Gator and Pete More Alike Than It Seems written by Suzanna McGovern and illustrated by Donna Bizjak
Hatch Ideas, Inc 2007, Fiction
Suitable for: Pre-school to Grade 3
Topics/Themes:Similarities and differences, co-operation, friendship
Opening: Gator went for a stroll one sunny, spring day,
in search of a new friend who might like to play.
He kept his eyes looking, as he made his way,
for someone just like him, it seems.

Synopsis:(Goodreads)
In discovering and befriending Pete the turtle, Gator learns the importance of being open to those who are different than he is. Filled with lyrical storytelling and rich, engaging illustrations, this first-ever Gator children’s book is perfect for adults who like to read to young children, young children learning words and pictures, and first-time readers.

Activities: Opposites of Night and day crafts, Comparing and contrasting with Moose.

I am so thrilled to share this picture book with you since I won this one and two others about Gator via Susanna Hill’s blog. Thanks Susanna and thanks Suzanne!

Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarthy

Henry Holt & Company, September 2009

Suitable for: Ages 3-6 pre-school – Grade One

Themes/topics: This is a story about wanting to be alone and not wishing to socialise with other children, whether you are a dreamer or introvert. The story shows you what can happen when you let that go too far and you really ought to make friends. It’s a great story for teaching introverted kids to let go and just play.

Opening and Brief synopsis:

Jeremy lived on the top floor of a three-storey apartment building.

Synopsis: Alone in his room, Jeremy draws amonster. But then themonster wants lunch! As his creation takes over, Jeremy begins to wonder how he will ever get rid of themonstrous nuisance.He entertains his unwanted guest all day, but enough is enough. Jeremy finally draws him a bus ticket out of town!

Links to resources: Activities for introverted kids, parenting tips for the shy child, more parenting tips, monster crafts.

I loved the twist in this tale and the beautiful interesting illos. It seems like a really unique book in many ways. Definitely one you can learn a lot from in terms of writing a pb. Love it!

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to check out all the PPBF’s over on Susanna’s blog.

My titles have been too long to fit in Susanna’s linky list, so I’ve condensed this one. Call it long titles month

Small Camel Follows the Star written by Rachel W. N. Brown

Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri,

Albert Whitman & Company, 2007, Fiction

Suitable for:  All grades

Themes/Topics: Christmas, Advent, Animals, Jesus, gifts, journeys, a mother’s love.

Opening and brief synopsis:

Small Camel was the newest little camel in Balthazar’s coral. His feet were too big for his skinny legs. He had a very small hump. But he had big beautiful eyes and long eyelashes.

“I love you,” whispered his mama. “You will grow up to be strong. You will carry heavy loads to faraway places. Balthazar will be proud of you.”

Links to resources: Links to resources for the story of the birth of Jesus Little Blots of Faith

Synopsis:

Small Camel is given the honor to carry a very important package on a long, hard journey across the great desert, as his master Balthazar, a wise man, goes in search of Baby Jesus.

A beautiful Christmas story told in a unique way. I’m really enjoying these gentle ones! Have a wonderful Christmas everyone x

Thanks to Susanna we have a fun contest today. Write your own version of Clement C. Moore’s traditional poem, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas! Entries must be at least 12 lines/3 stanzas, not to exceed 40 lines/10 stanzas. What a fun festive fantastic …okay you get the idea. Susanna rocks! Here’s mine and don’t forget to check them all out here. Happy Christmas!!! Holidays etc.

Twas the night before Christmas When all through the city,
The Christmas lights sparkled looking ever so pretty.
The shoppers depleted and headed back home,
Back with their goodies, the odd garden knome.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
But wait! A child’s missing behind all those sheds.
She’d followed a Moose that went sniffing around,
for food that the shoppers had dropped on the ground.

Mama was frantic, she downed her plum wine,
She jumped on the cart with the cow and the swine.
She lashed with the reins till old Noddy took off,
But the creaky wheels groaned and they broke right off.

Now what to do when there’s rain on the way,
Mom hitched up her dress and sprinted away.
The swine gave a snort at the sudden rebuff,
and the cow marched off with the swine in a huff.

The girl meanwhile, had dressed up the moose,
Climbed on top of it and kicked the moose loose.
They danced through the park and on through the town
The moose with her bling and the girl with her crown.

They found her dear mother and swung her aboard,
But Moose wasn’t happy she bucked and guffawed.
“I’m not a reindeer, a horse or a cow,
She dropped off the girl and said, “Goodbye now!”

Dreaming of parsnips and turkey and ham,
All they could hope for was leftover spam.
“It’s your fault the moose went, I hate you, I do.”
“Wait just a minute I ran here for you.”

Both busy arguing, they didn’t see
Old St. Nicholas under the tree.
He’d shrunk quite a bit, the last that they knew
“Come here you two squabblers, I’ve something for you.”

He pulled out a missal and read a quick verse,
Then handed it over saying, “Things could be worse.
Go find your cow and your swine tout de suite.
You’ll find that the morning will bring you a treat.

(I’ve no idea what the treat is, but I hope you all get lots of treats over Christmas

Merry Christmas Merry Crow
written by Kathi Appelt and illustrated by John Goodell,
Harcourt Inc., 2005, Fiction
Suitable for: All grades
Themes/Topics: Animal stories, Birds, Friends and friendship, Christmas.
Opening and brief synopsis:
Wind’s a blowin’
Sky’s a snowin’
Where’s this feathered fellow goin’?

Synopsis: A broken chain, a piece of string, a bottle cap . . . To most people, these things are useless trash. But to a clever crow, they’re just what he needs to create a special surprise–a beautiful Christmas tree that everyone can treasure.
Told in jaunty rhyme by Kathi Appelt and lavishly illustrated by Jon Goodell, this heartwarming story of people brought together by a very unexpected artist has all the makings of a Christmas classic.

Links to resources: Bird activities/crafts, Pre-school friendship songs, Christmas poems about friends

This is the most wonderful picture book I have read in a while, and I seem to love all the ones I get from the library these days. The words are poetic and the illustrations are beautiful.

You can find the rest of the Perfect Picture Books here.

The lovely and talented Susanna keeps coming up with these mega awesome ideas. She’s having a Thanksgiving Contest! The prize will be your choice of a Thanksgiving picture book (to be selected) or a $15 Amazon gift card – in time for the holidays The challenge is to write a children’s Thanksgiving story beginning with the sentence:

They were supposed to go to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving, but the blizzard came in fast….

Maximum word length: 250 (but anything less is fine) Prose or poetry. I chose poetry (of course!) and can use mine to show you about rhyme a bit.

They were supposed to go
to grandma’s for Thanksgiving,
but the blizzard came in fast
and the wind was unforgiving.
Holly had cooked the turkey
and now tossed it on the floor.
Having spent all day cooking
now they don’t need it anymore.
Grandma will be livid.
Her cupboards are all bare.
They were going to fetch her groceries
and cut and curl her hair.
Now she’s only jam and bread,
no thanks she’ll give for that;
the blizzard’s cut the phone line
so Gran can’t ring us for a chat.
Well that’s the only blessed thing,
she can’t go on and on.
They might as well clean that Turkey up
before Thanksgiving’s gone.

p.s. don’t check the meter

Have a great Thanksgiving week to those of you in the U.S.