Local Library Sale, Part 2

Nativity, Louise, and French Pancakes

I save up all year to shop my local library's summer sale. It's hot as blazes under that tent, but it's worth the hours it takes me to read every spine, root through every box.

The picture book pickings were pretty slim this year, so I made up for it in YA, but I did score a few beauties. Among others, I picked up these three picture books for their extraordinary illustration.

Louise Big Cheese, by Elise Primavera and Diane Goode.
You'll find an author + illustrator video on the Simon and Schuster website.

The Nativity, by Julie Vivas, Bio courtesy A Little Birdy Told Me.

Pancakes - Paris, by Claire Huchet Bishop

Thanks to the staff and volunteers for all their hard work!

PPBF: Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Founding Mothers, the picture book

Founding Mothers: 
Remembering the Ladies
Written by Cokie Roberts
Illustrated by Diane Goode
Harper Collins, 2014
non-fiction, grades 2-7
40 pp

Themes:
Non-fiction, Historical, Women

Opening of the first mini biography:
Eliza Lucas was only sixteen years old when her father went off to fight for England against Spain and left her in charge of three plantations in South Carolina.

and from the conclusion:

"The women here are taking a station in society which is not known elsewhere," wrote journalist Margaret Bayard Smith after she had lived in Washington for several years. She rejoiced in the fact that the new Capitol City was a place where women were taken seriously "in the court, in the representative hall, as well as in the drawing room."

Synopsis:
This non-fiction picture book contains a short timeline of events from 1765 to 1815 and 18 mini biographies highlighting the achievements of early American women. The text is engaging, drawing the reader in with fascinating tidbits from history. The witty illustrations evoke the style of the times. The book also includes excerpts of actual correspondence and valuable links for further research.

A spread about American poet, Phyllis Wheatley

What I Love:
Cokie Roberts has distilled the lives of these courageous women into bite-sized pieces, perfect for picture book audiences and beyond. Diane Goode has outdone herself with her  meticulous research, authentic penmanship, and colonial embellishments, even going so far as to reproduce the ladies' signatures. The endpapers alone are worth the cover price.

Bonus:

Have you been to the Library of Congress?

1. The Gettysburg Colonial Project has more information on what it meant to be a woman in the 18th Century.
2. I found a quiz among the Early American handwriting archives from the Reed Digital Collections.
3. Visit Colonial Williamsburg in person or online to learn more about our country's founding.
4. You'll find recipes for Johnny Cakes, Hobnob cookies, or succotash, plus Colonial games, crafts, and more at the teachers' site Kid Activities.
5. Delve into the many resources at the Library of Congress.
6. Look for these other Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

4 Founding Fathers,
Reviewed by Vivian

Another book by Diane 

The story of Ida Lewis
Reviewed by Jarm

Another biography

Women who effect change
Reviewed by Kelly

Revolutionary Americans
Reviewed by Julie

Founding Mothers,
Cokie's adult biography

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for October 17, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: The Most Perfect Spot

Today's pick

The Most Perfect Spot,
A most perfect picture book.

The Most Perfect Spot
Written and illustrated by Diane Goode

Harper Collins, 2006, Fiction
K-3, Reading Level 2.7

Themes:
Cause & Effect, Humor, Pets

Opening:
"One sunny morning, Jack made his mamma breakfast in bed, and a card that said, 'I know the most perfect spot for a picnic.'
So Mama put on her very best hat and they set off for Prospect Park."

Synopsis:
So begins an eventful day in the lives of Jack and Mama, but not the day Jack has planned. Despite the best intentions, the pair are forced from one one calamity to the next, "who knows why?"   Readers do, as they follow the illustrated antics of a stray dog in the background of every scene. Jack eventually finds the perfect spot with a delightful twist.

What I Love:
Diane Goode has 55 books (and counting), and I know I've reviewed her work before, but I couldn't resist introducing you to this gem. Writers should give this book a close examination. It has the perfect (pardon the pun) balance of text and art. The secondary story, which takes place only in the illustrations, turns out to be central to the main story line. My kids love anticipating what will happen next from the clues in the artwork which often appear right before the page turn. They squeal when the text repeatedly says, "who knows why." They practically shout, "I do!" Readers love to predict the outcomes in this way, and that's what this sweet, simple tale is about. This story has a great "button," or ending after the ending.

Bonus:

Support the SPCA in the Philadelphia area.

1. Why not plan your own picnic, indoors or out, depending on the weather?

2. Get your readers to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Pets there always need a walk or a little TLC.  Too young? Sponsor a drive for supplies: food, towels, toys, newspapers. Phone the shelter in your area for their specific wish-list.
3. Do a little research into the setting for this book. Read about the history of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, the fashions, or automobiles in the early 20th century. Visit a museum to see history first-hand.
4. Play a game of consequences or stretch your students' story-telling ability by suggesting a story starter and taking turns adding a calamity/ escape plan. Write down all the twists and turns. You can even try illustrating it!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday for October 11, 2013.
Thanks to Susanna Leonard Hill.

PB 300 Update #3

Bear Snores On
By Karma Wilson
and Jane Chapman

Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
By  Martin Waddell
and Barbara Firth

One Leaf Rides the Wind,
By Celeste Mannis
 and Susan Kathleen Hartung

All the World,
By Liz Garton Scanlon
 and Marla Frazee

Tiger Trouble!,
By Diane Goode

The Rice Bowl Pet,
By Patricia Miles Martin
and Ezra Jack Keats

The Twelve Days
 of Christmas,
By Hilary Knight

The Rainbabies,
By Laura Krauss Melmed
and Jim LaMarche

Nothing Like A Picture Book

Stars
by Mary Lyn Ray
and Marla Frazee

Thank you Tara Lazar for getting Emma Ledbetter as a guest on your PiBoIdMo blog.

". . . there’s nothing in the world that sticks with you like a picture book. Think about your favorite book when you were little. Why do you still remember it? The most special of special characters, voices, stories—they all contribute to this warm little nugget of childhood that you’ll carry around with you forever. You can’t create that by hitching a ride on the big, flashy, commercial, book-selling train of the moment. You create that by pulling your inspiration directly from that spot, by reigniting that spark from your childhood and writing from your heart."

This was the invaluable advice from Emma Ledbetter, editorial assistant at Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster.

Bedtime For Frances
By Russell Hoban
and Garth Williams

She edits all kinds of books, but I think it's appropriate for Picture Book Month to focus on the books from our past which made an impression, subtle or dramatic.

Crafty Chloe
by Kelly DiPucchio
and Heather Ross

Here are three of her favorites and below you'll find three of mine to help you celebrate Picture Book Month.

"Stand Back",
Said the Elephant,
"I'm Going to Sneeze!"
By Pat Thomas
and Wally Tripp

The Most Perfect Spot
By Diane Goode

The Quiet Place, 
By Sarah Stewart
and David Small

Tiger Trouble!

Tiger Trouble, by Diane Goode
Blue Sky Press 2001

The picture book Tiger Trouble!, by author / illustrator Diane Goode, is well worth owning.

It chronicles the daily life of Jack and Lily, his tiger in New York City.  The boy and his pet are best friends;  they go everywhere together.  But trouble arises when Mildew Mud arrives on the scene with his pampered bulldog.

This classic offering from Goode showcases a lovely simplified style.  The pastel palette and soft edges paint a nostalgic look at turn-of-the-century New York without being sentimental.  Action and a good bit of whimsy round out the tale that is sure to please even picky readers.