 |
| Please! Help yourselves! |
I've been trying to resist posting today's Perfect Picture Book for a while because it is out of print. But it is one of my all time favorite books ever, and since I got notification this week that one of my books is going out of print, I thought this would be a nice time to celebrate books that don't always get as much recognition as one might hope. This is a story my parents read to me, and that I read to my kids. It was always a favorite in our house. I hope you'll be able to find a copy at your local library, or get a used one through some channel or other. It's really wonderful!
Written By: Jack Tworkov
Illustrated By: Roger Duvoisin
Aladdin Books, 1951
Suitable For: ages 4-8
Themes/Topics: expectation/suspense, cause & effect/chain reaction, unexpected outcomes
Opening: "The forest was dark and very quiet.
Not a creature was stirring.
Even the wind had stopped breathing.
Not a leaf was falling, not a blade of grass was moving.
And do you know why this was so?
Because
it was just the time between night and day,
when night was ending
and day was about to begin."
Brief Synopsis: A very beautiful camel goes for a walk in the forest. Unbeknownst to her, a tiger waits hidden "by leaves, flowers, vines and grasses. He was hidden also by the darkness." But the tiger is not the only one waiting and watching. Each of the creatures hidden in the forest has its own secret plan. What will happen to the very beautiful camel?
Links To Resources: Camel Coloring Pages, Tiger Coloring Pages, Monkey Coloring Pages, discuss cause and effect, read other books where one thing leads to another, like If You Give A Pig A Pancake or Stuck.
Why I Like This Book: For starters, the language is lyrical. Just read that opening aloud to yourself and hear the music of those words! The whole book is like this - simply a delight to read aloud because of the rhythm of the language. For writers, it's a great example of how to do language really well. The description is also beautiful, and not the kind of thing we find so much in PBs these days:
"Night in the forest is very dark, and it creeps away slowly."
"Suddenly the first glimmer of light trembled in the sky."
"Her nose smelled the early morning sweetness, and her eyes took in all the blue and pink colors of the sky."
Isn't is beautiful? But aside from the exquisite language, I love the way the book builds tension. The camel approaches the hidden tiger. She comes closer... and closer... and you just have to wonder, how will she get out of this? The ending is deliciously unexpected!
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
Also, as you know, I like to thank all the wonderful participants in PPBF for their hard work each month by randomly selecting a blogger to receive a prize! The winner for April is and the prize is JOANNA!!! (And lest there be any confusion, as there was with Beth Doozenfloofer, that's Joanna Marple :)) Please email me, Joanna, and let me know which you would like for your prize: *rummaging in my bag of goodies...* let's see... your choice of The Writer's Guide To Crafting Stories For Children by Nancy Lamb, Chloe by Peter McCarty (which I will be posting on PPBF next week or the week after - it doesn't come out until May 15 but it's really good!), or a $15 gift certificate to Merritt Bookstore (my own beloved local indie :))
Phyllis is still traveling - I hope you've all had a chance to keep up! There should be posts from North Carolina and Italy, and maybe another from St, Lucia coming up soon!
I also hope you're all hard at work on your Birthday Contest entries! I am mulling... and hoping I've come up with an idea for the sample... but it remains to be seen :)
For those of you interested in Would You Read It (or simply in learning how to write a good pitch) there was an excellent post on Cheryl's blog: How To Pitch Your Book. The post uses a novel as an example, but it can easily be applied to picture books. If you follow the basics rules, it will help you come up with a beautiful 3 sentence pitch. Just right!
And as for NaPiBoWriWee, I'm happy to report that I'm technically ahead of schedule since as of this writing (on Thursday evening) I have already completed 4 PBs (which means I'm up-to-date until bedtime Saturday when I should have a fifth... which heaven knows how I will get written Saturday... Sunday either... hmm... maybe I'd better stay up a little longer!) But RIGHT THIS SECOND, I'm ahead of the curve!
Now off you go to hop around the blogosphere and see all the Perfect Picture Books posted today. PPB bloggers, please add your post-specific link to the list below.
Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend everyone! (I'm allowed to say that because Beth has dubbed me Susanna Poppins! :))
I'll have a chocolate covered one with sprinkles, please. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of book, Susanna...I don't remember reading this one...and you know how I love older classics (like myself :)...I will definitely try to find a copy. Thanks for the link for the pitch info!
I have written a camel story and love camels, I have put this straight onto my TBR list. i think it is a shame we often have to cut such beautiful descriptive passages from our picture books today....
ReplyDeleteAnd, WOOT, thank you indeed for this lovely surprise. Normally I would have taken a book, but as I am in the process of a huge move to (destination unknown at present!) I would love the Indie Gift certificate please!
I love the language that's used in the extracts you've given us. Isn't it a shame that publishers don't feel the need to accept this type of manuscript these days. I read a couple of newly publishes picture books the other day and the language wasn't a patch on this extract. The plots were weak too.
ReplyDeleteVivian, I thought you were one of the few people who might have read this, since you love the older books! But if you haven't, you must! It's so delightful! Enjoy the donut and the pitch info - I hope you'll find it helpful!
