Fabulous Finds Friday {September 13, 2013} -- Picture Book Finds!!

Friday means time to share some fabulous finds--It's Fabulous Finds Friday!

In mid-August, we were able to attend a wonderful one-day literacy institute, and we found some fabulous picture books that we would like to share with you today.  All of the following picture books were published in 2013, and we have given a brief synopsis of each.  Hopefully you will find something that grabs you... :0)

Super Hair-O and the Barber of Doom by Jon Rocco

The outstanding curly mop that is donned by the boy on the cover of this book immediately caught my eye.  Have to say that I just skimmed this one and bought it without reading it all first.  I was so taken by the illustrations that portrayed the spunky personality of the main character--I knew I must have it!  The main character is a super hero whose powers are derived from, of all things, his hair. "The more my hair grew, the more awesome my superpowers became."  AND his buddies have hairy super powers, too.  All is well until their super powers are stolen by none other than the barber! In the end, these super hair-oes realize that even without their hair they are "...still super!" This would be a great one to use in an everyday hero unit... 

Cat Talk by Patrica MacLachlan and Emily Maclachlan Charest 

Illustrated by Barry Moser

I saw this one and knew I had to have it because I absolutely adore the other two poetry picture books written by this mother daughter pair--I Didn't Do It and Once I Ate a Pie.  In this beautifully illustrated picture book, the authors introduce us to the many personalities of our feline friends through poems--from Tuck who likes to slumber by his owners' feet under the covers to Princess Sheba Darling who is in love with her beautiful self. 

Dog-Gone School by Amy Schmidt

Photographs by Ron Schmidt

I have been collecting a variety of poetry books over many years, and it seems there are more and more being published with photographs to accompany the text these days.  The photographs in this text depict canine kids in various places around school.  I just wanted to reach right into this book and give the dogs a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ear. The poems are just as adorable as the photos.  My grandson loved this one, too!

Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian

Illustrated by Tim Bowers

If you love Memoirs of a Goldfish, you'll have to have this one as well! A hamster named Seymour is content in his cage with his water bottle and his wheel--he's "the luckiest hamster in the world."  That is, UNTIL he learns about the SUNROOM! He makes a break for it!  You'll have to read to find out Seymour's fate... Hilarious!

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld 

When we were introduced to this book at the conference, I instantly knew I had to have it! Poor little exclamation point just can't fit in with the periods and tries everything to fit in. He meets question mark who, of course, is quite curious about exclamation point. This meeting allows exclamation point's true self to come out!  I HIGHLY recommend this book!

That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

Mo Willems does it again with another fabulous book! My students love the Pigeon books he writes, so when I saw this book, I knew the kids would love to read it. Willems does it again by allowing the audience to interact with the characters. The evil Fox is trying to lure the the goose to dinner. She is willing goes with him, even with the chicks telling her "That is NOT a good idea!"  You will be surprised by the ending of this story...I know I was:)

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Enjoy your weekend!