Why? (No! Not because I've had too much caffeine! :))
Because they're back! Perfect Picture Book Fridays are back!
How I have missed them! :)
I am looking forward to a whole new season of fantastic books and reviews, to seeing what books you all think are great and reading the ones I'm not familiar with, and to sharing all these wonderful books and resources with everyone who reads and uses picture books.
Before I post mine for today, I just want to say that I did A LOT of things this summer. Really. By anyone's reckoning it was BUSY (and for once I'm not exaggerating!) But the one thing that didn't get done was the Perfect Picture Book update. There are still books missing from the list, and I haven't finished figuring out how to make the page more user-friendly. Rest assured, however, that I am working on it, and that once I get all my peeps back to school and have a bit more time to focus on writing and work, I will get it all squared away. In the meantime, please bear with me :)
Now then! Onto the first fabulous book for fall! :)
Written By: Julie Danneberg
Illustrated By: Judy Love
Charlesbridge, March 2000, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 5-8
Themes/Topics: first day of school, emotions (feeling nervous), coping (with new situations)
Opening: "Sarah, dear, time to get out of bed," Mr. Hartwell said, poking his head through the bedroom doorway. "You don't want to miss the first day at your new school, do you?"
Brief Synopsis: It's the first day at a new school and Sarah doesn't want to get up. "I"m not going!" she says. Mr. Hartwell reminds her how much she liked her old school and assures her she'll make new friends, but he has his work cut out for him getting Sarah up and in the car. When Sarah finally arrives at school, readers are in for a fun surprise!
Links To Resources: Activity Guide, More Activities, Ideas For Use. The book makes an excellent springboard for discussion, at home or in the classroom, about how children might be feeling about starting school. Would pair nicely with The Kissing Hand and Llama Llama Misses Mama :)
Why I Like This Book: The first day of school can be tough whether you're starting at a new school or even just going back to the old one. This story addresses the concerns a child might feel about starting school with a delightful twist - Sarah turns out to be the teacher! The message that everyone - even grown-ups - can get butterflies in their stomachs about new things is reassuring. The art is warm and engaging and does a terrific job of keeping the secret of Sarah's identity until end. This is a fun book for the back-to-school time of year.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
And now, all my Perfect Picture Book friends, please add your post-specific links to the list below so we can all come visit you and see what books you're celebrating today! Then it will be off to the library to stock up on some great weekend reading!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! And welcome back to Perfect Picture Book Fridays! :)
Susanna, I won't say anything, but this book gets my funny bone and is a great way of diffusing some of those first day of school wobblies!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you will have just a little more time to breathe, write, clear the office, eat chocolate, and continue to enthuse us, your blog-readers!
Oh how fun, I wasn't expecting that. So happ picture books are back :)
ReplyDeleteCatherine
This is such a clever and fun book, and reassuring to little ones starting school. And, holy moly, what a feat for the illustrator! Good pick!
ReplyDeleteYAYYY - I interrupt this "YAY" to bring you a message. "I LOVE THIS BOOK!" I read it a bunch of times. This is a great pick for PPBF!
ReplyDeleteAh! You've read it then! I love this book :) And thank you for your very kind words - there never does seem to be enough time, but hopefully things will ease up a little :) Of course, I have about a million things I want/need to do... :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you approve, Erik! I'm coming over to see yours in a minute :)
ReplyDeleteI know! Isn't it a clever idea? And the illustrator did an amazing job! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like my kinda book. I'll check it out my next trip to the library. I'm not doing PPBF yet. Too much stuff going on. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Rob! You've got enough on your plate just now. We'll be here whenever you're ready :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea! It's so important for kids to know that adults aren't perfect and human emotions cover every age :) I would love to see how the illustrator managed to keep the ending a secret throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like every first day I've ever experienced. What a great story idea. And of course, Susanna, you've picked the perfect time to highlight it.
ReplyDeleteShe had her work cut out for her, didn't she? And it's very well done! Sarah is under the covers, or it shows her hand holding toast, or her foot while she puts her shoe on, etc...
ReplyDeleteI was saving this one for the perfect time! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book. What a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, I am so thrilled that PPBF is back!!!!!
It's so well done, Penny - one of those "I wish I'd thought of that" ideas! :) So glad to see everyone for PPBF again - it's fun isn't it? Like our little posse :)
ReplyDeletesounds wonderful. i like the twist!
ReplyDeleteI love First Day Jitters - and all of Julie Danneberg's books. She's a fellow Colorado author too! Great choice!
ReplyDeleteSo glad PPBF is back! And thanks, because a phrase in this post just gave me a 12x12 draft idea! If it has any potential I'll send you a synopsis! Yay, Susanna!
ReplyDeleteI am THRILLED to say that Debbie Ohi has just added sample spreads to my PPBF post, so for the peeps that saw it before 10:00 Eastern, please check it out again.
ReplyDeleteI am also thrilled that PPBF is back. I have missed it!
Having gone through the first day jitters with my Chipmunk, this PPBF choice is timely. I can share with her about what this darling character experienced. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGlad we're back with PPBF. Great book to start the year off Susanna. I was always excited but concerned about who my teacher would be. This book sounds like is has a twist, so will have to read to find out.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to have PPBF underway again, isn't it? :) Glad you like my pick - it's a favorite :)
ReplyDeleteDang - too good to be true! The title not only exists, I have read it! Will 'share' next Friday...same time, same channel!
