One Word from Sophia ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Clever and engaging tale of a loquacious young lady

One Word from Sophia
By Jim Averbeck
Illustrations by Yasmeen Ismail
(Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015)

All Sophia wants for her birthday is a pet giraffe.

But she faces four critics to her dream come true. As Sophia tries to convince family members to side with her for a pet giraffe, each tells her she is using too many words. You could say that Sophia is loquacious, much to her detriment in this case.

With each failure (and the discovery of a new word that means too many words), Sophia edits down her responses until her final plea.

One Word from Sophia is a wonderful picture book. The text challenges readers with excellent vocabulary and an engaging story. The illustrations are unique and fabulous.

One Word from Sophia will help readers learn the importance of one very special word.

KID KANDY:

What Do You Want for Your Birthday?

1. Think hard. What is your one true desire of the gift you want to receive for your birthday?

2. Now think of 5 excellent reasons you could use to convince a parent or grandparent to get that present and give it to you.

3. Practice telling your family what you would like and why.

Did you use your manners? Were you successful?

It might not be your birthday yet, but Happy Birthday! Way to use your very own words.

Last Stop on Market Street ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Last Stop on Market Street
Words by Matt de La Pena
Pictures by Christian Robinson
(G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2015)

CJ wondered why his Nana and he had to go on the bus every Sunday after church. He was full of questions. CJ asked why they didn't have a car, why did it have to rain, and why that man couldn't see.

Nana was wise. Throughout the story, Nana lets CJ experience real life people. She guides him to see with his ears, appreciate people who look different, and enjoy the magic in a song.

The most wonderful thing that nana gives to CJ is the habit of helping others. At the last stop on Market Street, where buildings and people are run down and dirty, CJ helps serve lunch at a soup kitchen. CJ is learning to see beauty through the dirt.

Last Stop on Market Street is a beautiful book about diversity and reaching out to help others. Nana sets a wonderful example of how to be a giving member of a community.

Read Last Stop on Market Street if you want your readers to grow up willing and able to make contributions to society.

KID KANDY:

Help at a Soup Kitchen

CJ helped serve food with his Nana. Maybe you don't have a soup kitchen in your area. But you and your child can still help.

You could:

~ Make arrangements to serve a meal at a local homeless shelter (or other place that serves free meals).

~ Collect food and donate it to a program that feeds hungry families - food banks, homeless shelters, or community outreach centers.

~ Gather non-perishable food items (juice boxes, nuts, dried fruit, bottled water, crackers). Divide items among lunch sacks and store in your car. Give out snack bags whenever you see someone on the street corner asking for donations.

~ Give money to organizations that help the hungry - churches, shelters, community service centers.

Be creative. What is available in your town? How can you help?

Ask your child for ideas. You might be surprised.

Deep in the Sahara ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Deep in the Sahara
Written by Kelly Cunnane
Illustrated by Hoda Hadadi
(Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013)

Do you ever wonder what it is like to live in the Sahara? How it feels to wear a malafa and keep covered from head to toe? To want to be like the grown-ups but you can't?

Deep in the Sahara is a book about a girl named Lalla who desperately admires older girls and women who are beautifully arrayed in colorful malafas. Lalla observes and talks to different members of her family to gain the true understanding of the purpose of a malafa as readers learn about life deep in the Sahara. And surprise, once she realizes all of the purposes of a malafa, her mother gives her one as blue as the Sahara sky.

Deep in the Sahara is a beautiful book for those who love to learn about other cultures and faiths. Readers will learn through both the story and the gorgeous illustrations.

KID KANDY:

Paint a Colorful Picture

Hoda Hadadi used bright colors in her illustrations of Deep in the Sahara. The results are peaceful, informative, heat-evocative drawings of life in a hot desert area.

Materials: thick paper, watercolor or acrylic paints, brushes, apron, pencils, erasers

1. Consider what you would like to paint.

2. Sketch an outline with a pencil. This will help you feel the scope of the paper and shape of what you are painting.

3. Choose your colors and paint your picture. You may have to let certain areas or colors dry before you can complete your painting.

4. Stand back. Did you forget anything? Want to add something?

5. Display your colorful artwork.

6. Do another painting.

Do you enjoy painting and art? Maybe one day you will grow up to become an illustrator or artist. Wouldn't that be fun?

