Learning from Picture Books – SMALL SAUL

After reading The Most Magnificent Thing, I am a big fan of Ashley Spires, and this one is another great book to read in a classroom!

Summary from the publisher:

Ahoy there! Will this sweet little pirate find his place aboard The Rusty Squid or will he be forced to walk the plank?

When Small Saul joins the crew of The Rusty Squid, it doesn't take long for the other pirates to notice something is very different about this tiny fellow. He was born to sing sea shanties, bake pineapple upside down cakes and redecorate, not to hold a sword and plunder. Being rough and tough just isn't in his nature.

Small Saul learned at Pirate College that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and lots and lots of treasure. Can Small Saul show these ruffians that despite his gentle spirit, he's worth his weight in gold? With treasure chests of laughs, 

Small Saul's high-seas adventure is a light-hearted celebration of individuality, perseverance and being true to one's self.

Small Saul was written and illustrated by Ashley Spires. It was published by Kids Can Press in 2011.

Opening:

“Small Saul loved the sea. He loved its vastness, its calmness, its blueness.”

My thoughts as a writer:

I really liked the opening of this book, especially with the dynamic angle that was chosen for the perspective of the first illustration. The introduction of Saul going to Pirate College was a lot of fun. There are lots of small details in the illustrations to add humor to the story.

My thoughts as a teacher:

The story is fun (always a great way to get kids to pay attention), but there are also some great opportunities for discussions about how it’s okay to be yourself and follow your own path. There is also a theme of perseverance in the way Saul tried different ways to fit in with the pirate crew.

Ages: 4 – 8

Grades: K - 3

Themes: individuality, perseverance, pirates, adventure

Activities:

What do you think pirates need to learn at Pirate College? Make a list.

Draw a treasure map and label it.

Make puppets and a pirate ship and act out the story of Small Saul.

The publisher also provided some ideas for using this book in the classroom.

What would you ask the author if you could? Here's an interview where she answers some student questions:

Learning From Picture Books - SUPER RED RIDING HOOD

This is another one of the picture books on the short list for this year’s Blue Spruce Award from the Ontario Library Association. I really enjoy fractured fairy tales and this one was a lot of fun!

Summary from the book jacket:

Ruby loves red things. She especially loves the red cloak her grandma made her. But unlike that other girl once upon a time, when Ruby puts on her red cloak, she becomes SUPER RED RIDING HOOD.

A delightful combination of something old and something new, Claudia Davila’s Super Red Riding Hood captures what it means to be an everyday superhero. 

Super Red Riding Hood was written and illustrated by Claudia Davila. It was published by Kids Can Press in 2014.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

I enjoyed the humorous voice in this story, for example, “This did not sound like an important mission to Ruby, but she could see that her mom meant business.” There are wonderful descriptive words used in the story, e.g., “the grumbly wolf skulked.”

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

The way Ruby used her powers through the story was fun. Any child could relate to her and I especially loved her as a role model as a strong girl. Fractured fairy tales are always fun because they can be read along with other versions for comparing and contrasting.

Themes: fairytales, sharing, good deeds, superheroes, bravery

Ages: 4 – 8

Grades: preschool – grade 3

Follow-Up Activities:

• What superpowers did Ruby use in the book? Draw a picture showing Ruby using another superpower.
• Brainstorm ideas for ways you could be a superhero and do good deeds like Ruby did.
• Draw a design for your own superhero cape. What would you call yourself as a superhero?
• Read another Red Riding Hood story. How are the two stories different? What is the same about them?

WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

I’m so excited to share with you a cute read aloud that celebrates a love of books and libraries! The characters in this story are very enthusiastic about books, just like the illustrator-author (my writing friend) Debbie Ridpath Ohi. 

 Summary from Amazon:

 

Spencer loves to read. He reads a book every night. But one morning his favorite book goes missing, and in its place is a tulip. Spencer searches high and low, but he can’t find his book. The next morning another book is missing, a nut in its place. And the morning after that, another book is missing.

What is happening to Spencer’s books? When he finds out, Spencer devises a surprising solution that will delight readers (and librarians) everywhere.

