Poetry Friday - A review of Around the World on Eighty Legs

Happy Friday everyone! I have a really wonderful book of poetry for you today; a book that combines delightful and often funny poetry with zoological information about animals. As they look through the book, children will get to meet a variety of animals that live in countries around the world.

Around the world on eighty legs

Amy Gibson

Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Scholastic, 2011, 978-0-439-58755-6

Imagine what it would be like to travel around the world, visiting all kinds of curious and interesting animals. Which animals would you want to meet? In this delightful picture book, Amy Gibson takes us to six of the seven of the world’s continents. She also throws in the Arctic for good measure.

   The journey begins in South America where we meet a Howler monkey, an animal that has a voice “so piercing few can stand / their eerie calls at break of day.” Even more curious is the Basilisk, a lizard - with the name of a mythological creature - that is able to literally walk on water. If you think this is odd, then you should meet the Hoatzin, a bird that smells so terrible that “you’ll smell him / ‘fore you see him.”

   Next we go to the “Far, far north and far, far, south.” Here we meet caribou, Arctic foxes, auks, penguins, and other creatures. We see large and ferocious predators like the polar bear with its sharp teeth, and tiny krill that serve as a “smorgasbord” for hungry whales and seals. The tiny shrimp are such an excellent source of food that “everybody wants to eat them,” but “nobody wants to be them.”

   Amy Gibson goes on to tell us about some African animals (lions, rhinos, warthogs and others), and animals from Asia, and Australia. Though the poems are wonderfully silly, they also give the reader a fair bit of information as well. To add to this information, the author provides her readers with a ‘Menagerie of Facts’ at the back of the book.

   Children who like animals are sure to enjoy this poetry picture book. They will appreciate the way in which the variety of poetry forms are beautifully paired with Daniel Salmieri’s funny and expressive illustrations.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and twelve

For today's picture book I have another Easter title. I used to love Easter egg hunts when I was a child, so I was happy to get this book in the mail. The story is both amusing and sweet, and the illustrations are quite lovely. 

Who hid the Easter Eggs?

Pirkko Vainio

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

North South, 2011, 978-0-7358-2304-4

   Every year the grandmother who lives in the house hides Easter eggs in her garden for her grandchildren. One spring day Harry the squirrel sees the grandmother coming out of her house carrying a basket of eggs and he knows that it is Easter again. Harry enjoys following her around, watching to see where she places the beautifully decorated eggs.

   After the grandmother goes back indoors, Harry sees that he is not the only one who admires the pretty eggs. Jack the jackdaw also likes the eggs, and to Harry’s horror, the bird steals the eggs. Harry follows Jack to his nest and he sees that Jack has put every single Easter egg into his nest. Jack explains that he wants to have eggs in his nest like all the other birds. Though Harry is sympathetic, he tells Jack that he has to return the eggs to their hiding places. Will they have enough time to get the eggs hidden in the right places before the children arrive?

   With beautiful illustrations throughout, colorful characters, and a charming story, this picture book is sure to be a firm favorite with children who like Easter egg hunts of their own.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

A wonderful book for Earth day

Earth Day is coming up on this Friday, April 22, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the natural world with Me…Jane! This inspiring portrait of the young girl who grew up to become groundbreaking primatologist and environmentalist Dr. Jane Goodall is beautifully rendered by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Patrick McDonnell.  As Booklist raves in their starred review: “This remarkable picture book is one of the few that speaks, in a meaningful way, to all ages.”

Take a look at the book's website where you can listen to an interview with Patrick about creating Me…Jane, send E-cards, download fun activity sheets, and find out how kids can enter the Go Ahead and Dream! Drawing Contest.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and eleven

Easter is only a few days away, and for today's picture book I have an Easter tale that is very special. The story will resonate with people who celebrate Easter as a religious holiday, and it will also appeal to those who celebrate the coming of spring with its fresh green grass, its fruit tree blossoms, and its baby animals.

Looking for Easter

Dori Chaconas

Illustrated by Margie Moore

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Albert Whitman, 2008, 978-0-8075-4750-2

   One day Bunny notices that there is something new in the air outside his burrow. The air smells “like sunshine, and warm breezes and clear flowing water.” He asks Beaver what the smell is, and Beaver explains that Bunny is smelling Easter. Bunny has no idea what Easter is, so Beaver tells the little rabbit that Easter is “a basket.”  Beaver offers to make Bunny a basket if the rabbit will help him gather branches so that he can make his lodge bigger. Bunny is happy to help Beaver, and once the job is done, Beaver makes Bunny a basket of reeds.