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

What Will You Be, Sara Mee?
By Kate Aver Avraham
Illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien
(Charlesbridge, 2010)

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? is a story about Sara Mee and her brother. Sara Mee is celebrating her first birthday. In Korea, babies who turn one have a tol, or the first-birthday celebration that includes many guests, gifts, and the ritual event of the toljabee.

Toljabee is a prophecy game where items symbolizing different careers are placed in front of the child. Whichever item the baby chooses first supposedly indicates what he or she will become when he or she grows up.

Sara Mee celebrates with her older brother, who helps with the toljabee.

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? teaches readers a little about cultural practices in Korea. Sara Mee lives in America with her family, but the family still enjoys Korean traditions.

If you want to learn about other cultures, and maybe about some of your own neighbors, What Will You Be, Sara Mee? is a good place to begin.

KID KANDY:

What tradition does your family have?

~ Think about the things you like to do with your family.

~ What is one thing you do the same, every year, week, month, or holiday? Is that your family tradition?

~ Choose one family tradition. How did it begin? What does it mean? Did other generations have the same tradition or is it new for your family? What do you like about the tradition?

~ Think about What Will You Be, Sara Mee? What did you find interesting about the toljabee? What was different to you? What was the same?


Traditions are often passed down from parents to children to grandchildren. Families, cultures, and countries have different traditions. But the important thing is that celebrated traditions help us become who we are and understand our family.

And it is so much fun to learn about other traditions, isn't it?

We Are All Alike . . . We Are All Different ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

We Are All Alike . . . We Are All Different
Written and illustrated by the Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergartners
Photographs by Laura Dwight
(Scholastic, Inc., 1991)

We Are All Alike . . . We Are All Different is a wonderful book that explores the sameness and differentness of all of us.

Written by kindergartners (!), this book allows each person to be both unique and the same. The artwork and simple text are perfect for readers. The added photographs include a wide variety of diverse individuals. You will be pleased to see many ethnic groups and family combinations in We Are All Alike . . . We Are All Different.

And it's okay.

KID KANDY:

Crayon Resist Painting

Many of the illustrations were made by painting over crayon drawings with watercolor paints.

1. Draw pictures of your family members with crayons.

2. Use watercolors to paint the figures and background.

3. Dry and display the paintings.

4. Discuss your family. How are you alike? How are you different?

Foster the ability of your child to allow others to be different and okay at the same time. We are all different! We are all alike!


Thanks for reading and sharing!

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The Beckoning Cat - Picture Book & KID KANDY

The Beckoning Cat, Based on a Japanese Folktale
By Koko Nishizuka
Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger
(Holiday House, 2009)

Have you seen a beckoning cat?

I have, in several shops and restaurants. I've always wondered what they were for. What is the symbolism and the story that goes along with these cats with waving paws?

The Beckoning Cat, Based on a Japanese Folktale, is the best place to go to find out about those cheerful looking cats.

Yohei was a young boy who goes to the port each morning to buy fish to sell. He was very poor, but worked hard to find buyers for the fish that rested in buckets on both ends of a pole placed across his shoulder.

One rainy evening, a muddy kitty showed up at his door. Yohei fed the stray with as much of his meager food as he could. The next day it was gone.

Yohei's father came down ill with a high fever. Yohei was forced to go home and care for his sick dad instead of selling the fish in his buckets. He wished he could do both, as they desperately needed the money to survive.

Mysteriously, people started knocking on Yoshei's door. They wanted to buy fish. Who told them where to go? It was the beckoning cat, sitting by the door, waving her paw to garner attention.

This adorable story continues on with the story of Yoshei, his father, and the cat, who helped Yoshei sell enough fish to buy strong medicine for his father.

Now the beckoning cat is seen as a good-luck symbol. Many merchants put them in their windows or at cash registers. Now do you recall seeing a beckoning cat?

KID KANDY:

Go on a Beckoning Cat Hunt

~ Search online to learn more about beckoning cats.

~ Visit a Japanese or Asian restaurant for lunch or dinner. Is there a beckoning cat?

~ If you find a shop or restaurant with a beckoning cat, ask the owners or servers to tell about the cat. Is their story like the one found in The Beckoning Cat, Based on a Japanese Folktale?

~ Make your own beckoning cat with construction paper, scissors, markers, and a brad. Cut out the cat, making it's arm separate. Attach the waving arm to the side of the cat with a brad so you can move it back and forth. What does your beckoning cat wave at?


