Happy Groundhog Day Phyllis!

Let’s see what our good friend Phyllis from Susanna Hill’s charming book Punxsutawney Phyllis is up to for Groundhog Day 2013!

Phyllis was a tad grouchy when emerging from her den, lured by Pig Newtons and cream-phylled cookies. When we informed her that tomorrow was SuperBowl Sunday, she got all excited to cheer for her favorite team, the New England Patriots!

(I think Phyllis has a little crush on QB Tom Brady)

                                 She seized the TV remote and refused to come outside to check on  the status of her shadow.

                                                                                                                                                              Even her friend red squirrel couldn’t persuade her to come out and play!

                                                                                    We were worried how Phyllis would take it when we told her the Pats were not in the big game this year.  She promptly buried her head in the peanut bowl, refusing to listen.

After nibbling a few nuts, Phyllis regained her composure and headed out to check the all important winter forecast conditions.

North of Boston:  Sunny and 26 degrees with a gentle west-northwest breeze!  Optimal shadow conditions.

In short, six more weeks of winter, folks.

Have a lovely, extended nap Phyllis. We will see you soon! Check on groundhog conditions throughout the northern hemisphere at Susanna’s blog.

Perfect Picture Book Friday – Just Because

Just Because
Author/illustrator Rebecca Elliott
Lion Hudson, 2010
Suitable for ages 4- 7

Themes: Sibling bond, disabilities

Opening: “My big sister Clemmie is my best friend. She can’t walk, talk, move around much, cook macaroni, pilot a plane, juggle or do algebra. I don’t know why she doesn’t do these things. Just because.”

Why I like this book:  Elliott tells us all the things that a young boy appreciates about his older sister Clemmie.  Funny, thoughtful and heartfelt, his voice is sincere and authentic in celebrating the positive aspects of their relationship. Not all brothers are so lucky, he tells us: “Some sisters can be mean. They scream and shout, pull your hair, steal your chips and won’t play cowboys with you.” But not Clemmie.  The rhythmic, clever text and masterful illustrations reveal that Clemmie’s disability does not constrain their imaginative play or fun.

Elliott based Just Because on her son Toby and daughter Clementine, who has severe cerebral palsy. It is a gentle, touching book about being loved for who you are, as you are,  while promoting the positive aspects of people with special needs.  It subtly encourages children to understand and adopt positive attitudes towards siblings as well as people with disabilities.  She’s garnered heaps of well deserved awards and accolades which you can find on her website.

Activities:  Cooperative games emphasizing fun challenges and equal participation encourage young children to build friendships with one another, regardless of ability.  The Learning for Life site offers a PDF with ideas for new and old favorite games like ‘Sardines’ and ‘Going to the Moon’ in which everyone has fun and wins.

I recommend you read this sweet book, as the refrain repeated throughout the story says, “Just because.”

Perfect Picture Book Fridays are the creation of the children’s book author Susanna Leonard Hill. Susanna maintains a complete list (alphabetically and by theme) of all reviews with new books being added every Friday. It’s a wonderful resource if you’re looking for book activities or books with a particular theme.

Perfect Picture Book Friday – A Sailor’s Life for Me!

A Sailor’s Life for Me!
Text by Richard Platt
Illustrated by Stephen Biesty
USS Constitution Museum, 2012
Suitable for: Ages 7-12

Themes/Topics: Nautical history, shipboard life, USS Constitution, War of 1812

Opening/Synopsis:  An enjoyable and informative journey into US history, A Sailor’s Life for Me introduces life aboard a naval ship - the USS Constitution - during the war of 1812.  Known affectionately as “Old Ironsides” the USS Constitution earned deep respect of Americans for her victories against the largest navy in the world.

The book is divided into sections such as  “Meet Your Shipmates” which describes different jobs on the ship and the men needed to do them. “All Hands on Deck” gives an overview of ship activities through the day from tying knots to cooking a meal.  Hungry for dandyfunk anyone?  Grab a ship biscuit, lard and molasses and meet me by the camboose!

Activities: An incredible array of hands-on activities are featured in the book with clear instructions and helpful diagrams.  Our favorites were making a mock sextant, tying knots like the clove hitch and sheet bend, and folding paper boats.

Accompanying the book is an impressive multimedia website through which you can live the life of a virtual shipmate as you scrub the deck, haul on lines, steer the ship, and tell tall tales. Earn points to be promoted (or demoted) from the rank of ‘boy’ to becoming the captain!  There are puzzles and printouts galore to supplement the online activities.

Coming to Boston?  Plan a visit to the USS Constitution Museum and you can tour the actual ship!  First launched in 1797, Old Ironsides is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.  There are many special events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

Why I Like This Book:  No young reader could resist history when presented in such tasty tidbits!  Presented in a simplified graphic novel-style, the illustrations are detailed but not overwhelming.  There is a nice blend of fact and fiction through a mix of authentic historical documents, clips from the interactive website and speech bubbles from ship characters.  This is a great picture book for slightly older readers with challenging vocabulary and some mature themes.

For more fantastic picture books and resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.

