Splish, Splash, Splat by Rob Scotton

Just search my blog and you will see that I love Splat books (and others by Rob Scotton).   I really don't have much new to say about the current release; it's fun, it's good, and the kids will enjoy it!   it covers a topic that is needed in picture books  - fear of the water.  There aren't many books out there and Scotton handles the topic very well. Splish, Splash, Splat should definitely help a little one who has a fear of learning to swim gain a bit of confidence.  If you haven't checked out Splat yet, do so now!

Camping Storytime

In my youth, my family would take off on frequent camping excursions; everything from weekend trips to northern Michigan to month long vacations towing a camper out west. One of my favorite parts of any trip was sitting around the campfire telling stories, toasting marshmallows (or sandwiches or popcorn or hotdogs…), and simply enjoying each other’s company. You can do the same thing (well, minus the “real” toasting) in your own home with your kids or during a storytime at school or in the library.

For our camping storytime, I made a little paper campfire, complete with stones for the perimeter, out of paper (see picture). Paper towel rolls make great logs – add to them some paper flames and paper rocks, and there you go! For a bonus, use old cereal boxes to cut out stick shapes. Glue white squares to the end and pretend to toast marshmallows! 

BOOKS:

Storytelling and campfires go hand in hand, but if you aren't comfortable telling a story or making up one as a group, then there are plenty of camping books to share!
 

In rhyming text, the reader is asked how to scare a bear if one wanders into camp, or wants to go for a boat ride, or stays for supper.

While on a camping trip, five little ducks pitch tents, go fishing, toast marshmallows around a campfire, and face frightening night noises.

Four crocodile friends have many adventures during a campout.

When the Graves family goes on their annual camping trip to Lake Bleakmire, they make a frightening discovery in the forest.

When Otto goes to camp, everyone else makes fun of the things he has brought along, but one of those things comes in very handy.

Tacky the penguin and his friends go to Camp Whoopihaha where they scare each other by telling ghost stories around the campfire, never expecting that one of the frightening stories will come true.

CRAFTS:

There are many different craft projects you can do with a camping theme.  A simple idea that only requires a piece of paper, glue and some Take a "hike" in your own backyard or neighborhood park if no trails are nearby.  Make a collage out of the items that were found on the walk (sticks, pebbles, shells, pinecones, etc). 

For storytime groups, you might think along the lines of "camp" crafts - simple bracelets, back-pack clipons, picture frames made with sticks, etc.  I used pony beads, cord and some plastic clips to make backpack clips with a group of preschool children.  Some went for making a pattern, others loaded the cord up with their favorite colors - it's a simple project that allows the children a lot of creativity!

Lastly, if you have an old shoebox laying around, let your child decorate that (or any container with a lid) to keep their found treasures in!  It doesn't matter the season, children are always finding special things they want to hang on to - this would give them a place to keep them safe!

Have fun and happy camping!

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael B. Kaplan

Betty Bunny loves chocolate cake. This is not only a statement of fact, but also the title of the debut picture book by Michael B. Kaplan. Betty Bunny is a handful, according to her parents. Since her parents love her so very much, she thinks being a handful must be a good thing.
Betty Bunny is not very good at trying new things, including desserts she has never tried before. After a nice healthy dinner her mother asks, "Who wants dessert? I have chocolate cake." At first Betty Bunny wants nothing to do with it, but then her mother puts a bite in her mouth and instantly Betty Bunny is in love. She loves chocolate cake so much, she turns into a grumpy, impatient, devious handful waiting until she can taste that chocolaty goodness again.
Kaplan has created an adorably fun story full of such natural language and dialogue, it is a perfect choice for sharing aloud. Illustrator Stephane Jorisch captures the average family (in rabbit form!) in his lively watercolors letting each character’s personality shine through. You can just feel that with Betty everything is dramatic. Jorisch skillfully conveys every changing emotion and fiery display (such as flinging vegetables!) expressing Betty’s overflowing personality with flare.
Check it out! The fun ending will definitely leave you with a smile!

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet by Kelly DiPucchio

AHHH!  What did I just say yesterday about pet books?!?!  I had to laugh when I walked in this morning only to find Kelly DiPucchio's new book Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet sitting on top of my new book pile.  Now, I love DiPucchio's books, Bed Hogs being my favorite, but really, I was not ready to read another "I want a pet" book!   Gilbert's smiling face won out - I couldn't resist those big blue eyes looking up at me.  Seriously, isn't he cute?

So, I read the book.  Then I read it a second time.  And I laughed and thought "When can I do another pet themed storytime?  I have to share this book!"  (I just did a fish theme 2 weeks ago; too early to repeat yet!  hmmm or is it?!)

This is no ordinary pet book.   Yeah, I was reminded of Mo Willem's The Pigeon Wants a Puppy and even Peter Brown's Children Make Terrible Pets, since Gilbert is of course a fish looking for a pet, but all of these stories are unique, entertaining, and fun to read in their own individual ways.

DiPucchio has such an easy way with words, making the text flow in a gentle, storytelling manner - great for reading aloud.  You can't wait to flip the page to discover what happens next, though at the same time, you really want to check out the pictures!  That's ok - you can pick up the story and read it again and again if you want to!   Each time you'll enjoy it more!

Bob Shea, creator of New Socks and Dinosaur vs Bedtime, brings Gilbert and his pet dreams alive with his colorful, lively, and oh-so-adorable illustrations. The depiction of sad Gilbert coupled with the text "Gilbert's little fishy heart went pitter-patter-plop" actually made me "awww" outloud.  A couple of pages later, the illustration for "THWACK"  made me gasp and then chuckle.  Ok, considering the context I shouldn't have, but yes, I did laugh.  (and I know this doesn't make any sense without telling you what is happening, but I don't want to ruin your reaction!  - Read this review, read the book, and then read the review again!)