ReplyDeleteCamels do have such lovely eyes, don't they? I think it's the lashes :) I am thrilled to be able to do something nice for you and something nice for my local indie at the same time and will send it out immediately... although I'm pretty sure I've accidentally deleted your address, so it would be great if you could email it to me again :) Are you intending to move to another town, or a whole nother country?
ReplyDeleteI always think I'm the only one that thinks that, Ros, so I'm glad you agree! I wish this book was still readily available. I usually give books as new baby gifts, and this one would definitely be in the chosen group if I could get it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a magical book! I love the cover illustration.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like the idea of helping the Indie, too! If I can pull it off it will be a continent move!
ReplyDelete*whew* finally... internet is sooooo slow today! lol.
ReplyDeleteI love your camel book, what beautiful text, I can see why you love this classic. Must see if I can find it here.
I'll have a white chocolate with sprinkles donnut thanks, although my hips won't thankyou for it....LOL!
It's so great! Inside, the early pages are drawn in mostly dark blue ink to show ow dark it is just before dawn in the forest, and as the book progresses, the colors lighten, until by the end they're all pink and gold and green. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat's good! Maybe you can go live near Renee :)
ReplyDeleteJoanna Marple wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
Yes, I like the idea of helping the Indie, too! If I can pull it off it will be a continent move!
Link to comment
IP address: 88.168.146.26
That's the great thing about virtual donuts :)
ReplyDeleteAWWWW I really wanted that Boston Creme! :( *pout pout* *sniffle*
ReplyDeleteI can really see why you like this book! The part that you put in is really nice! :)
Congrats Miss Marple!
Erik
Oh poor you I hope you are better now x
ReplyDeleteI love the lyrical language in the camel book too, I wish I could read it.
Which one of your books is out of print then? I'll have to catch up with Phyllis this weekend and I plan to write the birthday story today. Have a super weekend!
There are other parts that are really fun - different language, but where the author really draws the reader in with a conversational tone - it's such a fun book! And the Boston creme is all yours - enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteIt's No Sword Fighting In The House that is going out of print. So sad :( Have fun writing your birthday story and catching up with that rascally groundhog :)
ReplyDelete"Even the wind stopped breathing." How beautiful! And I SO want to know what happens to the camel!
ReplyDeleteIt's so great! I almost want to tell you because I'm afraid you'll have a hard time finding the book :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful book, Susanna. It's amazing how the language and illustrations can still have an impact all these years later. I'm crossing my fingers that the LA County system has the book. And CONGRATS on your MSs this week.
ReplyDeleteThe library system has seven copies! I've got it on hold.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good library! I hope you like it - let me know! :)
ReplyDeleteKirsten Larson (unregistered) wrote, in response to Kirsten Larson (unregistered):
The library system has seven copies! I've got it on hold.
Link to comment
Thank you, Kirsten :) They need work! but it's way easier to work on something that's written than write something that's still in your head! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll see if my library has it. Good books are always worth sharing whether in print or out. I didn't do a book this week. I post and refer folks to this page, but explain all my PB reading involves the PPBF list and cookbooks. I'll be making my way through the list. I do like the Susanna Poppins title.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find it - I love it! (in case you couldn't tell :)) Thanks for linking even without a PPB - you are a gem :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the donuts!
ReplyDeleteHappy to report my library network has 2 copies of "Camel" because I HAVE to know what happens!
Sorry to hear about 'Sword Fighting' moving out of print : - (
but happy to hear of your progress with NaPiBoWriWe!
Congrats to Joanna and best wishes on your big move!
Where to start, where to start... A donut! That's where to start. I'm allowed to eat cyber-donuts, because the sugar doesn't throw my blood sugar out of whack when it's just virtual sugar. I'll have the one on the top, please.
ReplyDeleteNext, congratulations, Joanna! (And good plan to add her surname. I suspect that when my copy of Puzzled by Pink arrives, Beth Doozenfloofer will be arm-wrestling me for it.)
What a lovely sounding book. I miss books where lyrical language was allowed free rein. I've just checked our library's online catalog, and there is ONE copy in all the city's libraries, and it's library use only. But that's okay, at least I can sit in the library and read it. I think. I've not encountered a picture book in the "professional collection" yet. I will give it the old college try.
May you find a way to stay ahead of the curve in NaNoPiBoWee as the weekend progresses. Does the "think system" work for picture books?
Great post, Susanna Poppins! Practically perfect in every way!
This book looks really beautiful and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for it. Camels are underrepresented picture book mcs, don't you think? :-)
ReplyDeleteSince they're cyber-donuts, they replenish as they're taken from the plate, which is a good thing, because I, too, love Boston Creme the best! Erik, you have good taste!
ReplyDeleteI love the language in the Camel book! From the excerpts, it sounds like a nice going-to-bed book or a great classroom read after recess for calming.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Cathy! Enjoy the donuts and "Camel" :)
ReplyDeleteI feel truly honored to have a copy then. What a shame. Now I best get writing :)
ReplyDeleteI DO, which probably means one of my remaining 3 mss for NaPiBoWriWee should be about a camel :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the donut and the book! and what is the "think" system?
