PPBF: Sweet Dream Pie

Celebrate National Pi Day with today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Sweet Dream Pie, by Audrey Wood and Mark Teague

Sweet Dream Pie
Written by Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Mark Teague

• Scholastic, 1998
• Ages 4 - 9; level 4.6

word count 1040

Themes:
Fantasy / Tall-tale, Cooking, Dreams


Opening:
It was almost dawn on Willobee St. when Pa Brindle lit the lantern and led Ma Brindle up to their dark attic, to an old trunk draped in cobwebs.
"I haven't slept a wink tonight," Pa said. "I've been craving a piece of sweet dream pie, just like the one you made me long ago."


Synopsis:

When Pa Brindle gets a hankerin' for Ma Brindle's magical Sweet Dream pie, it's the whole town that faces the consequences. All day long, the residents in town smell and feel the effects of the magic working. The unfortunate side-effect of over-eating is more than a stomach-ache in this case, and it is Ma Brindle who has to spend the night chasing the monsters conjured up by the neighbors' not-so-sweet dreams.


What I Love:
If you love Audrey Wood, you'll love the silly plot she cooks up in Sweet Dream Pie. The secret pie ingredients include gum drops and chocolate, so it can't be all bad. Eaten in moderation, Ma Brindle's recipe  guarantees a pleasant slumber. But who can resist just one more piece. This book is guaranteed to have young readers giggling, and it just might help them deal with bad dreams of their own. I can see it becoming a bedtime ritual for little ones with over-active imaginations.
Mark Teague delivers his usual hilarity with the kooky characters populating Willobee Street, and his clever stories within a story.

Bonus:

KraftRecipes.com

1. Celebrate in style with the Exploratorium, the museum that started it all. 26 years ago Larry Shaw began the Pi Day celebration on 3.14, and today they have a host of activities and links to share your mathematical enthusiasm. Take note that next year will be 3.1415!
2. Eat a piece of Dream Pie with this chocolaty recipe from Kraft.
3. I couldn't resist including these super-sweet cupcakes inspired by the book, from SweetTreatsBySusan.
4. Here's a cute Play-Doh activity from 3Dinosaurs.
5. For older readers, pick up a copy of Pie, by Sarah Weeks. It's one of my favorite books for 8 to 12 year-olds.
6. Look for these other related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Posted by GradeOneDerful

Posted by ThisKidReviewsBooks

Another Wood book,
Posted by StoryPatch

Also posted by Erik,
at ThisKidReviewsBooks

Posted by FloweringMinds

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for March 14, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent blog.

A Wild & Curious Series of Exhibits

The Rosenbach Museum
Philadelphia, PA

On display from artist Sue Johnson

Visit the Rosenbach Museum Friday, March 14, 2014 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm for the hands on tour celebrating Lewis Carroll / Charles Dodgson.

Up next, Sendak in the '60s goes on display Wednesday, March 26 - Sunday, November 2.

Mural by Maurice Sendak, comissioned by  the Chertoff family

The Rosenbach hosts many fabulous literary exhibits, including an artist project from Maira Kalman.
Read my review of Maira's newest book about Thomas Jefferson, or catch up on the past festivities for the museum's Sendak in the Spring event.

Read more about the recent merger of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Rosenbach Museum collection.

Word Choice

"Words are never too big for children, as long as they are the right words."

-Jane Yolen*

AutoLithography by Karel Benes, 2004

* Courtesy SCBWI

PPBF: Cocoa Ice

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Cocoa Ice, by Diana Appelbaum,
and Holly Meade

Cocoa Ice
Written by Diana Appelbaum
Illustrated by Holly Meade
Orchard Books, 1997
non-fiction, grades K-4
word count 2264

Themes:
Non-fiction, Historical, Chocolate!

Opening:
"Chocolate comes from a faraway island where birds have pink feathers, leaves grow bigger than I am tall, and it is always summer."

and the opening to the second section:

"Ice schooners come from a land where the water is so hard that people walk on the river - right on the river."

Synopsis:
This non-fiction picture book chronicles the ice trade in Maine and the cocoa trade in Santo Domingo during the 1800s. The story is told from two perspectives. It explains how each girl thinks the other's life is strange and exotic. It details how ice is cut and transported to the islands. The book also recounts how cocoa is harvested and enjoyed in both the Carribean and New England.


What I Love:
I love the unique format for storytelling. No matter the reader's location, the dual perspectives give him a connection to the main characters. This story works in so many interesting details about the history of trade, life in the 19th century, culture, nature, and of course, chocolate. This is creative non-fiction at its finest. The cut paper and gouache illustrations are stunning. Sadly, Holly Meade left us too soon, but she left behind a bountiful legacy for future readers to enjoy.

Bonus:

1. Learn about the history and culture of the Dominican Republic.
2. Learn about the history and culture of Maine.
3. Try your own hot cocoa, ice cream, or compromise with hot chocolate ice cream soda.
4. Holly Meade was an accomplished print artist. The Crafty Classroom has a kid-friendly way to simulate woodcuts.
5. Look for these other Perfect Picture Books about chocolate at your local library.

posted by Natalie

posted by Susanna Leonard Hill

posted by Vivian Kirkfield

And the book everyone's been talking about,
No Monkeys No Chocolate, by Melissa Stewart,
Allen Young, and Nicole Wong

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for March 7, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent, chocolaty blog.

For Reading Out Loud

Celebrate the blessings of literacy. Read to someone today.

World Read Aloud Day 2014
LitWorld.org

Rereading

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”
― Oscar Wilde

Courtesy Antiquariat

#ChaBooCha

It's challenge time!

Feeling sluggish as the winter weather drags on? Power through those writing projects with a few March challenges.

Chapter Book Challenge 2014

Created by Rebecca Fyfe

Join the Chapter Book Challenge:

• Spend the month of March writing your easy reader, chapter, middle grade, or YA from start to finish.
• Earn the chance for weekly prizes 
• Enter for the grand prize, a Kindle.
• Study the blog posts, be encouraged, improve your craft.
• Network with other writers just like you!

Sign up here

Or 

Participate in March Madness

Created by Susanna Leonard Hill

• Write a fractured fairy tale in 400 words or less
• Blog your creation March 20- 24
• Vote for your favorite March 25-30
• Prizes awarded March 31, 2014

Get the details

See you there!