I had totally planned on competing, but I was so busy with writing and whatnot that I forgot to trot out and qualify. Lucky for Jamie Anderson and Yuna Kim and Tina Maze :)
You should see me on figure skates.
And skis.
And a snowboard.
Truly, it's a sight hitherto unimagined.
There really aren't words...
... :D
(Although John Belushi's Little Chocolate Donut Decathlon performance might come close :))
I think I really could put forth a World Class performance in Chocolate Consumption if they would just get serious and add that to the program, but some people refuse to recognize it as a sport...!
So, let's have some HOT chocolate and get down to business, shall we? Today's Perfect Picture Book takes place where it's warm (a concept I know I'm familiar with but can't seem to remember!)
Written By: Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed
Illustrated By: Doug Chayka
Eerdmans Books For Young Readers, September 2007, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 7-10
Themes/Topics: Friendship, Sharing, Refugees, Loss, Separation
Opening: "Lina raced barefoot to the camp entrance where relief workers threw used clothing off the back of a truck. Everyone pushed and fought for the best clothes. Lina squatted and reached, grabbing what she could."
Brief Synopsis: In a place where people have very little, two girls each get one of a pair of sandals. They could have fought, but instead they share the sandals. As they go about their routines, waiting and hoping for their names to appear on the list for a new home, the sandals remind them that friendship is the most important thing. And when one girl gets the chance to live in a new land, the bond of their friendship remains.
Links To Resources: Teacher's Guide, Discussion Guide, author's note at back of book adds extra information.
Why I Like This Book: This story gives children a glimpse of a very different kind of life. For children who are fortunate, this book may help them not to take things for granted so much. For children who are less fortunate, this book may help them see that they are not alone. Told gently and with hope so that it is appropriate for children, this book nonetheless opens the way to important discussions about refugees, having and not having, war and peace, loss, and separation. But the underlying message is one of love and friendship, something all children understand and can relate to.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
I think if we all exert our mental powers at the same time, we can convince winter to leave. Shall we plan for Saturday at noon? Does that work for everyone? :)
PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific links in the list below so we can all come visit you and see your awesome picks for this week!
Have a great weekend, everyone!!! :)
