Shapes, Shapes, Shapes - Non-Fiction Picture Book

Shapes, Shapes, Shapes
By Tana Hoban
(A Mulberry Paperback Book, Greenwillow Books, 1986)

Shapes, Shapes, Shapes is a wonderful nonfiction book about shapes.

In her book Shapes, Shapes, Shapes, Tana Hoban showcases photographs of everyday life and objects. Big city items becomes simple shapes behind her focused camera lens. Nothing is more challenging and appropriate than hooking what we want children to learn to real-life examples.

KID KANDY:

Make your own book about shapes. Enlist your child to be the content producer and locate items in your home, neighborhood, or community that showcase circles, squares, diamonds, triangles, rectangles, and ovals. Take photos of the "scenes" chosen by your producer child.

Print out the photos. Use double stick tape and attach them to cardstock. Ask your producer to decorate the cover page with the book title (his or her choice) and brightly colored shapes. Staple the left edge to make your own book. Read and have fun identifying the shapes.

Or make a computer slide show or Power Point show with the photos. Help your child producer arrange the slides in the desired order. Label them, add music, or program the show with special computer effects. Enjoy the show!

Angie Quantrell loves books that incorporate photographs. In one of the books she has written, I Can Be More Like Jesus, Angie took photographs for the illustrations. Her graphic artist, Clay Allison, used a watercolor program on the photos to create a special look. Angie loved the process of helping with book illustrating.

I Can Be More Like Jesus is available through Woman's Missionary Union in the preschooler resources tab. Go to http://www.wmustore.com.

Bear Shadow - Picture Book

Bear Shadow
Written and Illustrated By Frank Asch
(Scholastic Inc., 1985)

My young son Taylor (who now is 26 years-old) loved the Bear stories by Frank Asch. Since that time, I have had a special attachment to reading about Bear's adventures.

Bear Shadow is one such adventure. Bear decides to go fishing. But his shadow scares away the fish. To rectify the situation, Bear tries to lose his shadow. Readers will laugh at his attempts at running away, hiding, and tricking his shadow.

Not only is Bear Shadow an enjoyable read, it helps youngsters consider what we know about shadows. Shadows are a fun and interesting part of life! Me and my shadow . . .

KID KANDY:

1. Make your own shadows. This activity requires at least two participants. Get sidewalk chalk and head outside on a sunny day. Have one child stand frozen in a pose while the other traces the outline on the ground with chalk. Switch places and take turns tracing shadows.

2. Play shadow copycat. Explore what your shadow can do. Move, jump, dance, walk, and wiggle. Does your shadow copy you? Or are you copying your shadow?


KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.

Angie Quantrell likes to make her shadow tall and thin and silly. Her shadow likes to walk on the beach with the shadows of her friends.

I Can Draw Animals - Non-Fiction Picture Book

I Can Draw Animals - Usborne Playtime
By Ray Gibson
Illustrated By Amanda Barlow
Photography By Howard Allman
(Scholastic Inc., 1997)

I Can Draw Animals is a great little non-fiction book that gives simple examples and directions to children about drawing animals. Sixteen animals reside on pages filled with color and step-by-step instructions. Crayons and felt pens are the recommended art tools that are used on white paper. Budding artists can start with crayons and felt pens and branch out after they have figured out how to draw the different animals.

Artist in the family? I Can Draw Animals is the perfect title.

KID KANDY:

Supplies ~ crayons, felt pens, markers, white paper

~ Read the table of contents and choose an animal to draw. Follow the directions to create animal kingdom works of art.

~ Matte favorite drawings and display them in picture frames. Or stick artwork right on a bulletin board or the refrigerator.

~ No wall space? Staple one side of pages together to make a book of drawings. Or put in a binder in individual transparent protective sleeves.

Be sure to have the artist sign the pictures and add the date!


Angie Quantrell is not an artist. But she still loves drawing and experimenting with different types of art media. Directions help her to draw recognizable pictures!