Where Are My Books? was written and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2015.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

The concept is relatable: Most children have experienced the loss of a beloved object, and maybe even a cherished book. I like the very direct and simple opening line: “Spencer loved books” because it offers so much possibility. It immediately makes me think about books I have loved and I can connect with Spencer, a fellow book lover. 

This is a good book to study to think about how character is created using a combination of words and illustration. Spencer’s personality comes through in the words the author has selected to convey his ideas (and distress) about his books. The expressive faces and gestures work well to show his thoughts and feelings.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

This is fun book to read to introduce a discussion about favourite books and places to read them. The character expressions provide lots of opportunities for talking about feelings. The large size and bold colors of the illustrations make them wonderful for read alouds, since even children in the back of a group can see them. With clues in the illustrations, students can predict or try to guess what happened to Spencer’s books.

A comprehensive teacher guide with lots of activities in different curricular areas is available on the author’s website. 

It would also be interesting to talk with students about how the book was created, and especially how she makes her illustrations. 

Themes: reading, missing objects, squirrels

Ages: 3 – 6

Grades: preschool – grade 1

Follow-Up Activities:

• Create a shared list of favorite books.
• Build a library in your classroom. How would you organize it? Draw a plan. Think about how your plan might change if you were creating a library for squirrels. Or for another animal of your choice.
• What clues are there in the text to solve the mystery of Spencer’s missing books? Why did the author choose those clues? Draw a picture or write a story with clues for a missing object.
• Create a guessing game about your favorite book. Using a folded paper or “book cover”, write or draw clues for the book on the outside. Then, inside, draw a picture of the book and explain why you enjoyed reading it.
• Watch this video celebrating books:

To find more great picture books to read or to use in your classroom, visit author Susanna Leonard Hill's website for her theme-based summary of Perfect Picture Books posted by book-loving bloggers on Perfect Picture Book Friday.

Learning from Picture Books - Power Down, Little Robot

I suppose I should have a Canadian selection today, in honor of Canada Day yesterday. But I really liked this cute bedtime story.

Here’s the summary from Amazon:

It's time to power down for the night, but Little Robot isn't ready! He quickly opens his stalling program. Luckily, Mom Unit knows exactly how to get him into his sleep module.

From a debut picture book author and the illustrator of Little Boo, this funny twist on a familiar nighttime routine will click with bedtime avoidance experts everywhere.

Power Down, Little Robot, was written by Anna Staniszweski and illustrated by Tim Zeltner, published by Henry Holt & Company, 2015.

My thoughts as a writer:

This picture book shows a clever execution of a good concept. There are lots of cute references, like “Will you read me a manual?” and “systems functioning normally.” The ending line fits the story perfectly.

The illustrations reminded me a bit of the old television show “The Jetsons”, evoking a little nostalgia for me. I liked the softness the illustrator brought to the robot theme, which makes it very suitable for a cozy read at bedtime.

My thoughts as a teacher:

Although I don’t usually read many “bedtime” stories at school, I think students would enjoy this, especially if they are showing an interest in robots. This story could spark imaginative play with student-constructed cardboard robots and encourage students to write their own stories about them.

There's a cute trailer for this book that would a be fun backdrop for kids to improvise a dance.

Themes: bedtime routines, family

Ages: 3 – 5

Grades: preschool - 1

Follow-Up Activities:

- create a cardboard box robot

- find your favourite page in the story and explain why you like it

- draw or write a bedtime story about your favorite toy

If you're looking for more great picture books to investigate as a writer or to share with your children over the summer, consider checking out the list of Perfect Picture Books, put together by author Susanna Leonard Hill. Her weekly feature, Perfect Picture Book Friday, is on a break during the summer time, but the list is there and is especially useful if you're looking for a book with a specific topic or theme.

Learning from Picture Books: Crankenstein!

Crankenstein!

written by Samantha Berger

illustrated by Dan Santat

published by Little Brown and Company, 2013

ages 3 - 7

 

From the Publisher:

BEWARE OF CRANKENSTEIN!

Who is Crankenstein?

HE IS A MONSTER OF GRUMPINESS THAT NO ONE CAN DESTROY! MEHHRRRR!!! HE'S ALIVE!

He may look like any ordinary boy, but when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or an early bedtime, one little boy transforms into a mumbling, grumbling Crankenstein. When Crankenstein meets his match in a fellow Crankenstein, the results could be catastrophic--or they could be just what he needs to brighten his day!

My Thoughts as a Writer:

The concept of this book is one all kids can connect with! I loved the voice in this story and admired how so much was conveyed in just a few words. The illustrations complement the story so well – I loved the expressions on Crankenstein’s face.

I also liked the way the book was structured, with repetition in sets of 3s, just enough to entertain without being monotonous for an adult during a read aloud. The ending was cute. This is another example of how a good concept is important in creating a picture book.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

This book would be a nice one to read around Hallowe’en or in comparison with other monster books. I’d use it to start a discussion about feelings and what makes you feel grumpy, and expand the discussion to talk about what to do when you feel grumpy. You could also encourage students to write about their own “Crankenstein” stories or moments.

The edition I borrowed from my public library had funny labeled diagrams of Crankenstein on the front and back covers. These would be a great model for a fun activity where students draw themselves as a Crankenstein and make up their own labels.

For other great picture books to read, check out Perfect Picture Book Friday, using #PPBF on Twitter, or visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog for a list of bloggers who are blogging about picture books today!

Did you know it's Picture Book Month? Every day in November, a picture book champion explains why he/she thinks picture books are important. 

It's also PiBoIdMo (aka Picture Book Idea Month), where picture book writers try to come up with 30 ideas in 30 days. I'm excited to try the challenge!

Learning from Picture Books: The Imaginary Garden

The Imaginary Garden

written by Andrew Larsen

illustrated by Irene Luxbacher

published by Kids Can Press, 2009

ages 3 - 7

 

From Kids Can Press:

Theodora loved her grandfather's old garden. His new apartment's balcony is too windy and small for a garden. But what appears to be a drawback soon leads to a shared burst of creativity as Theo and her Poppa decide to paint a new garden. As they work side by side — sowing seeds with brushes and paint — a masterpiece begins to take shape that transforms the balcony into an abundant garden.

When Poppa goes away on holiday, Theo helps nurture the garden and it begins to take on a life of its own. This garden grows not from soil but from love, imagination and creativity.

Readers will marvel at each stage of this fertile garden as it grows from seed to full flower, revealing the power of art to enrich our lives.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

One of the reasons why this book is successful is because of the concept of creating an imaginary garden by painting on canvas. It definitely hooked me. I liked the way the author shows how Theo gradually becomes more independent in the process and takes on the job after her Poppa goes away on a trip.

The illustrations and their layout was integrated with the text, so you could really see how important the illustrations are to the story, from the tiny illustrations to show the steps for painting a bird or flower to the full page illustrations of the garden mural that brought the fantasy element to life.

 

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

This would be a good book to use in introducing spring painting activities (e.g., mural painting) as well as talking about signs of spring. It would also be helpful for reinforcing procedural writing, since the text explains how to paint birds and flowers.

It’s great to see the closeness between Theo and her grandfather, and Theo’s gradually developing independence with the project. It’d be a good addition to a classroom or school library. This book is recommended for ages 3 to 7, but at around 700 words, I think the text might be a bit long for kids at the younger end of this range (and might need two sessions).

Learning from Picture Books: No Bears

Since I’m inescapably drawn to writing picture books when I'm not working on my middle grade novels, I decided I’d better start reading more of them and figuring out what makes them work. So every other Friday, I'm posting "Learning from Picture Books" to share what I've learned.

No Bears

written by Meg McKinlay

illustrated by Leila Rudge

US edition published by Candlewick Press

From Amazon:

Ella is in charge of this book, and she will tell you something right now. There are NO BEARS in it. Not even one.

My thoughts as a writer:

The concept catches my attention – it’s simple and well-defined. The book appeared to have a lot of text, but it’s actually under 500 words. It has a story within a story, which is interesting, but I think it’s a difficult one to learn from in terms of structuring a picture book. The key learning for me was that a strong concept gives you room to build an interesting story.

 

My thoughts as a teacher:

I love the way this book models writing and using your imagination, as well as the key words that signal you’re reading a fairy tale. It paves the way for a discussion and possibly some list-making about what kids would like to write about themselves.  It also gives an opportunity for talking about how the pictures tell part of the story. Some children might be confused by the ending if they aren’t careful to pay attention to the pictures.