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| illustration copyright Jeffrey Ebbeler 2005 |
Okay! Are you ready for today's Perfect Picture Book selection?
Given my well-documented love for silly alphabet books and the title of today's pick, I'm sure you can already tell it's tons of fun! Just wait until you hear about it - I DARE you not to go straight to the library! :)
Written By: Erin Cabatingan
Illustrated By: Matthew Myers
Roaring Book Press, October 2012, Fiction
Suitable For: ages listed variously as Preschool - Grade 4, and ages 5 and up. I would go with 5 and up - I think some of the humor might fly over the heads of the littlest ones.
Themes/Topics: alphabet, humor, animals (musk oxen), consequences
Opening: (Well, you've really got to start with the cover... which he has eaten through! :)) "HEY! Hey you, Musk Ox! Did you do this? Did you eat that apple?"
"Who me? I can't remember."
Brief Synopsis: After Joseph the musk ox eats the apple that "a" is supposed to be for, he proceeds to make the entire alphabet be all about him much to Zebra's annoyance! But Zebra has the last laugh :)
Links To Resources: Musk Oxen Pictures And Facts, Eco Field Guide - Musk Ox, Musk Ox Print Out, Coloring Page 1, Coloring Page 2
Why I Like This Book: SO FUNNY! Every letter is for musk ox except the odd one here and there... P is for Wolf, T is for headache, (you'll just have to read it to follow that logic!) and my favorite, M is for apple... because he feels bad about eating it at the beginning :) Musk ox is just a bit pushy in his insistence, and in the end gets his comeuppance, which is just a bit fair :) This book may not be terribly helpful in teaching the alphabet, but it's sure to tickle the funny bone. The art is particularly hilarious.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
Now then, please don't keel over with shock, but that is the end of today's post. I KNOW! So brief! But the truth is, I'm under the gun to get all the details squared away for my new writing course after the announcement leaked out a little ahead of schedule last week - nose to the grindstone and all that - and you know how me and technology get along... we DON'T... so enough said! Wish me luck with my email template!
Have a great weekend, everyone! And PPBF bloggers, please put your post-specific links in the list below - I can't wait to see what you picked this week!
Ohhh, such a nice feeling after clicking "submit" and a sign comes up saying your link has been submitted....Yay!!! ...lol.
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What only 15 days till Groundhog Day, gosh has time flown.. :) Love your hilarious alphabet book. Just as well he can't eat all the letters, otherwise we wouldn't have any to make words, to make sentences, to make stories...lol. Nice one Susanna!
POSTED FOR CATHERINE at http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteOff to look for some good jokes then, can't have Phyllis lonely.
I've heard of tbe musk ox book, it sounds hilarious!!!
Oh, goody! Can't wait for the jokes :) And yes, you probably read Laura Salas's blog and I think she reviewed this book recently...
ReplyDeleteIs this the same Zebra from "Z is for MOOSE!"? I want to read both books!
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to hear that the ZEBRA got the last laugh. Zebras rock.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a must-read. I like the humorous twist. I checked out 'Phyllis' from the library and read to my grands. They were upset that I didn't still have it with me on Wedn., but alas, it is a 'holiday' book and can only be out for a week. Blessings on your email template.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about this book. Looks like a great laugh for kids and their parents. Congratulations on your writing course. I've been sooo busy with a freelance project, that I haven't had time to comment.
ReplyDeleteSeems like Phyllis should have some kind of celebration for her special day coming up!
I have this on my reading list!!! I want to read it so bad! My library doesn't have it yet, so I may have to pony up for the old musk ox.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your review, I'm sure it would be worth it.
Bye...going to say "Hi" to a certain little marmot!
Sounds like this is one we are going to have to read to see what happens. It's amazing all the different ways authors come up with to write an alphabet book.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the sound of your funny book, Susanna. I love funny. I'll be sure to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAnd we understand about nose to the grindstone and all that. Take care and good luck. I'll say hi to Phyllis. :)
This one sounds really, really cute. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteI'm finally back with a PPBF entry.:)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the course, Susanna...I would have loved to take it...but need to finish up Emma's pb course first.:)
I love your PPBF pick...it looks hilarious...and I agree that the humor looks a little mature for the very little ones.
I have to run out to an appt now...but I will definitely swing by Phyllis' FB page when I get back.:)
A little humor and laughter does the body good, even if it means giggling at a pushy musk oxen making the alphabet all about him :-)
ReplyDeleteFinally gave away the last book mark - and Phyllis just happened to come up too, so I may have to go back to that bunch of first graders with some World Tour photos! And I am not surprised at the memory problems of that musk ox, I know where he's coming from! Great pick Susanna!
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of that book already! I adore absurdity and humor that isn't straightforward. I wish my kid were still little so I could read this to them over and over (I feel a little odd reading it to myself over and over...but oh well, if it has to come to that...LOL!).
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with getting everything done and ready for your course; I can't wait to take it next year!
Hope your Friday is good and have a great weekend, Susanna!
A is not for musk ox. Anybody knows A is for Cupcake!! I love apples! Cool book!
ReplyDeleteLove and licks,
Cupcake
You know, Erik, I don't think it's the same one, but it's funny that both books are orchestrated by a zebra! And they are both excellent and funny! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd apparently they love to appear in alphabet books! As Erik pointed out, both Z is for Moose and this one have a zebra as a major character!