Seeking Scarlett

Illo. courtesy Vesper Stamper

Kathy Temean’s wonderful blog, Writing and Illustrating, features first page prompts critiqued by an amazing array of industry professionals.  Last month I submitted “Seeking Scarlett” which was among three pieces reviewed by Kate Sullivan, editor for Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

I did a bit of background research on Ms. Sullivan, who focuses on commercial and literary middle grade and young adult fiction, before drafting a prose piece geared toward a middle grader reader. Stepping outside my usual picture book comfort zone, I went a bit wild with the adjectives and adverbs, thinking I had more room for description and scene-setting.

Having an expert editorial eye peruse my submission is incredibly helpful! Here’s a snippet from Ms. Sullivan’s critique:

Intriguing first page. Trust your voice. That first paragraph seems obviously put in because you were nervous about not having action! Also be wary of too many adjectives and telling too much information on the first page. We don’t need info or background, we need intrigue. You’ve got it here, and there are moments of real clarity of voice. Stay true to that.

To read the full review and other submissions, please click here.

As always, my thanks to Kathy.  I’m so glad I could begin my 2013 blog posts on a bright note, and give credit to Kathy for all her work helping so many writers and illustrators.  I am also grateful to Vesper Stamper for her intriguing picture prompt.  Vesper’s work was also featured on Kathy’s blog in August 2011.  Finally, my thanks to Ms. Sullivan for honest, helpful feedback and the ever important encouragement to stay true to one’s voice.

Happy 2013 readers!

December at Last: Riding the Polar Express

The Polar Express, North Conway NH

The Thanksgiving turkey had not yet cooled before my daughter suggested decorating our Christmas tree. She dove  into the ornament box with glee and did a splendid job on old Tannenbaum. Her joyful anticipation of the holiday inspired a poem that I submitted to a local family magazine, baystateparent, as they were requesting ideas about how to make the holidays seem magical.

December at Last

When can we bake cookies? Take a photo for our card?
Can we wrap some presents now and decorate the yard?

Let’s drive slowly through our town and “OOH!” at all the lights.
 And hang an Advent calendar to count down all the nights.

We’ll sing along with favorite songs from holiday CD’s,
Plan a snowball fight, and smell the fresh-cut balsam trees.

With ooey gooey frosting, build a house of gingerbread.
Pull out mittens, hats and scarves and pile onto the sled.

We’ll choose some perfect presents to drop off at Toys for Tots,
And write to Santa, telling him our secret dreams and thoughts.

Me make the season special?  I don’t wish to be contrary.
The kids’ enthusiasm always makes our season merry!

When my poem was selected for publication, the nice folks at Purity Spring Resort offered my family a Polar Express weekend vacation in North Conway, NH.  Even more wonderful, proceeds from the Polar Express benefit the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation which brings the joy of reading to northern New Hampshire and western Maine.

On behalf of all the Mealeys, thank you to baystateparent, Purity Spring, and the Polar Express for our fun weekend. We made Christmas memories that will last a lifetime, and were happy to support a worthy literacy program!

Spicy, Salty, Sweet and Saucy

Mary Chung’s Dun Dun Noodles via The Fresh Dish

Come on over to Jama Rattigan’s Friday Feast at Alphabet Soup! She’s celebrating all things peanut-buttery for the month of November, and you’ll find my ode to Mary Chung’s incomparable Dun Dun Noodles.

Are you in the mood for something sweet instead?  While I do confess to my love of peanut butter paired with Nutella, you’ll also find tasty treats from 5  more poets including Linda Baie, Betsy Hubbard, Mary Lee Hahn, Renee LaTulippe and J. Patrick Lewis.

Perfect Picture Book Friday – A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk

A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk
Written by Deborah Ruddell,
Illustrated by Joan Rankin
Simon & Schuster, McElderry Books, 2009
Suitable for: Ages 4-8

Themes/Topics: Nature, Seasons, Animals, Poetry

Opening/Synopsis:  From the book jacket- Take a lighthearted romp through four seasons in the forest with these whimsical poems. Marvel at the overachieving beaver, applaud the race-winning snail and its perfect trail of slime, or head off to be pampered at a squirrel spa.

Hand turkey, courtesy Grace Mealey

A WILD TURKEY COMMENTS ON HIS PORTRAIT

I find it most insulting
that you traced around your hand
and colored all my feathers
either plain old brown or tan.

Where’s the copper? Where’s the gold
that a turkey should expect?
Where on earth is raw sienna,
and where is the respect?

Finally, I’m baffled
that you’ve made me look so dumb.
My head is quite distinguished
and it’s nothing like your thumb.

Used by permission of the author. Deborah Ruddell, 2009.

Activities: Deborah Ruddell offers a plethora of classroom activities at her website, including this classroom guide.  Take a sensory-filled walk through the woods to see, smell, and listen to the wonder around you.  I’d be remiss not to suggest tracing your hand and coloring a turkey in vibrant colors including copper, gold and raw sienna!

Why I Like This Book:  Delightful tongue-tickling, toe-tapping poems featuring forest critters of all sorts and amusing, spot-on illustrations have made this book a consistent family favorite.  We  quote its oh-so-memorable descriptive lines when we spot a critter in the woods, and our  Thanksgiving tradition is to read aloud the hysterically funny A WILD TURKEY COMMENTS ON HIS PORTRAIT.

For more fantastic picture books and resources please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.  My thanks to Deborah for granting  permission to share my favorite poem from this book.  Happy Thanksgiving!