The best part? Reading (and looking at) the book kept me in that zone. Absolutely.
And so, I present to you another fabulous book to add to Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday list.
Title: I Need My Own Country!
Author: Rick Walton
Illustrator: Wes Hargis
Publisher:Bloomsbury USA, 2012, fiction
Age Range: 4-8 years
Theme/Topics:civics, humor, sibling conflict
First Page: There comes a time in all kids' lives when they need to create their own country.
Synopsis: When in the course of childhood events, it becomes necessary for one (small) person to create a separate and equal hiding spot to which the laws of growing up entitle them, the truth will be self-evident: they should declare their very own country!
Full of tongue-in-cheek instructions-
- Make your own flag.
- Your own currency.
- Your own laws.
Resources: There are some great ideas for creating a country and other related topis at the International Literacy Association page for this book.
Why I LOVE it: First of all, it is EXACTLY the kind of book I would LOVE to be able to write. The words and the illustrations absolutely, positively depend on one another. It isn't a comprehensible book as only illustrations - or as only text (at least, you wouldn't get the whole message). I am ABSOLUTELY studying this one as a mentor text. Plus, it's quite funny - both the illustrations and the text. And it's super creative. And it is a VERY fun way to introduce young kids to government.
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