September 28, 2012

Perfect Picture Book Friday - Mossy

Thank goodness for Perfect Picture Book Friday!  It gives me an excuse to sit in the library or bookstore and read picture books :)

Today's choice is brand new from one of my favorite author/illustrators.  I hope you like it :)

Mossy
Written & Illustrated By: Jan Brett
Putnam Juvenile, September 2012

Suitable For Ages: 3-8

Themes/Topics: consideration, kindness, animals in their natural habitat, perspective

Opening: "On a misty, moisty morning, a young turtle stood at the edge of Lilypad Pond.  Her name was Mossy."

Brief Synopsis: Mossy loves her pond.  She spends so much time in the damp coolness that first moss and then a garden grow on her carapace.  One day, she meets a handsome turtle named Scoot who thinks she's very beautiful, but just as they are on the verge of becoming friends, Dr. Carolina and Tory spot Mossy.  "She is perfect for the museum!" declares Dr. Carolina.  And so Mossy is carried away from her beloved pond and her new friend.  Dr Carolina gives her everything she thinks a turtle needs, but fails to understand that Mossy already had everything she needed.  It is Tory who sees that Mossy is sad.  So they come up with a way to keep Mossy at the museum but also give her what her heart desires.

Links To Resources:  The back jacket flap of the book tells about the real incident that inspired this story for Jan Brett.  The book provides a wonderful opportunity for discussion about animals in the wild vs. animals in captivity.  Why might it be good to take an animal out of its natural habitat?  Why might it be bad?  Have you ever captured anything (perhaps a caterpillar, a frog or toad, or a garter snake?) and kept it for a while?  How long did you keep it?  What happened to it?  Did you put it back where you found it?  A New York Times Q&A with Jan Brett about Mossy.  Jan Brett Coloring Pages (Mossy isn't here yet, but she may show up!)  Jan Brett Activity Pages (also no Mossy yet, but lots of other fun things to choose from!)

Why I Like This Book: Well, to start with, it's a Jan Brett :)  That means a good story and gorgeous art!  Add to that the fact that it's about a turtle who is a walking garden and what's not to like? :)  But the part I like best is how Tory realizes that Mossy isn't happy in captivity and makes sure that she is returned to her beloved pond.  It's a beautiful tale about doing what's right for someone else, and realizing when you've made a mistake (even with good intentions.)

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

I only have one other thing to tell you today, and that is that I have managed (hopefully) to at least completely update the alphabetical list of Perfect Picture Books.  Not the theme lists.  Not the blogger lists.  And the alphabetical list does not have all the ages and categories yet.  But all the titles and all the links are there so you can at least see every book that's been done so far!  Baby steps :)  There are an amazing number!

Ooh!  Let's have a game!  You have to be on the honor system though and not just go to the Perfect Picture Book page and count!  Promise?  The game is, guess how many books are on the list as of last Friday (Sept. 21)?  (Not counting double!) (And remembering that we started Perfect Picture Books last November, but took nearly a three month break in the summer!)

Put your number guess in the comments!  Whoever gets the closest wins a pack of my brand new, unrivaled, awe-inspiring Story Sparker Cards, fun for writers, teachers, and families on long car rides :)!  (Unless the winner happens to be a Summer Short & Sweet 8 Week Finisher - they already got the Story Sparker Cards, so if it's one of them, they'll have to settle for the candy bar (or two) of their choice :))

Alrighty, then!  PPBF bloggers be sure to put your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you!  I can't wait to see this week's choices.  And before you leave here, put your guess as to how many picture books are on the list so far (up through last week - 9/21/12) in the comments!

Have a great weekend, everyone! :)

46 comments:

  1. Oh, I am a Mossy-fan now, Susanna. What a great name, too.


    3758. Thank you for all you do for PPBF!

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  2. I love Jan Brett books, too! I'll have to keep my eye open for this. Thanks for alerting me to it. I have no idea for a guess...hmm, I'd say 349.

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  3. Her art is just so delicious, isn't it? And this one is no exception, full of details of the natural world. I hope youll get a chance to see it. And your guess is duly noted! :)

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  4. I'm not sure how many books but what I do know if that it is an AmAzInG list! I'm going to go with 472. What a LOT of work. You inspire me! Have a FUNtastic Friday.


    Barbara

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  5. You will love Mossy, Joanna! :) And your guess (very optimistic of you :)) has been recorded!

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  6. This story made me think back to the days of my childhood when we would run around catching lightening bugs. We didn't do it often since it resulted in the beautiful things dying, even if they had plenty of holes at the top of the capture jar. But I guess that was the point. They were captured instead of free...so we decided it was best to leave them where they belonged.


    Great choice for PPBF :-)

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  7. Ooh, I can't wait to check this book out. What a fun idea and the art of course is always lovely. Do you know it takes her an hour to paint an inch?

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  8. Love Jan Brett and the combination of a turtle & a garden seems too good to be true! As for the number of books on the list, I'd guess 313, 'cause it's an interesting number...

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  9. Great pick, Susanna! Makes me want to run out and get it... NOW! As for the number, I'm going to guess 999!

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  10. I'll say 727. And I'm with you, Susanna...I love Jan Brett's books, for the same reason.
    I just recieved your parcel yesterday. I'm looking forward to using the Story Sparker Cards and notebooks, etc, for October's 12x12 manuscript. What fun...thanks you so much!

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  11. Great review, Susanna! I love Jan Brett. My kids have an Easter book by her that is just gorgeous.


