a sea shell, dim sum, forgotten cows and a mama that zooms...

Here are four more great books for kiddos featuring a variety of faces and fun. I apologize for the blurriness of some of the photos, my trusty old Rebel took a dive on our last road trip and my new camera just arrived two days ago. Since I had been gearing up for picture book month, I had already taken photos of thirty different children's books! Yay for reading! 

 Can You Hear the Sea?

Written by Judy Cumberbatch

Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

 Dim Sum for Everyone

Written and Illustrated by Grace Lin

 For You Are a Kenyan Child

Written by Kelly Cunnane

Illustrated by Ana Juan

Mama Zooms

Written and Illustrated by Jane Cowen Fletcher

November is Picture Book Month

I had grand plans, BIG plans even but somehow time ran away from me so all I have right now for you are four books, all delightful,  you may or may not know...

 Two Old Potatoes and Me 

Written by: John Coy

Illustrated by: Carolyn Fisher

Reading Rainbow video here

 999 Tadpoles

Written by Ken Kimura

Illustrated by Yasanuri Marukami

The Belly Book

Written by Fran Manushkin

Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out (BIG TIME)

Written and Illustrated by Troy Cummings

Picture Book Month: Swami on Rye

 

Swami on Rye: Max in India

by Maira Kalman

Published by Viking Juvenile, 1995

Swami on Rye is one of my most favorite picture books (what's not to adore about cricket games, red herrings, vampires and a father-to-be flying about on a magic carpet?) Maira Kalman is one of my most favorite people ever. She is a visionary and secretly I liken myself to being a kindred spirit with her. Though she is probably much more interesting than I.  Truthfully, any of the Max books are a good choice. People can be very particular about their favorite Max book, I happen to like this one best. Max books are lyrical and slightly nonsensical. They are not even close to being linear and quite difficult to read out loud to a large group (I speak from experience). One on one however, they are perfect and full of whimsy and wonder and quirk. They are probably more suited for us grown-ups yet I know oodles of kiddos who adore Max as much as I do. Don't miss out on Max or Maira, there is sure to be something for everyone in her wonderful world.

Don't forget, November is picture book month. Check out the official
blog here!

Picture Book Month: Mary's Penny

 Mary's Penny

Written by Tanya Landman

Illustrated by Richard Holland

Published by Candlewick Press, 2010

Mary's Penny is a retelling of a traditional tale with all the markings of a fairy tale as well (save for any fairies). Mary is the daughter of a farmer and sister to two brother's. One day her father gives each son a penny and tells them that whomever can fill the house with something purchased with their penny will get to run the farm. Mary, being a girl, is not included. At least, not at first. Richard Holland's collaged illustrations are wonderful and the story is so simple and lovely I urge you to pick up a copy. This is one for my bookshelves.

Don't forget, November is picture book month. Check out the official blog here!

Picture Book Month: Tommaso and the Missing Line

Tommaso and the Missing Line

by Matteo Pericoli

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2008

In a nutshell, this is the story of a boy searching for his line. Yup, HIS line. He once drew a picture of his favorite view that showcases the most lovely of arced lines. One day he pulls his picture out of his pocket to find the line has vanished! Tommaso then sets out to find his missing line. Told with simple words and creative illustrations your kiddos may find themselves inspired to draw their very own picture with a very orange line. Enjoy!

Don't forget, November is picture book month. Check out the official blog here!

Picture Book Month: Bonnie's Blue House

Yolanda's Yellow School

Written & illustrated by Kelly Asbury

Published by Henry Holt & Co., 1997

Bonnie's Blue House is one in a trilogy of nifty picture books by Kelly Asbury. With a retro feel and simple dialogue, you and your kiddos will delight in Yolanda's school day. The other two titles are Rusty's Red Vacation and Yolanda's Yellow School.

Don't forget, November is picture book month. Check out the official blog here!

Picture Book Month: Song & Juniper

 

Song & Juniper

by August Hall

Published by Big Kid Books, 2005

I know, I'm sorry, another out of print title but you can find these used and at your library and really, libraries are the best things so make sure you have a card if you are able. This lovely book has absolutely gorgeous illustrations. The simple story details a day spent with Song & Juniper. Simple and very pretty. I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Don't forget, November is picture book month. Check out the official blog here!

Picture Book Month: Supermoo!

Supermoo!

Written & Illustrated by Babette Cole

Published by Mammoth, 1994

Supermoo is a story about a super cow. I know! Back in my nannying days, my kiddos LOVED this book. So sit down, give it a read and set your kiddos to creating their own super hero personas.

