Child said, on 3/25/2010 9:27:00 AM

I agree - sometimes children need nothing more than active imagination. By the way, can you please explain how you plan to sanitize your sand box? - we have the same problem with ours - eek!

An Almost Unschooling Mom said, on 3/25/2010 9:45:00 AM

Too clever! I love that you used sand to make the picture - it's just perfect for the story.

Janet said, on 3/25/2010 10:26:00 AM

Totally great idea! Thanks for sharing this book and art project.

Playing by the book said, on 3/25/2010 10:34:00 AM

What a lovely collaborative project!

htebazile said, on 3/25/2010 11:07:00 AM

that turned out great! We did a similar project this week using coloured salt

http://dinosaursandtrains.blogspot.com/2010/03/coloured-salt.html

Christianne @ Little Page Turners said, on 3/25/2010 11:14:00 AM

Very fun - I love magically-appearing projects. We live about 5 minutes from the beach, so we'll have to try this out soon. My nephew is obsessed with backhoes so my in-laws bought him one of those huge toy backhoes you sit on and dig with. Good thing my SIL lives on a farm! That thing could tear through my yard in no-time flat.

Kelly said, on 3/25/2010 11:59:00 AM

This turned out great! What a fun project.

vanessa said, on 3/25/2010 12:00:00 PM

What a great alternative to glitter! Very fun.

Char said, on 3/25/2010 2:31:00 PM

What a fun idea. I like that you used sand to create the picture. I am now following your blog.

sbswtp said, on 3/25/2010 4:34:00 PM

what a really great project!!!

Michelle said, on 3/25/2010 7:21:00 PM

I love your project!! What a fun way to use sand :0)

Thanks for linking to stART!!

Jolly Green Mommy said, on 3/25/2010 7:56:00 PM

Fun project! What child wouldn't love being allowed to dump sand?! I know I would love doing it!

April said, on 3/26/2010 1:53:00 PM

I remember I used to love pouring glitter, sand, and other stuff onto glue. I haven't even done one with my daughter yet, but I think you may have inspired me!

Rebecca said, on 3/26/2010 6:04:00 PM

Oh my gosh- i LOVE this idea!!! How did you make such a perfect looking backhoe? Wow, your good, haha!

The1stdaughter said, on 3/26/2010 9:32:00 PM

How fun! See this is why I read blogs! I just never think of ideas like this, but there are brilliant people like you who do. And I love the book! It looks like something my son would completely devour!

Reggie's Reviews said, on 3/28/2010 4:44:00 PM

Sounds like this one is a winner!

Eileen

chamber said, on 3/28/2010 4:58:00 PM

very nice blog! I love all things Mother Goose too.

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"Hello! Come play! sang the bird, and the bunny did. Soon they were friends."

Forever Friends by Carin Berger. HarperCollins (March 2010); ISBN 9780061915284; 40 pages (Review copy provided by publisher)

Some friendships remain strong over long distances and despite life changes. Carin Berger brings one such friendship to life in her new picture book, Forever Friends. One spectacular spring day, amidst the blossoming trees, a blue bird and brown bunny meet for the first time. They become instant companions, playing together all spring and summer long. When fall arrives, the bird must fly south. The two friends miss each other over the long winter months but the time spent apart helps them understand exactly what it means to be "forever friends."

It's never easy to leave a friend or loved-one behind, no matter if it's just for one day or over an extended period of time. Children especially can experience difficulties with separation, and Forever Friends helps reassure them that true friendships can weather many winters and indeed last a lifetime. The simple, short text pairs perfectly with Berger's intricate cut paper collage artwork. This book is a wonderful spring companion to Berger's previously published fall-themed book about friendship, The Little Yellow Leaf. The detailed collage illustrations are so exquisite -- Berger uses ephemera like old catalogues, books and receipts to craft her illustrations. Every time I read one of her books I notice something new (for instance, if you look really closely at Forever Friends, you'll notice a scrap of J.Crew & Vera Wang). I also simply adore Berger's trees, especially the ones composed of tiny bits of text, all carefully glued together to form bark. The differently striped legs of the bird made me smile, and I'm still wondering how Berger managed to place all those fine hopping/flying dotted action lines on the pages. Even though this is a children's book, I would also not hesitate to buy a copy for my adult friends and let them know how much I cherish their friendship.

