What is the most important thing about you?

The Picture Book of the Week is The Most Important Thing, written and illustrated by Antonella Abbatiello.

About the Book:

When the rabbit says the most important thing is to have long ears, all of the animals start to wonder about their ears. Then hedgehog says the most important thing is to have quills and giraffe says the most important this is to have a long neck. All of the animals in turn say the most important thing is to have their strengths, but is there an alternative?

Watch the preview here

Writing Exercise for kids:

In this story, the animals realize that they are all unique and important. Think about what is unique and important about you. Write a list of everything that makes you special.

K-5 Writing Prompt Activities_The Most Important Thing_ENGLISH

K-5 Writing Promt Activities_The Most Important Thing_SPANISH

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy Writing!

Do you ever wonder about how the world works?

The Picture Book of the Week is Wonder Walkers, written and illustrated by Micha Archer (author of Girl Running, Daniel Finds a Poem, and Around the World in a Bathtub).

About the Book:

The girl and the boy in this book do not have names, but it doesn’t matter. It is fun to go on a walk with them through nature and wonder about what they see. Wonder Walkers is about being curious about the world we live in–asking questions. Asking questions enlivens our imaginations.

Check out the book trailer below:

Writing Exercise for kids:

What do you wonder about? Go on a wonder walk. Think about what you see. Ask questions about what you wonder. Write about your wonder walk and what you wondered about.

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I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Upcoming Contest:

In January 2022, you will get to read about Camila’s new adventure as an inventor along with three other new adventures. Let’s celebrate my four new books. Join the Invention Contest for kids aged 7-9 to tell about their coolest invention. Check back for more information about prizes and how to enter. The first prize is a Chromebook.

Happy writing!

Are you afraid of new and unfamiliar things?

The Book of the Week is The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!, written and illustrated by Mo Willems.

About the Book:

Pigeon doesn’t want to go to school. He doesn’t know what school is like or what will happen there or if anyone will like him. He doesn’t know if he will like school. He wishes he was a baby, anything but to have to go to school. Will Pigeon ever agree to go to school?

Watch Mo Willems talk about his book below:

Writing Exercise for Kids:

Pigeon is afraid of the unknown. He doesn’t know what school is like or what to expect when he goes there. Think of a time you did something new. Were you scared like Pigeon? Write about how you worked up the courage to do what you were afraid of.

English

K-5 Writing Prompt Activities_Pigeon Has to Go to School

Spanish

K-5 Writing Prompt Activities_ Pigeon HAS to Go to School

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

 

How do you see yourself?

The Picture Book of the Week is Pineapple Princess, written and illustrated by Sabina Hahn.

About the Book:

The main character in this book is a little girl who just knows she is a princess, if only she could convince everyone else of that. She does al of the things princesses should do. She even has a crown. Her queendom doesn’t go as planned, however. Some of her subjects revolt. Can she still be a princess?

Watch author Sabina Hahn read the book below:

Writing Exercises for Kids:

The main character in this story sees herself one way and everyone else sees her another. Think about how you see yourself. Does anyone see you a different way? Do you listen to them? Write about how you honor how you see yourself.

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

 

Have you ever had a friend who caused trouble?

This week’s Picture Book of the Week is Gus Was A Friendly Ghost, written by Jane Thayer and illustrated by Seymour Fleishman.

This book was first released in 1961 so is technically vintage, but still entertaining.

About the Book:

Gus lives in a house with a family that doesn’t believe in ghosts. He rattles and clanks, but he doesn’t scare Mr. and Mrs. Scott or their children, Susie and Sammy. When Fall comes, the family leaves and Gus gets so lonely, he invites a garden mouse to live inside with him. Gus finds the mouse food and a place to sleep. When the Scott’s come back, the mouse is unhappy and decides to try to scare them away. Gus likes the family and doesn’t want them to go away. Can they all live together?

