Perfect Picture Book Friday - Step Gently Out AND Virtual Conference Info!

Wow!  Between the Holiday Contest and the holidays themselves, I've missed a few PPBFs!  I'm excited to show you today's book, though.  I hope you'll love it!  And I think it fits very nicely with the idea of the beginning of the new year - the concept of stepping out and looking closely at what's around you :)

Step Gently Out
Written By: Helen Frost
Photography By: Rick Lieder
Candlewick, March 2012, Fiction

Themes/Topics: nature, insects, taking time to look closely, poetry

Suitable For: ages 2-7

Opening: "Step gently out,/ be still, and watch a single blade of grass."

Brief Synopsis: (From the Booklist starred review) "Nature’s miracles are often small and hard to capture, but in a syncopated harmony of text and image, Frost and Lieder manage to depict tiny moments as seen through a bugs-eye-view of the world... Moving from day to night, the poem makes for a soothing bedtime lullaby that includes a reminder to children about the book’s small creatures: "In song and dance / and stillness, / they share the world / with you.""

Links To Resources: the back of the book includes lots of information on all the insects pictured - a resource all in itself.  In addition, here are some Insect Coloring Pages.  Try taking some photographs of your own.  Try writing a short poem about an insect.

Why I Like This Book:  I am always in favor of books that encourage kids to go outside and look closely at the real world around them, really observe it, think about it, be part of it.  I'm not an insect lover per se :), but this book is amazingly beautiful.  I cannot stress enough how absolutely exquisite the photography is.  Such detail!  Here's another little sample:

It's breathtaking, isn't it? and I think kids and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy looking at it, especially in combination with the poetic text which is as gorgeous in it's imagery as the photography is.  This book is a feast for eyes and ears and hearts!

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

Before we all run off for to read everyone's book choices for today and then head out for our weekends, I'd just like to thank everyone who took the time to visit Donna's blog Wednesday for my guest post, and also tell you a little more about something I might be able to offer you.

Patricia Morrison, who is a creativity coach (as well as a singer/songwriter) is starting a new website/blog called InnerFireOuterLight and she has put together a virtual conference for next week, January 8th - 11th entitled Take Your Talent To The Bank: Go From Starving Artist To Creative Rock Star.

Here's a little blurb Patricia prepared to give you an idea what it's all about:

The Take Your Talent To The Bank Virtual Conference in just one week away, on January 8^th-11^th!

You can attend the entire power-packed conference with EIGHT brilliant and successful creatives from the comfort of your home, for FREE! 

This [FREE] virtual conference is designed for brilliant, creative professionals and those who just might be ready to take a leap into sharing their creative voices and gifts in a bigger way.  Successful creatives who have been where you are share their struggles, tips, tricks and strategies for taking your talent to the bank and going from starving artist to creative rock star!

You’ll hear from:

• An internationally touring performer, playwright, screenwriter & more

• A best-selling author & photographer

• An acclaimed children's picture book author of nearly a dozen books (you might recognize this one :)) 

• A top 5% earning actor with NY & LA careers

• A multi-6-figure creative business coach & actor

• A celebrated visionary fiber artist and painter, author, editor & more

• One of the most sought after Marilyn Tribute artists in the world today 

AND MORE

Ready to escape the starving artist mentality (and reality) and get the recognition, fans, and income you deserve? 

Share your creative gifts with a world hungry for vision, beauty and meaning AND make a grown-up living!

Click here to register and get all the details, including the time of my interview.

Looking forward to having you join us!

Okay, well the blurb was longer than that but I think that's enough to give you the general idea and the link to sign up! :)  And I'll save you the clicking for the time of my interview which is on Friday January 11th at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST.  I will likely sound like a somewhat confused and very frightened guinea pig since public speaking of any kind to grown-ups is not my forte, but one can hope for the best :)

Please feel free to share the word to anyone you think might be interested!  And if you have any questions about it, ask away in the comments... I may or may not be able to answer :)

And now, enjoy all the PPBs and have a wonderful weekend!  PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific links in the list below!