Showing posts with label Julie Olson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Julie Olson. Show all posts

Friday, February 14, 2014

PPBF: Oh! What a Surprise

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Fourth in the series, Oh! What a Surprise!,
by Suzanne Bloom
Oh! What A Surprise!
Written and illustrated by Suzanne Bloom
Boyds Mills Press, 2012
Fiction, ages 2-6, 160 words

Themes:
Friendship, Giving, Behavior

Opening:
"What are you doing? Are you making something?"
"It's a surprise."

Synopsis:
Fox loves surprises! When she discovers Goose and Bear making gifts, she hopes that one of the presents is for her. But what if it isn't? Even though hope may turn to disappointment, nothing can stop Fox from making her own spectacular surprise for Goose and Bear. In the end, Fox is overjoyed to find she hasn't been forgotten after all. (from the publisher's website.)

What I Love:
In this fourth installment of the Fox, Goose, and Bear series, Suzanne Bloom gently teaches about friendship and a generous heart. With only 160 words, this story is just perfect for very little ones. The bright pastel illustrations will appeal to the youngest readers. The simple storyline will resonate with all ages.

Bloom’s text is perfectly age-appropriate both in terms of mechanics (straightforward storytelling, simple vocabulary, short sentence structure) and content...The playful back- and-forth between the characters is read aloud gold... There are numerous uses for this satisfying book: as an easy reader, as a read-aloud selection for a holiday-themed storytime, as an inspirational springboard to a session of homemade gift-making, or as a holiday gift itself (perhaps packaged with paper-heart confetti). Readers who latch onto this adorable animal trio via this title may want to also seek out Bloom’s previous books about Bear, Goose, and Fox.
Jeannette Hulick, Reviewer The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books


Bonus:
Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to make a hand-made gift.

birdseed hearts,
 courtesy NoTimeForFlashcards
Lollipop butterflies
from Skip To My Lou
More confetti fun from NoTimeFor FlashCards
Squirrel and heart paper chains,
from Brimful Curiosities

Print out these gorgeous valentines
 from illustrator Julie Olson


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