A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose ~ Wacky Wednesday Picture Book & KID KANDY

A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose
By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Illustrated by Linzie Hunter
(Little, Brown and Company, 2010)

Oh, what an adorable book! A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose is the perfect marriage between words, story, humor, and illustrations. This Wacky Wednesday feature is fun for readers - even adult ones like myself.

Amelia wanted a dog. Not just any dog, but a small brown dog with a wet pink nose.

Her parents said no.

Amelia did not give up. She finally pretended that she had a small brown dog with a wet pink nose named Bones. Amelia taught her parents to live with a dog. Imaginary though he was, Bones and Amelia trained the parents. All went well until one day Amelia woke up and found that Bones was lost! Remember? Bones is imaginary.

As her parents had previously promised that they would help her look for Bones until he was found, they searched high and low. Bones was nowhere. The family finally ended up at the animal shelter.

Did Amelia find her dog? Yes. Her parents finally realized that they might not be ready for a dog, but Amelia was.

Dog lovers and every other type of reader will love this clever book. Funny, kid-true, and delightful, A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose is a must read. Don't forget to check out the inside book covers!

KID KANDY:

Draw Your Dream Dog

Do you have a dog? If you do, you can draw your dog. If you don't, imagine what kind of dog you would like.

Use crayons, pencils, and markers to draw your dog.

Think about:

- fur
- ears
- tail
- nose
- eyes
- size
- colors
- nose and whiskers

What does your dog like to do?

Look at the pictures in A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose to find ideas for dog treats, toys, and activities. Include those on your drawing.

Display your drawing. Take your dog (real or imaginary) for a fun walk.

Roof, roof!

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.

The First Night - Christmas Picture Books

The First Night
By B. G. Hennessy
(Puffin Books, 1993)

The First Night, a Christmas picture book about the Nativity, is filled with delicate and beautiful paintings. The simple language is perfect for retelling the story about the birth of baby - Baby Jesus. Young children will enjoy both the story and the illustrations.

For young children, The First Night gives a story in simple format. As parents, teachers, and caregivers read aloud, preschoolers will internalize concepts of print - reading front to back, front and back, text, illustrations, and story features.

Merry Christmas!

Kid Kandy:

Look at the illustrations. Dig out a black permanent marker or felt tip pen. Let your child draw a picture on heavy paper. Use watercolor pencils, water, and brushes to color in and paint the picture. Discuss the different techniques used by illustrators and artists. Maybe your child will grow up to become an artist or illustrator. How awesome would that be?

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Christmas Picture Books You Can Sing

The Twelve Days of Christmas
Illustrated by Jan Brett
(G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1986)

Move over Youtube. It's time to sing some books. You know, those paper things with words and pictures?

Welcome to a favorite version of a much loved Christmas carol. The Twelve Days of Christmas, illustrated by Jan Brett, offers delight for the mouth and the eyes.

I may have mentioned previously on this blog how much I enjoy books that can be read - with words and by illustrations - and books that can be enjoyed through song. Kids love that stuff!

Jan Brett is one of my favorite illustrators (just ask my students). Not only does she do an excellent job telling stories with her drawings, she adds so much detail that one is always finding something new. Her love of complete illustrations is obvious, as is her love of the Christmas and winter season. Animals and fantasy characters are evident in most of the books she has illustrated.

But her borders! I adore the way she gives story hints and adds complexity to the storytelling process by what she includes in her decorative borders included on most pages.

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a beautiful example of her signature artwork.

Sing, read, and look at The Twelve Days of Christmas. And while you are at it, check out Jan Brett as an author. She has quite the list of excellent books.

Extension Activity:

Do your own 12 days of Christmas. Count back from December 25 (that should be the 12th). On each day, make an ornament that matches the verse in the song (and book). Or add store bought ornaments that match. For example, add or make a partridge (or any bird) and a pear for day 1. Continue daily through the song. You will have a beautiful tree.

Have fun singing the song!

Tosca's Christmas - Christmas Picture Books I Love

Tosca's Christmas
By Matthew Sturgis
Illustrations by Anne Mortimer
(Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Books, 1989)

What attracted me to this Christmas picture book ages ago when my children were young was the illustrations. That seems to be a theme for me. I adore great illustrations. What caught me next was the story about naughty Tosca, the beautiful fluffy feline who desperately tries to join Christmas festivities.

Only to be tossed outside on a cold winter's night. And who should she meet on the roof, but a jolly old soul wearing a red suit!

Matthew Sturgis creates a wonderfully explorative character in Tosca. I see my kitties in this book as I read, for they adore Christmas and at times cause just as much trouble.

Anne Mortimer has illustrated this book in such a way that it appears that we can reach out to touch and cuddle furry little Tosca.

Tosca's Christmas is a beautiful story about a cat at Christmas. Not only does it have a great story and gorgeous illustrations, this book has sentimental associations to the childhood of my children. I can still hear their little voices requesting the tale of Tosca - just one more time. Please!

Memories of a very special season. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

Reading Tip:
Curl up with a favorite stuffed animal and cozy pajamas to have the best of times when reading books with your child.

The Dragon and the Turtle

The Dragon and the Turtle and The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark (sorry, I would give publisher and date, but the books are at school!).



I love books! I recently received (autographed!!!) both The Dragon and the Turtle and The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari.

After chatting with Mrs. Paul (yes, she has a Monday night chat group that chats about writing and plots and characters and food and stuff), she helped me get copies of the books for my classroom of wild and rowdy boys. Who love adventure. And dragons. And safari's (sleep overs). Thank you, Mrs. Paul and Evangeline!

The books were a hit. Being a group of all boys, they especially liked the crunchy bug bits and the sleeping out in the tent. They were very attentive to the illustrations and problem solving in both books. The friendship theme is especially helpful when working with young children (even older children) who are just learning what it means to be a friend.

So jump on board the wonderful fantasy world(s) of Donita K. Paul and her daughter, Evangeline Denmark. Roger (turtle) and Padraig (dragon) will entertain you and the young ones in your life.

www.donitakpaul.com


(I told them to hide their faces but look at the books!)



(Yet another weird blog thing. This photo IS correct on the computer and camera, but sideways in this blog...they are excitedly discussing the illustrations and story I have just read.)

Ah, the Sweet Aroma of Books

I love books! I never feel quite secure unless I have a book or two stashed with me at all times. There are never fewer than ten books stacked on and under my night stand table. Usually, bookmarks hold spots in three or so mid-way complete book readings. Books. I have to have them.

Recently, a teacher I know remarked, "Some people are just wired for text. Look at that poster. Either you see all the words and read it immediately. Or you don't notice the words and just see the photographs."

At that second, I realized that I was text-oriented. Totally text-oriented. I knew that prior to this discussion, but I hadn't thought of it that way before. I have a constant battle in my mind, editing what I am reading or writing, wondering if it's worth it to send the typo information in to publishers...Or what other excellent vocabulary can be used when I am thinking of what to put on paper. Print, fonts, hand-written, professionally type set, scribbled, doodled,... All of it is attached to my field of vision and thinking. Yes, I love photographs and illustrations and embrace beautiful art. But if there is ANY text nearby, I will read that first. Then enjoy the rest.

Any way I look at it, books are me. Books and magazines are an extension of my personality. My loves and excitement. My hobbies, free time, addictions, obligations, pleasures...

Where is my book? I feel like reading something great.