I love Perfect Picture Book Fridays! The only hard part is choosing just one book to share each week when there are usually about 50 I'd like to add to the list! :)
Before we get to today's choice though, I think we need to have a serious discussion about the Official Perfect Picture Book Snack. Something Chocolate has already been taken for Would You Read It Wednesdays, so put on your thinking caps boys and girls, and let's come up with something scrumptious! :) Because I'm a mite peckish! The comment section is open for suggestion....
But back to PPBF.... I love books that turn out to be something you didn't expect. I love getting to the end and thinking to myself, "Wow, that author was clever!" I love books that I like better every time I read them. And that is just the kind of book I'm sharing today!
Written By: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Illustrated By: Robert Neubecker
Dutton Juvenile, July 2007, Fiction based on fact
Suitable For: ages 5-8
Theme/Topic: Careers, Standing up for yourself, Coping with rudeness and bragging.
Opening: "On Career Day, Mrs. Feeny asked her students to stand up in class and talk about their parents' jobs. Emma Sweetpaw said her dad was a UFO hunter. She said he used a two-ton telescope to search the sky for flying saucers and a giant satellite to receive alien transmissions."
Brief Synopsis: One by one, the students stand up and brag about what their parents do - a UFO hunter, a jeweler, a NASCAR driver. When it's the narrator's turn, she says her dad changes light bulbs, which seems pretty tame compared to what everyone else does... until she reveals which lightbulbs!
Links To Resources: Careers (grades K-5), Careers (grades 6-8) (these are both link lists to info on all kinds of careers), Amazing Facts About The Empire State Building, Fun Facts About The Empire State Building
Why I Like This Book: What kid wouldn't love to have a parent with a really cool and unusual job? This book is set up very cleverly. The first few kids to introduce their parents careers all brag - their parents are UFO hunters, jewelers, and NASCAR drivers. Pretty hard to top! When it's the narrator's turn, she sets them up, saying her dad changes light bulbs. Of course they make fun... until they find out where the light bulbs are. The pacing is great, letting the reader discover a page at a time that all isn't exactly as it seems. I also love that the story is based on fact - someone really does have to change those light bulbs and it's a pretty tricky job! This book offers a great deal of information about a little-known job as well as a great opportunity to talk about all the different careers that are open to kids when they grow up. It's interesting, educational, clever, and fun!
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
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The Top Job sounds awesome, Susanna. I love books that surprise too. I have never heard of this one. Adding it to my list, for sure.
Oh and it would have to be popcorn with tons of butter and salt. But that is what we have always eaten here on the farm. :-)
The Top Job sounds like a wonderful book to help children start a dialogue with their parents. Though I knew what my dad did for a living, I would've never thought to ask him to explain it to me. Since chocolate is out of the question, my next choice is Nilla Wafers. Our pediatrician always gave them out, so I nicknamed them "Doctor Cookies," and they're also great with milk.
Love this book, Susanna!! I grew up in NYC, so the Empire State Building has special meaning for me...and I enjoy presenting books to kids that are based on true happenings. Also, most kids don't really know what their parents "do"...this book might be a springboard for a kindergarten or higher grade level discussion on careers. What a great choice!
Love Robyn's idea of popcorn...I have a BIG bowl EVERY night...air-popped, with a little olive oil, sea salt and a dash of sugar...kind of like Kettle Corn...but healthier than what you get ready-made in the bag or micro box. I'd say ice-cream...but that just gets consumed too quickly for the number of calories it has. :)
I've been tweeting and posting on my FB page all of the PPBF posts, trying to get the word out about this unbelievable resource that you are providing! By the way, my Twitter account was messed with...had to change my password...and several of the PPBF group got tweets from the me that wasn't really me...sorry about that.:(
I wanted to suggest something savory, so I think popcorn is a great idea.
What an excellent book, that is a resource in so many ways. I was always so embarrassed telling my father's profession at school. he was a scrap metal merchant, and half the parents in my class were dons at Cambridge University!!
I think I would learn a lot from this book myself, and I like the way the author leads and teases into the facts.
sounds like a wonderful book. will definitely be checking it out.
scrumptious -- cupcakes!
I love books with surprise endings! This one sounds like a lot of fun. Especially opening the door for conversations about jobs and careers. Great review Susanna!
Official snack? hmmmm I am a big fan of chocolate, but my second favorite treat? Cupcakes! :D
Well, now that I have read the comments, I have to say that popcorn is another GREAT choice.
This book sounds great -- love the way the unassuming job turns out to be truly impressive.
Milk-and-cookies sounds like such a picturebookish snack, and with something like that, if a person really wanted to sneak some chocolate in, they could have chocolate chip cookies. (No one would want my usual snack of plain yogurt followed by a bowl of spoonsize shredded wheat...)
And my dad had his own biz as a sheet metal fabricator! That man was an artist with a piece of sheet metal. And he sang in a beautiful tenor voice while he did it, too. :)
I got one of those from you! But I knew it was spam, so no worries! :) I changed my password too, though, just in case.