According to my daughter, "Her collage is so cool." Yes, it is...I couldn't agree more.

Related links:
Carin Berger - Author Website
Under the Green Willow - The Making of Forever Friends
Brimful Curiosities - Review of OK Go by Carin Berger

The other day my daughter asked me, "Mommy, when is Clover Day?" St. Patrick's Day is coming up in a few weeks, and it sounds like we have a little explaining to do when it comes to that holiday. To start off, this week we focused on clovers and shamrocks. Why are shamrocks associated with St. Patrick's Day? After some research we discovered that, according to legend, St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

"S is for Shamrock ... Try to find one. If you do, Irish luck will come to you."

S Is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet (Discover the World) by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Matt Faulkner Sleeping Bear Press; (February 2007); 40 pages; ISBN 9781585362905

Spring Song by Barbara Seuling, illustrated by Greg Newbold. Gulliver Books/Harcourt; (March 2001); 32 pages; ISBN 9780152023171

The sun managed to shine a few beams down this past week. Such a welcome sight considering that the snowman we built early last December still has not completely melted! It's been a long winter here and we are ready for some warmer, spring weather. Pretty soon those spring garden flowers will add color to the landscape, spreading cheer and happiness. We got a jump on the season with a brand new spring garden themed picture book, just released this week.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, move over. There's a new girl in the garden -- a happy, little daydreamer who envisions chocolate rabbits and jelly bean bushes, and seashell fields. Kevin Henkes sows the seeds of imagination and illustrates with colors of spring in his newest picture book, My Garden. A barefoot little girl helps her mother in a cheery garden by watering and weeding the plants. All the while, she fantasies about her ideal garden.

"In my garden, the flowers could change color just by my thinking about it -- pink, blue, green purple. Even patterns."

My Garden by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow Books (February 2010); 40 pages; ISBN 9780061715174
Book S

8 Comments on My Garden by Kevin Henkes - Book Review and stART, last added: 2/28/2010

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Amy said, on 2/25/2010 1:36:00 PM

This sounds fantastic, and I love the art activity. I'll have to try that with my own little artists!

Thanks for linking up to Read Aloud Thursday once again!

An Almost Unschooling Mom said, on 2/25/2010 1:44:00 PM

I've seen those reversible books, but never tried one with the kids - thanks for the pointers :)

Janet said, on 2/25/2010 2:27:00 PM

I've never seen this Kevin Henkes book. The sunflower alone is enough to make me want to read it! Love your art projects, too.

Jenny said, on 2/25/2010 6:19:00 PM

That sounds like a great book. I love the project too! I bet my daughter would really like this book.

Wonder Mom said, on 2/25/2010 7:14:00 PM

I do believe that the accordion fold is perhaps to "bestest" fold out there- for fans, paper gardens, and, uh, accordions, of course!

(Seriously, this simple project has many possibilities for school work...thanks for the idea...)

Playing by the book said, on 2/25/2010 10:12:00 PM

I'm always on the look out for new garden books so this is particularly good for us! And your accordion books look lovely.

ECarter said, on 2/26/2010 4:43:00 AM

It took me a while to decide on the Hooked On Phonics. The reason I finally chose that program were the recommendations from other home school moms. When I got the third raving comment from a friend, I finally decided that was the one! Each "grade" (use this term loosely) comes in two levels with 16 lessons in each level. I figure it is easier and cheaper to do the kindergarten levels with her now and decide in a few months whether to move up to HonP 1st grade or get a different one. I will say she is thrilled with the dvd portion and the entire set up though!

Rebecca said, on 2/28/2010 6:45:00 PM

wow, these are great!