ReplyDeleteDoncha just hate when someone else got your idea first?! :) Can't wait to see what it was :)
ReplyDeleteJulie Rowan-Zoch wrote, in response to Julie Rowan-Zoch:
Dang - too good to be true! The title not only exists, I have read it! Will 'share' next Friday...same time, same channel!
Link to comment
IP address: 184.96.8.225
Aw! First days can be hard. I'm sure your Chipmunk came through with flying colors with her wonderful mama to help her along :) Hope you like the book!
ReplyDeleteOoh! What a treat! I'm so behind in visiting due to packing for college that I haven't been over yet! Can't wait to see!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Julie! It's so clever - one of my faves!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cleverly done - the artist was inspired!
ReplyDeleteI love the teacher twist in this book! Oh, how I felt that way when I taught... Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteNervous with the first day of school! I must confess that I'm nervous with the restart of PPBF again after my long vacation. lol. I even forgot to link my story up first thing this morning. And I had scheduled way back last Saturday. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this story, Susanna, with the nervous one being the teacher and not a student. Love those twists. :)
We'll all be back in the swing of things before we know it :) So glad to have you back! I hope you saw that Vivian put up YOUR book for PPBF!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that Perfect Picture Book Fridays are back! I just hope I have enough time to read the posts :)
ReplyDeleteYou and me both :) So many good books!
ReplyDeleteAs I said in my blog post . . . YAY for the PPBF return . . .I have truly waited ALL summer for this day! EnJOY the new titles.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
After three months off, I almost forgot how to do this! Like I forgot to link my review. Yikes! Still, I'm happy we are back, and I love your first pick for the school season.
ReplyDeleteClar said the same thing! :) I bet we'll all have it down again in a week or two. Glad you liked the book, and I promise I'll get over to see yours soon! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara! So good to hear from you again :) Can't wait to get over and see what you picked for today!
ReplyDeleteSo glad PPBF is back in session! I need the structure to keep me in line! This book looks great and I love the twist. Thanks, Susanna!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see you around again, Amy! I'm glad PPBF is back in session too... although I still have catch-up work to do :) I keep wanting to work on new mss in my "spare" time instead of finishing the updates! :)
ReplyDeletePosted by request from Diane who can't post :(
ReplyDelete"Love your book Susanna, so cute and very appropriate for the kids returning to school. Love the cover picture. I am also so very happy PPBF is BACK! yay!"
My kids were actually excited to go back to school, which was surprising since two of them were starting at new schools. I was most surprised with my oldest. He has Asperger's syndrome, and doesn't like change.
ReplyDeleteCute book!
Well how wonderful for you and them that they were excited! And now you can run amok :)
ReplyDeleteI took the cue from your First Day Jitters and featured A Lion In Paris here as it seemed like a natural extension of the same theme, though in a completely different setting.
ReplyDeleteA big thank you to you, Susanna, for this wonderful platform (and your encouragement). I am glad I've joined this forum because in a matter of a day, it's given me so many wonderful people to connect with. Am still a little overwhelmed by the truly genuine keenness with which we all follow one another's recommendations, and I guess it'll take me at least one more participation to get fully into the groove, but it's been such a spirit-uplifting experience (and I can't thank you enough for it!).
I suddenly get a feeling of belonging...You'll find me floating around this place often now:)
Is it that time of year already? Doesn't time fly! I love the sound of this picture book and I now have a burning need to know what the surprises are when she gets to school!
ReplyDeleteYou will like it :) It's very cleverly done! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I missed this start! I'll be on board next Friday for sure. As far as first day jitters go, check this out http://theinspiredapple.blogspot.com/2011/08/week-one-down-shoo.html My kids went wild for it.
ReplyDeleteI had first-day jitters for the return of PPBF. I'm not sure why. I bought all my pencils, etc. I was ready. As I've mentioned before, if I can help with anything with the revamp of the system. Let me know. (I'm in the middle of two web design classes right now. Of course, I'm in over my head at the moment, but after a few chapters it should make sense.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the offer, Stacy! When I figure out which end is up I make take you up on it :) Good luck with your classes!
ReplyDeleteIs it just me? I can't get to the link for Elena's Serenade. ???
ReplyDeleteTry it now, Beth - I think the link had been entered incorrectly but hopefully I fixed it. I didn't realize because I got Catherine's email blog notification and read it from there yesterday... Thanks for letting me know the link wasn't working.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susanna! It works now. I like going back (if I have time) and reading all the comments that came after mine, so now I was able to do it.
ReplyDeleteOh good! Glad it's working now. I hope she didn't miss too many visits!
ReplyDeleteBeth Stilborn (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
Thanks, Susanna! It works now. I like going back (if I have time) and reading all the comments that came after mine, so now I was able to do it.
Link to comment
IP address: 65.87.233.107
No worries - everyone's busy :) I'll check out the link!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're here, Richa, and that you've found a place you like :) I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we will all look forward to getting to know you better! And thanks for your lovely comments about the community - we are lucky to have such wonderful people here.
ReplyDeleteLove love love this book, Susanna! I've done so many presentations that focus on "1st day jitters"...but I've never seen one that addresses the feelings of the teacher. :) So glad to have PPBF back and will try to read as many of the entries as I can!
ReplyDeleteReading the entries is always fun. Updating them seems to be where I lose my steam :) I think First Day Jitters is so clever - it's one of those "I wish I'd thought of that!" books!
ReplyDeleteI am gearing up to join you this fall...hopefully, I can get my geese in order!
ReplyDeleteI will keep my fingers crossed! And try to tempt you along with fun short and sweets :)
ReplyDelete