That's a pretty neat book, Susanna! I remember when I lived in NYC, there was a special on TV about the guy who changes the bulbs. I thought it was fascinating, and so cool to think about him up there all alone, surveying the city, changing bulbs so at night we saw pink or green or red, white, and blue. I am all for books that show that the possibilities for our lives are endless!
I am making my lemon cake today, so I'll be having that. It is divine.
What a fab book. It makes you wonder how the author was motivated to pick that topic :) The cover looks so fresh too. Can't wait to see pictures from your reading event.
I really want to read this picture book now and find out!! I love it when authors write something completely different and new that kids can learn from. Looks like a great book!
Have a wonderful weekend, Susanna!
This sounds like a fun book and I love surprise endings too!
Great PPB! It sounds like a lot like a picture book I'd like! It'd be cool to hear about all these different (and wacky) jobs!
I think we should have Cheesecake! To be exact, my Aunt India's Cheesecake! Aunt India? Can you make a lot of Cheesecake on Thursdays and send them to Susanna Leonard Hill? Thanks! ;)
This book does sound very clever. I am looking forward to reading it.
Does it have to be a snack?? I'm thinking...since I start reading PPBF in the morning...it could be something I eat in the morning. Cereal doesn't sound too exciting. Granola bar doesn't sound too exciting. Bacon and eggs sounds a little better...But, if I had a dream breakfast...how about cinnamon brioche french toast with butter, maple syrup, blueberries, strawberries, and just a dollop of whip cream?
Great choice this week! There are so many jobs out there keeping our society running that we don't hear about. I love thinking about how things get done and who does them.
I vote for a fruit based snack - fruit tarts, fruit parfait, fruit on cheesecake, pear tarts, apple pie, peach cobbler. I may have to do some baking today!
First things first, and for me that almost always means food! I vote fruit for a shack. I think it would balance out Wednesday's chocolate. :)
This looks like a great book Susanna. Kids do a lot of comparing and knowing how to deal with that is important. It also show that things we take for granted (like lightbulbs always being lit) perhaps shouldn't be. What if no one did that job? Excellent choice this week, as usual.
So you finally showcased this one. If anyone wants to read a bit more about this awesome book, here's my review. I love how it's based on a newspaper headline.
Sounds like a wonderful book, and reassuring for kids who may think their parents jobs are weird! As for snacks- well I'd be up for something savory too- like guacamole and chips. And then some of Renee's lemon cake after that :-)
It is a great book! And boy, this snack decision is going to be a toughy! :)
Fruit would certainly balance out chocolate... it's just so healthy... Maybe lemon bars, or strawberry shortcake, or blueberry pie :) This is a wonderful book - I think you would like it :)
I like the way you think, Penny! WIll you be coming to my house to cook? :)
I do too, Heather! There are so many neat things people do and you don't always even realize it! When you're done baking, mail some to Blueberry Hill! :)
I think you would like it, Erik. It's really well done! As for cheesecake, I LOVE cheesecake! My brother makes awesome cheesecake, but only once a year at Christmas! Maybe we should have a battle of cheesecake and see whose is better - my brother's or your aunt's - we can be the judges :)
It's great because after all their bragging, she totally sets them up :)
This is really a fun one! Have a great weekend, too! :)
The author actually saw a newspaper headline about this topic and that's what gave her the idea! Cool, isn't it? And I got a sample of the pictures in collage form - too small to post, so I'm waiting for next week - but the photographer did a GREAT job!
I know! It's really an amazing job, and someone really has to do it! As for the lemon cake, please mail some :)
Yes, this book is a fun one and interesting! I like the idea of milk and cookies - it does sound picturebookish :) And I could go for yogurt and shredded wheat if it was vanilla or fruit yogurt :)
That's why I love this book - it's fun and interesting and opens the door to great discussion! And cupcakes! YUM! You are a girl after my own heart :) But popcorn is good too! :)
It's really a fun one! And I would definitely be up for cupcakes!!! :)
Oooh! I like popcorn! Great idea! And yes, I think this book has a lot to teach, both in terms of how to deal with other kids bragging and also as writers - its' so well done!
Vivian, I grew up in NYC too! And maybe that's why I especially like this book :) Your popcorn recipe sounds delish! Totally have to try that! Thank you so much for all you do spreading the PPB word - I really appreciate it!!! :)
You know, it's funny - my parents were lawyers, which I knew, but I never really knew exactly what they did except that it kept them busy long hours! I think any book that facilitates a discussion of possible career choices - what's out there and what's involved - is extremely valuable. As for Nilla Wafers, that would not be my choice (unless they were dipped in dark chocolate :)) but you can eat all you want :)
This is really a good book - you'll like it I think. It's a good one to learn from as a writer, too, because it's really well done. I think I want to come live on your farm - I love animals and popcorn with butter and salt :) Maybe I could meet Quacker :)
OK, so where does he change light bulbs? I'm totally intrigued. I'm going to borrow this book from the library -- I ask my daughter on a weekly basis what she wants to be when she grows up and she'd enjoy reading about what some parents do. We've also talked about bragging lately, so this book doubly applies! Thanks for the review and have a great weekend!
