Who Has This Tail? and Who Has These Feet? by Laura Hulbert

I think the titles explain these two titles well.

What I thought about Who Has This Tail?: Where was this book when I was doing my animal antics pajama party? This title will go perfectly with What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page. The illustrations are great. I love the use of white space on the question page and the full color two page spread that contains the answer. The mix of animals is great! (spider monkey, rattlesnake, shark, gerbil, horse, scorpion, peacock, arctic fox, beaver)

What I thought of Who Has These Feet?: Another great book by Hulbert & Brooks. I know my storytime kids will love guessing the animals. The illustrations are wonderful, especially the colors. I love the educational qualities of this book and its sequel. Another great mix of animals. (polar bear, tree frog, duck, ant, squirrel, parrot, desert lizard, sea turtle, kangaroo)

Storytime Themes: Guessing, Animals, Body Parts

(Illus. Erik Brooks. Henry Holt, 2012 & 2011

Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin

These color-loving monsters explore primary and secondary colors.

What I thought: Monster Love Colors will be a fun addition to my monsters storytime theme. I like that the monsters mix colors. Lovely, bright illustrations with good use of white space.

Storytime Themes: Monsters, Colors, Art

(Harper, 2013)

#FlannelFriday: Five Bears

I used Mel's patterns to make these bears. I think they turned out nicely. I look forward to using the rhymes Mel came up with. When I have the time, I'd like to try to make a sun bear, spectacled bear, and sloth bear to add to this collection.

Katie has the round up this week.

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Our Flannel Friday Fairy Godmother is Mollie (@molliekay).

Flannel Friday: If You Give a...

I created this set to use for my Mouse & Friends Party (a celebration of Laura Numeroff's If You Give...book series).

The first 16 pieces (animals & desserts/fruits) go along with Laura's books. I had to do a little guessing for the animals that don't have books yet (fox, rabbit, snake). The pieces are mouse, cookie, moose, muffin, pig, pancake, cat, cupcake, dog, donut, fox, fudge, rabbit, raspberry, snake, and sundae.

The other 14 pieces are just combinations I came up with. I tried to focus in on forest and farm animals. The pieces are owl, orange, frog, fig, bear, brownie, goose, gingersnap, turtle, truffle, ladybug, lemon, horse, and honeydew.

I used this set in various ways. For the first 16 pieces, I'd place the animal and have the kids guess the dessert. This was fun because the majority of the kids were familiar with the books. The last 6 pieces were fun...hearing the kids' predictions for the fox, rabbit, and snake.

With the other 14 pieces, we continued the guessing/suggesting. I also used these pieces to inspire the writing of our own circular story. Something I didn't do was let the kids change the pairings. Starting with If You Give a Moose a Muffin, Laura Numeroff has been alliterating her animals and desserts, but as she didn't with the first book, I think mixing things up would be both acceptable and fun.

Amy has the round up this week.

Important Links:
Flannel Friday Blog
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Our Flannel Friday Fairy Godmother is Mollie (@molliekay).

May B by Caroline Starr Rose

Her family needs the money so May is sent to help out on a neighbor's farm. The man is well meaning enough, but wife is not at all suited to frontier life. One day, she runs away and her husband goes after her. They don't return and May is left alone, away from home, and it's months before her father will come to fetch her. Can a young girl survive on her own as winter comes to the prairie?

What I thought: I read May B in one sitting. It was riveting. I felt like I was there with her. I could feel her desperation, cold, and hunger. This is an awesome book. Like most verse novels, it was a quick read. It's one of my favorites--right up there with Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. May's struggle with reading is heart wrenching. I like that the author considered what life would be like for a child who suffered from dyslexia. Give this book to fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series and Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson.

(Schwartz & Wade, 2012)

#FlannelFriday: Five Little Bears

These bears are crocheted magnets that I use with my small magnet board. I made up the pattern myself. They are made in two pieces, head and body. I added wiggle eyes and puff paint noses and mouths. I think they look a little like gummy bears. I used 5 different shades of brown.

Stay tuned in the following weeks for more bear themed Flannel Friday posts as I get ready for my Teddy Bear Picnic event.


Lisa has the round up this week.

Important Links:
Flannel Friday Blog
Flannel Friday on Pinterest
Flannel Friday on Facebook
Follow Flannel Friday on Twitter with the hashtag #FlannelFriday.
Our Flannel Friday Fairy Godmother is Mollie (@molliekay).

Pug & Other Animal Poems by Valerie Worth

Eighteen animal poems are paired with wonderfully detailed cut paper collage illustrations.

What I thought: Pug & Other Animal Poems will be a perfect addition to any animal themed storytime or event. I'm adding it to the lineup for my next Animal Poetry Break storytime and Animal Antics Pajama Party. My favorite poems are rabbits and dachshund. This is the first collection I've read by Valerie Worth and I like her style. Steve Jenkins illustrations are fabulous as usual.

(Illus. Steve Jenkins. Margaret Ferguson Book, 2013.)