Perfect Picture Book Friday - Four Feet, Two Sandals AND The Holiday Contest Winner!

I know.  Things have gotten just a tad out of hand this week.  Monday's post barely made it in under the wire, and I skipped Wednesday's altogether to give everyone more time to vote during this busy week when lots of people are off their normal schedule.  But now it's Friday and we're back on track with Perfect Picture Books!

(Oh.  And by the way, in case you're interested, we'll get around to the winner of the Holiday Contest too! :))

But no skipping ahead!  Or at least, if you do, please come back, because this is a wonderful book and I don't want you to miss it!

Four Feet, Two Sandals
Written By:  Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed
Illustrated By:  Doug Chayka
Eerdmans Books For Young Readers, September 2007, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 7-10
Themes/Topics:  Friendship, Sharing, Refugees, Loss, Separation

Opening:  "Lina raced barefoot to the camp entrance where relief workers threw used clothing off the back of a truck.   Everyone pushed and fought for the best clothes.  Lina squatted and reached, grabbing what she could."

Brief Synopsis:  In a place where people have very little, two girls each get one of a pair of sandals.  They could have fought, but instead they share the sandals.  As they go about their routines, waiting and hoping for their names to appear on the list for a new home, the sandals remind them that friendship is the most important thing.  And when one girl gets the chance to live in a new land, the bond of their friendship remains.

Links To Resources:  Teacher's Guide, Discussion Guide, author's note at back of book adds extra information.

Why I Like This Book:  This story gives children a glimpse of a very different kind of life.  For children who are fortunate, this book may help them not to take things for granted so much.  For children who are less fortunate, this book may help them see that they are not alone.  Told gently and with hope so that it is appropriate for children, this book nonetheless opens the way to important discussions about refugees, having and not having, war and peace, loss, and separation.  But the underlying message is one of love and friendship, something all children understand and can relate to.

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

(For those of you also posting a Perfect Picture Book today, please remember to put your link on the list below.)

Okay, so I'll see you all on Monday.

Oh, wait.

Hang on.

I guess a few of you are wondering who won the Holiday Contest :)

(You didn't really think I'd leave you hanging, did you? :))

As you all know, the entries were outstanding.  There were several - I'd go so far as to say at least 6 (since that's what I put in the finals :)) - that could have won.  I'm glad I didn't have to make the ultimate decision!  But the voters have spoken clearly.  And the winner is...

DDRRRRUUUUUUMMMMMMMRRRRRRROOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!!!!!!

MIRANDA 

with 'Twas The Night Before Christmas: Rudolph Goes Green!!!

Congratulations, Miranda!  And congratulations to all who entered!  (And Miranda, please email me and let me know if you'd prefer the gift card or the childrens writer's market guide!)

Because we had so many amazing entries, I will mention that second place went to Penny for 'Twas The Night Before Christmas On Mars, and third place went to Joanna for The Plight Before Christmas.

Thanks to everyone who entered.  You are all so talented, and you made the contest so much fun.  I think everyone had a great time hopping from blog to blog reading the stories (I know I did!) and everyone was so supportive of everyone else.  Maybe you made some new friends in the process too!

Happy New Year, Everyone!  I wish you all the very best in 2012 - love, health, happiness, peace, and great writing!  See you next year! :)

(PPB posters - don't forget the link below!)