November is Picture Book month, check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: Thank You Bear

Thank You Bear

Written and Illustrated by Greg Foley

Published by Viking, 2007

This is such a sweetie, sweet book of friendship. The illustrations couldn't be any sweeter. It is the story of a bear who finds the greatest thing ever to give to his friend, mouse. 

To tie in a project with your kiddos, have them paint up a perfectly perfect box just for fun 9or to gift). 

Materials:

*empty box or carton

*paint

*paintbrushes and/or markers

*glue and gluey bits

*tiny toy (optional)

Juice boxes work great for this. To make it a home for a tiny toy, cut out the front or back of the box with a kinfe/blade. This is NOT something for your kiddo to do. YOU can prep the box by cutting first.

Set up craft area with a splat mat or table cover and hand your kiddos a large(ish0 paintbrush and some white paint.

Paint up boxes and set aside to dry. The white paint will prime your box so your kiddos will have a blank canvas.

Once dry, hand your kiddos smaller paint brushes, markers and or collage bits and glue and let them go to town.

November is Picture Book month, check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: Penguin

Penguin

by Polly Dunbar

Published by Candlewick, 2007

Penguins books are quite popular, they are fun and penguins are adorable, right? Penguin is not your average penguin story. True, it is fun and the penguin in question is adorable but there's a sneaky sneak twist at the hands of a very blue lion. Hysterical! Polly Dunbar is also one of my favorite illustrators so if blue lions aren't your thing, make sure to pick it up for the pictures alone and don't forget to check out her other titles.

November is Picture Book Month! Check out the official blog here

Picture Book Month: The Opposite

The Opposite

Written by Tom MacRae

Illustrated by Elena Odriozola

Published by Peachtree, 2006

It goes without saying (at least for me, ahem) that a picture book written by a fella who writes Doctor Who episodes would be unique, witty, and so very clever. The Opposite is just that and if I had more wits about me I would present my recommendation oppositely but my wits have gone off on holiday so all you have is this picture and my word. Oh, and if the story itself doesn't convince you, please take some time to soak up Ms. Odriozola's unique illustrations. They are amazing!
Create your own Opposite with a little paint and a toilet paper tube.

Materials:

*empty toilet paper tube

*white acrylic paint plus other colors

*paper

*permanent pen

*scissors

*glue stick

We're going to create our own Opposite in the style of Ms. Odriozola's amazing illustrations. First thing you need to do is have your kiddo(s) paint their tube white. They can of course paint it another color but make sure it is a light color. Let dry.

 Once dry, cut the top of the tube in a curve to create your Opposite shaped head. 

Next, draw a circle at the top for the face and draw the face. Look at the illustrations in the book and emulate the same style. Keep it simple.

Hand yer kiddos a paintbrush and have them paint up their bodies. Set aside to dry.

While drying, cut two strips from white paper and have yer kiddos paint up the arms as well. When they are dry, affix to your Opposite with a swipe of glue stick. Ta-da!

November is Picture Book Month! Check out the official blog here

Picture Book Month: Sleepy Pendoodle

Sleepy Pendoodle

Written by Malarchy Doyle

Illustrated by Julie Vivas

Published by Candlewick, 2001

Another great read aloud, Sleepy Pendoodle is a sweet book about a young girl and her new puppy. Julie Vivas' illustrations are an absolute favorite of mine and the silly-sweet stumbles as the little girl does her best to wake her puppy with the magic words will have your kiddos smiling, smiling, smiling.

November is Picture Book Month! Check out the official blog here

Picture Book Month: The Red Lemon

The Red Lemon

By Bob Staake

Published by Golden Books, 2006

Oh how I adore The Red Lemon. The rhyme, the story, the illustrations...it's all delightful! Click on the author link for more information on the book. For fun, click here for official Red Lemon games and if you have any lemons on hand, whip up a batch of red lemonade (six times as sweet)! Save one of your lemons for some red lemon printing and enjoy your day!

Materials:

*lemons

*red paint

*white paper

Set out a shallow tray or plate with red paint on it. You can use liquid watercolor or acrylic or tempera. I used three different shades of red.

Slice lemons in half and have your kiddo dip their lemon half in the paint and then stamp it onto their paper. 

Use different paints and/or shades for variety. I think this would make an awesome giftwrap, don't you?

 November is Picture Book Month! Check out the official blog here

Picture Book Month: Elizabeth and Larry

Elizabeth and Larry

Written by Marilyn Sadler

Illustrated by Roger Bollen

Published by Aladdin Paperbacks, 1992

No longer in print,  I am sorry to say, Elizabeth and Larry is well worth the hunt. check your local thrift stores and library sales. People often donate their old paperback picture books. Boo for them but yay for you! This is a simple story of two friends enjoying their time together with the added element of kookiness by having one of the characters portrayed as an alligator. Elizabeth, Larry and Ed is also fun. If you find that one instead, pick it up!

