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Ten Thank-You Letters

By Daniel Kirk

There are so many approaches to this picture book, I honestly don’t know where to start reviewing them.

First, I thought I’d take the friendship angle of the yin and yang. Hey, it IS the beginning of the Chinese year of the goat. Friends are often not mirror images of one another. But often they do complement each other. After all, we are all not alike in personality and tastes; that’s why we have chocolate and vanilla ice cream!

And, in the case of Rabbit and Pig, I was reminded of the divergent friendship of Wally Cleaver, in TV’s “Leave It To Beaver” and his pal, Eddie Haskell. Does your child have a friend that they fully embrace and you, as a parent, scratch you head and wonder why? Wally’s parents did. But they sagely figured there was something about their super kind and considerate son Wally, that he needed in the “all about me” Eddie.

Here, Pig is bent on writing a series of thank-you notes, only to be constantly interrupted by Rabbit for paper, stamps and who knows what all.

Pig is nothing if not task-based and very methodical in his pursuit of same. Rabbit is, well, shall we say, more of a spontaneous spur of the moment type. Rabbit is constantly prompted by the ideas of Pig, and he too sets his own into motion. There’s one glitch. Rabbit lacks the physical things to put make them happen! Enter his friend Pig. He is only too obliging, kind and willing to provide the needed apparatus of pencil, paper, stamps, and envelopes for Rabbit’s just thought of thank-you notes.

As Rabbit thinks of MORE people to write letters to, Pig’s letter to his grandma is constantly put on hold amid a flurry of interrupts.

Here’s another take on this picture book that is a great angle to bring up for kids. And that is the writing of a thank-you note. Does anyone even do this any more?

I remember at Christmas; first, came the thank-you notes to aunts and uncles that sent us presents, and then, and only then, were we allowed to play with said toys.

Let’s face it, some kids are natural procrastinators. “Later, mom.” or “I promise I’ll do it later.” And sometimes later never arrives. “Ten Thank-You Notes” is a fine vehicle for reminding young readers there are so many people in their lives deserving of thanks. It’s not only provides a fine read, but a teachable moment. Everyone, from Madame President to the crossing guard is worthy, in Rabbit’s book, and on paper, of a thank-you note!

I fully realize Pig and Rabbit are very young, and therefore they have only learned to print letters in their notes. And that is so wonderful in and of itself. They are so neatly written and very well expressed. But, I can’t let this picture book go by without another plug for the teaching of handwriting.

Finally, what if Pig’s grandma writes a reply to Pig in her own handwriting? Might he be unable to read it? Just some food for thought, parents, as the teaching of cursive sinks from view in some schools.

We have letters that family members wrote by hand on the day of our daughters’ christenings. They were put aside until the girls were old enough to read them. The letters were filled with the feelings of family members on that day. They are rare and revert to a time filled with members of our family that are no longer with us. Please don’t deny your young reader the ability to actually read letters like these.

In the meantime, have your young ones read along with Pig and Rabbit as they both model behaviors and a friendship that not only allows for differences, but would make both Martha Stewart and Emily Post proud!

So today I am featuring a local - sort of - Children's Book Festival - the Lititz Kid Lit Festival.

 

Just stay home. Please.

Find something else to do.

Each year I do this event, which features more than 60 amazing children’s book authors and illustrators, and it’s always such a disappointment. For starters, check out some of the people who’ll be there, and you’ll understand why I’m so bummed:

Tony Abbott, Nora Raleigh Baskin, Nick Bruel, Bryan Collier, Katie Davis, Bruce Degen, Jean Craighead George, Charise Mericle Harper, Susan Jeffers, Peter Lerangis, Gail Carson Levine, Carolyn MacCullough, Rafe Martin, Wendy Mass, Matthew McElligott, Helen Perelman, Wendell Minor, Gloria Pinkney, Lizzy Rockwell, Todd Strasser, Mark Teague, Jean Van Leeuwen, Eric Velasquez, Sarah Weeks, Ed Young, and more.

Why so down-in-the-dumps you ask? Because I never get to talk to any of them. I never get a chance to meet the new (to me!) people, like Will Moses (Mary and Her Little Lamb), Lena Roy (Edges), Daniel Kirk (Library Mouse), Peter Brown (You Will Be My Friend!) . . .

. . . and Jerry Davis (Little Chicken’s Big Day). Who are these people? Might they become my new best pals? Um, not likely! Because they are sitting at tables forty feet away, surrounded by happy children, shopping grandparents, and strong-armed educators, hauling bags of books like Sherpa guides.

Best I can do is throw rocks at ‘em.

And, oh, hey, look over there, it’s Jean Craighead George. She’s only a freakin’ legend. I can’t throw rocks at Jean Craighead George. She’ll throw them back — and her arm is a bazooka.

Oh,  wait.  Here’s old friends like Mark Teague and Helen Perelman and Peter Lerangis. Can I talk to any of them? Can we hang out? Maybe shoot the breeze? Commiserate?

Nooooooo. I’m too busy signing books, meeting young readers, gabbing with families, prostrating myself before the cheerful & smiling hordes.

Writing is a solitary business, folks. And it’s frustrating for me to sit there at gorgeous Sunnyside . . .

. . . just feet away from my peerless peers, and never have a free minute to chat with them.

So my dream is for just one year, nobody comes. No book sales, no signings, no musicians, no storytellers, no-bah-dee. Just us authors, finally (finally!) enjoying a few moments when we can hang out and complain about the crappy jobs our publishers do with publicity and marketing. It’s how we bond. We bitch and moan about Kindles.

So this coming Sunday, clean the garage, watch football, wax the car. But if you insist on coming . . . click

Link for the book @ original publisher:
http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/Library_Mouse-9780810993464.html

Abrams Books For Young Readers link:
http://www.abramsbooks.com/abramsyoungreaders.html

Abrams Books link:
http://www.abramsbooks.com/abrams.html


My copy of this book is from Scholastic, bought at a book fair at my granddaughters school.
www.scholastic.com

This book was purchased by me for the purpose of reading/reviewing....and treasuring.

For ages 4-8, 32 pages, published 2007

You've probably noticed how many children's book characters are either mice or rats. I find that interesting, can someone explain this?

The cover of Library Mouse shows a mouse with drawstring pants holding a Popsicle stick sword surrounded by books. Comical that the mouse is standing on a cat book with 1 large eye underneath his feet. All the illustrations are colorful, vibrant, bold. They are pictures that pop out at you.
Sam is the literary mouses name and he feels blessed to live in a library. Sam decided that he will write books, and during the night he places these newly written books upon the shelves in the library. Soon he is a famous writer and his readers want to know who he is? What will Sam do?

This book brought tears to my eyes it is such a special book! The book is endearing, approachable, memorable; the book holds a precious key for children, a key that will take them through a door of opportunity and magic.


More books by this author on Sam the mouse:
Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale and Library Mouse: A World To Explore
Blissful Reading!
Annette

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story

Good Enough

This is NOT to say writing a picture book is easy. On the contrary, it's EXTREMELY difficult and challenging to write a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end, an original plotline, and a unique character with a compelling voice for the picture book genre. Every word has to count. Every image and every action has to speak volumes in terms of theme and deeper meaning... while still being kid friendly, fun, and appropriate for the tone of the book (be it a quiet literary picture book or a hilarious, laugh out of loud funny picture book).

When I first heard about this project a year ago, I had strong reservations. But author Daniel Kirk ( 2 Comments on Nat'l Picture Book Writing Week, last added: 5/2/2010

Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy (illustrations by Poly Dunbar) is one of those must read-aloud books that are going to have your story-timers rolling on the floor laughing...at YOU! One big long rhyming tongue twister, readers learn how Mabel's bubble gets away from her, with her baby brother inside. Mabel, her mother, and the rest of the town must figure out a way to safely get him down, which results in some pretty hilarious stunts!

With verses like:
"Abel quietly aimed the pebble past the steeple of the chapel, at the baby in the bubble wibble-wobbling way up there. And the pebble burst the bubble! So the future seemed to fizzle for the baby boy, who grizzeled as he tumbled through the air"

can you not imagine how hard this would be to read out loud? Which is exactly what makes it so much fun! After reading the first two or three pages, you get into the rhythm of how the stanzas should be read (there's a definite flow) and if you read it fast enough, your kiddos are going to love it!

It will take some practice for sure, to make sure you don't stumble, but I could just picture all of the story time attendees giggling at Miss Amanda stumbling over the tongue twisters. SO MUCH FUN!

Bubble Trouble
Margaret Mahy
32 pages
Picture Book
Clarion Books
9780547074214
April 2009

Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet! is written and illustrated by Joe Berger and definitely fills the role of "silly" read. All Bridget really wants is a real, live pet...well, she really wants a unicorn, but a penguin would do. Or even a mouse. And when a huge box arrives at her door, Bridget just knows that it holds the perfect pet for her. Unfortunately, what she finds in the box is a bit disappointing at first, but quickly turns to wondrous!

Very cute and adorably illustrated, Bridget Fidget is one of those characters you can't help but love. Slightly reminiscent of Clementine, the reader can just tell she is a huge handful...but so sweet and lighthearted. A very enjoyable read!

Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet
Joe Berger
32 pages
Picture Book
Dial
978003734050
June 2009

Now who didn't just LOVE Library Mouse? Well our lovable friend Sam is back in Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale, pencil in hand! Author/illustrator Daniel Kirk has once again proven that mice can be author's too...and have friends!

Sam gets a writing pal in this follow-up to the popular Library Mouse, in a boy named Tom. Tom is left without a partner in his class's book-writing assignment and quickly becomes formerly-anonymous Sam's partner, completely by accident! The pair write and illustrate together, though Sam is still very shy and does not want his identity revealed. Tom knows a great friend when he sees one and keeps Sam's secret, leaving room for ANOTHER Library Mouse book on the horizon!

Adorable is the key word for this book! I love Kirk's illustrations, he really makes the pages come alive, and the story is wonderful as always. I loved seeing some of my favorite book titles drawn into the pages too...that was cool!

Another great library pick!

Library Mouse: A Friend's Tale
Daniel Kirk
32 pages
Picture Book
Abrams
9780810989276
March 2009

My final pick for this week is another funny one...Paula Bunyan written by Phyliss Root and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley.

Now, we've all heard the story of the huge Paul Bunyan, but never before has the story of his sister been told! Paula is "tall as a pine tree, as strong as a dozen moose, and could run so fast that she once ran all the way back to yesterday." And she LOVED to sing. Badly.

When Paula decides to head to the North Woods she finds adventure, new friends in bears, moose, and wolves, and plenty of room to sing her heart out. Unfortunately, she also runs into loggers cutting down her precious woods and is determined to devise a plan to get them out of there and leave her friends and trees alone! A bunch of giant north-country mosquitoes should do the trick!

A fun spin on a classic tale, Paula Bunyan was a blast to read! And the illustrations were very "antique-ish," which really set the mood for some good old fashioned story telling!

Paula Bunyan
Phyllis Root
32 pages
Picture Book
Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux
9780374357597
March 2009

To learn more about any of these titles, or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon.

Thanks for spending Picture Book Saturday with me!