OK. Ready? Fasten your seat belts because here we go! :)
Written By: Kate Feiffer
Illustrated By: Jules Feiffer
Candlewick, April 2011, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 4-8
Themes/Topics: patience, imagination, father-daughter love, optimism
Opening: "My dad and I are going to the zoo. We've tried to go to the zoo before. But we never get there. Something always happens."
Brief Synopsis: Sadie and her dad are going to the zoo. Their plans have been thwarted three previous times, but this time they're really going. Except... on the way... it starts to rain. They can't go to the zoo in the rain. But Sadie's not about to let the fact that her dad sees rain deter her. "I look out my window, and the sun is shining on my side of the car. People are putting on their sunglasses and heading to zoos all over the world on my side of the car." While her dad sees nothing but rain, Sadie sees people mowing their laws and eating ice cream. Is it raining or not? Will Sadie and her dad get to the zoo this time or will they have to wait for another day?
Links To Resources: Fun Zoo-Related Activities, Zoo Lessons And Activities, a page in the back of the book tells the true story of what happened (which is always fun :))
Why I Like This Book: Anyone who has lived with kids knows that their perception of reality is not necessarily the same as yours... especially when they really want something! :) What's wonderful about this book is both Sadie's determined optimism and her father's patience and his loving understanding of how she needs to cope with her disappointment. This book is also delightful because it's written and illustrated by a father-daughter team about an incident that actually happened. I'm not going to tell you whether they get to the zoo or not, though. You'll have to go read the book :)
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
Now then!
I know you've all been holding your breath in anticipation of the winner announcements, so I won't make you wait any longer :)
The winner of a signed copy of Lisa Thiesing's wonderful book, A Dark And Noisy Night, is Catherine Johnson! Catherine, come on down! Pleas send me an email with your address and who you'd like the book signed to and Lisa and I will get right on the job of mailing it out to you!
And I want to extend a hearty thank you to everyone who tried to help me with my theme struggles. I got quite a few good examples, and also discovered that I am not alone in my inability to articulate theme in a meaningful way, so all in all, it was a good exercise :) And the winner of Puzzled By Pink is Beth!!! Thank you ALL for your help! and Beth, you'd better email me your address.... :)
PPBF bloggers, please add your post-specific link to the list below so we can all come visit you :)
Have a great weekend everyone!
