Perfect Picture Book Friday/ A Sweet Smell of Roses

Hi Friends!

 

A lot has happened since I last wrote a Perfect Picture Book Friday post. It’s been two weeks since I published one. Most of you know it’s because of my brother dying. We have to move on. I had not felt like writing a post but now there’s stuff to tell you and I want to get back in the groove. And maybe it was why I missed the fun about Halloween. Been too serious. I’ll try and be gentle with myself.

 

Last Monday I was featured as a guest on Bobbi Carducci’s Storee Wryter blog, www.StoreeWryter.com. It’s a story of how and why I started writing. It was fun to do.

 

Tonight I’m doing a book signing at Books and Other Found Things for First Friday Leesburg. And tomorrow we’re picking up my nine-year old grandson from Richmond for a four-day visit. We’re roasting hot dogs and playing with the row-boat with family on Sunday and on Monday we’re planning a trip into DC to visit the Smithsonian and maybe a memorial or two. So yes, we move on from death, from pain.  The days move on and time heals. Perhaps I should have found a picture book on death but here is one that is purely historical fiction. A fun read.

 

Even though I know you want to go on and read PPBF, if you don’t know about these kids’ sites already, here are some fun ones.

 

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ 

 

http://www.billnye.com/ 

 

http://pbskids.org/games/ 

 

http://treehousetv.com/kids/games/play.aspx 

 

Have a good day! (I am SO glad its Friday!)

 

My Canadian sister sent me those links and I wanted to share. (Just in case you didn’t have them yet.) 🙂

 

Title: A Sweet Smell of Roses

 

Author:  Angela Johnson

 

Illustrated by:  Eric Velasquez

 

Published by: Simon and Schuster, Historical fiction/ awards and Nominations

 

CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book, CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children’s Book Council), KSRC Primary Titles – Top Pick

 

Appropriate for ages: Kindergarten through third grade

 

Themes:Women, War, Standing up for oneself, Civil Rights, African-American, Loretta Scott King, Martin Luther King, Liberty, Freedom, self Respect, Self Reliance, self-esteem, self-reliance, self-confidence, self-worth, self -acceptance, rule breaking, right vs. wrong, respect,  historical fiction, making

 

Martin Luther King leaning on a lectern. Deutsch: 1964: Martin Luther King Português: Martin Luther King (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

choices /decisions, Inter-connectiveness, Diversity/multicultural/ racial diversity, determination, culture, Belonging, Adventure, (Whew, :),, I think I covered each one, lol)

 

Resources:  for prereading discussion and activity guides: http://wildgeeseguides.blogspot.com/2010/01/sweet-smell-of-roses.html :

 

Audios and slide shows on meet the author about universal stories, African-American protagonists, her writing process and more: http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=6563 ;

 

What the Jacket says: There’s a sweet, sweet smell in the air as tow young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice.

 

Inspired by the countless young people who took a stand against the forces of injustice, tow Coretta Scott King Honorees, Angela Johnson and Eric Velasquez, offer a stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the youth involvement that played an invaluable role in the Civil Rights Movement.

 

Crowds surrounding the Reflecting Pool, during the 1963 March on Washington. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Why I love it: It is just the perfect expression for the young people of today to remember the March and their heritage in it. The Black and White art depicts the seriousness of the occasion perfectly and the red rose shows the metaphor of liberty and freedom. The artist also uses red as an accent for the ribbon on the teddy bear and for the stripes on the American flag. The sense of adventure as the two young girls run down the street away from their own neighborhood and into the march is shown in quick sentences and active verbs.

 

“This book is not only about segregation; it’s also about the crowds of people ‘walking our way toward freedom,’ the thrilling portrait of Dr. King, and the two brave kids who cross the line.” Book list

 

The first few sentences: After a night of soft rain there is a sweet smell of roses as my sister, Minnie, and I slip past Mamma’s door and out of the house down Charlotte Street. Past the early-morning milkman, over the cobbled bridge, and through the curb market…to where everybody waits to march. Minnie and I are only waist high to most of them.

 

Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, or just looking for a great book to read. Here is a list of books by category. Each book listed has a link to a review, information about that book, and resources for activities. There is also an alphabetical list.

 

If you have time, check out my page on “About Annie’s Special Day” up on the top bar. Have a great weekend everyone!