Peter's Chair - Picture Book

Peter's Chair
Written and Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
(Scholastic Inc., 1967)

I discovered Peter's Chair after I fell in love with The Snowy Day. Two of my young grands are expecting a new baby brother in June. It seemed appropriate to feature a book about the adjustment to new siblings.

Peter is a young boy who discovers life is not the same after a new baby comes to live in the house. All Peter wants to do is play. But he soon finds out that he must play quietly. His crib has been painted pink and his high chair is soon to follow the pink trend. When Peter sees his blue chair, he realizes he must do something!

Peter runs away with a few of his prized possessions. With his dog, he attempts to sit down in his chair. But Peter does not fit. He has outgrown it.

Peter comes on new-baby-sister board with his own decision to make the chair work for his baby sister.

Peter's Chair is perfect for families with new babies.

KID KANDY:

Time to dig out the baby doll and crib. Set up a homeliving area with baby bed, doll, baby toys (bottle, high chair, stroller, baby backpack, and so on), blankets, and doll clothes. Engage your child or children in play that involves taking care of the baby.

~ If your doll is waterproof, set up a baby bathtub and let your child bathe the baby.

~ Sing lullabies and chat with your child and the baby as you play.

~ Rock the baby, put the baby to bed, change the baby diaper, and feed the baby.

~ Reassure your child by offering plenty of love and cuddles. Talk about the baby coming and some of the changes that will take place. Let your child express his or her feelings about the new baby.

~ Prepare your child for the new sibling by listening, talking, and reassuring. A new baby is a big and wonderful deal!

Angie Quantrell loves her grands, children, books, and reading. She loves building connections between them all.

Froggy Gets Dressed - Winter Picture Book

Froggy Gets Dressed
By Jonathan London
Illustrated By Frank Remkiewicz
(Scholastic Inc., 1999)

Boys and girls love Froggy!

Froggy wakes up from a good sleep to see snow falling outside. Of course, being Froggy, he wants to go out and play in the winter white flakes. Even after his mother reminds him that frogs need to sleep all winter, Froggy struggles on with his clothes. The fun comes when his mother calls him back inside to put on missing clothing items. The very last piece will draw howls of laughter.

Once I have read Froggy Gets Dressed to a group of children, they always remember the cadence of the story and the funny ending. And they immediately begin to dress up and reenact Froggy.

KID KANDY:

The best fun thing to do after reading Froggy Gets Dressed is to play dress up.

Arrange quilts and pillows on the floor for beds. Dig out the winter clothes (or retrieve them from the drying rack). Choose who gets to be Froggy the first time around. Or better yet, everyone can be Froggy. Let the mom or dad of the family be the one who calls, "Frrroooggggyyyyyy!"

Angie Quantrell loves picture books that have kid humor in them. Talking animals just add to the fun.

Redwoods - Nature Picture Books

Redwoods
Written and Illustrated By Jason Chin
(Flashpoint, Roaring Brook Press, 2009)

I discovered Redwoods while perusing the library in the children's area. And what a delightful find it was!

Redwoods, written and illustrated by Jason Chin, is a beautifully illustrated and very informative book about the giant redwoods. Not just educational, but entertaining.

A young boy sitting on a bench discovers a book about redwoods. This book in fact. He begins reading the book Redwoods (while he is in the book Redwoods). He is soon joined by a tiny squirrel (look for the squirrel in every page) as he learns all he can about the giant redwoods.

I love how Chin shows the importance and excitement of learning through books. I also love how the cycle begins anew when the boy leaves the book on a bench. A girl soon picks it up and begins reading about redwoods.

This is the perfect book to read if you are planning a trip to see the redwoods. Or even if you are not.

KID KANDY:

Visit a Forest

Take your child for a walk in the forest. Truly experience the forest.

~ Smell the trees, soil, plants, and all there is that tickles your nose.

~ Touch the tree bark, ferns, moss, and other forest inhabitants. (Avoid mushrooms and wild animals!)

~ Close your eyes and listen. What can you hear? Wind? Animals? Airplanes? Cars? Your breathing?

~ How far can you see through the trees? Look at forest plants up close. Count how many nature items you can see.

~ Take pictures or draw pictures of what you find in the forest.

~ Go to the library or bookstore and find more books about the forest and redwoods.


Angie Quantrell has visited the amazing redwoods many times. They never cease to amaze and thrill her.

Pancakes, Pancakes! - Picture Books & Circles

Pancakes, Pancakes!
Ready to Read Version
Written and Illustrated by Eric Carle
(Scholastic, Inc., 1990)



Circles
Welcome Books, City Shapes
By Jan Kottke
(Scholastic Inc., 2000)

Stuck on circles!

Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle is a pancake classic. While this version is simplified remake of the original book for early readers, it still gives children the excitement of reading about pancakes.

Pancakes, Pancakes! is the story of a boy who wants pancakes for breakfast. This is not as easy as one would think. Pancakes, Pancakes! takes place on an old-fashioned farm where meals are prepared the old way. So the boy, Jack, has to collect and gather all of the items necessary for pancakes - from milking the cow, making butter, and grinding wheat, to heading downstairs to the cellar to retrieve jam.

I love the way Eric Carle lets readers learn about the origins of a favorite meal. His signature style of illustrating shines through with beautiful colors.

And while we are talking about pancakes, how about those circles?

Circles is a simple non-fiction book that helps boys and girls identify circles in their surroundings. Circles includes important non-fiction characteristics, like a table of contents, bolded new words, a glossary, and an index.

You can't go wrong with pancakes and circles!

KID KANDY:

Circle Hunt

After reading the books, go on a circle hunt. You can hunt in two ways:

1. Ask your child to go around the house and find items that are round or circle-shaped. Make a pile of circle shapes. (A solid circle shape like a ball is called a sphere.) Compare the circle-shaped items.

2. Go for a circle walk. Point out all of the circle shapes you find in nature and man-made constructions.

IF you are really energetic, take photographs of some of the circle shapes. Make your own book of circles by printing out photos and adding them to a memory book (the little photo album books with sleeves for photos) or taping on cardstock. Read!

Learning about shapes (and eating them in the form of pancakes) is a necessary skill for young children. You can keep your (pan)cake and eat it, too!


Angie Quantrell loves challenging children to find shapes in their environment. She especially enjoys cooking with kids and making a mess while having fun and learning at the same time.

Hey, Pancakes! - Picture Books

Hey, Pancakes!
Written by Tamson Weston
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell
(Scholastic Inc., 2003)

We're on a pancake roll!

Hey, Pancakes! is a funny tale of children who make pancakes. Wait, maybe it is a scary book! They do make quite a mess. Oh, boy. Do they. I'm not sure where the adults are in this fantastically illustrated book, but there is plenty of entertainment with the children and the dog. And pancakes.

Hey, Pancakes! includes a recipe for Grandma's Pancakes. Maybe you can make your recipe and grandma's for a taste test.

KID KANDY:

Making Pancakes Make-Believe Fun

~ Add cooking pots, pans, pancake turner, bowl, whisk, measuring tools, aprons, plates, and forks to the play kitchen area.

~ If you don't have a toy kitchen, use markers to transform a box into a stove.

~ Cut circle pancakes from tan felt.

~ Cut small squares of yellow felt for pats of butter.

~ Cut odd, squiggly shapes from brown felt for syrup.

~ Recycle an old syrup bottle or squeeze bottle. Fill with brown yarn pieces or scrap paper to resemble syrup. Glue closed!

~ Make pancakes!


KID KANDY is an activity feature that resembles a healthy meal. FIRST you read the book (eat the dinner). THEN you get dessert (a fun activity after the meal). I'd love to know about your KID KANDY activity adventure.

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Pancakes for Breakfast - Picture Books

Pancakes for Breakfast
By Tomie dePaola
(Schlastic Inc., 1978)

Who loves pancakes for breakfast?

We all do! Pancakes for Breakfast will be a treat for your youngsters.

This wordless book will delight young readers. Once they know the storyline, they are free to reread and retell Pancakes for Breakfast as often as they like.

Based on a farm, Pancakes for Breakfast shows the old-fashioned steps for making pancakes, from getting the eggs from the hens, to making the butter from the milk that was just previously secured from the cow. The surprise ending, after all of that work for fresh pancakes, is a fun twist.

Dig out those beaters and cooking supplies.

KID KANDY:

You know it. Make pancakes for breakfast!

There are many pancakes choices available for us in current times. One recipe is included on the pages of a cookbook featured in a page illustration from Pancakes for Breakfast. Or check your favorite cookbook. Or use a pancake mix. Or go out to a restaurant for pancakes. You can even choose different toppings or ingredients to include in the batter - chocolate chips, bacon, cheese, or whatever meets your fancy.

The most important thing about making pancakes - let your child be right in the middle of the pouring, mixing, stirring, and eating. That's right. They will love you for it.

What's that you say? Messy? Well, of course it is. But you can just enlist your little helpers to lend a hand for the cleanup when the pancakes have mysteriously disappeared into hungry tummies.

There is nothing better for young children (or children of any age) than hands-on experience. Here is your chance to prepare them for college and living on their own.

Everyone needs to know how to make pancakes!


Thanks for reading! Feel free to share ideas and books found on these pages. You are welcome to sign up to receive blog posts directly in your email inbox. Thanks!


Angie Quantrell loves pancakes. Sometimes for supper!

KID KANDY - Fun Winter Activity

Any number of great picture books could be read before, during, and after this fun stuck-in-the-house activity.

A few suggestions:

~ The Mitten
~ The Hat
~ A Snowy Day
~ The Gingerbread Baby
~ Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash

Meet Princess Khloe as she hangs out the wash, er, princess clothes. Freshly pretend washed in the toy machine, clothespins, indoor drying rack, and lots of entertainment. This gave Nana a breather from being the 'kid' while Princess Khloe was 'in charge.'

Those of you with children or with other people's children know that of which I speak.

Dig out those dress up clothes, drying rack, and a bunch of clothespins. And then sit back and sip a cup of coffee while the kiddos amuse themselves.

KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.

Some things that will help you use KID KANDY:

~ Not every idea will appeal to you or your child. Make up something else fun!

~ Let your child be the leader in making the KID KANDY activities work or evolve. They love being in charge.

~ Adjust the suggestions to fit your circumstances. We don't all have the same resources, experience, or chunks of time.

~ Be flexible. Some things might not work out. Laugh and go on. I bet kids will remember the mistakes and flops more than the perfect endings.

~ Above all, read books together. Shared love will run all over those dog-eared, food-smeared, mangled and torn pages. Books are like the Velveteen Rabbit. The books that show the most signs of wear and tear are the ones that are most loved. They are the ones that become real in your child's heart.

Enjoy KID KANDY.

Feel free to share the ideas found in this blog. I would love to hear how your KID KANDY escapades work out.

Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Snow Party - Winter Picture Books

Snow Party
Written by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Mark Jones
(Scholastic, Inc., 2008)

It finally snowed today and I am ready for some winter fun. Not that we had any accumulation of snow, but it was so beautiful falling down in big tufts of white.

Snow Party takes place on a frozen pond. After a snowfall, snow families appear out of nowhere, carrying all sorts of boxes and bags. An especially tempting box draws the attention of children, but they are not allowed to peek. All day long, snowmen moms, dads, boys, and girls work hard to prepare for the party. By nightfall, the snow party is perfectly ready. Will the special box be opened? What is inside?

Join Ziefert and Jones as they share a magical story about snowmen at a snow party. This book is great for those who want to know what snowmen do when we are not looking.

KID KANDY:

Act out Snow Party.

Almost every page of Snow Party has snowmen doing something. After reading the book together, reread the pages and encourage your child to act out the same thing she sees the snowmen doing - carrying heavy boxes, sweeping ice, decorating, dancing, and so on. Ask her to think of a few new ideas of things for the snowmen to do. Act those out as well.

Turn the tables and let your child tell you what to act out! Come on, it will be snow much fun.

The Missing Mitten Mystery - Winter Picture Books

The Missing Mitten Mystery
Written and Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
(Scholastic Inc., 2000)

A mystery is just what one needs for these short, dreary days.

In The Missing Mitten Mystery, Annie has lost her fifth mitten of the winter. She is in big trouble.

Thinking for herself, Annie chooses to go with her dog, Oscar, and retrace her footsteps and activities to try and locate the missing mitten. That is a great strategy!

Annie finds lots of lost things, but not her own mitten. Readers will have to look closely at the illustrations as they read the short amount of text in The Missing Mitten Mystery. The ending is a delightful surprise.

KID KANDY:

This is a great time for hide-and-seek. Except the hider needs to hide a mitten for the seeker to find. Start easy by leaving a bit of mitten peeking from its hiding place. Make it harder each turn by hiding more of the mitten. Players can always add clues by saying, "Warmer, warmer, hot, colder, cold, freezing cold..." depending on how close the seeker is to the hidden mitten.

Ready or not, here I come!


KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.

Pip & Squeak - Winter Picture Books

Pip & Squeak
Written and Illustrated by Ian Schoenherr
(Scholastic Inc., 2007)

What do mice love? Cheese.

Join Pip and Squeak, two adorable mice, as they race to make it to a birthday party for their friend, Gus. But guess who forgot the present of cheese? Pip! Now what to do?

Pip and Squeak find a solution and continue to the party. Read Pip & Squeak to find out if the make-do gift was successful. Readers will love the world as seen through the eyes of tiny mice.

KID KANDY:

Schoenherr does a fabulous job of illustrating this book from the viewpoint of the mice. What does it look like to be small in a big world? Hint: Most children are already aware of this, as their viewpoint of life is from a height of below our waist!

~ Hit the floor, everyone. Crawl around on hands and knees to see how things appear from down low. What can you reach? What do you see that you don't normally see? How hard is it to get around?

~ Go even lower. Wriggle worm style on the floor. Now what can you see? What can you reach (or not)?

~ Dig out a dollhouse and play with little people figures. Imagine you are as small as Pip and Squeak.


Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Cat and Mouse in the Snow - Winter Picture Books

Cat and Mouse in the Snow
By Tomek Bogacki
(Scholastic Inc., 1999)

Cat and Mouse in the Snow is the story of two animal families, natural enemies, that meet up in a snow covered meadow. There, in the no longer green meadow, the cats and mice explore and enjoy snow, all the while playing with friends. But they have one big question - where is the green meadow now?

Younger readers and listeners will enjoy this picture book. Preschoolers who love animals will have fun watching the snow play. Read Cat and Mouse in the Snow and see if your child can figure out the answer to their question.

KID KANDY:

Do you live in an area with snow? Visit a favorite summer park. Encourage your child to share how the park is different in the winter - sights, smells, sounds, and feel. Compare the two seasons. Find a hill or a slide and enjoy the ride.


Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

The Mitten - Winter Picture Books

The Mitten
Retold By Alvin Tresselt
Illustrated by Yaroslava
(Lothrop, Lee & Shepherd Co., Inc., 1964)

I do love old books. This edition of The Mitten is almost as old as I am.

The tone of The Mitten by Tresselt and Yaroslava is set by the choice to use a minimal color palette. Blue, white, and black create cold winter scenes, while on alternating pages limited color additions keep the tone cold yet vibrant. The illustrations are simple, uncluttered, and adorable.

The story of The Mitten is familiar to many. In this version, a boy, unnamed, is collecting wood for his grandmother. He drops a mitten, and continues on his task, unaware of the story that unfolds behind his back. As with most retellings of The Mitten, this one introduces animals that come one-by-one to snuggle together in the warmth of the mitten. With disastrous results.


