Favorite Picture Book Authors and Why: Post #1

This post is about books that I love to read in storytime, with groups, and even one-on-one!

(I'd love to see comments about your favorite picture books / authors and if you've already read any of the ones I've listed below, or if you decide to check them out)

Jane Cabrera: 

Official Website

Facebook Page

Many of her picture books are traditional nursery rhymes or songs with a fun, modern twist making them super interactive. All of her books invite participation from the young child and adult reading with them. The illustrations are bright and bold and big making them perfect books for group sharing or one-on-one reading. Unfortunately some picture books are out of print, but you can often find them at your library or used on Amazon.

Among my favorites: 
* Row, Row, Row Your Boat 2013
* Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 2012
* If You're Happy and You Know It 2009
* Mommy Carry Me Please 2006
* Rock-a-bye-Baby 2017
Cat's Colors 2000
The Wheels on the Bus 
The 12 Day of Christmas 2014
Over in the Meadow 2000

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Nancy Tafuri: 

Official Website

Facebook Page

Nancy Tafuri's picture books and illustrations have received many accolades awards.... and for good reason! These are among my favorite books to read to young children during storytime and one-on-one with kids (especially my chickens when they were younger). The pictures are big, there is fun repetition, and the text lends itself to being interactive between the adult and child and for using props during storytime.... though the illustrations really don't need any extra help as they are amazing. The stories are simple in the sense young children with follow along with delight and are relatable to this age group.

Reading these one-on-one is SOO fun! There are lots of little details like bugs on each page or hints of what is going to come next.

(From her BIO : Noting her use of “tiny details,” generously sized shapes, and “sunny colors,” a Publishers Weekly contributor noted that Tafuri's picture book Five Little Chicks “proves once again why Tafuri ... is a favorite with youngsters.” )

Among my favorites:
* All Kinds of Kisses 2014
* Silly Little Goose 2010 
* Spots, Feathers, and Curly Tails (young toddlers) 1988
* Snowy, Flowy, Blowy: A Twelve Months Rhyme 1999
Have You Seen my Duckling 1996
Daddy Hugs 2014
Five Little Chicks 2011
Blue Goose 2011
Big Storm 2013
What the Sun Sees 1997

My blog post for Silly Little Goose

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Kevin Henkes:

 Official Website
This official website includes: Bio, games, videos, book information, and teaching guides / resources / activities for schools, libraries, and home.

I love Kevin Henke's picture books geared toward the younger age group and the kids are totally engaged while I read these in storytime. (Of course his books for older children are also adored!) Again the text is charming, the pictures are engaging, colorful, and big making them perfect for group reading! Both my chickens were sooo into A Good Day when they were younger and really interacted with the emotions of the animals and little girl at the end. A bad day can always be turned into a good day....!

Among My Favorites: 

* A Good Day (OMG I love this book!) 2010
* Birds 2017
* When Spring Comes 2016
* In the Middle of Fall 2017
* Old Bear 2011 (Seasons, hibernation, and Spring)
My Garden 2010
Little White Rabbit 2014
Winter is Here (not released yet)
A Parade of Elephants 2018 (not released yet)

Drumming with the Animals

Drumming with the Animals

If you know me, you know I love finding songs that I can use with my puppets!  This weekend I found a song by Kimmy Schwimmy called "Drumming with the Animals" that I'm crazy about!  The animal part moves a little faster than I could use puppets for, so I made flannel pieces instead.  You can purchase the song from Amazon for 99 cents or play it from YouTube.  Watch my video below so you can see why I love this song so much!

It's fantastic for using rhythm sticks with (which is why I double love it!).... but if you don't have rhythm sticks / dowels, you can just use your hands for drumming, clapping, etc.

I made a couple extra sets that are for sale.  These pieces took a lot of time to make, so I figured I'd make a couple extra sets for those who want them.  It also ties in perfectly with the SRP slogan: Libraries Rock.  I hadn't considered that when I made the flannel pieces....it's a song I'll use year round.  And of course the flannel pieces can be used in many other ways and not only this song!

Here is how I use this song:  My video

If you are interested in buying a set, comment below or email me at tara@foxandbearelp.com

Check out my website: Fox & Bear Early Literacy Programming

Check out my Facebook Page: Fox & Bear Early Literacy Programming Facebook

Mouse's First Spring

Mouse's First Spring by Lauren Thompson

I both want to share my flannel and sell additional sets. This is a perfect book for spring which is right around the corner! Info below after post. 🌼

Summary: One bright day, Mouse and Momma go out to play. The wind blows something feathery and plump (a bird), something wiggly and pink (a worm), and something green that hops and leaps (a frog).  But before it's time to go back inside, Mouse finds something with petals that's soft and new.... the prettiest flower he's ever see!  Could it mean that spring is finally here?

The mouse is about 16 inches ear to toe

Frog flannel piece

Snail flannel piece

Worm flannel piece

This set accompanies (and is being sold WITH) Mouse's First Spring by Lauren Thompson.  You can see the board book version here, but I'm selling the set with the hardcover.

