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March 30, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Flap Your Wings

Buenas Dias, Peeps!

(You didn't know I was multi-lingual did you!  I am just always full of surprises.  Although, if we're being honest, that is my complete knowledge of Spanish except for ola which I don't know how to spell... and no, which is pretty much the same in any language... )

Where was I?

Oh, yes!  It's PPBF!  How fun is that?  I declare this morning's snack (since we never picked an official one) to be surreptitiously snitched Easter candy (you know, from those bags of jelly beans and chocolates that you bought yesterday and have stowed away in the closet ready to make Easter surprises for your kids, and that you really shouldn't be raiding but it's there, so maybe just a few...?  Or is that just me... :))
so pretty :)  also tasty :)
Got a handful of jelly beans?  Okay then, here we go!

Flap Your Wings
Written & Illustrated By: P.D. Eastman
Random House, 1969, Fiction
Suitable For: ages 3-8
Themes/Topics: assumptions, non-traditional family, unconditional love, responsibility
Opening: (this is actually the first three pages.)
"An egg lay in the path.
A boy came down the path.  He saw the egg.  "Someone might step on that egg and break it," he said.
He looked around.
He saw flamingos and frogs, and turtles and alligators.  "Whose egg is this?" he called.  But no one answered."

Brief Synopsis:  A little boy finds an egg.  He doesn't want it to get damaged, so he looks around until he finds the nest and carefully puts it back.  When Mr. and Mrs. Bird come home, they are surprised to find an egg in their nest... it wasn't there when they left!  But Mr. Bird says that if an egg is in their nest it must be their egg, so they must take care of it.  So they do... with very surprising results!

Links To Resources:  Ideas And Activities For Guided Reading, Incubation & Embryology Activities, use with An Egg Is Quiet (from PPBF link list), talk about what kind of animals, insects and reptiles lay eggs and how the eggs are the same and different.

Why I Like This Book:  This book is fun to read as a picture book, but is also an I Can Read type book that is very accessible to new readers.  The pictures are delightful - Mr. and Mrs. Bird's expressions are very entertaining.  But I really love the story because it doesn't go where you would expect.  It's funny.  And it's a great example of what agents, editors and reviewers mean when they talk about re-readability.  This book delighted me as a child, and delighted my children in their turn.  I've read it so many times that even now, years since I last read it to my kids, I can recite almost the whole book.  It's fun every time :)

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

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all you fabulous PPB bloggers (especially anyone who is new to PPBF) to please check the comprehensive alphabetical list on the PPB tab as well as the previous week's list (because I am sometimes (ahem, like this week!) behind updating - it takes a while!) before selecting your book for the week.  Although we do have some double-ups, our goal is not to repeat books, but to always be adding new ones.

Also, and this is Very Important, the whole point of PPBs is the resources.  They don't have to be online links.  Lots of you think up GREAT activities and discussion questions etc...  But the book you post must have at least one good resource of how to expand on its use at home and/or in the classroom in order to be added to the comprehensive list.  And it must be self-explanatory and applicable - by which I mean, saying a book can be used for finger rhymes or a math activity doesn't help a reader who doesn't know any.  That's why they come to PPB - to find out exactly what they can do.  So please tell us which finger rhyme and how to do it, or what math activity etc.  Thank you so much!

I would also like to add that Tracy (aka A2Z Mommy) started writing up PPB every Friday in her local online newspaper, MyVeronaNJ!  For the past several weeks, she has chosen a few books she especially liked and added their titles and links to her article, so a number of you have been mentioned and linked!  Thank you so much, Tracy, for helping to get the word out to people who can really make use of the work we all do for PPBFs!!!  Here are links to the last couple articles:  March 23, March 16, March 9.

Finally before we all head off to check out today's fantastically fun picture book offerings, I know you'll want to be sure not to miss any of the high jinx and shenanigans that Phyllis's amazing hosts have kindly and very creatively written up!

She had an Amazing Visit to Maine with Heather N (there's a whole homeschool unit in this post!)

She visited Mrs. Hembree and her 2nd Grade Bulldog Readers in Seattle, WA on her School World Tour!

She was also Visited A Ghost Town In Washington with Heather B!!!

And you can catch up on anything you might have missed on the Official World Tour Page :)

AND!!!  Big News!!!  It looks like I'm finally going to get that map I wanted of the World Tour.  Stay Tuned!  Maybe Monday!!!