KID KANDY:

~ Check out as many versions of The Mitten that you can find. Look at the library, bookstore, or online.

~ Read and compare the different versions. There are a surprising number of variations. This is a great way to point out different techniques in illustrating and storytelling. The language and word choices used by different storytellers is fascinating.

~ Make your own version for retelling fun.

1. Cut 2 large mitten shapes from a file folder. Punch holes and use yarn to sew the edges (not the top) together.

2. Cut out a child and animals from magazines. Glue to cardstock and trim off extra edges.

3. Arrange in order - child, animals from smallest to largest, and the animal that breaks the mitten at the end.

4. Retell. Use funny voices. Let your child be as silly, scary, or adventurous as she wants. Have fun interacting with books.


Feel free to share the ideas found in this blog. I would love to hear how your KID KANDY escapades work out.


KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.


Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Trouble with Trolls - Jan Brett Week - Winter Picture Books

Trouble with Trolls
Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett
(G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1992)

Treva and her beautiful dog, Tuffi, live in a majestic mountain area that suspiciously looks like Switzerland or Norway or any one of those gorgeous northern European countries. But none of those locations have . . . trolls.

Specifically, trouble with trolls, many of which Treva has had. Trouble with Trolls tells the story of how Treva and her quick thinking saved Tuffi from being taken by trolls. The trolls in this book are not too smart and are somewhat naughty and sneaky. In this story, all they wanted was a dog. First one troll, then the next, and the next, grabbed Tuffi (kidnapped). How Treva gets her dog back, repeatedly, shows how resourceful Treva is - and how gullible the trolls are.

Jan Brett again uses the borders of the book pages to tell what else is going on in the story, behind the scenes. Boys and girls will enjoy helping Treva rescue Tuffi. Read a few pages, and then brainstorm to see how many ways Treva might try to get her dog back. That is a part of the fun in reading a new book.

Can you find a hedgehog in Trouble with Trolls?

KID KANDY:

Fly Like Treva & Tuffi

Cut long, narrow ski shapes from cardboard. Use masking or duct tape to add foot bindings. Let your child slip his feet into the bindings and ski inside the house. But where is Tuffi? Dig out a stuffed dog or favorite animal for your child to carry as he skies. Away they go!

KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.

Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

The Hat - Jan Brett Week - Winter Picture Book

The Hat
Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett
(Scholastic Inc., 1997)

Animals and kids seem to be Jan Brett's gift.

Everybody knows that animals don't wear clothes. Or do they?

Meet Lisa, a young girl who resides on a snow-covered farm. One day, she has to do laundry. Lisa proceeds to hang up her woolens on the clothesline to dry. One piece falls off and the sock becomes stuck on poor Hedgie, an inquisitive and adorable hedgehog. Much to his dismay, and the delight of other farm animals, the stocking becomes stuck tight.

Journey with Hedgie as he tries to remove the stocking. Watch the sidebars for clues about what is happening elsewhere (in true Jan Brett fashion). Will Hedgie get out of his stocking? How?

Readers will be delighted with the antics of the animals in The Hat.

Hint: Jan Brett likes to include a hedgehog in many of her books. Can you find one in The Hat?

KID KANDY:

Hang up the Laundry!

Secure a rope between two solid objects. Adjust it to the height of your child. Dig out the socks, hats, mittens, and small items of clothing and put them in a basket. Provide clothes pins. Now it's laundry day!

If you do not want to use (and supervise) the rope clothesline, use a free standing clothes dryer. I have one from IKEA that folds when not in use. It's wonderful.

This activity is excellent for fine motor control and coordination. Plus fun.

Feel free to share the ideas found in this blog. I would love to hear how your KID KANDY escapades work out.

Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Jan Brett Week - Annie and the Wild Animals - Winter Picture Books

Annie and the Wild Animals
Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett
(Houghton Mifflin Company, 1985)

Annie loves her cat, Taffy. But Taffy has not been interested in playing. So Annie goes out to find new friends. Forest animal friends. Using corn cakes as bait, she lures potential friends in order to find the prefect friend.

One can imagine that it does not work. Readers will enjoy both the illustrations and the outcome of Annie and the Wild Animals.

KID KANDY:

Corn Muffin Mayhem

- Children love to cook and help in the kitchen. Why not make corn muffins (i.e. cakes) together after reading this book? They are perfect for snack or a meal. Together, search a cookbook for a recipe. Gather ingredients, follow the directions, and taste the success.

- Save a few corn muffins to crumble on the ground outside near a window. Dig out the binoculars and watch who comes for a yummy snack. Birds? Cats? Your dog?

- Pack some corn muffins and water bottles in a backpack. Head out for a nature walk. Stop to rest in a spot with plenty of nature to observe. Share the snack. Listen for the sounds of nature. Try and identify what is happening around you.

And you thought making corn muffins would just make dinner. There is fun to be had, even in corn muffins.


Feel free to share the ideas found in this blog. I would love to hear how your KID KANDY escapades work out.

Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Jan Brett Week - The Mitten - Winter Picture Books

The Mitten
Adapted and Illustrated by Jan Brett
(G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1989)

Meet one of my all-time favorite winter books. I usually focus on snow and winter during the month of January, and Jan Brett has many wonderful winter-based picture books.

The Mitten is an old, old story. But Jan Brett has adapted and illustrated The Mitten in her own way.

Nicki wanted his new mittens made from snow white wool. Baba knew what would happen to white mittens in the white snow. But how could she resist when Nicki was so excited to have beautiful, warm, snow white mittens?

The expected happens. Nicki loses a mitten. And then things get exciting. When I read this book aloud to children, I love showing them the last page and illustration of The Mitten. This illustration is a perfect prompt for getting readers (or listeners) to consider what the character is really thinking. They love it.

I always draw attention to the illustrations when I read. But in any Jan Brett book, I point out the cool text and illustration features - sidebars, recipes, the story beside the story hints, what comes next shapes, and so on. Once I have taught a Jan Brett book and we have noticed what is happening on the sides of the pages (in addition to the main illustration) it's all I can do to keep them from leaping to conclusions before everyone has had a chance to figure it out for themselves!

This week I will feature a different Jan Brett book each day. Have fun reading the story and the pictures.

KID KANDY:

Make your own decorated mittens!

~ Show your child how to hold her hand as if she is wearing a mitten. Trace two mitten shapes on cardstock.

~ Cut out the mittens.

~ Use markers to make matching designs on both mittens - dots, zig zags, stripes, hearts, flowers, snowmen, swirls, or anything else that sounds interesting.

~ Hook the mittens together by punching a hole in the top of each and tying yarn through the holes. Or punch holes around the sides and bottoms of the mitten shapes (not the wrist). Sew the mitten together with yarn.

The Mitten Game:

Give everyone mittens to wear. Play catch with foam balls. Or try to build towers while wearing mittens. Adding mittens to an indoor activity will ease boredom and create the sillies.

TIP: To protect favorite books and magazines from scissors in little hands, create a designated cutting tub. Add magazines, old greeting cards, scrap paper, comics, junk mail, and so on. Teach your child to cut only items in the tub.

KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.

Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Introducing KID KANDY

Welcome to a new feature that will be found on Book Blab - Blithering By a Book Lover. KID KANDY.

Due to my love of children's books, children, and their families, I often blog about great picture and chapter books. But recently, I grew interested in adding extra ideas for fun with kids that tie in to the theme of the book that is being featured. Over time, I realized that I need to make it a part of every blog about kids books. Read a book. Have some fun.

KID KANDY is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. We know that the more kids love books, the more they read. And the more they read, the more they internalize things like story structure, character development, language, conflict, and creativity. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow deep and rich in the life of kids.

Some things that will help you use KID KANDY:

~ Not every idea will appeal to you or your child. Make up something else fun!

~ Let your child be the leader in making the KID KANDY activities work or evolve. They love being in charge.

