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October 18, 2013

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Tap The Magic Tree

I'm so excited it's Friday because I have the best book to share with you today!

It's one of those "man-I-wish-I'd-thought-of-that!!!" books :)

Are you ready?

Title: Tap The Magic Tree
Written & Illustrated By: Christie Matheson
Greenwillow Books, August 2013, Fiction

Suitable For Ages: 4-8 (according to pub. - I think kids as young as 3 would love it.)

Themes/Topics: following directions/listening, magic, seasons, nature

Opening: "There's magic in this bare brown tree.  Tap it once.  Turn the page to see."

Brief Synopsis: The seasons change as if by magic, all at the reader's touch!  From spring, to summer, to autumn and winter, with a lovely little surprise at the end :)

Links To Resources: Classroom activities, draw pictures of different kinds of trees - apple trees, pine trees, what else can you think of and how can you make them look different from each other?  Talk about what trees wear in different seasons (and how some trees (deciduous) lose all their "clothes" and others (conifers) don't) and compare to what you wear in different seasons.  Project Plant It: Trees For Kids And Their Communities.

Why I Like This Book:  Who needs an app for interactivity?  This book has it all.  Tap the tree to make the leaves come out.  Rub the tree to make it warm so it blossoms.  Jiggle the tree and wiggle your fingers to make a rain of petals.  Brush the petals away and blow the tree a kiss to make apples form.  The reader is in charge and gets to do all the activities.  So clever and fun!

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

I hope everyone is hard at work on their Halloweensie Contest entries and that you're all doing better than I am (since I haven't yet had time to start!)  It's so exciting!  I can't wait to read what everyone comes up with.

Oh, and that reminds me, I think we're going to skip PPBF on Friday November 1 because all the Halloweensie Contest entries will be up (hopefully... assuming anyone actually enters...I'm feeling a little anxious on that score...!) and I want everyone to have time to read them.  I apologize if that's too last minute a change for anyone's schedule.  I just got to thinking that since we'll be in the middle of the contest it would be nice to leave the link list up over the weekend so people who might not have gotten a chance to read yet can do so easily.  Feel free to voice your opinion on this in the comments.  I'm willing to negotiate if anyone feels strongly :)

Have a great weekend, everyone!  And PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you :)

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33 comments:

  1. Stacy S. JensenOctober 18, 2013 at 3:10 AM

    I look forward to reading this book. I agree one thousand percent: "It's one of those "man-I-wish-I'd-thought-of-that!!!" books :)" I saw a book trailer for this and it reminded me of Press Here by Herve Tullet. I think the change is a great idea. I received a pile of library books from last week's PPBF list and well, they are perfect. Look forward to this week's list.

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  2. patientdreamerOctober 18, 2013 at 3:57 AM

    What a very clever interactive book. Looks very colourful too. Thank you for sharing Susanna. Have a great weekend.

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  3. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 18, 2013 at 6:13 AM

    You and Enzo will really like it, I think! The concept is simple, but so clever and fun!

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  4. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 18, 2013 at 6:14 AM

    I hope you get to read it, Diane - it's cute :) Have a great weekend, too! Looking forward to seeing what you picked this week :)



























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  5. Jarmila V. Del BoccioOctober 18, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    Now you've got me curious, Susanna! I'll have to check this one out. How creative.
    As for the contest, I need to get MY creative juices flowing. . .

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  6. Angela BrownOctober 18, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    What a very interactive story. That's the kind of thing that can really grab and hold a reader's attention.

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  7. Wendy GreenleyOctober 18, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    I saw this book at B & N. What stopped me was wondering what if the kids DON'T want to participate? If you turn the page without rubbing, touching etc. and the action still happens, the seasons change, does it ruin the magic of the story format? I know I am probably way over-thinking this.

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  8. Vivian KirkfieldOctober 18, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Hurray...one of the perks of living on the East Cost is that I am in the same time zone as you, Susanna! So I'm up and linking earlier in the day.:)
    I love the book you picked...and totally understand when you say you wish you had thought of it first. When my oldest son was 3 (he is 41 now), I wrote a story called 'The Maple Tree' - all about how the big maple tree in our front yard changed with the seasons and provided him with a place to hang his tire swing, shade in the summer, maple syrup in the winter, and so on. And where, you might ask, is that book (I had actually made a dummy)? Hidden away in some long-forgotten box if it hasn't been thrown away. Pretty sad! Maybe I should rewrite it. :)


    I'm excited about the 'Will Write for Cookies' series. I hope everyone will stop by my blog tomorrow - they won't want to miss Iza Trapani's AMAZING answers AND her yummy recipe. :)

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  9. ClarbojahnOctober 18, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    So is this an app or not? It seems like it is. Love the sound of it and how it works. Since I don't own a tablet I can't "read" this but can borrow one from the library so maybe I can after all. I'll let you know. Or do you have to buy the apps before reading them?