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Will the big cat and little rodent reign? Time will tell. On January 18th, the American Library Association will announce the winners 2010 ALA Youth Media Awards, Caldecott Medal included. There's one book that has book bloggers and libraries buzzing: The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Now Mr. Pinkney isn't a stranger to the Caldecott list. He has five Caldecott Honor books to his credit, but, up to this point, no Caldecott Medal.

Here are Pinkney's Caldecott Honor books, as listed on ALA's Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present:
2003 Honor: Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney
2000 Honor: The Ugly Duckling illustrated by Jerry Pinkney Text: Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Jerry Pinkney
1995 Honor: John Henry illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Julius Lester
1990 Honor: The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Robert D. San Souci
1989 Honor: Mirandy and Brother Wind illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Patricia C. McKissack

Obviously Pinkney is a very talented illustrator. Unfortunately, we haven't read any of the above titles, but you can bet they are on our TBR list now. However, we did check out a copy of The Lion & the Mouse from our library. Since nearly every kidlit blog I've visited lately has this book at the top of their Caldecott predictions, I thought it was time the kids and I took a look at it.

Seven words. That's right, the book contains minimal text, nearly all animal sounds. Pinkney's highly detailed and beautiful watercolor illustrations tell the classic Aesop's fable in a way far superior than words ever could. He leaves the storytelling to the reader's imagination. When I first looked at The Lion & the Mouse with my kids, we paged through almost silently, taking in the scenery, the characters, the illustrations. My daughter already knew the basic storyline, thanks to Elmo's World. (Kids really can learn from watching Sesame Street.) But my toddler son didn't have any prior background knowledge. His response surprised me. As we reached the page where the lion ends up tangled in the net, he tried to close the book. His concern for the lion was evident, poor little guy. Yes, Pinkney's illustrations are that powerful. After a little coaxing, we reopened the book and continued on to the happy ending. Both kids immediately wanted to read the book again. We've read it several times since and always notice something new - a frog, ants and other wildlife. The wordless format allows the reader to use their own words to tell the story, encouraging the art of storytelling. Yes, from cover to cover, endpapers included, the book is simply stunning.<

Cold weather makes for stir crazy kids. We've been listening to lots of music and Peter Yarrow has been on rotation in the CD player (yes, we have an iPod but downloading is a lot of work so for the kid's music, we still use CDs). His folk music doesn't get them too riled up, and, better yet, they're learning some of the classic melodies I grew up singing. Today, it's all Peter Yarrow on Brimful Curiosities because that's what we've been listening to and reading!

Peter Yarrow, the folk singer/songwriter from the musical trio Peter, Paul & Mary, has been making some waves in the children's book world for the past couple of years. In 2007, he published a picture book version of one of his most famous songs (co-composed with Lenny Lipton), Puff, the Magic Dragon. At the time of the book's publication, I was working as a children's librarian at a small rural library. I pre-ordered a copy thinking that it would be fun to read or sing aloud during storytime. As soon as I saw the actual book, I knew I also wanted a copy for my own home library. The clothbound book came with this beautiful, shimmery foil-enhanced dust jacket and inside gorgeous, full page bleed illustrations by the talented Eric Puybaret.

The land of Honalee, as imagined by Puybaret, is a colorful, magical one. Puff looks very friendly and approachable, the perfect companion for a little boy named Jackie Paper. The song really comes to life in the illustrations and, thankfully, there's even a happy ending. Sad Puff isn't abandoned forever in his cave. Both my kids really like the book and, for the past couple months, my toddler son has requested "Puff" frequently. First he wants to sit and look at the pictures while I sing the song and then he asks for the CD so he can dance to the music. The book comes with a CD recording of Yarrow singing "Puff, the Magic Dragon" with his daughter, Bethany (plus a couple of bonus songs). The beautiful book could easily become a collectible, but I'm afraid ours has already experienced some wear and tear. That's OK though...after all, I'd rather see the book in my children's hands than sitting on the shelf. A worn book signals a good book.

More of Yarrow's folk songs for kids can be found in his Story Songbook series. I reviewed The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Sleepytime Songs in 2008, here on Brimful Curiosities. Since then we've had the opportunity to read and listen to The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Let's Sing Together!