It's been a couple weeks!
What with the March Madness Writing Contest and all the long posts for the finalists and the winners, etc., I think we could all use a break. So today I'm going to do my best to be brief :)
I hope you all enjoy this picture book as much as I do :)
Written By: Jenny Offill
Illustrated By: Chris Appelhans
Schwartz & Wade Books, March 2014, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: age 3-8
Themes/Topics: pets, being yourself
Opening: "I wanted a pet. A bird or a bunny or a trained seal. My mother said no to the bird. No to the bunny. No no no to the trained seal."
Brief Synopsis: A little girl's mother says she can have any pet she wants as long as it doesn't need to be walked or bathed or fed. So the little girl finds just the pet to fit the requirements... A sloth... whom she names Sparky :)
 |
| Here the girl plays with Sparky and introduces us to Mary Potts |
Links To Resources: Talk about what makes a good pet; discuss the pros and cons of various pets, 10 Popular Small Pets, Best Pets For Kids slideshow, Rainforest Classroom Activities, read with "Slowly, slowly, slowly," said the Sloth by Eric Carle, or perhaps with other picture books about more boisterous pets for comparison.
Why I Like This Book: I love Sparky. He's so cute! And so sleepy and slow :) And I admire any child who can come up with a pet that doesn't break the rules of not needing to be walked or bathed or fed. The girl tries to play games with Sparky, but with the exception of Statues he's not much good at them. In response to annoying Mary Potts from across the street she tries to teach him tricks to show what a good pet he is. But aside from excelling at playing dead he's not much good at that either. But you know what? She doesn't care. For her, Sparky is "it" :) And what a nice message that pets can just be loved for who they are.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
How'd I do? Brief enough? :)
PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come see what you picked and make our library lists for the weekend :)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! :)