Watch the read aloud here:

Writing Exercise for Kids:

The mouse in this story behaves rudely while trying to chase the family away. Think about a friend who has done something rude. Write about how you reacted? Did you get mad? Did you stay calm? Did you speak up?

K-5 Writing Prompt Activities_Gus the Ghost

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I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

 

What are your favorite stories? Who told them to you? A parent? A grandparent?

The Picture Book of the Week is Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, written by Annette Bay Pimental and illustrated by Magaly Morales.

About the Book:

Pura Belpré was a born storyteller who grew up, moved to New York City, and eventually worked at the New York Public Library. Her love of story gave her the courage to challenge the Library’s rule that all story time stories had to be from published books. By including oral traditions along with published books in her story time, she reshaped not only the library where she work, but libraries across the country as well.

Watch the book trailer:

Writing Exercise for Kids:

Pura Belpré grew up listening to stories. Think about the stories you heard as a young child. Re-write that story from memory.

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K-5 Writing Prompt Activity SPANISH

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

 

What would you risk everything for?

The Picture Book of the Week is Maria the Matador, written and illustrated by Anne Lambelet, author of The Poisoned Apple and The Traveler’s Gift.

About the Book:

Maria loves churros. Maria loves churros so much that she is willing to face the most ferocious-looking bull she has ever seen–a bull that has defeated the fastest, strongest, and biggest matadors in Spain–just to win a lifetime supply of churros. The only problem was that Maria was one of the smallest little girls in Spain and she had no idea how to win.

Writing Exercise for kids:

Maria loves churros so much that she is willing to face a ferocious bull. Think about a something you are willing to risk everything for. Write a speech explaining what you are willing to risk and why.

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

Have YOU ever seen a ghost?

The Picture Book of the Week is There’s a Ghost in this House, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, author of Stuck, The Day the Crayons Quit, The Heart and the Bottle, and many more.

About the Book: 

A little girl is the main character in this book and the plot is simple. She has heard her house is haunted, but as hard as she looks, she can’t find a ghost. Her hope is that perhaps the reader can help her find a ghost, but you have to flip through the pages to find out.

A perfect book for Halloween.

Watch Oliver Jeffers in this creepy book trailer:

Writing Exercise:

Have you every seen a ghost or heard a ghost story around a campfire. Think about the stories you are familiar with. Write the absolute creepiest ghost story you know. Save it for Halloween.

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I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

They say music is the universal language. Has music ever changed you?

The Picture Book of the Week is Vole and Troll, written and illustrated by Iza Trapani.

About the Book:

Vole and Troll is a re-imagining of troll under a bridge stories. In this version, vole wants to cross a bridge to get to the tastiest grass in the valley. Troll demands a toll or he will eat vole, his favorite food. Vole tries to distract troll by singing him nursery rhymes. He succeeds. He tricks troll and gets to the grassy knoll, but that is not the end.

Watch the author, Iza Trapani, talk more about her book:

Writing Exercise:

In this story, music was important to both vole and troll. Think about something that is important to you. Write a song about it. It can rhyme, but it doesn’t have to

K-5 Writing Prompt Activity_Vole and Troll

K-5 Writing Prompt Activity_Vole and Troll_SPANISH

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!

 

 

Sometimes we all need a friend to support us when we are down.

The Picture Book of the Week is Amos McGee Misses the Bus, written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead.

About the Book:

In this second Amos McGee story, the main character is so excited to plan an outing for his friends that he can’t sleep. As a result, he is extremely tired the next day and misses the bus, loses his hat, and has trouble at his job. Fortunately, he has loving friends who help him out. Watch the trailer below:

Writing Exercise for students:

Amos McGee has worked hard to take care of the animals at the zoo for years. Now they love him and support him when he needs them. Think about your friends and how you help each other. Write about how you and your friends have helped each other.

K-5 Amos McGee Misses the Bus Writing Prompt Activities

K-5 Amos McGee Misses the Bus Writing Prompt Act SPANISH

I would love to hear your stories. If you are willing to share, please send stories to stories@alicia-salazar.com.

Happy writing!