   Bunny shows his basket to Woodchuck, explaining that the basket is Easter. Woodchuck then tells Bunny that the basket isn’t Easter as it is. Once the basket is lined with grass, the basket will be Easter. If Bunny will help him dig a tunnel, Woodchuck will cut some grass for the basket. Bunny helps Woodchuck, and soon the basket has fresh new grass inside it. Bunny is sure that he now has Easter, but unfortunately he soon finds out that he doesn’t. Will he ever find out what Easter is?

   In this charming picture book, Dori Chaconas shows children that Easter is not a thing that you can hold. Instead, it is an experience; it is spring, and new life. With a gentle tale of discovery and delightful watercolor illustrations throughout, this is a seasonal picture book that readers of all ages will enjoy.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and ten

A few weeks ago I reviewed a picture book about a little boy called Alfie, and I have another Alfie book for you today. Just like the stories in all the Alfie books, this story describes an everyday event that becomes an adventure for Alfie and his family. When my daughter was three years old or so, she did what Alfie does in this story, and I have a very anxious half hour or so trying to rescue her.

Alfie gets in first

Shirley Hughes

Picture book

For ages 3 to 6

Random House UK, 2009, 978-1-862-30783-4

   One day Alfie, his mum, and his little sister Annie Rose walk to the shops. On their way back home, Alfie runs ahead because he wants to be home first. Annie Rose does not care who is first because she is tired, and she is content to sit in her push-chair and suck her thumb.

   After Mum opens the door, Alfie runs into the house and he does the most extraordinary thing. Alfie slams the door shut. Alfie, the shopping, and Mum’s key are in the house, and Mum and Annie Rose are outside. Mum tells Alfie to open the door, but Alfie cannot reach the catch, nor can he put the key through the letterbox because he cannot reach the letterbox.

   Soon Annie Rose, who is now hungry as well as tired, starts to cry. Mrs. McNally from across the road comes over to try to help, but nothing she says can change the fact that Alfie still cannot reach the catch or the letterbox. Alfie starts to cry and cry and cry. Maureen offers to climb the drain pipe to get in a window, the milkman promises that they will “soon have you out of there.” Even the window-cleaner gets in on the act.

   In this wonderfully sweet and funny picture book, Shirley Hughes tells a story about a misadventure that could happen to any little boy or girl. Once Alfie closes the door, Shirley Hughe’s artwork shows what is happening inside the house and what is happening outside, on the front step. Children will immediately be able to identify with scared little Alfie who is all alone in the house. They will be delighted to see how Alfie finally manages to solve the problem that he has created. 

Don't forget that Earth Day is on Friday

Friday is Earth Day here in the U.S, and here in Southern Oregon there will be all kinds of celebrations taking place over the weekend. In front of our local children's museum, people will set up tents, and businesses will demonstrate products that can help families to adopt a greener lifestyle. There will be live music to listen to, and food to try.

Over the years I have reviewed many books about saving the environment that you might like to take a look at. There is also the Earth Day feature where you will find books that explain how Earth Day came out, and how to celebrate it..

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: One hundred and nine

The Paddington statue in
Paddington Station

When I was a child, a friend of mine was given a stuffed Paddington Bear, which I secretly coveted. I had read all the books and I so wanted to have that wonderful soft bear with its blue duffel coat, red hat, red wellington boots, and the cunning little brown suitcase that came with it. Alas, it was not to be, but when my daughter started to show an interest in the Paddington stories, I was able to get her the toy bear as we were passing through London.

For today's Picture Book Celebration title I have a picture book version of the first Paddington Bear story.

Paddington

Michael Bond

Illustrated by R.W. Alley

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 7

HarperCollins, 2007, 978-0-06-117074-4

   One morning Mr. and Mrs. Brown are waiting for their daughter’s train in Paddington station when they see something very strange. There appears to be a bear standing near the Left Luggage office. The Browns are surprised to see a that there is small furry bear wearing a duffle coat and a red hat in the train station, and they go up to the bear to ask if there is anything they can do to help him.