This is my set for personal use and I have additional sets just like it.  If you would like a set and want something a little different, I can customize (ex. you might want a full flower with all the petals or the petals to be light blue... I can work with stuff like that!).  Order asap as this set takes a bit of time to make.

For purchase, email at tara@foxandbearelp.com or comment below.  I appreciate your business! 🌷

$56.00 (includes shipping within the US with tracking number AND hardcover book format.
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Just because I love these guys....

Now that Chicken Big can read, he and Chicken Little love to do their own storytimes with my materials.  He usually reads to her and she does the props. 🐔🐤

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate (Valentine's Day)

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright

I both want to share my flannel and sell additional sets.  This book / flannel is perfect for Valentine's Day! Info below after blog post. 💗

Summary: (From B&N) When Love Monster comes home from vacation, he discovers a box of chocolates on his doorstep. He knows he should share it with his friends, but what if there's none left for him after everyone has a piece? What if they take his favorite-the double chocolate strawberry swirl? And even worse-what if the only piece left is the coffee-flavored one? Ick! In the end, Love Monster learns that sharing with friends is the sweetest treat of all.

Flannel colors are quite bright.... I can't tell if maybe they just look dull on this computer...? ☹

He comes with a felt “box” of chocolates and his favorite chocolate inside (removable with Velcro).

This love monster was made with lots of love just in time for Valentine’s Day! He accompanies (and is being sold with) the much-adored book Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright.

He comes with a felt “box” of chocolates and his favorite chocolate inside (removable with Velcro).

For purchase, email me at tara@foxandbearelp.com  or comment below. I appreciate your business! ❤️

$38.00 + shipping

Love Monster and the Last Chocolate book info

Check out more Flannel Friday info here

Add to this week's round up http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/?p=6275

10 Layer Birthday Cake

My signature puppet Olive turns 10 this month (I'm not so weird that I remember the EXACT day I purchased her LOL), but I decided to celebrate her "birthday" in storytime this week and did a birthday theme.  This is a Flannel Friday post, so I won't write out my whole storytime, but I will share that we LOVED I'm Invited to a Party by Mo Willems.  Yup, it's an Elephant and Piggie book.  Before I started reading, I divided the kids in half-ish and one side was Elephant and the other was Pig.  We practiced each side saying, "Party!" when I pointed to them.  So it sounded like this:

Elephant(s): "Party!"

Pig (s): "Party!"

Elephant(s): "Party!"

Pig (s): "Party!"

 But this post is really about a 10 layer birthday cake:

Here is the song: 10 Layer Birthday Cake 

I found it was better to start constructing the cake before it gets to that part in the song.  The kids will be memorized regardless. I did it twice and they sang along the second time perfectly!  But there is this dumb (oooohhh curse word in preschool vernacular) ending where the cake falls on the floor.  Just stop it before then!

My own delightful little girl loving her mom's stuff being at home!

P.S. I own an early literacy programming business now!  I'd be so happy and appreciative if  you would visit and like my Facebook page!!!  It would mean a lot to me to see your support!

https://www.facebook.com/TaraFoxandBear/
https://www.foxandbearelp.com/  (website with more info)

I'm going to start a book box aspect of my business... mailing out newly published books with flannels and interactives so I really appreciate followers!  Please share my page with your friends, if you don't mind. This is my passion!  I will NEVER make the money I did as a public service Librarian, but I accepted that fact when I started this business knowing I'd reach way more kids and caregivers this way (bringing literacy programming into childcare centers and homes).  Thank you!!!

It's an Orange Aardvark!

It's an Orange Aardvark! by Michael Hall

Michael Hall has so many flannel-ing worthy books and I finally buckled down and made one.  I consider this book to be more of an early elementary school book.... but my 5 year old was tickled orange to read it with me so maybe Pre-K to 2nd?

Summary from Amazon:

Five carpenter ants at home in their tree stump hear a noise. What is it? One ant thinks it is a hungry aardvark lurking outside the stump, just waiting to eat them. One ant makes a hole in the stump to see. Orange light floods the stump—it's not an aardvark, proclaims the ant chorus. It's orange! So what is lurking outside the stump? This very funny picture book features die-cut holes on almost every page, suspenseful page turns, a wonderful surprise ending, and an introduction to a rainbow of colors.

 You are looking at the tree stump from the inside where the ants are:

As each new hole is drilled, a new color of light shines in:

More true-to-life camera lighting:

Pssst... you shouldn't leave your flannel pieces bunched up in your storytime travel box and then forget about them if you don't want it wrinkled.  Just a tip. 🙂

Check out the Flannel Friday blog or on Pinterest to browse old roundups and for information on how to get involved.

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes

Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes by James Dean

A Pete the Cat book I can get on board with again.  There are no blue shoes or groovy sunglasses, but I found this book on a Valentine's display at Barnes & Noble and thought it was the perfect book to mix up my Valentine's theme.

I used this set in my Valentine's theme this past February and the kids loved it!  I shared this book with my son's Kinder class and they were especially excited when Pete the Cat asked me to bring these cupcake erasers to them (randomly found them in the party isle at Walmart).

Learn more about how to browse old round ups and how to get involved with Flannel Friday by checking out the blog