In these days of email and texts, letter-writing can seem like an ancient custom or a lost art form. It might seem that way, but letter-writing is actually a handy skill for kids to have, one that they will inevitably use later in life even if it’s only for practical matters. The picture book IContinue reading “If You Come To Earth by Sophie Blackall”
Author Archives: Alicia Salazar
Looking for Smile by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer
The picture book for this week is Looking for Smile, written by Ellen Tarlow and illustrated by Lauren Stringer. About the book: This week’s story is about Bear and Smile, who are always together enjoying everything from the simple to the exciting. One day, Smile is gone, and Bear is not the same. Bear looks everywhereContinue reading “Looking for Smile by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer”
The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade and Jennifer Davison
The great thing about picture books is that they can communicate universal truths by crafting imaginative characters and putting them in familiar situations. The situations automatically become less threatening, even funny, allowing kids to laugh at some otherwise serious circumstances. The Picture Book I picked for the week is The Very Last Leaf, written by StefContinue reading “The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade and Jennifer Davison”
A Thousand No’s by DJ Corchin and Dan Dougherty
The beauty of picture books is that they distill a universal theme down to about 500 or so words. When the goal is for the writer to communicate a familiar but unspoken truth with power and heart, this turns out to be no easy feat. The Picture Book of the Week is A Thousand No’s, writtenContinue reading “A Thousand No’s by DJ Corchin and Dan Dougherty”
On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex
Everyone has to write at some point in their lives. You might not write a novel or a poem, but you will probably have to write a letter or an email, or a report for work. It doesn’t have to be a chore for you or for your kids either. I teach kids to fallContinue reading “On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex”
The Staring Contest by Nicholas Solis
I study picture books to improve my craft, but I also love picture books. They are funny, and poignant, and most important, true. In a few words, they get to the heart of pain, love, or absurdity. This week, I ran across The Staring Contest by Nicholas Solis (full disclosure: I know the author andContinue reading “The Staring Contest by Nicholas Solis”