~ Adjust the suggestions to fit your circumstances. We don't all have the same resources, experience, or chunks of time.

~ Be flexible. Some things might not work out. Laugh and go on. I bet kids will remember the mistakes and flops more than the perfect endings.

~ Above all, read books together. Shared love will run all over those dog-eared, food-smeared, mangled and torn pages. Books are like the Velveteen Rabbit. The books that show the most signs of wear and tear are the ones that are most loved. They are the ones that become real in your child's heart.

Enjoy KID KANDY.

Feel free to share the ideas found in this blog. I would love to hear how your KID KANDY escapades work out.

Angie Quantrell writes picture books, blogs, takes photos, and chases her naughty kitties off of the counters. Books come to life in her imagination and litter all spaces in her home. If it weren't for all of her books, Angie could live in a one room house.

Sadie and the Snowman - Winter Picture Book

Sadie and the Snowman
By Allen Morgan
Illustrated by Brenda Clark
(Scholastic Inc., 1985)

Meet Sadie. A perfectly cute and ordinary little girl who loves her snowman.

In Sadie and the Snowman, Sadie builds a lovely snowman as her kitty cat companion looks on. That night, forest animals visit the snowman and gobble up his facial features. Sadie doesn't let that stop her. She rebuilds the snowman with a new face. And the animals revisit for a snack. Sadie is undaunted and continues to rebuild her snowman each day as the animals eat his food parts every evening. This pattern continues until the weather changes and her snowman begins to melt.

How does Sadie save her snowman then? For a little girl, she is very clever. I won't spoil the ending. Needless to say, the snowman visits Sadie the following winter.

Sadie and the Snowman, a fictional picture book, teaches about seasons, perseverance, and inventiveness. I love reading it every winter.

Kid Kandy:

Snowless? Never fear. Here is how to build a snowman when there is a lack of snow (which is happening in my area of the northwest as I write!).

~ Purchase a large piece of white felt at a fabric store. Also buy several colorful rectangles (single sheets) of felt.

~ Cut three different sizes of circles from the white felt, as large as can be. Cut smaller circles, rectangles, and triangles from the colored felt pieces.

~ Attach the snowman circles to a wall (staples or thumb tacks work well) or fleece blanket (static will keep the snowman in place).

~ Let your child decorate the felt snowman with colored shapes of felt. Want a new snowman? Take him apart and make a new one.

~ This felt snowman can stay as long as you want. Done? Store the pieces until next winter.

Kid Kandy is a book extension feature for kids and their families. If a child has a fun activity to do after reading a book (or before reading a book), the ideas and information in the book are more likely to stick. And the love of both reading and exploring is encouraged to grow in the life of kids. Feel free to adjust the suggestions to fit your circumstances.

You are welcome to share the ideas found in this blog.

Happy reading and exploring!

Winter Wonderland -Winter NF Picture Book

Winter Wonderland
By Jill Esbaum
(Scholastic Edition, 2012; National Geographic Society, 2010)

I wish I had written this book!

Winter Wonderland is a beautifully photographed nonfiction picture book for children. Both text and photos tell about winter and the things we might see, do, hear, feel, and smell in the season of cold.

What is interesting is the point of view - Winter itself is telling the story about winter. The narrator, Winter, explains how it might be gentle or sneaky or decorative. Throughout the book, descriptive words share the look and feel of winter.

For a different point of view, and good information about winter, read Winter Wonderland.

Kid Kandy:

Winter Collage

~ Take a walk in your neighborhood, noticing the signs of winter. Take digital photos of what you see.

~ Gather poster board, glue sticks, scissors, markers, and cutting magazines.

~ Cut out pictures of things found in the winter. Glue them on the poster board.

~ Print some of the winter photos you snapped. Add them to the collage.

~ Use colored markers to add winter words such as frigid, melt, icicle, snow, and so on.

~ Display your winter collage!

For you writers, how about penning a winter poem or writing a story that takes place in winter? See how many winter words you can use as you write. How about sharing it with us?