Thanks to the very generous folk at Walker Books I got to do something which makes me very happy earlier this week – read aloud lots of fabulous picture books with friends and their kids, and then give the books away, all part of a Picture Book Picnic…
The day started early, baking “Walker Bear” Gingerbread biscuits…
With the first of our “emergency supplies” ready for scoffing, we got to to the main business of the day – reading together!
We started with The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems, humorous take on why it’s so nice to be polite.
Full of chocolate chip cookies (we used this recipe) and cold milk I then read How to Get a Job by me The Boss, actually by Sally Lloyd-Jones & Sue Heap. After a long conversation about what everyone wanted to be when they grew up, I interviewed the kids for the post of Explorer. All the kids sailed through their interviews (Do you like being outdoors? Yes! Are you afraid of snakes? No! Do you like climbing trees? Yes!) and so we got down the map of our local area and off we set on our bikes to have an adventure.
We set up our first camp by a sunny stream, perfect for a reading of Arthur’s Dream Boat by Polly Dunbar.
After the story we made paper boats and floated them off down the river.
Then we climbed up a hill to one of my favourite climbing trees, and in we all clambered to read Anna Hibiscus’ Song by Atinuke and Lauren Tobia.
Anna Hibiscus’ Song is an exuberant, joyous book about what makes people happy – just perfect for me on a day doing what makes me happy!
Anna Hibiscus (yes, the very same character as in the fabulous early chapter books also by
As icy winds scatter the last of fall leaves, our skies fill with flocks of birds arrowing southward at a purposeful pace.
But was it easy for our plumed friends to go? Or for us to see them go? Here are two picture books about the angst of saying farewell, even if only for a season.
Click the titles above to go directly to the reviews or scroll down the page.
Written & illustrated by Simon James
$16.99, ages 3 and up, 40 pages
A fledgling takes flight in a way he never imagined in this darling book by the creator of Leon & Bob.
George, a tawny wisp of a bird, would rather snuggle in his nest than try out his wings and fly south.
Perched midway down the branch of a big tree at the entrance to a city park, the nest seems cozy and safe.
But Momma bird knows it won't be either for long.
Only a few leaves still cling to the tree and soon snow will come and worms will be hard to find.
It's time, she tells George, to stretch his wings and join other birds wheeling south.
"Are you ready, George?" she asks, enthusiastically fluttering her wings above him.
"Not quite," he replies, peeking over the edge of the branch. "I might fall," then marches back to his nest and hops inside.
Feeling quite taken care of, he asks Momma to find him worms and assures her he will be right there snug in his nest when she returns.
But after Momma flies off, a strong gust of wind sweeps through the park and sends George and his nest swirling through the air.
George isn't a bit afraid; he's giddy with excitement. "I'm flying," he cries, as he angles his wings from the front of his nest, as if his wings are what's making him fly.
As a child, he spent much of his time drawing and stapling stories into little books. His path to eventually becoming a children’s book author and illustrator — and ambassador of learning — included stops as a police officer, restaurant worker, real estate agent and farm worker.
On this edition of Just One More Book, Mark speaks with Simon James about illustrations as a tool for creative development, single books that become book series and the globalization of children’s literature.
As a bonus, at the very end of this podcast, Mr. James tells the story of how his book Baby Brains came to be.
Book mentioned:
Authors mentioned:
Photo: www.simonjamesbooks.co.uk/sj/main.htm
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Love, love, love this!! What a super fun day you must have had.
Stacey recently posted..The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
What a great way to spend the day & that called looks fantastic
Damyanti recently posted..Interview with Sarah McIntyre
Hi Stacey, it was indeed a great day
Not least because of all the yummy things we had to eat!
Hi Damyanti, thanks, it was a super way to spend a summer holiday day.
Zoe recently posted..A Perfect Picture Book Picnic
Sorry it should say ‘cake’ looked fantastic,I blame blurry morning eyed typing
Damyanti recently posted..Interview with Sarah McIntyre