    I'm going to guess 617 books. Are we following Price is Right rules? ;-)

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  12. Wonderful review of a book that MUST be added to my collection...thanks for the great activity suggestions as well, Susanna. It looks like a couple of PPBFers have reviewed books with the bullying theme...October is National Bully Prevention Month...I'm so happy to see people are stepping up and shouting out about this!
    Regarding the number of books on the list...hmmm...I went there yesterday to make sure Swimmy hadn't been done yet...but, needless to say, I was NOT paying attention to how many were there. :) I would guess...724. :)

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  13. Love that "misty, moisty morning" followed by the name Mossy! It sounds like a lovely story, and a valuable one. In fact, it sounds Perfect!

    I'm going to guess that there are 237 picture books listed.

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  14. I love Jan Brett too! I have to get this book! :)
    My guess is 573 :) Good luck!

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  15. Yaaay! A new Jan Brett book is always cause for celebration.


    My guess is 312 books listed.

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  16. Isn't it just? This one is beautiful... well, they're all beautiful! :) Thanks for your guess... stay tuned :)

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  17. I think you will like it, Erik! Thanks for the guess... we shall see... :)

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  18. I know, isn't that beautiful? A good lesson in how to open a story well! Your guess is duly noted...!

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  19. I LOVE Swimmy :) "I'll be the eye!" And yes, I'm glad to see people bringing attention to National Bully Prevention Month as well - such an important topic. I'm glad to see some books that come at the issue from different angles and address different types of bullying. Oh, and BTW... good guess :)

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  20. Glad you like the book! And Price Is Right rules? I don't know... that might make it too easy :)

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  21. Thanks for the guess, Jarm, and glad you like the book! Also glad you package arrived! Hope you have fun with it :)

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  22. It's really beautiful, Kim, I think you will love it :) Thanks for your guess... stay tuned for results :)

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  23. What's cool is that she actually saw a snapping turtle who had moss growing on it, which is what gave her the idea! Thanks for you very interesting guess! :)

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  24. Wow! I did NOT know that, but it doesn't surprise me - her art is so rich and intricate!

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  25. I know, Angela, it's so true. We caught fireflies (briefly) and woolly bear caterpillars, and sometimes frogs... but I always felt sorry for them. They didn't look right in glass jars or tupperware! So ours never stayed with us for long :)

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  26. It IS an amazing list, thanks to everyone who works so hard and contributes such wonderful books with such thoughtful activities! I keep hoping to get the word out better, so more people can use it. Also, I keep hoping to come up with a way to make the lists easier to work with! Thanks for you guess... stay tuned... :)

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  27. Hmmmm. Guessing, eh? 720??? *dagnabbit* I was never good at guessing how many jelly beans either.

    Jan Brett. Yippee!!! Her writing is bodaciously awesome. Her books always turn out beautiful. You know? Great pick woman! :-)

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  28. Thanks Rob - glad you like the pick :) And thanks for your excellent guess... we shall see... we shall see... :)

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  29. Love hearing the real life happenings behind story inspiration! This one sounds like a keeper.

    My guess is 499.

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  30. I know! I love stories that are based on things that really happened! :) Thanks for you guess! :)

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  31. Ooh. Mossy looks just lovely. I'm always looking for new picture books to share with my daughter. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to check out your other Perfect Picture Book posts, too.

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  32. I'm going to take your lead and dedicate at least one day a week to sitting in bookstores and libraries to read books. I'm usually online for that. I'm getting out of the house. This book is such a great pick! Who doesn't love the amazing illustrations? The open ended questions you've supplied with this reading is going to make for a wonderful engagement for me and my early learners. Thanks Susanna! Okay, I'm going for the candy bar. I'm partial to mounds but they aren't big enough. So may I have a snickers if I guess correctly? My number is...840!

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  33. Oh, please do Caryn! That's what the list is there for, and there are so many great book on it :) And Mossy is lovely :) I hope you and your daughter enjoy it if you get a chance to read it :)

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  34. So glad you like the look of the book, Pam. I hope you and your young ones enjoy it! And you can have a snickers and a mounds if you win! Your guess is duly noted :)

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  35. Love Jan Brett's books. Top of my list to purchase. Love the story. Can't wait to see the illustrations. My guess is around 750.

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  36. Glad you enjoyed it, Pat! And thanks for your guess!!! :)

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  37. What a great book! I love the message and turtles are a favorite of mine. I will guess that 672 books are on the list. And by the way, I received my package for SS&S yesterday and love it! Can't wait to use the Story Sparker cards. Thank you so much! :)

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  38. I'm glad you like this book, jennifer! I was delighted to find a new one by Jan Brett! And so glad you got your package and that you like it :)

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  39. I'm guessing 283 :)
    I didn't know Jan Brett had a new book out. Must get!
    Grade ONEderful

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  40. Thanks for the guess, Barbara! :) And I know! I found it quite by accident, much to my delight - it' only came out September 18!

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  41. Ms. Hill, I just noticed that my entry "The Bee Bully" was accidentally put in as "The Bully Bee". Can you fix it?

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  42. Of course :)

    Susanna Leonard HillChildren's AuthorWebsiteBlogFace Book PageTwitter

    Subject: [susannaleonardhillblog] Re: Susanna Leonard Hill: Perfect Picture Book Friday - Mossy

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  43. I love the book's opening line. My 3-year-old son would be immediately hooked!

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  44. Posted For Tracy


    I love Jan Brett's books. She's an amazing writer and illustrator.

    Hmm...100 books.

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  45. You're welcome :)






























    This Kid Reviews Bks wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:


    Thank you :D


    User's website
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    IP address: 173.86.51.67

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