PPB bloggers, please add your post-specific link to the list below, and everyone, have a great weekend!  (and that's no April Fool :))

58 comments:

  1. Yay Phyll! You go girl! :-) I am following her and learning so much about this world that seems so small right now.

    What a super book, Susanna. I know some kidlets that would love to read it. That opening is precious and the cover is adorable. Speaking of eggs, maybe Phyll will love visiting with our chickens when she comes to NC.

    The jelly beans made me hungry. :-) *nomnomnom*

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  2. Flap Your Wings looks like a really cute book with lots of potential for laughs and surprises. I'm looking forward to checking it out!

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  3. First of all...I LOVE jellybeans!!!! Especially the ones you can mix together in your mouth and they make amazing flavors. :)

    Flap Your Wings looks like a wonderful book...I really like picture books/easy readers...they can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. The resources and activities look great! Kids are always wondering if the "belong"...and I think this book has an element of that in it.

    How lovely of Tracy to spread the word...I'll try to get over and see her articles.
    I also wanted to give everyone a heads-up...because I know they will come to read your picture book selection before they go to the others on the list...I am donating 25 copies of my book to libraries to help celebrate National Library Week...anyone anywhere can nominate their favorite/local library to receive a copy...they just have to leave a comment on my post. I was inspired by Phyllis' world tour and have always wanted to do something special for libraries because they have been such an important and valuable part of my life.
    I've been reading about Phyllis' adventures...what fun...too bad we can't all fit in a book shipping package. :)

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  4. Jellybeans are a GREAT choice!
    I haven't read "Flap Your Wings!" I like the look on Mr. Bird's face :) It sounds like a good book for adoption too.
    I am so jealous that Phyllis got to go to a ghost town!!

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  5. Hola mi amigo! I too have delved into that naughty place called mini eggs and once down there you are called to return :)

    That sounds a lovely book, I'm writing it down right now. Can't wait to see your map, what a wonderful thing to have, you could put it in your side bar.
    Have a lovely prank-free weekend!

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  6. Susanna, How did you know that I went Easter candy shopping yesterday and even added an extra bag (or two) for myself? I do need a little help in keeping up my energy level for my three angels and I love jelly beans and robin's eggs.
    Great choice for this week. I need to add this book to my list for the library as I love surprise endings! Thanks for the shout out- it's been fun picking up all that you do each week and linking back to my fellow contributors. Today's story on MyVeronaNJ will be up around 8am and features a suggestion from our town librarian as well as four books from last week.

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  7. Well, there's not much point in shopping for kid's Easter treats if Mom and Dad can't have a handful or two! David wonders how many people finish the bags and have to go out for more. ;) I love this PD Eastman book, his illustrations have always appealed to me, so simple and expressive. Your map for Phyllis is going to be full of pins, she's been a busy little groundhog!

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  8. I ate, er to many Starburst jelly beans, so I had to go without this morning. Now I have a book to go with them. I'll have to check out the newspaper article.

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  9. My boys and I loved "Flap Your Wings" when they were young. I think it's a classic or should be. The message is wonderful and universal.

    Thanks for the jelly beans, I haven't munched on any Easter candy yet. You are not going to believe this, but I still have robin eggs from last year in my freezer. I just pulled them out a couple of days ago and we still haven't opened the bag. Don't ask me what we're waiting for. lol.

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  10. Those jellybeans just make me smile! And so does your book pick--it's got me thinking about one of my faves--Are you my mother? :)

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  11. If I'm very, very good, may I have the black jelly beans, please?

    Still loving Phyllis' tour -- it is so incredible the different ideas people think up for her visit with them.

    I'll be out of town all day, so will be catching up with reading other people's PPBFs and replying to comments on mine over the weekend.

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  12. Oh, how I love P.D. Eastman. I'll have to grab this one for my budding reader. We were just reading "Are You My Mother" today in preparation for the play, which we are seeing later today.

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  13. Hmm.. It seems we both have eggs on the brain today. I wish I had some to eat for breakfast - but I'm out - LOL! Anyway, great PPBF choice! I love your analysis of why this PB works so well and how it's what we writers should be striving for. Happy weekend to you and our April Fool, Phyllis!

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  14. Loved, loved your books choice Susanna. Such a cute and fun read. I can't imagine what hatches out of THAT egg...lol. Great choice with only one week away from Easter. Yes we celebrate that down here to...lol.
    Loved that Phyllis is getting around.... lol.

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  15. I love PD Eastman. Thanks for sharing! Are You My Mother? was the first book I read as I child.

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  16. This book sounds really great. I can't wait to read it. It's just wonderful to hear about all these books every week. It is so nice to go to the library with most of my selections on a list from the PPBF reviewers.

    Still a World Tour groupie! I'm enjoying all her stops!

    And jelly beans...yum. I couldn't help but think of President Ronald Reagan since he was known for loving jelly beans.

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  17. Oh my gosh. I absolutely loved Flap Your Wings when I was a kid. P.D. Eastman wrote a lot of great books! I still love reading them!
    Boy, that Phyllis has sure been busy! It's fun to watch her whirlwind her tour!

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  18. Phyllis wants to ride Mr. Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And eat jelly beans :) But she's happy to hang out with chickens too :)

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  19. I have loved this book since I was 4, Margaret! No kidding! :)

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  20. What a wonderful idea, Vivian! You are inspiring me in return! I'm so glad you're enjoying Phyllis's adventures - I am too! - and I agree - it would be so fun if we could all travel by envelope :) I would love to meet you all in person :)

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  21. I know, Erik! I totally want to go to that ghost town! i bet when Phyllis comes home she's going o demand a sheriff's star and a horse!

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  22. Let me just say that if I can actually get my map to work (and anytime me and technology are involved in something there is significant doubt as to the outcome!) it is going to be a thing of such awesomeness that you will not even believe it!!!!!!!

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  23. "You know," Mrs. Bird said to Mr. Bird, "I don't think Junior was a bird at all!" - just love it! :) I'm am still in raptures over your ghost town post. I think Phyllis wants to be in a story with a ghost town! :)

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  24. Now you see? I have learned something new! I did not know Ronald Reagan was a jelly bean lover! Look at the good PPBF does in the world! :)

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  25. Oh yes! Another one I loved! My favorite page is when he asks the steam shovel if it's his mother :) Someone already posted that though...

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  26. I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it, Diane, but I can't imagine celebrating Easter in the fall! It's so much a part of spring here! Glad you are enjoying Phyllis's tour. She has already let me know that I'd better have some Hokey Pokey ice cream waiting for her when she gets home :)

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  27. I have eggs! If only I could Skype them to you or something - we need that thing from Willy Wonka's factory that makes chocolate bars travel by television - only eggs not chocolate - well, or maybe both because a little chocolate never hurts! I hope you have a happy April Fools Day too - watch out for those pranksters :)

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  28. I'm working my way down my email list backwards, so I already replied to someone above you about Are You My Mother! Another huge favorite! I also like The Best Nest - I think he wrote a lot of bird books :) I hope your budding reader likes this one too - it is really one of my all-time favorites!

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  29. Another black jelly bean lover!!! When we were kids, we used to divide our jelly beans by color and count them and then trade with each other... I used to end up with all black, red and orange :) Glad you're still enjoying Phyllis's tour! And at the rate I'm going, it'll be Sunday before I get around to all the PPBs. Too much going on!!! :)

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  30. I'm laughing because so many people are commenting about Are You My Mother :) Such a big favorite! But this one is good too :)

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  31. Between age and frozen-ness I think you are waiting to make sure your dental coverage is current :) I love Robin's Eggs! And jelly beans... and chocolate anything... :)

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  32. When I shop for Easter candy I certainly do not buy an extra bag of jelly beans or caramel cadbury eggs for myself. I don't know who is spreading that vicious rumor! And if you're having trouble understanding what I'm saying, it's not because my mouth is full of jelly beans. No sirree bob!

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  33. I am way more forethoughtful than that... I just buy extra to start with because I know I'm going to raid! Just wait til you see my map! If I can get it to work... which is a big if... I think you will love it :)

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  34. Yes! That's it exactly! It is important for us parents, the easter bunnies if you will, to keep up our strength! :) It's nor quite that the ending is a surprise exactly... the reader knows what's coming... it's funny because the birds are so clueless :)

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  35. She would be great in a ghost town story! You could come over and do some research--you know I am trying to plan a writers' retreat here...we'll see if it works out. Then you might have to come :0)

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  36. I loved that one too! The steam shovel part is the best!

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  37. This one is a favorite in our house, too. The unexpected element is such a hard thing to achieve as a writer, and Eastman does it so perfectly in this book!

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  38. Ack! You have to read it!
    When Easter comes here in Washington it pretty much always still seems like winter. Sometimes we've even had to have the egg hunt in the house because of the cold and snow. Oh how I mis the warm California Easter's from when I was a kid.

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  39. An excellent excuse to come out to the west coast :)














    Heather Ayris Burnell (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:

    She would be great in a ghost town story! You could come over and do some research--you know I am trying to plan a writers' retreat here...we'll see if it works out. Then you might have to come :0)

    User's profile
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  40. I know it - this is one more in the "I wish I wrote that" category! :)

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  41. So it may, or may not, be surprising that I just ran inside (I'm on my deck), opened the bag of jelly beans, and grabbed a handful before settling down to read the posts. What a perfect snack suggestion Susanna and since I ate all my lunch :) I really feel ok about doing this. Good thing there will still be plenty of bags of jelly beans in the store later next week when I need to replenish, because now that they are open, I can guarantee they will be finished.

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  42. This is a favorite that I had forgotten about! I loved reading this one. Eastman is such a great writer (and illustrator!). I thought of another activity you could add. Watching a Ustream of birds hatching. One of the most popular ones is Decorah Eagles http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles I haven't checked this week, but they were anxiously awaiting the hatching of 3 chicks around the 25 of March! I watched it last year and it was fun to watch them hatch and grow. It's a great way to see nature in the raw.

    I loved all of the tales of Phyllis' adventures. The blog posts were so creative and fun to read! Have a great weekend!

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  43. What a great idea about the Ustream, Loni! Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying Phyllis's adventures - much more to come! :)

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  44. Jelly beans are a perfect snack. They come in small bite size pieces. They are not gooey, sticky or messy (unless you hold them in your hand for a while.) And they are basically health food because they are fruit - lemon, cherry, orange... need I say more?













    Tracy Bermeo wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:

    So it may, or may not, be surprising that I just ran inside (I'm on my deck), opened the bag of jelly beans, and grabbed a handful before settling down to read the posts. What a perfect snack suggestion Susanna and since I ate all my lunch :) I really feel ok about doing this. Good thing there will still be plenty of bags of jelly beans in the store later next week when I need to replenish, because now that they are open, I can guarantee they will be finished.

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  45. Fruit! Excellent- that's all I need to hear. I think I'll go have some more. :)

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  46. I have never heard of this book but its sounds fun and engaging. My kids love reading go,dog,go which is also by him. i like that this one has a narrative arc.

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  47. Go Dog Go is another favorite in our house! I am frequently heard to say, in moments of over-scheduling craziness - "Go around again!" :) Some of my love for Flap Your Wings may be a little nostalgic, but I just really love it :)

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  48. I grew up on P.D Eastman and Dr. Seuss and the Dr. Seuss book club! (And my Mom still has many of those now tattered old books that we used to read over and over and over again). What a great pick this week! :)

    26 PPBF posts to get through this week....I'm not sure how I'll ever catch up! :)

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  49. You and me, both, Natalie! I haven't even started and probably won't be able to until Sunday! Ah, well, I'll get there eventually!

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  50. Barbara at Grade ONEderful pointed me in your direction and today I've posted a link from my blog to yours at the end of my Hey, Little Ant post! You do amazing work - thanks!!!

    Barbara
    The Corner On Character

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  51. Another great selection for me to check out. Sounds like an interesting one. And Phyllis is just the luckiest groundhog ever getting to travel and have fun,, visiting place. I can't wait to see what this map will look like.
    Have a wonderful weekend, Susanna. Going to go nip a piece of candy that I shouldn't be getting lol!!!

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  52. Flap Your Wings sounds like a really fun book to read. I can only imagine what would happen two Mr. and Mrs. Bird taking care of an egg that doesn't seem to be theirs. You can tell just by the size of it! I've read P.D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? and it was simply adorable. :)

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  53. Like I told Tracy, Angela, jelly beans are actually health food. So is chocolate. There is scientific evidence :) Glad you liked the book and are enjoying Phyllis's tour. Great new post up this morning (Sunday) of Phyllis's visit to Alberta Canada on Rena Boudreau's blog! There's bull riding involved, and an enchanted castle... just saying' :)

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  54. I think you'll enjoy reading Flap Your Wings and seeing what hatches out of that egg! :)

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  55. Hi Barbara and welcome! I'm so glad you're here! Thank you so much for your kind words - I'm glad you like what you've found here :) I visited your blog back, and I really appreciate your mention of PPBs! Looking forward to getting to know you better :)

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  56. I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it, Diane, but I can't imagine celebrating Easter in the fall! It's so much a part of spring here! Glad you are enjoying Phyllis's tour. She has already let me know that I'd better have some Hokey Pokey ice cream waiting for her when she gets home :)

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  57. I know it - this is one more in the "I wish I wrote that" category! :)

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