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: Moosetache

Moosetache

Written by Margie Palatini

Illustrated by Henry Cole

Published by Hyperion, 1999

Published more than ten years ago, Moostache was way ahead  of the current mustache trend. It is utterly ridiculous and completely amusing to young children. If you can, try for the other two books in the series; Mooskitos and Mooseltoe.

For a fun project, have your kiddos create their own silly mustaches from construction paper. Affix to face with a dab of flour and water or a store bought glue dot and make sure to take oodles of pictures. Or, pull out the felt, popsicle sticks, or pencils and whip up a 'stache or two a la scrumdilly-do!

Picture Book Month: Our Friendship Rules

 Our Friendship Rules

Written by Peggy Moss and Deedee Tardif

Illustrated by Alissa Imre Geis

Published by Tilbury House, 2007

Our Friendship Rules is a lovely read for school aged children, both boys and girls, though the feminine content might influence your young ladies a wee bit more. We've all experienced that moment when suddenly our best friend has discovered someone new and Our Friendship Rules does a wonderful job of illustrating the emotions and after-effects. The illustrations are perfectly sweet (and I may be a tad bit biased here) and the story itself, matter-of-fact, whimsical and heart breaking. I would recommend this read especially to second and third grade classrooms. To accompany, why not whip up a milkshake with bananas, chocolate and cinnamon mixed in like Alexandra and Jenny enjoy or you can make a hand puppet (and NOT from anyone's favorite shirt!) check out Julie Voigt's puppet project on her blog Art for Small Hands.

Ingredients:

*1 cup milk

*2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream

*1 large frozen banana

*2 tablespoons cocoa powder

*1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon

Toss all the ingredients into a blender, place lid on top and give it a mix until thick and milkshakey. Add more milk or less ice cream as needed. Finish with a dollop of whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. Check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: The Genie in the Jar

The Genie in the Jar

Written by Nikki Giovanni

Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Published by Henry Holt and Co., 1998

This title for me is full of freedom and movement, whimsy and song. The title may be a little misleading but don't let that keep you from reading this aloud to your child. A lyrical poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways especially with Raschka's sweet illustrations, The Genie in the Jar is a celebration of family, love and community. To accompany a reading, I would ask the children to draw a picture of themselves as if they were a part of the story, using crayon and watercolor on a brown paper bag.

Don't forget, November is Picture book Month. check out the blog here.

Picture Book Month: The Old Man and His Door

The Old Man and His Door

Written by Gary Soto

Illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Published by Puffin, 1998

The Old Man and his Door spins a delightful story of misunderstanding. Too busy to listen to his wife remind him to bring el puerco (the pig) to the party, the old man in the story misunderstands and instead brings la puerta (the door). With colorful illustrations and loads of subtle humor, I have found this to be a wonderful read aloud for both group and individual settings. Please check it out if you can!

November is Picture Book Month! Check out the official blog here

Picture Book Month: The Little French Whistle

The Little French Whistle

Written by Carole Lexa Schaefer

Illustrated by Emilie Chollat

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2002

This is a story of a boy and his french whistle. Louie plays too loud and without a care for others and will not share with his cousin. What will the fate of the whistle be?

You can make your own candy box whistle to play just as loud as Louie does. All you really need is a small, flattish candy or gum box. This chiclet box is perfect...oh and small raisin boxes work perfectly.

All you have to do is enjoy your sweets. Once empty, flip top flaps open and over outside edges of box. Place mouth over opening and....B L O W ! ! !

What do you hear? Is it loud? Is it funny? You can try painting your box and letting it dry thoroughly before playing, or draw on a small piece of paper trimmed to fit around your box, wrap and attach with glue stick or double stick tape. Have fun!

Picture book Month: Moosey Moose

 Moosey Moose

Written and Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Published by Hyperion, 2000

Moosey Moose is but one awesome title in a series called Thingy Things. I'm sad to say I believe they are no longer in print but you can still find them used through Amazon and other sellers. I picked Moosey Moose to share with you because every single time I read it to kids, young and old, I am delighted by the giggles and shouts that float about as I help Moosey Moose sort out his anger over his missing long pants.

After you read  Moosey Moose, you can have your kiddo write out their own story about a favorite animal and what makes them angry. Do you have a Catty Cat, Fishy Fish or a Ducky Duck? Oh, the possibilities!