Growing Story Seedlings

"Once an idea comes to mind...one should ask, 'Who could help me tell that story? What character and what situation can help demonstrate that idea?'"

–Peter H. Reynolds*

Dandelion bookplate by Mads Stage,
Courtesy Frederikshavn Art Museum

*Via Emma Walton Hamilton

PPBF: The Book of Mistakes

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

The Book of Mistakes, by Corinna Luyken

The Book of Mistakes
Written and illustrated by Corinna Luyken

Dial BFYR, 2017
Ages 4-8, 56 pp


Themes:
Creativity, Accidents


Opening:
It started


with a mistake.


Synopsis:
From the first two words, "It started" we see a pencil drawing a face and we know this book is going to be special. On the next page, the "artist" makes a blob where the eye should be. But this clever picture book shows readers how to keep creating through the mistakes, turning them into happy accidents, or transforming them into out-of-the-box solutions. As the book progresses, a main character emerges and by the end, her personality is fully realized along with a fantastic setting peopled with other unusual characters. The very end is no mistake as the story circles back on itself, leaving the reader with the definitive message to explore their creativity without fear.


What I Love:
This debut book showcases Corinna Luyken's talent in creating fascinating quirky drawings as well as a page-turning picture book. With the emphasis on the theme and the text directed at the reader, the "story" is a little light. But in many ways, this feels like a Peter H. Reynolds book. I predict many wonderful masterpieces as a result of the author's permission to revel in our mistakes.


Bonus: 
1. For interviews with the illustrator, see SCBWI's Kidlit Artists, Design of the Picture Book, and Let's Talk Picture Books.

2. Introduce budding artists to Ed Emberley's drawing pages and books. No one says "I can't draw" when they follow his step-by-step instructions.

3. Peter H. Reynolds's International Dot Day is all about creativity. You don't have to wait until September to be infected by his encouraging mission.

4. Not confident with a pencil? Try baking Oops cookies from Steph's Blessings.

5. More4Kids has posted a straightforward article on helping children learn from their mistakes. And Roots of Action lists ten ways you can turn mistakes into positive experiences.

6. Check out these and more related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



Reviewed by Laura

Reviewed by Barbara



Reviewed by Leslie

Reviewed by Sue

Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Joanne

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, May 19, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: I'm Here

Love books?

Tweet about the giveaway: include #MGLit and a link.
More tweets= more chances to win!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a choice of fairy tale books from my Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post. Comment or tweet about the post to be entered in the drawing which ends September 19th.

Here's the link.


On to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick



I'm Here, by Peter H. Reynolds

I'm Here
Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2011
Ages 4-8


Themes:
Autism, Friendship, Fitting In


Opening:
Can you hear it? Voices. Splashes upon splashes of sound.

I hear it all like one big noise. A big drum. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

They are there.

I am here.


Synopsis:
A boy sits by himself on the playground, but when he constructs a paper airplane and stays true to himself, he finds a friend. Through simple pictures and dialogue, the book expresses the isolation some kids experience because of their autism.


What I Love:
By the second page, I could see my autistic friend's personality shining from the mc, though I had no idea this book was inspired by a real boy on the spectrum. In perfect Peter Reynolds style, I'm Here explores and explains what it's like for some kids with autism. A beautifully illustrated tale of friendship.


Bonus: 


1. The above short film was commissioned by the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center in 2007. It's not as effective as the book, but worth seeing.
2. Educate yourself on the SAARC website, or get involved in their F.R.I.E.N.D. program to learn strategies for interacting with children on the Autism spectrum and as importantly, teaching our children how to strengthen their friendships with kids with ASD.
3. Explore Fablevision's website. The animation company, brainchild of Peter H. Reynolds, produces fabulous educational and entertainment software and short subject cartoons.
4. Visit Teaching Community to learn 22 tips for supporting autistic students in the classroom.
5. Visit Autism Speaks for 10 things parents of kids on the spectrum wish you knew.
6. Choose one of a dozen paper airplane styles from Fun Paper Airplanes, from beginner to advanced with instructions and downloadable templates.
7.  Blue Skies Ahead has invented a simple, fun paper airplane flight school.
8. Creative Youth Ideas uses paper airplane games to help kids build their relationship with God as well as with others.
9. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



Reviewed by Sn Taylor

Reviewed by Patricia

 



Reviewed by Erik 

Reviewed by Joanne








Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, September 16, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

Hit The Books

A new school year is beginning around here. The Literacy World blog has a list of fun back-to-school titles from picture books to YA.

Or sample one of my favorites below to dispel the end-of-summer blues.

back-to-school books from kindergarten to high school

Something Queer in the Cafeteria, by Elizabeth Levy and Mordicai Gerstein

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, by Jarrett Krosoczka

The Principal's New Clothes, by Stephanie Calmenson and Denise Brunkus

Ready, Freddy! Homework Hassles, by Abby Klein and John McKinley

Judy Moody Goes to College, Megan McDonald and Peter Reynolds

Love That Dog and Bloomability, by Sharon Creech

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowling

Project Mulberry, by Linda Sue Park

Artwork by Liza Flores

Don't forget to download your free activity kit to help celebrate International literacy Day on September 8. I hope to start two new Little Free Libraries and plan to drop off a couple of books to my favorite teachers in honor of #Read4Fun.


What are your plans to promote literacy in your community?

Dr. Seuss Day

Read Across America celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday and encourages literacy and love of books.  Read to your favorite someone today.

Here are some of my top picks for every age group:
Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss
Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Six-Dinner Sid, by Inga Moore
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, by Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome
Judy Moody, by Megan McDonald and Peter Reynolds
The Ghost in the Noonday Sun, by Sid Fleischman
A Long Way From Chicago, by Richard Peck
The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley