Inclusion Meets Perfect Picture Book Friday

I waited on the bleachers, wedged between a competitive jock, an energetic cheerleader, and other eager students to play volleyball. The gym teacher called up two students to be team leaders.

“Take turns,” he said, “calling out the names of the classmates you want on your team.” Without saying these exact words, the basic translation goes something like this… Choose the most popular kids first, and work your way down through the least desirable ones. By the way, this statement isn’t open for debate; it’s a sad fact.

I watched as classmate after classmate dashed down bleachers to stand with their team leader. Soon, I had ample space around me. Space enough to stretch my legs and arms, flail them if I was in the mood, and not touch anyone because I was the only student left, and both teams had a matched number of players. Go ahead and dab at your eyes with the nearest tissue or your sleeve. I’ll wait.

At this point, everyone turned toward the bleachers. Their eyes bored into me as if I were a strange ingredient that would destroy their perfect recipe. Does anyone out there know what it’s like to hear, “We don’t want Leslie on our team!” or “Well, neither do we!” Anyone???

[Okay, straight off, I duck when a ball flies at my head. It’s instinctive. I don’t fight the impulse or make apologies for it. I know I do this, and everyone in my class knew this about me, too.]

The gym teacher, confident I wasn’t the make-it-or-break-it player to help either team win or lose, assigned me to one of the teams. I walked past the cheering group and over to the bunch that couldn’t contain their groans.

As you might have guessed, I ducked when the ball flew at me or sidestepped it every chance I got. In the last minute of the game, when both teams were tied, the opposing team went in for the kill. One of the big guys hefted the ball straight for my head, accompanied by a derogatory remark. I got mad, raised my hands together in a hard fist, and BAM! I scored the point that changed how everyone looked at me.

A bunch of my teammates started swearing in that good way that meant they couldn’t believe what just happened. The teacher shook his head in disbelief. “I didn’t think you had it in you,” he said, writing an A after my name in his grade book.

The takeaway from this story is that the small and meek can make a difference when given a chance (or when angered), which leads me to my second autumn-perfect picture book review of The Littlest Pumpkin.

Title – The Littlest Pumpkin

Written by  –  R.A. Herman

Illustrated by  – Betina Ogden

Published  – Scholastic – 2001

Suitable for ages – 4 to 8.

Topics – Dreams and inclusion

Opening – It was Halloween, and there were 18 pumpkins left at Bartlett’s Farm Stand. The pumpkins looked their very best, because they all wanted to be taken home and made into jolly jack-o’-lanterns.

The Littlest Pumpkin had the biggest dreams of all. She saw herself shining in the dark, with ghosts, monsters, witches, and fairies gathered around her singing a Halloween song. And today was the day when all her dreams were going to come true.

Amazon Review HERE – When Bartlett’s Farm Stand closes for the season, the Littlest Pumpkin, who longs to make someone happy for Halloween, is devastated to be the only pumpkin left, but when a group of mice come along, they make the Littlest Pumpkin the happiest pumpkin in the world!

Why do I like this book? How could I read this book and not connect with the Littlest Pumpkin? Her dreams were just as big and valid as the dreams of the other 17 pumpkins gathered together at Bartlett’s Farm Stand. And despite her wish to be chosen by a child that Halloween, she was passed over again and again until… The heart-hugging ending which I won’t give away. This story offers hope, and proof that dreams can come true.

Learn more about R.A. Herman HERE.

Learn more about Betina Ogden HERE.

I invite you to visit me next week for The Monday Poems.

Leslie

Making Room this Perfect Picture Book Friday

Back in college, I’d meet up with four of my friends on Friday’s for movie night. We’d take turns choosing both the movie and the mode of transportation to the theater. I didn’t have a car, so on my days, we caught the bus. Nine times out of ten, everyone knew I’d choose a rom-com. The world comes at us with enough reasons to be afraid; why add misery to that stew?

One Friday, it was Rick’s turn. Needing to make up for the mushy screen time he’d endured the previous Friday, he chose the testosterone-fueled, bloodbath movie, Scarface with Al Pacino. Big cast, few remaining survivors. I spent much of the movie pretending I’d lost something valuable in my popcorn. Meg Ryan would NEVER be in a movie like that!

But to give a reason for sharing this memory, Rick’s chosen transportation that day (for all FIVE of us) was his moped. We piled on each other’s laps like a stacked sandwich, and with all our weight, the poor moped strained forward at two miles per hour. Walking would have saved time. Somehow, we all managed to score a ride and turn a few heads on our way to the theater, which leads me to today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday Review of…

ROOM ON THE BROOM

Title – Room on the Broom

Written by  –  Julia Donaldson

Illustrated by  – Axel Scheffler

Published  – Puffin Books – 2001

Suitable for ages – 4 to 8.

Topics – Friendship and companionship

Opening – The witch had a cat and a hat that was black and long ginger hair in a braid down her back. How the cat purred and how the witch grinned, as they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind. But how the witch wailed and how the cat spat, when the wind blew so wildly, it blew off the hat.

Amazon Review – HERE. The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?

Why do I like this book? When I think about witch stories, I expect to read about old hags who, like the witch in Hansel and Gretel, got her jollies baking children into cookies to stand outside of her house of sweets. But the witch in Room on the Broom surprised me. She loves animals as much as I do, she makes room for them–no matter what, and she looks out for their best interests. Truly a sweetie! As it turns out, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the dynamic writing and illustrating duo of the beloved picture book The Gruffalo and many others. You’re sure to fall in love with both the rollicking, rhyming story and the playful illustrations the second you open this book.

Learn more about Julia Donaldson HERE.

Listen to a read aloud of Room on the Broom HERE.

Watch an wonderful, 25-minute movie of Room on the Broom HERE.

Learn more about Axel Scheffler HERE.

I invite you to visit me next week for The Monday Poems.

Leslie

Perfect Picture Book Friday Embraces Autumn with Sophie’s Squash.

Outside the market, the wood stands sag under the weight of plump pumpkins, colorful gourds, and squash. Each one ready to cart home, carve into a jack-o-lantern, turn into delicious pie, or hearty soup topped with toasted seeds. Autumn, as I’ve mentioned in past posts, is my favorite season. Starting in September, I fill a cookpot with cinnamon sticks, cloves, a dash of vanilla, and enough water to simmer for a good, long time. The sweet steam curls around the rooms, reminding me it’s time to bake my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and roast up a squash for supper. And speaking of roasting up a squash…

For today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday review, I’m sharing a beloved picture book, a book my daughter calls iconic, about a determined girl named Sophie, who adores the squash her parents purchase at the farmers’ market. In fact, Sophie loves the squash sooooo much, she paints a face on it, names it Bernice, and considers the squash her best friend. Which raises the question: How do you cook up someone’s best friend?

The answer: You don’t.

Title – Sophie’s Squash

Written by  –  Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated by  – Anne Wilsdorf

Published  – Schwartz & Wade Books – 2013

Suitable for ages – 3 to 7.

Topics – Friendship, attachment, companionship, loyalty.

Opening – One bright fall day, Sophie chose a squash at the farmer’ market. Her parents planned t serve it for supper, but Sophie had other ideas.

Amazon Review –  HERE. On a trip to the farmers’ market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents’ gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes…. What’s a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

Why do I like this book? Sophie’s Squash is more than a story about a girl who thinks of a squash as her best friend, Sophie names the squash Bernice and cares for it the same as a mother cares for her child. No matter what anyone says against her squash, Sophie defends and protects Bernice. And when her squash gets spotty and soft, Sophie stands by Bernice’s side, seeking help–the same as a parent would seek medical help for their child. For the love of squash, this is flat out one of the best picture books to share with a child (or enjoy all by yourself) this season.

And I have to sing out the praises for the creative talents of the illustrator, Anne Wilsdorf, who gave Sophie a bigger than life, child-pleasing appearance, showing clear emotions from cover to cover. Sophie’s impulsive ways and ginormous heart shine on every page!

Learn more about Pat Zietlow Miller HERE.

Listen to Sophie’s Squash read aloud by the author HERE.

Learn more about Anne Wilsdorf HERE.

I invite you to visit me next week for The Monday Poems.

Leslie

P.S. If you have a fond memory of the farmers’ Market, a family tradition for this time of year, or you just want to say hi, I hope you’ll scroll down to the comments.

