Writer and Dreamer at work

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 11/04/2014 by Diane Tulloch

Easter Eggs for Anya – A Ukrainian Celebration of New Life in Christ

Written by: Virginia Kroll

Illustrated by: Sally Wern Comport

Published by: Zonderkidz (January 23, 2007)

Age: 4 – 7 years

Series: Traditions of faith from around the World

Theme: Faith, Hope and belief, creative

Opening lines: Anya crept to her “praying place” under the hay wagon and pulled her skirts around her for warmth. Even though it was time for spring to spread its sunshine over the Ukraine, the wind was still wintry and the sky was slate-gray.

Synopsis: from the front flap – A Ukrainina Easter celebration involves the exchanging of colourful, hand-decorated psanky eggs, but this year, with Papa away at the war and Mama struggling to make ends meet, Anya’s family is too poor to buy eggs to decorate. That is, until Anya discovers an abandoned nest of goose eggs, and begins planning an Easter surprise for her family. But God has an even better surprise in store, and Anya son learns what the Easter story teaches; spring brings gifts of myriad new beginnings, just as the risen Christ gave the gift of new life to us all.

The Traditions of Faith series illustrates how Christian holiday customs have evolved around the world. Each includes an author’s note about the history of the tradition, and ideas and activities to adopt into one’s own family celebrations.

Why I like this: I was so drawn to the beautiful soft textured illustrations of this book. The story itself is intriguing, warm and simple. Little Anya wants to continue the tradition of giving beautiful hand decorated Easter Eggs to her family. Nature takes a hand and she comes across geese eggs left in a nest. After taking them home Anya soon learns that things don’t always work out the way you expected. Sometimes the unexpected can be even better and a surprise twist at the end makes this an aww… moment. I know you will want to read this again. I did! Being a lover of historical fiction I just loved this one.

Virginia Kroll is the author of over fifty books for children and winner of a 2004 Children’s Choice award. A former elementary school teacher, she lives in New Your with her husband and has six children of her own. Virginia is the first to say that inspiration for her stories come from her children and the many animals she has living at her home and her everyday life.

Sally Wern Comport has been an illustrator for advertising and institutional works for many years before turning her hand to children’s books. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two children.

Resources/Findings: Here is a lovely interview with Virginia http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_kroll_virginia.html

With Easter around the corner, now is the time to remember the celebration of Easter, like Anya the joy of giving, like spring it is the beauty of new life and a new world. Time to make those decorative Easter eggs, hats, and cards.

Decorating Easter Eggs Craft for kids…. http://www.kidspot.com.au/Easter-Crafts-How-to-decorate-Easter-eggs+4860+162+article.htm

Easter crafts for kids… http://spoonful.com/easter/easter-crafts

Here are some cute Easter crafts for young kids…. http://www.ivillage.ca/parenting/easy-crafts-children/easter-crafts-activities-toddlers-kids-15-cute-easy-ideas-bunnies-egg

Pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.

Posted in Children's literature, Folklore / multicultural, Picture Book Review | Tagged Children's Picture book, Multicultural, Perfect Picture Book - Friday, Sally Wern Comport, Susanna Leonard Hill, Virginia Kroll | 24 Comments

Quincy and Buck

Posted on 06/04/2014 by Diane Tulloch

Welcome to another World of Ink Blog Hop…..

Author: Camille Matthews

Illustrator: Michelle Black

Publisher: Pathfinder Equine Publications (March 15, 2014)

ISBN-10: 0981924042

ISBN-13: 978-0981924045

Ages: 5 – 7 years, Kindergarten – 2

Book Series: Quincy the Horse Books

Theme: Bullying, overcoming fears, horses

Opening Lines: Quincy was a little red horse. His coat was the colour of a new penny. His mane and tail were long and shiny.

Synopsis: Quincy tries to overcome his fears about “surprises waiting for horses out on the trail” by going on his first trail ride. Quincy’s main concern is the wild animals he might meet but the real challenge turns out to be another horse. Buck, the horse he hopes will be his trail buddy and guide him, turns out to be a bully who is dangerous!

Quincy learns some important things about dealing with a bully.

Why I like this: At 40 pages this beautifully illustrated book is slightly longer than the norm for picture books, but Michelle’s rich oil colours are worth it. I was once a horse mad teenager that would do anything for a book like this. The story gives a very realistic view of horses, how they react with one another and along with illustration details and scenery makes this popular for the older readers. The theme of overcoming fears, courage, and having strength of character and dealing with bullies is cleverly weaved in. A popular book, great gift idea and a wonderful resource for schools.

The real Quincy whose early experiences inspired the Quincy the Horse series, is an American quarter horse who came to live with Camille when he was 7 years old. He was an active trail horse until he contracted EPM. After several years of rehabilitation, he was able to return to light trail riding and became a mainstay therapy horse, providing equine assisted mental health services to teens and adults. Now 24 years old, he is still working as a member of the equine therapy team at Pathfinder Farm in Reading, PA.

Camille Matthews and Michelle Black met in Farmington, New Mexico where Camille was a clinical social worker providing psychotherapy and equine therapy and Michelle was a horse trainer and artist. Camille told Michelle about the Quincy the Horse children’s books she was creating about the real life of one of her horses. Michelle offered to illustrate the series. Both are equestrians who between them have done just about everything with horses but they agree that the creation of the Quincy the Horse Books for kids K-4th grade is their favorite project. They have just completed the third book of The Quincy the Horse series, QUINCY AND BUCK.

Resources/Findings: Here is a beautiful website of their own. Just look at the magnificent rich colour spreads found on each page… http://www.quincythehorse.com/quincy-and-buck.html

Here is the trailer …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqCWapSlSKo

Available in Ebook and Hard Cover

The World of Ink Network
a division of SFC Publishing, LLC
Founded in 2009 by VS Grenierttp://www.worldofinknetwork.com/home.html

Posted in Literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Camillie Matthews, Children's Picture book, Michelle Black, Picture book, Virginia Grenier, VS Grenier, World of Ink Tour | 7 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 04/04/2014 by Diane Tulloch

No English

Written by: Jacqueline Jules

Illustrated by: Amy Huntington

Published by: Mitten Press, Imprint of Ann Arbor Media Group LLC 2007

Ages: 5 – 10 years

Theme: cross-culture friendship, misunderstanding

Opening sentence: “No English,” the new girl said, shaking her head. “Espanol.” Her name was Blanca and she was from Argentina. Mrs Bertram gave her the empty desk next to mine.

Synopsis: From the back cover – Mrs Bertram asked her class, “Can you imagine what it’s like to be surrounded by people you don’t understand?” Can you?

From the front flap – “No English” is all that Blanca, the new girl from Argentina, says. She spends her time drawing pictures instead of doing class work and that hardly seems fair to second-grader Diane. One misunderstanding follows another until Diane begins to see how afraid Blanca must feel in their classroom. Their teacher, Mrs Bertram, helps her class understand that “different” is just different, not strange or weird. She encourages the students to learn about Blanca’s home country. Diane must make things right, but how will she do that when they don’t speak the same language?

Why I like this: While the new girl Blanca and Diane became good friends, what resonated with me was the beautiful way two cultures came together. How two people from different countries learned to understand one another. As I read this story I was reminded of a holiday trip my husband and I did by bus from a small Austrian village into Hungry. We spent six days with a bunch of senior citizens who did not speak a word of English. I won’t go into details on how that happened. We communicated with drawing pictures on serviettes, pointing and a lot of laughing. We have stayed firm friends even today with two couples and their families.

This story also shows how something said or done can be taken out of context or misunderstood. Again I am reminded of a saying I came across on Facebook awhile ago. A friend commented she was “lucked out” on something she going for. My immediate thought was to respond with saying how sorry I was to hear this, as being “lucked out” in our neck of the woods and in the UK it means lost out or missed out. But after some time I checked back only to see others congratulating her. It seems “lucked out” can also mean fortunate, strike it lucky.

A useful resource in the classroom to help introduce those from different cultures it has lovely watercolours and explicit facial expressions.

Resources/Findings: Here is Jacqueline’s blog with lots of interesting stuff…. http://www.jacquelinejules.com/NoEnglish.htm check out Jacqueline reading the story to a Spanish classroom on her website.

A great resource for kids and teachers on learning another language through games and puzzles.. http://www.chillola.com/index.html/

Also what kids could do in the classroom is draw a map of the world and mark where each are from. Study the country or area they are from, using quizzes and other material. Dress up in the countries costume would also be a lot of fun.

Pop over and visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.

Posted in Folklore / multicultural, Literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Amy Huntington, childrens literature, Jacqueline Jules, No English, Perfect Picture Book - Friday, Susanna Leonard Hill | 37 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 14/03/2014 by Diane Tulloch

Angel Coming

Written by: Heather Henson

Illustrated by: Susan Gaber

Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers an imprint of Simon &Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. 2005

Age: 3 – 8 years

Theme: patience, new baby, waiting, preparation

First Lines: Mama says an angel is coming, coming clear up the mountain, riding clear up Lonesome Creek, a tiny babe tucked in her saddlebag, a tiny babe tucked safe and warm.

Synopsis: Through the eyes of a young girl we are caught up in the preparing for a new baby in the 1920’s. A small Kentucky community rallies round waiting for the arrival, celebrating and preparing for the special event. Heather shares a beautiful story of anticipation and preparation of a special event with rhythmic text accompanied by Susan’s soft painted illustrations. A historical fiction both Heather and Susan depicting the era well.

What I liked: I love how the text reads with a kind of swagger, an outback feel. I loved one special illustration near the end, of the father leaning on the bed tickling the baby’s foot as both baby and mother are resting. Very cute! This would be a great story read aloud to kids, especially if there is a new baby brother or sister on the way. This story was written in relation to a saying, when in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky, if a child asked where babies came from, the unique reply was always – babies are brought up the steep paths , tucked in saddlebags, carried by an angel on horseback. Which is no more true than – carried by stork or found in a cabbage patch.

Illustrations a beautifully done giving depth to a story of a young girl who hoped for a sister, the girl readily accepts her little brother, declaring, “Can’t help but love him just the same.”

Resources/Findings: There is an Author’s Note in the back along with original photos supplied by the Frontier Nursing Service who worked during that time.

Heather’s website and other books… http://heatherhensonbooks.com/?page_id=138

Here’s a lovely website with great ideas for preparing toddlers and older children for the arrival of a new baby…. http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prepare-children

Posted in 12x12, Picture Book Review | Tagged Children's Picture book, Heather Henson, Perfect Picture Book - Friday, Susanna Leonard Hill | 29 Comments

“PERFECT PICTURE BOOK” – Friday

Posted on 08/03/2014 by Diane Tulloch

The Red Sash

Written by: Jean E. Pendziwol

Illustrated by: Nicolas Debon

Published by: A Groundwood Book House of Anansi Press, Toronto. 2005

Ages: 5 – 8 years

Theme: historical fiction, courage, strength, multicultural

Opening Sentences: The sun is rising over Nanabijou, who lies sleeping on the great sea Gitchee Gumee. My sister Isabelle and I wake up. I can see Mother through the entrance of our wigwam.

Synopsis: From the front flap – It is rendezvous, when the fabled voyageurs who spend the winter in the vast North American wilderness come back to the trading post of Fort William, at the head of the Great Lakes. The voyageurs are loaded down with the precious furs that they have obtained from the native people. At the same time canoes arrive from Montreal carrying representatives from the North West Company. They bring fresh trading supplies for the voyageurs to take on their next journey. And then they will transport the packs of furs back to Montreal to be shipped to England. For those who gather at Fort William, Rendeavous is a time of feasting and dancing and of telling stories around the campfire.

A young Metis boy and his family living near Fort William are helping to prepare for a feast in the Great hall. When the chores are done, the children canoe to a nearby island to hunt hare. But a storm begins to brew. Through the rain and churning waves a canoe carrying a gentleman from the North West Company appears, heading toward the island for shelter. The boy helps land the canoe, which has been badly torn by rocks and waves, and then realizes that he is the one who can save the day.

British North America in the early 1800s was built around the trade in furs, which would not have been possible without the native trappers and hunters and the brave voyageurs who travelled through the immense, then unknown wilderness in brutal winter conditions. Vivid and historically accurate illustrations give an authentic picture of life at this busy fur-trading post.

What I liked: Well, there is so much to like about this. Firstly it’s historical fiction and multicultural. A little longer than normal picture book at 40 pages I loved learning about the Canadian fur-traders and the area they lived in, weathering the hardships and how people relied on family, friends and each other for survival and way of life. From the first few sentences one feels they are in another world, the smell of breakfast cooking, it is the middle of winter and the way of life is not as I know it. I learned a great deal about the history of the fur-traders and many unusual words, even the original name of Lake Superior. The illustrations are beautifully rich giving depth to the story, from the wild storm to the crowd gathering for the festival of the rendezvous. Cleverly wrapped in an adventure story from a young boys view of getting caught in a storm, helping a trader and earning his red sash. Kids young and old will love this.

Resources/Findings: I couldn’t find any resources or other links for this book. A resource in its self, the book has a map in the front and back pages along with back story in history of the fur-traders. There is also a glossary.

When I checked out what I could find on google, I was surprised to learn quite a bit. Some interesting facts about the Canadian fur-traders for use in class studies …. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fur-trade/

Along with museums here is another link of the fur-trade… http://www.whiteoak.org/historical-library/fur-trade/time-line-a-brief-history-of-the-fur-trade/

Here is an activity book… http://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/files/K-12/Curriculum/social-studies/Gr4/4.Fur-Trade-Edukit/Fur-Trade-Student-Activity-Book.pdf

More interesting facts for kids…. http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_furtrade/fp_furtrade2.html

Great link here for school study…. http://bccurriculum.pbworks.com/w/page/30171407/Canada%3A%20%20Fur%20Trade

Posted in Children's literature, Folklore / multicultural, Picture Book Review | Tagged childrens literature, Jean E Pendziwol, Perfect Picture Book - Friday, Susanna Leonard Hill | 20 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 01/03/2014 by Diane Tulloch

Written and Illustrated by: Jim LaMarche

Published by: Chronicle Books LLC

Ages: 3 – 8 years

Theme: Magical, persistence, a gift, imagination

First Lines: “Hey, Mouse, have fun making cookies with Mommy today!” Michael yelled over the screeching gulls. “Dad and I will take care of the fishing.”

Synopsis: From the front flap – Daniel was tired of being little Mouse! They’d been calling him that since he was born. He hadn’t used to mind it, even liked it once, but not anymore. He poked at some crackers on the table. “Someday I’ll be so strong.” He mumbled. “Someday…”

And then it happened. Something so strange, Daniel wasn’t sure he could believe his eyes. One little cracker lifted up off the table. Not much Not even an inch. Then just as suddenly, it dropped right back down. Donald blinked. Had that really happened? How? Had he done it?

Up is the story of an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent, a talent no one knows about, but him. Can Mouse really lift things off the ground? Or is it enough that he believes he can? Once again Jim LaMarche has mixed the magical with the everyday to create a book that stretches our imaginations and our dreams.

Why I like it: The beautiful large pictures drawn in soft pencil and dashes of water-colour are life-like, show great expressions and capture the eye. I love these kinds of illustrations most. This is a soft sweet story of a boy who wishes everyone would not treat him as a little boy. The reality of his secret power is weaved into the story so that only he and the reader know about it. When a beached whale is needing help, no one believes or even notices the whale lifts upwards and slips into the sea, believing they did it all themselves. I love the fact that Jim brought the story round to the beginning in just a couple of sentences.

This is the second book he has both written and illustrated, having illustrated many others and winning world-wide acclaim.

Resources/Findings: – Here we learn a little more about Jim and some of his other books… http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_lamarche_jim.html

Here is a wonderful insightful up close and personal interview with Jim, and talk about up close and personal with his to-die-for illustrations …. http://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/pdfs/Up.pdf *sigh* I love pencil drawings.

This is not about “Up” but one of his other books “The raft” Here we watch the artist in action and listen as he shares his thoughts about illustrating picture books. Beautiful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Fx0QjW8mg

Here’s a website full of easy how to sketches for kids…. http://drawsketch.about.com/od/kidsdrawingpages/

Here is some good advice about name labelling…. http://www.parentstalk.com/expertsadvice/ea_pa_0022.html

Posted in Children's literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Children's Picture book, Jim LaMarche, Perfect Picture Book - Friday, Susanna Leonard Hill | 29 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 22/02/2014 by Diane Tulloch

When I first saw this book, I immediately thought of a fellow online writer buddy and her love for the quirky, fun, laugh out-loud stories and thought what a kick she would get out of this. So my Perfect Picture Book choice today is with Penny in mind. Read on…

BEN AND THE ICKY-OOKY-STICKY-SMICK

Written by: Sally Sutton

Illustrated by: Gary Venn

Published by: Walker Books Australia 1^st Feb 2013

Ages: 3 – 7 years

Theme: Bugs

Opening Lines: Ben loved popcorn. He also loved bugs. Huge bugs and tiny bugs, shiny and spiny bugs, wriggly-jiggly, slimy bugs.

Synopsis: From back of book- Ben’s lost his pet icky-ooky-sticky-smick. And he is determined t find him. No other bug will do. No cribble-crabble-scuttle-snucks! Or lurky-murky-dottle-spots! Only his purple and velvety icky-ooky-sticky-smick…

Why I like this: This is a real fun tongue twister. Kids are going to love hearing you read this one aloud. Sally a keen interest in European languages and previous picture book award winner, has really come up with lots of imaginative play on words as Ben hunts for his pet. I tried reading this a few times and even though I am not a lover of bugs it tickled my funny bone. Try saying whoosel-swooshel-giggle-digs or how about, poople-popple-piggle-snops. I can just hear the kids snort with laughter. Gary’s clear active and yet simple coloured illustrations are fun and suit the eye-popping text well. Kids who enjoy bugs, and anything science will want this one. A great school resource as well as home fun read.

Resources/Findings: Here is a great link about bugs, activities etc for the kid who is into everything bugs….. http://a2zhomeschooling.com/explore/biology_kids/animals-biology_kids/bugs_insects_kids/insects_bugs_kids/

Sally’s website….. http://www.sallysutton.co.nz/index.php?cID=1

Here’s a fun video (warning if you don’t like insects you may not want to watch this up close with live insects video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYawa4piO4k

Posted in Children's literature, Picture Book Review, Reading Aloud | Tagged aspiring writer, NZ Book Awards, Picture Perfect Book, Sally Sutton, Susanna Leonard Hill | 17 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 14/02/2014 by Diane Tulloch

Earth to Audrey

Written by: Susan Hughes

Illustrator: Stephane Poulin

Published by: Kids Can Press Ltd

Age: 4 and up

Theme: power of friendship, imagination, discovery

First Line: The first time I saw Audrey, I almost didn’t. The next time I saw her, she was sending signals. There couldn’t have been anyone up there answering back… could there?

Synopsis: From the front jacket-flap- Audrey comes into Ray’s life like an earthbound star. Everything about her is a bit far-out. And she always seems to be in her own little world. So Ray decides that this unusual girl who has dropped into his neighbourhood for the summer must be an alien. As the two become friends, Audrey takes Ray on a journey of discovery – one that enables him to see his own planet in a new light. Now Ray can’t imagine life on Earth without her. Can he convince his new friend to stay?

Susan Hughes’ touching, gently humorous story and Stephane Poulin’s evocative and surreal illustrations perfectly capture one summer in the lives of two lonely dreamers and the very special friendship that emerges between them.

Why I like this: I loved the way Audrey shows Ray how she sees Earth and he believes her to be an alien with her unusual activities and actions. Although this seemed to have more words than a normal picture book I was hooked from the first page of this tender tale. The beautiful oil illustrations in backdrop of dark blue-greens are fun and interesting. Like stepping out at dusk into a world to dream in.

Resources/Findings: couldn’t find any resources to go with this book but I did find a couple of lovely websites. This one is on games for young ones to build friendships. They are fun…. http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/friendship-games-kids-play-11803.html

A great website for kids to learn about the Earth… http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/earth.html

Lots of things about space and the planets here for kids… http://www.planetsforkids.org/planet-earth.html

Posted in Children's literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Children's Picture book, childrens literature, Friendship, Stephane Poulin, Susan Huges, Susanna Leonard Hill | 19 Comments

“Perfect Picture Book” – Friday

Posted on 07/02/2014 by Diane Tulloch

As we here in New Zealand celebrated Waitangi Day, the 174th anniversary of the signing of the founding document, the Treaty at Waitangi in 1840. I thought this would be a good opportunity to share a little history with you in the way of a picture book I came across in my local library recently.

Horeta and the Waka

Written By: Gordon Campbell

Illustrations by: Zak Waipara

Published by: Scholastics, New Zealand 2007

Ages: 3 – 8 years

Theme: history, strangers, the unknown

Opening Lines: “Look! Look!” called Horeta, pointing across the water. His friends turned and stared in wonder. A huge waka had sailed into the bay. It had tall masts and many large white sails.

Synopsis: The sighting of the first white man to land on New Zealand soil is told through the eyes of a Maori boy. Like any young boy Horeta is curious about these strange-looking white people who paddle their strange little boat to shore from the large one. They row backwards. “Do they have eyes in the back of their heads?” he wonders. At first he hides and later he is frightened by the smoking stick these strange people carry and runs to tell his family and friends how he saw them kill a bird with it. The Maoris at first believed the white people had magical powers but soon realised they also bought new ideas such as tools, clothing etc.

Why I like this: Based on a true story passed on through generations, this is a lovely simply told look at the first landing of Captain James Cook and the first meeting with a Maori tribe. It does not go into the battles or great details of what went on back then. A lovely way to introduce the history of New Zealand to very young children and creat conversation. The clear illustrations were done in ink and watercolour. The book has a soft cover.

Resources/Findings: The book, it appears, is slowly going out of print. It seems there are only a few left. Here… http://www.wheelersbooks.com.au/books/9781869438227-horeta-me-te-waka/

Here is some information about the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between the Maori and White people who first settled here….. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitangi_Day.

Here is a website about Waka’s, great if kids want to learn about the types of waka’s and how they were made. http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/waka-canoes

A lovely thing that could be done alone, or as a school project is to build a Maori Pa… this is like a fortress that holds a small village of Maori houses inside. Usually buildings and fences are made with small sticks/toothpicks on a paper-mache mountain. Children have fun painting the mountainside and arranging the buildings they have made using glue.

Here is a website of traditional Maori games for children, even the poi …. http://www.hop.org.nz/rangatahi/maori-games.pdf

Posted in Aotearoa, Children's literature, Picture Book Review | Tagged Children's Picture book, childrens literature, Gordon Campbell, Susanna Leonard Hill | 27 Comments

Phyllis’s Fun Fashion Show

Posted on 01/02/2014 by Diane Tulloch

Yeah, well I must be crazy, but I thought I would try and sneak in to post something I had been playing with today. It’s rough but ready.

Susanna Leonard Hill a lovely writing pal has been having some fun on her blog and asked if anyone was interested in posting some fashion pics of her Phyllis. See what we could come up with and put on a fashion show of sorts…. Well here is my entry… *facepalm*

Phyllis is (if you have been following my blog or Susanna’s) a loveable groundhog and world weather reader extraordinary… pop over to Susanna’s blog and view the fashion show! http://susannahill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/time-for-some-fun.html