“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

God Gave Us You: Perfect PIcture Book Friday

Just under two years old
Today, my oldest turns 14. In September, he starts high school. And really, neither of these facts has really sunk in yet. I am having a TOUGH time getting my mind around these facts.

And because of this, I though I would share one of my very, very
September 2014
favorite picture books with you today - one that my mother-in-law got me for a baby shower gift when my oldest was born, and that I often give to other new mothers as a shower gift.

And not just because I'm sentimental (but that IS probably 98% of the reason, if I'm honest) - but because I think this is a lovely book to add to Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday.
Title: God Gave Us You

Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Illustrator: Laura J. Bryant

Publisher: WaterBrook Press, 2000, fiction

Age Range: 3-7

Theme/Topics:babies, mothers, God, love

First Page: "Good night, sweet child," Mama said as she tucked Little Cub in.

But Little Cub wasn't quite ready to go to sleep.

"Mama, where did I come from?" she asked.

Synopsis: When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question--one that little "human cubs" often wonder about, too: "Where did I come from?"

As Mama bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: "We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because—God gave us you."

Resources: This probably isn't a book for the classroom proper, but here are some "Sunday-school type" lessons you can use. God made families part 1 and 2. (Maybe this ISN'T a perfect fit for PPBF, but sorry - I'm sharing it anyway. Mama's prerogative!)

Why I LOVE it: Besides the reasons I listed above? Because it is so incredibly sweet. Because it STILL makes me choke up when I read it. Because it is the perfect bedtime story. Because, in this world where folks do NOT necessarily value children, it does. Because the illustrations are lovely. Because the language is beautiful. JUST BECAUSE!

(Just a note - this book is specifically about mothers who give birth to their children - as opposed to adoption, or any other way families come together)

Hope you'll not mind my sappy, sentimental pick this week and give this book a look - and check out the OTHER perfect picture books for today at Susanna's blog - and Susanna's ever-growing list of wonderful picture books

Oh - and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDREW!
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

Getting Better - With Your Help!?

One of my 2015 goals is to do at least one specific, relatively substantial, thing to improve my children's writing craft each month. And today, with your help, I'm doing my "thing" for February.

I am over at Susanna Leonard Hill's blog today, participating in her Would You Read it Wednesday feature. I have a pitch for one of my picture books in progress up there, and folks have an opportunity to give their feedback on it to help me improve my craft.

Anyone can throw their two cents in - and I am REALLY looking for constructive criticism. Negative, to me, is better than kudos - truly! I can't grow if I don't get help to improve. So, would ya pop over and let me know if "you would read it?"

For the curious - my January "thing" was Meg Miller's ReviMo (revise more picture books), where I did some serious revision on two of my picture book manuscripts and learned TONS about effective revision.

March? I am getting excited about a new monthlong challenge, hosted by the wonderful and energetic Carrie Charlie Brown. Studying picture books as mentor texts is the focus of ReFoReMo (Reading for Research Month), and I KNOW I will learn a bunch on how to make my MSes as good
as they can be - and how to use the picture books I read to help with that.

April will focus on rhyme, as I participate in Angie Karcher's RhyPiBoMo (Rhyming Picture Book Month). Did this one last year, and was blessed much. Looking forward to another great month of learning.

As far as the months after that? Not sure, other than Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo in November. But I will, Lord willing, find a way to get better each month.

And in the meantime - couldja stop by Susanna's blog?

 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

The Extraordinary Mr. Qwerty: Perfect Picture Book Friday

Well, I'm back! Did you miss me? I've been pretty busy the past few weeks, and Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday has been put on the back burner at my blog. But now it's back (and so am I :D) - with this delightful book that charmed my socks off.

Title: The Extraordinary Mr. Qwerty

Author/Illustrator: Karla Strambini

Publisher: Candlewick, 2014, fiction

Age Range: 5-8

Theme/Topics: imagination, fear, changing the world, confidence

First Sentence:There once was a man named Norman Qwerty...whose ideas were far from ordinary.

Synopsis: Mr. Qwerty worries that his ideas might seem strange, so he keeps them under his hat. But extraordinary ideas refuse to stay hidden for long.

Norman Qwerty is a man of many ideas, and none of them are the least bit ordinary. He’s quite certain that no one else thinks the way he does, and this makes him keep to himself. But when his ideas get too big to hold in, he builds the most extraordinary thing! Soon the beloved Mr. Qwerty is never alone (unless he wants to be), and the world will never be the same.

Resources: This book makes use of a couple idioms - thinking cap, keep under your hat. Talk about idioms with the kids - check out this site for a few - and some others here. You can also talk about Rube Goldberg machines (several of which are illustrated in this book)- and perhaps try to make something like one.

Why I LOVE it: I cannot stop thinking about this book. The illustrations are amazing (I think anyone of ANY age could spend an hour at least on each page examining the intricacies), the sparse text is wonderful, the message powerful and empowering. It is absolutely engaging, on so many levels. I think you have to see this one to believe it. And it's by a debut author/illustrator. :)

Hope you'll give this book a look - and check out the OTHER perfect picture books for today at Susanna's blog - and Susanna's ever-growing list of wonderful picture books
 
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

My One Word: 2016 and 2017

Most who know me know I am a very goal-oriented person (in fact, I already shared my goal wrap-up for 2016 and my new ones for 2017 on this...