Two Amazing Prizes + Two Poetry Books to Love This Perfect Picture Book Friday!

My love of writing poems goes clear back to my childhood when I made up little rhymes about my sleepy cat who napped in the darkness under my bed, a poky cactus in a dish on my windowsil, and a too-long car ride to visit relatives. Little thing that caught my attention became immortalized in a poem.

Years later, filled with the gained knowledge from several poetry courses, my love of writing poems continues daily. My shelves all but burst with the books of my favorite poets, including two poetry collections by Raven Howell which I’m happy to share with you today.

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And yes, today’s post comes with the chance for two lucky people to each win one of Raven’s poetry books. Just leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a chance. I’ll announce the winner next Friday when Raven will be visiting here for a fun interview!

Frozen

The pond is still frozen,
We scamper across.
We slip and slide
And skid ont the gloss.
Holding tightTo each other’s coat sleeves,
We peer thoug the ice
At the frozen brown leaves,
Silent and still
Some caught in mid-swim,
Stuck in freeze tab
‘Til the melt of sun’s whim.

Title – Glimmer – Sing of Sun!

Written by – Raven Howell

Illustrated by – Carina Povarchik

Published by – Clear Fork Publishing – 2019

Suitable for ages – 3-8

Theme – Poetry, nature, playtime

Glimmer – Sing of Sun! Amazon Review –  HERE Burst to bright adventures where vivid colors sprout, the sun paints the sky, and days are strawberry-scented. Creating a landscape of light, this picture poetry book transforms the ordinary in life to glimmering significance. Written and illustrated by collaborating team Raven Howell and Carina Povarchik, this collection is a joyful and imaginative companion book to Howell and Povarchik’s Shimmer, Songs of Night. 

Why do I like this book? In her book, Glimmer – Sing of Sun! Raven found inspirations for her poems in nature, one of my favorite escapes. She chose to write about such unexpected topics as a breath of sun and a pair of sky artists through her refreshing way of seeing and hearing the world. Raven even takes the reader on an outdoor quest over hills and logs, down to Ribbit Pond for a special discovery. You’ll find lots to love in this book of uplifting, inventive, and fresh poetry. And did I mention that the illustrations by Carina Povarchik add an explosion of color and happiness both kids and adults will ooh and ahh over?

The second of Raven’s books I’m sharing is Chuckles and Smiles in which the poems share the goal of giving children laughter and oodles of reasons to smile.

Squirrel

Bulb digger,
nest rigger,
seed stacker,
nut cracker,
tree stalker,
fence walker,
food stasher,
birdhouse crasher.
Dog chased–
making HASTE!

Title – Chuckles and Smiles

Written by – Raven Howell

Illustrated by – Jordan Wray

Published by – Warren Publishing – 2020

Suitable for ages – 3-8

Theme – Humorous poetry for children.

Chuckles and Smiles Amazon Review – HERE In this sweet collection of children’s poems, Raven Howell reveals all the little things in life that put smiles on children’s faces like playing with sock puppets, walking barefoot on warm grass, and dreaming of butterflies during a thunderstorm. Colorful illustrations by international illustrator, Jordan Wray, evoke the warmth and joy felt during childhood through their light and carefree style. Written with whimsy and fun, this book charmingly reminds child and parent alike that the power of laughter delivers happiness.

Why do I like this book? Raise your hand if you’re looking for a book that can deliver levity and laughter into a child’s life. Perfect! Because the second book of Raven’s, that I’m sharing, is appropriatly titled Chuckles and Smiles. with page after page of sweet, silly, giggle-worthy, kid-pleasing poems. Now, take those 26 poems and bring them together with the lively pieces of art created by Jordan Wray and you’ve got yourself a winner!

Learn more about Raven Howell HERE.

Learn about Carina Povarchik (illustrator for Glimmer – Sing of Sun!) HERE.

Learn about Jorday Wray (illustrator of Chuckles and Smiles) HERE.

And don’t forget that today’s post comes with the chance for two lucky people to each win one of Raven’s poetry books. Just leave a comment below to be entered into the drawing. Mark your calendar for the 18th, because Raven will be visiting here for both an interview and the announcement of the winners!

See you soon!

Leslie