   The bear explains that he is a “stowaway” from Darkest Peru, and the Browns are amazed that such a small bear could manage such a long journey all on his own. Mrs. Brown immediately suggests that the bear should come to stay with them. After all, something might happen to the bear if he is left alone. The Browns decide to call the bear Paddington, which the bear likes very much indeed, and then Paddington and Mr. Brown go to the snack bar.

   Paddington is very hungry and thirsty, so he is very pleased to see all the delicious treats that the waitress brings. In fact he is so happy that he climbs onto the table “to get a better look” at everything. Which is when the trouble starts.

   Children and their families have been enjoying the Paddington Bear books since the first book featuring the famous bear came out in 1958. His gentle, sweet, and funny personality has made Paddington a household name around the world.

   This wonderful picture book version of the first Paddington bear story makes the story accessible to even younger readers, which is a truly wonderful thing. 

If you are a Paddington Bear fan you might like to visit Paddington's website.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and eight

I must confess that I, like so many people, really don't like Mondays. Yes, this is partly because I would rather not get up at 6: 15 am, and yes I would also prefer to spend the day hiking, reading, gardening, or playing the violin instead of working. There is another reason why I don't Mondays though. I don't like Mondays because my husband and daughter have to leave the house to go to work and school. We are apart, and quite frankly I don't like it. This book was written for children and their families who have to face the Monday morning blues, and it offers a new way of looking at the first day of the work week.

Monday is One day

Arthur A. Levin

Illustrated by Julian Hector

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 7

Scholastic, 2011, 978-0-439-78924-0

   All over the world Monday is the day when grownups go back to work and when children get ready for five days when at least one of their parents or guardians will not be around to spend time with. There is no doubt that being apart is hard for both children and their grownups, but perhaps it can be made easier if we “count the days till we’re both at home with a special thing to do.”

   It all begins on Monday when we share a “safe snuggly cuddle” before we part. On Tuesday the day begins with “Two stomps in a puddle.” On Wednesday, “three raspberries on the nose” are just what we need to get us going in the morning, and there are only two more days to go before the work week is over and it is Saturday.

   This delightful book will surely offer comfort to both children and their grownups as they get themselves ready for the five work days in the week. The book reminds us to enjoy those special moments together that we share from Monday to Friday, and it is a celebration of all kinds of families.

   With an uplifting rhyming text and warm illustrations throughout, this is a picture book that family members will enjoy sharing.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book One hundred and seven

A few years ago I came across the Owly graphic novels for the first time. In these books, Andy Runton tells stories featuring a little owl and his best friend, who is a worm. The artwork is in black and white, and the stories are wordless. In lieu of words, Andy Runton uses symbols. Children enjoy figuring out what the symbols mean, and the characters are quite lovable.

For today's title I have a review of the first Owly and Wormy picture book. You can find out more about the Owly and Wormy graphic novels by visiting the Andy Runton page on the Top Shelf Productions website.

Owly and Wormy: Friends all aflutter!

Andy Runton

Wordless Picture book

For ages 4 to 6

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-5774-4

   One day Owly and his friend Wormy are sitting under a tree when Wormy wonders where all the pretty butterflies are going. Owly explains that butterflies like flowers, and so the two friends go to the local nursery to buy some flowers that will attract butterflies. Mrs. Raccoon at the nursery recommends that Owly should plant a milkweed plant near his home. That night the friends go to bed, hopeful that their milkweed plant will attract lots of butterflies to their home.

   Unfortunately, things don’t quite work out as planned. No butterflies come to visit the milkweed. Instead, two little caterpillars start to eat the plant. Wormy gets very upset because the milkweed plant is for butterflies and not for caterpillars. When the caterpillars explain that they thought the plant was their new home, Wormy and Owly change their mind. After all, it would be unkind to evict the caterpillars. The little creatures have to have somewhere to live.

   Soon Owly and Worm and the caterpillars are the best of friends. They share many wonderful times together, and Owly even invites the caterpillars to come and live in his house. The caterpillars explain that they have no time left and that it is time for them to go. Sure enough, while Owly and Wormy are planning a surprise good away party, the two caterpillars disappear. Poor Owly and Wormy are terribly upset. Will they ever see their delightful little friends again?

   For several years now Andy Runton has been delighting young readers with his Owly and Wormy graphic novels. Now he gives his readers a story in a picture book format that is full of heartwarming charm. Using symbols instead of words, Andy Runton gives pre-readers a unique way to ‘read’ a book on their own.