​Watkins mixed media illustrations featuring cut paper, cardboard, and other materials along with line drawings are irresistible. Of special note: tiny dinner plates filled with assorted decorative candies and adorable backpacks strapped on the backs of student marshmallows.

​Disclaimer:
Several marshmallows were mutilated during this activity. Sadly, many of the marshmallows are no more. They were consumed. They were delicious!

He has found unlimited books and a caring person who will share books with him. He is hooked. He brings books from home, borrows books from the library, and with the patient tutelage of the librarian, Hog learns to read. Readers will find several PIzzoli books make cameo appearances: Owl, Number One Sam, Templeton, The Watermelon Seed. The bedtime stack of book spines reveal an extensive reading assortment. Everything from classics such as Harry Potter and Charlotte's Web to the graphic novel El Deafo and picture book Du Iz Tak?  Readers may choose to create their own visual stack of favorite books.

The Book Hog is a celebration of books, stories, reading, learning to read, libraries, librarians, storytime, and Summer Reading. Let the good times begin.  Note: Contrary to Hog, it is best not to read while operating a moving vehicle.

Can't stop with just one book by Greg Pizzoli? Try these classic picture books.  Also be sure to check out his illustrations for the My Little Cities board book series by Jennifer Adams. The San Francisco book is featured in the Spring 2019 Reading Style Guide.

It's that time of year. Time to think about a costume. You can drag out that tired old black cape and plastic vampire fangs... again. Or you can try for something different. Looking for fresh costume ideas? Books for youth can be a source of inspiration. Check out these creative costumes and the books that inspired them.

There are many clever homemade ideas here.  Don't miss the pink Darth Vader. Pair it with the new picture book Are You Scared Darth Vader for a eye-popping ensemble. Dog Man and Frida Kahlo costumes are easy to put together.  The plain blue dress with stars and a planet headpiece for Miss Frizzle is perfect for the DYI designer who wants a more detailed outfit. 

With a little bit of imagination, costumes can also celebrate the joy of reading.

For those who have a loyal loving canine companion. For those who remember a dog who brought joy and contentment during a difficult time. For those who long for a dog but are unable to have a special pet of one’s own. For the vast community of dog lovers.
Two books to remind you of just why you love your dog.

In the course of her travels, her beloved teddy bear gets left behind. It's up to the dog to rescue the soft-sided little plaything and return it to its rightful owner. Sweet story, right? But here's the interesting twist. The entire tale is told with only two words per page. The text consists of the word dog, preceded by an adjective. Initial pages set the scene. "Stray dog.” “Lost dog." "Lonely dog." Progressively, the dog becomes "Hopeful dog.” and "Smart dog." Eventually the canine earns the title "Rescue dog. “and the ultimate appellation "Good dog."

Cori Doerrfeld's full-page illustrations enhance the story, offering heart-warming visual insights. For example: I love the "Thoughtful dog." who constructions a shelter from a discarded pizza box to protect the tiny stuffed bear.

The brilliance of this book is in the clever use of adjectives to describe the dog while simultaneously advancing the storyline. Winsome illustrations bring warmth and tenderness to every page. Good Dog is brimming with puppy love.

The book is divided into six sections: I Meet My Dog, Getting to Know My Dog, I Train My Dog, Going Out With My Dog, My Dog Plays, and I Love My Dog. Within each section, readers meet a variety of dogs and their owners. While the children, canines, personalities, and circumstances vary, the bond between animal and child shines through in every image. Isadora gives each dog a distinct personality.  The facial expressions of both pet and owners are priceless. 

My Dog Laughs captures the close and personal relationship between dog and owner. At the same time, Isadora conveys the universal experience of sharing one's life with a dog. Dog lovers know this. That's the heart of this book.

Consider opportunities to assist animal shelters by organizing a pet supplies drive. Contact local organizations including food banks and animal shelters such as Humane Society centers for basic donation information. Teens pictured here collected used clean blankets and towels. They donated them to a local shelter.

This would make an engaging activity for middle grade students. After reading Monster School, students could select verses to share with younger students. Construct puppets to match the characters in the poem. Then design a creepy-looking school backdrop and prepare for a spook-tacular performance. Tweens sharing poetry with younger students doubles the book’s potential audience.

Went a bit overboard on the freckles. The text specifically mentions twelve freckles on the face. I think the marker took possession of my hand and I couldn't stop. Googly eyes provide the finishing touch to the faces. Wooden skewer sticks were glued to the back of each figure. For safety, cut or sand off the pointed end of the stick before using. These puppets are fun to make and easy to manipulate

​Consider these suggestions: “Steve the Loser" would be a terrific showstopper, with body parts falling off. Maybe secure the appendages with tiny Velcro dots for easy removal. “Fernanda Kabul” poem would be another fun puppet performance. As Fernanda casts her spells, substitute the student character puppet for a puppet resembling the hexed character. 
So many possibilities. So much fun!

Take note. There will be a CRAFT-MERGENCY; plenty of drama from Anya; a healthy snack "another way of saying it's good for you and tastes bad" which, by the way,  is enjoyed by everyone;  and an important lesson learned about friendship. ​
Back pages include directions for making each of the six monster crafts described in the text. With great characters, clever dialog, and simple craft projects, Charise Mericle Harper has a created a graphic novel series for young craft and comic enthusiasts.

Several years ago I worked at a school in Manhattan's Lower East Side. I loved that neighborhood, filled with mamas and papas walking their little ones to school. I loved the rich diversity of cultures. I loved the strong family ethic. This is a community of people who live and work together. I loved the feeling of neighborhood and connection that I experienced whenever I stepped off the F Train at Delancey and Essex Streets.
​
My memories of that place awakened in me a sense of nostalgia as I savored McGhee's simple text and Lamaître muted color palette. It's a story filled with warmth and compassion. Each page provides plenty of white space, allowing time to appreciate the softly rendered drawings. While my time in the Lower East Side enriched my appreciation for the story, this picture book also rekindled memories of my time with that community. I compared photos of New York City life with Lamaître's illustrations. Each representation, regardless of the medium, portrays a strong sense of home, community, and interconnection.

Now I live on the coast in South Texas, an environment that is both different and the same when compared to the neighborhoods I knew in Manhattan.  The temperatures and coastal waters are much warmer. There are many more open and undeveloped land areas as well as some very distinctive types of vegetation. But in both New York and South Texas I can experience everyday encounters with kindness and courage.

Discover life in the city with these books.

Rock Craft

Want more picture books featuring rocks? Try out one of these delightful tales.