Am not familiar with this book, but it sounds so reassuring for kids who may be embarrassed about what a parent does. And, it exposes kids to all kids of jobs -- all are impoprtant. Love books like this fod children.
Oh, Margaret, you're going to love this one! I won't spoil the surprise, although you could probably figure it out from the resources :) I hope you and your daughter enjoy it! Have a great weekend!
I like it because it opens discussion about careers, but also shows how a kid can cope with other kids bragging. The child in this book is smart!
I've only just discovered your blog and I love the idea of PPBF! These are the kinds of books that I would love to add to a library for my children. I'm looking forward to reading more :-)
POPCORN! POPCORN! POPCORN!
just to be clear, my vote is for popcorn. :-)
This book sounds really great. I love finding picture books that are good for a little bit older child (three of mine are in the 5-9 age range). Thanks, Susanna!
Sounds like a winner, Susanna! I've visited the Empire State Building, and was afraid to look over the edge of the observation deck, let alone change a lightbulb. But, someone has to do it. What a fascinating look into the subject! As for a PB Friday treat...I vote for a cinnamon scone.
Glad to meet you, Ashley! So glad you stopped by! I think you'll find all kinds of great books! :)
I know! I'm not sure I could change the light bulb either - definitely couldn't look down! :) Mmmm! Cinnamon scone sounds good :)
I think they'll like this one, Amy - you, too! And just to be sure, did you want popcorn? :)
OH! It makes me cringe with worry about when my boys had to tell others about my job as a nurse. You see, I never thought the gross jobs of nursing was gross until my boys told me to stop talking about them at dinner! lol
Love this selection. I'm sure the lessons are as valid for the parents as well as the kids. :)
I think being a nurse is something your boys could be proud of, and usually boys like gross :)
Love the sound of that book!
I am really hungry so I've already thought of a dozen snacks. The first to come to mind is a cinnamon roll with plenty of frosting. Although I'd need a nap if I ate one of those right now! :)
The book is great! And have you ever heard Jim Gaffigan's bit about Cinnabun? Very funny :)
Oh how fab you got all that information about it. And yay for popcorn, boo for my link never showing lol :P
Now your talking..... mmm chocolate! I love popcorn too.... decisions, decisions...lol... Love your Picture Book Susanna,my Dad was a builder. Guess you will get my link up eventually. the Famous Nini... http://thepatientdreamer.com/2012/02/25/perfect-picture-book-friday-8/ Thankyou
Did you try your link and it didn't work? I will do it for you if need be, but I thought you usually got it on there...
Catherine Johnson (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
Oh how fab you got all that information about it. And yay for popcorn, boo for my link never showing lol :P
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I'm sorry, Diane, I didn't realize you'd asked me to put it up and I didn't get your email post notification yet... I'll do it now. Maybe we should put chocolate and popcorn together - chocolate popcorn! I'm sure I've seen it at the Popcorn Factory :)
This looks like a great one Susanna. I hadn't heard of it before.
I think you would like it!
Well...no! Wish I lived close enough. I did have something similar to this at Mimi's Cafe while visiting my sister in Scottsdale. So...if you have Mimi's, you could take your laptop and do PPBF there :-)
Alas, no Mimi's that I know of! You may have a good idea though... there's a great bakery not too far away... :)
Penny Klostermann wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
Well...no! Wish I lived close enough. I did have something similar to this at Mimi's Cafe while visiting my sister in Scottsdale. So...if you have Mimi's, you could take your laptop and do PPBF there :-)
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The story sounds so much fun. I love surprises and the artwork looks very entertaining. Snack. Hmm. I made some dipped and bedazzled (sprinkles, chips, etc) marshamallow pops the other day. It could be an option. Sweet, but not chocolate. I love the idea of popcorn, too.
I'm intrigued! More details on marshmallow pops please!
I'm still thinking about the perfect picture book snack. Hmmm. Milk and cookies???? :D
Maybe so! Someone else also suggested that! And BTW I am still chuckling over that Hunger Games spoof trailer - i sent it to my kids :)
cool, I'm game. And thankyou.
Okay, now I'm anxious to know where he changes these light bulbs lol!!! I better get this book and share it with my kiddo so I can find out. Great pick, Susanna.
I want to second This Kid Reviews Bks suggestion of cheesecake. I love it, although it has waaay too much love for my hips.
Enjoy the book, and your cheesecake vote is duly noted. Yum!
What a fun idea for a book. Brilliant, really. Glad you shared. I bet it's hard to pick just one each week. *sigh*
I know - this is one of those books that makes me say, "I wish I'd thought of that first!" :)
You left me hanging and wanting more! Just like a good review should. I'm so happy to have joined the PPBF group of bloggers. Can't wait to get to the library to read all these great recommendations.
I'm so glad you joined too! And my library probably sighs when they see me coming - back up the Uhaul - here comes that picture book lady :)
Oh Susanna! I need to know where those light bulbs are!! And as for food, you can't beat a home made sandwich sponge with fresh fruit and cream inside.
The resources are a dead giveaway about where the light bulbs are :) And your snack sounds SO GOOD!!!!
That's a GREAT (and delicious) idea! ;)