Love in the Wild is a colorful celebration of love in the animal kingdom, a perfect board book to read to a child snuggled on your lap. Katy Tanis's gently rhyming text takes the reader through a variety of animal scenarios found in real life, including holding paws, nuzzling necks, hitching rides, playing peek-a-boo, and … Continue reading Love in the Wild – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Occasionally, I read a picture book that makes me wonder how so few words can contain such depth. The answer is often a pesky critter that taps at a dark window, only to disappear when I turn to look. One thing I've noticed is that these kinds of picture books usually come from an author … Continue reading My Bison – Perfect Picture Book Friday
From day one... [page turn]things have gone downhill.I've been a pillow...[page turn]a hankie...and lunch for a prehistoric beast. Poor Louis. Can't a bear get a little respect around here? I'm tempted to show you the three spreads associated with the above text, but I don't want to spoil your fun. I will, however, show you … Continue reading Louis – Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF
I was leafing through a pile of picture books (imagine that!), and found this gem. Daniel Minter's acrylic wash illustrations are vibrant and luminous in this 2019 Caldecott Honor book. They make me feel like I am peering through the translucent glass of time at a memory. Pure magic. On reunion morning, we rise before … Continue reading Going Down Home With Daddy – Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF
Ok, I'll admit that I'm getting a jump on Halloween, but there I was minding my own business, checking my holds out at the library—when what to my wondering eyes should appear? THIS! Who can resist that title? Who can resist the smell of—well, I won't go there. I brought the book home, opened it … Continue reading I Love You More Than the Smell of Swamp Gas – Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF
First, I've got to show you where a spent a few hours this past week during spring break in Los Angeles. Yes, it's THE LAST BOOKSTORE housed in an old bank in downtown LA! And what did I find in THE LAST BOOKSTORE? Well, an unusual picture book written by Swedish author, Martin Widmark. The … Continue reading THE LAST BOOKSTORE + The House of Lost and Found – Perfect Picture Book Friday
And now it's time for Susanna Hill's Valentiny contest! The rules this year: write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone feels guilty! My entry is 210 words. Only the Best for You, Mom! By Jilanne Hoffmann Mom, why are you giving me the stink eye? One … Continue reading Only the Best for You, Mom! – Valentiny Contest
Time for a most huggable picture book! "When Mia moved in, Mom and Dad had a room ready for her. 'All yours,' they said.'" "Mia liked it, but it needed something. 'Perfect,' said Mia. 'And all mine.'" There you have it. This is a book that features an adopted child without the word "adoption" being … Continue reading Mia Moves Out – Perfect Picture Book Friday
I organized our school's annual book swap this year, where families bring in bags of books they no longer want, the library committee sorts them, and then students, parents, and staff select books to supplement their summer reading. Any books remaining at the end of the swap get donated to a community thrift store. Kids … Continue reading Story of a Little Mouse Building a House – Perfect Picture Book Friday
When my son was three, he was fascinated by all things siren-related. One night in the Mission District of San Francisco, an ambulance was parked outside the restaurant where we were eating. No emergency, just hungry paramedics waiting for their "TO GO" order. When we left the restaurant, my son ran to the ambulance and … Continue reading Life, Love, and LTYM Show – San Francisco
Jilanne Hoffmann 