Check out Gilbert at your local library or bookstore now!  You'll love the fun story and wry humor and will be cheering on Gilbert as he searches for the perfect pet!

Prudence Wants a Pet by Cathleen Daly

I'm not sure what caused it, but there has been quite the run on pet picture books lately like:  Children Make Terrible Pets, Jacob O'Reilly Wants a Pet, Wanted: The Perfect Pet, A Pet for Petunia, and The Pigeon Wants a Puppy and even some fun children's chapter books, such as:  The DC Super-Pets series, Ellie McDoodle: Best Friends Fur-Ever, and Lulu and the Brontosaurus.

The struggle to find the perfect pet is one that all children are familiar with, as well as every parent!  Who hasn't heard that whiny "Mom/Dad, can I have one, please?  I'll take good care of it!"  And what child hasn't heard that "No" in response?  Well, Prudence's parents, for various reasons mentioned throughout the book, do not want her to have a pet, so she gets a bit creative.   Her first pet?!  A branch.  Yes, a piece of wood.  Prudence uses her imagination to the fullest extent creatively choosing a tire,  a shoe and even her baby brother as a pet. 

A wonderful story to share one on one or in a small group.  The illustrations by Stephen Michael King are perfect and fit the story so well, easily depicting the range of emotions Prudence experiences while hunting for the perfect pet.

It is such a relief to NOT hear a whiny character, especially when dealing with this topic!  It's even a greater relief to see Prudence's persistence, creativity and imagination put to good use!   The end is very satisfying and will make this a book to be enjoyed over and over again!

One Foot Two Feet by Peter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas

Alright, I totally admit that when I first saw this book and read the cover's boasting tagline "An Exceptional Counting Book", I thought "yeah, right".  I mean seriously, we have hundreds of counting books - what can be done differently to spice up that collection?!  I think it would be easier for Hollywood to come up with a new movie idea!   Well, Maloney and Zekauskas proved me wrong.

Yes, this is still a counting book, with numbers 1 thru 10, and a few more thrown in to boot.  No, not counting down or counting by twos or threes even;  instead, the authors show you ONE of some item (such as foot) and then the next number in sequence with the irregular plural noun  (TWO feet).  Next in the book comes ONE mouse followed by THREE mice.  The authors also include some more unique pairs such as OX/OXEN and DIE/DICE.  Extremely clever interesting book that would provide a great introduction to irregular plural nouns for preschool through early elementary aged children. 

Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler

Jennifer Sattler, the creator of Sylvieand Chick n' Pug has given us yet another unique, funny, enjoyable story to share with young children!  In her latest tale, Fergus and his little brother Dink collect treasures on the beach.  The waves come in, leave something for the brothers to collect, and then go back out again.  They enjoy this, especially since they do not have to venture into the icky, murky water.

Everything begins to change when the tide brings in a surf board!  Fergus and Dink wait a whole 15 minutes to make sure no one else claims it before they make it the star of their collection.  Sure there are fun things to do with a surf board on land, but will the brothers find the true joy in their treasure?

A great story to read aloud and Sattler's images are a delight and the expressions on the brothers' faces are priceless!  Check it out!

Funny Board Book Series by Liesbet Slegers

Liesbet Slegers has developed a very creative and funny board book series featuring the titles Funny Ears, Funny Tails and Funny Feet.  Each book has a solid board cover, however the pages are split in two (where the dotted line is on the cover) so that a simple "ear" board book turns into a funny "change a head" type book.   The same goes for "tails" and "feet". 

A fun, innovative series featuring Liesbet's bold, simple illustrations.  Sure to cause some giggles, whether your child is listening to the story or not!

Firefly / Lightning Bug Storytime

Fireflies are such fascinating bugs!   I remember the first time both of my children saw one in the night sky.  The expressions of amazement and sheer joy were priceless! 

In Michigan, fireflies can really only be seen mainly during the month of July, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them all year long.  Thankfully there are some wonderful firefly/lightning bug books that you can check out at your local library!   The glowing bugs can make for a real fun storytime too!

BOOKS:

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bug by Katharine Ross

Firefly at Stonybrook Farm by Wendy Pfeffer (Smithsonian's Backyard)

When the Fireflies Come by Jonathan London

Ten Flashing Fireflies by Philemon sturges

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

SONG:

“Five Little Fireflies”

Five little fireflies flashing past the door,

one flew away, then there were four.

Four little fireflies glowing around me,

one flew away, then there were three.

Three little fireflies lighting up my shoe,

one flew away, then there were two.

Two little fireflies glowing like the sun,

one flew away, then there was one.

One little firefly looking for some fun,

she flew away, and then there were none.

CRAFT:
 
 

I have made a couple different firefly crafts with preschool aged children  (left).  The first was a simple band-aid firefly.  You only need a dark piece of construction paper, band-aids, google eyes, crayons, and a lot of creativity!  Our local department store chain, Meijer, had  a huge selection of band-aids perfect for fireflies!   You can add google eyes and even a bit of glitter to the ends for a "glow".

 For the other craft, I took the pattern here, blew it up slightly and adapted the craft to the supplies I had on hand.  Instead of plain paper or construction paper, we used scrapbook paper and added google eyes, and then gold glitter to the tails.  They turned out terrific (pictured above)!  The variety of colors and patterns really made the fireflies pretty and unique!

If you have any other firefly or lightning bug suggetions, please feel free to add them below!