ReplyDeletePOSTED FOR JARM at http://4ambassadorsofchrist.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWhy shouldn't there be a picture book for adults? How fun...
Can't believe Groundhog Day has snuck (is that a word?) up on us. I'll need to check out Phyllis's site! And I can't wait for your course...just have to figure out when I have a block of time to take it. Hope all goes well for you, Susanna.
It is very entertaining :) And I know - hard to believe Groundhog Day is nearly upon us! I sure hope we'll get an early spring this year :) I would love to have you join the course any time, Jarm - it will be tons of fun! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a VERY fun book, Laura! And it just so happens, I know where you can get a copy of Phyllis to keep for the grands :) Thank you for the blessings - my template needs all the help it can get! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very fun book - I think you would get a kick out of it (especially when you find out what 'K" is for :)) Thanks for the congrats - you're very kind! And yes, both Phyllis and I are always looking for ANY excuse for a celebration... especially one that involves chocolate cake! so I guess it's time to put on our thinking caps and see what kind of high jinx and shenanigans we can come up with! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this book and I haven't even read it, yet! I hope our little library has a copy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting your writing course on order. I'm sure it will be fantastic!
Seeing as how we're friends and you let Phyllis stay at your house, I would be happy to loan you my copy :) Let me know if you want to read it :) The little marmot will be very glad to see you! :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks funny - gonna have to read it. T is for headache? I can't begin to fathom...
ReplyDeleteSometimes we just need to laugh. This sounds like a really great book for kids. I was just tickled by the cover. The clever things author's come up with.
ReplyDeleteI thought about groundhog day a few days ago and realized I'll celebrate it in NYC. Hope you post it again, after all it is a tradition!
What a fun sounding book! Definitely sounds as if it would be best for kids who already know the alphabet, to both reduce confusion and to add to their appreciation of the funniness of turning the alphabet inside out and upside down.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I forgot to add my link this morning! That's usually one of my first tasks on a Friday morning. Thank goodness Laura reminded me!
It is a fun book :) And I didn't even notice your link wasn't up! I get your post notifications in my inbox, so I had already been to see your amazing book for the day! I guess thanks to Laura are in order :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is fun! You can stick your fingers right through it! :) Groundhog Day will be a new experience for me this year - I'll be reading Phyllis on a web radio story time show!
ReplyDeleteYou'll just have to read it, Sue - it IS funny :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your library has the book! And as for the course, at least you know the art will be terrific! :)
ReplyDeleteThere can be NO DOUBT, Cupcake, that you are far more awesome than the musk ox who claims his awesomeness makes him worthy to represent A!!! Now that I think of it, I think there should be a whole Cupcake alphabet! :)
ReplyDeleteIt probably wouldn't hurt any of us writers to have a little refresher course in the alphabet. After all, it is a building block of our trade. Just sayin'... :) I hope you get to read this book at least once, Teresa - it's pretty funny :) Thanks for the good wishes and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the pick, Julie! And oh I do hope you'll share World Tour photos with those 1st graders - Phyllis would love that :) Not that she likes to be in the spotlight or anything.... :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun one, Angela! I bet your Chipmunk would get a kick out of it even thought she's a little old for PBs - she'd be old enough to really appreciate the humor! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's sweet of you. But they do have it!!! I went
ReplyDeleteback online this evening and this time I put in Erin Cabatingan instead of the title and it showed up. That has happened
before and I should've remembered to search both ways! I'm soooo excited!
Oh...and give Phyllis a hug!
Can't wait to see what you picked this week, Vivian! Thanks for the good luck! And glad you like the pick - it's a fun one :) Phyllis will be VERY glad to see you :)
ReplyDeleteHope you get to read it, Rosi! It's fun :)
ReplyDeleteHope you get to read this book, Clar - it is fun! And Phyllis will be very glad to see you - she has fond memories of her visit to Virginia! :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is, isn't it, Janet? And they're so good that when you read them they make you say, gosh, why didn't I think of that?!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, good! let me know if you like it :) Phyllis sends you a warm and furry groundhog hug back and hope you will excuse the fact that she has not bathed recently because it is very VERY cold!
ReplyDeletepennyklostermann wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
That's sweet of you. But they do have it!!! I went
back online this evening and this time I put in Erin Cabatingan instead of the title and it showed up. That has happened before and I should've remembered to search both ways! I'm soooo excited!
Oh...and give Phyllis a hug!
Link to comment
IP address: 50.26.233.223
This is just so incredibly fin and exciting that you can comment again and submit your links! Ah, the simple things that bring us joy :) Glad you like the book, and Phyllis is fondly remembering her trip to your house... she loved having her own guest bedroom :)
ReplyDeleteHi Susanna,
ReplyDeleteI'll have to get on facebook so I can visit Phyllis.
Who would have thought musk ox starts with "a"?
I love this, so funny. My kids will love it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat is a musk ox? This looks a blast - super choice and a great one to read with M is for Moose. I've missed Phyllis!
ReplyDeleteThe Awesome musk ox who lives in the Arctic which includes Alaska and who wants every letter to be about him :) Have fun visiting Phyllis! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kimberley! I hope you and they enjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Phyllis has missed you... and your red motorbike of which she has many fond memories! Perhaps we need to think up a reason for another World Tour :) I hope you get to read this book - it's a hoot!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the title of this books, but didn't understand the concept until your review. Thanks for reviewing it. And it's nice to see my favorite Groundhog!
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