    Yep, I'm ignorant. Fill me in ok?

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  10. Kirsten LarsonOctober 18, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    I love the idea of this interactive book. It looks like a great addition to a preschool classroom. Then they could take a little nature walk. Fun!

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  11. Catherine JohnsonOctober 18, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    I saw the app somewhere online it looks awesome. And who doesn't love trees. Great choice for fall.

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  12. Patricia TiltonOctober 18, 2013 at 9:19 AM

    A very creative idea for an interactive book depicting the seasons. I like the use of magic in the title. Because the seasons of growth are so magical. Such a lovely book for young children! Nice choice with the trees changing right now.

    Whether or not you hold PPBF on Nov. 1, I will probably post something anyway.

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  13. julieOctober 18, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    Still waiting for this one!

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  14. Tina ChoOctober 18, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    What a fun interactive book! Wish that had been around when my kiddos were babies.

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  15. Beth StilbornOctober 18, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    I wanna play with that book! It sounds like such fun.



    I am totally in agreement with skipping PPBF on Nov 1 -- good idea to devote that week entirely to the Halloweensie contest. I have written my story (unless I edit it, it's EXACTLY 100 words) and can hardly wait for the contest time! I'll be posting mine on October 30th.

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  16. RobinOctober 18, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    Sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks so much for posting!

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  17. RosiOctober 18, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    This really sounds like a fun book. I will be checking this one out for sure.

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  18. nrhatchOctober 18, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    Don't worry, you'll have plenty of entries for the contest.
    I know of at least one entrant who is THRILLED to participate again.

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  19. Heather DentOctober 18, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Hi Susanna! It's been a while since I last posted on your blog. I've been really busy lately, but I just want you to know that I still follow your blog and that I really appreciate all your comments on my own blog. I hope to make some time for this Halloween contest! Your contests are always so much fun.

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  20. GenevieveOctober 18, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Sounds like Touch Here. Same sort of interactive picture book. Following the directions makes things happen on the next page. Fun. And yeah. "Why didn't I think of that?" is my middle name!

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  21. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    It is a fun one, Rhythm!



























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  22. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    I'm so glad your nieces and nephews benefit, Laura! I always wish there was a magic way for me to have the whole stack of books that are listed each week because as soon as people bring them to my attention I always want to read them immediately! :)

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  23. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 6:58 AM

    Yes, it is rather like Press Here. But for some reason I like this one better. Maybe it's the art... or the ending :)

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  24. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    I think you'll like this one, Jarm. It's very cleverly done. Good luck with the creativity - I certainly need to kick mine into gear! :)

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  25. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    I agree! I think especially little kids will love having an active part in the story!

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  26. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    You know, I hadn't thought of that, Wendy. I was drawn in and willing to do what the story asked, so I just assumed kids would be even more likely to do it. But you're right... I suppose it would be kind of silly if you just turned the pages without doing the activity. It's still a sweet story though, which is in its favor. There actually is a plot (simple though it might be.)




























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  27. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    Glad to have you here earlier, Vivian! And your maple tree story sounds very cute! Take it out and see what you can do with it! Since I am behind schedule replying to my blog comments, I have already read your interview with Iza and it was terrific! A hard act to follow!

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  28. ClarbojahnOctober 19, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    Oh Thanks, Susanna! I will definitely be on the look out for this one. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing or reading these interactive picture books. :)

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  29. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 19, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    You're welcome, Robin! I hope you like it if you get a chance to read it:)




























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  30. Vivian KirkfieldOctober 20, 2013 at 1:39 AM

    I'll take your advice about the old story, Susanna..and I have no qualms about the upcoming interview for November.:) With you as the featured guest, I know we will have a super successful post.:) :)

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  31. Kirsti CallOctober 20, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    I've read this book and I think it's fabulous! I'm going to enter the contest, Susanna:) I found a few moments to work on it!

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  32. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 20, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    Oh, yay! Kirsti! I'm so excited :) Can't wait to read your entry :)




























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  33. Susanna Leonard HillOctober 20, 2013 at 11:22 AM

    One can only hope :)

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