Perfect Picture Book Friday - The Way Home

Wow!  What a week it has been!

Joanna's book Snow Games was published, as was Miranda's book Fly With Kai.  Ruth has an agent - woo-hoo! - and I have joined twitter!

(OK.  So maybe that last part isn't in quite the same category of awesomeness.  But it gave me a good excuse to mention how happy I am for my friends :)  Feel free to hop over and do the happy dance with them and buy their books but then please come back for PPBF! :))

(And please stay tuned for a few important announcements after the picture book, including the April Pitch Winner!)

Now, at first glance, this book might not seem to have anything to do with spring or Mother's Day.  That is because it is about geese migrating in the fall.  But Canada Geese mate for life, which is kind of peripherally related to Mother's Day, and although they fly south in the fall, they come back in the spring.  And although I usually like to tease you about the endings so you'll read the book, I'm going to tell this one so you get it :)

The Way Home
Written & Illustrated By: Nan Parson Rossiter
Dutton Children's Books, 1999
Suitable For: ages 5-9

Themes/Topics: animals, seasons, migration, helping others, kindness, responsibility

Opening: "It was late in the October afternoon when Samuel and his father finished the day's chores at the farm and set out for a walk with Ben, their yellow Lab. The sun was already behind the hills, but they had just enough time to walk around the pond before it got dark."

Brief Synopsis:  On their walk, Samuel finds an injured goose, and he and his father take her back to the farm, hoping she will heal.  But even if she does, will she be strong enough to make the long flight south for the winter?  And will she and her mate make it in time?

Links To Resources:  National Geographic Creature Feature: Canada Geese, Kidzone - Canada Geese, Kid Video - Canada Geese, Canada Goose Coloring Page.  This story is a nice opening to discussion about disposing of trash responsibly, caring for animals, and allowing wild animals to be free.

Why I Like This Book:  Although this isn't a true story, it almost could be.  An animal injured because of human carelessness is helped back to health by a kind, responsible family.  But they don't try to keep her. When she's well, they let her go back to her wild life, even though they are sad to see her go and will miss her.  Although the book's ending would most probably not happen in real life, it is a lovely ending that brings the story full circle for child readers and will leave them feeling happy and satisfied.  The geese return to the pond in the spring, and Ben finds them, complete with a brand new family of goslings (that's the marginally Mother's Day part :))  The art is painted in the warm reds and golds of autumn - very appealing.  And the longer text makes it a satisfying read for older children or children with a longer attention span.

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

And now, I am pleased to announce that the winner of the April Pitch Pick, whose pitch will be sent to editor Erin Molta for review and comment, is none other than the fabulous Rebecca with her pitch for Broomstick Rodeo!  Congratulations, Rebecca!  And congratulations and thank you to all our brave pitchers - I wish you could all win!

Before we all go off to read all the other PPBs and cruise on into the weekend, let me remind you that the Birthday Contest is just over a week away (which I hope means everyone is writing busily!)

Also!!!  Phyllis terrorized had a fabulous visit to Italy, and if you haven't had a chance to see it, it's a must read!  Hop on over to Renee's at NoWaterRiver!  You haven't lived until you've seen Phyllis as Juliet :)

PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific links below.

And Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, grandmoms, step-moms, new moms, moms-to-be, like-moms, etc. out there.  These are for you :)

because you make the world a better place :)