It's Perfect Picture Book Friday again!
And I'm about to something unprecedented...
I'm reviewing two picture books today!
I know!
Unheard of!
But here's why:
Two of my dear writer friends had books release this week on the SAME DAY from the SAME PRESS! What are the odds? And both books are too wonderful to pass up, and I couldn't possibly choose one over the other in their book birthday week, so there you have it - two for the price of one :)
I hope you enjoy them both! (And in case you're wondering, they are genuine Perfect Picture Books, not just here because they were written by friends! That is just a happy coincidence :))
Written By: Amy Dixon
Illustrated By: Katia Wish
May 2015, Sky Pony Press, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-5
Themes/Topics: imagination, loneliness, friendship, animals
Opening: "Everything Sophie drew came to life. Mama called it Sophie's imagination. Sophie called it magic.
When Sophie felt hungry, she drew something scrumptious to eat.
When Sophie felt sleepy, she drew somewhere cozy to rest.
And when Sophie felt cold, she drew something snuggly to wear."
Brief Synopsis: Sophie's drawings have the magical ability to come to life. One day, feeling lonely, Sophie draws a friend. And then another... and another... Sophie's room isn't quite the place for any of them, and accommodating their needs makes them impossible to play with (the polar bear can't reach the scones and jam from inside his igloo; the duck can't play hide-n-seek in a wading pool with nowhere to hide etc.) But in the end, Sophie finds a friend - no pencils or paper required :)
Links To Resources: if your drawings could come to life, what would you draw? Someone to be friends with, like Sophie? (animal, human, alien, unicorn, fairy etc.???) Someplace you'd like to visit (a castle, a beach, an enchanted forest, etc.???) Something you'd like to do (perform on Broadway, compete at the Olympics, explore the jungle etc,???) Now draw it!; discuss how you know if something is real or imaginary; why might an imaginary friend be better than a real friend? why might a real friend be better than an imaginary friend? Sophie Coloring Pages
Why I Like This Book: The concept of drawings coming to life is so engaging and fun - what child wouldn't want to have that ability?! And hasn't every child felt lonely at some point and longed for a friend? This is an endearing story with delightful animal-antic-filled illustrations, and the sweet message that as fun as imagination is, real friends are what matter. The page where Sophie meets Luke and checks to make sure she hasn't drawn him (no pencils!) is perfect, as is the very real friendship between two imaginative animal lovers :)
Written & Illustrated By: Sarah-Frances Hardy
May 2015, Sky Pony Press, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 2-5
Themes/Topics: careers, being yourself, exploration, self-expression
Opening: "Dress me!
Tutu me!
Dancer me!"
Brief Synopsis: A little girl tries outfit after outfit, exploring the many possibilities of what she can be- dancer, artist, teacher, lawyer etc until she finds just the right one.
Links To Resources: think up 3 careers you'd like to try. Do any of them require special outfits or equipment? If so, what is required? See if you can find or make some items so you can dress up like the people in those careers. Play charades and act out a job/career you'd like to try - fireman, doctor, plumber, lawyer, carpenter, teacher, minister, etc.
Why I Like This Book: With simple text (the word count is 44!) and adorable illustrations, a little girl tries out being a dancer, an artist, a monster, a doctor, a plumber, and many other things. In each case, her little dog is right alongside her, joining in the fun and often sporting his own accessories. This is a wonderful story that makes exploration, self-discovery, the freedom to choose who you are and what you want to be accessible to youngest readers. Sweet and fun.
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
If anyone would care to visit Amy Dixon or Sarah Frances Hardy, they are both very talented and have wonderful sites! Please visit Amy HERE and Sarah Frances HERE. Should you be interested, their sites include links to purchase their delightful books! (Actually, I'm not sure Amy's does, but you can find her books in all the usual places :))
PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you! I can't wait to see this week's bounty of books!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! And Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is a mother, or has a mother, or knows a mother!!! :)
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