Thanks for reading and sharing. Have a wonderful day!

L'ecole - French Picture Book + KID KANDY Activity

L'ecole
Text by Micheline Bertrand and Fernand Nathan
Illustrations by Dick Bruna
(Paris, 1964f)

I love France and all things French. I love old books. I love old picture books.

L'ecole fits all three loves. Though I cannot figure out who published the book, I know it came into being around 1964 and has Paris listed in the scant information on the inside cover.

L'ecole, as you may have guessed if you read French, is a picture book about school.

Yes. School. Small children, les enfants, march happily to school, for school is a pretty place. Les enfants do the normal kid things at school - sing, draw on the chalkboard, build with blocks, celebrate a birthday, and make pattern designs.

And then, they are fini. They go home until the next day.

L'ecole is tres adorable! (Say that with a French accent, s'il vous plait!)

KID KANDY:

Listen to a language ~ any language!

They say that children who learn more than one language do better is school. Early exposure is the very best way to keep those neural pathways and LAD (language acquisition device) intact and available to pick up the nuances and sounds of languages.

Let's do this!

~ Sing some Raffi or Charlotte Diamond. Both of them have songs in English and French. Numerous recording artists sing in two languages. Check it out.

~ YouTube. I know there are basic language videos just there for the listening. Caution: View them before sharing with your child, just in case.

~ Check out a language program from the library. Your choice - Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Italian . . .

~ Join a language group. In my area there is at least one French speaking group that meets on a monthly basis. I haven't gone yet, but I dream of it. If only to show my lack of true language skills and taste the cheese.

~ Books on CD (or tape). Libraries and bookstores have these available. Occasionally, Costco has a series you can purchase.

Bonne chance!

Angie Quantrell loves hearing and trying to speak French. She easily massacres the beautiful words, but that does not stop her from trying.

Yoko - Picture Book & KID KANDY

Yoko
Written & Illustrated By Rosemary Wells
(Scholastic Inc., 1998)

Cats as storybook characters? Works just fine for this feline fan.

Yoko is perfectly happy with her bamboo wrapped lunch box filled with tasty rice rolls and chopsticks. Until kids at school make fun of her food and say it is gross.

Thank goodness for Mrs. Jenkins, the teacher of this diverse group of children, er, characters (furry mammals). Suddenly, she must figure out how to encourage children from different cultural backgrounds to respect and enjoy each other. Welcome to International Food Day!

Yoko is a wonderful example of a fun picture book that shows the importance of getting along and respecting others regardless of how different they are. I love the illustrations and the solutions offered in this timely picture book.

KID KANDY:

Make International Food Day a weekly activity!

~ As a family, or a classroom, choose one day a week to celebrate International Food Day. You could also choose one day a month.

~ On that day, prepare one meal from an international menu - stir fry with rice, burritos, hummus on pita bread, or Greek salad.

~ Or go out for a meal or snack at a restaurant that serves international cuisine.

~ Proudly display the world globe or map. Put a sticky note on each country you visit (through eating food from that region of the world). See how fast you can cover the world!

~ Make it as simple or as elaborate as you like. You can dress in clothes from different countries, check out computer images from a specific area of the world, invite friends to join you, host a neighborhood international potluck, or decorate your table to resemble décor in other places.

~ Have fun! The world is your limit.


Angie Quantrell loves international days. She will taste almost anything (unless it is moving or has six legs). Angie loves picture books that teach but don't preach.

My First Chinese New Year - Picture Book & KID KANDY

My First Chinese New Year
by Karen Katz
(Scholastic Inc., 2004)

I missed Chinese New Year! But save this title for new year. It is filled with wonderful and colorful detailed illustrations.

My First Chinese New Year is an adorable picture book about Chinese New Year. A young girl chronicles her family and their preparation for the special day. Hair cuts, cooking, cleaning, planting, and time with family for a yummy meal are important traditions. Red envelopes containing money are special gifts from adults.

The perfect ending is the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown. Dragons, drums, and drama!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!)

KID KANDY:

Two fun things to do around Chinese New Year ~

1. Go to a Chinese New Year parade! Many big cities have parades for families to enjoy. If you do not live close enough to attend, search online for video clips of the festive parades. Though you will have to wait for next year's parade to see one in person, a virtual visit can be just as fun.

2. Go out for Chinese food for dinner. Enjoy the smells, flavors, and décor. Ask the server and restaurant owners what they did for Chinese New Year.


