Who are you connected to?

The Picture Book of the Week is Heart String, written and illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes, author of Brave Molly (an empowering book for kids).

About the Book:

Heart String doesn’t have a traditional plot, for example, a problem and a solution. Instead, it presents a concept that teaches kids about our connections with the people we love and even with strangers. It illustrates this concept using strings, or “heart strings” that link each person’s heart to another person’s heart. The strings in the illustrations communicate concretely how everyone in the world is tied together and, hopefully, why we should care for each other.

Writing Prompt for Kids:

English:

Whose heart is your heart connected to? Think about the people you encounter every day. Write about your “heart string”.

Español:

¿A que corazón esta conectado tu corazón? Piensa en la personas con quien to encientas todos los días. Escribe sobre “la cuerda de tu corazón”.

Happy writing!

Do you have an untold story?

The Picture Book of the Week is The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination, written by Brad Montague and illustrated by Brad Montague and Kristi Montague.

About the Book:

Sparky is a figment for the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. Sparky works diligently to make sure all of the Bureau’s ingoing and outgoing mail is sorted and delivered. In his free time, Sparky also writes poems, but he doesn’t share them with anyone. One day, a crisis happens and the bureau and Sparky and his poems might be the only way to save them. Can Sparky’s untold stories save the Bureau?

Watch the book trailer below:

Writing Prompt for Kids:

English:

Do you have a poem, a story, or a drawing that you haven’t shown anyone. Help someone in your life join the Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by sharing your untold story.

Spanish:

¿Tienes un poema, un cuento, o un dibujo que nunca le haz enseñado a nadie? Ayuda a alguien en tu vida a unirse con el Departamento Fantástico de la Imaginación compartiendo tu historia nunca contada.

I would love to see your poem, stories, or drawings. If you would like to share, send your work to contact@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing

I hope all of those who celebrate are enjoying the day with their families and, of course, reading lots of books.

Have you ever had a dream? Did you go after it?

The Picture Book of the Week is Attack of the Underwear Dragon, written by Scott Rothman and illustrated by Pete Oswald.

About the Book:

Attack of the Underwear Dragon is about Cole, a young boy who dreams of becoming an assistant knight to his favorite knight of the round table, Sir Percival. He sends Sir Percival a letter, which touches Sir Percival’s heart so much that he makes Cole his assistant knight. Cole throws himself into assistant knight ship and learns as much as he can from his mentor. Soon, however, an unforeseen foe threatens the kingdom. What will the knights do? What will Cole do?

Watch an interview with the author and illustrator at the link below:

Interview with Scott Rothman and Pete Oswald

Writing Prompt for Kids:

English:

Do you know of someone who does what you dream of doing? Write them a letter asking if you can be their assistant. Tell why you would be a good choice for the job.

Español:

¿Conoces a alguien que hace lo que tu sueñas hacer? Escribeles una carta pidiendo ser su ayudante. Diles porque serias una buena elección para este trabajo.

Attack of the Underwear Dragon_Letter_ENG

Attack of the Underwear Dragon_Letter_SPA

I would love to read your letters. If you would like to share, please send your letters to contact@alicia-salazar.com

Happy Writing!

Have you ever suspected your babysitter is a witch?

The Picture Book of the Week is If Your Babysitter is a Bruja, written by Ana Siquiera and illustrated by Irene Freitas.

About the Book:

It’s almost Halloween and a young girl suspects that her new babysitter is a bruja. The evidence is clear: the flying broom, the black sombrero, the black cats. The girl cooks up a plan to get rid of the babysitter. Will it work?

Watch the book trailer here:

Writing Prompt for Kids:

English:

Write a story about a bruja. It can be a real witch or one that is pretend.

Español:

Escribe un cuento sobre una bruja. Puede ser una bruja de verdad o the mentiras.

Babysitter_Writing Prompt

I would love to read your stories. If you would like to share, please send your stories to contact@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing!

Have you ever needed friend?

The Picture Book of the Week is The Lion & The Mouse, written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.

About the Book:

This 2010 Caldecott Medal winner is a retelling of one of Aesop’s fables about a mouse who gets caught and released by a lion. Sometime later, the lion is caught in a net by hunters and the mouse repays the lion’s kindness by gnawing through the rope and releasing the lion. In Jerry Pinkney’s version, the story is completely wordless. Rich with the colors of the savannah, The Lion & The Mouse brings the plight of the lion and the mouse, each in turn, to vibrant life.

Writing Exercise for Kids:

English:

Have you ever been in trouble and needed a friend? Tell your story in pictures, using no words.

Español:

Alguna vez haz tenido un problema y necesitado un(a) amig(o/a)? Cuenta tu historia en dibujo, sin ninguna palabra.

The Lion & The Mouse_Writing Promp_ENG

The Lion & The Mouse_Tema de Escritura_SPA

I would love to see your drawings/read your stories. If you would like to share, send your stories to contact@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing!

Do you love shoes? Have you ever wondered what a toddler sees when walking down the street?

The Picture Book of the Week is City Feet, written and illustrated by Aixa Pérez-Prado.

About the Book:

City Feet is a romp through the city from a toddler’s point-of-view. A parade of shoes from loafers to slippers to soccer cleats, bop and hop and tap across the page. I put this book in bilingual corner because multilingual words for good day and good afternoon. Some languages included are German, Spanish, English, and Quechan. This book is for any kid who is a shoe lover or anyone looking for a lively read aloud for their kids.

Watch Aixa Pérez-Prado talk about collages here:

Writing Exercise for Kids:

English:

Do you love shoes? Draw your favorite shoes and tell why you love them.

Español:

¿Amas a los zapatos? Dibjua tus zapatos favoritos y di porque te agradan.

City Feet Writing Prompt English

City Feet Tema de Escritura SPANISH

I would love to see your drawings and read your stories. If you would like to share, please send your work to contact@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing!

Have you ever been on a wild ride?

The Picture Book of the Week is Wild Blue, written by Dashiki Slater and illustrated by Laura Hughes.

About the Book:

Wild Blue is about a girl who goes from training wheels to a big girl bike, but it’s really about a girl finding confidence, strength, and power. In it, the dad tells the girl that she has outgrown her small pink bike and it is time for a bigger one. The girl tries to ride the big blue bike, but she keeps falling off. Will she ever be able to ride her wild blue bike into the sunset?

Writing Exercise for Kids:

English:

Think about a time when you have taken a wild ride. Write about your wild ride and why it was special.

Español:

Piensa en una vez que fuiste en una viaje salvaje. Escribe sobre esto y porque fue especial.

I would love to read your stories. If you would like to share, please send your stories to contact@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing!

Have you ever wondered how to handle a difficult situation?

The Picture Book of the Week is Somewhere in the Bayou, written and illustrated by Jarrett Humphrey and Jerome Humphrey.

About the Book:

Four swamp animals — an opossum, a squirrel, a rabbit, and a mouse — need to cross a river. They find a log that will get the job done, but there is a menacing-looking tail very close by. Each animal has its own solution to the problem of the tail and how to stay safe. How would you handle this difficult situation?

Watch Jarrett and Jerome show how to make the stamps they use to make the illustrations:

Writing Exercise for Kids:

English:

Try making your own stamps and using them to tell a story about a difficult situation and how you handled it.

Español:

Intenta hacer uno sellos y usalos para escribir un cuento sobre algo difícil que superaste y como lo hiciste.

Somewhere in the Swamp_Template_ENG

Somewhere in the Swamp_Template_SPA

I would love to read your stories. If you would like to share, send your stories to contact@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing