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.

Rude Cakes ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Funny book about manners

By Angie Quantrell @AngieQuantrell

Rude Cakes
By Rowboat Watkins
(Chronicle Books, 2015)

I cracked up when I read Rude Cakes.

Seriously, talking cakes? Yes. There are even cakes that have good manners and those who need lessons in being polite and friendly.

Youngsters will enjoy the antics of rude cakes as they read Rude Cakes. Readers may even learn about some of the social graces. The important question is: Do rude cakes ever change?

KID KANDY:

Rude Kid Role Play

Wouldn't it be fun to act like a rude cake?

Allow your child to pretend to be the opposite of a well-mannered child by acting rude through role play. Emphasize that it is fun to pretend, but for real situations, it is never kind to be rude.

If you want to keep it contained to the make-believe in Rude Cakes, take turns acting out the different characters as you read the book together. That makes role playing a win-win activity.


Question of the Day: What is the hardest 'good manners rule' for you to remember to do?

Maybe it is remembering to say please and thank you, covering your mouth when you cough, or picking your nose at the table (ewww!).

I'd love to hear about your most difficult rule.