Neither

Perspective, Picture Books, ,

Once upon a time there were two kinds – rabbits and birds. 

One day a new kind hatched – both rabbit and bird.

But the rabbits and birds decide that he is neither a rabbit or a bird. Neither flies away to the Land of All where no one is the same.

A rabbit and a bird show up in the Land of All. Will they be accepted?

This story promotes creative components of perspective, individuality, and parts to whole.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because it celebrates diversity in a kid-friendly manner.

TITLE: Neither

AUTHOR: Airlie Anderson

ILLUSTRATOR: Airlie Anderson

PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Company, 2018

AGE GROUP: 3-7

TOPIC(S): belonging, diversity, acceptance

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: perspective, individuality, parts to whole

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Create the character Neither using a marshmallow candy chick and a marshmallow candy rabbit. Then try mixing it up by using candy to create a new character whose appearance would put it in a “Neither” category.

2)  Find an image from a magazine that represents friendship. With permission, cut out the image. Next cut the images into puzzle pieces. Have a friend put your puzzle together.

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator Airlie Anderson visit:

https://www.airlieanderson.com/about

Rock What Ya Got

Perspective, Picture Books,

“Rock What Ya Got”

The opening: “Once upon a blank piece of paper, where anything can happen…”


The artist draws a character and names her Viva.

Viva likes who she is but the artist feels that something isn’t quite right. 

She draws different hairstyles for Viva. Still not right, and the artist continues to change things about Viva. With each change, Viva states, “Rock what you ya got!” Will the artist ever accept Viva the way she is?

This story promotes creative components of individuality and different perspective.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because of its message: “Rock what ya got – Look at what it is, not what is not!” Another element that this story offers is that the artist learns to accept herself. 

TITLE: Rock What Ya Got

AUTHOR: Samantha Berger

ILLUSTRATOR: Kerascoet

PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Company, 2018

AGE GROUP: 5-8

TOPIC(S): self-esteem, acceptance of one’s self

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: individuality, different perspective

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Find a rock and decorate it to look like you.

2) Use a beat/rhythm that you like to write a song about you. 

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author Samantha Berger, visit:

http://www.samanthaberger.com/about.html

To learn more about illustrators Kerascoet, visit:

An Interview with Kerascoët

Chilly Da Vinci

Creative Problem Solving, Creative Process, Humor, Imagination, Nature, Picture Books, Taking risks, , , , ,
“Chilly Da Vinci”

Chilly did not do penguin things. He built things that did not work.

When Chilly’s invention accidentally breaks a chunk of ice off from the Vinci colony, 

he needs to prove to himself and the other stranded penguins that he has what it takes to be a good penguin.

This story promotes creative components of imagination, taking risks, and humor.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I like this book because I am a big fan of Leonardo da Vinci’s and as such, I really enjoyed seeing J. Rutland’s perspective and how he introduces Da Vinci to young readers through a humorous story about a penguin taking risks despite failure.  

TITLE: Chilly Da Vinci

AUTHOR: J. Rutland

ILLUSTRATOR: J. Rutland

PUBLISHER: NorthSouth Books, 2019

AGE GROUP: 4-7

TOPIC(S): penguins, inventing, a nod to Leonardo da Vinci

CREATIVE COMPONENTS: imagination, taking risks, humor

LEARNING EXTENSIONS:

1) Research a scooter or skateboard. How might you change its design to improve its function? Additionally, what other functions can a skateboard or scooter perform or what else can it be?

2) Play with ice cubes and popsicle sticks or toothpicks. What can you make?

3) Look at one of Leonardo da Vinci’s invention designs. How might that invention be used today?

EXTENDING CONNECTIONS:

To learn more about author/illustrator J. Rutland visit:

MEET CHILLY DA VINCI CREATOR JARRETT RUTLAND!