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful book! I hope you'll be able to find a copy and see if you like it! :)
ReplyDeleteThe "Think System" is the system Professor Harold Hill uses in The Music Man to "teach" the kids how to play instruments (since he can't play a note himself, incorrigible conman that he is). If they hum the Minuet in G, and THINK the Minuet in G, they will be able to PLAY the Minuet in G. (Doesn't quite work out that way...)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, of course! I should have remembered Dr. Harold Hill (no relation :))! I love The Music Man!
ReplyDeleteBeth Stilborn (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
The "Think System" is the system Professor Harold Hill uses in The Music Man to "teach" the kids how to play instruments (since he can't play a note himself, incorrigible conman that he is). If they hum the Minuet in G, and THINK the Minuet in G, they will be able to PLAY the Minuet in G. (Doesn't quite work out that way...)
User's profile
Link to comment
So sad to hear one of your books is being put in out of print status. Which one? So far, I have ONE great book ms for the NaPiBoWriWee. Can't wait to write today's first draft!
ReplyDeleteIt's No Sword Fighting In The House that's going out, Christie :( And best of luck with your writing today - I'm so hogtied by PPBF that I won't get to my ms until much later... So far I have 4 mss, but none in what I would consider a finished state. They all need significant work, but the bare bones are down, and I have an optimistic feeling that there's hope for them... eventually :) (And of course for me, bare bones means they're all about 3 million words long and will have to be pared down to what really matters :))
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you have the time to take the Challenge this week, Susanna...keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the donut. Feel better!
ReplyDeleteThose donuts look yum! And the books sounds great too. Have a nice weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the problem with reading post in backwards chronological order. I thought you had really sprained your pancreas.
ReplyDeleteHad my chocolate Friday morning donut.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have a book going out-of-print.
The camel book sounds lovely, I hope my library has it, checking now. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Well, I'm grateful it stayed in print for 5 years - I have friends who have had great books go out of print in 8 months because they aren't selling enough. Enjoy your donut and the book :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's humanly possible - even for me :)
ReplyDeleteHannah Holt (unregistered) wrote, in response to Hannah Holt (unregistered):
This is the problem with reading post in backwards chronological order. I thought you had really sprained your pancreas.
User's profile
Link to comment
You may have two if you're having a hard time choosing - virtual donuts magically replenish :) Have a great weekend too :)
ReplyDeleteI may not technically have the time... it's possible some vacuuming is not getting done :) Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that the language is beautiful in "Camel who took a walk. Sounds a little like a poem and reminds us writers that the rhythm is important in our manuscripts.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Joanna.
This book sound beautiful and mysterious. Oh my, adjectives the depict beauty and add to the lyrical nature of the story. Sounds like how I'd like to write book. Will have to look this one up!
ReplyDeleteHe really does it so well, because for all those beautiful moments of description, the text is not overly long - probably longer than today's sweet spot of 300-550 words - I didn't count - but not as long as many of that era.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great story, and an example of the kind of writing that appeals to me! :)
ReplyDeleteJ'aime Duvoisin! nHad never seen this one and have it on hold already!
ReplyDeleteI know! Me too! Another of my favorites is The Happy Lion - maybe for next week :)
ReplyDeleteWell, gullible is my middle name. And if it were possible I'm sure it would happen to me. ;)
ReplyDelete:) When I was a kid my brother told me gullible wasn't in the dictionary and I ran to prove him wrong!
ReplyDeleteHannah Holt (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
Well, gullible is my middle name. And if it were possible I'm sure it would happen to me. ;)
User's profile
Link to comment
I'm definitely check out the pitch how to link!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I don't know that book. :(
I haven't read that book in ages. :) I remember reading it in my classroom years ago. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad someone else knows it! Isn't it just delightful?
ReplyDeleteI will have to try and find it :) I finally got my link up! This was my third attempt
ReplyDeleteOh Susanna! A sprained pancreas? Goodness me, glad to hear you're on the mend! And THE CAMEL WHO TOOK A WALK sounds like a fun and tense read for children!
ReplyDeleteThose donuts made me drool...
If you could see my dance moves, you would completely understand the inevitability of a sprained pancreas... among other things! :) Enjoy the donuts :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry if you were having problems! I never understand why some people have to try so many times and others have no trouble at all! Technology! Thanks for being persistent! :)
ReplyDeleteI discovered this book last year. Intrigued by the author's name Jack Tworkov, a name familiar to modern painters. if it's the same Tworkov he was one of the Abstract Expressionists, who forged a new frontier for American painting in the 1950's and 60's. Like the illustrator Roger Duvoisin Tworkov was an immigrant who made an outstanding contribution. Duvoisin had a great career as an author illustrator http://eclipse.rutgers.edu/goose/zam/duvbio.aspx.
ReplyDeleteBut after a bit of research it remains hard to know if the Jack Tworkov who wrote The Camel who Took a Walk is the same Jack Tworkov who American Painters continue to thank for his contributions to the field of art, today.
How interesting, Susan. Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteThose donuts look yum! And the books sounds great too. Have a nice weekend :)
ReplyDelete