Angie Quantrell loves to learn about other cultures. International traditions and celebrations both fascinate and encourage her to want to learn and see more. What traditions does your family have?

Terrific Tuesday - I Can Do It! - Picture Book + KID KANDY

I Can Do It!
Written by Angie Quantrell
Illustrated by Cathy Lollar
(Woman's Missionary Union, 2003)

I Can Do It! is the partner book I wrote as I was writing I Can Give (featured last week on Terrific Tuesday). Both books turned out beautiful, but I seem to remember some mental chaos along the line.

I Can Do It! is a story about Meiying and her family. Meiying is Chinese American. Illustrations and language features reflect Chinese heritage and language. I love the Chinese characters running down the sides of the pages. They are amazing.

I Can Do It! is a story about the many things Meiying can do to learn about and do missions. Missions include things like helping, loving, sharing, telling about Jesus, and more. Meiying loves interacting with her family, church, and community. She shows how even preschoolers can be on mission with Jesus.

Missions activities, a note to parents, Bible thoughts for preschoolers, and suggested Bible readings for adults are included in I Can Do It!

I'm very proud of I Can Do It! and think it is a wonderful book for preschoolers. Cathy Lollar did a fabulous job illustrating I Can Do It! I hope you think so, too.

KID KANDY:

One activity Meiying helps with is collecting food for the hungry. Here are some ways to gather and give food with your child.

~ Go shopping together. Let your child choose several items to give.

~ Go shopping in your cupboard. Help pick out healthy food items to give.

~ Coupon together. Let your child be in charge of handing coupons to the cashier. Use the money you save to buy food or donate to a program that feeds the hungry.

~ If you participate in a specific program, make up a flyer and go door-to-door with your child to ask neighbors for help in feeding the hungry.

Be sure and say thank you!

Where can we give the food we collect?

~ Homeless shelter

~ Women and children's shelter

~ Church hunger ministry

~ Community collection site

~ School outreach programs (like weekend backpacks of food)

Angie Quantrell loves picture books with great illustrations, lots of color, and fun features like language phrases. She enjoys teaching boys and girls about missions.

I Can Do It! is available through Woman's Missionary Union:

Phone: 1-800-968-7301
Online: www.wmustore.com (Go to age levels, preschoolers, and then books)

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.

The Snowy Day - Winter Picture Books

The Snowy Day
By Ezra Jack Keats
(Scholastic Inc., 1962)

I don't have snow. I really, really want snow. But it just hasn't happened yet.

So let me give you a favorite book about snow.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a Caldecott Medal winner, so I know I am not alone in my love for this book.

Peter. Meet Peter, a young boy who wakes up to a brand new world covered with mountains of snow.

After breakfast, Peter puts on his adorable snowsuit and heads out to explore. Just as any child would do when confronted with fresh snow, he makes tracks, drags sticks, makes a snowman (who looks suspiciously like Peter), makes a snow angel, and watches big boys throw snowballs. Peter even makes his own snowball and puts it in his pocket to keep for later.

The story is perfect. The illustrations are simple yet speak volumes. The Snowy Day is a classic. And a must for any reader.

Kid Kandy:

~ If you have snow, go outside! Copy the things that Peter did in The Snowy Day.

~ Make a snowball. Where can you keep it so that it stays frozen? Experiment. Make three snowballs. Put them in different places. Which one stays frozen the longest? Which melts the quickest?

~ No snow? Get out the white tempera paint and a big piece of dark paper. Use fingers to make your own snow prints.

A Child Is Born - Christmas Picture Books

A Child Is Born
By Margaret Wise Brown
(Hyperion Books for Children, 2000)

I love sharing a variety of books with children, as we are a world filled with diversity and uniqueness.

I discovered A Child Is Born at the public library when I was searching for Christmas books for my classroom. It perfectly fits my interest in giving children a not-everyone-is-white worldview and let's-check-out-other-colors-of-skin.

And the Lord God made them all.

I secured my own copy of A Child Is Born so that I could use it at school, church, and home. The board book I have has compelling illustrations and simple text, perfect for any age. A Child Is Born simply retells the story of the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

It's a big, big world out there. Let's be (skin) color-blind.

Tip: Do you have a library card? Is there a bookstore near your home? Visit and see what wonderful books you can discover.

And remember, a book makes a great Christmas gift!